April 1986

Gay Peoples Chronicle

CARBON COPY

Harris' Language Offensive

Dr. Thomas Halpin, Director Ohio Department of Health Columbus, Ohio

Dear Dr. Halpin:

I am sending you a copy of Gay Peoples Chronicle and refer you to the p. 11 "Unreel Safe Sex" column by Buck Harris, an ODH employee.

The Regional Council on Alcoholism of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain Counties continues to support education in both the gay and the provider community through the efforts of Tim Thomas, a half-time consultant at the Council. We plan to continue this support in FY 87 and increase our efforts directed toward this population in coming years.

Quite frankly, I particularly find the suggestion in the column that oral sex be followed by gargling "..with Listerine or 151 Ron Rico rum" to be ironic in terms of the other columns in the issue which devote considerable time to the issue of alcohol misuse and alcoholism in the gay community. Generally

the column rethe belief of inforces "straight" folks that sex is equated with a meat market in gay communities and that its pursuit is as vulgar and mechanical as the language of the article suggests.

If it is homophobic to suggest that Harris' articles (this and others) are vulgar and offensive to human beings, I'll wear the label.

I'm just concerned that Harris' pithy style of communicating may be used by a political candidate insensitive to the gay community to tie him back to the Depart discredit some of the fine work you have been doing in response to the needs of this population and particular crises such as AIDS.

Perhaps Mr. Harris needs to be reminded that he is a representative of the Ohio Department of Health at all times, that he is a professional at all times, and that he can present his subject with more of a scienvifi flavor as he did at the successful AIDS workshop he presented at our request last year for our alcoholism/chemical dependency providers.

The issues and the programs needed are more important than Buck Harris and a continuation of his style of "educating" can only, in my opinion, serve to strengthen resistance to them.

I would urge you to pursue a private conference with him. I believe he can do a

much more sensitive and professional job of raising awareness in the community than this column represents. Jeffrey Executive

Director Regional Council on Alcoholism

page 5

Harris Defends Style

Mr. Jeffrey C. Fox Executive Director Regional Council on Alcoholism

Dear Mr. Fox:

for the Ohio Department of As Gay Health Consultant Health for the past two and a half years, I have communicated to many diverse groups. When I am asked to speak to a group or submit articles for publication, I carefully consider the audience and adapt my style and language accordingly.

The Gay Peoples Chronicle, needless to say, is targetted at a very specific audience. It is distributed in gay establishments and through gay organizations.

With this in mind, I have written several articles pertaining to safe sex that I hope educate and to some degree, entertain. My belief is that if gay men are to consider adopting safe-sex practices they must view such practices as fun and erotic. Describing these in scientific terms, as you suggest, would be possible, though I believe it would alienate those people who most need this information.

oral recommendation that

sex be followed by gargling with Listerine or 151 rum, you suggest, shows I am insensitive to the problems of alcohol abuse in

our community. It is because I am sensitive to that very problem that I included Listerine, even though 151 rum is likely to be more effecthat causes AIDS. Were I to tive in destroying the virus on terminating their affair, suggest that the couple, upwhip up daiquiris and propose a toast, I might see your objection.

Dr. Halpin, the other AIDS and I meet project staff, regularly and continually evaluate education/prevention strategies. Ohio has been recognized repeatedly as one of the leaders in AIDS-prevention education in the country.

The creation of my position has been cited as one of the most innovative parts of the program. I do not wish to jeopardize that position. If large numbers of the readers of the GPC find my articles to be vulgar and offensive, as you do, I hope they will advise me and Dr. Halpern and I shall alter my language and content accordingly. Letters of support would also be valuable.

In Health Buck Harris ODH

P.O. Box 118 Columbus, OH 43216

GAY AND LESBIAN INSTITUTE FORMS

from page 1 within the gay/lesbian community; creating an ongoing process for development of personal, interpersonal, and community networks for support and growth; providing for validation of individual and collective pride in being lesbian/gay and belonging within the community; providing education for its members and others regarding the truths and myths of homosexuality; developing a horizontal or shared model of leadership across gay!lesbian organizations, equitably represented by women and men, for gay people and their children; and providing for concrete endorsement gay/lesbian history and continued existence.

Dedicated to working within the lesbian/gay community, the Institute will also serve as a resource for the nongay community, in combating homophobia through education and consultation...

The Institute provides a variety of skills and services to lesbian/gay organizations and individuals. Specialty areas include consultation for organizational and network development, workshop design, leadership development, educational

programs, speakers bureau, and developing support services within the community. Institute Faculty The Institute's faculty a psycholo-

are:

Peter gist in

Beebe,

private

private practice,

gay peoples CHRONICLE

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specializes in lesbian and gay issues and has consulted with lesbian and gay organizations nationally. He is a graduate of the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland's PostGraduate Training Program.

Charles Callender, Associate Professor of Anthropology at Case Western Reserve University, is codirector of the Cleveland Gay History Project, custodian of the Lesbian/Gay Archives, and editor of the Gay Peoples Chronicle (and has an article in the current Journal of Homosexuality)..

Debra L. Dunkle is Program Director of Adult Services local Mental Health

at

a

numBeRs!

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Center. She has served the lesbian and gay community for four years as a Gestalt therapist and educator. A member of Focus Counselling, Inc., a lesbian and gay private practice, she is in her fifth year of study at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, specializing in individuals, couples, and management.

Antone Feo is a psychologist working in a psychiatric hospital. His private practice includes work in sexual concerns, substance abuse, couples, and individuals. A graduate of the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, his current research involves coming-out in the workplace.

Page 11, col. 2

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