Michael DeStefano, a writer, stand-up comic and Florida radio-show host who is HIV-positive, will speak at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19, at Colby College in Waterville. His lecture, "The Power of HIV-Positive Thinking" will be in Lorimer Chapel is open to the public free of charge.

DeStefano was diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1988 and lost his wife to AIDS in 1995. His lectures deal with the need to overcome challenges, no matter how daunting, and he uses humor and compassion to address issues of homophobia, stereotypes, drug and alcohol abuse and "living with Uncle Jerry, who has a wooden leg."

After his wife's death DeStefano reached out for help and found the only community that reached back was the gay community. Coming from a tough, Bronx neighborhood, he overcame his own prejudices and now talks about insights into his own homophobia, which he feels was similar to that of most straight men.

Also on November 19 at Colby, the Maine AIDS quilt will be on display in Page Commons Room of Cotter Union from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is the first Maine college display of the entire quilt, and it is sponsored by The Bridge, a Colby student organization that supports and celebrates gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered dignity.