Transgender activist Earline Budd was one of 30 people whom D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams asked to serve on his Committee on HIV/AIDS. (Photo by Luis Gomez)
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Friday, July 18, 2003
Leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS were sworn into Mayor Anthony Williams’ Committee
on HIV/AIDS Wednesday, reflecting the special emphasis that the mayor places
on vital health care issues, a spokesperson said. Cornelius Baker, executive
director of the Whitman-Walker Clinic, and Earline Budd, a transgendered activist,
were two of the 30 individuals who will consult with the mayor about the city’s
response to HIV/AIDS. “In the city that has one of the highest rates of
HIV infection in the country and the highest AIDS rate per capita in the nation,
it is critical that we have the cooperation of the mayor, the city council, city
organizations and our citizens to reduce HIV transmission and end this epidemic,” said
Michael Cover, a spokesperson for Whitman-Walker Clinic. “The individuals
sworn in [Wednesday] represent a diverse group that can provide the mayor with
the appropriate counsel to make the best decision for those living with HIV.” Due
to a scheduling conflict, the mayor did not attend the event. Members of the
panel are: Larry E. Berman, Earline Budd, Keith Cross, Georgia M. Dickens, Michael
J. Dubose, Earl Fowlkes, Joe H. Harris, Charles Hicks, Kerry M. Lewis, M.D.,
Ronald Lewis, Yevette B. Lindsey, Mark Lobar, Juan Lovelace, Lillian MacEachern,
Sue Marshall, Jeffrey M. Marootian, Ron Mealy, Ralph H. Neal, Philoan Nguyen,
Arthur Padilla, Rene Plummer, Juan Ramagosa, Sabrina Sojourner, Ronald Simmons,
Barbara Smith, Rev. Dr. Wallace Charles Smith, Peggy Valentine, Ed.D, J. Channing
Wickham and Mary A. Young, M.D.
- JOE CREA
Wanda Alston, D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams’s special assistant for gay,
lesbian, bisexual, and transgender affairs, announced her opposition this month
to a proposal to designate a reserved seat on the city’s Democratic State
Committee for a member of the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club. Alston startled
gay Democratic activists when she told State Committee Chair M. Scott Bolden
that she believes it would be unfair to other groups if the State Committee
singled out the Stein Club for an automatic seat. Stein Club President Brad
Lewis said the club has been seeking a designated seat on the basis of its
role as an active party organization for more than 20 years, during which it
has provided party volunteers and raised funds for the State Committee and
Democratic Party candidates. Bolden told Stein members at a club meeting earlier
this year that he would support the proposal but was unsure if a resolution
backing the proposal, which was introduced by gay State Committee member Phil
Pannell, had enough votes to pass in the 60-member committee. Organizations
representing young Democrats and college Democrats already have designated
seats on the State Committee. Pannell’s resolution calls for adding designated
seats for the Stein Club and three separate women’s Democratic clubs
based in the city. Stein members have said designated seats for Democratic
clubs are common in cities and counties throughout the country. Alston said
she was acting on her own and not representing the mayor in her opposition
to the proposal.
- LOU CHIBBARO JR.
A private donor recently gave Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays
enough money to fully fund their National GLBT Scholarship Program, according
to a PFLAG news release. Palmer Carson bequeathed enough money to cover the
first rounds of these scholarships. “Palmer wanted to leave a legacy
of acceptance that would provide a more positive educational experience for
our children,” said John Drakulich, Carson’s executor, adding, “[Palmer]
felt PFLAG was an excellent choice due to its broad scope and mission statement.” PFLAG
officials praised the gift. PFLAG Executive Director David Tseng said: “These
college scholarships will let GLBT youth and their allies know that they can
fulfill their dreams and still be honest and open about who they are as individuals.
We can’t think of a better way to celebrate PFLAG’s 30th Anniversary
than by encouraging the next generation of activists.” The program will
give five scholarships to different gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered
students. The scholarship recipients will be announced this fall in conjunction
with PFLAG’s 30th anniversary.
- ALASTAIR GAMBLEALASTAIR GAMBLE
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