Around 140 people gathered in the Commonwealth Ballroom last Thursday to hear an old message. Only this time, the message was presented differently.
Dan Renzi from MTV’s Real World Miami visited VCU to give an in-your-face presentation about protection from STDs, particularly HIV/AIDS.
Without using boring statistics and meaningless numbers, he pointed out the severe problem of HIV. He also said the disease was totally preventable through good decisions and safe sexual habits.
Of course, the presentation included conversations and gossip about the Real World and upcoming shows Renzi will be featured in, but every story somehow related to sexual awareness and protection.
Renzi used anecdotes from his days as a HIV counselor to help the crowd better understand HIV, how the disease came into being and how the disease has shifted from one demographic to the other.
He criticized people for failing to talk about prevention, precautions, and sexual education. He also criticized the government for not spending money on condoms – which he said are very important in protection from HIV – but paying for the treatment of HIV patients when they cannot afford it.
Renzi said his philosophy is to “nip problems in the bud rather than wait until it becomes tragic.”
Renzi explained his purpose was to engage in conversation and to make people think. If the subject matter was open for discussion, he said, it would enter into everyday conversations and that could benefit some by educating them on things they didn’t already know.
Kirby Gemmell, a sophomore fashion merchandising major, said she never knew how hard it was to contract the HIV virus.
“Most people think you get it really easily.”
Renzi informed the crowd that the only way to get HIV is if infected blood enters directly into another’s bloodstream, or if fluids from an infected person seep into another’s skin.
Lindsey Hegamyer, a sophomore psychology major, described the presentation as “refreshing.” She explained the information was not new, but presented in a “totally comfortable, totally open-minded” way.
Renzi discussed what he calls the ABCs of STDs – abstinence, bad choices, and condom use.
During his presentation of how important condoms are to HIV prevention, he went over some excuses people use for not wearing a condom.
The crowd watched in amazement as Renzi put a condom on his entire hand, from fingers to wrist, and explained that if a person says the condom is too small, they are either lying or a genetic oddity.
Renzi told the audience that without protection they are “gambling (their) life.”
He also discussed promiscuous sexual activites and how that isn’t a big part of contracting the virus if protection is used.
“You are a collection of your experiences,” Renzi said as final words of wisdom.
“Stop being ashamed, stop being scared, because it will make you compulsive.”