Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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The San Francisco Examiner - January 25, 2002
Tanya Pampalone Of The Examiner Staff
Dr. Tom Coates, director of UCSF's Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, said Thursday the upcoming appointment of staunch conservative Republican Tom Coburn to the president's advisory council -- and the recent federal investigation of the Stop AIDS Project spurred by conservatives in Congress -- were signs that funding and support of AIDS could be slashed under the Bush administration.
Evertz, who spoke to the researchers during his visit to several local AIDS groups this week, tried to reassure them that he would fight to protect AIDS/HIV support in Washington.
The Stop AIDS Project should "maybe stop pushing the envelope" with its provocative programming, Evertz told reporters. The nonprofit's controversial programs -- "Great Sex Workshop" and "Booty Call" -- were dubbed obscene by a Health and Human Services investigation in November .
"But if it's working, it's hard to argue with effectiveness," Evertz said.
"Don't let fear stop you from what you are doing."
The openly gay Republican, who was appointed by Bush in April, agreed that some of Coburn's views on HIV/AIDS differ from the mainstream.
Coburn, a former Oklahoma congressman, believes homosexuality is morally wrong and he has consistently challenged the effectiveness of condoms in HIV prevention campaigns.
But Evertz said he was encouraged by Coburn's instrumental role in pushing through the most recent reauthorization of the Ryan White Care Act, which provides $1.8 billion in HIV/AIDS funding.
Coburn will be co-chairman of the 35-member Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS with Louis Sullivan, the former Secretary of Health and Human Services under former President Bush. The announcement is expected by the Bush administration later his month.
Evertz said he is traveling around the country to see what is happening on the ground and seeking help from different community groups so he can relay information to Washington.
E-mail Tanya Pampalone at tpampalone@sfexaminer.com
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