This Labor Day, the Campaign to End AIDS (C2EA) plans to hold a “family reunion” at the Alabama park that banned an HIV positive toddler from entering its public pool and shower last month. Attendees plan to barbecue and enjoy the pool while wearing bathing suits that say “HIV Positive.”
C2EA expects more than 150 people to attend the event at the Wales West RV Resort in Silver Hill, Alabama, with many traveling in car caravans from Washington, D.C., Miami, Nashville and Houston.
The park’s owner, Ken Zadnichek, who banned 2-year-old Caleb from the pool explained his actions at the time by saying he was concerned about the child’s risk to other swimmers. According to organizers, Zadnichek has said he has no objection to next month’s event because everyone is welcome at his park.
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
Woman of the Month is supported by exclusive advertising from Gilead.
Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I recently met a guy who is negative. I did tell him about my status and he decided to kiss me anyway (we didn't go further than that). But a day later, he called and said that he actually had a mouth ulcer that time when we kissed and he was very worried. Asked if he can get the virus from me that way. For that moment, I felt so insulted and yet I felt so bad. It was my first time having a contact with a "negative" guy."
