speech, association, equal protection and
due process. He requests his diploma and
his commision in the United States Navy.

AIDS Groups Formally Respond to
FDA’s Drug Regulations

The Human Rights Campaign Fund
(HRCF) and other national groups formally
reponded to recently published FDA regu-
lations for drug development and licensing,
saying they are encouraged by the FDA’s
“commitment to exploring alternative ap-
proaches” to experimental drugs, but add-
ing the real test would be in commitment of
resources. The groups also expressed con-
cern about access to experimental drugs.

The new FDA regulations are de-
signed to shorten the time it takes for a new
drug to pass current requirements for FDA
licensing, principally through greater FDA
involvement in the design of clinical trials.

HRCF submitted the comments jointly
with the AIDS Action Council, the Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome Information Institute,
and the National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force. All four organizations participate in
National Organizations Responding to
AIDS (NORA), a coalition that coordinates
policy responses and statements by na-
tional groups on AIDS issues.

Ellen Ratner Appointed Trustee of
Samaritan Board

Samaritan College and the Universal
Fellowship of Metropolitan Community
Churches (UFMCC) announced the ap-
pointment of Ellen Ratner to the Board of
Trustees of Samaritan College. Ms. Ratner
is the President of the National Lesbian and
Gay Health Foundation -the oldest lesbian
and gay health organization in the country-
and is a nationally recognized leader of the
lesbian and gay community. The UFMCC-
3 20 year old international network of con-
gregations that provide lesbians and gays
Wlth the opportunity for religious worship-
established Samaritan College as a training
seminary for clergy representing the Met-
lollolitan Community Churches.

Ms. Ratner is the first person of the

Jewish faith to be appointed to the Board of
Samaritan College, a substantially Chris-
tian organization. Ms. Ratner’s appoint-
ment reflects a decisive step toward estab-
lishing the College as the first accredited
university with a predominantly gay and
lesbian student body- Sarnaritan’s long-
term objective.

Lambda Wins Preliminary Victory in
Insurance Discrimination Case

Lambda Legal Defense and Education
Fund announced an important preliminary
Victory in a discrimination lawsuit against
an insurance company that treated an appli-
cant differently because it perceived him to
be gay.

Federal Judge Robert W. Sweet of the
U.S . District Court for the Southern District
of New York ruled yesterday that the appli-
cant may pursue his claims against the
company under the pseudonym “John
Doe” because of privacy concerns arising
from the nature of the lawsuit

With Lambda’s help, the applicant

sued United Services Life Insurance Com- _

pany last July because it had required that
he submit to special tests and pay higher
premiums for life insurance. An agent of
the company had told his father that Doe
was viewed with special caution because he
was unmarried and lived with another male
in New York City.

In his complaint against the company,
the applicant charged that the company’s
treatment of him amounted to marital status
and sexual orientation discrimination, and
also constituted unfair and deceptive busi-
ness practices.

Ironically, although apparently per-
ceived by United Services to by gay, the
applicant is heterosexual. At the time of his
application, he was a law student simply
sharing an apartment with another male
student.

In finding in favor of the applicant,
Judge Sweet determined the United Serv-
ices would not be prejudiced by allowing
Doe to proceed under an assumed name,
and ordered the suit to go forward.

Partners in Recovery and Growth, Therapist

Erica Marks, B.A.S.A.C.

Substance Abuse, Sexuality, Parenting, Grief, Gestalt, Spirituality,
Individuals, Couples, Families, Groups
Hearthstone Assoc.
182 Main St.
Burlington, VT 05401
Sliding fee scale° Phone: 865-2403

   
 

Are your car
insurance
rates
driving
you up the

 
 

Compare Allstate rates.
Ellen Hetherington

Bayside Square II
340 Mallets Bay Ave.
Colchester,VT 05446

863-3808

/Illstates

Allstate Insurance Company. Nonhbrook. IL

February 1989