page 10

Healthwise

Gay Peoples Chronicle

How You Can Help

March 1986

By JERRY BORES

In 1982 a workshop entitled Health Issues was held at the Third Annual Gay & Lesbian Conference, at Case Western Reserve University. It was well attended and drew good reviews.

A few months later I was asked to participate in a new group that was forming to deal with gay and lesbian health concerns, the Health Issues Taskforce. During those early meetings, Ted Wilson, our chairperson, spoke of this rare disease, AIDS, that was beginning to affect gay men in New York and San Francisco. The Taskforce decided to focus on AIDS but still address other concerns: alcoholism, VD, and mental health.

Suddenly in February 1984, Don Keller, a gay activist and close friend, died of AIDS. This disease was no longer something that happened to other people on the coasts, but here in Cleve-

land to my friend. I knew that it was time to take health issues seriously.

During the last two years HIT has been working to educate the community about safe sex, myths surrounding AIDS, and reduce hysteria in the gay, and non-gay communi-

ty.

Thousands of dollars have been raised and spent to accomplish this task. Hundreds of hours have been donated to the support of local AIDS patients. Great strides have been made in uniting the various segments of the lesbian and gay community on this issue.

In Ohio, Governor Celeste, after issuing an executive order banning discrimination in state employment, has allocated state resources through the Department of Health to work on this problem. The Department retained consultant and has sponsored Buck Harris as a gay health conferences on gay health issues. At the same time, legislation to quarantine AIDS patients has been

stopped in the state legislature. Public officials welcome input from gays and lesbians on this issue and would like us to take the lead in proposing solutions.

In Cleveland, the gay community has continued to work with county and city officials and members of the medical, education, and business communities in develop ing policy and allocating resources surrounding AIDS.

As the political campaigns of 1986 begin, AIDS is certain to become a major political issue. The gay/lesbian Community needs to become informed about those candidates who will support us, and then support them in the election. These candidates also need feedback from us to continue their awareness of our issues and concerns. The Eleanor Roosevelt Gay Political Club will continue to monitor races on the local, county, state and federal level, and inform voters of the best choices.

that

There are many ways gays and lesbians can help. Money is always needed. Donations, often tax-deductible, should be made to those groups working on the issues of most concern to you. Volunteers are needed to staff the AIDS hotline and do tasks ranging from data entry on computers to mailing flyers. People need to write their elected officials outlining their concerns. The list goes on.

The one thing that should become clear to all of us is that things cannot be the way they were, and that all of us will be affected, and sooner than we think. And until we work together, utilizing our best asset--our diversity--others will continue to set policies and agendas which may not be

ours.

[Jerry Bores is a member of the Health Issues Taskforce]

Cleveland Health Issues Taskforce in conjunction with the Case Western Reserve University Film Society presents:

ARTHUR J. BRESSAN, JR.'S

BUDDIES

...THE FIRST DRAMATIC MOVIE ABOUT AIDS

BUDDIES STARRING GEOFF EDHOLM AND DAVID SCHACHTER AN ARTHUR J BRESSAN JR PRODUCTION JEFFREY OLMSTED ORIGINAL SCORE CARL TEITELBAUM CINEMATOGRAPHY STEVE HIRSCH SOUND FREDERICK SCHMINKE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JOHN HARTIS ASSOCIATE PRODUCER WRITTEN, PRODUCED DIRECTED BY ARTHUR J BRESSAN JRA FILM AND VIDEO WORKSHOP INC PRESENTATION

Friday, March 7

7:00 and 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 8

7:00 and 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 9

4:00 and 7:00 p.m.

Alcoholism

Professionals Meet

The National Association of Lesbian and Gay Alcoholism Professionals (NALGAP) will hold its Midwest Regional Conference in East Lansing, Michigan, April 11-13, .1986.

Registration for the Conference is $20, with student registration available at $10. Some scholarships for the Conference are also available for individuals whose finances would prevent them from attending. A Saturday night banquet will be held at the Scoreboard Restaurant. Tickets for the banquet are $15.

NÁLGAP is a non-profit tax-exempt organization ded-

icated to three major goals: (1) Forming a network of communications and support for gay and lesbian alcoholism professionals; (2) Improving treatment for lesbian and gay alcoholic clients; and (3) Assisting alcoholism agencies and all helping professionals to better serve their gay and lesbian clients.

Registration forms for the conférence may be obtained from Steven L. Berg, Department of Religious Studies, Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824-1044; or by calling him at 517353-9098.

At Strosacker Auditorium Case Western Reserve University

An open discussion of public and personal issues addressed in BUDDIES will be led by members of the Health Issues Taskforce following each showing.

8日

KEYS

COCKTAILS & COMPANY

1028 PROSPECT AVE. CLEVELAND, OHIO 44115 PHONE: (216) 566-0060