August, 1989 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Pride '89 a hit, Lobbyist, legislator wrangle over AIDS bill

organizers say

by Dora Forbes

The organizers of the Pride '89 are claiming an overwhelming success for Cleveland's Pride '89 celebration.

The event on June 18 was the first of its kind in 15 years in Cleveland, with almost 1,000 participants.

Co-chairperson Drew Cari felt the day was a success because of the number of families that particpated. "It was amazing," said Cari, "so many lesbians, gays and straight people showed up with their children and as a family. There were many families that committed during the affirmation ceremony. It was just wonderful."

The crowd was very mixed. Many neighborhood families came and listened to music and danced alongside of the lesbians and gay men.

Co-chairperson Martha Pontoni was especially pleased with the amount of the coverage the "straight" media gave to the event. "We were on two radio shows, including Gary Dee. The Plain Dealer did an advanced story as well as a front page picture on Monday. All three TV stations were there. Channel 5 gave the best coverage, Channel 8 didn't do anything and Channel 3's coverage was slight. But all in all it was wonderful to be so visible and so out."

Financial reports for the event are not yet available but organizers believe they made more than $1,000 to help with next year's event.

"We weren't looking to make any money" said Pontoni. "We just needed to cover expenses. We are happy about the extra because it will help with the expenses of the larger event we plan for next year. We will publish a full accounting of the funds as soon as it is available. We want the community to know where their money has been spent."

The Pride Committee is planning a party in August to show a video of the event and sell the extra T-Shirts and mugs. The date has not been set.

The Pride '90 committee's first planning meeting is Sept. 7 at the LesbianGay Community Center. Elections will be held for the major offices of co-chairpersons, secretary, treasurer and possibly parade chairperson. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

For more information, call Drew Cari at 229-8418 or Martha Pontoni at 3211129.

Obituary

Bob Damron, 1928-1989

On June 20, Bob Damron, creator of the original gay travel guide, Bob Damron's Address Book, died of complications associated with AIDS.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Damron owned some of the most popular bars in San Francisco. The last bar he opened was the San Francisco Eagle, which remains an institution in the city. After selling his gay guide business in 1987, he retired to his family home in Los Angeles, where he lived with his brother, Norris.

Interviews with lobbyist Ellen M. Abraham and State Representative Vermeil M. Whaling D-16, in Cleveland, revealed two opposing viewpoints toward the testing and treatment of Ohioans infected with HIV. The recent vote on

Amended Substitute Senate Bill 2 (formerly known as the Hobson bill) brought these two women together, and both helped shape this important piece of legislation.

by Steven Hurt

Steve Hurt: Ms. Abraham, as a lobbyist, which groups did you represent?

Ellen Abraham: I am associate director of research, government and foundation relations with the Federation of Catholic Community Services of Catholic Charities. One of my jobs at Catholic Charities is to work toward securing a sufficient Ohio state budget for the funding of AIDS related research and support. I am also the founder of a stateside coalition called Ohio Action On Aids (OAOA). This coalition has over 60 members including agencies of the Catholic Church, the Episcopal Diocese, various orders of nuns as well as gay and lesbian organization. OAOA's task has been to help pass Amended Substitute Senate Bill 2 by educating voters and legislators on its merits.

What is the current status of Senate Bill 2 and what is significant about it?

The bill originated in the Senate and passed it on May 10 on a 22-8 vote. The House held three hearings on it and after making amendments, passed the bill 69-

Hate Crimes bill

passes House

One the day of the 20th anniversary of Stonewall, the House of Representatives, by a vote of 368-47, passed H.R. 1048, the Hate Crime Statistics Act. The bill's passage marks only the second time in congressional history that the House has overwhelmingly approved legislation that favorably addresses a gay and lesbian issue.

The act, if enacted, requires the federal collection of statistics on crimes motivated by prejudice based on "race, religion, homosexuality, heterosexuality, or ethnicity." A companion bill, S. 419, is pending floor action in the Senate. Senator Jesse Helms, R-N.C., plans to attach an anti-gay amendment to the bill during floor debate.

H.R. 1048 was introduced by Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich, in February, 1989 and boasted 129 cosponsors. The Senate version of the legislation, S419, carries 47 cosponsors.

"Now that the bill has cleared the House, our focus will shift to the Senate where our bill faces a homophobic amendment from Senator Jesse Helms," said Peri Jude Radecic, legislative director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

30. The Senate voted a simple concurrence vote on June 30 which passed 25-7. The governor is expected to sign the bill into law within the next few weeks. This bill requires the Department of Health to:

• Develop an HIV counseling and testing program;

Outline procedures and site locations for anonymous and confidential HIV testing;

Implement education programs to reduce the spread of the disease; • Create pilot programs for long term care as well as outpatient treatment for persons with AIDS.

The Department of Health under Dr. Harping, of Infectious Diseases, will be responsible for implementing these programs.

What kind of opposition did the bill face at the State Capitol?

Throughout the hearing process, people who testified were not willing to acknowledge the presence of the gay community. This AIDS legislation is making the public see things that they don't want to see: homosexuality, drug abuse, and numerous sexual contacts amoung bisexuals, homosexuals or heterosexuals.

My perception of the testimony against the bill is 'We have to find out who all the bad people are: the gays, prostitutes and drug abusers so that we can stop them and protect everyone from them.' People didn't understand that HIV should not be treated like syphilis. Syphilis is curable, and there is not a horrible stigma and a discrimination attached to it.

Page 5

Unfortunately, the provision to grant handicapped protection to persons with HIV was removed in the Senate. This provision was opposed by Senator Richard Fining from Cincinnati, and Senator Gary Suhadolnik from Parma Heights, among others.

What effect will this bill have on the gay and lesbian community?

Though the bill was touted by opponents as a gay rights bill, I do not think that it will have a significant impact on the gay community. The bill's effect is a positive one for those within the HIV spectrum. The effect on the gay community is realized in that the current majority of HIV infected people are also gay. This fact contributed greatly to the opposition's calling the HIV bill a gay rights bill.

The bill is too important to somehow integrate a gay rights bill into it because we need to take care of our community members who are sick and dying. But now I think we should write them a real gay rights bill since they aren't sure of the difference.

Steve Hurt: Representative Whaling, how did you vote on Senate Bill 2?

Vermeil Whaling: I voted yes on the AIDS bill, but only because a task force will look at its results a year from now. I don't like the bill and don't care for the anonymous testing.

What kind of HIV testing would you prefer?

I don't know exactly how we can help

Remember Greater Cleveland Community Shares option

Greater Cleveland Community Shares is a federation of non-profit groups that help Clevelanders improve their lives and communities.

Member groups tackle community problems and find solutions. Community Shares groups are actively working for change.

The Lesbian-Gay Community Services Center is a member of Greater Cleveland Community Shares. You can contribute to Community Shares, or directly to the Center, in the charity drive in your workplace.

How to contribute to Community Shares and the Center:

• If Community Shares is on your charity pledge card, just put a check by it. If you want your contribution to go to the Center, put Lesbian-Gay Community Services Center.

• If Community Shares is not on your pledge card, ask your employer for a donor option card.

• If your employer does not have a donor option card, write in Community Shares/Lesbian-Gay Community Service Center on your pledge

card.

To make sure your contribution reaches Greater Cleveland Community Shares and the Center, mail a copy of your pledge card to the Shares office.

Your donation will support the work of Community Shares' member groups: Citizens Mental Health Assembly, Citizens to Bring Broadway Back, Divorce Equity Inc., Environmental Health Watch, Euclid Community Concerns, Heights Community Congress, Housing Advocates, Lesbian-Gay Community Services Center, Living in Cleveland Center, Metropolitan Strategy Group, SANE/FREEZE Education Fund, South East Clevelanders Together, Temple House, Union Miles Development Corporation, Women's Law Fund, and 9 to 5 Working Women Education Fund.

If you would like to have Community Shares in your workplace charity drive, ask your employer. We will be glad to provide further information and materials. For more information call Community Shares at 216-371-0209.

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