Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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San Francisco Examiner - November 20, 2001
Tanya Pampalone, Of The Examiner Staff
The report, circulated last week, investigated the funding and material of provocative classes given by San Francisco's Stop AIDS Project. But the report resulted in plans for a "more comprehensive review" of the federal government's $11 billion funding of HIV and AIDS programs, putting the organizations that receive those funds under tighter supervision.
In addition to finding that two courses -- "Great Sex Workshop" and "Booty Call," which is based on the book "Anal Pleasure and Health: A Guide for Men and Women" -- could be in violation of federal guidelines, the report concluded there is a need for stricter accounting and appropriate use of federal funds.
"Most of the money is a good investment," said Roland Foster, a Republican aide to the House Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources. "But there are things that are atrocious."
Foster is responsible for bringing the classes to the attention of the subcommittee after being informed of the activities from controversial AIDS activist Michael Petrelis. Petrelis had temporary restraining orders placed against him in the past week for his involvement in harassing and threatening phone calls to public health officials and journalists.
In addition to the two courses scrutinized by HHS, Foster also points to a "fist-f------ forum" which was put on earlier this year by Stop AIDS Project, a group that received $698,000 in Center for Disease Control funding last year.
Mike Shriver, the Mayor's AIDS and HIV adviser, defended the forum and courses, saying the money is well spent.
"Gay men have a right to have their health protected," said Shriver. "If it is sexual behavior (that is transmitting the disease), you make sure that you target the sexual behavior, and it doesn't matter if it is fisting or cuddling or unprotected anal sex."
Shriver hinted at hypocrisy in the report by pointing out that though a local panel reviewed the courses taught by the Stop AIDS Project, the federal health agency found the materials obscene and thus not in compliance with CDC guidelines.
"What they have said was that the rules are followed and we still don't like the outcome," he said. "Decisions in San Francisco are not necessarily the same as in Boise, Idaho," he said of the need for a local review panel.
Stop AIDS Project interim executive director Steven Gibson said they are working with the Department of Public Health and the CDC to be sure they are in compliance.
He said this is the first time the group has been questioned about the "Great Sex Workshop," which has been held since 1990, and he called the review politically motivated.
He said conservative members of Congress and Petrelis will do whatever is politically expedient to "defund AIDS organizations."
E-mail Tanya Pampalone at tpampalone@sfexaminer.com
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