Yesterday, in Harlingen Texas, I was part of a group of people that aren’t going to put up with bullshit ignorance and fear any longer. A valley resident was offered a position at a local hair salon. She did a news story advocating for sexual wellness as an HIV positive mother before the offer. She did the responsible thing and let the owner know so she wouldn’t hear it through the grapevine or when the segment aired. The owner was kind and understanding. About 2 days after that, the owner retracted the job offer because “the RGV isn’t ready for an HIV positive hairstylist”. We are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, there is a legal loop hole that states a business with under 15 employees can basically get away with it.
So we showed up on what should have been the salons busiest day. We were armed with megaphones and signs and anger. In 2016 people are being denied the opportunity to work because others are uneducated and unwilling to learn.
Fuck your ignorance. Fuck your fear. Your stigma is more deadly than HIV.