==============================================     
         =   INTERNATIONAL NEWS #296 - Dec 27, 1999   =   
         =               Rex Wockner                  =    
         ==============================================   

--> EURO COURT RULES FOR GAY DAD

The European Court of Human Rights Dec. 21 struck down a
Portuguese ruling that had stripped a gay man of his parental
rights because of his sexual orientation.

The Euro court ruled unanimously that the Lisbon Court of Appeal
had discriminated against Joao Manuel Salgueiro da Silva Mouta
based on his sexuality, and violated his "right to respect for
private and family life" as guaranteed by the European Convention
for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. 

The Portuguese court had said homosexuality is "an abnormality
and children must not grow up in the shadow of abnormal
situations." Silva Mouta had been allowed to visit his 9-year-old
daughter only if he did not reveal to her that he is gay.

Portugal has 90 days to appeal the new ruling to a 17-member
Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights.


--> EXTRA DRUGS SENT SOUTH

The New York group AID FOR AIDS says it has sent over $2.02
million in leftover anti-HIV drugs to 170 people with HIV in 18
Latin American nations.

A similar program operates in San Diego, where drugs left over
when people die or change medications are routed to the ACOSIDA
clinic in Tijuana and elsewhere in Mexico.

In both instances, the drugs go directly to physicians who care
for people with HIV, to avoid any possibility of interference by
corrupt government workers.

To donate to the New York group, visit www.aidforaids.org. To
contribute to the California project, phone (619) 697-9440.


--> AIR FRANCE EXTENDS BENEFITS

Air France last week extended cheap spouse fares to gay couples
who register under the nation's new partnership law.

"Our aim is to treat our staff and our clients who have legally
registered their partnerships the same as married couples," said
a company spokesperson.

Other French airlines and the national railroad already provide
benefits to gay employees' partners.


--> THAIS PROTEST AIDS DRUG PRICE

More than 50 Thai activists staged a three-day protest outside
the public health ministry Dec. 22-25 demanding that the
government license local production of the AIDS drug ddI.

Negotiations with the U.S. company Bristol-Myers Squibb, which
holds the patent on the drug, have dragged on too long and the
Government Pharmaceutical Organization should invoke
international law on "compulsory licensing" and produce ddI
itself, the demonstrators said.

Bristol-Myers sells the drug for $1.25 a pill in Thailand --
about $150 for a month's supply, which is beyond the reach of
most Thais. Protester Paisal Tanut of the HIV Network said
generic ddI could be sold for half as much.

One in 60 Thais is HIV-positive and 35,412 have died of AIDS.


--> DIOCESE TRIES TO CONVERT GAYS

The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, Australia, and its bishop,
George Pell, are under fire from gay groups for promoting an
organization called Courage which urges gays to turn straight or
embrace celibacy via prayer and therapy.

The archdiocese endorsed the group, which has said homosexuals
are "as sick as their secrets," in a recent mailing to 300
priests.

The local Catholic gay group Rainbow Sash Movement denounced
Pell's affiliation with Courage as "shocking and scandalous."

"Another generation of Catholic youth will face years of self
doubt and despair, fight futile struggles against their natural
sexual orientation, and live with a sense of being defective and
disordered. And all this in the name of God," said spokesman
Michael Kelly.


--> MP OUTRAGES GAYS

Canadian federal member of Parliament Cliff Breitkreuz, who
represents the Yellowhead riding of Alberta for the Reform Party,
outraged gays with remarks made in his December syndicated
newspaper column.

Breitkreuz wrote: "The health minister should prioritize and help
the innocent victims of AIDS. Those infected with AIDS from bad
blood and children born with the disease should be at the top of
the line of treatment."

                          -end-