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Fifteen years ago, Pedro Zamora became the first openly gay, HIV-positive main character on TV.
Zamora was a cast member on MTV's "The Real World: San Francisco." He used his public standing to educate young people about HIV/AIDS. He was inspiring to gay young people, who finally saw a positive representation of themselves on TV.
Former President Bill Clinton ceaselessly recognized Zamora's work.
Charities and youth clinics were created in Zamora's name.
One day after the final episode of "The Real World: San Francisco" aired, Zamora died Nov. 11, 1994.
April 1 of this year, MTV will debut a movie based on his life and work. It will be simultaneously broadcast on MTV, mtvU, LOGO and MTV Tr3s at 8 p.m.
"Pedro" is a dramatized retelling of Zamora's life. The script is by Dustin Lance Black, who wrote "Milk." It goes beyond his participation in "The Real World" and explores how he impacted young people in the early '90s.
Eric Ruben, chairman of the board of directors for Stonewall Alliance Center, appreciates Zamora's work and his representation of the gay community.
"He was one of the strongest moral centers of the household," he said.
Zamora broke stereotypes and showed young gay people it was OK to be themselves, Ruben said. Sometimes being open about sexuality can save lives.
In the '80s, when the outbreak of HIV was first identified, it was perceived as a gay-only disease. Religious radicals argued, and still argue, that HIV/AIDS is punishment for immoral behavior. These arguments continued into the early '90s. Zamora faced such misinformation and endeavored to correct it.
Now, Americans have a different and possibly more dangerous perception of HIV/AIDS.
"People don't see it as the threat it truly is," Ruben said.
With recent medical advances in antiretroviral therapy, people with HIV/AIDS are living longer. Zamora died only five years after being diagnosed. His life was short, but potent, and his death shocked his friends, family and followers. Such a dramatic story doesn't happen publicly as often as it once did. Yet, HIV is spreading rapidly.
At the end of 2007, there were almost half a million people living with AIDS in America, according to avert.org, an organization that compiles HIV/AIDS statistics.
With the spreading of HIV and the continuing argument about Proposition 8, the climate is right for a reminder of Zamora's achievements. It was on an episode of "The Real World" that Zamora married his partner, Sean Sasser.
Since the passing of Proposition 8, California's Constitution restricts marriage to opposite-sex couples. However, the California Supreme Court is deciding on the constitutionality of the proposition. The court held oral arguments at the start of March and should have a decision by the end of April.
The staff members at the Chico Peace and Justice Center are open about their opinions on the proposition.
"To me, it seems pretty unconstitutional," said Cathy Webster, president and outgoing treasurer.
One of the arguments against Proposition 8 is that it violates the civil rights protections in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Apart from the legal question, the staff of the justice center considers the societal question.
"I think the general population does support same-sex marriage," Director Sue Hilderbrand said.
The things Zamora fought for in the early '90s are still relevant today. Perhaps "Pedro" will serve as reminder.
Randy Davenport can be reached at rdavenport@theorion.com
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