Production Details: 001008_MIX_tom_odonoghue_1993.wav

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irn7834
master_filename001008_MIX_tom_odonoghue_1993.wav
master_md5CDFC24D0E72AC53F635A175A7A6BC4CF
master_duration18:38
master_sample_rate44.1 kHz
master_bit_depth16 bit
master_channels1
media_reference001008
media_sourcePeter Duncan
copyright_positionIn copyright
copyright_ownershipPeter Duncan
copyright_ownership_note
submitted_to_nlnz16-12-2024
public_urlhttps://www.pridenz.com/tom_odonoghue.html
meta_urlhttps://www.pridenz.com/data/media/meta/7834.html
plain_text_urlhttps://www.pridenz.com/plaintext/tom_odonoghue.txt
production_date01-01-1993
production_day
production_month
production_year1993
recording_typeInterview
series
sub_series
titleTom ODonoghue
descriptionTom O'Donoghue is interviewed by Pete Duncan in 1993 (exact date unknown), about his journey with HIV and AIDS. Tom was a co-founder of the National People Living with AIDS Union. He died on 28 September 1994.
summary_computer_generatedThe audio recording conducted in 1993 in Wellington, New Zealand, offers a poignant and detailed narrative of Tom O’Donoghue’s experiences living with HIV/AIDS. Interviewed by Peter Duncan, Tom reflects on his life, diagnosis, and advocacy work, shedding light on the realities of living with HIV in the late 20th century. At the time of the interview, Tom was 38 years old and had been diagnosed with HIV five years prior. He traced his likely contraction of the virus back to his time in the United States in the early 1980s. Initially hesitant to get tested due to fear and stigma, he ultimately decided that the uncertainty of not knowing his status outweighed the potential fear of a positive diagnosis. His diagnosis profoundly impacted his personal and professional life, prompting him to leave his demanding job in the medical and scientific field, where he had ironically worked with HIV testing kits and sterilization processes. Following his diagnosis, Tom became an advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS. He co-founded the National People Living with AIDS Union in New Zealand, a grassroots organization focused on empowering individuals with HIV, addressing treatment concerns, and disseminating accurate information. Tom and his colleagues produced a bimonthly magazine and engaged in outreach efforts, including educational programs in prisons and schools. His approach emphasized personalizing the virus, believing that putting a human face to HIV/AIDS was a powerful tool for reducing stigma and promoting prevention. Tom highlighted the importance of early HIV testing, underscoring that timely intervention with antiretroviral therapies could significantly improve the quality and length of life for those living with the virus. He lamented the stigma and misconceptions surrounding HIV/AIDS, noting how fear and prejudice often hindered individuals from seeking necessary care or disclosing their status. In his own journey, he found liberation in being open about his diagnosis, comparing it to the experience of coming out as a gay man. This honesty, he shared, was transformative, allowing him to live more fully and authentically despite the challenges of his condition. The interview also delves into the societal and systemic issues surrounding HIV/AIDS. Tom critiqued the lack of integration efforts for HIV-positive individuals into their communities and the pervasive stigma within and outside the LGBTQ+ community. He discussed the complex dynamics of relationships and sexual health for people with HIV, advocating for safe sex practices while challenging discriminatory attitudes toward HIV-positive individuals in both social and intimate contexts. Tom praised New Zealand’s healthcare system and the accessibility of treatment and support, contrasting it favorably with the experiences of individuals in other countries. However, he also voiced concerns about privacy and data security, citing instances where personal health information was not adequately protected. Despite these challenges, he recognized the goodwill and collaborative efforts of health organizations and policymakers in New Zealand, which contributed to better outcomes for people living with HIV/AIDS. In reflecting on his life, Tom expressed gratitude for the support of his partner, friends, and community, which provided him with stability and comfort. He shared his philosophy of focusing on quality of life and staying positive, emphasizing the importance of advocacy and education in combating the epidemic. His work with various organizations, including the New Zealand AIDS Foundation and other health initiatives, highlighted his dedication to being part of the solution rather than the problem. The recording concludes with Tom’s reflections on living with dignity and purpose in the face of illness, underscoring the critical need for compassion, education, and systemic change in addressing HIV/AIDS.
interviewerPeter Duncan
voicesTom O'Donoghue
tags1980s; 1990s; AIDS; antiretroviral drugs; health; health care; HIV / AIDS; HIV education; HIV stigma; HIV testing and prevention; HIV transmission; pets; police; sailing; Shingles; STD; T cells; Tuberculosis; Aotearoa New Zealand; United States of America; Wellington; Act Up; National Council on AIDS; National People Living with AIDS Union; New Zealand AIDS Foundation (NZAF); Peter Duncan
tags_computer_generatedgay; profile; education; sex; human rights; family; coming out; Auckland; teaching; venues; support; social; growing up; friends; travel; death; community; prevention; stigma; safe sex; peer support; fear; prejudice; camp; government; council; heterosexual; policy; allies; desire; privacy; attitude; intervention; accessibility; loss; communication; Stuff; news; running; collective; Hawaii; occupation; Spain; assumptions; bottom; feelings; sexual orientation; other; hiding; conference; resource; energy; hospital; connections; work; suppression; cancer; face; environment; Job; God; strategy; advocate; records; Space; People; access; data; knowledge; legislation; time; Tom O'Donoghue; Wellington region; sad; advocacy; consultancy; protection; Health department
location_nameWellington
locationWellington
broader_locationAotearoa New Zealand
location_lat-41.300423865822886
location_long174.78013410486557
precise_localityfalse