Collegiate Times

Actress, singer and activist Gloria Reuben is best known for her work as an actor, but activism has taken a front and center role in her life. Her portrayal of an HIV positive doctor in "ER" sparked Reuben's interest in HIV/AIDS outreach and she hasn't stopped since. When she is not acting, she is raising awareness about HIV/AIDS.

Reuben will present on diversity, women and HIV in Old Dominion Ballroom in Squires Student Center on March 18 at 7 p.m. Reuben spoke with the Collegiate Times over the phone from New York Friday afternoon.

CT: Is this your first time in Virginia?

GR: I've been on the outskirts of D.C. a few times, so yes, this will be my first time in Virginia.

CT: Why did you decide to speak at Virginia Tech?

GR: They (the Black Student Alliance) approached me and whenever I can, I try to speak at colleges.

CT: What are you going to talk about?

GR: The changing face of HIV. HIV/AIDS has become a real problem in the U.S. In the past five or six years, there's been less information and it hasn't been in the mass media. I felt very strongly about this and raised my voice. For a few years I could with my role in "ER"; through that storyline I overheard lots of discussion. Thankfully we have a new president. HIV/AIDS is a pandemic, but there are other issues, especially the economy, but in time there will be a National AIDS Strategy. 

CT: What should the average person know about HIV?

GR: That it's still alive and well in the United States. They need to know their status. You can know in a few minutes ... HIV is the number one killer of black women. If you're dying of AIDS when you're 25, you've had for a long time and just found out too late. I'm trying to eradicate the stigma around the disease and let everyone know that the disease is 100 percent preventable. No one gets HIV from blood transfusions anymore. In the future hopefully I won't be speaking about the changing face of AIDS - hopefully there won't be one at all.

CT: Do you consider landing your role on "ER" to be the first time when "you made it?"

GR: I just kind of hung on for the ride. "ER" has a huge following around the world. It has a very real kind of hallmark of success. It served me as an actor and activist in trying to deal with the issue of HIV. I wonder if the role chose me.

CT: I just have to ask this - what was George Clooney like during his "ER" days?

GR: I knew you were going to ask this ... He's great. He's everything one can perceive he would be. He's smart, intelligent, fun, sexy. It's not right that all that stuff can exist in one person ... but we're glad that it does.

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