World AIDS Day, December 1st

Toughy · 12-04-2011, 03:37 PM

a little more info as to why they refused him:

http://www.wisradio.com/rssItem.asp?...temid=29763507

(PHILADELPHIA) -- The Hershey, Pa., boarding school that denied an HIV-positive 13-year-old boy entry said Friday that the school's residential setting and the risk of sexual activity made the teen too much of a "threat."

The AIDS Law Project filed suit on behalf of the unidentified boy Wednesday in Philadelphia District Court, alleging that the Milton Hershey School violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, which includes HIV in its scope.

"This young man is a motivated, intelligent kid who poses no health risk to other students, but is being denied an educational opportunity because of ignorance and fear about HIV and AIDS," said Ronda Goldfein, the boy's lawyer.

Connie McNamara, spokesperson for the Milton Hershey School, told ABC News the school carefully evaluated the situation and the needs of its 1,850 students which span from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade.

"We had to balance his rights and interests with our obligation to provide for the health and safety of other students," she said. "And this meets a direct threat."

McNamara knows well that coughing, hugging, and public restrooms won't cause someone to get HIV.

She said the school was most worried the boy would have sex -- if not now, at some point in his future years at the school, where students in groups of 10-12 live together in on-campus housing.

"Our kids are no different than teenagers anywhere else," she said. "Despite encouraging abstinence, we cannot be 100 percent certain our kids are not engaging in sexual activity."

Even making sure the boy and students were educated on how HIV is transmitted wasn't enough for the school to grant the teen admission.

The idea that anyone could be denied entry based on a disability is astounding, said Arthur Caplan, the Director of the Pennsylvania Center For Bioethics.

"This notion that you can't put him in residential housing at a school because he is a vector of death is a throwback to 1987 when people were worried you couldn't mainstream children in any school," he said. "It sets back what we know to be true about the disease."

Caplan suggested the school use this as a teaching opportunity to educate students about HIV.

Even the school seemed a bit conflicted during the application process. McNamara provided ABC News with a court document the school planned to file before the lawsuit, asking a judge to weigh in and make sure they were within the bounds of the law.

"We looked at the law and our unique program and made the best decision we could," she said. "Our heart goes out to this young man."

The Milton Hershey School was founded in 1909 by the chocolate magnate whose name it bears. The school was originally intended to house white male orphans but now has a diverse student body hailing from all over the United States. Students must come from low income families in order to be considered for admission.

Caplan said the case reminds him of Ryan White, the teenager who became the face of the AIDs virus in the 1980s after being kicked out of school for fear it would spread through everyday contact.

"I think they'll lose the lawsuit," he said. " So they better get ready to figure out how they're going to accept him."

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Metro · 12-01-2012, 07:34 AM

http://www.unaids.org/

Miss Scarlett · 12-01-2012, 08:06 AM

This morning I'm remembering friends and patients lost to AIDS back in the 80s...

I'm also urging everyone to please get tested.

DMW · 12-01-2012, 12:43 PM

I wish that ***** didn't get It. I wish that I could fix it. I wish that I could take it away from him and have it for myself instead.

Thank God for early testing, Elizabeth Taylor and all like her, and the new medications and research.
FYI double condoms cause friction and tear...best to use just one...I believe.

Sun · 12-01-2012, 12:52 PM

Today I am remembering my best friend Ross who was determined to beat the virus and instead was killed by a hit and run driver. He died at age 31. Ross was so full of joy and life that he was a magnet for happy people. His life was short but incredibly profound. I still see him on the beach at sunrise, doing yoga and dancing around his house to "Abba" flaming out in all of his fabulous gayness.

His mantra was "Honor Yourself". Whenever I reject negativity, I hear those words. "Honor Yourself". A constant reminder of how we live on in spirit even after the body is gone.

Metro · 12-01-2012, 12:54 PM

Thinking of and missing so many wonderful people, including family, on this day.

Toughy · 12-01-2012, 02:37 PM

as I say every year and write on every signature panel at every AIDS Memorial Quilt display that I attend

well girls and boys.... here we are again

I want all my friends back

Joey, my sonny boy.......my child..........I miss you terribly

remember their names

12-04-2011, 03:37 PM	#1
Toughy Senior Member How Do You Identify?: pervert butch feminist woman Preferred Pronoun?: see above Relationship Status: independent entity Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oakland Posts: 1,826 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,068 Thanked 7,654 Times in 1,523 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	a little more info as to why they refused him: http://www.wisradio.com/rssItem.asp?...temid=29763507 (PHILADELPHIA) -- The Hershey, Pa., boarding school that denied an HIV-positive 13-year-old boy entry said Friday that the school's residential setting and the risk of sexual activity made the teen too much of a "threat." The AIDS Law Project filed suit on behalf of the unidentified boy Wednesday in Philadelphia District Court, alleging that the Milton Hershey School violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, which includes HIV in its scope. "This young man is a motivated, intelligent kid who poses no health risk to other students, but is being denied an educational opportunity because of ignorance and fear about HIV and AIDS," said Ronda Goldfein, the boy's lawyer. Connie McNamara, spokesperson for the Milton Hershey School, told ABC News the school carefully evaluated the situation and the needs of its 1,850 students which span from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. "We had to balance his rights and interests with our obligation to provide for the health and safety of other students," she said. "And this meets a direct threat." McNamara knows well that coughing, hugging, and public restrooms won't cause someone to get HIV. She said the school was most worried the boy would have sex -- if not now, at some point in his future years at the school, where students in groups of 10-12 live together in on-campus housing. "Our kids are no different than teenagers anywhere else," she said. "Despite encouraging abstinence, we cannot be 100 percent certain our kids are not engaging in sexual activity." Even making sure the boy and students were educated on how HIV is transmitted wasn't enough for the school to grant the teen admission. The idea that anyone could be denied entry based on a disability is astounding, said Arthur Caplan, the Director of the Pennsylvania Center For Bioethics. "This notion that you can't put him in residential housing at a school because he is a vector of death is a throwback to 1987 when people were worried you couldn't mainstream children in any school," he said. "It sets back what we know to be true about the disease." Caplan suggested the school use this as a teaching opportunity to educate students about HIV. Even the school seemed a bit conflicted during the application process. McNamara provided ABC News with a court document the school planned to file before the lawsuit, asking a judge to weigh in and make sure they were within the bounds of the law. "We looked at the law and our unique program and made the best decision we could," she said. "Our heart goes out to this young man." The Milton Hershey School was founded in 1909 by the chocolate magnate whose name it bears. The school was originally intended to house white male orphans but now has a diverse student body hailing from all over the United States. Students must come from low income families in order to be considered for admission. Caplan said the case reminds him of Ryan White, the teenager who became the face of the AIDs virus in the 1980s after being kicked out of school for fear it would spread through everyday contact. "I think they'll lose the lawsuit," he said. " So they better get ready to figure out how they're going to accept him." Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio __________________ We are everywhere We are different I do not care if resistance is futile I will not assimilate www.butchfemmesocials.com/

12-01-2012, 07:34 AM	#2
Metro Senior Member How Do You Identify?: • Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: • Posts: 1,606 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,476 Thanked 2,911 Times in 730 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	Remember Those Lost -- Prevent Future Loss http://www.unaids.org/

12-01-2012, 12:52 PM	#5
Sun Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Trans Preferred Pronoun?: He, him, his Relationship Status: Single Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: N/A Posts: 1,775 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,557 Thanked 5,551 Times in 1,456 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	Today I am remembering my best friend Ross who was determined to beat the virus and instead was killed by a hit and run driver. He died at age 31. Ross was so full of joy and life that he was a magnet for happy people. His life was short but incredibly profound. I still see him on the beach at sunrise, doing yoga and dancing around his house to "Abba" flaming out in all of his fabulous gayness. His mantra was "Honor Yourself". Whenever I reject negativity, I hear those words. "Honor Yourself". A constant reminder of how we live on in spirit even after the body is gone. __________________ “Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along.” ― Rumi

12-01-2012, 02:37 PM	#7
Toughy Senior Member How Do You Identify?: pervert butch feminist woman Preferred Pronoun?: see above Relationship Status: independent entity Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Oakland Posts: 1,826 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,068 Thanked 7,654 Times in 1,523 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	as I say every year and write on every signature panel at every AIDS Memorial Quilt display that I attend well girls and boys.... here we are again I want all my friends back Joey, my sonny boy.......my child..........I miss you terribly remember their names __________________ We are everywhere We are different I do not care if resistance is futile I will not assimilate www.butchfemmesocials.com/

12-01-2012, 08:06 AM	#3
Miss Scarlett Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Relationship Status: . Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: . Posts: 5,530 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,478 Thanked 12,947 Times in 3,419 Posts Rep Power: 21474857	This morning I'm remembering friends and patients lost to AIDS back in the 80s... I'm also urging everyone to please get tested.

12-01-2012, 12:43 PM	#4
DMW Member How Do You Identify?: FTM/Male (Will 14) Relationship Status: Caught An Angel and she doesn't lie! Join Date: May 2012 Location: @ Posts: 784 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,256 Thanked 1,858 Times in 614 Posts Rep Power: 21474850	I wish that ***** didn't get It. I wish that I could fix it. I wish that I could take it away from him and have it for myself instead. Thank God for early testing, Elizabeth Taylor and all like her, and the new medications and research. FYI double condoms cause friction and tear...best to use just one...I believe.

12-01-2012, 12:54 PM	#6
Metro Senior Member How Do You Identify?: • Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: • Posts: 1,606 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,476 Thanked 2,911 Times in 730 Posts Rep Power: 21474851	Thinking of and missing so many wonderful people, including family, on this day.