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J
Drug abuse
link in AIDS
transmission?
Studies independent of the Center for Dis­
ease Control indicate that drug and alcohol
abuse may be primary co-factors in AIDS
transmission. In a story published late last
year in the Wall Street Journal, Dr. H.W.
Haverkos of the National Institute of Health
reported that perhaps 79% of AIDS cases in
this country were linked to drug abuse. The
association between AIDS and drug usage
has gon e unnoticed because the CDC’s re­
porting techniques ignore gay IV drug use,
and don’t acknowledge pre-existing immune
system dam age by substance abuse.
The CDC reports homosexual and bisex­
ual men who test positive to the HTLV-III anti­
body, and who are also, or have been, IV drug
users simply as “homosexual” for statistical
purposes, which ignores the possible drug
link. It is estimated that 10-15% of gay men
with AIDS are also IV drug users, which
means that about one quarter of all AIDS
cases are IV drug related.
CDC reporting techniques also neglect to
inquire about other substance abuse.
Haverkos estimates at least 75% of AIDS pa­
tients in his study used oral “street drugs”
(poppers, marijuana, cocaine, uppers,
downers, etc.) and alcohol at least weekly,
which misuse leads to a weakened immune
system. Once the immune system is dam­
aged, the AIDS virus, if present has an in­
creased chance of developing into frank AIDS.
Sexual contact is still the primary avenue of
introduction to the HTLV-III virus for gay men,
but whether or not any individual will develop
AIDS seem s to depend on co-factors that
weaken the immune system. Dr. Haverkos'
study indicates that safer sex activities and
better health are necessary precautions
against AIDS.
“High R isk"
sex banned
The Los Angeles County Board of Examin­
ers last month passed an ordinance banning
‘‘high risk” sexual activities in adult book
stores, movie theatres, and bath-houses.
Supporters o f the measure claim it will slow
the spread of AIDS and save lives. The onus
o f enforcing the ordinance falls on owners of
the businesses in question — if those engag­
ing in forbidden activities are not expelled,
then authorities will close the business.
The ordinance specifically exempts hotels
and motels. New York State recently enacted
similar legislation, but did not exempt hotels
and motels.
Opponents claim the measure will only
drive “high risk” activities underground,
making them even less safe. The measure
also ignores recent medical findings which
suggest that certain co-factors unrelated to
sexual activity are present in AIDS transmis­
sion, such as IV and oral drug use, the use of
butyl nitrate (poppers) and alcohol abuse.
W ho's gay here?
The North Carolina Court of Appeals re­
cently ruled that the Asheville Police
Department must reinstate Police Officer
Warren, despite suspicions that he may be
gay. The court said the Police Department
cannot force an officer to take a lie detector
Just Out, February. 1986
/
test because a person's sexual orientation is
not related to his official duties.
Warren's roommate, Officer Warwick, had
accused Warren of soliciting him for oral sex.
When the Chief of Police confronted Warren
on the charges, he admitted that he had
made the solicitation only to confirm rumors
that Warwick was gay. He later refused to take
a polygraph examination.
Bay Windows
Executive order
protects
Washington gays
Washington State Governor Booth Gard­
ner on Christmas Eve signed an executive
order protecting state employees from dis­
crimination based on sexual orientation,
thereby fulfilling a campaign promise he
made in 1984.
Gardner was the third governor to sign
executive orders in 1985 protecting state-
employed gays and lesbians. Governors from
New Mexico and Rhode Island signed similar
orders. Governors of Pennsylvania, California,
New York, and Ohio had done so previously.
Fundamentalist Christians, currently orga­
nizing a referendum on King County’s (Seat­
tle) newly-passed gay rights ordinance, have
vowed to take action against Gardner’s ex­
ecutive order.
STARRY MIGHT
PRESENTS
FROM THE MOVIES
POLYESTER • ODOR A M A
LUST IN THE OUST
AND
PINK FLAMINGOS
LIVE
CONCERT
M ilitary medical
ethics are to
ethics a s ...
Last fail the military mandated HTLV-III
antibody testing for all members of the
armed forces. Military medical officers
explained that testing would be conducted to
prevent risk in the combat field where
em ergency transfusions might be required.
Those testing positive were to have been put
into non-combat status, and testing was to
remain confidential.
The consternation caused by the military’s
decision was heightened when the military
reversed itself by stating that those testing
positive would, in fact be discharged. A
further breach of stated policy was revealed
when a New York City health officer said that
military health officials had offered him ac­
cess to names of those who had tested posi­
tive. He refused the list The Pentagon later
stated that the lists would now only be avail­
able to certified health officials, upon requests.
Do yourself a favor
Edward Johnston of Atlanta, GA, reports
Gay Community News, angry at Jerry Falwell,
programm ed his home computer to call
Falwell’s toll-free line every 30 seconds for
eight months. The calls, which might have
cost Falwell's T h e Old Time Gospel Hour”
as much as $ 1 each, may have totaled as
much as $700,000. Johnson’s local access
supplier, Southern Bell, threatened to discon­
nect his service and Falwell’s attorneys are
investigating legal action.
The numbers, for those wishing to contri­
bute, are 1-800-826-1234 for the Moral Ma­
jority and 1 -800-446-5000 for the Old Time
Gospel Hour.
DIVINE
FIRST PORTLAND APPEARANCE EVER!!
WED. FEB. 18 • 8:30
FULL BAR AVAILABLE
STARRY NIGHT
8 N.W. 6th Ave.
ADVANCE TIX. $10.50
AT: Downtown Galleria Jean Machine,
And All G.l. Joe's Outlets
5