ACT NOW ’88: AIDS Activists Sieze Control of FDA ACT NOW ’88, a four-day AIDS ac- tivist mobilization, October 8-1 1, in Wash- ington, that opened with and AIDS activist teach-in and culminated with a demonstra- tion that shut down the Food and Drug Ad- ministration marked the beginning of a new phase in AIDS activist movement. Highlighting the weekend’s activities, 1500 AIDS activists demanding greater access to drug treatment successfully shut down the Food and Drug Administration in Rockville, Maryland, on October 1 1. Start- ing at 7 a.m., demonstrators participated in a wide variety of actions, including die-ins, traffic and pedestrian blockades, and occu- pying FDA offices. “Silence = Death” and “Federal Death Administration” banners were posted over the main entrance to the building as another “Silence = Death” banner was hoisted up the flagpole. One- hundred and seventy—six individuals were arrested at the action. The weekend was organized by ACT NOW (AIDS Coalition to Network, Organ- ize, and Win), a network of over fifty direct action AIDS organizations across the coun- try. For more information on ACT NOW, contact Scott Sanders at (202) 234-8801; ACT NOW, P.O. Box 73275, Washington, D.C., 20056. Hate Crimes Bill Stalled by Helms The first positive federal legislation to address violence against lesbians, gay men, racial, ethnic and religious minorities, stalled in the U.S. Senate becauseof threats by Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) to introduce sweeping anti-gay amendments. The Hate Crimes Statistics Act which would require federal data col- lection on crimes motivated by prejudice against gay people and other minorities, was never brought to the Senate floor despite vigorous lobbying by a coalition of DESKTOP PUBLISHTNG STUDIO TYPE 8: DESIGN/WORKSHOPS/SELF-SERVICE over 50 groups led by the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force (N GLTF). Helms planned to introduce a four-part amendment which stated the following: “(1) The homosexual movement threatens the strength and the survival of the American family as the basic unit of so- ciety; (2) State laws prohibiting sodomy should be enforced; (3) The federal government should not provide discrimination protections on the basis of ‘sexual orientation’; and (4) School curriculums should not condone homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle in American society.” NGLTF lobbyist Peri Jude Radecic termed the amendment “totally offensive and unacceptable. We will neer tolerate codification of this kind of bigotry.” Radecic noted that because of Helms’ delaying tactics, the Hate Crimes measure mustbe re-introduced during the next Con- gressional session and will have to again pass through committees and the full floor of both Houses. Gay/Lesbian “Marriages” No Longer Uncommon Gay and lesbian union and marriage ceremonies may be more widespread than commonly assumed. Despite the failure of states to legally recognize homosexual marriage, many couples are honoring their relationship with wedding rituals. The popularity of these ceremonies is suggested by early returns from a . national survey of same—sex couples undertaken by Partners: The Newsletter for Gay & Lesbian Couples. Of the first 136 surveys analyzed, 12 percent of respondents indicated that they had formalized their relationship with a ceremony, and 4 percent said they planned to do so. Another 12 percent relied on other traditional observances, such as celebrating anniversaries. Add't' ll 43 t f th 863-1 884 187 ST PA UL STREET December 1988 Coalition of Lesbians intheirworktopasslegisla- tion guaranteeing equal rights to Lesbians and Gay men in Vermont and insur- ing protection for People With AIDS and H|V+ persons. Contribute to our cause and add your name TO your help. D Yes, I want to be a part of making Vermont safer for Gays and Lesbians. Addmy name to your mailing list DAccept my contribution of bying expenses and gen- eral coalition building ef- forts. Send to address on VT resoures page. Name Address Join The Fight Suppon The Vermont and Gay Men our mailing list. We need to help with lob- Phone THANKYOU!