South Dakota Denies Grant Request for Two AIDS Education Groups

The South Dakota Department of Health recently turned down two agencies applying for federal AIDS education funding. Sioux Empire Red Cross, and the Center, a counseling center for gays and lesbians, applied for the grants to provide AIDS education to gay men. The Red Cross was turned down because their plan was similar to one currently under review by the US Department of Health and Human Services, according to Gov. Bill Janklow's spokesperson, Bob Mercer. He did not know why the Center's request was denied. Kathy Knoblock, director of the Center, claimed their grant was denied because the group works with gay men. The decision leaves $100,000 for AIDS education programs unspent. Mercer denied there was bias in the decision-making process and added that the Health Department also once denied funding for an abstinence program.

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