Date: 27 Jan 94 18:53:22 EST
Subject: NY AIDS Poster Controversy; "Jeffrey" to be a Movie!

Controversy heats up over subway's safer sex ads NEW YORK (UPI) _ The
controversy over explicit AIDS-prevention posters appearing in the Big
Apple's subways heated up Thursday with opponents and supporters of the
advertisments squaring off in the New York City Council.

Advocates of the unpaid public service ads _ which depict kissing gay and
lesbian couples holding condoms, latex gloves and spermicide _ blasted
Brooklyn Councilman Noach Dear for his efforts to have the ads removed.

Dear, a conservative Democrat, headed a public hearing Thursday on the issue.
"These ads have been found offensive by some communities and there should be
a policy about ads in the subways," he said.

Bernard Cohen, a vice president of the state's Metropolitan Transportation
Authority, disagreed. He said the ads _ emblazoned with the slogan "Young,
Hot, Safe!" _ do not violate obscenity laws and are protected by court
rulings across the country.

"We are in a balancing act between what the law requires and the impact the
advertising has on the community," Cohen said. He said the MTA is currently
developing standards for future public service and commercial advertising.

Before the hearing, gay activists and elected officials gathered outside City
Hall to call Dear's actions unconstitutional.

Manhattan Councilman Tom Duane, who is gay and HIV-positive, said,  "These
ads protect the lives of people in New York City and protect the lives of
people who live in Councilman Dear's district."

During the hearing, Duane also lashed out at his colleague, calling Dear
"homophobic and AIDS-phobic."