`Real World' stars lecture about AIDS

A figure dressed completely in black, familiar to those who followed MTV's The Real World: San Francisco, stepped up to the podium amidst laughter and applause. With a smile, he introduced himself as Judd Winick, a Real World cast member, cartoonist, storyteller and -- for the past six years -- AIDS educator. In a talk organized by Penn Visions AIDS Awareness Week Co-chairwoman Kimberly Ling -- College senior and sister of Winick's fiancee, Pam Ling -- Winick spoke to an audience of about 40 students yesterday in Houston Hall's Hall of Flags. He addressed knowing and losing his Real World roommate Pedro Zamora to AIDS and the cartoon novel he wrote in tribute to Zamora, entitled Pedro and Me. Zamora, an HIV-positive AIDS educator, had planned to lecture after the airing of The Real World but became ill. Winick, and later Pam Ling, filled in for him, thinking that his illness was only temporary. However, Zamora passed away in November 1994 with Winick and Pam Ling by his bedside. Winick continued lecturing, but eventually took a break when the talks became too emotionally difficult. He said that he decided to make a difference through his cartoon, after having lectured for so long. He wrote Pedro and Me over the past two and a half years. The book chronicles Pedro's story, ranging from his childhood journey from Cuba to his experience on The Real World. In a tone of solemnity interspersed with humor, Winick shared his first thoughts of possibly living with an HIV-positive housemate. "Why me?" he asked. But meeting Zamora, who became a friend and a teacher, exposed Winick to a whole new world. His parents, Mike and Bobbi Winick, attended the talk. They said that the whole experience has allowed their son to blend the roles of cartoonist, storyteller and AIDS educator into a fuller, more worldly human being. Winick said he could feel Zamora's presence while working on the book. Pam Ling, now a doctor specializing in HIV education and prevention, said that she did a lot more learning than teaching with Zamora. Remembering Zamora's vivacity and energy, she recalled his "amazing" effect on people and being "transported by seeing him speak." Both Winick and Pam Ling answered questions on the validity of the show, living with the housemates and the effect Zamora has had on all who knew him, during a question and answer period. The event ended with a book signing. Organized by Penn Visions, the only AIDS volunteer group on campus, and sponsored by Social Planning and Events Committee and Connaissance, the event targeted AIDS awareness. College junior Anisha Advani, a co-president of Penn Visions, said, "AIDS awareness is a very important issue and sometimes college campuses don't realize the impact that this illness has across the country." And co-chairwoman Kimberly Ling said the purpose of the talk "was really accomplished when I saw a girl crying in the fourth row. It's a powerful story that really reaches people."

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