About AIDS

Last week, volunteering for the OZ Parties (www.theozparties.org) was suggested as a way to meet people for whom HIV-positive status isn't a problem.

Actually, any volunteer work can be beneficial, both medically and socially. Research shows that when folks with serious health issues do volunteer work, they don't notice their own aches 'n' pains quite so much, and they have "better clinical outcomes." Dating aside, studies about HIV/AIDS survivors who volunteered showed they lived longer and felt much better than nonvolunteers.

It's important for any volunteer program to mesh with your personal interests. That way, common ground with other volunteers and staff is built-in, and it's easier to stay involved.

To lessen the likelihood of rejection upon disclosing, choose an environment that likely attracts compassionate, open-minded folks. The Tom DeLay Election Campaign, for example, will not draw the same crowd as the Town Lake Animal Shelter.

So by volunteering, you get to know nice people, and they know you. Eureka, a potential dating pool! Someone who already shares your interests and appreciates you for yourself is likely to be more open to your HIV "news." Obviously, this doesn't guarantee complete acceptance, but it helps by sorting out potential dates (and friends, too) who are more likely to be receptive.

Remember, the OZ Parties garage sale will be Saturday, Sept. 17, from 7am to 1pm in north central Austin. They need your donations of salable merchandise! Contact 406-6408 or e-mail [email protected]. For the scoop on OZ social events, go to www.theozparties.org.