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Babes Talking
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Volume 13 Issue 9 - Page 1 September 2005

In This Issue:

BABES Talking Newsletter September 2005 Issue:
(English and Español)
Choices
Senator Cantwell's Aide Visits BABES
As told by Laury
Announcements
September Events



Choices

Why is it that we women who are HIV positive feel that we need to settle for anyone? Just because we are positive doesn't mean we have to take or accept anything that comes our way. This disease does not define us as women; we define us by the way we act in our daily and personal lives. Sure having HIV can have its moments, but I for one am not going to use this as a crutch or a reason to say, "I can't."

For those of us who are in relationships that are more than likely to be unhealthy, stop abusing yourself further. Sure it sounds like preaching, but seriously who is going to truly love us if we don't love ourselves? I really don't want to be harsh, but I am always going to keep it real. Those of you who know me understand where I am coming from, and for those of you who don't know me, you know deep down what is right for you and what isn't. I'm sure before this disease happened to us we knew the things we were going to put up with and the things we weren't. Why should it change now? Healthy living is not only physical but it is very much mental.

It gets my really upset when I see my sisters going through all these emotional hurdles, it's time to say, "No! I don't like what's happening with our relationship!" Whether it's about drugs, alcohol, physical or mental abuse; you know what hurts and what feels right. Life is short enough as it is right now. Why should we suffer? We are beautiful, strong and dedicated women, and it is time we stand together for once in our lives and start demanding respect from men, women, co-workers and whoever else feels like they can just run us over. Ladies, let's get excited about life, because we only have one!

I love you all!
~ Tonya

(Continued on Page 2)



BABES Talking is a monthly publication of BABES Network. The goals of our publication are to share information, publicize events and create a forum for the voices of women with HIV/AIDS to be heard. We encourage you to make BABES Talking your newsletter by writing a story, submitting artwork or becoming part of our editorial board.

Elecciones …

Por qué es que las mujeres VIH positivo sentimos que necesitamos resolver para todos? Solo porque somos seropositivas no significa que tengamos que tomar o aceptar cualquier cosa que venga en nuestro camino. Esta enfermedad no nos define a nosotras como mujeres, nosotras nos definimos por la forma en que actuamos en nuestra vida diaria y personal. Seguro que tener VIH tiene sus momentos, pero yo no voy a usar esto como una razón para decir "Yo no puedo".

Para aquellas de nosotras quienes estamos en relaciones, que más parecen ser no saludables, paren de abusarse a ustedes mismas. Seguro que suena a sermón, pero en realidad, quién nos va a amar verdaderamente si nosotras mismas no nos amamos? Yo de verdad no quiero ser dura pero yo siempre voy a ser realista. Quienes me conocen comprenden de donde vengo, y las que no me conocen, ustedes saben en lo profundo qué es bueno para ustedes y qué no lo es. Estoy segura de que antes de esta enfermedad, nosotras sabíamos qué cosas íbamos a aguantar y qué cosas no aceptaríamos. Por qué esto debería cambiar ahora? Vivir saludablemente no es solamente lo físico sino es mucho lo mental.

Me enoja mucho cuando veo a mis hermanas iendo a través de esas cargas emocionales, es tiempo de decir: "No! No me gusta lo que esta pasando con nuestra relación!" Ya sea que sea asunto de drogas, alcohol, abuso físico o mental; tu sabes qué es lo que te lastima y qué es lo que se siente bien. La vida es muy corta justo ahora. Por qué debemos sufrir? Nosotras somos mujeres bellas, fuertes y dedicadas, y es hora de pararnos juntas de una sola vez y empezar a demandar el respeto de los hombres, mujeres, compañeras/os de trabajado y de cualquiera que sienta que puede pasar sobre nosotras. Damas, sintámonos emocionadas por la vida, porque solo tenemos una!

Las amo a todas!
~ Tonya

(Continua en la pagina 2)

BABES Talking es una publicacion mensual de la Cadena BABES. Las metas de nuestra publicacion son coparti informacion, dar publiciddad a eventos y crear un foro donde pueden ser escuchadas las voces de los mugeres con VIH/SIDA. Las alentamos a todas a hacer de esta tu revista ya sea escribiendo tu historia, contribuyendo tu obra de arte o tomando parte en nuestra Mesa Editorial.

Funding for BABES Talking is provided by Ryan White CARE Act Title I and Ryan White CARE Act Title IV as well as private donations from individuals.



This is a Non-Profit Organization
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