THE UNSEASONABLY warm November afternoon suits Wallace Corbett's sunny disposition. The default look on his face is a smile -- not a toothy grin, but something more reminiscent of the Mona Lisa. And Wallace Corbett has reason to be happy.
''My numbers have remained the same for a very long time,'' says the 45-year-old D.C. native. Though Corbett's carried HIV for roughly two decades, the virus in his system has been as tame as it's been unwelcome.
''I tried a [medication] regimen, and it did not work for me at all. I couldn't work. It had me almost zombie-like, exhausted.'' So Corbett and his doctor came to an agreement: If regular monitoring showed his T-cell counts and viral loads hovering at acceptable levels without medication, he would simply not take any. Since that initial foray into pharmaceuticals, he's remained meds-free and healthy.
Corbett cannot point to any particular reason why his body has kept the virus in check, offering that he puts his faith in, well, faith.
''I'm practicing my belief in Christ. I enjoy volunteering.... My religious belief is that you should help anybody at anytime without asking for gratification. I volunteer the same way I go to my job. The way you treat people every day is God speaking. Treat people kindly. I practice what God tells us to do: Treat others with kindness and help without asking.''
One way Corbett has put his belief into practice is AIDS Rides. He's participated in seven D.C.-based rides.
''The rides taught me kindness, and to push yourself further than you can imagine pushing yourself. When you're on a bicycle, by yourself in an area where you've never been, told to just go in this direction and you can't see the one ahead of you or behind you, the question is: Am I going the right way? Can I make it? What if I fall? Can I push myself?
''Then you complete the event and you say to yourself, 'You know what? There's more to me than what I fear.'''
And there's more to Corbett than his pleasant disposition. Living in Chinatown with his two cocker spaniels, he is a widower who mourns the loss of his partner and best friend, Myron. He mourns for a generation, as well.
''The epidemic has taken some really great minds away -- wonderful designers, and artists, and singers, and people in sports and business. I sometimes wonder what the world would have been if they were still here. Some of the barriers for gay society would not be so difficult. We would not be so slow in reaching things like same-sex marriage, because a lot of those who have gone were truly amazing advocates. They were intelligent, articulate, compassionate advocates who had the skills to motivate others to move forward. Groups like ACT-UP knew how to get the issues on the front page.''
Corbett's sadness over what has been lost is matched in equal parts by his frustration over a lack of kindness, a lack of leadership and ongoing stigma when it comes to HIV. For example, while his church, the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C., meets his expectations, other churches have fallen short.
''Where is the volunteerism? Churches are there to help the sick, the homeless, the less fortunate. There are churches on every block -- they're like liquor stores. So why are there homeless on these streets?''
Before joining MCC, Corbett attended an African-American church.
''They had cultural issues that are falsely based on their history. You can't say you don't respect homosexuality when your choir, your deacon, about two-thirds of your members are [homosexual]. Those are the things that continue a stigma that continues to affect and erode black culture.''
Moving from the spiritual to the political, Corbett says he wishes the city's leadership -- particularly during this post-election, transitional period -- would lead on HIV by example, lining up to get tested publicly, and encouraging their constituents to do the same.
From his post at the front desk of the George Washington University Hospital's radiology department, however, Corbett says he is constantly reminded to keep things in proportion -- despite the scope of the HIV pandemic, regardless of his good health, no matter the misplaced stigma.
''Life is such a short thing. You have to decide whether to value it or not. Each day, I value it.''
Enjoying each day as if it were the last helps Corbett ''walk in faith and not fear.''
''We will live, and this epidemic will pass, whether I'm on earth or not. We're all on a journey. The question is, in the time that you have, have you made the best choices? Have you done something?''
Read the Complete Article at the Metro Weekly WebsiteLabels: heroes, poz
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