FEA

Aids poli

Poignant Look At AIDS Victim

By Cori Cusak

Reprint from the Cord Weekly

"I’ve got AIDS, but AIDS hasn’t got me."

Those very brave words, spoken by Toronto actor, James St. James, are at the very heart of why this gentleman has become Canada’s longest surviving AIDS patient. His life to date is chronicled in June Callwood’s new book, Jim: A Life With AIDS.

This touchingly poignant story of St. James’s struggle to accept his homosexuality, the conflicts with his religious beliefs, his fatal diagnosis, and his struggle to beat the odds may. very well become a bible for those who've either known some-

one with the disease or have con- “acted it themselves."

St. James’s courage and strength, and -his. desire. to help others is underlined throughout the book. From the time when he was growing up in a strict Jehovah’s Witness family, to his realization of his homosexuality, and right up to the present day,

» os others consider St, James to be a vy. friendly ‘and thoughtful individu- al,

Facing the rejection of his peers in high school, and the divorce of his parents, Jim learned to stecl himself against

the hatred and fear of homosexuality that others learn early in life. He was lonely and frustrated through most of his teenage years. The struggle be- tween his religious beliefs

(Jehovah’s Witnesses are devout- ly against homosexuality) and his awakening sexuality almost proved too much for him to hand- le.

Jim plunged into a life filled with contradiction. For months he would remain celibate and devour

the bible with almost insatiable zeal, and then suddenly would flip the coin and spend his time cruising ‘leather’ gay bars pick-

__ ing up strangers.

the seedy, dangerous sexual un- derground of the homosexual community in the early eighties. It was during this time that he

- contracted AIDS.

~ CALLWOOD

we >

He was constantly searching for someone to spend his life with, but never seemed to reach that pinnacle. A brief marriage to a beautiful Jehovah’s Witness ended in ruins and sent Jim run- ning to his father’s home. Moving between his hometown of Brant- ford, Toronto, and New York, Jim fell deever and deeper into

Since his diagnosis, Jim's story is one of such an unbeliev- able amount of courage that it demands respect and admiration. He has fought against unbeliev-

able odds, outliving more than |

(PWA) Foundation has helped a great many destitute sufferers find a little solace in their pain. June Callwood, one of Cana- da’s best known journalists and

the author of Twelve Weeks In Spring, has written the book from her association with St. James, and tape recordings that he began shortly after being diagnosed. Her sense of compassion for the plight of AIDS victims is evident in the tasteful way that she reveals Jim’s character. More than making St. James a martyr, she turns around and reveals his inner fears, conflicts, and desires. _ Outwardly St. James appears to be a strong, confident young man, but the inclusion of a.suicide at- tempt, his longing for close physical contact and his anguish at the loss of his mother and sister tell a different tale. When Jim suffered disfcllowship from the Jehovah's Witnesses for refusing to stop associating with homosexuals and: ‘worldly’ those who still followed

Jim: A Life With AIDS is a book that will enlighten anyone who seeks to understand the ef-

fects of this devastating disease -

on the lives of everyone con- cerned. As AIDS becomes in- creasingly more prevalent in our society, this book will become a source of inspiration and strength for all whose lives are touched by the disease.

If you are facing AIDS, or you know someone who has it or has died of it, or are simply seek- ing some understanding, Jim St. James’s message and June Callwood’s book, Jim: A Life With AIDS, give both the facts © and the feelings associated with

ADS. - Tf AIDS affects you or anyone

you know then Jim: A Life With

eighty people he’s met with | 47ps may be the second most im-

AIDS. His work with the AIDS

portant book you own, next to

Coalition of Toronto (ACT) and ‘The Bible.

the Toronto People With AIDS

By Karen Valihora from the McGill Daily University Press

I am. your reside mate. and I have bee to the AIDS virus... W; itate before you eat same kitchen utensils? wonder whether my b saliva is on that towel, that faucet?

AIDS, the acquirei deficiency syndrome, n ried by 30,000 to 5 dians, according to Centre for AIDS. Th passed through unpro ual intercourse or sha venous drug needles.

Universities haven

Human k

HALIFAX (CUP) = Nov tia’s student lobby group he demned the provincial ¢ ment ’s decision to deny P tion to lesbians, gay mel AIDS carriers in the human! act. :

Royden Trainor, interim

of the 20,000-strong Stu!

Urions of Nova Scotia, is “appalled that the govett would be sd-callously hom bic.”

The recommendations included in a report releas first week of October by th¢ Scotia Task Force on AIDS.

“There were no good ™ for denying fundamental # sic human rights for HIV-p° or gay members of our 5%

said Trainor. “There 27% ever, lots of bad reasons ing so and the governmet! to know them all.

“It would be nice if help make this provincé more humane and a littl just.”

The task force was ~ after sixth grade teacht Smith was transferred t° teaching position when ! in the southwestern No“

7; November sass hursday, Novembe" 9, SF