AIDS Daily Summary August 17, 1993 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National AIDS Clearinghouse makes available the following information as a public service only. Providing this information does not constitute endorsement by the CDC, the CDC Clearinghouse, or any other organization. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC Clearinghouse should be cited as the source of this information. Copyright 1993, Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD "Felons No More, Russian Gays Fight Bias, AIDS" Washington Times (08/17/93) P. A9 (Rubin, Julia) Russian homosexuals have announced the creation of an advocacy group, Triangle, through which they will seek equality for gay men and lesbians and will fight the spread of AIDS. The group will act as an information center for homosexuality and AIDS, and will be involved in political activities. Triangle was formed three months after the country decriminalized homosexuality. Group leaders say it is important for them to organize support for gays during a period of political upheaval. According to activists, treatment of gays has improved since the law against male homosexuality was repealed. There are reportedly now hundreds of homosexual groups across the country, along with openly gay bars and cafes. Also, say leaders, people are increasingly willing to be tested for AIDS because they no longer have to worry about being arrested. Nonetheless, homosexuals still fear social censure, and still worry about discrimination in the workplace. The number of AIDS cases is Russia is officially placed at 600 to 700, although homosexual activists say the figure is substantially higher. Editor of a Moscow gay newspaper, Dmitri Lychov, placed the number of Russians infected with HIV at 35,000. Lychov said he is seeking to broaden awareness of AIDS among gays. "Our AIDS centers remain rudimentary, and the issue doesn't interest representatives of the gay movement as much as we'd like," said Lychov.