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VOLUME THREE, NO. 21—October 18, 1990—October 31, 1990 FREE Give the People Light and they will find their own way. IF The Wisconsin Light All-Gay Military Regiment May Dr. Krim Says AIDS May Be Fully Be Formed And Placed In Service Treatable Within Five Years By Terry Boughner She went on to say that, "AIDS is not If we start treating people very early, [Milwaukee]. In a move calling to mind Editor's Note: The following interview the only health care problem we have in when they have a functioning immune the Theban Sacred Band of ancient with Dr. Krim took place in Milwaukee's this country. Better access (to health system, it is conceivable that early Greece, the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Pfister Hotel on October 16, 1990. care), more just access, exists across the effective treatment will allow the immune Veterans of America (GLBVA) is seeking • • • board and the public is starting to system to get rid of the infected cells. to form an "all-Gay" military regiment Dr. Krim, one of America's leading complain." So," she said, "talking about a cure is that would be "placed into service in the researchers on AIDS, was in Milwaukee She noted that "Health care is not a not crazy anymore, but it will require very Persian Gulf or wherever trained to give AMFAR's check for $25,000 to the right in this country. It's something early treatment." She predicted that in personnel would be needed." Wisconsin Community-based Research someone has to buy. I think we're going "five years we may have a specific To achieve this "dream", GLBVA, Consortium. The check is the first to have to face the need this country has inhibitor of the virus." headed by Miriam Ben-Shalom has sent matching grant to the state challenge to develop a system of universal health an open letter to President Bush, the grant of $150,000. coverage. Basic medical care is a right Secretary of Defense, all Representatives In 1986, Dr. Krim said that she and we're going have to come up with a and Senators "and to the American believed that AIDS would cause a system." People" "expressing the desire of many revolution in the American health care Asked about the chances for a vaccine, Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual veterans to industry. She has not changed her mind. Krim said, "Research has made return to service in this time of crisis." "I'm still convinced of that," she tremendous progress. There are several GLBVA has further issued a "Call To said. "The numbers of AIDS will be other drugs besides AZT that are going to Arms" to all Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual increasing in the '90s. Because this is a be approved very soon. (DDc and DDi). veterans who would be interested in disease of young people, it's also a There is a whole list of other drugs that serving in a reactivated regiment: The disease of people who are not insured or are being developed. There will be a 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Regiment underinsured and this puts an enormous progressive improvement in our ability to (MVR). GLBVA is working with Ms. Kate pressure on our health care system. suppress HIV. We also have accepted the Dyer, Executive Aide to Gerry Studds We're going to see municipal hospitals need for treating people earlier. (D-MA) to research the reactivation make demands on public funds unknown "I am convinced," she said, "that in process. MVR is the regiment of choice in the past and we're going to see private the future, we're going to want to treat because it "was a segregated regiment of hospitals either having to refuse patients people as soon as infection becomes African-American men, freed slaves who which is contrary to the principles of their demonstratable. We're going to see were told that they were unfit to serve, a profession or assume the care of many people survive with the infection, without threat to morale, good order and security. patients who cannot pay for their care. In disease, for a very long time. This is the According to GLBVA, the Call To Arms New York now, there are hospitals who goal we have now; to turn it into a "represents not only an effort to show are in a deficit situation controllable infection that is chronic that through action that Gay men and Lesbians by hundreds of millions of dollars." won't make people sick. want to be part of Mainstream America," but also challenges "all discriminatory legislation and administrative policies ACT UP Contacts WISN Radio DR. MATHILDE KRIM towards Lesbians and Gay men" by the Krim spoke U.S. government and particularly the Advertisers In Protest Over proudly of AMFAR's work Station and that of community-based centers in Department of Defense. [Milwaukee]- According to a press on-air apology and correction regarding doing vital AIDS research. "A few years According to GLBVA, any veteran, release, the Milwaukee chapter of the this misinformation." ACT-UP stated ago AMFAR picked up on the idea that regardless of sexual orientation, who AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power that it will be "encouraging anyone doctors' experience should be utilized; would like to reenlist, and who has an (ACT-UP) has begun a campaign to interested in slowing the devastating experimental drugs made available to Honorable or upgradeable discharge, and inform the public of the "irresponsible effects of AIDS in Milwaukee to contact people who need them. And we (AMFAR) who is interested in serving in a decisions being made by Steve Downes. Mr. Downes and urge him to act started to fund community-based trail reactivated but segregated, active duty Downes is the Vice President and General responsibly regarding this matter." centers (such as the Wisconsin Research regiment, contact GLBVA at (414) Manager of WISN- AM in Milwaukee. WISN's number is 342- 1111. Consortium). As soon as tolerable doses 342-6543, Fax: c/o Havlicek and ACT-UP states that the decisions Downes said that "no apology was are determined, the drugs should go to Associates (414) 271-8884 attn: referred to regard the broadcast of necessary" and indicated that if there community-based centers. Annabelle Havlicek. Or write GLBVA, "AIDS misinformation" by WISN. was misinformation, he would be "happy (There are 45 such centers now.) 1350 N. 37th Place, Milwaukee, WI During the past two weeks, ACT-UP to correct it." However, he said, "to my The highest priority is to treat 53208. states, "Mr. Downes has repeatedly knowledge, the information on the air was opportunistic diseases rather than HIV. Information you should send must allowed said he had Mark Belling, an on-air substantially correct." He You can live with HIV include your name, branch, dates of as long as you don't personality, to spread dangerous not received ACT-UP's press release. get sick. The community priorities are service, SSN, MOSS held, and final misinformation about HIV infection and ACT-UP has said in a letter to reflected in the centers. We at AMFAR rank/discharge status. All information AIDS to the public." Steinhafels Furniture that "despite Mr. consider this very important. will be confidential and will not be are ACT-UP states that "after numerous Belling's claims to the contrary, we Asked about the work of Dr. Jonas Salk, released until it is known if the attempts to get an official response from not attempting to `silence,' harrass' or Krim said that Salk had two experimental reactivation of the 54th MVR can be 'intimidate' him. We defend Mr. Mr. Downes," it has "begun to contact drugs he was testing now. But, she noted, accomplished. Belling's basic right to voice his opinions. WISN-AM's sponsors about this issue." we don't have any results yet in terms of However, the facts about AIDS are not a As of October 17, 1990, ACT-UP stated effective protection. The trial has not matter of opinion. Mr. Belling does not Denver Mayor that it had sent letters to the following lasted long enough. right to create his own 'facts'," sponsors: Steinhafels Furniture; Colders have the She went on to say that there are 7 To Sign New Furniture; Factory Outlet Carpets and said the letter. vaccine preparations in this country now ACT-UP said that tapes of the Waukesha Memorial. under study and "with all of them we ACT-UP broadcasts in question are available from Gay Rights Bill stated that it intends to know they stimulate the production of ACT- UP-Milwaukee. ACT-UP can be "continue and expand this campaign antibody. We don't know if they are [Denver, CO] [GLINN]- Denver's until Mr. Downes decides to make an reached at (414) 769- 8708. sweeping anti-discrimination bill — protective against infection." dubbed "Denver's Gay Rights Bill" — In regards to minorities, Krim noted Medical of poverty, was approved by city council on October College Recruits Nationally - sadly that disease is a function a 15, 1990. not race. Cultural differences also play The bill, which Mayor Federico Pena Recognized AIDS Researcher role in hindering education and prevention. She cited the Mormons who has pledged to sign into law, will prohibit nationally-recognized [Milwaukee]- A Executive Vice President and Dean. have such a stigma attached to discrimination on the basis of race, color, AIDS psychologist specializing in "I'm sure that Milwaukee has many homosexuality that men have to lie to religion, national origin, marital status, been high-risk behavior intervention has on-going programs dedicated to AIDS women and kids.