PAGE 18 THE WEEKLY NEWS MARCH 9, 1988
N.E. FLORIDA/SO. GEORGIA
NEWS
LAVAUGHN GRIFFIN
NORTHEAST FLORIDA
THE HOMEOPATHIC STUDY Group of
Jacksonville now boasts a total of 37 members.
At the group's next meeting on Tuesday, March 15th, at 7:30 p.m., at the Unitarian Church, Dr. Wood will discuss Homeopathic Perspectives on AIDS. Dr. Wood will discuss some writings of Dana Ullman, Lawrence. Gadgley, M.D., and Harris Coulter, Ph.D., and show a videotape on Nutrition and AIDS featuring nutritionist Gary Null. Please bring your copies of the articles on AIDS which were passed out at the February meeting.
The Central Florida Homeopathic Society is sponsoring a conference of all six homeopathic study groups from around Florida on Sunday, March 6th, at the Omni Hotel in Orlando. Call Tom Mayer at (904) 724-7298 for details.
Send your N.E. Fla./So. Ga. News to:N.E. Fla./So. Ga. News c/o LaVaughn Griffin, 801-3 Blanding Blvd., Suite 119, Orange Park, FL 32065.
OUR TIME
BY TOM BRADSHAW
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
these places they will never come out.
Is it too late? Not quite. We are organizing to fight this monstrosity. There are many legislative hurdles ahead of it, and we do have. friends in the legislature who will help us. There is also the chance that the courts will at least nullify the more dubious provisions. But don't count on it.
You can do your part by writing and telephoning your state representatives and senators to express your opposition. But don't just do it on constitutional grounds. It would
BUT, WHEN IT COMES TO MY CONSTITUTIONAL FREEDOMS I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT IT IS BETTER TO ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION RATHER THAN ON THE SIDE OF INDOLENCE.
be useful if you also talked about the essential economic inefficiency of the proposal. The wrath of taxpayers is always effective in an election year. Tell them you would rather see your tax dollars spent on education, research and treatment. You don't even have to tell them you are gay. In fact, it would probably be more beneficial if you didn't. Ask members of your family (if you can) and your straight. friends to join in the effort.
Remember, in the beginning this plan is likely to receive widespread support throughout the state because it will supposedly be designed for those street hustlers you see on the evening news. But the door will be open for the rest of us and that is the point. Yes; we can take a big gamble on the good faith of our governor, legislators and HRS officials. No doubt, they will assure us of their fair intentions when challenged. But, when it comes to my constitutional freedoms, I have always believed that it is better to err on the side of caution rather than on the side of indolence. If enough of us feel the same way, we can win this fight and stop the national juggernaut that threatens to run over us. If we don't, it could be the last battle we will ever wage.
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It's our friendly attitude and recently redecorated premises that bring many back again and again. Visit us, you'll return to well kept facilities like:
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LEADERS RALLY AGAINST COX
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
"Cox belongs in 1922 along with Calvin Coolidge. That's where his thinking is, because he doesn't deal with reality," declared Karl Clark, president of the Dolphin Democratic Club (DDC), the area's gay and lesbian Democratic association.
Clark, whose group has been working with the campaign of Cox's opponent, Vice Mayor John Rodstrom, explained that this statement is "typical" of Cox's "neanderthal thinking."
Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Jim Naugle, a staunch backer of Cox's campaign, did not understand the gay community's backing of Rodstrom.
"I'm amazed by reports that the gay community is supporting John Rodstrom," Naugle declared. "The guy's a chameleon."
Defending Cox's statements, Naugle stated that the mayor "has a good record, but sometimes puts his foot in his mouth."
When asked if he thought this controversy would hinder his reelection bid, Cox stated he "wouldn't think so."
Naugle characterized Rodstrom as a political opportunist who is only now courting the gay vote because he feels it may get him
elected, drawing references to an alleged 1985 incident in which Rodstrom allegedly criticized another local political candidate for seeking out the gay vote.
Clark disagreed.
"Several... things he (Rodstrom) said in 1985, he won't be saying now because he needs us," Clark stated. "But this isn't a choice between two evils. Rodstrom is a lot more politically savvy than Cox."
The Cox-Rodstrom election is expected to be a close one, Clark noted, saying that with voters going to the polls to elect candidates as diverse as Rev. Pat Robertson and Rev. Jesse Jackson, the chances are "50/50" that either. could win.
National leaders expressed dismay with the local officials' remarks, but noted that in tourist communities that are known for attracting gay and lesbian vacationers, such sentiments are not uncommon.
When contacted about the controversy, Urvashi Vaid, Public Information Director for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) called the comments "offensive."
"This is a problem that occurs around the country," she said drawing a comparison to
...
Provincetown, Massachusetts. "They're thrilled to take our money, and on the other side they want to distance themselves from gay tourism If they take our money they are going to be asked to grant us equal access." According the Sun Sentinel, Cox's office was flooded with phone calls the day the statements were made public.
Tom Andrew, a Cox supporter, told the Sun Sentinel that the mayor was not being critical of gay people.
"The mayor was simply saying he didn't. want Fort Lauderdale to be a cliche of any type," Andrew said.
Neither the Mayor nor Rodstrom have issued any statements on the controversy after the initial story broke.
When contacted, Rakvica stated that the national media was quickly picking up on this story with the Cable News Network and national news wire services discussing the issue.
"We couldn't have gotten all this (free advertising) if we had spent every nickel we got for the next three years," Rakvica stated. "We're just trying to keep a positive image."
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