Out in the Mountains

VERMONT'S NEWSPAPER FOR LESBIANSIGAY MEN, AND BISEXUALS

  

Volume VI, Number 2

March 1991

Gays and the Gulf Crisis: A Commentary

by Gene Barfield
We are only beginning to realize the
ways in which the world changed, for good
or for ill, when the United States went to
war with Iraq in January. Many of us have
only the experience of Viet Nam or Korea
to draw upon for related understandings.
But it is vital to accept that this present
event is different in some crucial aspects, in
that this is now a war in law as well as in
‘fact. In this sense it differs from the “unde-
clared” wars in Viet Nam or Korea in ways

which are very important to lesbian, gay, M

and bisexual people.

The issue of communication and cen-
sorship is now very urgent. I have just
finished the dreadful task of writing or
calling my many gay friends in uniform to
tell them how much I love them, but also to

Civil Rights and AIDS Legislation Update

Legislation prohibiting discrimination
based on sexual orientation and several
pieces of AIDS-related legislation are
among the items due for consideration in
the upcoming legislative session.

Legislation introduced in the House by
Representative Vi Luginbuhl (R-South
Burlington) and in the Senate by Senator
David Wolk (D-Rutland) would outlaw
discrimination in employment, housing,
public accommodations, insurance, and
banking and would ensure enforcement of
domestic abuse laws. Twenty-five mem-
bers of the 150 member House co-spon-
sored the legislation, as have eleven mem-
bers of the 30-member Senate.

Advocates for the bill are optimistic
about chances for passage. ''I feel very good
about the Senate," said Ben Truman, a
former legislator and now an ACLU lobby-
}st, "and I think the House. has seen some
Important changes since last session which
may bode well for the bill."

Supporters believe that prospects for

make certain that they are aware of some
important steps they absolutely must take
now to protect themselves. I specifically
mean the great need to be very circumspect
in their written and electronic communica-
tions with friends and loved ones and to be
mindful of possible consequences.

We must all acknowledge not only that
many of our brothers and sisters will be
serving in the theater of war, but also that in
a state of declared war, we should expect
that communication with them will be
monitored by military censors, regardless
of where they may be stationed. This cen-

necessity for people who love each other to
conceal that love. If it has ever been safe for
people of the same gender to love and to
express their love for each other in this
nation, it is certainly less so now.

Still a greater outrage is that some of
these people are now in a position of even
greaterdanger in that they serve on the front
lines of a war-waged, we are told, in the
name of liberty. Many, many Americans,
and not only lesbians, gay men, and bisexu-
als, are not allowed an equal share in the
liberties for which they are asked to make
the ultimate sacrifice; while others enjoy

sorship is a “normal” function of the abn W@BnmQgmm _

mal situation called “war.”

This raises an equally important and
very grave issue: the outrage that the state
of law in this nation should dictate the

the bill are improved by the presence of
Ron Squires, the first openly gay member
of the legislature. "I hope my presence will
have an impact on some legislators, people
who might not otherwise think they know a
gay person, but who are influenced by
working with me day to day," says Squires.

The language of the civil rights bill is
drawn from previous drafts and from legis-
lation in other states. It includes the domes-
tic abuse section which was attacked in
previous years for "redefining family" by
including "members of the same sex living
together and holding themselves out as a
couple now or in the past." The bill does not
include non-discrimination in child cus-
tody and adoption procedures, although an
effort may be made on the floor of the
Senate or House to add such a provision.

. Child custody is not currently covered by

other anti-discrimination statutes protect-
ing race, sex, and similar categories.

It was not known by deadline if there
will be committee hearings on the bill or

 

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which house will first consider the bill.

In addition to the anti-discrimination
bill, several pieces of AIDS related legisla-
tion have also been introduced.

The most controversial bill would
require mandatory HIV testing of anyone
charged with a sexual offense. Coming on
the heels of several well-publicized rape
cases and the public claim of an accused
child molester that he had AIDS, the pro-
posal promises to have a strong emotional
appeal for those concerned about victims‘
rights.

(continued on page 4)

 

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