and related conditions.

HHS reprogrammed the funds at the
urging of Senator Edward Kennedy (D-
MA), who spearheaded efforts to over-
come the financial crisis faced by thou-
sands of persons who depend on federal
assistance for AIDS treatments.

Approximately 7,0()0 people in the
us. are receiving government assistance
under the program to purchase AIDS treat-
ments, including AZT (Retnovir). AZT,
whichcosts about$8,000ayearatfull dose,
is the only govemment-approved drug for
directly fighting AIDS.

The $5 million will be reprogrammed
from other AIDS progarns within the HHS.
"While we don't like to see the money
come form already existing AIDS efforts,
we believe the financial crisis faced by so
many people with AIDS is urgent enough
to warrant such measures,” said Carlton
Lee, HRCF lobbyist.

Efforts to pass legislation earlier in
March to extend the subsidy were thwarted
by Senators Jesse Helms (R-N.C.), Wil-
liam Armstrong (R-Colo.) and Don Nick-
les (R-Okla). Helms and the others blocked
the action on the bill by threatening to

 attach “hostile” ammendments to it.

NGLTF Hires New Project Director to
‘Secure Recognition of Lesbian & Gay
Families

The National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force (N GLTF) launched the only national
organizing projectt on behalf of lesbian and
gay families with the hiring of veteran
feminist and black activist Ivy Young as
Project Director. The Lesbian and Gay
Families Projectt was formed through a
unique collaboration between the D.C.
based NGLTF and the San Francisco based
National Center for Lesbian Rights
(NCLR- formerly known as the Lesbian
Rights Project).
I1 The Lesbian & Gay Families Project
I will educate, advocate and organize for full
Societal recognition of lesbian and gay rela-
tronships and for the protection of lesbian
and gay families. The Families Project will

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

, aw
confront barriers facing lesbian and gay

partners and parents and will tackle issues
such as: securing equal benefits for gay and
lesbian partners; fair and equal treatment
for gay and lesbian parents in custody,
visitation adn co-parenting arrangements;
passage of non-discrimination laws regard-
ing adoption, foster care, and artificial in-
semination; securing survivors rights and
the right to be involved in medical deci-
sions and treatment for our loved ones.

Give Me Your Gays, Your
Lesbians...Yearuing to Breathe Free

The Inunigration and Deportation
Amendments Act of 1989, which would
end discrimination against gays and lesbi-
ans seeking to immigrate into or visit the
U.S., was introduced into the House of
Representatives by Congressman Barney
Frank (D-MA/4).

The bill, designated HR. 1280, would
remove the current “sexual deviation”
exclusion used to block gays and lesbians
from entering the U.S . The bill affects tour-
ists, residents aliens or immigrants who
wish to become citizens.

The bill would not change the current
exclusion of people with AIDS and HIV
infection, but it would grant the Depart-
ment of Health and Human Services au-
thority to waive the exclusion of persons
with communicable diseases. HRCF lob-
byists said they would seek to broaden the
waiver provision.

HRCF’s Field Division urges gay men
and lesbians to contact their congressper-
sons to thank them for cosponsoring the bill
or encourage them to sign on. Concerned
individuals may write their Representa-
tives at U.S. House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C. 20515. If you don’t
know your congressperson, call HRCF’s
Field Division at (202)628-4160.

Gays and lesbians may also send
Congress a message by enrolling in the
HRCF pre-authorized Speak Out mail pro-
gram. For more information, write HRCF
Field Division, 1012 14th St. NW, #607,
Washington, D.C. 20005

 
       
         

 

 

 

 

Have your f
homeowne »
insurance
rates
gone
through
the roof 1

Compare Allstate rates.

Ellen Hetherington
863-3808

/Illstattr

Allstate Insurance Company. Northbrook, IL