Out in the Mountains

Join The Fight

Suppon

The Vermont
Coalition of Lesbians
and Gay Men

in their work to pass legislation
guaranteeing equal rights to
Lesbians and Gay men in Ver-
mont and insuring protection
for People With AIDS and H|V+
persons. Contribute to our
cause and add your name to
our mailing list. We need your
help.
E] Yes, I want to be a part of
making Vermont safer for
Gays and Lesbians. Add my
name to your mailing list
DAccept my contribution of
to help with expenses
and general coalition building
efforts.
See Address on VT Resources Page

Name
Address

Phone

THANK YOU!

Two More Senators Cosponsor Hate
Crimes Act

Senators Jim Sasser (D-TN) and Sam
Nunn (D-GA) signed on as cosponsors of
the Federal Hate Crimes Statistics Act,
bringing the total number of Senate sup-
porters to 56.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force (NGLTF) is optimistic the bill can
pass during the 101st Congress.

The House of Representatives passed
the bill last June 27 by a vote of 368 to 47.
Last year, the bill was passed by the House
but killed in the Senate during a last-minute
move by Senator Jesse Helms.

The Hate Crimes Statistics Act directs
the U.S. Department of Justice to compile
and publish data on crimes that manifest
prejudice based on race, religion, sexual
orientation or ethnicity. Gay and lesbian
activists see the bill as an important first
step by the federal government in stem-
ming the alarming increase of “gay bash-
mg.”

World AIDS Day Coalition Sponsors CD

Seventy-eight demonstrators, repre-
senting more than 50 AIDS service and
advocacy organizations nationwide, were
arrested in a civil disobedience in front of
the White House on December 1, as part of
an international recognition of World
AIDS Day.

Less than one week after the demon-
stration, the congressionally mandated
National AIDS Commission, in a report to
President Bush, said, “it is time to match
rhetoric with action” and called the current
health care system “singularly unrespon-
sive” to fighting the epidemic.

Activists protested that research fund-
ing is not enough, social services needs are
not being met, food and shelter are as essen-
tial as drug treatments for all people with
HIV infection. In addition, the demonstra-
tion focused on the need for education and
prevention programs targeted at communi-
ties of color and treatment programs de-

 

signed for the public healthcare system and
those it serves.

By World AIDS Day of 1990, AIDS
cases across the country are expected to top
109,000, almost double l989’s total.

HRCF Announces Plans for a National
Family Registry

In the wake of the failure of San
Francisco’s domestic partnership law on
election day, the Human Rights Campaign
Fund (HRCF) has decided to develop a
nationwide family registry program to
build grass roots support for the concept of
lesbian and gay families.

The primary goals of the Registry will
be as an educational tool to increase the
visibility of lesbian and gay families and to
recapture the term “family” from the right
wing. Beyond its utility as an educational
tool, the National Family Registry will
provide an alternative “institution” to con-
ventional marriages, providing recognition
and support in the lesbian and gay commu-
nities for the relationships that are forged
within it.

Plans for the organization of the Reg-
istry are currently underway. Lesbians and
gays who would like to participate should
contact Kathleen Stoll at HRCF in Wash-
ington, (202) 628-4160. HRCF hopes to
launch the National Family Registry on
February 14, 1990, Valentine’s day.

HRCF Supporters “Speak Out” on
World AIDS Day

The Human Rights Campaign Fund’s
“Speak Out” program triggered thousands
of Western Union messages to President
Bush on World AIDS Day, December 1,
1989. The messages, delivered to theWhite
House, called on the president to support
more than $2 billion in funding for the fight
against AIDS and push for early action on
the Americans with Disabilities Act in the
U.S. House of Representatives.

HRCF’s “Speak Out” program is nor-
mally targeted to Members of Congress

 

3511) (U .S.$)

GOLDEN THREADS

a contact publication for lesbians
over 50 and women who love
older women.

Canada and U.S. Confidential, warm, reli-
able. For free lnforrnation send self-ad-
dressed envelope: (U.S. residents please
stamp it). Sample copy mailed discreetly.

P.O. Box 3177, Burlington, VT 05401