Comments on: Obama Just Killed HIV Travel Ban (Updated)

By: Border Jumpers

Border Jumpers — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:17:26 +0000

Just FYI we are travel blogging from Africa (currently in Uganda) at our website called Border Jumpers or http://www.borderjumpers.org (via twitter @borderjumping).

Here is a post we wrote about the United States lifting the travel ban on people with HIV:
http://borderjumpers1.blogspot.....-news.html

We might be naïve (and grossly uninformed), but we didn’t realize until we just opened the New York Times website that the United States had a ban on letting HIV-positive people travel or immigrate to the United States. In place for 22 years, the ban was enacted at the height of the AIDS epidemic when fear overruled science. Today, thankfully, some (but by no means all) of the stigma of HIV/AIDS has disappeared.

But the fact that the ban was ever in place is disturbing and confusing, especially as we write this from Nairobi, Kenya, a place where over seven percent of the adult population is infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. The local newspapers classified ads advertise singles looking for love, who freely—and without shame—announce their HIV positive status.

We are also encouraged on the ground by the growing widespread availability of free condoms, the AIDS awareness/education campaigns, and growing number of clinics and medical facilities for sex workers. For Danielle, it is a remarkable improvement from her last visit to Kenya, when the media didn’t report as widely about the disease. Still, the crisis continues to be widespread here–and the effects on farming, on the workforce, and on households is alarming.

All our best, Danielle Nierenberg and Bernard Pollack

By: AL

AL — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:14:10 +0000

I don’t understand the outburst of joy regarding the repeal of HIV travel ban. The government has a perfectly legitimate authority to bar the entry of immigrants with potentially hazardous diseases. Not a wise decision.

By: Jan

Jan — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:10:45 +0000

@Agito

Just stay to the subject of this thread.She, neither SJ hasn’t an written argument, although I have asked.

Nice to meet you.

By: Agito

Agito — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:55:56 +0000

I don’t know if I can agree Alicia.

By: alicia banks

alicia banks — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:28:09 +0000

jan:

see all my argments about obama at my sites
peace
ab
OUTLOOK
&
ELOQUENT FURY

By: Scully Johnston

Scully Johnston — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:36:22 +0000

I hoped also saying that had hates the black. They can see their night of darkness compared to you, and is the common big penis. I’ m envies my work, and, unfortunately, a spot, but I in the size the hope am the similar 9 inches…

By: Scully Johnston

Scully Johnston — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:30:43 +0000

Yes. See bad situation. No forgiveness. When you discuss the issues with them, you can talk privately, since there is no room for trivial talk.

By: Jan

Jan — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:54:57 +0000

@Scully J, not to mix with SJ

Please explain your childish reaction, I recieved a full page!!, are you normal?

By: Jan

Jan — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:10:14 +0000

@alicia banks
Can you give some objective arguments to your written opinion in this thread.
I’am living outside the USA, maybe I miss your point: I will ask, maybe you will tell and explain.

By: alicia banks

alicia banks — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:53:53 +0000

at best, obama is ONLY a frenemy to gays.

at worst, he is akin to all of his homohating bromancers.

when will gays stop acting like his doormats?

when will we stop expecting him to act as a friend???

shame!!!

alicia banks
ELOQUENT FURY

By: Attmay

Attmay — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:14:37 +0000

Peter=ad hominem-spouting sock puppet troll unable to take any criticism of his BFF Obama.

By: Peter

Peter — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:41:56 +0000

Queerty = bitter, lifeless gay who has nothing to do but bitch about things in their life.

By: Markie-Mark

Markie-Mark — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:45:08 +0000

I think this article is rather poorly written. Someone please correct me if I have the history wrong: The bill banning HIV + people from entering the USA was written by Jesse Helms and signed by Bill Clinton. Last year Congress overturned it and it has taken Obama 10 months to issue the order enforcing Congress’ action.

Maybe we should be discussing why Obama finally decided to issue the order to enforce this year-old action by Congress. Possibly because the gAyTM is closed?

And, Brian, I don’t think you’re going to be very happy with the healthcare “reform” that we’ll end up with. Unless maybe you work for the healthcare industry. I’m just saying.

By: Brian

Brian — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:08:51 +0000

I fail to understand Queerty’s intense antipathy to President Obama. When I read that statement, which you’ve buried in pge 2 of your post, I read one of the most reasoned, intelligent and compassionate statements ever made by an American President about AIDS.

We should certainly continue to press Obama on his stated promises to gay Americans, but we also need to recognize what he’s done already in the first 9 months of his Presidency.

Lifting the ban on immigration for HIV+ people will affect many people’s lives – across the racial and economic spectrum. It will allow families to stay together and will allow people to make their homes here in the United States. The extension of the Ryan White Act will similarly affect many, many people in our community – especially the most underprivileged.

I want Obama to come out proactively against DOMA, as we all do. And, though the issue is not one that I care about, if gay men and women want to fight wars for the United States, then they should be allowed to just like anyone else. However, I think it’s high time that we start seeing his effort to pass universal health care as a HUGE issue for the gay community, which includes among its numbers lots and lots of people who struggle with their health care.

Let’s push Obama when necessary, but do so in a way that doesn’t make us appear narrow-minded in the process.

By: Jan (The Netherlands)

Jan (The Netherlands) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:17:02 +0000

Anyway it is great news, let us celebrate this event!
I thank all who has made this possible.
Go on in solidarity on your path to equal rights in hearts and minds, knowing you are not alone!
Have a great time!

By: Rick

Rick — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:05:39 +0000

JoeB is right. Repeal of the ban was approved by Congress and signed into law by Bush before he left office. The ban remained in placed until the policy could be revised, which has been done, hence the announcement.

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:27:46 +0000

The ban on HIV+ travelers and immigrants was an embarrassment for the United States. Lifting the ban was a long time coming and however we finally got there it is good news for anyone affected by HIV.

By: HS Diploma?

HS Diploma? — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:19:52 +0000

You are an ignorant shmuck. Congress repealed the law, and the President has to implement the regs. Did you attend a high school civics class or just graduate “bitter gay blogger” school?
Seriously, such uninformed comments hurt our cause.

By: JoeB

JoeB — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:37:13 +0000

Congress did repeal the ban last year. You state it in the next paragraph. You’re trying to make the analogy that he can strike down this law but not strike down DADT w/o congressional approval, but that’s not the case.

I believe that Obama should issue an order to not enforce DADT, but it doesn’t excuse presenting factually inaccurate information to make that point.