Lilith
04-11-2003, 07:03 AM
by Fidel Ortega
365Gay.com Newscenter
Miami Bureau
(Miami, Florida) Florida health department officials are recalling from circulation a controversial Christian-themed AIDS brochure after complaints that public money was being used to distribute the flyer with its Biblical passages.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida last week condemned the pamphlets last week (story). The brochure asks: "How would Jesus respond to a person with HIV or AIDS?" and promises that "Jesus is our Hope."
Florida Health Department Director Howard Simon said the pamphlet, "A Christian Response to AIDS" contains a message that shouldn't be delivered by state government.
The flyers were purchased from a Christian medical publishing company by the health department using tax dollars.
Following the ACLU complaint the department's lawyers reviewed the pamphlet and immediately decided it should be removed from the agency's list of approved educational materials.
The department has sent letters to county health departments and local health groups across the state saying it should not be used. The letter tells officials to remove the brochures from offices and waiting rooms and return them to the department.
Last month, Pennsylvania officials also removed it.
365Gay.com Newscenter
Miami Bureau
(Miami, Florida) Florida health department officials are recalling from circulation a controversial Christian-themed AIDS brochure after complaints that public money was being used to distribute the flyer with its Biblical passages.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida last week condemned the pamphlets last week (story). The brochure asks: "How would Jesus respond to a person with HIV or AIDS?" and promises that "Jesus is our Hope."
Florida Health Department Director Howard Simon said the pamphlet, "A Christian Response to AIDS" contains a message that shouldn't be delivered by state government.
The flyers were purchased from a Christian medical publishing company by the health department using tax dollars.
Following the ACLU complaint the department's lawyers reviewed the pamphlet and immediately decided it should be removed from the agency's list of approved educational materials.
The department has sent letters to county health departments and local health groups across the state saying it should not be used. The letter tells officials to remove the brochures from offices and waiting rooms and return them to the department.
Last month, Pennsylvania officials also removed it.