Former Greeks raise AIDS awareness at Gallagher

By Hanh Quach
Arizona Daily Wildcat
February 12, 1996

In a program that blends humor with realistic college-party scenarios, two former fraternity members talked to more than 600 sorority and fraternity members about AIDS in Gallagher Theatre yesterday afternoon.

With videotapes, jokes and statistics, Joel Goldman and T.J. Sullivan warned about the effects alcohol consumption can have on decisions to have safe sex.

Goldman said he tries to gear the presentation toward college students. Without a lot of medical terminology and professionalism, Goldman said the students understand the issue better.

The crowd listened silently as Goldman informed them that one in 250 college students is HIV positive. Goldman also tested positive for HIV.

The crowd laughed out loud when Sullivan demonstrated how to use latex gloves, latex "dental dams" and condoms to help prevent the spread of HIV.

Dental dams are pieces of rectangular latex commonly used in oral surgery. Sullivan recommended the use of dams for oral sex.

The program challenges all stereotypes of race, gender, religion and socioeconomic background, Goldman said, adding that HIV is a virus that knows no stereotypes.

"Even if a person 'looks' safe, it doesn't mean they don't have HIV," Sullivan said.

Karla Martinez, business freshman, said, "It inspired me to reach out to my friends and tell them it's not only pregnancy that they need to look out for. They could die."

"I'm going to try to control my alcohol consumption to the point where I know what I'm doing," said communications freshman Heather Magidsohn.

Derek Gurney, agriculture freshman, said the presentation made him more aware of condom use. He also said he planned to have less sexual partners.

"If every time we speak and that prevents one person from my predicament, then it's totally worth it," Goldman said.

Doctors predict Goldman will live anywhere from 10 to 12 years.

"Every day I'm here, it's another day of research, another day of hope," he said.

(OPINIONS) (SPORTS) (NEXT_STORY) (DAILY_WILDCAT) (NEXT_STORY) (POLICEBEAT) (COMICS)