Local: Metro News AHA pulls 'Christian' AIDS pamphlet

Local: Metro News AHA pulls 'Christian' AIDS pamphlet

The Washington Blade - March 9, 2001

The D.C. Administration for HIV/AIDS made a mistake by using government funds to purchase and distribute a 15-page pamphlet that urges readers to follow the example of Jesus Christ and Christian principles as a means of addressing the AIDS epidemic, a city official said last week. Leila Abrar, communications director for the District's Department of Health, said the department directed AHA to stop distributing the pamphlets, saying it was improper for the government to promote religious messages.

Health department officials took steps to discontinue the distribution of the pamphlet, entitled "A Christian Response to AIDS," after veteran D.C. AIDS activist Wayne Turner sent a letter to Health Department Director Ivan Walks pointing out that it is illegal for the city to use taxpayer funds to promote a specific religion or religious belief. The pamphlet calls for compassion and support for people with AIDS and urges ministers and church congregations to oppose AIDS-related discrimination. Turner, coordinator for the AIDS group ACT UP-D.C., said he has no objection to religious groups distributing such literature but said the city government should not be involved in such an endeavor.

"It was an error," said Abrar, "so we will stop distributing them."

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