COMMUNITY GROUPS

Moving gay and lesbian health issues beyond latex

Cleveland-In an effort to improve HIV prevention and education, the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland has created a new program to better serve the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community.

Tribe Health Concerns is a communitybased program that is designed to improve communication, and access to health services specific to our community. We define "Tribe" as a community consisting of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people. Our community is an extension of our family-for some, the community is our family. Families help to protect and promote the health and well being of each member.

HIV is still very important to the GLBT community, and we were the first to act on prevention and education ef-

sion, and the overall mental health of the community are compounded by homophobia and hatred. Cervical, breast and prostate cancer, along with lack of access to health care, impact our well being. We strongly believe that all health concerns can be addressed by the community with the same energy and passion that has been shown in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Tribe Health Concerns intends to serve as a source for information, referrals, and resources. We encourage collaboration with other organizations, agencies, and individuals that provide services for the GLBT community. With increased communication, we can create a network of providers with the understanding that working together creates a healthier environment. Additionally, we offer discussion groups, and workshops that would give individuals an opportunity to talk about relationships, coming out, etc.

AIDS

TASKFORCE

OF GREATER CLEVELAND

forts. We, the community, created a system for political activism, research and education. We helped others living with the virus. Today, we continue to educate and help in the research and prevention efforts for HIV, yet we as a community should address additional health issues that concern us as well. Some of those issues, like substance abuse, are at the core of high-risk behavior that too often leads to HIV infection. Domestic and anti-gay violence silently erupt in our community.

The concerns of low self esteem, depres-

Your input is extremely important to the process. We need to hear from you as to what issues you would like to see addressed. We would also appreciate an open, continuous dialogue with individuals or organizations that provide services to our community.

If you have suggestions regarding Tribe Health Concerns, please contact Shawn Pierce or Nancy Mendez at the AIDS Taskforce of Cleveland, 216-621-0766.

OCTOBER 25, 1996

GAY PEOPLE's ChronICLE

RE-ELECT

Sheriff Gerald T. McFaul

Proven Leadership and a

Friend to the Lesbian & Gay Community

Paid for by the friends of Sheriff McFaul, 29837 Devonshire Oval, Westlake, Ohio 44145. Sally Carney, Treasurer.

It's not your father's Republican Party

by Doug Aschenbach

Columbus-When the gay community goes to vote this November 5, it will once again break several sterotypes about gay politics. For instance, according to some sources, the percentage of gays and lesbians who identify themselves as Republicans is virtually the same as the percentage of Republicans in the straight community. In the 1994 fall elections, exit polling showed that up to 30 percent of the gay community voted Republican.

In Franklin County, the Republican Party also continues to break stereotypes by being a party of inclusion. The first openly gay candidate in Franklin County was a Republican, and the county party has a long and consistent record of developing and endorsing women and minority candidates. Recent incidents of outing and gay-baiting have been committed by Democrats and not Republicans.

In its four years of existence, Log Cabin Club Columbus has grown from an organization working primarily on one campaign to

organization whose support and counsel is now sought by most of the Franklin County Republican Party's endorsed candidates. Our membership roster has also grown to include Republican elected officials, central committee members, and other non-gay friends. While a few in our community still struggle

with the concept of gay Republicans, Log Cabin Club Columbus has earned the respect of leaders in the gay community and the Republican Party alike. Our success can be attributed to the simplicity of our mission, which is to educate Republicans on issues of importance to the gay community, and to educate the gay community on Republican

prinicples.

Through honest and reasoned dialogue, and through hard work at a grass roots level,

we have been successful at developing and electing Republican candidates who are committed to equality for all. We have also been successful at demonstrating to the gay community, the importance of being represented on both sides of the aisle.

As evidenced by this year's endorsements by Ohioans Against Discrimination, we are reaching a point in Franklin County where the gay community can take comfort in knowing that it will be fairly represented regardless of whether the Republican or the Democrat candidate is elected. Using Log Cabin's success in Franklin County as a model, maybe we can all look forward to a day when the same can be said in every local, state and federal election.

'DO IT'

SALON

11116 Clifton Blvd. Cleveland, Ohio (216) 634-0030

ARE YOU DEPRESSED? Are you feeling hopeless, sleepless, lacking energy and unable to cope with life? Your problem may be depression. Many people go through life suffering from depression, never understanding that it is a medical illness and in many cases can be effectively treated with medication. Dr. R. Taylor Segraves, a psychiatrist at MetroHealth Medical Center is conducting a research study on depression. We offer quality medical evaluation and treatment with an investigational new medication.

There is no out-of-pocket cost to you.

For additional information or to see if you would qualify to participate in this study, please call Carole Nally Bubna, R.N. at 216/778-5720 A teaching center of Case Western Reserve University

Affiliated with The MetroHealth System

Daniel J Shank, M.D.

Putting Family in Family Practice

Open evenings

Comprehensive care for men, women and children

West Park 252-6000

3838 west 150th, Cleveland

Westlake

899-5056

2001 Crocker Rd,Suite 500

KIM SHANNON REALTOR

8396 Mentor Avenue Mentor, Ohio 44060-5748

Office: 216 951 2123, Ext. 296

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