Elton John responds to Betty Price's comments on quarantining people with HIV

Elton John responds to Betty Price, a GOP congresswoman from Georgia and the wife of former HHS Secretary Tom Price, after Price suggested that people with HIV be quarantined.

Read The Gayly's coverage of Price's comments: 
Georgia lawmaker: Can we quarantine people with HIV?
Georgia Rep. Price says HIV comments taken out of context

Elton John released a statement through the Elton John AIDS Foundation:

“Rep. Betty Price’s comments about people living with HIV are horrific, discriminatory, and astonishingly ill-informed. As a doctor and elected official from a state where people are still contracting HIV at an alarming rate, Mrs. Price should know better than to demonize people and perpetuate myths that stigmatize people living with HIV.

“Her words smack of a dark time when there was little or no information about HIV and people were afraid of each other. Today, thanks to scientific advancements, growing acceptance and love, people living with HIV are living longer, healthier lives. We also know people living with HIV pose no public threat.

“We at the Elton John AIDS Foundation, along with several of our partners, are aggressively working in Georgia and across the South to expand access to universal testing and treatment, particularly in rural areas. We also are working to dismantle the structural barriers including poverty, inadequate education, persistent HIV stigma, racism, homophobia and transphobia that impede progress. Instead of perpetuating fear and bias, Mrs. Price should educate herself about HIV and use her position of power to provide support, resources and compassion to her constituents. Love is the cure. Not quarantines.”

To read more on Elton John: 
Elton John sets final Vegas shows
Elton John supports marriage equality with tribute
Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund Awarded Elton John AIDS Foundation Grant

Copyright The Gayly - 10/23/2017 12:52 p.m. CST