New York’s gay State Sen. Thomas Duane was among 18 arrested by police yesterday during an AIDS protest that had demonstrators lying down in the middle of Broadway in NYC, all because Gov. David Paterson has vetoed a bill that would’ve ensured the HIV-positive poor wouldn’t have to spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent — which would impact some 10,000 residents. The demonstration held up traffic for about 10 minutes, thus having roughly the same effect as a double parked car.
arrests
Thomas Duane, AIDS-Related Traffic Nuisance
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Kieran
So you would get rewarded by paying no more than 30% of your income on rent only if you’re HIV infected? What about the poor who have been careful and responsible by not getting themselves infected with HIV? They get to pay the higher rents?
Patrick
“The demonstration held up traffic for about 10 minutes, thus having roughly the same effect as a double parked car.”
The demonstration gave you and every other media outlet the chance to talk about openly gay politicians, AIDS activism, HIV/AIDS funding, and how the health care and economic crises of America are affecting pos people and the LGBT community. You could have brought attention to the plight of those who are infected with HIV/AIDS, building off either this article or the one on the porn industry, especially if you tied in the discrepancy between HRC paychecks and the 40% of homeless youth who are LGBT, many of whom will turn to sex work to survive and may be exposed to HIV. Will they have access to health care next year? If exposed to the virus and in need of medication, will they ever be able to afford to get off the streets?
This senator called out a colleague in a way that gave national media a chance to talk about the virus and what’s being done about it and those who are living with it. It’s your article that had roughly the same effect as a double parked car.
Patrick
@Kieran: Lots of people with HIV have been responsible and safe. There are a lot of factors besides unsafe sexual activity that go into infection. Poor people who don’t have HIV aren’t paying for medication and treatment for the virus or related illnesses or side effects from the medications available to them.
demonW
Go, Patrick, Go!!
darkness
i’m surprised nobody has commented on the police officer on the right of the photo… gorgeous! (imho)
edfu
Sen. Duane is not just openly gay; he’s also openly HIV-positive.