Story Outline

Cirque du Soleil Accused of AIDS Bias From a news story by San Francisco KPIX CBS 5 News Reporter Manual Ramo March 2004

I. Cirque du Soleil is being accused of out-dated thinking.

A. Protestors picketed a performance in SanFrancisco.
B. They say firing gymnast Matthew Cusick because he is HIV positive was illegal.
C. The company said they feared his high bar act would endanger other people.

II. Cusick says the company's action was unfair.

A. He says the company knew he was HIV positive when they hired him.
B. He got the support of AIDS activists nationwide.
C. Activists say company showed old-fashioned thinking about people with HIV.
D. Cusick says HIV can only infect others through blood-to blood or open wound contact.

III. The company says only they know the dangers their performers face

A. The acts are very dangerous.
B. There are no nets.
C. They know the past history of injuries better than anyone else.

IV. Both sides feel hurt.

A. The company is hurt by accusations of discrimination
B. Matthew Cusick is hurt because he can't perform the acts he learned.