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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 5, 2003)
december 5. 2003 < news Violence Prevention Act of 2000, a California law prohibiting discrimination against public schixil students on the basis of sexual orientation. Under the settlement, the district admitted no guilt but agreed to put in place an amended anti- discrimination policy, provide training for teachers and other school staff on issues of anti-discrimina tion and diversity, and provide educational pro grams for students at all grade levels on respecting diversity. It also will pay Massey $45,000. “I’m hoping this inspires other people to take a stand when they feel they haven’t been treat ed right or when they see someone treated unfairly,” she said. “It’s not right tor anyKxly to have to go through this.” rs io rt liw e s t N 'u r t l i w c s i Non liwest Jort liw est N i o r t liw e s t plant is not based on g<xxl medicine or sound science, and it may cost him his life.” William jean Gixigh, 46, was denied a liver transplant shortly after being accepted as a candi date in August by the transplant ream at the Thomas E. Stanl Transplant Institute because Medicaid said the procedure was not "medically necessary.” The institute is a part of University of Pittsburgh and has performed transplant surgeries on people with HIV tor years. Gough suffers from advanced liver disease and is often not well enough to care for himself because of the ailment. According to Gorenberg, M edicaid’s justifi cation is simply untrue. "It’s flat-out wrong that liver transplants for people with HIV are experim ental and have unfavorable ou t comes,” she said. "T here’s a solid and growing Kxly of scientific and medical evidence that clearly shows HIV does not significantly affect the outcom e o f liver transplantation.” NATIONAL he Centers for Disease Control and T Ì Prevention released a report Nov. 20 showing a rise in U.S. syphilis rates among men, particularly men who have sex with men, for the second year in a row. This trend is of great concern to AIDS activists, as it offers more evidence that HIV trans mission is continuing to increase as well. T h e new C D C data underscore the need for additional research to explore the factors th a t have led to this resur gence in syphilis. H ealth care providers believe drug use— crystal m etham pheta- m ine, in particular— plays a key role in prom oting syphilis am ong urban w hite m en w ho have sex w ith men. A d d itio n al research is needed around the factors th a t are driving th e disproportionate prevalence of syphilis infections am ong Toni A tkins is San Diego’s first queer deputy mayor com m unities of color. T he C D C ’s report did contain some good penly lesbian San Diego City Councilor news: Specifically targeted government efforts, Toni A tkins was appointed deputy mayor in 2000, to reduce syphilis among women and Dec. 1 by Mayor Dick Murphy, becoming the African Americans appear to have been moder- first member of the sexual minorities communi- ately successful. AIDS activists believe that ty to hold this position in San Diego. when resources are aimed at localities hardest “I’m honored that Mayor M urphy has hit by an epidemic, knowledge increases, and appointed me to this esteemed position, and I’m more people come forward for testing, diagnosis grateful for the support of my fellow council and treatment. members," she said. “In a purely historical con- “It is imperative th a t th e C D C empower text, it’s incredibly humbling and at the same local community-based organizations to stem time empowering to be the first of anything, so I the tide of new syphilis and HIV infections," accept this appointment proudly and share this said A na Oliveira, Gay M en’s H ealth Crisis honor not only with members of the LGBT com- executive director. “It is also im portant to munity but all the residents of the Third District.” allow frank discussions of sexual behavior and T he deputy’s duties include running City drug use in language that has been proven Council meetings in the mayor’s absence and most appropriate to reach com m unities that meeting with visiting dignitaries and represent are at risk. ” j n ing the city at official government, civic and Compiled by News Editor JlM R aix 'STA, who can s<x:ial functions when the mayor is out of town or has a scheduling conflict. A tkins will hold be reached at jim@justout.com. the position until Dec. 6, 2004. T i U 'ÌCA S I m p e n 'ts ( *41 / it ( v . and t 816 NW 23rd Avenue Portland, OR 97210 ! Ph/Fx: (503) 295-7965 B * ! ... im p A* Keen in V ogue, Allure, Shape ami Family Circle M agazine O ■ G rand opening special 1 5 'W l First package treatm ent! skin solution For men and w om en the only FDA approved non-oiirgu-al, nott-invaoivt treatment fo r /’inly contouring and tlx reduction in appearance of cellulite Call (or a free consultation 503 228-0274 - www.velvet-skin.com 1920 NW Johnson St, Suite 108 Portland. OR 97209 ' — ■ PENNSYLVANIA aying that Penasylvania’s Medicaid program might cost an Altcxtna man his life by refusing to cover a liver transplant because he has HIV, Lambda Legal argued its appeal in the case at a hearing Nov. 19, asking the state to reverse its denial in light of a range of scientific data and the patient’s personal health history and experience. “In denying our client the care he needs, Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program is ignoring published reports on organ transplants for peo ple with HIV and not looking at the patient’s individual health status," attorney Hayley Gorenberg said. “In the last seven years since the advent of better treatments for people with HIV, the medical community nationwide has learned a great deal about organ transplants. Medicaid’s decision denying this m an’s trans- S n mÊm .r 4 A .V Ana Oliveira of Gay M en’s H ealth Crisis is alarmed about a resurgence in U .S. syphilis rates among men m
