June 1988 Vermonters Attend Nat'l L/G Health Conference Approximately a dozen Vermonters attended the Second International Lesbian and Gay Health Conference and AIDS Forum in Boston from July 20-26. The weeklong conference was jointly spon- sored by the National Lesbian and Gay Health Foundation (NLGHF), the Ameri- can Association of Physicians for Human Rights (AAPHR), and George Washing- ton University Medical Center. Approxi- mately l500 people attended the confer- ence. The conference featured several hundred workshops on various topics re- lated to lesbian and gay health. The fact thata high percentage of the workshops were centered around AIDS services caused some tensions. Some conference attendees felt that the focus was too much on this disease and not enough on the myriad of other issues of importance to lesbian/gay health. In addition to the workshops focused on AIDS, other workshop subjects in- cluded artificial insemination and the law, spiritual development in American gay men, psychotherapy with lesbians and gay men, sexual addiction and many others. Supplemental to the workshops were several major plenary sessions with panels of experts discussing such topics as “Lesbian Health and Mental Health,” “Chemical Dependency: Current Issues and Research on Lesbians, Gay Men and AIDS,” and “Leadership and the Health Agenda.” One of the more intense parts of the conference was when Food and Drug Administration Commissioner, Frank Young, addressed the attendees. Boston ACT-UP, a civil disobedience group, staged major demonstrations during his presentation in regards to the FDA’s slow approval of drugs for the treatment of AIDS. Manypeople with AIDS (PWA’s) took part in these demonstrations which seemed to result in Young’s making some concessions which earned him a standing ovation at the end of his presentation. Overall, the conference was very in- formative and energizing. There were some organizational problems which caused a fair amount of frustration but even that did not detract from the feelings of excitement and empowerment. Next years conference will be held in San Francisco from April 5-10. For more information contact: NLGHF‘, Inc. P.O. Box 65472 Washington, D.C. 20035 or call: (202) 797-3708 In Memory of John Rutkowski John Benjamin Rutkowski died on June 28 at his home in Burlington from complications arising from AIDS. After spending most of the months of May and June in the Medical Center, John came home on June 23 to die at the house he shared with Terje Anderson and Jay Schuster. He lived his last days at home cared for by friends, family members, and Vermont C.A.R.E.S.volunteers. He died of respiratory failure two days after his 29th birthday. John, who lived in Burlington for the last four years, was diagnosed with AIDS In September of 1987. After his diagnosis, he spoke publicly about living with AIDS in Vermont to numerous audiences and forums. He toured the state with a produc- tion of the play “As Is,” taking part in panel discussions after the play, and was featured in articles in the Rutland Herald, UVM Cynic, Burlington Free Press, and Out in the Mountains. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of Vennont C.A.R.E.S. In addition to his AIDS-related activities, John had long been a vocal and visible part of the gay community in Burlin ton_. ( ontmued on page7) M 675 Construction‘ E Remodeling_° No Job Too Small ° Free Estimates Sally Fellows 862-4175 @ General Contractors Mary Twitchell 878-3129 Forconfidenfial AIDS Information Call 1-800-882-AIDS OIIM, You’re Looking Better Than Ever! Desktop Publishing facilities donated by [as'e///nage 187 St. Paul Street. Burlington 863-1884