HIV+ man sprayed with Lysol at work

James White’s lawyers in Michigan call his case “the worst case of HIV discrimination they’ve ever seen.” It’s hard to believe how much James had to endure:

• When James disclosed his HIV status to his boss at a Great Expressions Dental Center — where James worked as an office assistant — James’ boss told everyone in the office that James had HIV. 
• For months, James’ coworkers followed him around with cans of Lysol. They sprayed James, refused to let him touch doorknobs, and wiped down furniture after he touched it.
• James was finally admitted to the hospital to deal with the toll of months of stress from the situation at work — he was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. 
• On his last night in the hospital, James got a call saying that he was fired.

Please sign Jim Harris’ petition demanding that Great Expressions Dental Centers apologize and pay reparations for the egregious treatment of James White.

Edit:It appears that the petition has reached its max amount of signatures. 

Edit 2: petition has been reopened.

nefariousnewt:

Teen’s parents: After suicide, he’s still being bullied

sarah-fincher:

The parents of 14-year-old Jamey Rodemeyer, who was found dead at their home on Sept. 18, indicated in an exclusive interview with TODAY’s Ann Curry on Tuesday that their daughter endured further taunts at a school function immediately after Jamey’s wake.  At a homecoming dance she attended shortly after her brother’s death, a potentially poignant moment turned ugly after a song by Lady Gaga, Jamey’s favorite artist, who recently dedicated a song at a concert in his memory.

“She was having a great time, and all of a sudden a Lady Gaga song came on, and they all started chanting for Jamey, all of his friends,’’ Jamey’s mother, Tracy, told Curry. “Then the bullies that put him into this situation started chanting, ‘You’re better off dead!’ and ‘We’re glad you’re dead!’ and things like that.

“My daughter came home all upset. It was supposed to be a time for her to grieve and have fun with her friends, and it turned into bullying even after he’s gone.’’

“I can’t grasp it in my mind,’’ said Tim Rodemeyer, Jamey’s father. “ I don’t know why anyone would do that. They have no heart, that’s basically what it comes down to.’’

I count myself a decent man, but I want to go to that school, find the bullies, and string them up by their thumbs, and attach lead weights to their shoes. Not to be cruel, mind you…

(Source: thegirlwiththefinchertattoo)