Mississippi judge
bars children from seeing HIV-positive aunt

A judge in Mississippi has ordered that three children involved in a custody dispute be barred from having any contact with their mother's sister because she is HIV-positive. Keri Rowell of Jackson County, Miss., wants to live with her sister, but county chancery court judge Pat Watts ruled that in order for Rowell to retain temporary custody of her children she must prevent them from coming into contact with their HIV-positive aunt, Tanya Wilkins. Attorneys at Lambda Legal say the ruling is discriminatory and based on misinformation about how HIV is transmitted. Lambda on Wednesday filed a brief asking the court to reexamine the restriction and to base its final custody ruling on science, not fear. A hearing is set for early next week. (OutQ News/Sirius Radio)