AEGiS-WashBlade: FDNY rugby team forfeits game over HIV fears: Firefighters asked if all of Kinghts players were negative

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

FDNY rugby team forfeits game over HIV fears: Firefighters asked if all of Kinghts players were negative

Washington Blade - June 27, 2006

Before a scheduled rugby match against gay team Gotham Knights, an opposing team comprised of New York firefighters asked the Knights if they could swear that everyone on their team is not HIV-positive.

When the Knights could not give such a guarantee, the FDNY team forfeited, according to a story on Outsports.com.

The incident occurred June 17 during the quarterfinals of the 30th-annual Rockaway Rugby Sevens Tournament in Queens.

Eric Merfalen of the Gotham Knights told Outsports.com that a member of the FDNY team called Rock B/Fire "came up and said something like, 'I don't mean to be a jerk, but...' and then he asked if we could all confirm that we were not HIV positive."

After the forfeit, the Knights left the tournament.

Rugby is a brutal contact sport akin to football, but without any pads. Earlier this year, the Gotham Knights hosted the Bingham Cup, an international gay rugby tournament.

060627
WB060618

Copyright © 2006 - The Washington Blade. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of The Washington Blade content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of the Blade. The Washington Blade shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. The Washington Blade.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2006. 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, 2006. 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. .