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SOUTHERN VOICE • DECEMBER 29/1994 AROUND THE NATION Congressman, Activists Hurl Drinks: Rep. Steve Gunderson (R-Wis.) got into an altercation with D.C. activists Michael Petrelis and Steve Michael on Dec. 17 over the congressman's refusal to sponsor the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and the AIDS Cure Act. During the fray, Michael dumped a glass of beer on Gunderson's head and Gunderson flung a cocktail at Petrelis, who had poured a Coca-Cola on Gunderson's head at a gay bar in 1991. The latest incident occurred at the Green Lantern, an S/M bar in Washing ton, D.C. Gunderson has spoken openly about longtime companion Rob Morris but has never said openly that he is gay. "If he is not going to use his political power to advance responsible gay and AIDS bills in the House, then he should not expect a friendly reception when patroniz ing gay establishments," said Petrelis. Police Investigate Murder Of Transvestite: Police investigating the death of a transvestite who was married to a Washington state sailor have said they are un sure whether the victim's gender identity was a factor in the killing. Navy Petty Officer Steven Ladwig found the body of Terrie Ladwig—also known as Larry Earl Thompson—in their Con cord, Calif., apartment after returning from a tour of duty aboard the USS Parche. He is not a suspect in the killing, police said. Ladwig said the pair had dated for about four months before he discovered his partner was a man. "I was kind of confused, but I wasn't upset/' he said. "I consider her full female. I'm not gay. I don't feel that way. It wasn't really a sexual relation. We were friends. I was lonely, she was lonely. Mostly we enjoyed each other's company." Military officials are investigating the incident, including Steven Ladwig's sexuality. The investigation could take some time because officials are unsure if Ladwig falls under the military's anti-gay "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Former N.H. State Rep. Hospitalized With AIDS: Former New Hamp shire state Rep. Alphonse Plourde, active in HIV/ AIDS issues while in the legislature, has been hospitalized with AIDS-related complications. Plourde was admitted Dec. 6 in seri ous condition, but is improving and was expected to be released last week. He said he had not previously admitted having AIDS because he "didn't want to be a single-issue candi date. I never planned to keep it a secret," he said. "Sometimes it's almost like living a lie. It's far more comfortable to be in the open with things like this." Plourde, former chair of a 22-member legislative task force on AIDS, lost his reelection bid in November. His defeat was blamed partly on his move into a more conservative district and partly on being too ill to campaign. Man Plea-Bargains In Anti-Lesbian Attacks: Gilberto Arrendondo, charged with hate crimes in assaults on two lesbians in Salt Lake City, pleaded guilty Dec. 12 to reduced charges as part of a plea-bargain arrangement. Arrendondo was charged with assaulting Cecilia Rinehart, whom he said flirted with his wife, in April and an Octo ber assault on Rinehart and Rose Padilla. Arrendondo pleaded guilty to third-degree felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor assault, in exchange for dismissal of several other charges. Padilla said she was disappointed that Arrendondo ducked the hate-crime con viction. "A lot of people in this state get hurt because of their sexual origin," she said. "I live with a woman who is a lesbian, and Mr. Arrendondo didn't like that fact. He hurt me and the woman I love." Arrendondo is the first person in Salt Lake County to be charged with a hate crime. Olympia, Wash., Passes Domestic Partner Ordinance: The Olym pia, Wash., City Council has extended benefits to the domestic partners of city employees, effective in January. Passage of the ordinance came after nearly two years of research, and little opposition was heard during public hearings on Nov. 15. The state Christian Coali tion chapter, headquartered in Olympia, has not presented an organized response to the ordinance. Olympia Mayor Bob Jacobs said that the move was a matter of common sense. "We are providing these benefits under the same rationale that we provide benefits for a spouse or children—that is to relieve a burden of stress off the employee who must be concerned about members of the household," he told the Seattle Gay News. San Francisco Gets Transgendered Rights: The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Dec. 12 to add a provision to the city's human rights ordinance to ban discrimination based on gender identity in housing, public businesses, employment and social services. The move came after the city's Human Rights Commis sion released a report on discrimination against transgendered people and recommended the clause. All wet? Rep. Steve Gunderson got in a drink fight at a D.C. gay bar BAD HAIR DAY. With its rack-and-pinion steering, rally- bred suspension and legendary turbo charged engine,* the Saab 900 Convert ible is specially formulated for flyaway hair. See us for a test drive. Hix Green SAAB 5900 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. 455-1100 COURTNEY nr JAMES, LTD. C^ine Custom ’Jr raming m* Shifts • decorative Sdc ccessories Complimentary Cift Til)rapping (Service 20% Off Holiday Framing CATES CENTER 110 E. ANDREWS DRIVE, NW ATLANTA, GA • 233-8968