Date: Tue, 28 Feb 1995 13:43:03 -0500 From: Babngltf@aol.com ************************************************* National Gay and Lesbian Task Force NEWS RELEASE Contact: Robin Kane (202) 332-6483 ext. 3311 (800) 757-7736 pager Beth Barrett (202) 332-6483 ext. 3215 2320 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20009 ************************************************* NGLTF DENOUNCES AIDS-PHOBIC OLYMPIC PROPOSAL IN FULTON COUNTY Activists Call on Georgia Leaders to Take a Stand For Human Rights Washington, DC -- February 28, 1995 -- If Fulton County Commission Chairman Mitch Skandalakis has his way, no Olympic athletes who test positive for HIV will be allowed to compete in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Today the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) denounced Skandalakis' proposal which would codify discrimination against people with HIV and AIDS living in Fulton County calling it "demoralizing and unconscionable." NGLTF released letters to Chairman Skandalakis asking that he abandon his proposal. NGLTF also called on Georgia Governor Zell Miller, Rep. John Lewis (D-GA-5) , Sen. Paul Coverdell (R-GA) , and Sen. Sam Nunn (D-GA) to take a public stand against the proposal. Skandalakis, responding to the Friday announcement that Olympic medalist Greg Louganis knew he was HIV positive when he competed in the 1988 Olympics, called for county lawyers to investigate whether the local government could bar HIV+ amateur athletes from competing in the Olympic games or other sports events in Fulton County. "This proposal is demoralizing and unconscionable," said Beth Barrett, NGLTF spokesperson, "Not only must people with HIV and AIDS cope with the ravages of the disease, they must face discrimination and violence from those who misunderstand their condition. If passed, this proposal would codify AIDS-phobia." According to a 1992 national study of people with HIV and AIDS conducted by the National Association of People With AIDS, 21% said they had been targets of violence outside of their homes and 12% said they had experienced violence in their homes. "This proposal would send a clear message that the Fulton County Commission supports the denial of basic human rights," said Barrett. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said they will not conduct HIV testing for athletes competing in the 1996 Olympics. The IOC medical commission found that the risk of transmitting the virus during athletic competition is extremely low. "Given the position of the IOC and the findings of its medical commission, it is clear that this proposal is nothing but a thinly veiled attack on people living with this horrible epidemic." said Barrett. "Skandalakis should be ashamed." Last summer a human rights conflict erupted in nearby Cobb County when the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games determined that the county's anti-gay resolution made it a poor choice to host Olympic competitions. NGLTF worked in coalition with Olympics Out of Cobb, a group of local organizer, in the successful campaign to relocate the Olympic events scheduled in that county. If passed, activists are certain that the proposal in Fulton County would spark a similar controversy. --end--