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letters to the Peasant, ACT UP's reputation
for using highly visible, public confronta
tion is public knowledge.
In response to ACT UP's February 5 let
ter, Nygren stated that March 1 would be
the soonest he would have definite word on
"some alternative that would change the
current AIDS cap."
"The negotiations have proven produc
tive for both the employees and the compa
ny," said McVay. "Though the date for the
removal of the cap has not be set, we were
able to supply the Peasant with the name of
Allied Benefits, a third party administrator
that is gay-friendly and refuses to set caps.
And the Peasant has indicated its willing
ness to begin AIDS education and support
groups for their employees. This indicates
very positive change."
Lawrence Wilneff, President of Allied
Benefits, wrote to ACT UP, "We recognize
that HIV can affect anyone. ...any limita
tion that would restrict individuals from
receiving the same benefit structure for
HIV, is prejudicial and unfair."
Wilneff also stated that company policy
is "we will not administer any plan that has
such a limitation."
ACT UP/Atlanta representatives plan to
meet again next week with Peasant princi
pals to continue developing a time line for
expected changes.
But, because ACT UP makes its deci
sions by group process, it is not yet clear
whether the group will vote to continue to
negotiate with the Peasant and/or call for
more public action.
Sodomy Flames Out
in GA Legislature
Martin calls for "good will" among
groups fighting for repeal
The archaic Sodomy law that sent Michael
Hardwick to the Supreme Court and Michael
Mosley to jail remains in effect in Georgia. By
a vote of 6444 the Georgia House has voted
to reject HB 1380, a bill that would have
legalized private, consensual sexual acts
between adults regardless of their sexual ori
entation.
But the bill that was defeated was not the
same one that Fulton Representatives Jim
Martin and Cynthia McKinney had shepherd
ed through Committee and on to the floor of
the House.
Shortly before the vote, Rep. Wesley Dunn
of McDonough amended HB 1380 to exclude
homosexuals. The vote on Dunn's amendment
was a far more lopsided 87-22.
The Special Judiciary Committee voted to
send HB 1380 to the full House rather than a
bill introduced by Rep. Billy McKinney.
(Cynthia's father) that would have legalized
sodomy between consenting heterosexuals.
ACT UP Atlanta had organized an intensive
phone lobbying campaign directed at the
Committee in the week prior to its vote.
Cynthia McKinney said she was surprised
the measure didn't pass the House after she
and Martin had arranged with House Speaker
Tom Murphy to get the bill on to the floor on
the 19th day of the session thus avoiding a trip
through the Rules Committee and allowing a
vote by hand rather than one that would be
recorded.
Martin and other observers point to
Murphy's actions as an indication of his will
ingness, in an admittedly passive way, to see
legislation like H.B. 1380 passed. Publicly of
course, Speaker Murphy continues to distance
himself from the issue and homosexuals.
Martin said that he, too, had hopes that the
bill would clear the House, but added he
doubted it would have gotten through the
Senate or across the Governor's desk.
Responding to criticism that his speaking
on behalf of the bill may have contributed to
its failure, Martin admitted his decision to
explain the legislation to the House may have
been an error. But he said that he preferred to
have been honest about the nature of the bill
rather than having fellow legislators feel
manipulated into voting for a law that they
could later claim the didn't fully understand.
One cynical observer countered with,
"That sounds great, but is the issue playing
fair or getting the law passed?"
The chaotic atmosphere that prevails dur
ing Georgia's annual 40 day legislative session
lends itself to the kind of tactics that Martin
chose not to use.
The twin themes of hindsight and blame
have run hot and heavy through this year's
attempt to repeal Georgia's sodomy law. With
both gay and mainstream media questioning
the appropriateness of various strategies (par
ticularly ACT UP's raucous demonstration on
the Capital steps) for repeal. Responding to
questions on that issue, local activist Cathy
Woolard said that those who used their disap
proval of such actions to rationalize opposi
tion to the bill were simply "masking their
homophobia".
"It makes me so damn mad and I don’t
think there's any hope (of repeal)," offered
one gay man (who requested anonymity) on
hearing of the bill's amendment and defeat.
"I want to go punch Tom Murphy in the
nose," said a lesbian (also anonymous), "but
then what good would that do ? Hell, at least,
I’d feel better."
Acknowledging the generally angry and/or
defeatist tone expressed by many, Martin said
that he has been working on this issue for
seven years and feels it will be at least 1993
before repeal is likely. "There are three things
that those seeking repeal must not do: give up;
blame each other (for defeat); and not work
together," he cautioned.
Woolard echoed Martin's sentiments
adding that communication on repeal this year
had been "too little, too late." "(Interested
community members and organizations) need
to articulate a plan and agree to work towards
that plan. This is too big a deal for any one
group," she concluded.
More news on pages 19 and 20
1510-1
Piedmont Ave.
876-1557
ANSLEY SQUARE
MlSaints
Metropolitan Community
Church
proudly announces a
Spiritual %enczual
with
Reverand Elder
Troy Perry
Founder of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan
Community Churches
Friday - Sunday
February 16,17,18 of 1990
SERVICE TIMES:
Friday 7:30 PM
Saturday 7:30 PM
(Pot Luck Dinner at 5:30 PM)
Sunday 5:00 PM
The Rev. Stephen Fund, Pastor
575 Boulevard, S.E., Tel. (404) 622-1154
February 15,1990 • Southern Voice/3