Activists Plan Response to HIV Discrimination at RV Park in Alabama

JULY 23, 2007 STATEMENT FROM THE CAMPAIGN TO END AIDS In the third decade of the worldwide HIV/AIDS epidemic, our collective efforts to treat, prevent, and deal with this human crisis remain slowed by fear, ignorance, stigma, discrimination and irrational hatred of people living with HIV. Those of us working and struggling to respond positively to the HIV/AIDS epidemic – particularly people living with HIV and AIDS – have a responsibility to stand up and speak out against these evils when they become public. Earlier this month in Silver Hill, Alabama, Caleb Glover was denied access to a recreational pool, showers, and sanitary facilities at the Wales West RV park because of his HIV status. Caleb is two years old. Health officials and local AIDS service providers explained to the public, to the media, and to park owner Ken Zadnichek that Caleb’s use of these facilities posed no threat whatsoever to the health of those around him. But Zadnichek insisted that Caleb either stay out of the water or leave. An Alabama newspaper quoted Zadnichek as saying, "I'm not responsible for their feelings. I'm responsible for the well-being of everybody in the park. If their feelings got hurt, I'm sorry. That's the way it's got to be."

Well, Mr. Zadnichek, that’s not the way it’s got to be. The Campaign to End AIDS calls on people living with HIV/AIDS, activists, family members and loved ones to join us in a collective, public response to this evil act of hatred and discrimination. We will reach out to the Glover family, to local PLWHAs, activists and service providers in Mobile and across Alabama, and we will be respectful in our consideration of people who have struggled with stigma and discrimination in Alabama for years. But we will be fierce in our public response, and unyielding in our demands: · that people living with HIV/AIDS be treated with respect; · that discriminatory behavior against people living with HIV/AIDS be appropriately investigated and prosecuted; and · that all people in Alabama, across America, and around the world know that we will come to the defense of our brothers and sisters, no matter their age or race or social status, to insist on all of our basic human rights to fair and equal treatment regardless of disability. To join us in this action, contact leaders and organizers of the Campaign to End AIDS at info@campaigntoendaids.org or at 877-END-AIDS.