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Men, monkeys and the origin of AIDS

By Zack McMillin
February 3, 2012

Tennessee state Sen. Stacey Campfield sparked an uproar with his comments about gay people and the origin of AIDS. 

In one claim, Campfield said AIDS was transmitted to humans because “one guy” had sex with “a monkey” and then started “having sex with men.” PolitiFact Tennessee put that claim to the Truth-O-Meter.

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More by Zack McMillin
Lamar Alexander
stated on November 13, 2012 in a news release announcing support for the Sportsmen's bill.
"More Tennesseans have hunting and fishing licenses than vote."
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Andy Berke
stated on August 31, 2012 a letter to state Senate education committee chairwoman Dolores Gresham.
Says Tennessee is providing "millions of dollars" to virtual school company for "results at the bottom of the bottom."
True
Martavius Jones
stated on July 13, 2012 an interview on the Fox 13 News program "Memphis in the Morning."
"From a standpoint of the county government, neither school system has received an increase in funding over the past six years."
True
Lamar Alexander
stated on June 18, 2012 prepared remarks at a Congressional field hearing.
"Three of our cities are among the top five worst cities in the U.S. for asthma."
True
A C Wharton
stated on April 16, 2012 an interview about his city budget proposal.
"We will not ask for a tax increase to run city government."
Mostly True
Joe Brown
stated on April 18, 2012 a City Council presentation on the Memphis budget.
"Nobody is leaving Memphis. That's a myth."
Pants on Fire!
Frank Niceley
stated on February 1, 2012 a House Conservation and Environment Committee meeting
Says the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency brought coyotes into the state "to try to keep the deer population down."
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Chris Thomas
stated on February 6, 2012 a Shelby County Commission meeting.
"Shelby County donated – I’m sorry, gave – 44 schools to the city of Memphis."
Half-True
Stacey Campfield
stated on January 26, 2012 an interview with Michelangelo Signorile on the Sirius satellite radio show “OutQ.”
AIDS was transmitted to humans because "one guy" had sex with "a monkey" and then started "having sex with men."
Pants on Fire!

Knoxville Republican says AIDS came from man having sex with a monkey then with other men

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Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
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