BY ROSS FORMAN
Age: 38
Hometown: Chicago
High School: Roberto Clemente, class of 1985
College: Will graduate from North Park University in August.
Status: single, lesbian. Came out at age 25.
Gay Games sport: Physique competition.
Hobbies: Going to clubs, listening to music, running along the lakefront.
Enjoys: Cooking, especially Puerto Rican, Mexican and Cuban food; and riding her motorcycle, a Honda Shadow 600.
Dogs: Two chihuahuas, named Wolverine and Pyro.
The Quote: 'I like working within the LGBT community, and supporting gay and lesbian events.'
Debby Rijos is counting the days until she can sit down for dinner at her home on the North Side of Chicago and enjoy a plate full of rice and beans, a traditional meal for this proud, patriotic Puerto Rican who was born and raised in the Windy City.
But her much-anticipated meal won't come until the end of July, at the earliest—after Gay Games VII have ended.
After all, Rijos will be competing in the physique competition this summer in her first-ever Games.
'I think it's wonderful that Chicago has accepted the Games, including Mayor ( Richard ) Daley. I think it's a big step for [ the LGBT community ] ,' Rijos said. 'There are a lot of places where heterosexuals are not always accepting of the gay community, but this is something where everyone can come together and we can all root for the same city. This is a chance for unity.
'I think the Gay Games are going to be a big deal for the city. I think we're going to gain a lot of exposure. I think people will look at Chicago differently following the Games. They will have a very positive view of the city.
'The Gay Games are a big deal for me personally because I have not competed in almost 15 years. I know this will be very challenging, but I'm very excited nonetheless. I know it will take a lot of dedication and focus, but I'm ready for it.'
Rijos competed in two physique competitions and a bench-press tournament back in 1992. She placed second and third in the physique event, and won the bench competition.
She's eyeing gold for 2006.
'I think I'm in the best shape of my life, even better than when I ( previously ) was competing,' Rijos said. 'My perspective now is a lot different and I'm training a lot harder. I have a greater sense of determination.'
Rijos is in the middle of a seven-month training regimen for the Games, and spends about 2-1/2 hours in the gym training six times per week.
'I want to help empower women in the gay community because there are a lot of overweight lesbians in Chicago,' said Rijos, who knowingly talks about dieting, protein-shakes, etc. And her strong upper-body is proof that she knows what she's preaching. Not to mention her well-defined biceps and triceps.
Rijos has a drive and determination that should be an inspiration for all, not just within the LGBT community. Especially since Chicago in January was named the Fattest City in America by Men's Fitness magazine, which attributed the dubious distinction to Chicagoans' love of television and lack of exercise.
Health and fitness, she said, 'starts at home, when kids are growing up.' Parents often are not making wise choices when it comes to feeding their kids, she said. 'Parents often don't cook the healthy meals; they instead opt for the fast-food drive-thru lane or just order a pizza. Those kids then may become overweight adults.
'Exercise has to be emphasized a lot more.'
Rijos has spent the past four years working as a sexually transmitted disease investigator for the City of Chicago's Department of Public Health. She also serves on the HIV and AIDS Planning Council Committee for the City of Chicago.
She previously worked with substance abuse and mental health problem patients.
'I don't think enough people are aware of all the resources that are available to them, including all of the free services,' for HIV testing in Chicago, she said. 'People need to be educated as to what they can do and that HIV is not a detrimental disease that it once was. When people find out they are HIV-positive, it usually freaks them out. So what I like to do is educate them, help ease their pain and concern, especially because they don't often know too much about the disease.
'HIV can be over-powered, by being educated.'
