POZ I AM Radio

Born and raised in rural South, Georgia, Travis A. Scott discovered his gift of creation at an early age. He is currently writing his debut novel, which is a loose adaptation of the trials & tribulations he encountered as a young, gay man in his early twenties. He has also embraced the mantle of HIV and AIDS activist, as he has recently gone public about living with HIV virus. He looks forward to what the future holds, as he embarks on his journey as an up & coming author, as well as an educator to those who are ignorant of how HIV and AIDS is a very real issue.

Robert Breining and Jack Mackenroth will be discussing how to over come Depression and Suicidal thoughts after a HIV diagnosis. If you deal with these issues or have recovered from them please call in and share your story on the radio show. Sharing your personal story may help someone else who is going through this situation and is feeling alone..Call in and share at 347-215-9442

Feeling down from time to time is a normal part of life. But when emptiness and despair take hold and won't go away, it may be depression. More than just the temporary "blues," the lows of depression make it tough to function and enjoy life like you once did. Hobbies and friends don’t interest you like they used to; you’re exhausted all the time; and just getting through the day can be overwhelming. When you’re depressed, things may feel hopeless, but with help and support you can get better.

Open Mic ... We touched on the National AIDS Memorial Grove , Universal Healthcare , Coming out as a person with HIV and upcoming POZIAM RADIO guests.

Eric Paulukonis manages outreach for the Get REAL Philly program which is collaboration between Mazzoni Center and PHMC (Public Health Management Corporation). This community intervention uses the stories from the real lives of real men across Philadelphia in order to promote discussion and awareness in regards to safer sex, HIV/AIDS, drug and alcohol abuse as well as an assortment of other topics that may compromise the health and well being of men who have sex with men. After receiving is his BA from West Chester University of Pennsylvania he lived in NYC volunteering for various LGBT organizations which eventually lead him to Mazzoni Center allowing him to work with other local community organizations in order to continue to empower and educate our community.

Learn more at - www.getrealphilly.org

Felicia Elizondo aka Felica Flames - A Screaming Queen, A Pioneer, A Legend, Icon and Diva. Felicia is also is HIV+ Transgender woman who performs Drag. A tireless fundraiser for the LGBT and AIDS community. Her website was created to educate the younger generations, of her struggles and achievements through out the decades f her life, from the Turk street riots, to her transition from Man to Woman and up to the Modern day.

Like many single seniors, Felicia Elizondo faces the reality of aging alone. Felicia’s limited income has left her with little more than what she plans to use toward her burial. Despite the future unknown, Felicia remains positive by connecting with others who are in similar positions. Felicia was featured in The critically acclaimed documentary "Felicia" by Tim O'Hara. Premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival, 2008. and at SF LGBT Frameline Film Festival in 2007.

Infected with HIV as a child through the contaminated blood products used to treat his hemophilia, Shawn learned early in life about discrimination. Within a month of testing positive for the virus, he was kicked out of the 6th grade. By all accounts, he wasn’t expected to live five years. His freshman year of high school, he met his favorite band, Depeche Mode, albeit through the The Make-A-Wish Foundation. After beating the odds and graduating from high school, Shawn opened up about his life with HIV after a decade of silence by creating one of the first “poz blogs”, humorously describing his life as a twenty-year old dating with HIV as a third wheel. He caught the attention of Poz magazine and was invited to the White House under the Clinton Administration on World AIDS Day, 1997.

Today Shawn has happily found his wife partner in life, Gwenn Barringer, and the two speak together as a couple, educating about how they keep Gwenn, who is HIV negative, safe in their relationship.

Since 1997, Shawn has penned a column for Poz Magazine, entitled “Positoid”, a word he created for himself and others living with HIV. His first book, My Pet Virus: The True Story of a Rebel Without a Cure, was published by the Penguin Group in 2006. In his spare time, he fronts a synthpop trio, Synthetic Division, in his hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia. www.mypetvirus.com

Robert Breining and Jeromy Dunn will be taking your calls all hour long. Open MIC Night allows our listeners to call in and ask questions, share stories or vent about living with HIV/AIDS. Robert and Jeromy will touch a variety of topics during the show such as Acceptance and Disclosure .Call in and share your story on air at 347-215-9442.

Theresa is a 52 year old woman. She has 3 children and 4 grandchildren.She is a LPN, working at a nursing home/Rehab. She has been a nurse for 15yrs. She was diagnosed with AIDS in 2004 at the age of 48. She had no idea she had HIV until her diagnosis. She was diagnosed in the hospital with PCP. Her family is very supportive and had no problems accepting her HIV status. Theresa will share her story of being diagnosed later in life.

Lonny LeFever is a GWM who has been Poz since early 80"s, actually had KS at that time. Lonny had a life partner who lost the battle against HIV/AIDS in April of 1989 and have been single ever since. Not all by choice, but more location and the battle against hate, stigma's and discrimination.

Lonny has always been out about his status, there is good that came from that, but also grief. He was charged with 2 degree attempted murder for being accused of intentionally infected a young man. Was sentence to prison for 5-25 years, the young man came forward a year into his sentence, but the State of Ohio refused to release Lonny. He served 3 and half years before released.

Lonny is co-infected with Hep C and he refused treatment until May of 1996 after seeing all the horrors his friends and partner went though in the early days. He is a out spoken advocate for issues around HIV/AIDS and still spend much time speaking anywhere he can.

Shirley Jaglowski has been raising awareness and funds within the HIV community since 2000, just two years after she was diagnosed. She has felt the shame that is related to this disease firsthand; and She is committed to doing her part to remove stigma and fear.

Shirley was introduced to Positive Pedalers while training for AIDS/LifeCycle 7 and she immediately joined the organization. Why? Because their mission aligned with her personal goal and there is power in numbers. She is honored and proud to join the Board of Directors and look forward to impacting our communities. She hopes to encourage other HIV-positive women and men to come experience Pos Peds.