Newspaper Page Text
Civil Rights Commision To Look Into AIDS:
What are They Up To Now?
Washington - President Reagan's
controversial Civil Rights Commission is stirring
up suspicions in the minds of Civil Rights
activists, gay and lesbian groups and AIDS rights
groups. The Commission long criticized by
many, including congressional leaders for rolling
back progress on civil rights, has announced it
will begin holding hearings on AIDS next month.
Jeff Levi, Director of the National Gay and
LesbianTask Force in Washington told
Southern Voice that he will testify in the hearings,
GREGORY Z. SCHROEDER
Attorney At Law
General Practice, Criminal Defense, Bankruptcy, DUI
550 Pharr Rd., Suite333
The Pharr Center
Atlanta, Ga. 30305
even though he does not believe this is the proper
body to conduct a study on AIDS. It would be,
he said, "if this were a true Civil Rights
Commission."
The Commission has been the subject of
strong criticism by the Congress which has
consistently reduced its funding. Levi, a
Washington-based attorney and long-time
activist, said the Commission is biased and anti-
civil rights-not just for gays. That view is shared
by many on Capitol Hill. Several Congressmen
have recently questioned the need to spend
another $200,000, the estimated cost of the study,
when there's already a Presidential Commission
on AIDS working full
time on the problem.
Suspicions about the
true motives behind the
study are fueled by the
discovery of a memo
written by the Counsel
to Attorney General Ed
Meese. In the memo,
William Bradford
Reynolds urges the
Civil Rights
Commission to
"polarize the debate"
on AIDS and several
other subjects, saying
AIDS is not a civil
rights issue, but one of
404-231-5991
Franklin Abbott, L.C.S.W. jane DeM,. re, R.N., M.N., C.S.
Martha Lou Brock, L.C.S.W. Elaine Mueller, R.N., Ms.T.
Ansley Therapy Associates
Suite 120 • 1904 Monroe Drive • Atlanta, Georgia 30324
(404) 874-8294
"public health and safety."
Commenting on the statement, Levi said, "It
sets up a false dichotomy. It implies you can't
protect public health and civil rights at the same
time. In order to do good public health that
requires cooperation (from the public) you need
to protect civil rights." He said the memo by
Bradford Reynolds, which is probably one of the
main reasons behind the study, is anti-gay. That
is likely to set the tone for the hearings. For one
thing, Levi explained, they leave open the
question of whether AIDS is casually
transmitted. The hearings will consider
testimony from witnesses who will argue against
the scientifically accepted fact that AIDS cannot
be caught by having only casual contact with an
infected person.
Skepticism about the objectivity of the study
is shared by the American Civil Liberties Union.
Nevertheless, representatives of the ACLU and
the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force will
testify in the hearings scheduled for May 16th
through May 18th. They say they will at least
present their views to the Commission.
Levi, who will represent the NGLTF in the
hearings, told Southern Voice he thinks this is "a
last ditch attempt by the right wing people in the
Reagan administration to impose their values."
-F.G.
Jesse R. Peel, M.D.
General Psychiatry / Psychotherapy
120 Ralph McGill Blvd., Suite 820
Atlanta, Ga. 30308
(404) 885-1662
Lesbian/Gay
Pride Gears Up
for June
Atlanta-The Atlanta Lesbian and
Gay Pride Committee (ALGPC) in
conjunction with the Metropolitan
Atlanta Council of Lesbian and Gay
Organizations (MACGLO), announced
tentative plans for the week-long
celebraion of lesbian and gay pride,
scheduled for June 18th through the
26th.
According to Dale Biggers, of the
ALGPC Steering Committee, the week
will culminate in a parade from the
Civic Center to Piedmont Park, where
a "festive" air will prevail.
"We are going to have speakers, of
course, plus activities ranging from
volleyball to sunbathing. We are also
lining up entertainment for an evening
concert," said Biggers.
Activities currently being
coordinated by MACGLO-member
organizations include a prom night,
AIDS memorial services, sports
tournaments to include volleyball,
softball and bowling, a series of
theatrical productions produced by the
Southeastern Arts, Media and
Education Project, Inc. (SAME), and
an extended family-night dinner.
People interested in volunteering or
offering services may contact Biggers
at (404) 662-6748, or MACGLO at
(404) 633-4754.
Dare Tb Dream...
Dare lb Be...
A Celebration.
Human Rights Campaign Fund Gala
Honoring Congressman John Lewis
and the March on Washington Committee
Saturday, May 21,1988
Marriott Marquis
Black Tie Optional
$150.00 per person
51,500.00 per table (10 seats)
For Information
Call 261-1666/378-4443
Make Checks payable to
“HRCF” and send to:
1175 Cumberland Road, N.E.,
Atlanta, GA 30306.
Or Call To Charge
To MasterCard or VISA.
, CAMPAIGN FUND
Please support your localpolitical organizations: GAPAC and L.E.G.A. L.
Gay Cable Network
C©NVB4TKDNS‘88
bA'te /tete foocjgu.
GAY CABLE NETWORK, the nation's first television network
for the lesbian/gay community, will broadcast nightly
during the Democratic Convention in Atlanta via
satellite. 25 major cities will see the convention from a
gay/lesbian viewpoint.
To make this project a success, we need your help. We
need: production assistants, office space near the
convention site and accomodations and meals for our
36-member non-paid crew.
If you can help, contact Bill Kunkel at (404) 873-4661. He
will be in Atlanta for three days only - May 5,6 & 7.
For more info write or call:
GCN 32 Union Square East, Suite 1217
NYC, NY 10003 (212) 477-4220
Page 6