Out in the Mountains OITM Roundup: State, National and World News Briefs compiled by Kip M. Roberson Senators agree with firing of Elders WASHINGTON, DC -- Both of Vermont's US. Senators say they agree with President Clinton's decision to seek the resigna- tion of his controversial surgeon general, Joycelyn Elders. "Un- der the present circumstances, she's gone too far," said Sen. James Jeffords. "The request for her resignation was quite under- standable." Sen. Patrick Leahy said Clinton "did the right thing" in firing Elders. "I think that he had ample reason to fire her be- fore this because of her comments about drugs." The White House announced the dismissal of Elders after it learned she had told a conference on AIDS in New York that masturbation as a form of safe sex is "part of something that per- haps should be taught" in school sex education classes. Elders was asked at the Dec. 1 meeting by a psychologist about pros- pects for "a more explicit discussion and promotion of masturba- tion” as a means to limit the spread of AIDS. Elders called mas- turbation "something that is a part of human sexuality, and it's a part of something that perhaps should be taught. But we've not even taught our children the very basics." Elders already had been under fire from conservatives after say- ing the legalization of some drugs should be studied —- a com- 32 N. Champlain St. Burlington VT. 05401 802/864 ' 7198 ° FAX 802/658 ' 1556 ment later disavowed by the White House. Rep. Bernard Sanders agreed with the reported assessment of White House officials that with conservative Republicans in as- cendancy in Congress, Elders was becoming a liability for the ad- ministration. "The President made the decision to fire Dr. Elders because of intense political heat surrounding her," the lone in- dependent in Congress said. Sanders added, "I think Dr. Elders deserves credit for having spoken out on controversial issues that needed a public airing No one can deny that drugs and human sexuality are enormously important issues that should be discussed in our society." But, he said Elders "did a poor job in how she approached those issues, in terms of generating support for study and discussion Do you frame the issue as an off-the—cuff response to a question? I think not -- not when you're Surgeon General." (IN Newsweekly) Ex-partner of lesbian in court battle over her right to visit baby CONCORD, NH -- Advocates of homosexual rights are watch- ing a court case that could define what rights they have as parents in the state of New Hampshire. The case in Strafford County Su- perior Court involves two lesbians who decided one of them would have a child through artificial insemination. They have separated after a seven year relationship and now the woman who did not have the baby is seeking visitation rights. Joan Comeau says she should be allowed visitation and custody rights because the decision to have a child was made jointly. She says she financially supported her partner after the birth and they decided both would be considered parents. Lucinda Grondin says she is the biological mother and Comeau's request should be dis- missed because she isn't considered a parent under New Harnp— shire law. A similar case in New York in 1990 went in favor of the bio- logical mother. (Boston Globe) Gay fraternity established at SUNY Albany ALBANY, NY -- The seed of a national gay, bisexual male fra- ternity has taken root in the heart of Albany. State University of New York at Albany finally has a colony of the national gay, bi- sexual and progressive men's fraternity, Delta Lambda Phi. 802/ 658-6800 '‘f‘% 34 . ll ,7 “ New E :{§avel Service WOODSI DE '9” W24 "P The Old Stone Store Burlington, VT 05401 Steven M. Rosmariri ““~ Travel Consultant