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Junior,
1995.
Junior
August 3, 1995
Junior's Apartment
Upper Tenderloin, San Francisco
Junior's younger brother Bunso is present.
Bunso: Before you even said anything....
Junior: When I described it, he could tell I have HIV. But I can't say the words, I only said it once, to one person, and he was the second person. When I said it to Barbara, it took me hours. I was in her office, giving all these details, I can't say the words, "I'm HIV positive."
Bunso: And I don't want to ask you about it.
Junior: I'm sure he's embarrassed, too. Or it's hard because we didn't really talk. Now, more and more we're starting to talk.
Bunso: I just didn't want to ask you because I don't want to know the...
Junior: He's in denial! (laughing)
Bunso: No, I don't want you to confirm right away. It's like...
Junior: So he's in denial from December to April! (still teasing)
MW: In April did you tell your parents, as well?
Junior: Yeah, the reason I told everyone was because we have a performance coming for Positive Spirit in May, and we have the pictures in the paper. I don't want people to find out from the paper. I would rather have them hear it from me directly.
I think it really helped me being part of Positive Spirit. I used that as a tool to tell people. I would say, "I joined a theater group. And I'm performing. I'd like you to come." And they'll ask what time, what's your role, and I'll just say, "I'm playing myself." And they'll ask, "How is that?" "Well, this is a theater group of young people with HIV." And they'll say, "So?" "I am HIV positive." Then they start reading my monologue I wrote, which I think I want to give you, because I brought it here. After they heard it, it helps them because they know I'm okay and not to worry about me. If I know that people are worried about me, then I'll end up worrying myself.
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