Pastor fights HIV stigma in Southern town

[rug]

By Jacque Wilson, CNN
November 28, 2011 -- Updated 1542 GMT (2342 HKT)



Dorchester, South Carolina (CNN) -- The fan by the window pushed humid air uselessly against the church pews.

Diana Martinez made small talk as Tommy Terry shifted uncomfortably in his seat. The man sitting next to Martinez cracked a joke. Nobody laughed.

A clock on the back wall ticked minutes away in a mocking cliché.

Only three people had shown up for this month's HIV/AIDS awareness meeting. Usually, there are 10 to 12 -- a surprisingly good turnout for a congregation of 25, which just goes to show how many people the disease affects in this small Southern town.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/11/28/health/hiv-aids-southeast-rural-south-carolina/index.html

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Following the tradition of Father Damien in Hawaii with his outreach to the Lepers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_Damien

[rug]

2. "we lepers"

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Did you ever hear Jack Paar tell the story of Fr. Damien on the day he

started a new service to the Lepers with "Brothers, I am now finally one of you."

Left me in tears.

[rug]

4. No, I'll have to see if I can find it.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. PBS American Masters. Got the DVD from Amazon.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/jack-paar/about-jack-paar/677/

[rug]

6. Thanks!