Washington Blade - October 15, 2004
Joe Crea, jcrea@washblade.com.

William Donald Schaefer, the Maryland comptroller and former governor, has come under fire for saying those living with AIDS "brought it on themselves" and suggesting that the public should know the names of people infected with HIV.

The controversy began when the Maryland Gazette newspaper reported on Oct. 8 about a conversation Schaefer had with Naomi Tomoyasu, acting administrator of the state AIDS Administration. According to the report, Schaefer asked, "What's wrong with identifying [HIV patients] by name?"

"Why shouldn't the taxpayers who are paying millions for AIDS treatment know the names of the infected?" asked Schaefer, a Democrat. "They don't get AIDS by standing in the wind."

'They bring it on themselves'

The feisty 82-year-old Schaefer defended his remarks on Wednesday, telling the Washington Post that as far as he is concerned, "People who have AIDS are a danger ... a danger to spread AIDS."

He added, "They bring it on themselves. ... They don't get it by sitting on the toilet. ... A person who gives AIDS, who spreads AIDS, they're bad people. Everybody wants to be on the good side of everything. Well, I'm taking a stand."

Schaefer declined Blade interview requests.

Christine Duray, a spokesperson for the comptroller's office, said Schaefer supports a registry for those infected with HIV because he considers HIV/AIDS to be a public health threat and should be treated in the manner in which tuberculosis was treated.

Duray said Schaefer's comments to the Post were taken out of context and Schaefer was criticizing those who have AIDS and intentionally spread the virus.

"He's very concerned with pediatric AIDS issues and these children infected with HIV who have no say in the matter when individuals practice unsafe habits," Duray said.

Tomoyasu said there already is a confidential registry for both HIV and AIDS cases in Maryland. According to federal law, the names of people with full-blown AIDS are collected by the state. Both lists are private and confidential, Tomoyasu said.

Based on evidence and studies from infected individuals, the deputy administrator said if the names were made public it would affect the individuals who seek to get care and tested.

"This is based on the input we've gotten from the community," Tomoyasu said. "As a result, we have a very successful system."

AIDS activists decry comments

A coalition of local and national AIDS organizations issued a statement condemning the "discriminatory, insensitive and damaging remarks" made by the comptroller.

"We condemn this belief on the grounds that making public the names of those living with HIV would in no way better the state of Maryland, its citizens, or those infected or affected by HIV," the statement reads. "Such a policy would also open the doors to blacklisting and a return to medical McCarthyism that has stalled progress to defeat other diseases in history."

The coalition also called Schaefer's comments an "insult to those of our neighbors who live with this disease every day."

"Schaefer's comments are not surprising but unfortunate," said Joe Berg, communications director for Moveable Feast, an organization that helps meet the nutritional needs of Marylanders living with AIDS.

"Even though it appears he's trying to clarify his insensitive and harsh comments, it doesn't change the fact that we are opposed to creating a registry for HIV people. We are fighting an epidemic, and we need people to know what their status is. Creating a climate of fear doesn't help."

David Haltiwanger, director of clinical programs and public policy at Chase Brexton Health Services in Baltimore, said he trusts that Schaefer wants to keep the Maryland public safe but said his comments were misguided and that it would be impossible to have a public registry of those infected with HIV.

"No state sponsor list could ever be updated like that," Haltiwanger said. "The safest thing we can do is to make good choices in what we do in sexual relationships and the way we promote safety in society by helping to get people tested. The most effective way for one to change their behavior is for them to know their status and get into care. Having a public registry of who is positive and who is not is counter-productive."

As Maryland controller, an elected post, Schaefer collects taxes and does not set public health policy, but the former governor remains popular in the state.

"It's unfortunate that people still listen to him and it is unfortunate that he is saying these things," Haltiwanger said. "These are hurtful comments to a lot of people who struggle every day to be productive citizens and to have a major public figure describe them as bad people is just upsetting.

"Some may have shown bad judgments in the decisions they made but you can't put that on every HIV person. I know many who got infected because they trusted a partner who said they were monogamous."

Haltiwanger said that while he was glad Schaefer clarified his remarks he said that in his 10 years of public health work, he has yet to meet any individual with HIV who is consciously making a decision to infect others.

"Schaefer is magnifying a fantasy," Haltiwanger said.

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