VOLUME FOUR, NO. 9—May 2, 1991—May 15, 1991 FREE Give the People Light and they will find their own way. IF The Wisconsin Light Madison's Frontier Men's Thompson Denied Kowalski Group Celebrates Ten Years Guardianship; Appeal Planned By Terry Boughner By Jamakaya [Madison]. Some 60 people attended Karen the Frontiers annual awards banquet on [Duluth, MN] - In a decision and Saturday. April 20, 1991 that also Thompson calls "outrageous District celebrated the group's 10 anniversary. unbelievable," St. Louis County April 24 The dinner was held at The Gallery Judge Robert Campbell on to become restaurant in Middleton, Wisconsin. The denied Thompson's petition lover, garden-like atmosphere in the historic old the guardian of her brain-injured building offered a charming setting for Sharon Kowalski. am stunned and out- the festivities. "To say that I an understatement," Receiving the Frontiers Award for raged would be Community Service was out-going Thompson told the Wisconsin Light. appeal. It's Madison Alderman Jim McFarland, "There will definitely be an introduced by Alderman Ricardo the most homophobic, heterosexist and Gonzales. McFarland, who is responsible able-ist order my attorney has ever for Madison's domestic partners statute, seen." praised his life-partner, Rick Villasenor, Instead of Thompson, Judge Campbell Miriam Ben Shalom and State Rep. David chose as guardian Karen Tomberlin, a Clarenbach for their on-going inspiration teacher at Greenway High School in to him in his work for human rights. Minnesota's Iron Range who has known Larry Kneeland received the Volunteer Kowalski since 1973. Campbell described Service Award for years of work in the Tomberlin as "a neutral third party" Madison AIDS Support Network (MASN), who is best equipped to see that Kowalski both her Frontiers newsletter editor and as a maintains her relationship with founder of Frontiers. He was introduced parents and Thompson. and by Woody Carry. Donald and Della Kowalski Karen State Rep. David Clarenbach received State Rep. David Clarenbach, outgoing Madison alderman Jim McFarland and Larry Kneeland Thompson have fought legal battles over the Public Service Award. He was received the Frontiers Awards for Community Service on April 20. The awards were presented at a Sharon Kowalski's medical care, introduced by Dane County Supervisor. banquet held at the Gallery Restaurant in Middleton. guardianship and visitation rights since a 1983. The Dick Wagner. Wagner lauded Clarenbach car accident disabled her in last as the Father of the Wisconsin Gay rights Kowalskis relinquished guardianship Governor Thompson Proposes to Cut was to law, for authoring all AIDS legislation in year, and the current hearing take over the state, for the Wisconsin Hate Crimes determine who would law as well as being a leader in support of State AIDS Budget by $144,000 responsibility for Sharon. While the legal wrangling has gone on labor laws and on women's issues. AIDS funding has [Milwaukee]- State gain consensus on increases in the state for seven years, it was in only the last two "David is a vfyice for the Wisconsin by in The been cut $143,600 Governor budget that he calls essential. months that Karen Tomberlin emerged as Progressive tradition," Wagner said. Thompson's proposed 1991-93 budget, a for each year in the increases fiscal another potential guardian. Clarenbach who is in his 20th year of reduction that AIDS Resource Center and biennium proposed by MAP the other Thompson views Tomberlin as "an elective office and has announced his labeled Executive Director Doug Nelson AIDS service agencies total nearly $1.3 extension of the Kowalskis." She does campaign for Congress, was given a as our ability to million. "seriously jeopardizing not deny that Sharon knows Tomberlin standing ovation as he went to receive his keep with the epidemic." Nelson is also recommending that the pace AIDS and enjoys her company, but points out award. budget cuts all funding for state budget be changed to permit the Thompson's that Tomberlin has only visited Sharon the state-wide clinical drug trials state's HIV Drug Reimbursement new three or four times in the past two years. program at the Milwaukee to reimburse for any HIV drug Local History headquartered Program Minnesota guardianship statutes say AIDS (MAP), cuts two key AIDS that is FDA approved and recommended Project that any person appointed must have staff at the State by the State Division of Health. He said of May 16 prevention positions good communication with the ward and be Topic Division of Health AIDS/HIV Program, that the Governor's budget appears to aware of the ward's "ongoing daily and offers no increase for the critically adequately fund the drug reimbursement needs." Thompson doubts that LAMM Meeting Life Care Services case program and to the COBRA insurance important Tomberlin has this knowledge. Thompson management grants that fund MAP's 17 continuation subside program. is further concerned that, at the hearing, [Milwaukee]- "Bringing Up The Past: person management staff. Madison State Rep. David Clarenbach case Tomberlin testified against Sharon having Local Lesbian Herstories" is the topic of not retreat in the State Tim Carpenter "Wisconsin must and Milwaukee Reps any input into her own treatment and the next meeting of the Lesbian Alliance face of a rapidly escalating AIDS and Peter Bock will lead the legislative future. of Metro Milwaukee (LAMM) on Nelson "MAP's HIV and increase AIDS epidemic," said. effort to restore In addition, in what Thompson Thursday. May 16. A panel of several will by at 150 If the clientele increase least funding in the budget. successful, described as a "flagrant violation of state local Lesbians will discuss life as a the year period of this need percent during two funding will Governor Thompson's statutes," the judge appointed Lesbian in Milwaukee in the '60's and budget the new 93 state budget. If the Governor's approval when signing 1991- Tomberlin guardian when she had not early '70's. remains unchanged, MAP's ability to state budget. The program begins at 7:00 p.m., even filed a petition for guardianship as deliver services to clients will definitely required by law. Normally, all interested preceded by a potluck at 6:00 p.m., at the be harmed." Milwaukee Enterprise Center, 2821 N. AIDS Memorial parties are informed of such a petition and Nelson has met with the executive given a chance to respond. This may be 4th St. All Lesbians are welcome. For info directors of all of Wisconsin's private, call LAMM at 264- 2600. Service Planned one of the many grounds for appeal. non-profit AIDS service organizations to Thompson is particularly concerned that Judge Campbell "made a finding of For May 19 fact totally unsubstantiated by the Milwaukee Expected to Oppose [Milwaukee]- On May 19, 1991, evidence that Sharon is incapable of living Milwaukee will once again be at home." Possible Bath House Reopening participating in the eighth annual In fact, every medical professional who International AIDS Candlelight Memorial testified at the hearing said that Kowalski [Milwaukee]- "We would look on it "Milwaukee's Redevelopment Authority and Mobilization. In conjunction with can and should be allowed to live at home. with disfavor as before," said Dr. or similar organization." other memorial activities, the PLWA They all remarked on the added alertness Thomas Schlenker. Schlenker went on to Sherkow, a semi-retired business man Coalition of Wisconsin will be sponsoring and motivation she exhibited after say, that whoever invested in it should who is currently living in Florida, was a Candlelight March to remember those weekends at home with Thompson. know "that the day after they opened it, it unavailable for comment. However, Brian who have been taken from us by AIDS; to The effect of the judge's finding, if not would be closed." O'Connell. a Planner for the support those living with HIV and AIDS appealed. could be to leave Sharon Schlenker, the special deputy Redevelopment Authority said that while and stand for those who will be touched Kowalski forever institutionalized. commissioner for medical affairs for a "boundary" has been established by AIDS in the future. "It is very difficult to respect a system Milwaukee's Health department was around 6th-8th Wisconsin and Wells The March will begin at the Reuss that so freely violates human being's responding to a question about the where the building is located, the next Federal Building in downtown Milwaukee rights," said Thompson. "To think that possible re-opening of the Club Baths. step, preparing a renewal plan, has not at 9:00 p.m. where a brief introduction a judge would still prefer her sitting in an The question was prompted by an article been made. Nothing can be done until that and statement of purpose will be given. institution and deny her the right to live in Michael Home's column, "Plenty of is accomplished. It is not known if The March will proceed down Wisconsin her highest quality of life — that which Horne" in the April 25-May 1 edition of Sherkow has approached the city to Avenue and end at the lakefront War she still has. He would even take that the Shepherd Express in which he wrote propose a purchase by the Authority. Memorial. Speakers confirmed to date away from her and make her stare at walls of a possible reopening of the baths. "A redevelopment boundary" or include: State Rep. Peter Bock, Doug instead of living at home and being able to Schlenker went on to indicate a concern "renewal boundary" means that any Nelson, executive director of the go out and do things. I can't believe that that name changes or other changes building in deteriorated condition within Milwaukee AIDS Project, Daniel anybody would be so inhuman." would not make a difference in the baths.