March 1, 1985

Gay Peoples Chronicle

Gay Workshop Cancelled

by Rob Daroff

It's ? a.m. in Suite 300 of the Bulkley Building downtown, Wednesday, February A. but the room is

་་་་་་་་་

empty. That's what happened when Planned Parenthood of Greater Cleveland had to cancel a workshop for school personnel on Understanding Homosexuality.

Healthwise

In Northeastern Ohio very few individuals actually know someone with AIDS. The first persons to be treated in the Cleveland area were mainly former

residents who contracted the disease in one of the coastal cities and returned home. Only within the past year or so have we begun to see "homegrown" cases of AIDS. The gay community here has not experienced the "shock-effect of AIDS as felt in New York and San Francisco. Involvement and change come much more easily when the disease becomes "personal.

FI

This situation has created both frustration and opportunity. The low incidence of AIDS in our area has contributed to an "It can t happen here (to me) " attitude. Let's face it--who wants to deal with that?!

Alternatively, we can capitalize on what has been learned and lived on both coasts. They didn't have any warning and it wasn't until friends died that gay men rallied together.

Through education, Cleveland can make a strong impact on reducing the transmissibility of AIDS and possibly greatly avoid the pain and illness that has struck these other communities.

By L. Kolke

risks are, and what choices you have. No one is advocating celibacy or imposing morality. Now more than ever we need to explore new ways of caring about ourselves and others. Fear of AIDS can and probably will cause homophobic responses in many of us. Yet despite the risks, physical and emotional intimacy are important to our overall health.

The remainder of this article is devoted to suggestions or sexual guidelines which may Feduce risks of contracting AIDS. They are based on the best information available at this time. However, there is no guarantee that following these guidelines will protect you from AIDS. Also, the information that follows is expressed in general terms. The Health Issues Taskforce is working on making more detailed brochures on "Safe Sex" available to the community in the coming months.

General factors agreed upon by virtually all researchers as representing significant risk are:

1. Sexual activity in which blood and semen are exchanged. 2. The exchange of bodily fluids with multiple sexual part-

ners.

In fact, Dr. L. H. Cala-Certain sexual prac-

brese (Chairman of the Cleveland Clinic's Taskforce on AIDS and Head of its Section of Clinical Immunology) interprets local epidemiologic data to suggest that we in Cleveland are at least 4 years behind the urban coastal areas of New York and San Francisco in the spread of the virus.

All this leads to the new buzzword in gay health--"Safe Sex." The term refers to the promotion of sexual practices that reduce one's risk of exposure to AIDS or any sexually transmitted disease. The concept is just now reaching Cleveland. At its core is the fundamental rule of taking responsibility for one's own health. Education is the key to learning what the

3. The injection of illicit drugs or the shared use of needles for such injections. tices are associated with an increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases. The following practices have been shown to have an AIDS correlation:

1. "Fisting.'

L

Oral-Anál contact

("Rimming").

3. Anal inter course. All involve the heightened possibility of damage to the rectal tissue and direct access by infections to the bloodstream. The use of water-soluble lubricants and condoms is highly recommended.

The risks posed by oral genital contact are difficult to assess. Factors such as cuts, abrasions, or sores on the mouth or genitals would seem to increase risk. Also, the exchange of semen should be

The reason: apparent lack of interest; only two people in the city had signed up. The only question that remained was: Do the teachers already know

avoided. Finally, urine on unbroken skin probably represents little risk.

Providing neither partner has open cuts or sores of the mouth, lips, or tongue, kissing probably represents little or no risk. Anonymous contacts tend to reduce a per son's ability to know his partner's habits and health status. Although no one drug has been identified as a significant risk for AIDS, their mind-altering ability can affect overall health, influence decisions about the sex one has, and alter pain apprecíation so that injury may occur.

So what's left? Hugging, cuddling, sensual massage, mutual masturbation, etc!

Any

Be creative! Any practice that doesn't involve the direct ex change of bodily fluids affords no risk of AIDS. And they are healthy expressions of intimacy.

Additional issues

worth considering include:

1. If you choose to continue something that may be risky, consider modifying it to reduce risk. For example, avoid anal sex with anonymous partners.

2. Consider substituting fantasy for a particularly enjoyed but risky practice.

One should not underestimate the value of good care for your body and overall health. Many factors contribute to the strength of an individual's immune system. Repeated exposures to sexually transmitted diseases and infections probably reduce immunity. Also, make sure you get adequate rest and sleep, watch your diet, exercise regular ly, reduce stress, and limit your consumption of alcohol and other toxic substances.

Finally, be prepared for adverse peer pressure when making these changes in your life. Change can be difficult and some will choose to ignore the facts. Talk over these changes and concerns with your friends. Be supportive of each other's decision to control your own health. We would rather be safe than sorry.

it all?

Page 13

Buck Harris, long-time consultant and director of education for Planned Parenthood, was scheduled to run the cancelled workshop. Harris has dealt with teachers before and did not seem terribly surprised about the cancellation.

"The lack of response indicates how unwilling teachers are to look at the subject. Most

probably they're fear-

ful and want to touch the issue," he said.

The result, according to Harris, is that high-schoolers remain misinformed. Gay students frequently search high and low to find anything informative on the subject to reaffirm themselves. Harris notes that the high school years are an especially important time to hear positive things.

"The major development task of adolescence is to prove yourself to be normal, and as macho or as feminine (depending on your gender) as you can ɓe. If a kid starts to become aware of same-sex feelings, there is no way the kid can have a healthy ego unless he or she can find some other source that says its okay to be gay".

Luckily, most of the sex-education books being used now do usua~ lly have a section

on gay/lesbian concernWheather or not

S.

the teacher chooses

to highlight the section is a different story. Harris noted that teachers tend to treat homosexuality as if it did not exist. "They're usuall quick to deny that it is a concern of their students".

Y

In fact, Harris said, at least 50% of adolescent males have same-sex experiences. 10% will have true and real concerns as they become more and more in touch with their gayness.

"If we were all painted purple, it would be wonderful...they'd see just how many thousands of students they need to address", he said.

Chubbies Meet March 15

There will be a benefit fundraiser for "Good'n Flenty, Cleveland's newest club for chubbies and chubby-chasers, at Water Street Dans on March 15. The fundraiser will be an evening with Divine's Little Sister; Big D; and Cleveland's newest and biggest chubby, Eppie Dymeck. Festivities begin at 9.p.m. Afterward there will be a free night at the baths, and a free buffet.