GAY& L I I , U ll
LESBIAN JAN A
SERVICES U Ry + l995
' ORGANIZATION A PUBLICATION or THE lEXlNGTON GAY AND LESBIAN SERVICES ORGANIZATION
“BE AFRAID, BE VERY APRAID...” National Gay/Lesbian Crisis Line
BY TIM BANKS (800) 247-4283
November 8, 1994, was not a good day. Teenage Gay/Lesbian Support
The election of notoriously conservative candidates (800) 347-TEEN
(mostly Republican) throughout the nation, state and city, Thurs. _ Sun. 7pm-Midnight
is frightening. Lamenting their victories and dreading .
tEeir pending coronations in January, 1995, I’ve realized A.M.A. CALLS FOR NON-
t at:
1. It underscores the existence of strong grass roots DISCRIMINATION
organizations that focused their energies through via Internet from Deacon McCube'n at Lambda Rising
receptive and supportive avenues. Bookstore in Washington, DC. I
2. Their organizations crossed lines (politically, The American Medical Association last week
financially, socially) and worked together to combine adopted 3 sweeping policy change regarding health
resources, raise funds, and promote mutually care provided to gay men and lesbians, including a
acceptable candidates of their choice. refutation of “reparative” therapies designed to
3. Their organizations successfully motivated a “change” gays into heterosexuals. The AMA has ‘
segment of people to vote in an effective block. 298,000 members and is the nation’s largest and most
. . . . . powerful medical organization. The new policy,
While this unfortunate tw1st In the democratic outlined in a 20 page report, Health Care Needs of Gay
process is now history, it should sound an alarming Men and Lesbians” calls for a “non-judgmental
message to our community. “Be afraid, be very afraid...” recognition of sexual orientation” by physicians and
Fortunately, with this significant challenge comes the was passed by the AMA governing body, on Dec. 6.
opportunity to excel. The report was presented to 430 delegates at an interim
First, I applaud the tireless efforts of The Fairness AMA meeting in Hawaii by W. Douglas Skelton, MD,
Campaign-Lexington. This organization had all the right chair of the AMA Council on Scientific Affairs, and
moves, just not enough support. The Fairness Campaign passed “with little discussion.”
is actively planning for the next major elections in two The 20-page report covers a broad range of issues
short years. Now is the time for each individual in our of concern to gays, including urging physicians to
community to make a few commitments for our future: examine lesbians for a wider range of illnesses than is
1' Create and promote the eXIstence 0f strong grass presently done, addressing the problem of substance
roots organizations that focus our energies through abuse in the gay community, and calling for a “national
receptive and supportive avenues. health survey which should incorporate a representa-
2. Assure that our organizations cross lines (politically, tive sample of the US population of all ages (including
financially, and socially) and work together to combine adolescents) and should include questions on sexual
resources, raise funds, and promote mutually orientation and sexual behavior.
continued on page 5 continued on page 5