The Cincinnati Enquirer |
Editorial Page
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Oct. 29, 1998 |
| Just when I think AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati is making progress, that the community knows how HIV is transmitted, that it is a disease and not a curse, that people deserve to be treated with compassion and not comtempt - I read a letter to the editor like the one from Deborah Hall ["Too many rights may be dangerous," Oct. 21]. Please allow me the opportunity to provide a little accureate information for those who are committed to knowledge and enlightenment. HIV is transmitted when infected blood, semen or vaginal secretions get into the blood stream of another person.
Ms. Hall's reaction is exactly why we need a law that ensure the protection of gay Americans. She is proposing a law that would eliminate the employment rights of thousands of individuals in Cincinnati alone. There is no reason that an individual with HIV need be barred from the food service industry nor any other employment opportunity, and it is certainly un-American to bar all gay people from any line of work - not all gay people have HIV and not all people with HIV are gay. |
I very much appreciated Enquirer columnist Cliff Radel's excellent column ["Denying gays equal rights shames us all," Oct. 16], and applaud his courage for taking a public stand on this issue. The real Cincinnati is represented by individuals such as Mr. Radel as well as letter writers who wrote intelligent and thoughtful letters to the editor. AVOC is committed to providing accurate HIV information to the community. Anyone who has questions about HIV/AIDS or would like a professional educator visit his/her workplace, classroom or organization is encouraged to call 421-2437.
Kathryn Thompson, Education Coordinator, AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati
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