Yours in Health

By Buck Harris

I have offered to be a regular contributor to this newspaper. As Gay Health Consultant to the Ohio Department of Health for the last four years, I have dealt with the major health issues confronting our community on a professional and personal level.

You'll notice health issues is plural. AIDS is not our only enemy. Many of us are combating the disease of alcoholism and other chemical dependencies. Then there are the issues of mental health that impact on self-acceptance as a gay person and in relationships with lovers, friends, and family. Sexual health includes not only practicing safe sex but also sexual expression that enhances self and relationships.

My regular contribution to this paper will be in the way of an advice column. I will lear

and

on my training, experience, humor, professional colleagues to respond to your questions. Please send your questions ir care of THE CHRONICLE.

To get started, I will respond to the question asked most often of me when I'm out and about: "Should I take the test?"

The test referred to is the test that checks for antibodies to the HIV virus that AIDS. The test has proven to be reliable. If you take the test

at

causes

a public health clinic it is

But

You

free an anonymous. Some pretty good pluses about the test. don't let anyone make the decision to take the test for you: not politicians, public health officials, doctors, lovers, employers, insurers. You must make the decision. have to live with the results. There times circumstances that might add to the appropriateness of taking the test. You might consider taking the test if: you' re not safe sex;

NeLLi Conrad Attorney at Law

75 Public Square Cleveland Ohio 44113 216 861-4076

are

practicing

you' ve engaged in risky behaviors and are not

feeling well; not knowing you' ve

whether

been exposed disrupts your life; you're in a relationship or entering into one and need to determine how you behave sexually;

or

will

you're just curious.

downright

There are other reasons desiring to take the test.

for

I'm

sure you can add to this list. If you decide to take the it be certain that comprehensive counseling is offered and you're certain that the taking of this test will not jeopardize employment, insurance, housing.

Tapestry

Continued from Page 1

your

ים

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September 1987

3

The CHRONICLE