Robert Franke, Plaintiff in HIV Assisted Living Suit, Dies

The Reverend Robert Franke, an HIV-positive retired university provost and former minister, died December 26, according to a Lambda Legal statement. He was 78. Franke was a plaintiff in a lawsuit against Fox Ridge of North Little Rock in Arkansas after officials evicted him one day after they realized he had HIV. The case was settled in 2010 before it went to trial. Lambda Legal represented Franke in the lawsuit. Franke was recognized for his contributions in the battle against HIV stigma and discrimination at a 2010 White House conference on HIV and aging.

To read the Lambda Legal statement, visit: http://www.lambdalegal.org/news/ar_20111228_lambda-legal-mourns.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!