August 1986

Gay Peoples Chronicle

page 11

LESBIAN/GAY ANGER

From Page 1

against Defamation, told the Gay Community News that New York gay people had not been so angry since the Stonewall Riots.

In San Francisco, according to the Bay Area Reporter, an angry crowd of 2,000 overflowed Harvey Milk Plaza to protest the decision.

Smaller demonstrations occurred in Washington, Boston, and Dallas.

O'Connor Picketed

When Justice O'Connor visited San Francisco July 17, she was greeted by a picket line and demonstration led by Dr. Maggie Rubenstein and Jean O'Leary, director of the National Gay Rights Advocates. According to the Bay Area Reporter, a protest march down Castro Street by several hundred people suddenly swamped the police, as in New York, changed direction, and rapidly snowballed to 1500 before it reached the Hilton, where at least

U.S. SUPREME COURT BUILDING

as many gay protestors had already gathered.

During the protest, attorney Mary Dunlap (who spoke

at the Columbus Gay Pride Parade) said:

"If Sandra Day Day O'Connor has not committed sodomy,

DEMENTIA IN AIDS PATIENTS

what a pity, and if she has committed sodomy, what a hypocrite!"

Future Strategy

Apart from anger, which Virginia Apuzzo described in the New YorkNative as greater than she had seen before, gay and lesbian leaders voiced concern about the fate of several challenges to sodomy laws now going through federal courts. One, involving Texas, has already been killed by the Supreme Court, whose refusal to hear it allowed the ruling of a lower court in favor of the law to stand.

Legislative action at the state level seems unlikely in the near future. Conservative religious denominations are particularly powerful in those states that still cling to sodomy laws. Some spokespersons advocate challenging the laws in the state légal systems.

By JAMES PRIESTER

Recently an AIDS patient was referred to me for therapy. During this process I learned a lot which I think would be helpful to those in the community who have contact with persons affected by this illness. The most upsetting aspect was the neurological complications

this person manifested through his increased demen-

tia.

The prevalence of AIDS-associated dementia is unknown and will require additional research and study. It is present

in a large percentage of PWAS (persons with AIDS). A dementing process is found in 25% or more of these. Several autopsy reports have appeared in medical journals.

in

Most individuals develop dementia after other symptoms of AIDS; however, others certain aspects of dementia might become pronounced prior to the physical symptoms. This is not to say that those of us who bemore forgetful have come AIDS. Current research is insufficient to let us know if this dementia can precede immune dysfunction.

The actual AIDS patient may develop some degree of encephalopathy, or swelling of the brain. It affects both the intellectual and motor function of the person. Its onset is generally gradual and slow, although

in a few cases it has been rather abrupt. Unfortunately, a rapid advancement of the disease may speed up the

course:

The earliest symptoms of AIDS dementia are generally related to reactive depression or general malaise. Other complaints may include memory impairment, with

problems recalling dates, times, telephone numbers, or names. It is advisable to help such persons keep a list to compensate for this new disability. Further, problems with concentration may lead to difficulty in following the plot of a book or another such task. Be patient, and devise ways that could help him/her compensate for this as well as be aware of the need to rest from mental fatigue.

Some early manifestations of dementia are:

(1) Cognitive dysfunctions which will include (a) memory loss, (b) impaired concentration, (c) mental slowing (not as quick, less verbal), (d) confusión.

(2) Behavioral:

(a) apathy, withdrawal, depression.

(b) agitation, confusion, hallucination. Motor abilities (mus-

(3) cular):

(a) unsteady balance (b) leg weakness

(c) loss of coordination

(d) impaired handwriting

It is important to keep in mind that when we, as members of the community, are forced to see such phenomena, we should not react with alarm...This is a part of the disease process. What should be of concern is when we do not understand what is present and respond poorly

through lack of knowledge and only further the emotional discomfort they are

experiencingxt issue I will

provide ways of assisting ånd intervening with the PWA which will hopefully give sufficient support and encouragement.

James Priester, A.C.S.W., is a private therapist in the Cleveland area, currentin ly pursuing his Ph.D. Counseling Psychology.

AIDS scare runs 15-year-old boy out of tow

New AIDS cases

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Jails line

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U.S. Urges Test for Millions at High Risk of AIDS T source of

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Prostitute suspect may carry AIDS hhouse

U.S. may urge AIDS guards

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Cost of AIDS Worrying Hospitals

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