Continued from previous page

port of these regulations despite a remark in the New York Native to the contrary," he contended. Drago also rejected a recent call for his resignation as liaison because of what he feels is his present ability "to work from the inside" of the state government.

Another workshop, entitled "AIDS, Media, and Running for Office: What Happened in 1985, What We Can Do In 1986," was moderated by recent mayoral candidate Denny Farrell, Jr., and included State Senator Manfred Ohrenstein, and Bob Herbert from the Daily News editorial board. Ohrenstein

Criticizes Axelrod After praising School Chancellor Nathan Quinones as a "courageous, courageous man" for his actions regarding people with AIDS in public schools, Ohrenstein added, "I wish that similar wisdom was coming from the mayor and from the governor." He also found State Health Commissioner Dr. David Axelrod "wanting as a leader" and concluded that, "The major public officials' role has been pejoritively negative."

When asked if the media would try to repair the damage it has done to the gay community during the AIDS crisis, Herbert defended his profession. "I'm not buying that discrimination against gays can be tracked to the media coverage," he said, asserting that the media usually only reflects discrimination and homophobia already present in society. On the other hand, Herbert accused the media of giving Governor Cuomo and Mayor Koch a "free ride on the

Senator Manfred Ohrenstein

bathhouse issue." According to Herbert, Cuomo is thinking more in terms of a "national campaign" rather than trying to

stop the spread of AIDS.

In addition to panel discussions of the politics of AIDS, some workshops examined

such historical parallels to the present panic Germany, the forced internment of JapaneseAmericans during World War II, and the formation of social policy during the McCarthy Era.

situation as the persecution of Jews in Nazi

George Chauncey, a doctoral candidate in gay history, noted that the public concept that arose during the 1950s and waned in the 1970s linking gay people to some sort of illness is presently undergoing a resurgence. "It's [homosexuality] regarded increasingly in terms of its perceived medical consequences, instead of as constitutionally protected behavior," Chauncey commented.

The conference ended with various gay activist groups asking the audience to help protect the interests of gay men and lesbians.

Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights spokesperson Eleanor Cooper's call for unity among the activist organizations met with applause. She also urged people to protest the state's "high-risk" sex regulations.

Arnie Kantrowitz, secretary of the Gay and Lesbian Anti-Defamation League, asked people to join the League in its efforts to fight the bigotry promoted by the media and homophobic politicians. "Our hope is not to fight with other gay people," Kantrowitz said, "but to join with other gay people on the overriding concern of our civil rights." Moderator Christopher J. Collins said any funds left over from the conference would be donated to the League.

Cases of AIDS or African Swine Fever Virus?*

New York State

New York City

California..

Florida

San Francisco.

Los Angeles

Miami

New Jersey

Texas.

Newark

15,403 and counting...

AIDS Cases as Reported by the CDC** as of December 9, 1985

Missouri..

Minnesota

Residence of Cases

Number of Cases Residence of Cases

5344

Arizona

.4950

.3553

1702

Indiana

1305

Oregon

1057

South Carolina

.499

Hawaii

.916

Alabama

.377

Wisconsin

773

Kentucky

.338

Oklahoma

309

Utah..

294

Nevada

.280

.263

.221

New Mexico.

182

lowa..

178

Delaware

170

Kansas

165

West Virginia

165

Arkansas

108

Mississippi

.102

Maine.

.98 ..84

Other States t

Illinois

Pennsylvania.

Massachusetts

Washington, D.C.

Georgia

Maryland

Puerto Rico

Washington

Virginia

Connecticut.

Louisiana.

Colorado

Michigan

Ohio

North Carolina

Tennessee.. Rhode Island

...................

.......

Number of Cases

................

...................

Pediatric Cases (included in above)

Of these, 7,827 (approximately 51 percent) are dead.

* Needless to say, the decision to use this headline was both political and scientific in nature. I wish to thank Rich Rothenberg of the Centers for Disease Control, and Andrew Fleck and Jean Dodds of the New York State Department of Health for their discussions on the science and politics of AIDS and Swine Fever Virus. Our agreements and disagreements on the matter have inspired this heading. -C.L.O.

** The AIDS cases officially reported by the Centers for Disease Control reflect approximately only 10 percent of the actual number of AIDS cases in the United States. The tens of thousands of other AIDS cases not reported by the CDC do not conform to its strict definition, and are therefore not officially counted or reported.

................

.81

.57

.55

.50

.48

.47

.36 .36

.31

.30

.28

.24

.23

.18

.40

227

In the last six months of 1982 (July-December), 631 AIDS cases were diagnosed and counted by the CDC. In 1983 (July-December), 1527 were diagnosed. In 1984 (July-December), 2959 were diagnosed. In 1985 (January-June), 3593 were diagnosed. From July 1, 1985 to October 28, 1985, 1479 cases have been diagnosed.

The CDC reports that in the week of November 26 to December 2, 56 Americans died of AIDS.

During the week of December 2 to December 9, 50 Americans died of AIDS.

† "Other States" includes New Hampshire, Alaska, Nebraska, Virgin Islands, Vermont, Wyoming, and Trust Territory, each of which has a caseload of under ten.

"White Party"

Draws 2,700

Event Raises $43,000

For AIDS Research

by Gerald Lebonati

MIAMI-The event of the season was the "White Party," held December 1 at the Vizcaya Palace and museum. Sponsored by the Health Crisis Network (HCN) to benefit AIDS research, the gala was attended by over 2,700 people and grossed more than $43,000. Men and women in white paid $15 apiece to dance beneath the full moon or socialize among the lighted walkways, bridges, theater gardens, grottos, long vistas, French parterres, 17th-century sculptures, fountains, and carved stone peacocks of the 30-acre estate. Some arrived by yacht, most by land. More than a few people said they felt transported back to the Gatsby era and a time when life seemed frivolous and simple.

"The whole point of the party," said Sally Dodds, executive director for Health Crisis Network, "was to promote community awareness. The theme was one of exploring more satisfactory interpersonal relationships and encouraging people toward safer lifestyles. As a community, Dade County is recognizing that, indeed, we do have a problem. We are where New York and San Francisco were two years ago."

Broadway and television star Nell Carter made a surprise appearance and receiving an overwhelming response from the audience, who would not let her go without a song. She gave in and sang an a cappella version of a ballad by Bob Dylan.

The mansion, now county owned, receives 300,000 visitors a year. It was built by the late James Deering with his artistpartner, Paul Chalfin, who eventually masterminded the development of Vizcaya. Together, Deering and Chalfin traveled in Europe, buying objects d'art, antique furniture, rugs, and entire rooms from ceiling to floor to be reassembled and fitted into Vizcaya.

The music stopped at 11 p.m. at the waterfront mansion, and several local establishments announced that they would continue the dancing at a nearby discotheque, with the profits continuing to go toward research. They also decided at the last minute to donate all liquor revenues from the party to HCN.

Court Battles

Continue

In Lesbian

Visitation Case

Disabled Woman's Parents Bar Her Lover

by Sarah Schulman

Two Minnesota lesbians continue to be embroiled in a battle over the rights of lesbians to care for their ill or disabled lovers, in a case that could have wider implications for AIDS patients.

Karen Thompson and Sharon Kowalski, of St. Cloud, Minnesota, began their relationship six years ago. Although they bought a house together and took out life insurance policies on each other, they were, for the most part, in the closet to all but their closest friends. In 1983, Kowalski, a 28-year-old faculty member at St. Cloud State University, was critically injured in an accident with a drunken driver, which resulted in her suffering serious brain stem injury. Today she is a quadraplegic. During Kowalski's initial hospitalization for eight months, Thompson

$14 NEW YORK NATIVE/DECEMBER 23-29, 1985