“Pedro” airing on MTV and Logo today!

I have written a lot about the new film Pedro in recent weeks because I want everyone to watch it tonight – especially young people who can stand to learn a few lessons about HIV and AIDS. This awful disease killed so many – including 1994 Real World cast member Pedro Zamora at the age of 22. We know way to much about prevention for anybody to take foolish risks and get infected. No matter what the Pope says, condoms do help. [Read my review of Pedro here)

Here are some quotes about Zamora that I got from talking to various participants in the MTV film premiering tonight written by Dustin Lance Black and directed by Nick Oceano:

Alex Loynaz, who plays Zamora in the movie: I thought he was a very charming person, immensely brave. He was just such a brave character and a hero. What he did was very important and to this day, he would still want more and more. I think we need to continue and I think that’s why it’s great that this movie is coming out right now. There’s still a lot of work to be done.” [LINK]

Justina Machado, who plays Pedro’s sister Mily in the film: “I remember knowing about it but I wasn’t really into The Real World so it wasn’t until I actually read the script that I found out about his story, A young, beautiful man 17 years old gets AIDS, dies at 23, [AIDS] is still happening and I think this film is going to maybe make people more aware of it and hopefully get involved again like we were back in the 80s and 90s. I think people are going to remember that there’s still an AIDS crisis. I think people have really forgotten about that, it’s kind of been thrown to the wayside and they don’t talk about it. I think it’s really important.” [LINK]

Nick Oceano, director: “What’s really, really meaningful for me is I was this gay, closeted kid in Texas growing up and was 18 when I saw Pedro on The Real World and he had a tremendous impact on me and planted the seed for me to come out,” he said. “And so, to be part of a film that not only continues his legacy but brings the story to a new audience is amazing.” [LINK]

Jon Murray, co-creator of The Real World and producer of Pedro movie: “I remember opening the letter from him saying he wanted to be on The Real World. He was this kid from Miami who wanted a chance to go to San Francisco, he wanted a chance to fall in love and he wanted people to know someone who had HIV. The drama was so real and his story was so profound. When I saw that letter, I not only knew he should be on The Real World, I actually said, ‘This is a movie of the week.’ This kid had come over on the Mariel Boat Lift, his mother had died when he was 14, he had found out he was HIV-positive at a high school blood drive. There was such a story there.” [LINK]

Judd Winick, Zamora’s Real World housemate and close friend: “Pedro gave us this great gift by sharing with everyone his story and it’s really heartening that after all these years, people have gotten together to tell his story yet again – openly and honestly. It’s more than we could hope for.” [LINK]

Pam Ling, Zamora’s Real World housemate and close friend: “I think it’s really thrilling that a whole new generation of young people are going to be able to get to know Pedro’s story and, through the film, get to know him.” [LINK]