14
GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE AUGUST 4, 1995
Rinaldi Jewelry
Where "Lil" Things Mean A Lot
TV's own "Lil John" would like to acquaint you with his fine jewelry store. Rinaldi Jewelry is the downtown store with a touch of old-fashioned service and quality that caters to your needs.
Come see us for your commitment rings. Our Personal Services Of:
·
• Appraisal. Free Ring Cleaning Repairs Free Inspection
Phone: 566-0603
•
2028 East 9th Street
Between Euclid & Prospect
Hours: Monday Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mention this ad for 20% Off Your Purchase!
Martha H. Murphy, Ph.D.
Counseling Psychologist
Lesbian and Gay Issues Personal Growth and Expression
Hypnosis and Imagery
Sexual Abuse
Depression and Anxiety
Individual and Couples
Insurance Accepted
(216)734-7841
8748 Brecksville Rd. Suite 222
Brecksville, Ohio 44141
21843 Norton Rd. Bedford Hts., Ohio 44146
Ohio's Largest Futon Retailer!
NORKA
FUTON
We print our prices in our complete catalog. We can send you one today.
Cleve. Hts. 1812 Coventry Rd. 371-8489 Lakewood 17621 Detroit Ave. 226-2660 Akron 143 W. Market St. 253-9330 426 E. Main St. Columbus 1042 N. High St.
Cleveland • Columbus • Lakewood • Akron
Kent
678-1725 424-9949
• Kent
Set-up always free
Delivery $10
COMMUNITY GROUPS Back to the basics:
a self-test for HIV risk
by Bridget E. Doyle
The questions below are designed to help you determine if you may have been exposed to the AIDS virus. Take a few minutes to personally assess your risk.
1. Have you had unprotected sex with more than one sexual partner since 1975? Participation in any unprotected sex automatically puts you at very high risk for contracting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Anytime you come in contact with an infected persons blood, semen, or vaginal fluid, you are at risk.
2. Do you think any of your sexual partners may have had sex with more than one partner?
with a bleach and water solution (one-third bleach to two-third water).
6. Have you or your sexual partners ever used crack cocaine?
Being under the influence of crack cocaine tends to decrease your inhibitions and impair your judgement and you are therefore more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior.
7. Have you ever experienced blackouts after drinking alcohol or using drugs?
The above holds true for alcohol or any other drug for that matter-drugs of any kind
AID S
The minute you have sex with one individual, you automatically have sex with everyone they ever had sex with in the past. So they may have been with someone who was HIV positive and have contracted the virus but don't know they are carrying the virus and now they have just passed it on to you. It's a vicious circle and the more sexual partners you have, the higher your risk!
TASKFORCE
OF GREATER CLEVELAND
3. If you are a man, have you had sex with another man?
The easiest way of contracting HIV is through anal intercourse, although both partners are at risk, the receptive partner is at a ten times greater risk than the insertive partner. Although oral sex is less of a risk than vaginal or anal sex it is still considered risky behavior.
4. If you are a woman, have you had sex with another woman?
Lesbians! You are at risk! Even though you are at a low risk, the number of gay women becoming infected through sex with other women is rising. You need to be practicing safer sex just like everyone else. Some lesbians may have engaged in sex with men before realizing their true sexual orientation, therefore engaging in risky sexual behavior. Keep in mind that not all women who have sex with women are lesbians, they may be bisexual or straight women who just like to fool around with another woman from time to time. Do you really know your lover or the woman you just had sex with the other night? Be careful.
5. Have any of your sexual partners injected or used drugs?
Sharing dirty syringes is another very easy way of contracting HIV. There is a very high exchange rate of blood when sharing syringes. If you cannot overcome this addiction and you continue injecting or using drugs, make sure you clean your syringes
decrease your inhibitions and impair your judgement, and you are less likely to make wise, safe decisions. If you do not remember the night before, how are you going to remember who you were with the night before and if you engaged in any risky sexual behavior?
8. If you are a bisexual man, have you had sex with a woman?
A man having sex with a woman is considered risky sexual behavior. Although it is more likely that the woman will contract HIV because of the larger area of exposure to HIV, a man is still at considerable risk. 9. If you are a bisexual woman, have you had sex with a man?
The number of women becoming HIV infected who are engaging in sex with a man is doubling every one to two years. It is much easier for a woman to contract HIV not only because the area in which HIV may be present is greater, but because there are more men than women that are infected with HIV.
10. Have you ever been a victim of rape or any other forced sexual act?
Individuals who are carrying HIV most likely do not realize they have it unless they have been tested, so anyone who has been a victim of any type of rape or forced sexual act is considered at risk.
Please note that any behavior, sexual in nature or not, where an individual's blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk comes in contact with another individual's blood, semen, vaginal fluid, or breast milk is considered at risk.
If you have answered "yes" to any one of these questions, you are at risk for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and should seriously consider being tested. There are free, anonymous, and confidential sites near you. For more information call the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland at 216621-0766, the National AIDS Hotline, 800-342-AIDS, or the State of Ohio AIDS Hotline, 800-332-2437.
Bridget E. Doyle is a Gay Education Coordinator at the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland.
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Fine Jewelers
14807 Detroit Ave. Lakewood 221-1434
Expert Jewelry Manufacturing on the Premises