JUNE 10, 1994 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

COMMUNITY GROUPS

'Oh, those poor, innocent AIDS babies'

by Joe Carroccio

Two members of ACT UP Cleveland, Marcos Rivero and myself, went to Washington D.C. the week of May 23, to once again lobby the U.S, House and Senate to support the AIDS Cure Project, and raise funding in general for care and support, and we have good news and bad. The good news first.

Rep. James Traficant of Youngstown is a friend we didn't know we had. Yeah, he has funny hair-so do I. When we went to his office he hugged me. He treated us with respect and has co-signed on to the AIDS Cure Project. He said he read the project with the comment that "If it means so much to you guys that you would travel to Washington, the

least I can do

is be a cosigner." Not

to say doesn't have a clear understanding of the project and he was signing on just because we asked: we

mosexuals?" The answer was a resounding yes. We asked, “And that's okay with this [Metzenbaum's] office?" The response was, "Of course not, but that's the way it is." Never mind that 53 percent of new AIDS cases are among gay men.

Hodel related to us his concern about the $70 million that was appropriated to create the Office of AIDS Management to coordinate the research agenda at the National Institutes of Health. We all thought that money was already committed. Wrong. It's not committed, and as of right now we are in danger, real danger of losing the funding, and the office not being created.

Whether you feel the Office of AIDS Management is a good idea or not is hardly the problem here. The real problem is that

ACT UP

THE AIDS COALITION TO UNLEASH POWER

CLEVELAND

talked about it at length and he really did read it. Since he is a member of the Energy and Commerce committee, which is the committee that will hold hearings on the bill, this is a good thing.

Also, Rep. Sherrod Brown has co-signed on the bill. He has an impressive understanding of the challenges we are facing with the government and an excellent perception of the problems with research at the National Institutes of Health. He is also on the Energy and Commerce committee, so this is another positive advancement.

Rep. Eric Fingerhut's concern was about where the funding was coming from, which is a legitimate concern. Although $1.84 billion over five years is a pittance to this government, where it's coming from is important. Without getting into the fiscal details, a suggestion is disaster relief funding. Money becomes available very quickly if the Mississippi floods, ($6 billion) or the roads get torn up in an earthquake ($3 billion), both available within three weeks. If a million Americans lives are at stake you would think it would classify as a disaster. Other than that, he sounds very positive about the project.

Fear and loathing

Now the bad news, and it's terrible and depressing. As we attended our meeting with Joel Johnson, executive assistant to Sen. Howard Metzenbaum, and Derek Hodel of the AIDS Action Council, they let us know right up front and as honest as could be, about what the challenge really is.

We had questioned why, out of 53 AIDS Clinical Trials Units operating in the United States, were 23 of those units doing strictly pediatric AIDS research, along with another four adult units that also do pediatric research, while there are only 5,000 pediatric AIDS cases in the U.S. with 1,800 in New York City. (article by Peter Hellman, "Suffer the Little Children," New York 221-94). The answer was shocking in its bluntness.

They told us that it was because Congress can feel good about over-funding pediatric AIDS research, while adults with AIDS are perceived as homosexuals who deserve their illness and are not worth the funding.

We asked them to clarify this: "You mean to tell us that Congress won't increase AIDS research because it would save ho-

our government cannot spend tax dollars if it will be spent to save gays. Whether or not the reality is that gays still constitute the largest

caseload of AIDS doesn't matter. Never mind the stark reality that heterosexual women are getting infected in large numbers, never mind that gays are human beings, American citizens that pay taxes in this country. The bottom line is us fags just don't matter to the government. (Quote, Lieutenant Governor of Montana, Newsweek Magazine: "The problem with AIDS is, you got it, you die. So why are we spending money on this issue?”)

We consider Joel Johnson, Metzenbaum's executive assistant, a friend too. We don't hold it against him or Howard Metzenbaum's office that our government hates fags enough to let us die. It wasn't an easy thing for him to say. Only a real friend will tell you the truth no matter how much it's gonna hurt, and hurt it did. We always knew the government didn't much care for gays, but to sit in a United States Senator's office and have them tell you this to your face was almost more than even we could bear, and we have pretty thick skin. Of course Metzenbaum's office isn't doing anything to champion the cause on this issue either-we hope that will changebut at least they are aware of the hatred and don't hide behind Washington rhetoric.

Our next step: Johnson has arranged a meeting with us in Bethesda, Maryland with the director of the Office of AIDS Research, Dr. William Paul at the National Institutes of Health, which we will be arranging in the near future. The goal is to try and set them at ease that the project will not divert funds from the NIH, to build coalitions, to try to work together, and of course gather as much information as we can about what is going on now and in the near future.

We respectfully request that if you live in Traficant or Brown's district, or even if you don't, write these guys, tell them thanks for helping us, for including us as citizens of this country, regardless of whether you support the AIDS Cure Project. These two representatives consider all people worthy of representation in Washington. Believe us, that is not the general feeling in those shiny clean halls of the offices of the men (and a few token women) in charge of our country and ultimately our lives.

Whatever happens, ACT UP-Cleveland will keep plugging away, doing whatever it takes to get the support we need to see an end to the AIDS epidemic.

Hypnotherapy

A Holistic Approach Utilizing Hypnosis & Imagery Integrating MIND... BODY... SPIRIT

♦ Smoking Cessation

♦ Weight Issues

◆ Stress/Relaxation ♦ Fears/Phobias

◆ Procrastination

Self Confidence

◆ Memory Enhancement

♦ Public Speaking

◆ Motivation Exam Taking

♦ Regressions

♦ Improved Concentration ♦ Healing Imagery ◆ Co-Dependency Issues And Much More..

Rona M. Levin Certified Hypnotherapist

(216) 751-4802

"I don't date because I don't know where to meet anyone."

NO EXCUSES.

Meet someone in the largest selection of Lesbian/Gay/Bi personals in the state! Section B of the Gay People's Chronicle. Respond to your favorite personal today... and have a date tomorrow!

Rinaldi Jewelry

Where "Lil" Things Mean A Lot

TV's own "Lil John" would like to

acquaint you with his fine jewelry store. Rinaldi Jewelry is the downtown store with a

touch of old-fashioned service and quality that caters to your needs.

Come see us for your commitment rings. Our Personal Services Of:

• Appraisal ⚫ Free Ring Cleaning⚫ Repairs Free Inspection

•

Phone: 566-0603 2028 East 9th Street Between Euclid & Prospect

Hours: Monday Friday 10:00a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mention this ad for 20% Off Your Purchase!

OAD

Name

Address

City

State/Zip

Phone (

)

Ohioans Against Discrimination

I'm concerned about the Radical Right activities in Ohio. Please add my name to the OAD mailing list.

Enclosed is a non-tax deductible

contribution of

to help fight the Radical Right.

Paid for by OAD, Lynn Greer, Treasurer, 395 E Broad St Columbus Ohio 43215-3877 (614) 265-8300