http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/05/051006nyhiv.htmA U.S. policy that forces groups fighting AIDS overseas to denounce prostitution in order to receive federal funding violates free speech rights, a judge has ruled.
The Supreme Court "has repeatedly found that speech, or an agreement not to speak, cannot be compelled or coerced as a condition of participation in a government program," said U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero.
Marrero asked both sides to propose a preliminary injunction within two weeks that conforms with his findings, which temporarily blocked the government from demanding the pledge while the legal case continues.
The case stems from legislation passed by Congress in 2003 that required AIDS groups to pledge their opposition to sex trafficking and prostitution or do without federal funding. The pledge was immediately applied to foreign aid recipients, and now also affects private U.S. groups conducting AIDS programs overseas.
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