Courageous Acrobat Named Honorary Chair for "Positively Art".

Matthew Cusick, Who Battled Cirque du Soleil on HIV Discrimination, to Perform at Event

ATLANTA -- Gymnast and acrobat Matthew Cusick, who successfully waged a public battle against Cirque du Soleil on HIV discrimination, has been named an Honorary Chair of Positively Art. The fundraiser, to be held Nov. 2 at Mason Murer Fine Art in Midtown, will raise money for HIV/AIDS education, prevention and care, and will feature works from emerging and established artists.

In 2002, Cusick landed his "dream job" as an acrobat with the famed Cirque du Soleil, a rare feat for an American. However, just before he was to begin work with the "Mystere" show in Las Vegas, Cirque terminated his contract because he has HIV. Although Cusick had disclosed his status and received a green light to perform following medical exams, Cirque claimed he was a "health hazard."

Cusick filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The agency found evidence of discrimination and Cirque paid the largest settlement in history for an HIV-discrimination complaint settled with the EEOC. Cirque was forced to begin anti-discrimination training for its employees and to adopt a zero-tolerance policy toward discrimination against those with HIV and other disabilities. Cusick's bravery and perseverance in fighting a very public battle sent an emphatic message to employers everywhere that discrimination against those with HIV/AIDS will not be tolerated. Today, Cusick is a motivational speaker and performs with Ken Berkeley in the acrobatic duo KENiMATTix. At Positively Art, they will perform an artistic hand-balancing demonstration.

The event will feature an array of art including oil paintings, jewelry, photography, ceramic sculpture, and mixed media works to be sold at silent auction. Advanced tickets are $40 and can be purchased online at www.cablepositive.org/chapter-atl.html (food and drinks included). Proceeds will go directly to the programs of AID Atlanta, African Children's Art Project, and Cable Positive. In the past two years, Positively Art has raised more than $30,000 to support the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Numerous sponsors have signed on to support this unique community event including WE (Women's Entertainment), Comscope, Motorola, C-Cor and Hall's of Fine Wines. To make this event possible, they join the Cable Positive, Atlanta Chapter's annual premier sponsors who are Scientific Atlanta, Fox Cable Networks, MTV Networks, Turner, HBO, The Weather Channel, Comcast and Cox Communications.

For more information on Cable Positive and the Positively Art beneficiaries, visit www.cablepositive.org, www.AIDAtlanta.org and www.africanchildrensart.org.