For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Justin Burke - 213.201.1525

EMAIL:jburke@apla.org

AIDS PROJECT LOS ANGELES CALLS CONTINENTAL AIRLINES CEO’S REMARKS GROSSLY INSENSITIVE AND MISPLACED

Los Angeles April 10, 2003 -- AIDS Project Los Angeles reacted with outrage today at the remarks attributed to Continental Airlines CEO Gordon Bethune. The Rocky Mountain News reported that Bethune referred metaphorically to United Airlines as "HIV Positive" and that they would fail to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

" What was the man thinking? Mr. Bethune seems to equate HIV infection with death.  The metaphor is grossly insensitive and totally misplaced. It is especially unfortunate given the long history of support that United Airlines has given to people living with HIV and the social services agencies that support them," stated Craig E. Thompson, Executive Director, AIDS Project Los Angeles.

AIDS Project Los Angeles, which this year marks 20 years of prevention, advocacy and service, provides direct services to more than 10,000 men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS in Los Angeles County.  Services include prevention education, food banks, professional dental care, housing assistance, mental health counseling, and case management.  APLA is a leader in the provision of bilingual HIV treatment information, in print and on the Internet, and advocates for effective AIDS-related policies and legislation on the local, state and federal level. For more information, please visit http://www.apla.org/

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