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THOMAS R. COLVIN a/k/a THOM COLLINS Tom Colvin, a/k/a Thom Collins, is a 31-year-old, nationally and internationally known activist, speaker, model and performer. Thom is a well-recognized personality for his candid position with regard to his 15 year HIV positive status. While Tom has not progressed to "AIDS", his activities of daily living are affected by his long-term chronic HIV condition. Since learning of his HIV positive medical status, Thom has been followed and treated by a myriad of physicians over the last 15 years. When Thom first learned about his HIV infection he sought advice from many different doctors in different parts of the United States. Initially Thom was told what most believed at the time. You will progress to full-blown AIDS and die from the HIV exposure. The time Thom was told he had to live varied anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the physician. After this exhausting search for treatment Thom found the best of medical care back in Oklahoma City. This doctor did not share the opinions of the physicians Thom previously sought care from. His "new" doctor was William Downham, M.D. Dr. Downham told Thom several things. They included:
Thom certainly took that last piece of advice from Dr. Downham literally! A New Name...Tom Colvin adopted the name "Thom Collins" as an alter ego to deal with the pain from being thrown out of his home in Oct. of 1983, age of 16, for being a homosexual. Thom continued to perform to support himself. Not only did performing as male dancer, drag clown provide financial support, this attention provided the wrong kind of substitute for love. The love denied by family, church and friends, based on Thom’s homosexuality. He met his longtime companion Aug 22nd 1983 and has been with him ever since. His companion still married when they met with two children and one on the way! Thom’s involvement with his companion gave him a new "responsibility", that of a stepparent. David’s oldest child and only son and has lived in their home for the past four years. This young man is now 18. Thom is also very involved with David’s two daughter’s lives as well. Thom and David moved to Los Angeles in 1989. The move, motivated by David wanting a break from Oklahoma City and Thom’s desire to reach for his dream of becoming a professional model. The move was successful for both. Thom took male dancing to new personal heights. Thom’s dream of becoming a Chippendale Dancer came true in the early 80’s. Never sure of attaining success Thom kept his vocation as a hairdresser alive. Not to mention "coining"" and eventually crowned by Los Angeles as "L.A.’s Hottest Transidancer". Transidancer will not be found in any dictionary we know of. However, no one did it before Thom and no one has done it as well since. You can see this aberration of Thom in the 1996 movie "Man of The Year" in which Thom has a cameo playing himself. Following his "doctors" advice, Thom kept on "doing whatever" he was doing. This included his drug addictions and fast life living. HIV infection was not a hindrance, if anything it spurred Thom forward. It must have been those earliest prognostications from his first doctors. Thom never likes to be told he cannot or will not accomplish something. In fact, that can be his greatest motivation. A
New Face... Thom would pay a big price for all of this later. Thom attempted suicide on May 22, 1994. Thom Collins modeled for magazines, including, Playgirl Centerfold January 1991, International Male (Clothing), Men’s Workout. Always the first in line for something controversial, Thom provided the cover story for GENRE magazine October 1996. Holding true to his cause and crusade as an AIDS activist, before it was en vogue to do so, credits to help people affected by HIV and AIDS include Cover story for POZ Magazine February/March, 1995, Arts and Understanding magazine and many others. Thom hit Picadilly Square in London with a billboard. His hot body and the caption "Thom Collins HIV Positive Looking good and Feeling Great", here begins the next controversy. Thom Collins the performer started participating in the now infamous Circuit events of the 90’s. He was and still is considered a "Circuit Legend." Some of Thom’s best and worst experiences were at these events. At times Thom has said regarding his performances that the essence of his spirit was the most free and alive. The love from the audience was overwhelming. Thom felt true acceptance. He has also said, "That Circuit events were his church, and DJ’s were his priests." It took "Tom Colvin" to shed the "Thom Collins" image and search his soul for true spirituality. Thom feels Circuit events have their place with the idea of brotherhood, love, and gay celebration. However, times change and "ALL PARTIES" have to end sometime. Even Thom knows this and accepts change. You can only grow and evolve, through change. Nothing in life is permanent. Accused of "The Glamorization of AIDS", was now Thom’s cross to bear and now was known as the "HIV POSITIVE SUPERMODEL." Thom only intending to share the message gave him years ago by his physician. Live with the disease and plan to keep on living. By now Thom had outlived by many, many years those earlier predictions of progression to AIDS and death. Thom feeling ever more responsible to send the message, you can "live" with HIV he continued with his speaking engagements and interviews which included The Leeza Gibbons Show, The Mark Wahlberg show, The Sally Jesse Raphael Show, The Phil Donahue Show, "E" Entertainment, and the Dini Petty Show in Canada. Thom was the keynote speaker in 1995 for the Positively Aware Conference sponsored by The Disney Company, Disney World. Thom’s presentation to more than 1,0000 people at this conference centered on his "now new" status as a Long Term Non-Progressor/ Survivor of HIV Infection. Thom was asked to return the following year in 1996 to participate as a panelist during the Disney sponsored conference. The open panel discussion continued to be centered on long term survival and " living with" rather than focusing on "dying from" HIV exposure. As a performer Thom used his notoriety to found an HIV/AIDS service organization in Oklahoma. The Open Your Heart Foundation. (Information On the foundation follows) Thom received a letter of support from his long time idol Madonna on his endless efforts to help educate the world on HIV/AIDS. Madonna’s help was offered when her scheduling permits. Thom has a website that reaches people of all walks of life around the world. The original idea was to have fun with the site. Then Thom soon realized the Internet is a powerful tool for sharing thoughts, beliefs, and ideas with others. Other people that may be dealing with HIV/AIDS. To help encourage people in every situation to become physically, emotionally, and spiritually fit. Currently the site receives on an average of 250 hits a day. The "hits" are on the increase, particularly during the last 90 days. (8-98) A
New Life... His hopes, dreams, and plans for the future deal with the entire gay community and all issues on a political level. Thom would like to see changes in how people view themselves. Thom is reminded each day that he must face his demons. These include drug addiction, attempted suicide, ego, HIV — AIDS, promiscuous sex and living with a false sense of security. Thom prays that his story will help enlighten and inspire others to be the best that they can be. He projects "I am HIV positive I don’t have time to be negative". Through his trials and tribulations he has become stronger through his adversity. Thom knows how to turn a tragedy into triumph. This is what makes the image Thom Collins the "Icon" shine. However, it is Tom Colvin’s soul that is by far the most attractive part of Thom, and the most in tune with what life is truly about. Thom believes care, compassion, tears, joy and the overall acceptance of being a proud gay American are all a vital parts of life. Thom’s wish is that through telling his story openly other people will be encouraged to form honest, caring, loving relationships and friendships. With his faith in GOD being first in his life. Followed by his family, friends, health, and work. His advice to all on when they ask how he does it is this: If you have GOD, family, friends, your health, and a job you love; with those 5 things in check you can conquer the world. Accepting and loving yourself. Surrounding yourself with positive, loving and honest people. You can only prosper and enjoy what life has to offer without suffering. The best things in life are free. Thom believes seize the day for no one is promised tomorrow. |