VERMONT’S NEWSPAPER for LESBIANS and GAY MEN

 

 

l Vol. 2, No. 3

 

H.247 Prohibiting Discrimination Debatedm 3 

In a historic first, a public hearing was
held by the Judiciary Committee of the
Vermont House of Representatives on
H.247, a bill that would add the term
"affectional or sexual orientation" to the list
of prohibited discrimination. This was the
first time that the issue of equal rights for
gay men and lesbians has been openly
discussed within the legislature.

The hearing, held on the evening of
March 10, was attended by approximately
250 people. It was originally scheduled to be
held in room 11, one of the larger hearing
rooms in the Statehouse, but had to be
moved to the well of the House when it
became obvious that everyone could not fit.

The format for the hearing was set by
Rep. Betty Nuovo, Chairperson of the
Judiciary Committee, Each person who
wanted to speak was allowed two minutes.
Speakers had to make note on the sign-up

sheet whether they would be speaking in
favor of or against H. 247. The order of
speaking then alternated between pro and
con speakers.

The hearing lasted for three hours as
approximately 60 people testified on the bill.
Pro-247 speakers’ comments centered around
personal experiences of discrimination and
harassment. These speakers included those
who identified themselves openly as lesbians
and gay men as well as supporters, friends,
parents and co-workers. Several anonymous
statements were read which were sent by
people who felt they could not speak out
publicly for fear of the very discrimination
which this bill addresses.

Anti-247 speakers, in general, argued
against the bill based on often-quoted
biblical passages. Committee members were
warned that a vote in favor of this bill
would condemn them to Hell. Lesbians and

VT House Passes HIV-3 Anti-Discrimination Bill

The Vermont House of Representatives
overwhelmingly passed legislation to limit the
use of blood testing for antibodies to the
human immunosuppressive virus (HIV) and
to prevent discrimination against those who
test positive.

House Bill 239 passed on March 13th
by a voice vote with only one dissenting
vote heard. It would prohibit employers,
landlords, educational institutions and health
care providers from requiring the blood test
or discriminating against those who have
tested positive.

As originally written, the bill would have
prevented life and health insurance
companies from requiring the test as a
condition of insurability, but that clause was
removed by the House Health and Welfare
Committee after intense lobbying by the
politically powerful insurance industry.

Representative Ben Truman
(D-Burlington), a member of the Health and
Welfare Committee who pressed hard for
the bill's passage said he was  pleased that
the House passed these important
restrictions on blood testing and
discrimination. Unfortunately, the insurance
companies’ unwillingness to compromise on
testing means that one of the most glaring

examples of misuse of the test isn’t covered.
Hopefully we'll be able to look at this issue
again next session and come up with
appropriate restrictions on insurance testing."

H.239 was introduced by Representative
Micque Glitman (D-Burlington) and 37
co-sponsors.

Supporters of the legislation are
optimistic about the bill's passage in the
Senate.

The bill attracted major public attention
when it was revealed that National Life of
Vermont‘ had begun antibody testing for
large life insurance policies. The Health and
Welfare Committee conducted several days
of hearings centered on the insurance
questions, as representatives from state
government agencies, insurance companies,
medical authorities and community advocates
testified in front of the committee.

Members of the Health and Welfare
Committee, the Insurance Commissioner's
office, insurance companies and civil rights
advocates are negotiating at newspaper
deadline time in an attempt to develop

legislation which would set minimal
confidentiality standards for insurance
companies using the antibody test.

gay men yere, flescribed,J._vith.. words Auch as
depr;aby§d,§g_;aeg¢nerate; filthy,‘ unnamal and
diSgu§11I.1_§{'.§§%‘1Y ;:9€.1~.t.h.e ~an.ti..;spca s were
from ‘ndamentalist churches or right- 'ng
organizations such as the Eagle Forum and
Concerned Women of America

Carrie Coy, one of those in attendance,
said "It was very empowering for me to
hear the very worst, the most damning
arguments that people could offer. and to
realize how shallow they are."

The Judiciary Committee has delayed
consideration of H.247 until they have the
opportunity to schedule a session of in-depth
testimony from various expert witnesses.

Rep. Micque Glitman, the bill's prime
sponsor and a member of the Judiciary
Committee, told OITM that "the bill is still
very much alive this session. People need to
keep calling their legislators to make sure it
passes."

Table of Contents

Library Books 2
Letters to the Editor 3
H.247 Commentary 3
UULGC Convocation 4
AIDS Information 6
State Liaisons Report 8
Letters Home 9
April Fool’s 10
Book Review 11
March on D.C. 11
Calendar 11
VT Resources 12

HAPPY
EASTER

HAPPY

PASSOVER