UT closes access to Red Door

Health Science Center cancels HIV conference after lawmaker complains

Organizers of a June HIV awareness symposium are looking for a new home now that the University of Tennessee Health Science Center has withdrawn its sponsorship.

For more than a year, the Red Door Foundation and other groups had been planning the four- day “Saving Ourselves Symposium,” which is aimed at the black LGBTQ community.

UTHSC agreed by e-mail last year to host the June 8 events, said Marvell Terry, founder of the Red Door Foundation.

But a day after UT Knoxville pulled its funding for a studentorganized sex education week, UTHSC said it couldn’t host the event.

Julia Hanebrink, a board member for Mid-South Aids Fund, which is supporting the symposium, said she blames State Sen. Stacey Campfield, R-Knoxville, for UTHSC’s change of heart.

After seeing a TV report on an upcoming Sex Week at UTK, Campfield, who has introduced several controversial bills including one dubbed “Don’t Say Gay,” said that UTK was misusing state funds.

UTK withdrew its support on March 20. The next day, UTHSC followed suit.

On March 21, Pamela Houston, director of the office of UTHSC special events and community affairs, told Terry the UT system was changing its policies on activities allowed on campus. “As a result we are unable to provide space for your upcoming conference,” Houston said by e-mail. “We regret any inconvenience this may cause.”

Terry said that UTHSC was a perfect location for the conference because it is on bus and trolley lines. “(The loss of support) will cause some hardship for those who really need the information and can’t get there,” Terry said.

Said Hanebrink: “The main concern for the conference is not a battle royale with state senators.”

“It is for the community that is affected by this disease and we don’t want that lost in this cat fight.”

She worries that the conflict with UTHSC could put people’s health at risk.

“It sends a potentially dangerous message that people who are seeking information on how to protect themselves aren’t welcome at a health science center.”

“This is a heavily stigmatized disease and this isn’t helping.”