Newspapers / Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.) / Feb. 1, 1991, edition 1 / Page 7
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February 1991 ■ PAGE 7 Q-Notes By David Stout Q-Notes Staff On Friday, December 28, Governor Michael Dulmkis of Massachusetts signed what will be the last piece of legislation of his governorship: a hate crimes bill. The bill's stated purpose is to gather statistics and data on crimes which are motivated by the victim's race, religion, ethnicity, disability or sexual orientation. The bill was the result of heavy lobbying by the Massachusetts Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights and also the Jewish Anti-Defamation League. The Bill's passage was the top {aiority for the Lesbian and Gay Coahtion in 1990 and comes approximately one year after the passage of the Massachu setts Gay Rights Law. Talk-show host Arsenio Hall was the victim of a "zap" by members of Queer Nation/L.A. on December 14 because mem bers of the gay-positive direct action group stated that he allows homophobic remarks to be made on his show and further that he has nevCT had an qienly gay guest on his program. The incident began when Arsenio first took the stage with members of Queer Na tion standing up in the audience asking questions of him. He was visibly caught off guard at first, but then began to get more and more upset as the accusations and interrup tions continued. At one point he ran into the stands and atmounced, "Get your own show. I'm tired of this gay trash." As each member stood and spoke throughout the show they were escorted out by security. Queer Nation stated that they chose Hall's show because he is Black and therefore they expect more of him. The ac tion has had a mixed response from within the Gay commimity. Lesbian mother, Shawn Hodson, will re tain custody of her ten-year-old son by ver dict of the Iowa Court of Appeals. Hodson's former husband removed the child from the custodial mother and filed a motion to have custody given to him based on Shawn's les bianism and the fact that she has a lover. In his decision. Chief Judge Leo Oxberger stated, "Although Shawn's homosexual rela tionship with Lori (Bartlett) ai^iears to be of great concem...we are more ccmcemed about other aspects of the parties' situations." In light of testimony concerning these other "aspects," Hodson was given retention of custody. An HIV-positive transsexual has been sentenced to six years' imprisonment for allegedly biting two female police officers in Panama City, Florida. Rhonda Lee Smith, 32, was being booked for drunkenness cm the night of July 30, when a fracas occurred at the station house. Smith attempted to walk away in her drunken state when one of the officers in volved grabbed her, spun her around, and then shoved her against a desk. Smith re- tahated toward the officer and was hit in the mouth. This is the point where the biting was supposed to have taken place. Defense attorneys for Smith tried to convince the judge that to achieve a guilty verdict for aggravated battery you have to prove great bodily harm or use of a deadly, weapon. The judge, against the advice of several experts, determined that Smith's HIV status (when associated with the biting) constituted use of a deadly weapon. The case is now under appeal. A firm in Palm Beach, Florida, calling itself Patient's Information Bureau, Inc., is selling a list of dcx;tors and dentists who have dcKumented proof that they are HIV-nega tive. For $19.95 these health care providers can have themselves put on a master list of HIV-negative practitioners which will be sold to the general public by mail order for $5.00. To qualify for the Usting, the doctors must be able to show a valid blood test result taken in the last six months indicating no trace of the AIDS virus. As is to be expected, there has been a great outcry against this venture by the American Medical Association and the Palm Beach Department of Legal Affairs is looking into the company's operations to determine if any laws are being broken. Nominations for the Third Annual Lambda Literary Awards are now being accepted from people all across the nation. The public is invit^ to submit nominations for the awards which are based on excellence in the field of writing and publishing within the Gay and Lesbian community. Nominations will be accepted for all eighteen categories in the competition and then a list of five finaUsts will be aimounced on March 1. A panel of ninety persons will choose the winning work in each category. All works must have a 1990 copyright date and nominations must be in by Febru^ 15 for consideration. To nominate in a category or to receive a complete listing of the categories, write: Lambda Book Report, 1625 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009-1013 or call (202) 462-7924. mie. Come keof^ A^isox Seckdeitai£ akoaC kern ekidS>ood dr-awix^, kex- ^r-astx-otedadoieseexce Sc kern actiox-poe^edcac-eer, n March 2, 1991 • l^kere: Ramada/ifK, 600 S, (Ktat^ Mid-Tou)i(S(ju.(U‘C, Ckardotte- l^ke-n: 8:15pm Cost; $4~S8 fSdidiitp' Saade) Tiolle'ts wi&ie au’a/daiie at the, door, Ti6i,et ioa^htm ado-OKce widihare resentedseatinp'. Prodacedi^d.amidaCoMectms*P.O. 8o» 12072• Chardotte, d/C•28220*70d-535-8d35 . \) I s n CHINA ▼ FLATWARE CLOCKS FURNITURE LIGHTING DESKTOP T CARDS FIRAMES o f the 20th ('entury I.WI h'Jiznbeth Ir ( harlotte, \(' Security Travel Agency 4705 Park Rd. Charlotte, NC 28209 (704) 527-8706 • (800) 366-8706 We pride ourselves in being discreet and professional, with over 35 years of experience in the travel industry. 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Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Feb. 1, 1991, edition 1
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