GLBT Caucus rebukes Rep. Hays' Anti-Gay Remarks

News release:

STATEMENT OF MICHAEL ALBETTA,
PRESIDENT OF FLORIDA GLBT DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS
ON ANTI-GAY REMARKS BY REP. ALAN HAYS

Michael Albetta, president of the Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, issued the following statement today in response to Florida State Representative Dr. D. Alan Hays’ (D-25) homophobic remarks regarding AIDS patients:

“It’s appalling that in 2007 Florida is still represented by elected officials with a complete ignorance toward its citizens.  Rep. Hays’ remarks disparage not only the large and increasingly visible GLBT population in Florida, but they also show a frightening propensity to assign morality to disease management.  With few exceptions, not since the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 1980s have public officials espoused such hurtful, ignorant, and just plain stupid thoughts.”

Earlier this week, HIV/AIDS advocates were in Tallahassee lobbying elected officials on behalf of individuals being served by Florida’s Medicaid program.  During one meeting, Rep. Hays told them, “I had a cousin who died of AIDS.  He was queer as a three-dollar bill.  He had that homosexual lifestyle and deserved what he got.”

The Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus, an arm of the Florida Democratic Party, represents the GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) community with 15 chapters across the state.