For the last 22 years, foreign citizens living with HIV or AIDS have been forbidden to legally enter the US. As of Monday, that ban will be a thing of the past. On Friday, President Obama announced the decision to overturn the policy he called "rooted in fear rather than fact." He said:
"We talk about reducing the stigma of this disease — yet we've treated a visitor living with it as a threat. We lead the world when it comes to helping stem the AIDS pandemic — yet we are one of only a dozen countries that still bar people from HIV from entering our own country. If we want to be the global leader in combating HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it."
Before this decision, the US joined a less-than-impressive list of countries that banned HIV-positive outsiders. The list still includes: Armenia, Colombia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sudan, and Yemen. Considering there are already Americans living with HIV/AIDS, it served little purpose to "quarantine" the country. I'm happy to see that our HIV/AIDS prevention strategies will no longer include an ineffective and discriminatory ban.
Untold
I'm shocked that this law existed, that's absolutely horrible! I'm very happy to see that type of discrimination gone!
1I think its good that we are no longer discriminating against people who are HIV+, however, I think we should make sure they are educated on how to prevent the spread of it before we allow them in the country. All we really need to do is have them take a seminar and a test at the end. Many people may be coming from countries where there is little education on the disease.
2people who discriminate on others should burn in hell...i can't believe there was an actual ban!
3It sorta amuses me that finally Obama does something for the gay community... but it's just to finish up a process that Bush started last year.
4Wow. I didn't even know this ban existed! I think it's awesome that it's being overturned, but I agree that there should be some level of education about the disease before the visitor is allowed in.
5Wow, Obama is highly underestimating the general populations stupidity. I can't wait to see the statistics on HIV next year. What a poor choice for someone who wants to make health care cheaper.
6Oh, and BTW mermei, in non-Western countries HIV is actually a heterosexual disease. Only in Western countries is it tied closer to the gay community.
7Post New Comment
Please share your opinion with our community, but make sure it is on topic and follows our Community Rules. We moderate comments and prohibit personal attacks, threats, spam, lewd images, or the promotion of your personal website.