October 16, 1992 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE
Page 19
State Rep. Barbara Pringle is solid supporter of gay issues
by Henry Ceslewski, Jr.
During this season of hate, it's extremely refreshing to hear a clear distinctive voice opposing political campaigns which are based on fear and hatred. State Representative Barbara Pringle (D-10) has demonstrated that she understands and supports the lesbian-gay community and deserves consideration to be re-elected to another two year term.
"I never ask anybody what their color is. I never ask anybody what political party they belong to. I never ask anybody if they vote or don't vote. I never ask anybody what their sexual preference is. If somebody has a problem, I'll help them resolve their problem. We'll handle it together,” said Pringle during an extensive interview. Gays "have been included in my decision making process and will continue to be included," she said.
When the Ohio Department of Health proposed the elimination of counseling prior to receiving an HIV antibody test, "Director Kilroy's staff was told to not talk to us. We can't deal with them at all. Director Kilroy totally isolated everyone. We couldn't get questions answered," said Pringle. "I think his proposal was wrong and I'm glad the gay community spoke out against it. It was the gay and lesbian community that reversed his decision. But, unfortunately, Director Kilroy may re-introduce his proposal again and we're back at square one.
Pringle's knowledge about HIV and AIDS issues is impressive and far-reaching. She expressed concern that the anonymous testing sites do not presently test for HIV 2 and suggested that a private project should get under way to determine the extent of infection. "If the state doesn't test for HIV 2, how will we ever know if it's a problem or not?" Pringle said that initially such testing should be done in a larger county, such as Cuyahoga, and that if a significant number of HIV 2 antibody tests are positive, "We've got to find the money for statewide testing in the budget."
Even though Pringle supports mandatory HIV testing for health care workers, she acknowledges that, "It isn't a cure-all. I really don't know how much of a difference mandatory testing would make, but I think a lot of health care workers would personally like to know." Likewise, Pringle says that in spite of her support for making willful transmission of HIV a felony, "Willful transmission is not really a problem. I
don't want to leave the impression that I believe that willful transmission is customary behavior. Because it's not."
Pringle supports the rights of gays, including the option of marriage and also believes that gay couples should not be prohibited from adopting children. "I know a lot of gay constituents who are married, have kids and they're very good parents. I don't think that being gay changes anything," said Pringle.
Speaking about Ohio's "Ethnic Intimidation" law currently under review by the U.S. Supreme Court, Pringle said that she supported Attorney General Lee Fisher in his efforts to have it upheld and added that it should be expanded to include gays. "I don't think anybody should be intimidated for any reason. I think the Ohio House felt very strongly about that and passed the bill. I was one of the supporters of the bill. Provisions regarding gays and lesbians were taken out in the Ohio Senate and should be put back in when the law's upheld.
"Hate crime statutes are extremely important because in effect the government is reaching out to minority groups and saying that 'you are protected.' They may act to encourage the reporting of assaults," said Pringle. "No one should be able to get away with hurting another human being-that's wrong."
Pringle has been a supporter of universal health care since being elected ten years ago. "I think it's pretty sad when the federal government is passing out $50 billion a year to create jobs in another country and there are people here in the United States without health care. I lost my mom recently and the last month of life, her medication was $700. Most people would be devastated. How can you go to the doctor and not buy the medication?"
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Pringle recently added an amendment to a bill that would require hospitals to accept Medicare assignments. She says that even though the bill has not yet passed, its effects have already been felt. "In anticipating that House Bill 478 would pass, Metro Health and Cleveland Clinic now accept assignment so that they will be in compliance when it does pass," said Pringle. "We expect it to pass at the end of the year. And, although it's not the Universal Health Care Bill, it's a bite of the apple. I'm sure we'll be back with Universal Health Care."
When asked if she was aware of the proposed law in Oregon that would make it illegal to "promote" homosexuality, Pringle said, "I can't even in my wildest
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imagination think how such a law could be upheld by the Supreme Court. It's definitely a constitutional issue. If it passes it will exact an enormous cost; emotionally for private citizens and financially for the state. AIDS education programs will be adversely impacted. When society can't decide what pornography is, I don't see how we can say what 'promotes' homosexuality."
Pringle thinks that such a law would not be forthcoming in Ohio and that "It boils down to some people trying to impose their
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narrow views on another group. Like abortion."
Even though Pringle's opponent, Frank Johanek, has campaigned on a platform to save "unborn babies," he failed to identify his anti-choice position on a StonewallCleveland questionnaire. Pringle thinks he is trying to play both sides of the issue. "He said the reason he's running is for all the unborn and I'm surprised he did not respond to that question. Part of the job is being honest with people you represent. You may have a different opinion but you should be open and honest about it.”
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