Lesbians, bisexual women at higher risk for HIV CHICAGO -- According to a report published in the American Journal of Public Health, women who have sex with other women are at a greater risk for HIV infection than women who are exclusively heterosexual. The researchers compared attitudes, characteristics and HIV status of women at a sexually transmitted disease clinic in New York City. Of the 9% who said they have sex with other women, more than 90% said they have sex with men as well. The scientists found the women who had same—sex contact were more likely than the exclusively heterosexual women to be infected with the HIV virus, to trade sex for drugs or money, and to use intravenous drugs. The researchers said, although women who have sex with other women were more likely to be infected with HIV, the study found no instances of actual female—to—female transmission. (In The Life) Sharon Bottoms‘ mother seeks child support for daughter RICHMOND, VA -- The grandmother who won custody of her lesbian daughter's son now wants her daughter to pay child support. Kay Bottoms has also asked a Heniico County judge to cut off visitation between 4-year-old Tyler Doustou and his mother, Sharon Bottoms. In a petition filed October 30 in Heniico Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, ‘ Kay Bottoms says her daughter has violated a court order barring Tyler from being in the presence of April Wade, Sharon Bottoms’ live-in girlfriend. "Not only has Tyler been subjected to the presence and influence of April Wade, but also the presence and influence of other persons engaged in lesbian conduct," the petition said. Sharon Bottoms, 25, and her lawyers deny that Ms. Wade has seen Tyler. The petition from Kay Bottoms, 44, is the latest development in a 2 1/2-year court fight that began in Henrico's juvenile court and was appealed up to the Virginia Supreme Court. (Bay Windows) Gays move to Canada's Yukon WHITEHORSE, YUKON -- So many gays have moved to Canada's remote Yukon Territory that they comprise 10 percent of the population, reported the Reuter news service. The report said gays are attracted by the prospect of greater freedom and tolerance, by the pristine scenery, and by low rates of gay—bashing and AIDS. Only 10 of the territory's 32,000 residents have AIDS; another 15 have tested I-IIV—positive. The main gay rendezvous point is dances sponsored by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance of the Yukon in Whitehorse, the capital. A typical dance brings in about 70 people. The Yukon government extended spousal benefits to sarne—sex couples in 1990, becoming the first province or territory to do so. (Outlines) Fish repeatedly switches sexes SAN DIEGO -- Japanese and American researchers have discovered species of fish that change sexes like charneleons change color, altering their genitalia and behavior to suit the social circumstances. The most interesting of the species is a tiny tropical fish found off the coast of Okinawa, which normally live in groups of one dominant male and several females. If a larger male comes along, the dominant male changes into a subservient female. But if something happens to the new dominant male, the larger female becomes a male —— even if it was a male once before. It has generally been believed that such changes are irreversible -- one conversion and you are out of the game. But biologist Matthew Grober of the University of Idaho told a meeting of the Society for Neuroscience on Sunday that at least three species of fish have been identified that can change sex repeatedly when social circumstances require it. The discovery is significant, he said, because the brain region involved in the sex change is the same region suggested to cause Iranssexuality in humans. (Burlington Free Press) V ON THE OTHER HAND: Notes from the Vermont Bisexual Network We're Here, We're Bi, We're Fabulous.’ Deighglough PLAINFIELD -- The Vermont Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights (VCLGR) third annual Conference and Queer Town Meeting on October 28, 1995, was fabulous. This was my first VCLGR Conference, and I am pleased that I was able to slip away from the drudgery of my near minimum wage job to haunt the halls of Montpelier High School. Overall, the Conference was an exhilarating event. I was excited to see our diverse Vermont bisexual, gay, lesbian, transgendered and allied community. I was overwhelmed with choices, and I would like to congratulate the Conference organizers because that does not happen very often for this rural, low income bisexual. The fact that no one was turned away due to lack of funds enabled me and other low income friends to attend. I was especially excited to see such a large number of new faces at the Vermont Bisexual Network (VT BiNet) table. As an added bonus, two workshops were organized specifically with bisexuals in mind. Uh, oops the first workshop was not a workshop at all, but a working meeting of VT BiNet facilitated by our dedicated representative, Kirsten Isgro. This was our first meeting as such. (We've held two New England regional meetings in the past two years.) The actual workshop was entitled "Bisexuality: Neither/Nor, Both/And." This stimulating group was facilitated by Karen Grace. At the VT BiNet meeting, we agreed to limit ourselves to three specific actions -— a wise move considering the fledgling state of VT BiNet. One of these actions was to form a much needed social group, a must for people living in the far flung reaches of our lovely state. In addition, we agreed to start a VT BiNet newsletter, another move to help end our isolation. Karen's workshop, which took place during the day's third and last workshop period, provided a much needed outlet for group discussion. After Karen's thoughtful presentation, we shared information, experiences, and feelings about bisexuality. Congratulations to the non-bi people who attended. I am heartened to know that you were interested in expanding your awareness of bisexuality. By the end of the day, I was exhausted -- and renewed. I cannot believe that I fit so many activities into nine short hours. I highly recommend attending next year's VCLGR Conference to anyone, especially bisexual people. You cannot find that many Vermont resources assembled in any other place at any other time. V Obituary David J. Hurley ll NORTHFIELD -- David Hurley , 31, died at his home on Maple Avenue in Northfield on Dec. 11, 1995. He was born in Bennington on Feb. 24, 1964, the son of David J. and Lois (Reagan) Hurley. He graduated from Mount Anthony Union High School in 1982 and attended Lyndon State College. David worked as a manager for Service Merchandise in Mesa, Arizona and in South Burlington. He also worked as a customer service manager at Gardener Supply in Burlington. Survivors include his companion, Robert Johnson of Northfield and a longtime friend Arthur Tremblay of Burlington; his father, David, and mother, Lois, of Bennington; one brother, Michael Hurley of Bennington; a sister, Lynda Hurley of Bennington; a niece, Danielle Wilbur; and a nephew, Quinlan Wilbur. Memorial services were held, followed by a reception, on Dec. 15th at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Burlington. Memorial contributions may be made to Vermont CARES, P.O. Box 5248, Burlington, VT, 05402. V 100 Acres 0 Pool Hot Tub 0 Trails 20 Charming Rooms Peace & Privacy ‘C95 ‘TH Ii1and5 ‘Inn P.O. Box 118 Bethlehem, NH 03574 (603) 869-3978 A LESBIAN PARADISE SUSAN M. MURRAY LANGROCK SPERRY & WOOL ATTORNEYS AT LAW 15 SOUTH PLEASANT STREET MIDDLEBURY, VERMONT 05753 BURLINGTON OFFICE: 275 COLLEGE Srnssr Bununcron, VERMONT 05402 802-864-0217 AREA Cone: B02 TELEPHONE: 388-8356 Home Pnous: 877-3165 FAX 0: 388-6149 The Peace 8: Justice Store All the Colors of the Rainbow Together Queers 8: Friends Friendly Queer Books, Gay 3075 Magazines, p Bumperstickers, Rainbow '-\ Queer T-shirts, ‘» 1 ,-5 . Jewelry& Flags “/""ro .«;. ,,,,.-,,,ce\~‘ Cards, Music ! Providing a socially responsible marketplace supporting the work of the Peace 8: Justice Center 21 Church_Street Burlington 863-8326 Open Daily I Come Laugh Your Ass Off‘. with Janice Perry aka GAL and Tom “Murph” Murphy Friday, January 19, 1996 7 :00 PM Dibden Auditorium Johnson State College Tickets $12.00 For Reservations Call 635-7311 or 888-5256 Proceeds to benefit the Clarina Howard Nichols Center—Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. ~ ~ -~-~» — lfyou dont think you . need renters insurance, this Could change your tune. illli27$!'!;E'.l?I.’ii}l.ii1T(2iEl?;iI‘:t;T You're in gootlfig -863-3808 Ellen Heatherington 130 Prim Road - Colchestcr. VT 05446 D l|}~HItlluuic-l:.w.mu-tunnpani.S-mi-!-uni iiieum. sum -1:-rt‘-"'-.‘ '-"='~'i‘-1’--I-~ ---* January 1996