Tag: 2022

conversation, Gay, HIV, podcast, self help, Society

episode 18: the survival (Conversation with my friend Anthony about his Experience as a Gay Man with HIV)

Christine Zethraus, PMHNP
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Summary

Show Notes: 

In this episode, Christine has a conversation with her best friend Anthony about his Experience as a Gay Man with HIV

Christine and Anthony discuss the following:

  • Debate the term promiscuous
  • Tell the story how they met
  • Compare and contrast their childhood
  • Anthony’s Italian Conservative family
  • Money trauma in childhood
  • Using money to avoid difficult emotions
  • Anthony’s powerful moment with his bio father
  • Anthony not knowing any gay people till 18 years old
  • Anthony knowing he was gay since 12
  • His first gay experience
  • How is family reacted when came out
  • Creating his own version of a gay man
  • Speaking our truth
  • Sep 11
  • Anthony’s HIV diagnosis & powerful moment with his dr
  • Madonna advocating for safe sex
  • His family’s reaction to his diagnosis

Resources for HIV education and facts:

https://www.hiv.gov/

Christine’s Podcast:

How Coronavirus Saved My Life on 9 podcast platforms

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https://howcoronavirussavedmylife.com

This episode sponsored by Anchor:

https://anchor.fm/

Disclaimer: The information and recommendations in this Podcast are only opinions of the host and guests of How Coronavirus Saved My Life Podcast. — Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/howcoronavirussavedmylife/message

Transcription

Personal, Podcast, Racism, Mental Health, Coronavirus, podcast, racism, Society

My Racist Grandmother…

Christine Zethraus, PMHNP
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How her Hatred and Racism Affected me

Yesterday, I felt my dead racist Grandmother was summoning me to visit her grave.

One of those gut following kind of things. I had never visited her grave all these years she’s been dead. She is buried not far from my house in a grave next to my Uncle.

When I was a kid she would tell me things like I was not allowed to swim with black people because it was “like bathing with them”. She viewed black Americans as animals.

She was horrible to everyone in general.

Her racism, along with other family members, is most likely the reason I have always been drawn to non-white cultures and ethnicities.

My Grandmother was physically beautiful. Classic 1950s movie star look with perfectly curled hair from rollers. Skin always shiny. Obsessed with her weight. She had a great sense of fashion. In fact, she owned a popular dress shop back in the day.

There was little beauty on the inside. Masculine and tough to the core.

During my 20 min drive I kept wondering why she wanted to be buried in this particular cemetery. And here it was. My answer.

Confederate grave marker
Confederate Grave Maker

She wanted to be buried with her hatred

She had so much hatred in her racist heart.

When she died years ago, she almost died alone with no family until I decided, with help of my friend, to be there with her. She died within minutes of me arriving.

Visiting her cemetery and seeing this marker caused many emotions to come flooding back. Emotions buried so deeply of her abuse to myself and others.

I am grateful I followed my gut. Why? Because I released all that buried anger, hurt, and confusion. I have been storing and repressing those emotions deep in my body and soul.

Now I can move on. Now I can help myself and others heal.

I am so happy to have so many beautiful people in my life with huge hearts.

It’s a reflection of you and a reflection of me.