The Michigan Doily- Fridoy, July 22. 198-Pag.3 Pollack's remarks anger gays BY ANNA SENKEVITCH In a meeting with student groups last Saturday, Democratic congres- sional candidate and state Senator Lana Pollack (D-Ann Arbor) called endorsements from lesbian and gay male rights groups "political sui- cide." She added that while she would accept backing from such organizations, she does not want it, and wouldn't list in any of her literature. After discussions with both Pol- lack and her opponent, Rackham graduate student Dean Baker, the Lesbian and Gay Rights Organizing Committee announced their endorse- ment of Baker and their anger over Pollack s remarks. The two talks were arranged by the newly-formed Coalition of Loosely Organized Human Rights Organizations, led by Brian Durrance and Linda Kurtz of LaGROC. Eleven students, representing six organizations, met with Pollack for about an hour at the Michigan Union Student Counseling Office. Student members also met Sunday with Dean Baker at West Park, where Baker gave a brief address in a concert commemorating Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday and the ninth anniversary of the Nicaraguan revolution. Pollack has consistently refused to participate in a debate with Baker. CLOHRO particularly sought a discussion with Pollack because its LaGROC members had heard she does not openly support the rights of lesbians and gay men. "Two years ago I asked her to come speak at the Lesbian and Gay Men's Pride Rally," Durrance said. "She told me she couldn't because she couldn't afford to be associated with gay issues." Pollack discomforted her student audience, whose members repre- sented predominantly lesbian and gay men's groups, by saying she would be neither a prime sponsor nor co- sponsor for gay and lesbian civil rights legislation. "I wouldn't get re-elected," she said. on gay rights B.a..E r stppots up.tal igtFs For eIa. supptOrt ths ucivil rtihtl 1f5. Co sotmawt trt. it o aks asier for Ot on Lana Poiack He eros-us Pollack for not takin really pushi pis -ate petition ha Site t£ed to so e wre riggig te told Agenda she won't even tke part n gay rights Pollack says gay and lesbhan rights ar interested in oital suicide at age4 majoritys kind- itlt asnt played the other issues have. And I know ts a d on Dean Baker She says she doubts Bake's metht-ds successful. I do sot lfleve that Dea difference bf that role of.. a moveim who serves within the electoral prsce Pollack added that topics con- cerning lesbian and gay men have not played a "compelling" role in her life. "My sexual orientation is of the majority kind's. Gay and lesbian rights simply are not on my AAMISTAD, which is building soil didn't hit it... or I pushed it too agenda." and water testing plants in Managua. fast," she said. "It was a mistake. She expressed a general chagrin Pollack and Baker in addition But my commitment to the choice for taking risks both during her agreed on the need for national health position is very deep, very old... campaigns and in a first term in care and health insurance programs, very consistent." Congress. Pollack said she feels such coverage In its meeting with Baker, "I know the electoral system well should come from private as well as CLOHRO asked the candidate about enough to know its pitfalls and how public sources; Baker stressed the Pollack's assessments of gay and to be successful," she said. "I am need to finance treatment for AIDS lesbian groups' endorsements. much less interested in ...running patients through a nationwide, "It's not political suicide," Baker educational campaigns. I want to federal government-financed pla. said. "How many people are going win." She added, "You're a fool if Students asked Pollack about her to be outraged over a gay rights po- sition who already aren't outraged over Medicaid funding for abortion?" Baker disagrees with Pollack's stand on risktaking, and praised former Democratic presidential can- ts s "at u tavt tt sast didate Jesse Jackson for making t us hiaon btt. 10 sirt tet p P to do "progress on "risky" issues. Ato ."You have to start somewhere," he said. "The fact that Jackson was 's and refism to de es"We're willing to take the real strong, open rd, tcatse Lana s ru to debate stand... advances issues tremen- orutat, which was a flat-out lie. She dously " tst s wi tt lratt." Baker spoke about bringing some of his own past activist approaches to issues into the political system. The combination of experience with "outside movements" and a congres- re o on tar atnda "I am not sional office, he said, "gives a.. Myvs stu orttsaton is e of the positions that are in fact quite rea- elinl rtl ti my life that so- sonable and (which) a lot of people iisaitmttett" agree with much more legitimacy." Pollack said she is confident of and stands C be. poliially her chances at winning the August 2 in Baker has come iv terms with the primaryagainst B ker, fnd now al- ent politician and that role as a person ready is focusing much of her con- cerns on a race for the second district spot against Republican incumbent Carl Pursell. you take risks during your first term recent failure to vote on the bill for But Baker referred to his 41 (in office). Medicaid funding for abortions. The percent showing in his 1986 Both candidates came out in favor Senator dismissed her no-vote as an Congressional race against Pursell of cutting funding to El Salvador but accident with the electronic voting and said, "To try and calculate that also support continuing economic machine. she's got better odds than we do ... aid projects like Ann Arbor-based "I either hit the wrong button or I is just the height of absurdity." Program bridges a gap for students BY SHEALA DURANT which exposes them to the three Over 60 minority LSA first-year major disciplines of LSA (natural students from throughout Michigan science, social science and humani- are getting an academic head start on ties). the rest of the class of '92, thanks to Bridge student Karen Bridges the Comprehensive Studies Pro- said she hopes the program will help gram's Bridge program. her develop better study habits and The Bridge program, now in its get a feel'for the campus. 13th year, gives a select group of Darius McKinney, another students a chance to start the fall Bridge student, said he likes the idea term six to eight credits ahead of the of getting a head start as opposed to average incoming first-year student. "coming to college in the fall and CSP Associate Director, Terrence starting from scratch." Brown said that Bridge students are The program also aims to combat "exposed to basic survival skills to the isolation that many campus mi- empower them to become master norities feel. Former Bridge partici- students." pants said they formed lasting Brown describes a "master stu- friendships while in the program. dent" as "one who is in control, uses Roslyn Elkins, an LSA senior their time effectively and sets majoring in English and a Bridge goals." program Writing Skills Assistant, The program runs from June 27 said when she first came to the Uni- to August 18. Bridge students stay in versity she didn't know anybody, Mary Markley and elect three but after a couple of days she met classes: Math 103 or 109, English people that "I've just been friends ECB or 125, and a CSP seminar with ever since." ELLEN LEVY/Daily Incoming first-year student Charisse Edwards gets advice on an English paper from Mark Williams, a tutor in the Bridge Program.