Illinois Appoints Its First Openly HIV-Positive Cabinet Member

It was announced on July 6 that Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has named Brent Adams—who is openly gay and HIV positive—as the Acting Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Adams’s appointment makes him the state’s first openly HIV-positive cabinet member. “Time and time again, Governor Quinn has demonstrated his commitment to progressive values, and I’m honored to play a role in promoting his vision of a state that strives to project and promote equality of life for all people, including persons living with HIV,” Adams, 36, told POZ. He was diagnosed with HIV in 1999. “I think it’s an encouraging step forward for all of us.” With IDFPR, Adams has chaired the Mortgage Fraud Task Force, coordinated the Mortgage Relief Project, and drafted legislation to advocate on behalf of state consumers. He has previously served as policy associate for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, a premier AIDS service organization in the state, and he was policy director for Citizen Action/Illinois, the state’s largest public interest organization that fights for social and economic justice.

[johny]

good for him and best regards

[Gaybriel]

yet we couldn't even get a civil union bill passed last session...

[Wilbur]

Navet wrote:

<quoted text>Its not that it couldnt get passed, the people voted and declared your lifestyle disgusting!

Well said.

[THEAprof]

Clearly, you are ill-informed. The civil unions bill WAS passed by the appropriate legislative committee; however, largely due to the economic focus of the legislative session, it was never brought before the entire house. SO -- the bill was not defeated and no "declaration" was made. It is only a matter of time before there are civil unions -- if not outright marriage equality -- in IL. Better get your bigoted mind used to it.

Navet wrote:

<quoted text>Its not that it couldnt get passed, the people voted and declared your lifestyle disgusting!

[THEAprof]

Actually, I live in MY world....you are of no consequence at all.

Navet wrote:

<quoted text>Well for now its my world and you just get to be gay in it!

[THEAprof]

While I have no personal interest in marriage, I do have several friends in same-sex marriages. Get over it.

Navet wrote:

Then get married to a guy if its your world..........

[THEAprof]

Hello, "Will," You really are so obvious.

Peter wrote:

<quoted text>Marriage has nothing to do with anything homosexual.
Get over it, A$$prof.

[DNF]

THEAprof wrote:

While I have no personal interest in marriage, I do have several friends in same-sex marriages. Get over it.
<quoted text>

I can't help wondering if the people who posted negative comments on here have bothered to get tested for HIV or other communicable diseases. My guess is "NO" since I feel they are to arrogant and self righteous to understand that they are at risk if the have unprotected sex with ANYONE.