Massach U SettS(from page 1)

give a boost to the fight for federal gay
rights legislation. In the Congress, H.R.
655, filed January 24, 1989, would amend
the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair
Housing Act to prohibit discrimination
based on sexual and affectional preference.
The bill has nine sponsors in the Senateand
61 co-sponsors in the House.

“Gay civil rights is perhaps the last
frontier of the great civil rights struggles of
he twentieth century,” continued LaFon-
tine of the Coalition. “A community that
its been silent and invisible is rapidly
Iansforming itself into a surging political
‘me. The dream we’ve realized here in
Vlassachusetts may be echoed in state after
late in the very near future.”

[Editor's note: Massachusetts Gover-
wr, Michael Dukakis signed the gay civil
ights bill into law on Wednesday, Novem-
tr 15th. Since that time there has been a
tmservative eflort to place a referendum
in the next election ballot to repeal the

 

ACT llP/LA Targets
Prudential Insurance
Company

ACT UP/LA (AIDS Coaliton to Un-
leash Power/Los Angeles) is participating
in a nation-wide effort to demand that the
insurance industry end discriminatory
practices and provide full health care cov-
erage for the insured. They would like to
hear from individuals who have experi-
enced any AIDS or I-llV—related problems
with insurance companies and are particu-
larly interestd in hearing from Prudential
Insurance Company policyholders.

Difficulties that have been reported
include: exorbitant premium increases;
refusal to pay for prescribed treatments;
declaring all I-IIV-related claims as ineli-
gable for coverage, claiming that HIV is a
“pre-existing condition.”

All replies will be held in strictest con-
fidence, although individuals may be asked
to speak out publicly against the abuses of
the insurance industry. Please write to ACT
UP/LA Insurance Committee, PO Box
26601, Los Angeles, CA 90026 or call
Richard (213)838-3260, lake (213)851-
2492 or Neil (213)650-7590.

 

 L  Distinction

Come Celebrate with Us during Our New

320 Elliot Street
Brattleboro, Vermont
Downstairs in the old church

L
L

Year's Bash!

(802) 254-8646

Nightclub

December 1989

VIDEO AGAINST
AIDS

Downstairs Video has just received a
new 3-video series entitled VIDEO
AGAINST ADDS. Distributed by Video
Data Batik of the School of the Art Institute
of Chicago, the series consists of twenty-
two individual pieces. These pieces are
united in their passion to combat ignorance
and to tolerate no opposition in the battle
for an AIDS cure.

VIDEO AGAINST AIDS is not a
work one would see on mainstream televi-
sion. The pieces range from lyrical and
upbeat music-videos to reflective memori-
als of those who've died from AIDS.

VIDEO AGAINST AIDS is available
for rental from Downstairs Video and ar-
rangements may be made for rental by mail
for those who live at a distance. For more
information, contact Downstairs Video at
26 Main St., Montpelier, VT 05602 or call

A

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