MAP Advocate
AIDS Advocacy Update
Vol. 6 No. 11
December 14, 2000
In this issue:
Fighting Stigma is Focus for 2001 State of AIDS
Will Governor Help Break HIV Deadlock
New Friends Come to the Capitol
Looking Ahead to a Bush Administration
Take Action! Register now for AIDS Action Day, Thursday,
February 15, 2001
What can Minnesotans do to reduce stigma, fight discrimination, and ensure
privacy protections for those affected by HIV? What can you do to prepare
for the 2001 legislative session? National HIV civil rights and disability
law expert Chai Feldblum, will be at MAP's 2001 State of AIDS conference
to help you answer these questions. The conference will be on Saturday,
January 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. It will be held in downtown Minneapolis
at the Whitney Fine Arts Center of the Minneapolis Community College.
Additionally, Feldblum will speak at a MAP LifeLine Forum in Duluth on
Friday, January 5. The 3 p.m. forum will take place at The Depot. Both
events are free and open to the public. Contact MAP Community Affairs
for more information.
Results from the 2000 election set up a re-run of the past two years of tri-partisanship. Advocates again face an uncertain environment for constructive HIV policies. Senate leadership has been responsive to HIV advocates in the past, but this year we move ahead without some key leaders such as Sen. Pat Piper (DFL-Austin) and Sen. Allan Spear (DFL-Minneapolis). In the past, it has been more likely for harsh rather than useful HIV policy proposals to work their way through the House. There'll be no change here. The big question is where HIV policy interests fit into the Ventura Administration's big plan. Will the Governor and the administration step forward to join HIV advocates, or continue to stay in the background on HIV policies?
MAP welcomes new members supportive of HIV policy with their votes and campaign pledges; Representatives: Connie Bernardy (DFL-Fridley), Jim Davnie (DFL-Mpls), Scott Dibble (DFL-Mpls), Geri Evans (DFL-New Brighton), Barb Goodwin (DFL-Columbia Heights), Debra Hilstrom (DFL-Brooklyn Center), Ruth Johnson (DFL-St. Peter) Paul Marquart (DFL-Dilworth), Mark Thompson (DFL-New Hope), Tony Sertich (DFL-Chisholm), Nora Slawik (DFL-Woodbury), Neva Walker (DFL-Mpls), Scott Wasiluk (DFL-Maplewood) and Senators Chuck Fowler (DFL-Blue Earth), Myron Orfield (DFL-Mpls), Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope), Julie Sabo (DFL-Mpls).
The fate of HIV policies under the new Administration remains unclear. As a candidate Bush responded to the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care that he would support significant government-funded research aimed at conquering AIDS and has proposed doubling the budget of the National Institute of Health to increase AIDS research. Troubling to some advocates, however, is Bush's support of elevating abstinence-only education to an "urgent priority" and his response to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago that he does not support needle exchange programs. Talk of possible cabinet appointees who could influence HIV policies, include rumors of the appointment of former Oklahoma Representative Tom Coburn (R), an advocate of mandatory testing, for Secretary of Health and Human Services. For more information, see the Kaiser Family Foundation's December 14 daily briefing at their web page at www.kff.org.
The Minnesota Legislature convenes January 3. AIDS Action Day 2001, Thursday, February 15 is your chance to be heard. Advocates from every corner of Minnesota are needed at the state capitol to tell our legislators that their action on HIV issues matters.
Protecting confidentiality and ending discrimination against those with HIV are the issues leading MAP's legislative agenda for 2001. MAP will also continue the fight for increased funding for STD prevention and sexual health education for young people.
Register for AIDS Action Day
Call
612-373-9169 (metro) or
1-800-243-7321 (greater MN)
or
E-mail or Internet
mappub@mnaidsproject.org
www.mnaidsproject.org
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