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.
•
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Ju st Out. 13. August. 1987