Though Brian Green, the actor, had expressed an interest at that time, the challenge was to set-up a meeting with him to discuss the organization’s regional and national HIV/AIDS work; define his terms and conditions; conduct an interview and get that photo of him. This was easier said than done, but they were able to achieve this as their selection was the perfect candidate. And so here he is, ladies and gentlemen - Mr. Brian Green.

Brian Green is a Trinidadian actor based in Paris, who was last in Trinidad to perform in Derek Walcott’s musical production -“STEEL”. Brian possesses an international working portfolio in the performance arts and has been featured on the covers of booklets and magazine sensitive to the HIV/AIDS dilemma in Australia and the United Kingdom. For him this was an opportunity to demonstrate his solidarity and support towards a call into action for those infected and affected with HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean.

Through his travels he has worked with many persons representing vulnerable populations that include persons living with HIV/AIDS. Married to his beautiful and insightful wife Nathalie with two children, he was more than willing to share his concerns about HIV/AIDS and HIV testing; opinions about Safer Sex and Condom use; and values regarding managing relationships, fidelity and multiple sex partners.

Brian’s main message and mission regarding HIV/AIDS is, “To encourage people, especially young people, to change their behaviour toward communities infected and affected by the virus and to take responsibility regarding their sexual habits.”

In a candid interview with his wife, he stated an honest and meaningful concern about the effects that HIV/AIDS has had in the Caribbean. He noted that both men and women in our region were resistant or embarrassed to discuss sex, and their sexual behaviour, and that this was a possible root of the problem,

“The sad fact that many adults pretend that sex is not a part of everyday life means that many other important and sensitive issues are avoided and left unresolved. So that whether you are in a relationship, infected, gay or straight, rich or poor, does not matter. What matters is that we overcome our sexual taboos and be willing to explore them in a good and healthy manner. We have to be willing to discuss them with our partners, peers, friends and children, so that we can learn from and support each other. Silence only leads to isolation, discrimination, stigmatization, blame and in many unfortunate cases…. the suffering and loss of life of those we love.”

He referred to his experiences and encounters with persons living with the virus as a personal fitness instructor and identified the positive results of persons who had addressed their sexual identity, health status and methods of survival,

“As a fitness instructor in Australia, I had many clients who were living positive and used a holistic approach of fitness, diet and nutrition, self acceptance and treatment as a way to live their lives in a productive and meaningful way. HIV/AIDS had taught them many life lessons that we usually resist in a ‘normal’ setting. I also lost many gay friends to the virus and was impressed by the different approaches these communities were using to fight this disease. It is for this reason that I decided and wanted to be a part of your organisation’s work. Both my wife and I are extremely happy for this opportunity.”

Both Brian and Nathalie openly shared their views on managing their relationship. They identified that they had learnt to be more trusting of each other regarding the issues of fidelity. Both are extremely active in their professions and in particular Brian often spends weeks at a time away on assignment,

“I know that a lot of time is spent away from each other on a regular basis and this is a risk that we both have to live with. We both understand that in our lives, as committed as we are to each other that anything can happen for we both have sexual needs and desires; that we are constantly surrounded by intelligent and interesting people; and as humans we really are more than often not as in control of our decision making as we would like to imagine ourselves. We have agreed that infidelity is an issue in managing any relationship. It’s no good saying nothing is ever going to happen, as that approach leaves one completely unprepared if and when it does. We have to be mature about it. Perhaps our approach is possible because we live in a more liberal environment regarding sexuality on a whole. Perhaps it’s because we have kids that we not only raise, respect and love, but want to instil in them that it is better to face a situation head-on than pretend that it does not exist. Regarding condoms, you can’t use them if you don’t have them! I think both men and women should ALWAYS carry them, whether one is married or not.”

Brian went on to say that mastering his sexual desires and acting responsibly has been and continues to be one of his life’s greatest challenges. HIV and AIDS was the primary reasons for making this behavioural change a priority. He noted that at first that like many men, using Condoms took a lot of practise and sometimes there were performance challenges. He insists that practise makes perfect and he experimented with them in respect for his partners and himself.

“I think the greatest thing is to show any partner that you have a respect for their and your own body, but unfortunately I think there are situations in which I wouldn’t even trust myself.  Sexual desire is not something to be under-estimated. So I also think that women should insist that their male partners use them, and not accept the many excuses men can use to avoid using them.”

He added that HIV testing is here for every person on the planet. That it is important to know one’s status. He shared that even in Europe there are many persons who simply do not want to know because of their sexual activity or that they think that they are not at risk because of their social circles. There are also confidentiality and discriminatory issues involved. However he believes that knowing your status also helps to reinforce a change in sexual behaviour.
On a final note, both Brian and Nathalie wanted to address stigma and discrimination against gay communities,

“We both have always had gay friends and have witnessed many forms of discrimination, even in the performance arts arena, both in the Caribbean, Australia, and in Europe. I really don’t know what that’s about, but we support our gay friends where we can. We understand what it is like to be discriminated against and how damaging it can be on a community and person’s self esteem and feelings of self worth. As a bi-racial couple we sometimes have people look at us and whisper terrible things behind our backs, especially when we are out together as a family. Our greater concern is for our kids and the discrimination they face. Fortunately they are old enough that we can talk to them about this and so instil in them a greater sense of empowerment, self-identity and pride. And by conducting this interview we hope that it helps the gay community to realise that not every heterosexual person or couple is intolerant in understanding that it is not anyone’s business to judge an individual for whom they choose to love. This is why both Nathalie and I decided that this interview was important to fit into our busy schedule. We really appreciate and value all of the work being done for HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean.”

Visit Brian’s stunning website at: www.brian-green.net

Brian’s biography is also listed on our website at:
http://www.brian-green.net/briangreenbio.pdf

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3.20 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."