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CNN Live Saturday

Bush AIDS Director Appointment Stirs Controversy

Aired April 14, 2001 - 16:16   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: Next week, Scott Evertz will take over as head of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy. He is openly gay. And his appointment has created a stir, especially among conservatives.

CNN's Christy Feig has more from Washington.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTY FEIG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Active in AIDS causes and fund-raising in Wisconsin, Scott Evertz is making history as the first openly gay appointee in a Republican administration.

TOMMY THOMPSON, HHS SECRETARY: He's passionate about doing something about HIV-AIDS. And we have an international problem. And I think we need a strong voice. And I know he's going to be a strong voice.

FEIG: Evertz was one of 12 gay Republicans who met with George Bush during the campaign last year. It's Evertz's openly gay lifestyle that bothers conservative Republicans the most. They say his appointment goes against the Republican Party's strong emphasis on family values.

RICHARD LESSNER, AMERICAN RENEWAL: We fear that the appointment of someone such as Mr. Evertz at the very highest levels of the administration will give a voice to those who want to mainstream and normalize homosexuality and put it on the same moral footing as heterosexual marriage. That is someone we will oppose.

STEVE GUNDERSON, THE GREYSTONE GROUP, INC.: This is blatant discrimination based on sexual orientation.

FEIG: Steven Gunderson was an openly gay congressman who knows Evertz.

GUNDERSON: I think they ought to stand up and say that, and say: You know, we really don't want any gay people serving in a Republican administration.

FEIG: There's other things about Evertz that bothers conservatives, like his support of needle-exchange programs and safe- sex education. While Evertz has said he won't force his personal views in his new position, gay and lesbian rights groups say he will use his influence to push controversial programs.

WINNIE STACHELBERG, HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN: And when you look at the sound and proven public health approaches to this disease, they will include things like needle exchange, like condom use, in addition to some of the other proven effective prevention, care and treatment issues.

FEIG: And that's just what the conservative groups are fighting to prevent.

LESSNER: There are a number of things like this that we find very troubling about his record. And our question is: Will he bring those policies to the table?

FEIG (on camera): Evertz's position doesn't need Senate confirmation. And the White House is standing behind his appointment. Still, at least a dozen social conservative groups are vowing to continue voicing their opposition when it comes to future policies and appointments they disagree with.

Christy Feig, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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