Date: Tue, 11 Apr 1995 16:49:35 -0500 (CDT) From: Kevyn Jacobs To: "Kansas Queer News [KQN]" Subject: UDK: Louganis shares story at KU FROM THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS - LAWRENCE APRIL 6, 1995 FRONT PAGE ================================ DIVER SHARES PERSONAL STORY Olympic superstar Greg Louganis tells his triumph to a packed auditorium PHOTO: Greg Louganis at his book signing CAPTION: Greg Louganis shakes hands with Joel Finne, Owatonna, Minn., after autographing Finne's copy of his book, "Breaking the Surface." About 300 people stood in line yesterday to meet Louganis and have books signed. By Eduardo A. Molina Kansan staff writer Growing up gay caused many problems for Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis. Now, his sexual orientation and dealing with AIDS are less of a problem. "I am Greg Louganis, I am gay, and I have AIDS," the diver said proudly to an audience of about 800 who cheered him last night in the Kansas Union Ballroom during his speech about the importance of coming out. Louganis said that coming out to friends and family could help everyone face problems together. "If we all work together, straight people and gays, we can support each other," he said. Louganis also addressed different issues, such as living with HIV, in a press conference at noon at the Kansas Room in the Kansas Union. "HIV is not a death sentence," he said. "You can learn to live with it. You don't overcome HIV. You deal with." Now that Louganis has AIDS, he said the disease doesn't affect him that much. "I am feeling pretty good," he said. "I just have to take my medication three times a day. "This is one of the reasons for writing the book--I wanted to tell my story while I was here and healthy and not in a hospital bed." Talking about his plans after the book tour, Louganis said he wanted to get involved in different activities outside of the sports world. "I want to go to dog shows," he said, laughing. "I also want to continue pursuing my acting career." Louganis also had advice for Fred Phelps, who protested Louganis' visit in front the Kansas Union. "He needs a teddy bear and a lot of hugs," Louganis said. After the press conference yesterday afternoon, about 300 people waited in line at the Mount Oread Bookshop in the Kansas Union where Louganis had a book-signing session. Karyn Ullman, Houston junior, was one of the people waiting in the long line. She had not read the book, but Louganis' success moved her to meet him. "He is a hero," she said. "It doesn't even matter if he is gay or has AIDS." Amy Perlmeter, Omaha, Neb., junior, said she found Louganis' book, "Breaking the Surface," inspirational. "People can learn a lot if they read it with an open mind because the book is pretty graphic," she said. Louganis said that he liked book signing because every time he signed books, he learned how people had faced similar problems. "One day one man come to me and said, 'you saved my life with this book,'" Louganis said. A lot of people think they are alone. But everybody has a story and obstacles to overcome "