As the Minnesota House of Representatives works to complete this session's omnibus health and human services bill (HF 1422), a controversial amendment has been added that would prohibit state funds from going to our ally, the Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP). This unwise effort stems from offense taken by Rep. Tom Emmer to what he deemed "sexually explicit" information provided by MAP's Pride Alive initiative, directed at young gay and bisexual men. (Rep. Emmer, at the House hearing in Grand Rapids on March 18, provoked outbursts by suggesting that permitting same-sex couples to marry would lead to people marrying their pets.) According to MAP Executive Director Lorraine Teel, no state funds are used in producing the Pride Alive materials in question, and experience shows that frank talk about sexual activities is an effective way to communicate with young gay and bisexual men, who continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS. The loss of some $425,000 in State funds would represent a loss of approximately 10% of MAP's annual revenue, and would result in cuts to or elimination of critical HIV-related services. Administration officials have been skeptical of this provision, noting that MAP is a vital part of Minnesota's efforts to combat HIV and AIDS. For more information, visit the website of the Minnesota AIDS Project.