LGBTQ Breaking News Service

A White Houston Methodist hospital employee failed to show enough comparative evidence to support his assertion he was discharged because of his race after he was accused of sexually harassing a job applicant, the Fifth Circuit ruled.

James Ernst, who is gay, also lacked sex discrimination and retaliation claims against the hospital, the court said. He failed to raise those claims in the charge he filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the intake questionnaire he later filed with the agency doesn’t count as a properly filed charge, the court said.

The hospital fired Ernst from his senior transportation …

Williamsport, Pa — The Coronavirus pandemic is not the only virus which has uphended the lives of countless millions.

On June 5, 1981, Americans heard the first rustlings of what soon became known as the AIDS epidemic. Few could have predicted the widespread havoc this new virus was about to have on the world. 

It has been 40 years since an article published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report stated five previously healthy, gay men in Los Angeles were suddenly very sick with a rare lung infection.

Not long after this was published, there were reports of more gay men in hospitals who were diagnosed with Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumonia, Kaposi’s Sarcoma and other opportunistic infections.

The phrase “gay cancer” was printed the next month in a New York Times article, which set the tone across the nation that this virus only affected gay men.

In May 1982, the virus was called “Gay-Related Immune Deficiency” or “GRID”, which perpetuated the idea that it exclusively affected the gay community. As more doctors and scientists began learning about this virus, they discovered it also affected many heterosexual people, hemophiliacs, people using intravenous drugs and sex workers.

The term “AIDS” or “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome” became the official name of the virus in November 1982. Even though the name was changed, the stigma stayed the same. HIV stigma is still prevalent today despite the wealth of information available about the virus.

The early years were incredibly difficult for people who feared they would get sick or lose a loved one to AIDS-related illnesses. While people were fighting for their lives, former President Ronald Reagan remained silent. He did not publicly speak about AIDS until September 1985. During his years of inaction, thousands of people had been diagnosed with AIDS and had died.

“It has been four decades since the HIV epidemic began in the United States. June 5, 1981, marks the day the CDC published an article about 5 young gay men hospitalized with similar symptoms. Looking back on these last 40 years, there have been difficult times, but there have also been many scientific breakthroughs that changed everything for people living with HIV,” according to Megan Bloom, head of public relations for Aids Resource, which has offices in Williamsport and State College.

As Reagan completed his final term as president in 1988, Aids Resource opened its doors in Williamsport. Since its inception, the agency has provided free services to people living with HIV or AIDS, free testing and prevention tools, and free educational programs for the community. The organization has added a State College branch, and is currently providing an array of services to individuals in 10 rural Pa. counties.

Over the last four decades of the HIV epidemic, there have been many difficulties, but there have been plenty of positives. Antiretroviral medications have made it possible for people living with HIV to have long and healthy lives. There is now a new monthly injection available as an alternative to taking daily pills. 

PrEP, pre-exposure prophylaxis, was put on the market in 2012 as a new way to prevent HIV for people who are at a high risk of becoming positive. There is also PEP, post-exposure prophylaxis, which is taken within 72 hours after potentially being exposed to HIV. It is taken daily for one month to prevent HIV transmission.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases made a statement in 2019 that said when a person living with HIV has an undetectable viral load — a low amount of HIV in their body —  they cannot sexually transmit the virus to another person. The phrase “Undetectable Equals Untransmittable” has been coined by the HIV community, HIV support organizations, and professionals in the medical field who specialize in infectious diseases.

“Many times people hear the phrase ‘HIV’ and its an instant red flag – they think ‘Aids,’ they think death. That is no longer true. People are more than their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or HIV-status,” said Chris Benson, a Lycoming County native.

Benson sits on the Pa. Department of Health’s HIV Planning Group, the state board that oversees the HIV Prevention and Care Plan for the Commonwealth, which supports the statewide care infrastructure needed to assist those living with HIV, and those at risk of infection.

HIV is the acronym for ‘Human Immunodeficiency Virus.’

“It means I am more fortunate than others, say as a friend with cancer. HIV only means my immune system is likely weaker than other people. Being ‘Undetectable’ is similar to remission. It has given me the opportunity to be more astute in my personal life. Being HIV-positive has allowed me to instantly know who understands, and who does not,” Benson said.

“There is no longer a need to stigmatize others. Old fears no longer need to be fears. People need to hear the plain, honest-to-God’s truth about HIV: If you are undetectable, you simply cannot transmit HIV. It’s that simple. Get tested often, or get in care. You will be taken care of, and we will end this virus, too,” Benson explained.

In 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published a plan to end the HIV epidemic in 10 years. The goals are to reduce new HIV infections by 75% by 2025 and at least 90% by 2030. To achieve those goals, the steps include diagnosing all people living with HIV as early as possible, treating them quickly and helping them achieve sustained viral suppression, preventing new HIV transmissions and responding rapidly to potential HIV outbreaks.

Pennsylvania is on track to have almost 50,000 HIV cases by 2025, which is consistent with national goals.

“Pennsylvania has one of the better thought-out prevention and care plans in the northeast U.S., and that is a testament to how seriously we take public health in our state. We are prioritizing and redirecting resources and services as those needs are laid in front of us,” Benson continued. “The end game is a cure to HIV and we’re almost there. The goal is for there to no longer be a need for an HIV Prevention and Care Plan.”

For more information on the Pennsylvania HIV Planning Group.

AIDS Resource, which has offices in Williamsport and State College, services a 10-county central Pa. radius. AIDS Resource provides free and confidential HIV/STD testing and clinical case management services.

More from this section

Support our journalism

Our content is free, but our journalists work hard. 100% of your contribution to NorthcentralPa.com goes directly toward helping us cover the important news and events in our region. Thank you for saying that local news matters!

Donate Today

Good morning, everybody.

Rudy, thank you for that kind introduction.

And thanks for pulling this together – it’s pretty remarkable work that you’ve done over the past several weeks and months… So let’s give Rudy a big round of applause.  

And thanks to the DoD Pride group for bringing together this community at the Pentagon today.

As Rudy mentioned, it’s great to see such a tremendous array of the Department’s top leaders, past and present… these leaders who are here today obviously to support this important event.    

And it’s great to be sharing the same stage with Major General Lauderback and Lieutenant Moore, who have served their country with distinction.

Let me begin by thanking all of you for your service – for the tireless work that you do every day to defend this nation.

And just as important, thank you to your spouses, partners, and families, some of whom are joining us today.

None of us could do what we do without your support and your sacrifices.

This June, we celebrate Pride Month across the Department by recognizing the extraordinary achievements of our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender service members and civilian employees.

And we reflect on the progress we’ve made in making sure that everyone who wants to serve and is qualified can do so with dignity and respect.

We know that we have more work to do, but thanks to your courage, your advocacy, and your dedication, the Department of Defense has been able to do more to secure LGBTQ+ rights than at any other time in our history.

That includes efforts to ensure that all military families and spouses receive the benefits their loved ones have earned and to which they are entitled… to helping veterans who previously were forced out because of their sexual orientation to apply to correct their records, or — where appropriate — to return to service.

You know, it’s often said that progress is a relay race, and not a single event.

That’s certainly been true when it comes to the pioneers who fought for this community’s civil rights in the military.

Throughout American history, LGBTQ+ citizens have fought to defend our rights and freedoms — from the Founding of our nation to the Civil War, from the trenches of two World Wars to Korea and Vietnam, and from Afghanistan to Iraq.

They fought for our country even when our country wouldn’t fight for them.

Even as some were forced to hide who they were… or to hang up their uniforms.

When I reflect on the hard-fought progress that has been made over the years, the efforts of a number of notables spring to mind.

I’m thinking of heroes like retired Major Margaret Witt.

She treated countless troops as a nurse during Operations Desert Storm, Southern Watch, and Enduring Freedom before being outed against her will and discharged from the Air Force under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Major Witt could have walked away, but instead she took a stand — and challenged that policy in court. Her efforts contributed to the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” more than a decade ago.

I’m thinking of Technical Sergeant Leonard Matlovich, a decorated Vietnam veteran who inspired Major Witt.

Now, he was only 19 when he volunteered to serve.

He did three combat tours in Vietnam and was severely wounded in Da Nang.

He earned the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and the deep respect of his teammates.

But when he came home and came out, he was discharged by the Air Force.

So he took up a new fight in courtrooms across the country—a fight for his right to serve his country as an openly gay man.

And I’m thinking of Dr. Frank Kameny, a proud U.S. Army veteran of World War II. Dr. Kameny was later hired as an astronomer for the Army Map Service — until he was fired in 1957 for being gay.

He later said it felt like “a declaration of war” against him by his own government.

Then he said, like any true soldier would, “I tend not to lose my wars.”

He wasn’t kidding.

Frank Kameny spent the rest of his life at the forefront of the gay-rights movement – by mentoring the next generation of activists, including Leonard Matlovich; by marching in protests; by founding the Mattachine Society of Washington, a pioneering gay-rights advocacy organization; and, in 1961, by bringing the first civil-rights claim based on sexual orientation all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Now, Dr. Kameny lost that battle in court.

But his activism helped set the stage for progress in the fight for full equality.

Of course, not every person in this story has been a member of this community.

I’m thinking, too, of Admiral Mike Mullen, my good friend and mentor. As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he took a courageous stand against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”… a stand that led directly to its repeal.

And so today, we commemorate 10 years since the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and we welcome a new generation of soldiers, sailors, airmen, guardians, and Marines openly and proudly serving their country. 

Today, we can recognize and honor their contributions rather than questioning their ability to serve.

And today, we reaffirm that transgender rights are human rights, and that America is safer — and better — when every qualified citizen can serve with pride and dignity.

Now, that’s real progress.

And it was hard-fought and hard-won.

But we’ve got more work to do.

Our work isn’t done until we tackle the challenge of sexual assault and harassment in the force. And we know that service members from this community are at elevated risk of such crimes.

Our work isn’t done until we recognize that the health of the force fully incorporates mental health, including for LGBTQ+ service members. That’s why we recommit to treating all wounds, both visible and invisible.

And our work isn’t done until we create a safe and supportive workplace for everyone –free from discrimination, harassment, and fear.

Because nobody should have to hide who they love to serve the country that they love.

And no service member who is willing to put their life on the line to keep our country safe should feel unsafe because of who they are.

And no citizen who is qualified, willing, and able to do the job should be turned away.

So we’ve got more to do.

But I’m confident that we’ll get there because of all of you… and because of all the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender service members and civilians around the world who never stop living the values that they so bravely defend.

I know that you are especially proud this month. 

And rightfully so. 

Well, I’m proud, too. 

Proud every month and every day to call you my teammates… and to serve alongside you.

Because your lives, your careers, your service, and your stories are living proof that we are stronger and more effective together.

So thank you for your service. 

Thank you for your skill. 

And thank you for the change and the progress that you continue to lead.

It matters greatly to the defense of this tremendous nation.

Thank you very much.