INVITATION

Happy Anniversary.

Gay People's Chronicle

The Publishers of

The Gay People's Chronicle

would like to thank it's readers,

advertisers, subscribers and staff by

inviting

all

you

July 30, 1988

to a cookout.

call: 621-0228 or 321-1129 for more information

Alcoholism Studied

It is probably no surprise to lesbians and gay men throughout the country that studies have consistently found a higher incidence of alcohol and substance abuse among the lesbian/gay community than in the population at large. This problem, and treatment approaches, were the subject of testimony presented last month at the Institute of Medicine conference of the National Academy of Sciences by Ellen Ratner, president of the National Lesbian and Gay Health Foundation, and Vice-President of the Addiction Recovery Corporation.

In the only presentation given by a lesbian/gay group, Ms. Ratner declared that, in addition to having higher rates of dependency and loss of control related to alcoholism, a study of gay men found "a higher prevalence of a wide variety of illegal drugs and more different kings of drugs" being used. This data is particularly significant in light of the fact that many illicit drugs, as well as alcohol, have demonstrated immune-suppressive effects, and that "over 60 per cent of men did not practice safer sex sex after drinking," according to a 1985 study of gay men in San Francisco.

Mainstream

"Traditional treatment has often failed for gay men and lesbians," charged Ratner. "Over half of gay men and lesbians at Pride Institute (the only existing lesbian/gayoriented inpatient treatment facility) have been through inpatient treatment

before, many saying they have never talked about issues relating to their sexual identification."

Ratner's testimony identified some of the issues particularly relevant to lesbians and gay men, which need to be addressed in an effective gayoriented substances abuse treatment program, e.g.,family issues around acceptance and acknowledge of both alcoholism and sexual identity, sober socializing, religious questions and guilt, and lack of support in the process of coming out, among others.

Health

The National Lesbian and Gay Foundation presented recommendations for research, treatment and procedures related to lesbian and gay substance abuse, including: development of more treatment programs geared to this population, increased treatment time to deal with the complexities presented by same-sex identification in this society, developing drug-free community support systems, and educating reimbursers as to the need for increased treatment time and special services for lesbians and gay men.

Substance abuse and alcoholism in the lesbian and gay community are some of the topics to be discussed at the National Lesbian/Gay Health Foundation's yearly conference, to be held in Boston, Massachusetts Jul. 20-26.

No testing policy

by L. Kolke

The Golden Rule Insurance Co., the nation's largest writer of individual medical insurance, has introduced an innovative health care policy providing full coverage without requiring AIDS testing. Golden Rule's new policy will pay up to $1,000,000 for AIDS related care, so long as symptoms appear during the first year of coverage. Most other insurance companies now require AIDS testing of all applicants.

This no-testing policy is a change for Golden Rule, which had originally withdrawn from the Washington, DC Market when that city's council passed a law prohibiting testing. Instead of spending millions of dollars on testing to find a miniscule number of people who would be denied insurance, the company now would rather cover benefits for those who need medical care. The new policy has been accepted in six states with applications pending elsewhere.

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Cycling for AIDS

by Bob Y.

Endurance athlete Paul Burnett was in Cleveland the last week in April on a bike ride around the perimeter of the U.S. promoting AIDS treatment, education, and research. The former auto mechanic began his 12,000 mile trek Apr. 4 in Washington, DC and expects to return there by the end of September. While cycling around the country, Burlett will stop at AIDS treatment and education centers.

In Cleveland he was shown North Coast hospitality by the Health Issues Task Force and many people in the local community. He was especially grateful for the warm reception he received here. He regards his visits as one of the high points of his trip.

Burlett's stop in Cleveland was of particular importance because he had the opportunity to meet Dionne Warwick. Warwick and Burt Bacharach were in town for the grand opening of the newly renovation Palace Theater. The multi-talented singer has started the Warwick Foundation. One of the Foundation's first projects will deal with AIDS awareness and education. Warwick has expressed an interest in funding part of the bicycle ride.

As both cyclist and singer were in town, Warwick asked if they could meet and pose for publicity pictures. After sitting in on the Apr. 30 sound check, Burlett spent a few minutes with

Off the RECORD

Warwick just before she was whisked away by body guards.

From Cleveland, Burlett headed west to Sandusky and onto Chicago and Minneapolis. Anyone is welcome to ride with Paul for all or part of the trip. Donations raised during the trip will be given to the local community. For information contact Lynne Hodges at (301) 5933149 or 1-800-421-RIDE.▼

NGRA victory

California's Kern County Health Department has agreed to the demands of National Gay Rights Advocates, and has issued guidelines AIDS-realted prohibiting contact tracing on the basis of unsubstantiated anonymous phone tips or stereotypes about gay men. Last July, NGRA protested the department's response to an anonymous phone call stating that a county resident is bisexual. Without speaking to the subject of the call, the department contacted his wife, questioned her about her husband's sexual orientation, and urged her to be tested for HIV antibodies. The County's newly-published guidelines based on prohibit investigation "extraneous" matters such as "sexual preference" and "probable cause" for an investigation.

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Names Project Quilt Convention Center June 4, 1988 *See August issue for special coverage.

Drew Cari