Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bridge player with ARC granted australian visa
San Francisco Chronicle - Monday September 11, 1989
Nanette Asimov, Chronicle Staff Writer
A jubilant Peter Pender has received word that Australian immigration authorities have changed their mind and will grant him a visa today despite his ARC diagnosis, which means he can join the World Champion Bridge Tournament going on there now. "I was elated beyond belief," Pender said yesterday after authorities in Australia notified him of their decision in a call to his San Francisco home. "I'm going to go over there and we're going to win." Pender leaves for Perth tonight. He was supposed to go yesterday, but last week the Australian government told him he was not welcome. His participation on the six-member American bridge team had been in limbo since then. "The visa was originally not recommended based on the fact that he had been HIV positive for a couple of years," said Patrick Flynn, a director at Australia's Department of Immigration. But Neal Blewitt, Australia's minister of health, informed his nation's immigration authorities yesterday that Pender's health should not keep him from traveling to that country. "The advice from the health department was that the risk (to others) was slight," Flynn said, adding that Australia has recently begun requiring new immigrants to be tested for HIV infection. Short-term visitors are not tested because it would be "impractical." Besides, Flynn said, "It would be disastrous for the tourism industry." Australian authorities learned of Pender's condition from a San Francisco newspaper column published in May. Gay leaders and contract bridge officials from Washington to Australia have spoken out on Pender's behalf since last week. He is one of about 100 people who hold World Master status in bridge. By keeping him from the prestigious competition, known as the Bermuda Bowl, Australia could have jeopardized his all-important ranking.
Keywords: AUSTRALIA; SF; FOREIGN; AIDS; GAMES; TRIP; BIOGRAPHY; PASSPORTS; TRAVEL; PETER PENDER
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