i’H j \\n 'inews criminal, while in a further 19, discriminatory sexual-offenses provisions remain on the statute books.” Only nine of the Council of Europe’s 41 member states ban anti-gay discrimination in the workplace, and only seven have registered- partnership laws. NEW ZEALAND he New Zealand networks TV3 and TV4 refused to air ads for the gay magazine OUT! during local broadcasts of the ground breaking British series Queer as Folk. The networks are owned by the Canadian company CanWest Global Communications Corp. The networks’ public relations manager, Michele Camilleri, told Wockner News the ads had been rated for post-midnight-only viewing by the Television Commercial Approvals Bureau, and that it is network policy to “usual ly” follow the bureau’s recommendations. “We are the only network in New Zealand that would commit to screening Queer as Folk, so it’s a little unfair [to pick on us],” said Camil leri. “We have to follow the TCAB.” OUT! publisher Tony Katavich said he had no idea how the ads caused offense, adding they were merely .still-slides of the magazine’s cover. (The magazine often features shirtless models on its cover.) Meanwhile Queer as Folk, which began air ing March 8, contains very explicit sex and lan guage.' For example, when one character comes out to his parents and his young nephews, he says: “I’m queer. I’m gay. I’m homo sexual. I’m a poof, I’m a poofter, I’m a ponce. I’m a bum- boy, batty-boy, back side-artist bugger.... 1 suck and I’m sucked. I rim them and wank them, and every single man’s had the flickin’ time of his life. And I am not a pervert.” Camilleri said some of the language and sex scenes had to be edited to meet New Zealand’s broadcast television standards. T RUSSIA our times more Russians contracted HIV in 1999 than in 1998, the health ministry’s AIDS specialist, Irina Savchenko, said March 2. An estimated 30,000 people with HIV are now officially registered, half of whom contract ed the virus last year. Ninety percent of those infected are young intravenous drug users, Savchenko said. The health ministry is preparing to launch a F april7.2000' new campaign together with Doctors Without Borders to promote safer sex and discourage drug use, officials said. UNITED KINGDOM ll three candidates for mayor of London said March 5 that police should cease harassment and arrests of men who have dis creet sex in washrooms, darkened parks and other cruising locations. In a meeting at the National Film Theatre sponsored by the Gay and Lesbian London group, Labour’s Frank Dobson said: “If they [the cops] are wasting their time roaming around public lavato ries or raiding clubs, they ought to have something better to do. It is the voyeur element which drives people on. They should not need to wear a uniform to do it.” Liberal Democrat Susan Kramer said: “We have to recognize when we allow little bits of intolerance, that begins to legitimize discrimina tion, which at its extreme end leads to homo phobia and hate crimes.” Tory Steve Norris echoed: “I am personally upset by police intervention in perfectly con sensual arrangements. I also believe the [police] disciplinary code should be amended so that internal homophobic activity is dealt with in the same way as racist offenses.” London’s estimated half-million gay men and lesbians are considered an important voting bloc. A ❖ ix members of the gay group OutRage zapped Scottish Roman Catholic Cardinal Thomas Winning as he spoke at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Hall in London on March 7. The protesters surrounded Winning and hoisted posters reading “Stop crucifying queers” and “Apologise for church homophobia.” Activist Peter Tatchell snatched away the microphone and denounced Winning’s support for anti-gay laws. Protester Huw Williams screamed: “It’s about time you stopped supporting discrimination!” Church workers ripped down the placards and tried unsuccessfully to hustle the protesters off the platform. The police were called and eventually the demonstrators left peacefully. N o rth P o rtlan d Veterinary Hospital * . Like any family member I t ' s tim e TO R E f R E s h youR our pets need good healthcare. At North Portland Veterinary / M EM O Ry Hospital, we provide the very best medical care along with > big doses of tenderness • and compassion. 285-0462 2009 N.Killingsworth .WWH.300CmB.C0M, S ■ Compiled by R ex WOCKNER , who has reported for the gay press since 1985. Fie has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Drake University and started his career as a radio reporter. I f Y ou ’ re L ooking F or S omeone W ho U nderstands , L ook N o F urther . Y ou’re an individual with unique financial needs and goals. A s hard as banks and other institutions try, traditional products sim ply are not right for you. Talk with Floreid Walker instead. A s a Senior Financial A dvisor, sh e ’s earned the trust o f individuals by treating them like individuals. With more than a decade o f experience in Financial Planning, IRAs, Roth IRAs, Insurance, C ollege Education Planning and so much m ore, sh e ’s ready to help put your future in focus. “ 2»M Financial Services President' s Counc i l be The people with a plan for you. For a personal financial plan, call: FLOREID WALKER Senior Financial Advisor 5 0 3 . 2 3 8 . 6 0 3 6 800.487.6626 Voicemail: 503.291.7713 500 N .E . Multnomah, Suite 278, Portland, OR 97232 w w w .w addell.com w w w .floreidw alker.com M em ber S I P C R e t i r e me n t P l a n s • Mu t u a l F u n d s • C o l l e g e P l a n n i n g 21