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VOLUME SEVEN, NO. 12—June 9, 1994—June 22, 1994—Issue 156 FREE Give the People Light and they will find their own way. 'V The Wisconsin Light Swedish Parliament State GOP Platform Gives Gays Right to Calls For All Marry Beginning in January, 1995 HIV Test Results to be Made Public (Milwaukee)(AP)- A resolution calling for (Stockholm, Sweden)- Sweden followed AIDS to be acknowledged as a communicable Denmark and Norway on June 7, 1994, and disease subject to public health control was passed a bill allowing same-sex couples to endorsed by the Republican State Convention marry--a measure on supporter said was a on Sunday, June 5, 1994, despite claims it "contribution to love." could lead to Gay-bashing. After lengthy debate, the Riksdag, or par- Debate over the AIDS proposal and a liament, voted 171-141, with five abstentions, strongly worded anti-Choice resolution trig- to accept the Registered Partnership Law. gered sharp debate at the closing session of the Elisabeth Persson of the small Leftist GOP's weekend convention in Milwaukee. Party, a supporter of marriage between same- "Until the stigma of being tested for AIDS sex couples, said the law "protects a personal is removed, we should not require disclosure" relation. It is a small, but important contribu- of people who are tested, delegate Robert tion to love." Jones of Cavour said. The vote makes Scandinavia a leader in "This could lead to Gay-bashing, abso- civil rights for Gays. In 1989, Denmark be- lutely," Jones said. came the first country in the world to allow Delegate Joyce Waldrop, a nurse from same-sex marriages. Norway adopted similar Dane County, said she thought the spirit of the legislation last year. resolution was good, but that "it could lead to Sweden's Partnership Law gives Gay discrimination" against people tested for AIDS. couples the same inheritance, tax and other The resolution, introduced from the floor benefits and obligations as married hetero- by delegate Don Brill, a retired Eau Claire sexuals. But it stops short of allowing same- teacher, seemed to catch many delegates by sex couples to adopt or have children by arti- surprise. Debate was delayed while copies ficial insemination. were printed and distributed. Under the new law, which takes effect in Teeth Time—Mike Neville (left) and Chris Flieller show off their talents in Dracula Vs the Nazis. Pro- The resolution was approved 1,527 to January, 1995, Gay couples can marry in civil duced by the Playwrights Studio Theatre, the play opens June 17 at Milwaukee's Broadway Theatre 1,285 on a special vote system based on dele- ceremonies. Churches may continue to marry Center. gate representation by counties. An estimated whoever they want. 1,100 delegates attended the convention. Social Democrat Maj-Lis Loow, who June is Gay Pride Month All Over the Brill, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Steve chaired the judicial committee that prepared Gunderson for the Republican nomination in the bill, said no further Gay- reforms are being Country; Even With Mickey Mouse western Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional Dis- planned. - trict, told delegates there "must be a rational- (Milwaukee)- June is Gay Pride Month, in June to be Stonewall 25 Month in Vermont. During debate, little opposition was voiced ized plan for controlling our AIDS epidemic." against homosexuality. Opponents focused on Wisconsin and all over the country. In cities, "Civil rights are civil rights and they are legal technicalities, such as introducing a new towns and even theme parks, the LesBiGay for everyone," said Dean, "regardless of race, legal term, saying the matter ought to be in- community gathers to celebrate Stonewall 25-- color, creed or sexual orientation." vestigated further. even in the Magic Kingdom. Gay and Lesbian teens also took part in the On Saturday, June 4, 1994, some 20,000 days activities. Lesbians and Gays gathered at Walt Disney "This is not just a phase," said Jeremie World in Florida of the annual kickoff to local Monahan, 19, of his being Gay. "This is real- Madison's Club celebrations throughout the Sunshine State. ity. No one would choose to be ridiculed, The proportion of openly Lesbian and Gay hated and feared by so many people just to go 3054 Gets 60-Day men on the Magic Kingdom's streets made through a phase," he said. Baldwin Condemns Resolution them seem like Christopher Street-south, the In Alabama State Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Madison) Suspension; Wings to New York Times reported. Brenda Braxton watched as about 400 attacked the Wisconsin GOP's resolution on T-shirts decorated with Pink Triangles Lesbians and Gay men commemorated the AIDS. "If Wisconsin were to follow the call Good were nearly as common as Mickey Mouse 25th Anniversary of Stonewall in Birmingham, of the GOP convention delegates we would Close For shirts. Alabama. "I don't think Birmingham will ever foolishly reverse landmark legal protections There were no protests, but some visitors accept them," she said. "I don't think they'll that have served us well in the battle to combat this devastating disease. Twelve years into the (Madison)- As we go to press, word has said they were uncomfortable seeing two men ever give them the rights they deserve." epidemic, experience tells us that this is quite been received that on Wednesday, June 8, the holding hands. The marchers went on to Caldwell Park simply a wrongheaded move," Baldwin said. City of Madison reached a tentative agreement David Caton, director of the American where an estimated crowd of 5,000 people at- She pledged to fight such an with Cheri Becker owner of Club Family Association, said that "The best protest tended a Gay Pride festival. effort in the legis- 3054. lature. The agreement specifies that Club 3054 comes from people who went to Walt Disney Edward Clayton, a former Marine ser- "The State Republican Party will close for a period of 60 days. When the World. They can go back to 'Hometown USA' geant discharged in 1987 because he is Gay, Convention showed that AIDS is two epidemics," Baldwin 60 days begins is not known at this time. The and tell everybody how offensive it was." carried the U.S. flag at the front of the parade. continued. "The epidemic of the disease and club will then reopen pending approval by the Mary Lou Simms, of Tampa, said that the "This is the first parade that I have been an epidemic of fear of Madison Common Council. only people who would find the event offen- to," he said, "that I have not had to worry the disease." Baldwin called for a continuation At that time, only the upstairs bar and sive were "Christian bigots. Who listens to 'What if my mom sees me?' or 'What if my of an "all-out crusade" against both patio will reopen. The bar known as Wings, them anyhow," she asked. boss sees me?'" epidemics and urged that Wisconsin's "progressive public where alleged illegal and unprotected sexual In Vermont Approximately 2,000 people stood and activities are said to have occurred will not be Marchers at Vermont's 11th annual Gay watched the parade. There were no incidents. policy effort" in stopping the spread of HIV reopening under any circumstances. Pride parade in Burlington said they noticed In North Carolina continue. Both the tentative agreement and the re- increasingly positive reactions to their cause. The North Carolina Lesbian/Gay Pride "That will require vigorous enforcement opening will need to be voted on by the Com- About 2,000 people marched in the parade celebration kicked off in Charlotte on Friday and implementation of the legal safeguards that mon Council. that was held on Saturday, June 4. The event afternoon, June 3, marking the beginning of provide a secure environment for people with featured classic cars, marching bands, baby that state's three day festival. This was the AIDS and a commitment on the part of the carriages and floats. 11th Gay Pride celebration in North Carolina Legislature and the Governor to fund pro- Governor Howard Dean has proclaimed and the first in Charlotte. grams that will keep the infected population as Wisconsin High Court The festivities centered on a parade healthy as possible," Baldwin said. Adoption Decision A through downtown Charlotte, a festival/rally, Baldwin was referring to Republican Gov- an art exhibit and numerous workshops offered ernor Tommy Thompson who has announced Setback for Gay and Lesbian Families throughout the weekend. Some 10,000 people that he is seeking an unprecedented third term were estimated to have attended the events. in office. (Madison)- State Representative Tammy the adoption would be in the best interests of One of the more interesting was a work- "Wisconsin has responded to the AIDS Baldwin (D-Madison) on June 8, joined attor- the child, the state's high court affirmed the shop offered by Mel White of Dallas, a Gay crisis in a unique fashion," Baldwin said, ney Judith Newton and Gay and Lesbian par- Circuit Court order and ruled that Wisconsin man who is a former ghost writer for Jerry "with a series of landmark legal protections ents to express their disappointment with the statutes do not permit the adoption. Falwell, Pat Robertson and others. and state funded programs. By looking at the State Supreme Court decision in the Green "Families like Angel Lace's exist all over This celebration was the first to last over experience of the larger states with much Bay "Angel Lace M." adoption case. Baldwin the state of Wisconsin," Baldwin said. "This several days. TURN TO GOP, PAGE 11 announced that she will introduce legislation is a major setback for parents who have made reversing the decision.