County health director apologizes for ‘party town’ HIV comments

Faced with backlash from AIDS activists and others, Mecklenburg County Health Director Gibbie Harris has apologized for comments linking high HIV infection rates to Charlotte being a “party town.”

The apology came Wednesday in a statement posted on the county’s Twitter account.

“My recent use of the term ‘party town’ was never intended to stigmatize anyone or to cause harm to people living with HIV,” Harris said. “Words matter. I apologize to those I offended.”

Harris came under scrutiny after an Observer article published Monday detailed her comments.

MeckPAC, a local gay rights advocacy group, and others condemned Harris’ remarks, saying they reflected outdated stereotypes about people who contract HIV.

On Thursday, the group met with Harris and said it accepted her apology.

“There are many things that influence HIV and we have much work to do to adequately and appropriately prevent and treat HIV in Mecklenburg County,” Harris said in her apology. “I hope that we, as a community, can focus on action going forward.”

Mecklenburg’s rate of new HIV infections is more than double the national average.

For years, researchers have said poverty, a lack access to health care, homophobia and other socioeconomic factors are driving higher HIV rates in Charlotte and other parts of the South.

A recently released report shows infections in Mecklenburg are concentrated in low-income neighborhoods in Charlotte.

At an Oct. 24 County Board of Commissioners meeting, Harris was asked why Mecklenburg has such high rates.

Harris cited drug addiction and demographics, but also said that tourists visiting Charlotte spread the virus.

“In cities like Charlotte, which draws a lot of people in, it can be a party town,” Harris said. “It can be a place where people come in, enjoy themselves for the weekend and then leave but leave stuff behind.”

Harris replaced Marcus Plescia, who resigned under pressure in June amid reports of poor patient care and mismanagement. She worked as interim health director before she was hired for the permanent post last month.

This story was originally published November 16, 2017 at 2:57 PM with the headline "County health director apologizes for ‘party town’ HIV comments."