QNIssue_110108 web - QNotes

Not for Reproduction Q-Notes Not for ReproductionL E G A LHouse arrest for gay DJ’s second HIV violationeffect, the court has turned this from a crime ofdisclosure to a punishment of behavior. Even ifhe has sex with someone who knows his statusand REQUESTS unprotected sex.Yes, disclosureis a must, but after you share pertinent informa-Raleigh man admits to failing to use instead sentenced him to six months of electronically-monitoredhouse arrest. He will not age of Weaver’s legal troubles, others said he allow people to eat unhealthy foods, drive dan-Opposing the criticisms over news covertionit’s up to the individual to decide. Courts willcondom, violating probationbe allowed to leave his father’s house except should be held responsible for his behavior. gerous cars, smoke and chew tobacco, but notby MattQComer . Q-Notes staff-for probation-approvedNemployment. BrewerO“I don’t care whatTanyone says, if youEmake their own choices regarding Ssexual health?”also ordered Weaver to undergo a psychologicalevaluation.you have committed murder,” a reader com-and North Carolina General Statute 130A-spread HIV without informing your partnerNorth Carolina Administrative Code 10-41RALEIGH — A gay disc jockey in Raleighoriginally convicted of violating HIV infection If Weaver breaks his probation again, he mented at Queerty.com.“It will144(f) address control measuresregarding the spread ofregulations in August has been placed onwill face up to 25 days in jail and prosecutors be a slow death, but eventuallyhouse arrest after admitting he broke proba-will ask for a two-year quarantine in a state the HIV will convert and AIDSHIV and require those withtion orders in early October.On Sept. 6, Q-Notes reported that JoshuaWaldon Weaver, 23, who works in clubs inRaleigh and Wilmington, pleaded guilty tocharges that he failed to disclose his HIVpositivestatus and engaged in unprotectedsex with three people. Weaver was given asuspended jail sentence and placed on probation.The terms of his probation orderedWeaver to use protection when engaging insexual activity.Last month Weaver was arrested afterprison hospital.“His behavior hasn’t changed,” Zellingertold the Raleigh newspaper after the hearing.“We’re trying to address the callousness hisactions have demonstrated.”Zellinger added,“It’s not a witch hunt. It’s adesire to change his behavior to benefit thecommunity.”Weaver’s attorney, Evonne Hopkins, whodeclined to speak with Q-Notes for our originalSept. 6 story, told The News & Observershe’s “confident we will not be back here.”will take it’s toll.Yes there aredrugs that can prolong life, butcure???? No. Josh should bepunished to the FULL extent ofthe law. I find his behaviourdisturbing and disgusting!”Others criticized laws penalizingHIV-positive individuals.“Charging, fining, jailing peoplefor this behaviour also has theconsequence of discouragingothers from being tested forcommunicable diseases —including other sexually transmitteddiseases, hepatitis andtuberculosis — to comply withmeasures intended to curbtheir proliferation.Patient privacy laws haveprevented the Wake CountyPublic Health Departmentfrom discussing or disclosingthe medical specifics ofWeaver’s case.Wake County Public Health officials contactedhis probation officer with information she said.Queerty.com.“Since the crime isWake County resident in 15“Josh is very sorry we’re back in court,” HIV,” read a comment also onJoshua Waldon WeaverWeaver is only the secondthat heQhad possibly violated court orders-by By Oct.N24 — Q-Notes’ deadline for theO‘knowingly’ passing onTHIV, you cannot beEyears to be sentenced for failing Sto follow lawshaving sex without a condom. Assistant Nov. 1 print issue — the story had become a charged unless you are aware of your condition governing the transmission of communicableDistrict Attorney Boz Zellinger told Raleigh’s hot conversation topic on a number of gayfocusedwebsites and blogs.unless you are tested. The road to hell is always 2007, only 16 people statewide were convicted ofand you won’t be aware of your conditiondiseases, according to The News & Observer.InNews & Observer that health officialsbecame aware of the DJ’s violation after he“I’m upset ... [t]hat Q-Notes (Charlotte’s gay paved with the very best of intentions.”violating the communicable disease law. Rathercontracted another sexually transmitted newspaper) published his photo,” UNC-Chapel On gay blog JoeMyGod a reader wrote,“In than HIV, many of the instances were related todisease that could have been prevented bythe use of a condom.Weaver admitted to the violation in courton Oct. 21 and could have faced up to 40 daysin jail. District Court Judge Jacqueline BrewerHill alum and health educator, Trevor Hoppewrote on his blog.“You should know better! I’mso fucking disappointed about this decision. It’sno different that newspapers in the 1950s postingphotos of gay men arrested for having sex.”diseases such as tuberculosis or hepatitis.◗Ed. Note — See the editorial, “Raleigh HIV casewarrants news coverage,” on page 4 of this issue.Q - N O T E SQ - N O T E SNOVEMBER 1 . 2008 • QNotes 11Q-Notes Not for Reproduction Q-Notes