f * ’ S' r •»* * vl * liu ta n 8 ▼ jwn* 18. 1 9 9 9 ▼ Just out A rouse Gorge Concert Package Package includes—one night Hallmark Inn Resort in Moses Lake, Washington; two reserved seats to concert; gourmet snack basket B onnie R aitt B each Boys Lyle L o v ett P e te r, P au l & M ary Jul 8 Jul 29 Aug 12 Aug 20 Gay rights law signed by Rhode Island governor $260 $255 $280 $260 Your Rate is for two persons Atlantis Vacations July 15-22 Sonora Bay (near Hermosilo, Mexico) All inclusive resort— Package includes three meals a day—air conditioned accomodations—sports equipment—entertainm ent- tips gratuities and resort taxes... S enses Last month Rhode Island became the ninth state to provide lesbians and gay men with basic protections against discrimination, when Gov. Lincoln Almond signed a bill prohibiting dis crimination in employment, housing, credit and public accommodations. Rhode Island joins an elite group of states that include sexual orienta tion in anti-discrimination laws. The other states are California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachu setts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont and Wis consin. The District of Columbia also prohibits such discrimination. Black and White Men Together celebrates 15 years $895 PPDO Special air rates for this package, roommate matching available Call for brochure EÇŒNTIAL lotions & oils 3638 SE H aw thorne, 97214 9 236-7976 710 NW 23rd Avenue. 97210 8 248-9748 BIAN CH I ♦ CANNONDALC It does make a difference! O ur 12 Month Service Policy saves J you time, money .and grief v v ■■■ ■ IV# B i k e s F o r F t U — N ! TARVER Our leisure experts will help you plan your vacation, Christmas Vacation, Wedding and more! GIVE US A CALL! national news 91 5 STATI ST L A R I O S W IO O •3 8 -3 5 3 1 9 3 5 s w lo t h DOWNTOWN 3 3 7 -3 5 3 5 D IA M O N D BA CK ♦ SCOTT 1995 marks the 15th anniversary of the found ing of the National Association of Black and White Men Together. A celebration in honor of the anniversary will be held at the association’s annual convention, the Crystal Celebration, which will be held in Key West, Fla., from July 16 to 22. Black and White Men Together got its start in San Francisco in 1980 with an ad in The Advocate that asked for people interested in forming a group of black and white gay men who were interracially oriented. The association now boasts 30 chapters nationwide. For information, call 1-800-NA4-B WMT. Maine legislature rejects discrimination bill The Judiciary Committee of the Maine Legis lature voted 13-0 to kill a bill that would deny lesbians and gay men protection from discrimina tion. The Legislature’s rejection of the citizen- initiated bill sends the measure to referendum on the November ballot. Opponents of the measure claim that it would also limit protections for groups such as veterans, smokers, hunters, civil service employees and others who currently re ceive special protections under Maine law. Helms blocks Ryan White CARE Act Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) is at it again. This time Helms is holding up billions of dollars tar geted for AIDS prevention and treatment pro grams. Using a behind-the-scenes technique known as a “hold,” Helms’ actions prevent the Senate from voting to reauthorize the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Emergency Resources Act. Helms was one of only four senators to oppose the Ryan White CARE Act when it first passed in 1990. A “hold” is a private notification to Senate leaders that a senator intends to filibuster against a particular bill if it is brought to the Senate floor. A “hold” can be overcome by either modifying the bill to overcome a senator’s objections or by gathering at least 60 votes to override a filibuster. California governor razes affirmative action Gov. Pete Wilson, yet another Republican presidential hopeful, has begun dismantling scores of affirmative action policies that give prefer ences to women and minorities in hiring for state government jobs, contracts and education. Ac cording to a Reuter news service story, Wilson signed an executive order June 1 that heralds the beginning of his crusade to end affirmative ac tion. His order repeals three executive orders signed by previous governors, including Ronald Reagan. Wilson, a staunch supporter of the infamous Proposition 187, which sparked anti-immigrant sentiment across the United States and helped Wilson win re-election to the California gover norship, is expected to make the dismantling of affirmative action a major issue in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. AIDS on rise among black and Latino gay men A dramatic rise in AIDS among gay men who are African American or Latino or who live out side urban gay communities such as San Fran cisco and New York was reported in June by federal health officials. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the largest increase in gay-transmitted AIDS cases occurred among Southern African Americans. That rate more than doubled between 1989 and 1994. A Reuter story reported that the rate of AIDS among sexually active gay men rose 69 percent in rural areas, as opposed to a 19 percent increase in large cities. In New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles the infection rate among white men fell 3 to 20 percent. At the same time, the rate for black men in those cities rose approximately 50 percent. From 1989 through the first half of 1994 the rate of gay-transmitted AIDS increased 79 per cent among African American men, 61 percent among Latino men, and 14 percent among white men. 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