“Absolutely Positive”

by Michael Warner

When director Peter Adair learned that he was HIV positive he
decided to make a film about it. The resulting documentary, “Ab-
solutely Positive,” was broadcast on PBS on June 18 as part of
the Point Of View series. Adair explains at the beginning of the
film that he makes fihns about things that matter to him. His film
about gay life, “Word is Out”, has been described as ground-
breaking.

For "Absolutely Positive", Adair and producer Janet Cole inter-
viewed 120 men and women, all of whom were infected with the
virus which causes AIDS. Eleven of them to appear in the fihn.
These 11 people represent different social classes, different rac-
es, different sexual orientations, different age groups, different
sensibilities, yet they have something in common: they are all
coping and living with the knowledge that they are HIV positive.
Powerful and moving personal portraits of bravery begin to
emerge in their discussions. We learn about their pasts, their
presents and their hopes for the future, One thing is clear: while
living with the specter of disease in their everyday lives, these
people are not just surviving; they are LIVING.

“Absolutely Positive” is about people. We hear their stories in
their own voices. There is a black woman--a former drug abuser-
-who had turned her life around. She found out that she was HIV
positive when her infant son was diagnosed with AIDS. There is
the man whose lover came down with AIDS only weeks after
they fell in love, yet they built a life together. A male nurse told
his colleagues of his diagnosis when they discussed the filming
of this movie. A Puerto Rican soldier learned of his illness when
his first wife died. A couple became infected after the husband’s
tainted blood transfusion. These are stories of courage, mistakes,
joy, sorrow, and of people who are continuing to build their
lives.

Peter Adair narrates the film, asking questions and interjecting
thoughts and observations of his own. The image reflected in the
computer screen is his own as he discusses various concepts of
what it is like to be diagnosed with HIV, including the second
“coming out” required of a gay person faced with telling family
and friends. His “presence”, which is apparent throughout the
film, is captured in an overall sensitive and hopeful outlook. This
is not a film about death. It is a film about changes, growing,
finding strength, and moving forward. One man says that it's
okay to be afraid of death--what isn’t okay is to sit down and
wait for it. We all need to be loved, to give love, to look forward
to the future--to be ourselves. ‘

While this film may tell the gay community very little we aren’t
already aware of and living with, it is significant in that it offers
a message to mainstream, middle-class, straight America. Per-
haps that is the greatest positive of all. The show was worth
watching. If you missed it, try and find someone who may have
taped it (ahh, the modern world) or "look for a re-broadcast on
ETV (the reality of the television world). V

PTL Holds its Awards Banquet

Amid festive decorations of pearl pink bowling balls and purple
alyssum, the PTL (Pink Triangle League), a bowling league for
discriminating adults, held its second annual Awards Banquet at
the Hotel Coolidge in White River Junction on May 11, 1991.

After dinner and the cocktail hour, trophies were presented to
the first place team, "THE SKY’S THE LIMIT”; second place
to, “MEN WITH BALLS”; and third place to, “W;IIPS AND
CHAINS”. “THE ALLEY BOYS” were presented with the last
place trophies.

Additional trophies and awards were presented to the bowler
with the high handicap game of 280; high handicap series of
690; high scratch game of 244; and high scratch series of 568.
Other recognitions included the “Gutter Duster Award”, perfect
attendance awards and the most improved bowler.

The PTL is a fully sanctioned mixed league member of both the
A.B.C. and W.I.B.C. The 1991-1992 bowling season will begin
in September. Bowling is on Sunday mornings at the Astro
Bowl in White River Junction. For more information, please
contact A1 Fry at (802) 785-4617 or Route 2, East Thetford, VT,
05403. Plans are now underway for a pre-season potluck get ac-
quainted party in late summer. V

LESBIAN AND GAY
JOINING CEREMONIES
WEDDINGS

C®

Create our own ceremony
to celegrate your love and
procfaim your spirituaf union.
9-[onor t/ie signifilzancnrigf our
refationsfiip as you sy o[1yca[[y
procfizim tfie fioruf you clierisfi.

Rev. Giita Clark, ordained minister

Counseling to resofve
ay and fesfiian coupfes
aruffamify issues.

gay and fesfiian coupfes
and parenting worksfiops oflerecf.

Erica Marks, S.A.C., C.H.
Partners in Recovery and Growth

182 Main Street
“ Burlington VT 05401

(802)-865-2403