Atresmedia’s “Queens to the rescue” program, where four “drag-queens” shared a week with people from the rural LGTBI community, stalled in the state. Jordi Jiménez, 34, from Benilloba, was cast in the second episode, which aired on August 21. In it, she shared that she is HIV positive, something that, in her opinion, can contribute to making visible and normalizing coexistence with HIV and people who are carriers of the virus.
How did you come up with the idea to be on “Queens to the rescue” and publicly say you’re HIV-positive on TV?
At first I must say it was the production company that contacted me because they were looking for profiles of LGTBI people living in rural areas. I told them my life was so boring. [ríe], and everybody in my town knows I’m gay and I even became a councillor. But I thought I might take the opportunity to take this step and say I’m HIV-positive. And the producer was fine with it; He, like me, thought this was necessary both on a personal level and for society as a whole, because it could have implications.
Was it difficult for you to decide to take the step of saying this?
It’s like coming out of the closet again [ríe]but I thought it would help me a lot and also a lot of people who see me and feel identified in some way.
Do you think your action can normalize the reality of being a carrier of HIV today?
Completely. I think saying something like that on TV helps erase the stigma that HIV still has today. I knew it would help me a lot, especially in my own context, and the reaction would be positive. But if there’s an “animeta” like me (sic) if there’s a town in a town that I can refer to by saying “you’re the important thing”, I’d be more than happy.
How do you see the perception of HIV in today’s society?
I’ve noticed a change in the few years since I had PREP. [medicación de tipo preventivo], although primarily within the LGTBI collective and the younger population. However, outside of these areas, I think old stamps like calling it “helpful” remain. [pone un gesto de desaprobación] to HIV carriers. The humiliation remains to be seen, and the alleged jokes of a very strong assault charge continue to be heard.
What about the medical treatment of the disease?
The medicine I take is one pill a day, but very strong; That’s why they do a muscle examination every two years. It is important that the defenses produced by the body are always high, and be careful not to get other diseases that can weaken them. But otherwise completely normal life; review bimonthly and period, no more. Of course, I hope that the program will also serve to raise awareness of these issues among health professionals and that more resources are available and more accessible to all; For example, this service is not available at my reference hospital, Alcoy.
How was the reaction in Benilloba after the broadcast of the program?
“What will they say” was one of the most costly obstacles to me, and in the end, nothing happened. On the contrary, I did not see any rejection and I received a lot of support. And to that we must add all the anticipation built up in the town at the time of recording, it was pretty impressive. [ríe]. But after that, it was all messages of support. I hope to be a positive example of what it means to have HIV and live in a small town.
And from your family?
Better than anyone, especially my mom, who, as you can see, wore a short dress on the show and everything [ríe]. My brother, in any case, was someone who didn’t know how to take it. But when I told him what it was about, he wanted to participate. So I can only say that the experience has been very positive, and I hope this adventure serves what I started with: making the fact of being a carrier of HIV visible as something absolutely normal.