Cirque du Soleil (say it: Serk du So-lay) is being accused of out-dated thinking about the dangers of AIDS. It is a modern acrobatic circus from Canada that tours in the United States and other countries.

Last April, the company fired Matthew Cusick because he was HIV positive. This was after he spent four months learning his part in an act.

A spokesman for the circus said Cusick was fired for safety reasons. They said he was a danger to others.

He disagreed.

Hundreds of people picketed a show in San Francisco. They said that firing him was not legal.

Cusick says the company knew he was HIV positive when they hired him. It was not fair to let him put so much time into learning his act, and then fire him before he performed.

He says he is not a danger to others. People can only get AIDS if infected blood contacts another person's blood, or open wound.

The company says what their acrobats do is very, very dangerous. They perform tricks without nets. Someone might fall and get hurt. It could be bloody. They say it is too risky to let a person with HIV take part in an act.

People who run the circus say it hurts to be accused of discrimination.

Matthew Cusick says he feels hurt that he can't perform in the big blue and yellow tent.

Followup notes:

• Discrimination means giving less rights to a selected group of people. For instance, not allowing black children to attend the same schools as white children. In this case, the circus discriminated against Matthew Cusick because he was HIV positive. A person who is HIV positive does not necessarily have AIDS, but is in greater danger of getting AIDS than one who is HIV negative. Not all HIV positive people end up getting AIDS.

• Dozens of artists, actors, writers and entertainers got involved in protesting the firing of Matthew Cusick. Some names you might know are: the Actors' Equity Union (45,000 members), Rosie O'Donnell, Rod McKuen, and Chad Allen. They also protested at a showing in Orange County. They said "HIV discrimination is unacceptable."

• On January 30, 2004, the circus agreed to take Cusick back. This was just a few hours after a federal commission found the circus guilty of job discrimination. At last word, Cusick had not decided whether to accept their offer.

For additional information, look at these Websites:

• HIV/AIDS Fact Sheets
• Entertainment Industry Speaks Out Against Cirque du Soleil's HIV Discrimination
• Letter from Cirque du Soleil Responding to Protests about the Termination of Matthew Cusick
• Cirque du Soleil Offers to reinstate HIV-positive gymnast