Pedro Zamora
Pedro Pablo Zamora (born Pedro Pablo Zamora y Díaz, February 29, 1972 – November 11, 1994) was a Cuban-American AIDS educator and television personality. As one of the first openly gay men with AIDS to be portrayed in popular media, Zamora brought international attention to HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ issues and prejudices through his appearance on MTV's reality television series, The Real World: San Francisco.
Pedro Zamora | |
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Zamora in 1993 | |
| Born | Pedro Pablo Zamora y Díaz February 29, 1972 Diezmero, San Miguel del Padrón, Havana, Cuba |
| Died | November 11, 1994 (aged 22) Coconut Grove, Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Cause of death | AIDS-related progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy |
| Occupation(s) | Reality television personality, AIDS educator |
| Partner | Sean Sasser (1994) |
Zamora's romantic relationship with Sean Sasser was also documented on the show; their relationship was later nominated by MTV viewers for "Favorite Love Story" award, and the broadcast of their commitment ceremony in 1994, in which they exchanged vows, was the first such same-sex ceremony in television history, and is considered a landmark in the history of the medium.
U.S. President Bill Clinton credited Zamora with personalizing and humanizing those living with HIV—especially to Latino communities—with his activism, including his testimony before Congress. Zamora's personal struggle with AIDS, and his conflict with housemate David "Puck" Rainey is credited with helping to make The Real World a hit show, for which Time ranked it #7 on its list of "32 Epic Moments in Reality-TV History".