(Previously, PSN gatecrashes an AIDS/HIV seminar, takes the microphone, gets bashed for using words like buto and giti, and declares he is HIV negative.)
AND THEN, I added: I am also gay.
And that made them realize I’m serious.
I am honest.
And then, I said the words: “When we talk about AIDS and HIV, I want you to be open-minded. And I will start with the words that you all know already: buto, putay, itut, chupa, bulianay, lulu, tulo, bilat, giti, condom.”
*
Those who were asleep from the previous talks, woke up, and straightened up.
Nobody was laughing anymore.
So I dropped the statistics.
*
And gave all the honest anger I could muster to tell them how my heart is heavy and sad about the state of things regarding the real threat of HIV and AIDS in our town, and country.
And because I could see that they were really listening and reluctant to leave even if it’s already past 12:10, I told them the truth I have never told anyone before:
*
That I’m taking Truvada (emtricitabine and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), the blue pill taken for “prevention before HIV exposure”.
Or what is called PreP.
*
I told them that I may sound very desperate, but I am very selective with partners.
That I am consistent with condom use.
Even if I am probably better protected.
And I told them my struggles as a gay man after my husband died.
*
I told them, I am no saint.
I told them I like sex. Perhaps with a passion.
I told them I understand if they can’t wait to have sex.
I told them I was 30 when I lost my virginity, but not everybody can wait like that.
*
I told them to have sex, sure, if they really have to; but to be smart about it.
I told them that if it is wrong to use condoms in their religion, they should just leave their religion.
And stay alive and HIV-free to praise God.
*
Then, I called the rural health nurse.
And introduced her/him.
I told the students, if they seek treatment for gonorrhea, they should go to her/him, and give the password (phrase): “Peter Solis Nery sent me.”
*
That declaration should be enough a clue that the case should be treated with confidentiality and utmost respect for privacy.
That there should be no blame, no shame, only love.
And only the kind of love that Peter Solis Nery gives: total acceptance.
No judgment, no conditions.
No ifs, no buts.
*
I don’t know if I should not be surprised, but I was surprised, that the students do not know their rural health nurse.
It saddens me that these students do not know where to go if they have any sexual health and reproductive health problems.
*
So we teach them about STI and HIV and AIDS, we teach them what symptoms to watch for.
And then, what?
Where do they go?
How do they get treated?
*
And just so they understand, I also said:
But don’t tell the nurse that Peter Solis Nery gave you the gonorrhea.
Because I will hunt you down, and have you killed for spreading lies.
*
No, I won’t spend money on libel and slander cases.
Because, in this country, it’s cheaper to just have someone killed.
And in my book, if they lie, they die.
And rot in hell.
And, of course, the students, who understood, applauded my very short, but intelligent, instructional, and informative talk.
*
Two days after my gate-crashing at that AIDS/HIV talk, a boy approached me to tell me that he got his girlfriend pregnant.
The pregnancy is about five months now.
He wants to keep the baby.
She wants the baby aborted.
*
She’s too young to be a mother.
It sounded like there were unsuccessful attempts.
I couldn’t get my mind off the five months.
How does she keep it secret from her family?
She binds herself tight with cloth like those girls who bind their growing breasts to look like boys in old movies.
*
(To be continued as “Saving Lives” on Wednesday)/PN
