Comments on: Tom Duane gives stunning speech on AIDS

By: Trey W

Trey W — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:10:17 +0000

This article opens a great point regarding of this thing. The bill that Senator Jeff Sessions is trying to kill is the Matthew Shepard Act, which would bring any overt violence against homosexuals for their virtue of being so under the umbrella of hate crimes, and be a step towards the recognizing of LGBT civil rights. Apparently, the Senator from Alabama will throw pay day loans and anything else to keep it from happening. Mr. Sessions appears to want homophobia to be mandatory. It seems no unsecured loans or appeals to reason or humanity will keep Senator Jeff Sessions from his totalitarian bent.

By: wave

wave — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:58:50 +0000

JERRY@SARASOTA Said: July 21st, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Hey Wave…how do you know how the man was infected; do you have a crystal ball or what? Grow up and get back to us…you ************ Freak!

I love watching your freaky mudholing heros ,like freaky freddy mercury,
co- k hudson ,liberiocci,and mr brady ,rot right in front of our eyes.mudholing must be more important to you scum,then life.

By: JERRY@SARASOTA

JERRY@SARASOTA — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 19:22:51 +0000

Hey Wave…how do you know how the man was infected; do you have a crystal ball or what? Grow up and get back to us…you ************ Freak!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:14:06 +0000

I don’t know why such an emotional outburst was needed. The bill was not even in danger. It passed the NYS Senate 52 to 1. The speech seemed more like personal grandstanding.

I really support economic assistance to people who due to AIDS cannot pay more than 30% of their income for housing. If I were a New York Senator, I would make the case that no one with a serious illness or disability should pay more than 30%.

My heart goes out to AIDS patients, but no more and no less than cancer victims, heart failure patients, dementia patients, MS patients. I don’t consider AIDS a “gay disease”, even if it disproprotionally affects certain types of gay people. It is a human disease. Just like gay people suffer from cancer, MS, etc.

I really wish we would have used this opportunity to ensure that no one suffering from a major disease pay more than 30% of their income for housing. That would build bridges and reach out to all in need. I am sure Mr. Duane meant well, but I thought his speach was theatrical, unnecessary, and in a way selfish towards all other disease sufferers.

By: Wayne M.

Wayne M. — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 22:18:19 +0000

Sen. Tom Duane gives one of many reasons why same-sex marriages deserve full legal recognition and rights. Very courageous remarks from a man who may suffer from a physical illness but who lives with great spiritual health.

By: Terry

Terry — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:49:34 +0000

“WAVE” Your a homophobic jackass! And probably with very little education to boot. Get a life. Try and do something good for someone. You Jerk.
Terry

By: Island Boy

Island Boy — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:55:11 +0000

I’d floss WAVE’s colon… NOT! He might infect me with his stupidity, hatred and ignorance.

By: Gerry Fisher

Gerry Fisher — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:02:07 +0000

>For more info, rent and view “Longtime Companion.”

And “And the Band Played On.” For a lighter depiction of how we were all trying to have lives and eek out enjoyment in the midst of the crisis, rent and view the most excellent “Parting Glances.” (Steve Buscemi *rocks*!)

By: Gerry Fisher

Gerry Fisher — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:00:02 +0000

On the one hand, I’ll never forget the early years of AIDS. First, people died within six months to two years of diagnosis. It wasn’t uncommon to see someone one month when they looked fine, and then you’d see them a month later and they were gaunt or covered in lesions or using a walker. Second, we didn’t know what caused it. There were serious discussions that “it” was in the poppers or that you could get it from kissing. Third, there was this strong, STRONG feeling that the state and federal governments *k*i*n*d*a* *d*i*d*n*’*t* CARE. There was no urgency. And, if they dragged their feet long enough, then this virus might wipe us out in a way where they didn’t have to get their hands covered in blood…they could just sit back and watch it happen.

For more info, rent and view “Longtime Companion.”

Having said that…I question the context in which this guy brought up this topic. If he did it in a way to help people to empathize with a part of history that many straights didn’t know was happening, then that was cool. If he was using it as “proof” that no one can scare him, then he sounds a bit unhinged and over the top.

By: Dani

Dani — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:33:02 +0000

I can’t imagine what it would’ve been like growing up with the constant threat of AIDs. Sure, its still around today, but at least we’re more knowledgable about it and glbt people are MUCH more visible & accepted. Thank God I was born when I was, and thank God for the heroes who pulled us through such a terrible time.