LISTEN: This News is So Gay, Exposing How ICE Presence is Impacting HIV Care
- Darian
- Apr 9
- 1 min read
The Buckeye Flame, Ohio's LGBTQ newsroom, welcomed Sam Donndelinger and Darian Aaron to the This News Is So Gay podcast on March 25, 2026. Take a look at what the reporter's roundtable discussed below, and be sure to listen to the full podcast.
The intersections of ICE and HIV care. What is going on there that you all need to know?
Tons and tons of LGBTQ+ folks marching for healthcare access. Where did that go down and what can we learn from that mobilization?
Queer love. What stories do we have for you this week about queer love?
And, of course, queer joy. Where is our blogging roundtable finding queer joy in the news right now?
Joining us to answer these questions and so many more:
Investigative journalist and lead designer at Uncloseted Media, Sam Donndelinger.
Senior Director of Local News U.S. South for GLAAD, Darian Aaron.
Hosted by Ken Schneck, editor of The Buckeye Flame.
This story really hit me hard because it's one of those issues that doesn't get nearly enough mainstream coverage. The idea that people living with HIV are skipping medical appointments or avoiding clinics because they're terrified of encountering ICE is genuinely devastating from a public health standpoint. We're talking about folks who need consistent medication and regular monitoring, and now fear is essentially undoing years of progress in treatment adherence. A friend who works at a community health center told me they've seen a noticeable drop in patient visits and it's creating this invisible crisis that most people outside the affected communities have no idea about. I was actually reading a really well researched longform piece on this topic that…
The blog was powerful because it showed how immigration concerns can affect access to important HIV care and create fear in vulnerable communities. I remember a class discussion about healthcare access that made me realize how many outside factors can shape a person's well-being. During that busy semester, I used Take my online CMI assignments when I was struggling with deadlines and coursework. The blog reminded me that healthcare should feel safe and accessible for everyone.