POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Jeffreyj on June 09, 2006, 05:19:24 am
-
The response in the AZ Republic Article on June 5Th (http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0605hivat25-0605.html) was overwhelmingly positive! The story ran on page one. The reporter called me on Tuesday, informing me that she was flooded with very positive emails from a variety of people. Most, she said, were from those who new someone who died of aids or had hiv. All were very appreciative for her article and seemed very pleased that the story shed some light on the hiv/aids issue.
She also told me that One in Ten, a local gay youth group, had asked her if I would speak to help educate their group. I also received a job offer(wow that was a shock) and I also received several compliments from friends, and friends of friends who said they were touched by my story.
I can't tell you how shocked and how pleased I was with the awesome response! I really did not expect it! So in short, I'm very happy I did the story. I could not have done it two years ago. I'm so happy I did it though. I know can move forward with less fear then I've ever had before.
So for those of you who are "on the fence" about speaking out, you may want to do it! You too may be surprised at the response you get! While I encourage you all to do it, I fully understand if you do not. Do whatever makes you happy.
So thank you all for your support. I will continue to be more outspoken. I wore the t-shirt "We All Have Aids" to the Madonna concert tonight. The lady in line next to me asked me what it meant. I ended up having a ten minute conversation with her then she asked her daughter to join in. She thanked me for taking the time to talk to her about Aids! Have a great weekend everyone. I plan on having fun!
Love to you all,
Jeff
-
Jeff,
It sure sounds like things are working out great for you! Congrats on the positive responses from everybody. I wish my hubby and I could go to the Madonna concert... I've heard it was really good. Take care
David
-
All were very appreciative for her article and seemed very pleased that the story shed some light on the hiv/aids issue.
She also told me that One in Ten, a local gay youth group, had asked her if I would speak to help educate their group. I also received a job offer(wow that was a shock) and I also received several compliments from friends, and friends of friends who said they were touched by my story.
I can't tell you how shocked and how pleased I was with the awesome response! I really did not expect it! So in short, I'm very happy I did the story. I could not have done it two years ago. I'm so happy I did it though. I know can move forward with less fear then I've ever had before.
Jeff that is superb. See? When you give, you get back, "plus more" ... Great going. I'm very happy for you and I'm inspired to hear all this. Thank you.
Alex
-
Jeff,
That is SO AWESOME! Isn't always interesting when we do really scary stuff that we thought we could never do, positive things come out of it? You are strong and brave and making a difference.
xoxo
Lisa
-
Jeff...that is so great that you have had such a positive response to your article. Im really happy for you!
Hugs
Teresa
-
Jeff
I can't tell you how pleased I am to hear about the positive support you've received from the article. Thanks for sharing this additional part of the story with us.
RAB
(Who's faith in humanity has just gone up one notch!)
-
The more we speak out, the greater the understanding, the better the education, the less the stigma.
As I said before Jeff, GREAT JOB! :D
HUGS,
Mark
-
Hi Jeff, people like yourself and all the others that have opened up to the world surely make us all proud. Good article and Well done,
love to you,
mark
-
Jeff,
So, so glad about the responses to your story! What an incredible opportunity you have to educate people around your area.
Take care,
John
-
Jeff, very pleased to hear about the positive response.... openness usually leads to greater understanding....we all need to treat this infection like the germ that it really is and stop "hiding" ... I hope the job offer was worth something monetarily as well as a huge pat on the back for a job well done..
Nick :)
-
Hello Jeff,
Congratulations ! I am glad you are receiving this positive, energy feedback !
You go Guy--------Ray 8)
-
Jeff,
I'm glad you got the reception you did. It's very encouraging. Congratulations.
Hugs,
Alan
PS - are you going to accept the job offer?
-
Hi Jeff...
Congratulations on a terrific article!! It's so good to hear about the positive response from your community, you spoke from the heart, and obviously touched many, many people.
You deserve all the best.
In admiration,
Zephyr
-
Jeff,
:-* :-* :-*
Hermie
-
Jeff... (pauses for 2 min to figure out what to say)
Your life has touched me on a very personal level. The writer really took the time to know you Jeff. What a beautiful peice. A peice of your life you probably could never have noticed forming around you as you moved through all these years. The pain, the joy, the anguish in loss. And here you are marking the passage of time till this present day. People such as you Jeff give others such as me hope. Knowing the realities of HIV/AIDS, knowing that the word "time" is not just a word. That it can be broken down into moments in your life that can add up to a wonderful life full of meanings and growth. You are a blessing to this world and thank you for allowing 100's of thousands of readers to be a part of you....
You make me cry, laugh and sing, all at the same time..
Love