How can global diseases be addressed if those who suffer from them are marginalized?  How can we understand the magnitude of its affects on humanity if we abandon them? That is exactly what has happened to Paul Thorn, a British activist scheduled to be in attendance at the Pacific Health Summit 2009 in Seattle. He was denied a U.S. visa on the basis of his HIV positive status.

Thorn stated "The U.S. government actively discriminates against people who have been tested for the HIV virus and have been diagnosed HIV-positive," He further added, "If the U.S. wants to demonstrate leadership on HIV/AIDS and global health, through hosting such international health conferences, then they need to accept that non-U.S. citizens with HIV are going to need to be there and participate." He has called on the Obama Administration to end this ban on people with HIV entering the U.S. 

Stand in solidarity with Paul Thorn and pressure the U.S. administration to change its outdated legislation which hinders global health.