Washington Blade - April 11, 2003

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- State health officials pulled a Christian-themed AIDS brochure from circulation April 4 after the ACLU of Florida complained that tax money was used for pamphlets with Biblical passages. ACLU Director Howard Simon said the brochures -- titled "A Christian Response to AIDS" -- may have a worthwhile goal, but contain a message that shouldn't be delivered by state government. "While the state must respond to this public health crisis and find ways to stop the spread of the AIDS virus, the state must base its message on ... medical and scientific information, rather than advocate a particular Christian set of beliefs," Simon wrote. The department's lawyers reviewed the pamphlet and immediately decided to remove it from the agency's list of approved educational materials, according to a letter sent by the agency to county health departments and local health groups. The pamphlets use passages from the Bible to urge compassion toward people with AIDS and the HIV virus. Each bears the logo and name of the Florida Department of Health. The brochure asks: "How would Jesus respond to a person with HIV or AIDS?" and promises that "Jesus is our Hope." The pamphlet has been in circulation for about a decade and is used in several states.

AIDS activists shout down South African health minister

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) -- South African AIDS activists interrupted last month's opening of a conference by Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, calling her a murderer and demanding her arrest. About 100 members of Treatment Action Campaign shouted down the controversial health minister, waving "wanted" posters and chanting "murderer" and "Manto go to jail," the South African Press Association reported. TAC recently launched a campaign of civil disobedience against what they say is the government's refusal to combat the AIDS pandemic with costly drugs. Government spokesperson Joel Netshitenzhe said the activists" behavior was inappropriate. "We can make greater progress as a nation if we all lend a hand in partnership against AIDS. Our energies should be spent fighting AIDS, not one another," he said.

Council wants probe into $14 million in lost AIDS money

NEW YORK (AP) -- The city's HIV Planning Council voted April 3 to investigate the reasons why $14 million in funds to New York's AIDS programs were cut. The decision came during a meeting that discussed how the city would deal with the loss of the federal money. The city lost the money for AIDS care from the Ryan White Title I funds. The federal Health & Human Services department allots the funds to 51 cities for low-income people with AIDS. New York City's application ranked near the bottom of the list. "If you find problems with the application, let's use that to make sure next year's application is better," said Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden, whose department came under fire for its application. "But my take is that absolutely nothing in the application justifies this cut."

Gay health professionals want "broader perspective" on staph

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Gay & Lesbian Medical Association is warning that media reports about a drug-resistant staph infection seen recently in gay men in several cities need to provide a broader perspective, according to Kenneth Haller, the group's president. Methicillin-Resistent Staphylococcus Aureus, or MRSA, is a skin infection resistant to commonly prescribed antibiotics that began surfacing late last year among gay men in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Cases are also reported in Washington, Houston, Atlanta and other cities. The infections manifest themselves as boils and abscesses on various parts of sufferers" bodies, including rectal and groin infections. "We should not think of MRSA as either some type of super-staph infection or as a specifically gay health issue," Haller said. "Where it becomes a problem, particularly for HIV-positive persons, is if the wrong antibiotic is given to treat a staph infection. If the first medicine is ineffective, that could allow the infection to become much deeper and more severe." Staph has been seen in populations other than gay men for years, Haller said, and that the infection's resistance to drugs is not surprising.

Hundreds expected for four-day conference on bisexuality in Calif.

SAN DIEGO -- Four days of workshops and panel discussions are planned for the North American Conference on Bisexuality, set for Aug. 21-24 in San Diego. As part of the conference, the first Bisexual Health Summit will also be held, organizers said. More than 500 bisexual authors, researchers, health care professionals and activists are expected to attend the event. "But this conference isn't just for bisexual activists and researchers," said Robyn Ochs, Bisexual Resource Center co-founder and conference presenter. "this conference is for all people who wish to learn more about bisexuality and network and socialize with others who share common experience around their sexuality." For more information, see www.bisexual.org/nacb.

From staff and wire reports

030411
WB030405

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2003. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .