June 1986
Gay Peoples Chronicle
KEVIN BLANCHET INTERVIEW
page 9
We are about to begin implementing a voluntary tracking mechanism for the sexual partners of those individuals coming to the test site, whereby we will encourage them to contact their previous sexual contacts and give them a card telling them to call the Health Department so they can be encouraged to come in and be tested.
What is the current reconmendation from the Health Department regarding testing of gay and bisexualˇmen?
The Cleveland Department of Health, like any other health department in the United States, is looked upon very warily by the gay and isexual community. C members
are concerned that
their confidentiality will be breached. They are concerned that we will use aggressive tracking procedures as we do with other sexually transmitted diseases. There is concern that we might institute quarantining.
The dilemma faced by AIDS coordinators across the country is how to handle individual rights versus the public good. Certainly the Cleveland Department of Health recommends that all members of risk groups be tested anonymously for the HTLV-III antibody, first, as an opportunity for them to know their health status so they can continue to monitor their health; and second, to provide a negative incentive to practice safe sex.
We feel that some individ-
uals, upon hearing that they are positive on the test, will want to alter their behavior in a way that will slow the spread of this dis-
ease.
related
What kinds of AIDS support groups are available?
The Housing and Support Committee has developed several support groups. One is for persons who are positive for the HTLV-III antibody. There is another group for people diagnosed with AIDS; and plans are under way for another support group for lovers, friends, and parents of individuals who have AIDS.
Do you have anything else you would like to tell the
GAY & LESBIAN SUBSTANCE ABUSE
[continued from May issue]
*Equal access to and within the treatment environment must be insured. Too often gays and lesbians have been refused services because of their admitted or suspected sexual orientation. Many have had negative experiences with treatment professionals who have damagingly viewed their sexual preference as pathological.
Persons who feel as though they have been denied service or equal access because of their sexual orientation must be provided with recourse. An appeal mechanism needs to be established whereby all charges and complaints can be investigated in order that positive and constructive correction might occur: if it is found that such corection is necessary.
*A massive educational involvement program needs to be launched within the gay community. Gays and lesbians must learn of these programs and must come to understand that services are being offered to address their special needs. The negative experience of yesterday must be replaced by the positive experiences of today:
Agencies charged with sub-
stance abuse education must actively extend their efforts to the gay community. Articles relating to substance abuse and its effects on the gay community should be placed in publications specialized to that community. The community needs to learn about the problem and needs to understand that local agencies are willing to provide help. Special seminars and programs should be conducted annually and advertised to the community to enhance involvement and understanding. Awareness is the first step to solution.
*We hold that there should be no allocation of public funds to substance abuse programs that do not affirmatively address the needs of sexual minorities. The gay community has a low rate of unemployment. Gays and lesbians pay taxes, but are denied the social services purchased by their tax dollars.
Affirmative efforts to correct historical adverse effects and inadequate programs must occur. Install an Office of Compliance and Review charged with responsibility for developing reports review and enforcement
Cleveland gay community?
If there is one thing that is clear from my coming on board as the AIDS Coordinator for this city, it is that Cleveland is making a comcommitment to the AIDS issue and my appointment is a principal sign of that commitment.
I am looking forward to working with the Health Issues Taskforce and with other groups in the area to eradicate this disease, to work on prevention, education, and legal and social issues surrounding this disease.
am confident that with this cooperative effort, we can take the bull by the horns and help solve this problem before it gets out of hand. The time is now.
By DAWN L. VANDERZEE and ALLEN L. RALSTON
systems. This office also could serve as a placement clearing, house for gay professionals in the field and be available for educational and training programs. It will be difficult for agencies to develop the nečessary resources for correction unless a centralized resource information program is created.
*Special funds should be allocated to substance abuse programs, funding outreach and educational programs addressing issues of gay and lesbian alcoholism. Should it not be practical or reasonable, through current or conventional budgetary procedures, to equitably fund such programs, a central budget could be made available through the Office of Compliance and Review.
*There is a fundamental need for more research on gay and lesbian substance abuse. The problem cannot fully be addressed until it is fully explored. There is more to learn and more to understand.
Again, special monies need to be available. Grant programs must be established to encourage and promote such research. Funds should be
allocated to such grants at a dollar level comparable to those allocated for similar research efforts.
Gay and lesbian substance abusers represent a large percentage of all substance abusers; yet the chronic problem of abuse in this community has historically been all but ignored. Some might view the recommendations atated above as extraordinary.
That view is naive and lacks enlightenment. Change can only result from consciousness-raising combined with a strong policy mandate. The gay community stands ready to assist, but it needs the help of the Recovery Council in attacking this chronic problem. The problem of substance abuse clearly needs to be addressed by the entire gay community. The recommendations presented here are a result of much research experience and involvement throughout the state by gay and lesbian constituency groups. Several meetings have been held where concerned individuals were able to share their experiences and their recommendations. These experiences and recommendations have been incorporated into this report.
FAIRMOUNT CIRCLE ASSOCIATES SPECIALIZING IN THERAPY FOR:
ADULT CHILDREN OF ALCOHOLICS
ANGER DEPRESSION STRESS RELATIONSHIPS
JANET LEIGH KUIVILA, M.S.W.
CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS & CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
(216) 397-0300
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