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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 1988)
R Anti-discrimination measures mandated in city, county scriptions. Steve’s idea is something to work hard on in the coming year. Both the city and the county are halfway there already. The Oregonian 1320 SW Broadway Portland. Oregon 97201 AZT inefficient suicide vehicle To the Editor: If Ballot Measure 8 was a referendum on homosexuality as its supporters have stated, then it is clear from the election results that voters within Multnomah County have, by the same logic, “ endorsed the homosexual life style.“ The Multnomah County vote was 54% against Measure 8 (and thus “ for homo sexuality” ). and the percentage was even higher within the City of Portland. Therefore, to be fair to everyone, the local minority of Measure 8 backers cannot now logi cally object, should the Portland City Council and the Multnomah County Commission vote to enact ordinances barring discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation within their jurisdictions. The supporters of Measure 8 chose to broaden the issue from their opposition to the governor's executive order to a wider referendum issue on gay people in general, and now they must live w ith the result. As a result of this vote, the majority of citizens of the city and the county who voted against Measure 8 have effectively called for the passage of comprehensive anti- discrimination ordinances. There should be no delay in this process. To the Editor: As a person with AIDS who has been taking AZT for a year with no side effects. I was rather amazed by Ian Young’s article in the October issue. While many of his premises are correct. I believe his conclusions are preposterous. Also, he writes about the facts concerning AZT and its use as though he is revealing a pack of deep, dark secrets to the gay community, but these facts are well known (or should be) to anyone whose physician prescribes AZT. Yes, AZT is a highly toxic drug. Yes, many people who take AZT have serious side effects, usually acute anemia requiring frequent trans fusions (the physicians of such patients usually take them off AZT or reduce their dosage under these circumstances). Yes. Burroughs- Wellcome is making a mint off the outrageous price of AZT. AZT is not a cure for AIDS; it is not even much of a treatment. But it is one of the best hopes people with AIDS have seen in our fight against the virus. Certainly one thing I never expected was to have my struggle for survival lambasted from within the gay community. But according to his article, Mr. Young has decided that we are not fight ing for our lives, but are instead • yielding to two sinister forces: our own self-destructive tendencies and a government scheme to exterminate gay people by poisoning our bone marrow. He seems to have forgotten about the thousands of heterosexuals with AIDS who are Steve Fosler Northwest Portland Editor s note: This letter, printed in The Oregonian, certainly bears repeating for all those people who canceled their Big O sub- taking AZT. Further, if I intend to commit suicide. I have a great many means more effec tive than taking AZT; indeed, to stop taking AZT would probably be faster. He has also concluded, by some train of logic which I am unable to discern, that because those of us taking the full dosage of AZT (two capsules every four hours) must wake up in the middle of the night to maintain the regimen, we are submitting to some form of mind control. Mr. Young is unclear as to how this plot is being executed, but J must take exception to the remarks of the unnamed “ authority” he cites in an attempt to support his theory. I may awaken for my middle-of-the-night dose in a "curious state of unreality,” but that state frequently does not lend itself to any sense of “ sexual asceti cism” — quite the opposite, most of the time. I also do not possess, nor have I ever heard of, the beeper box described in the article. Mr. Young’s theories are certainly interesting. I believe, however, that they would be more appropriately placed on the editorial page of Just Out. I would like to say more on this subject, but I have exceeded my 250-word limit. Russell Budd Portland Editor replies: It's the ‘ ‘should’ ’ that bugs me. Information on prescribed drugs is available, but is it always shared — in simple, laymen’s terms — with persons who may be panic stricken upon learning o f HIV infection? Are the dangers o f AZT toxicity always shared with persons who are urged to accept — because of their ' ‘lifestyle’ ’ — treatment with AZT? S New Alliance Party addresses disenfranchised To the Editor: The Just Out endorsement of Dr. Lenora B. Fulani was an indication that the message of progressive, independent politics is getting through to disenfranchised people. Just as Just Out reaches a broad range of Oregon’s gay and lesbian population, the Fulani message was aimed at this audience. Also the Fulani campaign addressed and continues to address the needs of the homeless, under- educated, uninsured, people of color, native Americans victimized by treaty - breaking politics and peoples of all races, creeds and backgrounds who are without a voice in the political process. The message of the New Alliance Party is that the political future of this country will be focused through the vision of an independent third party and that this party exists and has exhibited its ability to produce. The New Alliance Party in Oregon thanks Just Out for its support in 1988 and hopes that the support we got from the gay and lesbian community will continue and that we can all work together on the issues of common concern facing us ahead. Harold F. Moore New Alliance Party Portland When supporting our advertisers mention Just Out. Announcing a new, unique service I AGATHA PET SERVICES j Discover the Fine Art of American Craft In-Your-Home Pet Sitting i S ; * ; j { • E ver worried about boarding out your pet ? • Ever wished you knew someone trustworthy to care fo r your pet at home, instead o f leaving him/her in a foreign environment? • Ever had to travel out o f town unexpectedly? • Ever cut short a visit to return home to care for your pet ? ; • i ! AGATHA PET SERVICES is licensed to \ provide care fo r your pet in your home. AGATHA PET SERVICES is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 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