Newspaper Page Text
SOUTHERN
VOCE
Hiss Gay
Atlanta
Payeant
Returns February 26th
See Page 6
Vol. 1, No. 26 Taking Pride in Our Culture February 16,1989
Ga. Insurance Commission
Forbids "Lifestyle" Questions
Atlanta - The Georgia Insurance
Commission released a regulation on
February 15 that prohibits insurance
companies from asking questions about
potential buyers' lifestyles, including
sexual orientation, living arrangements,
occupation, territorial classification and
ZIP Code.
Deputy Insurance Commissioner Stan
Miner said the regulation allows for
medical background questioning, but
questions regarding symptoms cannot go
back more than 10 years. Also, the fact
that a person seeks counseling for AIDS-
related concerns cannot determine
ineligibility for insurance coverage.
Another section of the regulation states
that all questions the insurance companies
ask must be phrased to elicit a clear,
factual response. An insurance company
cannot ask a person if he or she has been
exposed to AIDS, since "exposed" is not
defined in the question.
The regulation also prohibits insurance
companies from reducing policy benefits
because an insured person is diagnosed
with AIDS or ARC. No riders or policy
amendments can be made as a result of
the diagnosis.
As the result of a bill passed last year, a
notice and consent form was developed
for HIV antibody testing. The form
explains the HTV testing procedure, states
the right of the insured to receive a copy
of the test results and correct any mistakes
that may appear. Confidentiality is
addressed in the form as well. It states
that a medical laboratory will be
responsible for the testing. The results are
sent directly to the insurance company,
and possibly its affiliates, as well as the
medical information bureau. However, if
test results are positive, the medical
information bureau receives a generic
code indicating a nonspecific blood test
abnormality.
- Wendy Morse
ABA Resolution Calls For Civil
Rights Protections for Gays
Denver, Col-The policy-making body
of the American Bar Association (ABA)
approved a wide-ranging resolution urging
its members to support anti-discrimination
legislation for gays and lesbians.
The resolution passed the 400-member
House of Delegates on February 6 by
more than a 2-to-l margin after several
hours of debate, which one delegate called
"an education process".
"People shouldn’t be
discriminated against
arbitrarily. The purpose of
the resolution was to
protect a class of citizens,
not force their sexual
orientation upon others."
-William Ide
The ABA is the largest association of
lawyers in the world, according to
spokeswoman Dianne Banis. Although
members are not obligated to follow the
resolution, she said it will have "a great
impact".
The resolution urges members to push
for legislation protecting gays and lesbians
from discrimination in housing,
employment and public accommodations
on the federal, state and local levels.
William Ide, an Atlanta attorney and
member of the ruling Board of Governors,
said many of the delegates were fearful
that "they would be forced to accept a
sexual orientation that they wouldn't
approve of.
"There was a need for education," Ide
said. "People shouldn't be discriminated
against arbitrarily. The purpose of the
resolution was to protect a class of
citizens, not force their sexual orientation
upon others."
Ide said that the Board of Governors
refused to recommend the resolution to
the full House of Delegates on a 12-to-14
vote. The Board of Governors can only
make recommendations to the House of
Delegates, according to Ide, but he said
the House normally goes along with the
Board. He said that he was surprised,
therefore, at the final vote, and said he had
"thought it would be much closer".
Ide was a leader in speaking for the
resolution. He did not know how the rest
of the Georgia delegation had voted on the
measure.
- Chris Duncan
Kowalski to Thompson: "I Love You"
Sharon Kowalski was reunited with her lover, Karen Thompson, after four years
of seperation forced on them by Kowalski's father after her automobile accident.
Sharon Kowalski saw ha- lover, Karen Thompson, on February 2 for the first time since
August, 1985. Kowalski, who did not know why her partner had not been to see her previously,
typed out "I Love You" on her alphabet board just prior to the end of their visit
The couple spent the next day together, and Thompson attended all of Kowalski’s therapy
sessions. Thompson said that Kowalski was extremely responsive to all her exercises, laughed a
lot, and was consistently alert
"She did as well as I ever hoped she would do," said Thompson.
Kowalski and Thompson have been kept apart since Kowalski's father Donald learned of the
couple's lesbian relationship shortly after the automobile accident that disabled Kowalski.
Thompson has led a nationwide fight since 1984 to obtain proper rehabilitative care for
Kowalski and to regain visitation rights with her.
Dr. Dorothy Rappel, a psychologist working with Kowalski, reportedly told Thompson that she
had discussed the couple's long separation just prior to Thompson's visit In reply to a question as to
why she thought Thompson had not been to see her recently, Kowalski is said to have responded
'Too far?" She uses an alphabet board to communicate since she has lost her ability to speak.
Kowalski learned the truth of their separation from Dr. Rappel, and "got tears in her eyes" when
she saw Thompson for the first time.
Thompson said that the tendons in Kowalski's feet had become so tight that she doubted even
surgery could return them to their proper 90 degree angle. "I can't believe that anyone could let ha-
get like that," she said "She may not ever be able to stand again. It was not necessary."
Thompson brought a large birthday card from "many dozens" of well-wishers in Colorado with her to
the hospital. The card, which had been circulated and signed as part of National Free Sharon Kowalski
Day, seemed to contuse Kowalski, who was unaware of the pressure brought to bear on her behalf.
"She doesn't understand yet why all of these people from faraway places are saying these
wonderful things, but she’s very excited by it"
Kowalski's doctors will provide the judge in the case with a report within 60 days. Ultimately,
the judge will decide what the next step for Kowalski will be.
"My goal is for Sharon to be moved from here to a place that's transitional to independent living,"
Thompson said. "I see no reason why Sharon has to spend the rest of ha life in an institution."
-Chris Duncan