"The way they treated me, it was like I was a piece of trash." These were the words Matthew Cusick had for his former employer, Cirque du Soleil. In a 2004 story in The Washington Post, the 33-year-old recounted his experience with the world-renowned acrobatic-theater company.
(Los Angeles, April 22, 2004) - Lambda Legal announced today that Cirque du Soleil will pay a record $600,000 to end an HIV discrimination complaint filed by a performer who was fired last year because he has HIV. The settlement ends a nationwide campaign and a federal disability complaint filed by Lambda Legal on behalf of its client, Matthew Cusick.
(New York, January 20, 2004) - Some of the nation’s most accomplished performers, artists and celebrities are joining a nationwide campaign against Cirque du Soleil for firing a gymnast because he has HIV, Lambda Legal announced today.
(San Francisco, November 20, 2003) - Leading advocates and community members will protest Cirque du Soleil’s HIV discrimination tonight at Cirque du Soleil’s “Alegria” outside of Pac Bell Park at 6:30 p.m. Matthew Cusick, a gay man who was illegally fired from his performance job at Cirque du Soleil because he has HIV, will attend the event and speak to the community.
