News & Resources Pertaining to ASMR's Lawsuit Against the Town of Gilsum

CASE SUMMARY:   AIDS Services for Monadnock Region Sues Gilsum to End Illegal Restrictions on Group Home

September 24, 2008 -- GLAD filed suit today in Keene Superior Court on behalf of AIDS Services for the Monadnock Region (ASMR), which operates a group home in Gilsum for people with HIV and Hepatitis C.   The lawsuit asserts that the Town of Gilsum has illegally restricted the client population who can live in Cleve Jones Wellness House, where clients receive intensive support, services, and supervision.

After unsuccessful efforts to exclude Wellness House entirely, the town granted the home a zoning variance in 2005, allowing it to operate but forbidding the residence from housing people who 1) have been released from prison in the last 12 months; 2) have a history of drug or alcohol abuse and have not been substance-free for 12 months; or 3) have been convicted of a list of criminal offenses.

According to the lawsuit, the town has no legal authority to impose these conditions under New Hampshire's state zoning laws, and its restrictions violate the guarantee of equal protection promised in New Hampshire's constitution.   ASMR is represented by Bennett Klein and Michele Granda of GLAD and Stephen Bragdon of Bragdon & Berkson, PC of Keene.

--As summarized by GLAD on their website.

Article	Source	Date	Link to Original
GLAD Case Summary	Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)	September 24, 2008	GLAD Web Site Archived Copy
AIDS Services for Monadnock Region Sues Gilsum to End Illegal Restrictions on Group Home	Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)	September 24, 2008	GLAD Web Site Archived Copy
ASMR Petition Filed in Cheshire Superior Court	Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)	September 24, 2008	GLAD Web Site Archived Copy
An AIDS organization in Gilsum says town restrictions are unlawful	Keene Sentinel	September 24, 2008	Keene Sentinel Archived Copy
AIDS group suing Gilsum, NH, officials	Associated Press (AP)	September 24, 2008	WCAX Web Site Archived Copy
In The Courts | HIV/AIDS Services Agency Sues New Hampshire Town for Restricting Access to Group Home	The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation	September 26, 2008	Kaiser Network Archived Copy
A housing battle - The state's only housing program for those with HIV sues its town	Concord Monitor	September 28, 2008	Concord Monitor Archived Copy
AIDS Services vs. the Town of Gilsum	Editorial: Gilsumgrapevine's Weblog	September 29, 2008	Gilsumgrapevine Archived Copy
AIDS service sues NH town	365Gay Newscenter	October 28, 2008	365Gay Newscenter Archived Copy
AIDS group's lawsuit proceeds	Keene Sentinel	April 9, 2009	Keene Sentinel Archived Copy
Gilsum, AIDS Services reach deal	Keene Sentinel	August 26, 2009	Keene Sentinel Archived Copy
Settlement Lifts Restrictions on Group Home for People with HIV	Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)	September 1, 2009	GLAD Web Site Archived Copy