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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1987)
i i Just news Legislative wrap up Blood drive good, but not great M W margin between Republicans and Demo crats" in the House in Salem. Because of B Y W . C . M c R A E the narrow Democratic majority in the House (31 to 29). many Democrats who B Y A N T~ r A F L O V D were sympathetic did not want to see a edia commentators have been busy floor vote because of a perception that a passing judgement on the 1987 ere they swimming at Oregon legislative session (the Oregonian partisan Democratic vote might jeopardize Sauvie Island?” gave the legislature a “ B” ). For the gay key Democratic seats in rural areas. That ’s the question I keep asking myself community, however, some issues made Democrats from urban areas “ didn’t want whenever I think about the latest All to see it [ HB 23251 defeat Democrats from the grade, others didn’t. Some results: Women 's Blood Drive. Out of the 166 HB 2067 — which revised the existing elsewhere. Safe Democrats didn't want to women who pledged to give blood on June bring it up for fear that it may have meant quarantine statute, passed both houses. 30th at the YWCA only 115 actually losing control of the House next session. The revised statute provides due process showed up to donate blood. Disappoint guarantees and informed consent before Republicans, on the other hand, wanted to ing. to say the least, because we were 2 bring it up so they could turn it into an the health division can quarantine. The bill pints short of meeting our goal. Even so. issue next election. I’ve never seen a also guarantees confidentiality of HIV test the attitude of the blood drive was success session like it: everything had to do with results gamed through quarantine pro ful. We had 13 first time donors, which cedures. keeping or gaining the House." tells me that our recruiters did an excel Although both Governor Goldschmidt SB 583 — which enacts a high risk insurance pool, passed both houses. This and Secretary of State Barbara Roberts bill was part of the larger HIV/AIDS Pol publicly urged passage of the bill. Rem icy Committee recommendations which ington says that “ Neil stuck to his short called for the creation of a special insur list" of legislative priorities that empha sized economic recovery. Remington adds ance fund to be made available for persons unable to qualify for conventional health that she was disappointed in the response of other minority groups. Other oppressed coverage. The creation of the risk pool was groups did not seem to consider the exten a compromise reached between insurance sion of civil rights to gays and lesbians a underwriters, who wanted the right to use priority. However, response from the gay the HIV antibody test to screen health pol community and its supporters, such as Pa icy applicants, and activists who charged rents FLAG, was tremendous. “ Several that testing would deny health coverage to people came out to their legislators. Others . i individuals in high risk categories. Under testified at the Committee hearings. It was the recommendations, insurance under terribly brave,” says Remington. “ I was writers could demand HIV antibody test terribly moved.” results as a prerequisite for individual “ There will be a next time,” according insurance policies (but not for group in to Remington. The ACLU board has re surance policies) as long as a high risk confirmed civil liberty protection for les insurance pool exists to provide health in bians and gay men as an ACLU priority. It surance coverage to those who test positive. has also created a special committee of the The HIV/AIDS Policy Committee re board to examine AIDS and civil liberties commendations were all adopted, and. issues. “ We must continue the momen according to attorney Ted Falk, who served tum.” says Remington. “ Active groups on the committee. “ If anything, they were must continue to meet. We have to get made tougher.'' The recommendations outside Portland and Eugene and get en were amended to require informed consent dorsements in the press, and develop a for HIV antibody testing: provisions guar speakers bureau to address groups in out anteeing confidentiality of test results were lying areas Besides the Right to Privacy extended to include employers; and provi PAC. other supportive groups w ho publish sions were made to allow individuals to their results of candidate questionnaires sue for damages due to breaches of confi must ask legislators their positions on gay dence regarding lest results. rights, so that their answers can be a matter SB 994 — which would have required of record ” • an HI V antibody test in order to obtain a DISCOVER marriage license, passed the Senate but died in the House. However, some of the bill's provisions were amended to the HIV/AIDS Policy Committee recommen dations. $ 1.2 million dollars was allocated to conduct a blind study (i.e.. at random, rustees of Every woman’s Company without personal signifiers) of HIV anti are calling a final meeting of the body positive in the general population; organization to discuss transfer of funds to to conduct a similar blind study in the the Lesbian Community Project. The as state's prison population; to develop an sembly will be held in the meeting room at AIDS educational curriculum; and to con Old Wives Tales Restaurant (1300 E. duct an HIV antibody positivity study Burnside) on August 13, at 7 p.m. using personal identifiers of individuals After several sessions last summer, convicted of sex offenses. The latter provi trustees decided to await the outcome of sion allows the state to mandate HIV anti the Lesbian Community Project conference body for sex offenders, and allows in November to see if an ongoing organza- the state access to information on the HIV tion developed. Everywoman’s Company status of sex offenders w ho are under the trustees now believe that transferring the jurisdiction of the Corrections Division funds to LCP is an appropriate course of (i.e., for felony sex offenders). action but will not preclude further dis HB 2325 — which would have added bursement by LCP. sexual orientatun to existing civil rights The purpose of the August 13 meeting statutes, died in the House Judiciary Com w ill be to share information and hear com mittee ACLU executive Director Stevie A Shop munity feedback All interested parties are Remington said diat the real problem fac and Gallen welcome to attend. • ing passage of e bill “ was the narrow lent job. The food donations were great. Susie Sheppard's brownies were definitely a hit And the volunteers are to be commended for a job well done, working 2-4 hours each in the 90° plus heat. Thank goodness for fans, even if they only moved the hot air around! The next drive is scheduled for Tuesday. December 22nd, at the YWCA, down town. This is another very critical period for the collection of blood because ot the relative closeness to the Christmas holi days. If the Red Cross contacts you to donate blood, as Fin certain they will, please be aware to not donate w ith them or another sponsor after October 1st, so that you may participate in the 5th All Women’s Blood Drive. • M a^ I Help You ? h o u s e k e e p in g e&traordinare appointment 775-9021 owner ma££ie bra$$ ART GLASS Every woman's Company to disperse funds T THE FINE ART OF AMERICAN CRAFT Colortul, Uandblown W ork bv Some of America’s Best 4 Glass Studios. The Real Mother Goose Washington Square 620-224A S W 9th & Yamhill 22V9SK) Ju st Out. 13. August. 1987
