MARCH 19, 1993

COMMUNITY FORUM

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 13

Who says I'm not allowed to die?

To the Editors:

A couple of weeks ago, after hearing that Dr. Jack Kevorkian (a.k.a. 'Dr. Death') was thinking about coming to Ohio to assist hopelessly ill people in experiencing a comfortable and dignified death, I mustered up the courage to call him. I wanted to inquire if there was anything I could do to help him with his cause. I spoke with him for about five minutes. He said he appreciated my support, but that nothing could be done; because no matter where he decided to go, representatives in every state would immediately introduce legislation prohibiting assisted suicide, "despite what the people really want."

It is important to understand that Dr. Jack Kevorkian is providing a service which health care professionals have been secretly rendering to patients and families for decades. Physician-assisted dying happens all the time--unofficially and off-the-record. Whether the patient decides to end his or her life (suicide) or the physician sincerely believes that death is warranted (euthanasia) makes no difference. The end result is the same. The individual is given a choice of either enduring emotional suffering, intolerable pain, or financial burdens that accompany illness, or ceasing to exist.

Attitudes about death, suicide and euthanasia are changing in our society and around the world. In the past ten years, hospice care has become an integral part of our health care delivery system.

Surveys continue to indicate that more

the military ban be lifted. Specifically, our letters to senators an congresspeople are not keeping pace with those writing against us. We are being urged to write--and to press all our friends to do likewise.

We must heed this advice! Probably never before has our movement for civil rights and social justice been at a more critical juncture. We have witnessed a President of the United States speaking from the White House in defense of our rights. This is unprecedented and, I think, signals a new era in our struggle.

But to progress this far and not consolidate this gain threatens to leave su worse off than before. If we fail to seize this moment and press this campaign to victory, politicians who have taken risks on our behalf will end up badly burned. It's a lesson they will not soon forget and we'l pay the price.

The warning signs are already visible, starting with President Clinton's six-month compromise itself. As I write theis, Clinton's Justice Department has filed an appeal to the federal court ruling supporting Petty Officer Keith Meinhold. After initially applauding the ruling, the administration now claims it is "clearly overbroad" and argues "the judiciary should refrain from. .. imposing its own policy

This is it. We've got the nation's attention and our rights are now on the agenda. Let's not blow it! We must keep up the pressure with our letters, calls, congres-

was for women and men to co-exist, all we hear about are the problems.

The first year it was the fact that all men won the prizes. I don't remember the acts that won or lost but that problem should have been taken care of for the future quietly and with some dignity. This year we read endless articles about the lack of cooperation and the small amount of profit made. If there was anything said about having a good time, it was certainly lost on the negative publicity.

As far as the women who would not take part because of last year, that's a cop-out. It is easy to say, "I won't be a part of it because..." rather than get back into the situation in order to correct the problem. Complain all you want girls, but anger and not trying to make it better does nothing to further community relations. There are enough straights who want us out of the way. Why can't we stick together and work to make things right?

The other problems of finances and logistics shuould have been quietly worked on to correct them for next year. Somehow I don't think next year is going to be any better, since complaining seems to be what the talent show is all about, instead of a fund raiser that provides a good time for every-

one.

Jos. V. Columbo

sional visits, money and presence at the Congratulations

April 25th March on Washington.

Robert C. Laycock

The most important

Americans favor the idea of allowing phything you can do

sicians to assist in providing a comfortable death for individuals who experience tremendous pain with no hope of recovery. Many people believe that individuals should have a choice about how and when they die. Advance directives (living wills and durable powers of attorney) are considered acceptable methods for documenting one's intention to die, rather than receiving medical treatment. What's the difference, then, between a competent person who executes an advance directive and a competent person who decides not to live in agony with a terminal illness anymore?

It would be terrific if living wills and durable powers of attorney were the solution to this thorny issue. Unfortunately, they're not. Some physicians still believe that professional ethics require them to oppose the termination of treatment under any circumstance. These antiquated, paternalistic views frustrate patient autonomy as well as the implementation of advance directives.

Dr. Kevorkian has raised public awareness about physician-assisted dying. The narrow defeat of the California ballot initiative in favor of physician-assisted suicide indicates that dying has become an important issue to the public.

Hopefully, physicians will not continue to ignore the issue out of fear and secretly practice what Dr. Kevorkian openly embraces as a viable alternative to living in torture and agony. Death is part of life and can be a meaningful experience if handled in a dignified and compassionate manner.

Advances in medicine have forced individuals and families to make difficult decisions about terminating life-sustaining treatment. It is time for health care professionals to accept the fact that there is a limit to a person's quality of life. Each of us have different standards of what constitutes "quality." One standard cannot apply to everyone, everywhere.

Michael Salatka

Let's not blow it

To the Editors:

An ACLU legislative advocate in Pennsylvania has recently warned that the lesbian-gay community is not responding in large enough numbers to the demand that

To the Editors:

After years of fighting against the ban on gay men and lesbians in the military, we were very pleased with President Clinton's strong, principled commitment to the effort.

One factor that will determine the outcome of this fight against discrimination is the extent to which our congressional colleagues hear from their constituents on this issue. The single most important thing anyone can do to fight this discriminatory policy is to write to the three people who represent him or her in the United States House and the United States Senate. Members of the House and Senate are influenced far more by expressions of opinion from the people in their own contituencies than they are frome other sources.

We would add on additional letter that is important to send--to President Clinton to thank him for standing up for the principle that Americans should not be discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation, despite strong political oppostion.

There will be organized efforts on the part of those opposed to fair treatment of gay men and lesbians to flood members of Congress with constituent communications against the President's position, and it is essential that those who believe in fairness do what they can to offset this. And if, after writing your own letter or making your own phone calls, you can persuade friends, coworkers, relatives, etc., to do the same to their own Representatives and Senators, that will also be very helpful.

To the Editors:

I want to take this opportunity to congratulate you and the staff on the outstanding job that is being done with the Chronicle since it started publishing again.

It seems that with every issue you are improving the Chronicle, which is needed in Cleveland and the surrounding area. The reporting is excellent, and please continue your good work.

In regards to your editorials in the February issue of the Chronicle, I could not agree with you more.

As you know, I served for three years on

lotte, Cincinnati, Lexington, Columbus, San Francisco, St. Louis, and Atlanta: We held bar nights at the Leather Stallion Saloon in Cleveland, Adams Street/Barracks in Akron, Stage Door in Dayton, Crossings in Lexington, and Our Place in Indianapolis. And most important, the Rangers held their first run, Esprit de Corps I. This successful event was Cleveland's largest hotel run in a decade and represents a milestone for our local leather/uniform community. I anticipate even greater success for Espirit de Corps II, which will be held June 18-20, 1993.

The new year promises to be even better as the leadership of our club passes to the able stewardship of Tom J., and as new blood permeates the other officer positions. Indeed, except for myself as past president, none of the five founding members of the Rangers will be an officer in 1993.

I thank everyone in the Rangers for their tremendous dedication and hard work that made 1992 so successful. I also look forward to the continued growth and success of our club, which started so humbly only four years ago.

Rangers, Inc. is pleased to detail its charitable contributions for 1992 as an indication of our ongoing commitment to help support our community: Kamana House

$157.00

$220.00

$100.00

N. E. Ohio Task Force on AIDS $923.65 Dayton AIDS Foundation Columbus AIDS Task Force Fayette Co. (Ky.) Health Center Damien House (Indianapolis) Health Issues Taskforce Total Contributions for 1992

$60.00

$166.00 $ 80.00 $1,706.65

Rangers, Inc. considers fundraising efforts and charitable contributions to be important, and will continue these activities and keep the community informed of our progress.

In brotherhood,

George

the [Center's] board of directors, and for We're in a battle now

over one year as the treasurer, and was elected to a second term from which I resigned in December 1992.

I have also worked on the Hot Line, the Friday Night Rap group, and numerous other programs and feel burned out at this time. I will still continue on the Hot Line, though.

Two things bother me; one being that people just do not seem to care and volunteer to help for Pride, and the fact that the Center no longer wants the celebration to be held in the street around the Center, as it causes too much confusion.

I do not see how it can be held in the Public Square area, with all the facilities that must be arranged.

To me, the perfect place was the area around the Center, but I guess this puts too much work on the staff and the facilities, but what are they there for anyway.

In conclusion, I want to thank you and the staff again for the major effort that has been made to bring back the Chronicle, and the great improvements that have been made.

Thanks again.

Bruce E. Horn

Rep. Gerry Studds 1992 was a good year for the Rangers

Rep. Barney Frank

Dirty laundry

To the Editors:

It never ceases to amaze me how bigoted, petty and separatist the gay and lesbian community can be. Case in point: the recent negative articles about the Talent Show. Why does the Chronicle and the Center continually air their dirty laundry in public? The show has been put on stage two years. Instead of dwelling on what a wonderful evening each event was, how great it

To the Editors:

Our club grew to fourteen full members including our most recent pledge, two honorary members, thirty-three associate members, and twelve additional North Coast Rangers who are members of the American Uniform Association and who reside in our jurisdiction, which includes Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and western Pennsylvania.

The Rangers maintained a busy schedule throughout the year. Our members attended other clubs' run in Nashville, Char-

To the Editors:

Like it or not we/you are in the middle of a battle. It is a fight as basic as right versus wrong, good against evil. It is nothing less than that.

If you choose to pooh-pooh the situation facing our community, you are on the wrong side of the fight. Like it or not, we are front-page news. The President of the United States is on our side. How about you?

The battle fronts are many, some drawing more ink and air than others.

The Colorado question--to boycott or not. The real question should be: how did the ballot question get asked in the first place? How was the Amendment proposal even validated? If the Amendment dealt with a racial or religious issue, the howls would have been deafening. But instead, the question was put on referendum, and, we/you lost. New ballot battle fronts are being drawn. Petition papers have been taken out in California. Likewise Florida. Idaho. Maine.ri. Minnesota. Washington. Oregon again!

How much will it cost to fight this hatred? One thing for certain--it will cost a lot more not to.

The sooner we stop it, the less that cost will be. The battle is bigger than gaining acceptance in the military. It's bigger than the right to legal domestic partnership. It is so big that most of us will never benefit from the fruits of our labors, not even those of us who live to a ripe old age.

Our work is for the future generations of lesbians and gays struggling to accept themselves in a world where being 'queer' is taught to be wicked and vile.

While it is all so overwhelming, everywhere we turn, (water cooler chatter about 'those' people, televised bashing by the

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