The role of Angel Dumont Schunard—the drag queen percussionist living with AIDS but embraces life to the fullest—is a demanding one. It won a 1996 Tony Award for Wilson Jermaine Heredia when he originated the character on Broadway. Now it’s Valentina’s turn.
To prep for her interpretation, Valentina, who recently revealed they identify as non-binary stopped by the Center-WeHo to learn more about services the Center offers and how treatment for people who live with HIV has changed since the era in which RENT takes place. Valentina spoke with the Center’s Linkage to Care Coordinator Blossom Brown and AIDS/LifeCycle Ride Director Tracy Evans to develop a more expansive knowledge on the current state of life with HIV and AIDS.