Gay man rejects mediation after filing support group complaint
Following weeks of back-and-forth discussions between a gay San Francisco man and the organizers of a support group for people living with HIV over the age of 50, he has decided against rejoining the group after being subjected to what he said were humiliating and shaming comments from other group members, as well as a facilitator.Michael Misenti, 67, signed up to participate in a support group sponsored by Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital's Ward 86, the hospital's HIV care and research center, in 2021.
The group is a part of Ward 86's This text will be the linkGolden Compass Program>, which was designed specifically for people living with HIV over the age of 50.
The support group is described on a web page for Golden Compass as "[a] monthly support group [providing] an opportunity to come together, share experiences, and relieve loneliness."Misenti, already enrolled in the Ward 86 program, was encouraged to join the affiliated support group."Well, they wanted me to join," said Misenti in a phone interview with the Bay Area Reporter. "I was approached by the social worker at Ward 86 because I was in the age group.
They're supposed to help you with a lot of different issues with HIV, particularly aging."At the time, it seemed like a great idea.
