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Let's say that September is Lesbian Health Month
by Julie Johnson
Columbus--Okay, so it's technically Women's Health Month, but we're women--and we often forget to take care of ourselves. So let's decide that this September is Lesbian Health Month, and do something good for ourselves. Looking for suggestions? We have some.
Learn, and do, monthly breast self-exams. What could be more fun! We believe that the most important thing about monthly self-exams is learning what is normal for you.
To do this, you should do the exam at the same time of the month. About a week after your period starts is a good time. If that's no longer an issue for you, pick a
Film offers a rare look into the history of the KKK
by Perry L. Slone
Columbus-On September 11, the Ku Klux Klan will be invading our community with their message of hate and intolerance for African-Americans, Jewish people, and gays and lesbians.
In response, the Beacon Fellowship will be presenting a spiritual education program featuring the documentary The Ku Klux Klan, a Secret History. This program details the history and background of this hate group and offers a rare look into the world of the KKK. There will be a discussion afterwards about the video, the KKK in general and about other hatemongers and hate groups that threaten our community.
This important program will be held Saturday, September 11 at 1:30 pm and will be hosted by Broad Street United Methodist Church, 501 East Broad Street. The church is located at the corner of Broad and Washington, across the street from the Columbus Museum of Art. Parking is available in the State Auto Mutual Insurance lot. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome to attend. Please RSVP to the Beacon Fellowship at 614-265-1725 e-mail Beaconflwshp@juno.com if you will be attending this program, or if you have any questions. ✓
or
us at
Perry L. Slone is the executive director of Beacon Fellowship.
date-maybe the date of your birthday— and do it that day every month.
If you want to learn more from lesbians about how to do these exams stop by the Living Proof information booth at the Ohio Lesbian Festival on September 11. We're in the artisans' area-and we'll even give you a "Dykes to Watch Out For" shower card to remind you to do your
exam.
If you're over age 40,
get a mammogram. Yeah, I know there are mixed messages about when to get your first mammogram, but while they're making up their minds we need to act.
If you're looking for a
safe place to have a mammogram, there will be a mobile mammography unit at the festival from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. If at all possible sign up ahead of time by calling the Columbus Health Department's Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Project at 614645-6055. (They are in the middle of a staff change so be patient). You can also contact the OSU mobile mammography at 614293-4455.
They are the people that will be at the festival. Living Proof will update this information and leave it on our answering machine that you can call toll free at 888353-2442.
If you need some moral support to take the mammography plunge, stop by the Living
Proof booth and we'll walk you over and get you set.
Had a pap test done lately? There are a lot of reasons that lesbians often don't get this test, but whatever the reason (and there are some good ones) we need to try to overcome them. Living Proof is working to establish
information about doc-
tors and clinics where lesbians feel safe to get these tests. We can provide you information, and we appreciate any information you can share with us.
Okay, so there's that smoking thing . . . Living Proof is a peer support group for lesbians with cancer,
their partners, and caregivers. We meet the first Tuesday of every month a Stonewall Columbus, at 1160 N. High St., Columbus. Our meetings start at 7 p.m. and usually last about 90 minutes.
At our October meeting lesbian cancer survivors will meet separately from their partners and caregivers. Am American Sign Language interpreter is available with 48 hour notice. Living Proof can be reached toll free at 888-353-2442 or at 614-276-0850. Both numbers can be accessed by either voice or TTY.
Be good to yourself-in September and always. ♡ Julie Johnson is the president of Living Proof.
Club Cleveland Mustan
Team Yellow/Twist are champs
Cleveland-The North Coast Athletic Association softball league wrapped up its 1999 season with a final tournament on August 22. These are the results of championship series in both the competitive and recreational divisions. Competitive Division
Club Cleveland Mustangs with a 3-0 record.
Miller Time with a 2-2 record.
Champions:
2nd Place:
3rd Place:
4th Place:
Twist with a 1-2 record.
Tuscany Tile and Marble with a 1-2 record.
5th Place: Four Play with an 0-2 record.
Recreational Division
Champions: Team Yellow/Twist with a 3-0 record.
2nd Place: Nickel Queens/Hard Hatted Women with a 2-2 record. 3rd Place: Rudy's with a 1-2 record.
4th Place:
Nationwide LeMonte
an 0.2 record.
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, R.N. at 216/778-5720
A teaching center of Case Western Reserve University
M
Party raises $3,500 for Open House and AmFAR
by Christopher J. Amato
Cleveland-Lake Erie Productions is a non-profit group formed in the spring of 1998 with the intent to fund AIDS related institutions by throwing benefit dance parties. Their most recent event, the second annual "erieparty99," focused its efforts to assist the American Foundation for AIDS Research in New York and Cleveland's Open House. This recent dance benefit, held July 17 at Code Blue nightclub, raised $3,500.
A four hundred-plus crowd came to dance to the sounds of Cleveland native DJ Susan Morabito, who was brought back home once again from New York City to work the turntables at Code Blue.
Lake Erie looked to both individuals and businesses to help raise money. Local corporate sponsors such as Real Estate Mortgage Corp., Club Cleveland, Clifton Web, Body Language, Scott Arsham Jewelry, Agonie Grafix, the Whistle Stop Café, the Gay People's Chronicle, Exposé magazine, OutLines magazine, and the Disanto Group donated generously to the benefit.
National corporate sponsors such as Wet Formulas International, Aware: Positive Health Talk Radio Project, Kenneth Cole, Centaur Entertainment, and Continental Airlines also made significant contributions to the event.
Half of the money raised will be specifically earmarked for AmFAR's AIDS and HIV Treatment Directory, while the other half will contribute to the operation of the Open House in Cleveland Heights. The AmFAR directory is a comprehensive source of information on treatments both approved and in development, as well as a reference index to manufacturers of drugs, patient assistant programs, and more, reaching out to tens of thousands of patients either directly or through their
health care providers.
The Open House offers a variety of support services to those persons who are HIV positive, such as a warm, safe place to visit; group support; massage therapy; healing touch; and one-on-one counseling.
Lake Erie has developed a solid working relationship with both AmFAR and the Open House. Since its founding, Lake Erie has raised a combined total of $10,000 to help fight HIV. Quite impressive for the not-for-profit group's first year.
Look for the third annual "erieparty 2000" to be held on the evening before the AIDS Taskforce of Cleveland's "Dancin' in the Streets" benefit next year. Also look for a number of tea dances which will be held on Sundays' throughout the year at various local nightclubs. For more information on upcoming Lake Erie events, call us at 216556-0294 or visit our web site at www.erieparty.com.
Christopher J. Amato, Ph.D., is chair of fund-raising and donations for Lake Erie Productions.
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