Been There, Done That!
Posted on June 19, 2014 by A&U in Columns, First Generation
First Generation by Chuck Willman Been There, Done That! Stigma, like history, seems to have a tendency to repeat itself Sometimes our worst enemies are ourselves. I’m as guilty of this as the next person. I grew up as a somewhat obedient little Catholic boy, even serving as an altar boy. The rules and expectations [...]
Dropping the Ball
Posted on April 22, 2014 by A&U in Columns, First Generation
Dropping the Ball Is it time to forge new connections & strengthen our AIDS communities? by Chuck Willman I’m angry. So as I write this, I cannot promise it will be a joy to read or digest. For that, I will apologize now. But I hope you’ll indulge me for a few minutes anyway. I’m [...]
Surviving Surviving
Posted on February 26, 2014 by A&U in Columns, First Generation
First Generation by Chuck Willman Just Being Human How do we survive surviving the plague? First of all, I hope everyone was able to enjoy the holiday season, no matter what or if you celebrate anything. We all know that what’s supposed to be one of the “happiest” times of the year—all filled with hope [...]
Patient Knowledge
Posted on November 1, 2013 by A&U in Columns, First Generation
First Generation by Chuck Willman Another Opening, Another Sore Sometimes patients do know best! After my last column there’s both good and bad news; NO cancer and all tests were negative for any “major problem.” Yay! However, all of the testing I endured left us with nothing but question marks over our heads. So back [...]
Combating the Blues
Posted on July 8, 2013 by A&U in Columns, First Generation
First Generation by Chuck Willman Combating the Blues There’s one essential to living with HIV/AIDS and battling depression—you! I’ve suffered with depression and mental illness since high school, though it went undiagnosed and I decided to “treat”/medicate myself with enough booze to run a gay cruise to the Caribbean Islands and back. I was voted [...]
Listening to Women
Posted on May 21, 2013 by A&U in Columns, First Generation
Sisters shouldn’t always have to do it for themselves!
HIV Pride?
Posted on April 1, 2013 by A&U in Columns, First Generation
Maybe this is a vernacular issue, but are we confusing “pride” with “not ashamed”? by Chuck Willman Over the last few months I’ve noticed a number of gay blogs, Web sites (including those specifically selling “bareback” or no-condom porn), even advertisements for pharmaceutical companies selling their “positive” images of the “new” young, “healthy” HIV-infected person, proclaiming [...]
Pity Party
Posted on January 20, 2013 by A&U in Columns, First Generation, Noteworthy
Why am I always being told I’m bringing the whine? First Generation by Chuck Willman First of all, we survived the election! So for those of us—and I would think that includes a great many—living on the so-called “entitlement programs” (which we worked for and earned!) we can breathe a collective sigh of relief. Now, [...]
Clock Wise
Posted on November 28, 2012 by A&U in Columns, Features, First Generation
What can long-term survivors teach the world? First Generation by Chuck Willman My name is Chuck Willman. I tested positive for HIV in 1988. In 1995 I had progressed to “full-blown AIDS.” Despite my long battle with AIDS, my only awful and debilitating ailment is peripheral neuropathy in my legs, which makes it difficult for [...]
