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VOLUME TWO, NO. 6—March 23, 1989—April 5, 1989 FREE Give the People Light and they willfind their own way. The Wisconsin Light Light Inside... HELMS KILLS FEDERAL AZT BILL • A TIME TO DIE XIII Death Camps Page 2 AS STATES RUN OUT OF FUNDS • RELIGIOUS OUTREACH [Washington, D.C.]- Senator Jesse Celibecy Page 4 Helms (R-NC) on March 17 killed legislation that would have extended by • A BOY OF SUMMER six months the federal government's A Rose for Jessica. Page 5 funding program of AZT (Retrovir) for low-income individuals. The move comes • LIVELY ARTS as two states — Georgia and Kansas — Heather Bishop Page 6 have exhausted their AZT grants, with funding in several more states expected • MEDICALLY SPEAKING to expire in the upcoming weeks. Wisconsin with 26 persons under the Page 8 federal program, is one of 13 states who • SPORTS Part 10 will run out of money in June, 1989. Approximately 7000 people in the U.S. are receiving government assistance Manufacture/Sale under the AZT subsidy program. AZT — which costs about $8,000 a year at full Of Poppers dose — is the only government- approved drug for directly fighting AIDS. Banned in U.S. Human Rights Campaign Fund (HRCF) John Lauritsen lobbyists said the bill would not have allocated additional funds for AZT, but Poppers (nitrite inhalants) are now a would have given the government time to "banned hazardous product" in the Ted Altschuler directs Amy Zeh as Agnes and Kay Knudsen as the Mother Superior during a reprogram already existing funds into United States. As of February 15, 1989, it rehearsal of Milwaukee's Clavis Theatre's production of "Agnes of God" which runs March federal AZT subsidies. For example, is illegal to manufacture, distribute, 24 -April 30. funds from states with surplus money import or sell any isobutyl nitrite could be moved into states whose funds substance or any consumer product Milwaukee Nursing Homes have expired, or additional moneys could "used for inhaling or otherwise be located within the Public Health introduced into the body for euphoric or Begin Accepting AIDS Patients Service to subsidize AZT. physical effects." Majority Leader George Mitchell The ban is part of the Drug Omnibus [Milwaukee]- It was clearly a victory for by 1990 and 300 plus by 1991. These (D-Maine), who schedules legislation in Act of 1988, which was signed into law the Milwaukee AIDS Project (MAP). It numbers are for Milwaukee alone. Nelson the Senate, had stipulated that the bill last November by President Reagan. The was a victory that is a beginning, but a was optimistic that as nursing home would be brought onto the floor only if main sponsors of the nitrite inhalants victory nonetheless. experience caring for AIDS patients Senators could agree not to add provision were Representatives Mel At a press conference held March 13, grows, the numbers of facilities needed amendments or to set a time limit for Levine and Henry Waxman (D's- Calif.). 1989 at MAP offices, representatives will be available. However Nelson again debate on amendments. Both are strong supporters of Gay rights. from the health care industry and from stressed the need for a long-term AIDS Legislative insiders on Capitol Hill said The ban was hailed by Hank Wilson of two Milwaukee area nursing homes care facility. Helms, along with Senators William San Francisco, a Gay activist who, in announced the opening of two nursing Asked about staff response to the Armstrong (R-Colo.) and Don Nickles 1981, founded the Committee to Monitor homes to AIDS patients. admissions of AIDS patients, Higdon said (R-Okla.), refused to agree to the Poppers. The two nursing homes are the Mt. that at Greentree there had been "no stipulations, thus preventing the bill from "It is long overdue", said Wilson. Carmel Health Care facility and the overwhelming reaction; no negative being considered by the Senate. "Up to the point of the ban we still had Greentree nursing home. comments. We expect it to be a positive "When we say Jesse Helms is 'King businesses in the Gay community that Tom Moore, Executive Director of the experience," he said. Lesjak agreed that of Killer Amendments,' we really mean were promoting and selling poppers. Wisconsin Nursing Homes Association the same was true for Mt. Carmel. killer," said Robert Bray, HRCF There were Gay publications, like Update said that he was "proud of the role" he Nelson said that the greatest obstacle communications director. "More people in San Diego, carrying large popper ads, and the Association played in getting to overcome was fear on the part of those are going to get sick and die faster as though there were no hazards to using AIDS patient placement. "A unfamiliar with AIDS patient care. It was because they cannot afford life-prolonging the drug." comprehensive educational effort is fear that caused the delay in the opening drug treatments. It was not a good day in continued: "New people are currently of the nursing homes to AIDS patients. Wilson underway," he said for staff, TURN TO AZT, PAGE 11 continually coming into the Gay patients and families. Moore added that But, he emphasized, this reaction was community. Young people are coming out. he hoped that other nursing homes would greatest from people who are not close to Central WI. The last thing we ought to do is to soon follow suit. He noted that within persons with AIDS. However, he introduce these newcomers to products "2-3 weeks" two more nursing homes stressed, there was no need for fear and Forms HIV + that will be harmful to their immune should be "ready to open their doors" to that with on-going education, this would systems, while we're in the midst of this AIDS patients. He did not specify which be over come as discrimination was Support Groups epidemic." two these would be. increasingly dismantled. With regard to the hazards of poppers The Nursing Homes Association "Milwaukee," Nelson said, "is a [Stevens Point, WI]- A new support and their effects on the immune system, a represents 258 nursing homes progressive, caring community." He group for HIV-positive persons has been great many studies have been done by throughout Wisconsin. voiced strong optimism that with formed for individuals in the central top-notch independent researchers. Joe Higdon of the Greentree facility education and continuing effort and good Wisconsin counties of Portage, Wood and Wilson emphasized that these studies all confirmed Moore's commitment to caring will on the part of all concerned, AIDS Marathon by the Central Wisconsin AIDS point out that poppers are bad for the for AIDS sufferers and said that the first sufferers would receive the care that they Support Group, Inc. (CWASG) and the health and bad for the immune system. AIDS patient would be admitted by March deserve. Central Wisconsin AIDS Network The initiative for regulating poppers 31. (CWAN). has come from the Gay community itself. Doug Lesjak of the Mt. Carmel facility Federal Law Membership in this group will be West Hollywood, the Gayest city in the announced that in-service education was limited to HIV-positive individuals only. world, took the lead in banning poppers. already underway although he would give Prohibits AIDS To insure confidentiality, interested The medical case against poppers no definite date as to when the first AIDS parties will be screened and will have to is impressive. Poppers are immuno- patient would be admitted to Mt. Carmel. submit medical proof of HIV positivity suppressive. They can cause anemia, The opening of the two nursing homes Discrimination (copy of test results or physician's letter). lung damage, serious skin burns and is the culmination of a long process of [New York, NY]. The American Civil The first meeting will take place in late death or brain damage from delicate negotiations by MAP and the Liberties Union (ACLU) has urged AIDS March and subsequent meetings will be cardiovascular collapse or stroke. organizations Executive Director, Doug advocacy groups to take advantage of a held bi- monthly thereafter. Agenda and Poppers cause genes to mutate and have Nelson. Nelson thanked Moore new federal law which, effective Sunday, issues to be discussed will be determined the potential to cause cancer by producing "profoundly" for his efforts and March 12, prohibits discrimination in by the group members. dealy N-nitroso compounds. Poppers extended gratitude to both Greentree and housing based on that disease. Although both CWASG and CWAN have been used successfully to commit Mt. Carmel. Nelson said that MAP social The Fair Housing Amendments Act of currently limit their activities to the above suicide (by drinking) and murder (victim workers and case managers would be 1988 bars discrimination against persons mentioned counties, interested gagged with sock soaked with poppers). prepared to render all possible help in with disabilities including persons with individuals in surrounding counties There are strong epidemiological links giving care to AIDS patients in the homes. AIDS and HIV infection. It applies to (Shawno, Lincoln, Price and Waupaca) between the use of poppers and the The Buddy System will be at the nursing virtually all housing in the United States. are invited to take part in this program. development of AIDS, and especially homes, he said, and MAP will do Under the law, it will now be illegal for For more information, contact CWAN Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). A six- fold in-service education as well. landlords to discriminate against persons Program Assistant in the following cities: decrease in the incidence of KS over the However, Nelson said that the opening with AIDS- related conditions in the sale Wausau (847-5888), Stevens Point past five years parallels a sharp decline in of these two homes was only "the first or rental of housing.