Greg Louganis appears tonight

Olympic gold medalist will speak tonight at Bovard

By Alyson Beck
Staff Writer

With four gold medals, six world titles and a record number of national diving championships under his belt, Greg Louganis is often viewed as the premier athlete in men's diving.
Yet, no matter what his accomplishments, it seems ever since his decision to go public with his homosexuality he is no longer accepted as just a gifted diver; he is also evaluated as a gay man. This public evaluation is of course bothersome, but Louganis has quickly learned to ignore whatever negative connotations may have formed because of his announcement.
Regardless of his circumstances, Louganis bounced back from diving retirement in `88 to venture into a new profession: acting.
He was looking forward to beginning a new chapter in his life, but one ominous secret was keeping him from true happiness.
It was at this time that Louganis announced to the public something he had known since the `88 Olympic Games: he was infected with the HIV virus.
What caused an even bigger uproar was the fact that he had been HIV-positive at the time of his accident during the platform diving competition. The significance lies in the fact that the cut on his head was treated by a medic who, being unaware of Louganis' HIV, did not wear any protective gloves.
Louganis was scorned for withholding his condition for such an extended period of time, but he was afraid of how the general public might react. As a gay man, Louganis was already aware of how people reacted to his sexuality. He did not want any more negative attention because of the HIV virus.
His decision both to come out of the closet and to make his disease public paved the way for his autobiography, "Breaking the Surface." The New York Times bestseller also is his account of a struggle with dyslexia and his battle to overcome substance abuse.
Louganis wants to let others know that even though he is living with HIV, he is not surrendering his life and happiness.
This year marks the beginning of his efforts to increase AIDS awareness at college campuses across the nation. Louganis hopes to prove that a disease such as AIDS can infect anyone--regardless of sexual orientation--especially if safe sex precautions are ignored. His lecture tours will also include a call for increased tolerance of those who have AIDS and disease education.
Louganis wants to prove that even world-class athletes can contract the disease. He urges people to realize that no one is exempt.
Nonetheless, he remains optimistic while looking AIDS right in the eye. Louganis would like to illustrate that life does not end immediately after one is diagnosed with the HIV virus.
Since learning of his illness, Louganis has performed in numerous Broadway and Hollywood productions. His latest project, "The Only Worse Thing You Could Have Told Me," was critically acclaimed and performed before sold-out crowds.
With all these projects in the works, Louganis wants to make sure people understand that the HIV virus does not have to cripple one's life. Though receiving the grim diagnosis can be devastating, it is up to individual victims to determine whether or not they will allow the virus to ruin their lives.
As a former dance instructor at USC, Louganis has chosen to deliver one of his speeches on campus. He hopes his lectures will reach out to all students, regardless of their sexual orientation or likelihood of becoming infected with the HIV virus.
The lectures are not solely based on AIDS; they also concern confronting sexuality issues in the `90s.
Joseph Rios, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian, and Bi Assembly, explained the group's motive for obtaining Louganis as a speaker. "In the past, we've brought prominent gay figures," he said. "(This time) we wanted to bring someone who would attract a more diverse crowd. Greg Louganis is an entertainer who just happens to be gay."
Other groups sponsoring the event are the Speakers Committee, Special Events, the performing arts division of Program Board, the Graduate and Professional Student Senate and the Student Health Center.

---

Louganis will speak tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Bovard Auditorium. Faculty and staff tickets are available at the door for $5. There is no cost for students to attend.