November 29, 2002 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 19
HIV and AIDS programs remain a priority at center
by Tim Marshall
The Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Center has come a long way since its inception in 1975. What began as the volunteer Gay Education and Awareness Resource (GEAR) Foundation has over the years become one of the nation's most prominent LGBT community
centers.
A leader in the national civil rights movement, the center has added programs in its 27-year history to capture the important moments of our work toward equality (the Oral History Project), empower LGBT youth (PRYSM youth group and True 2 You events) and build community (through special events like the Garden Party and TaDa Dinner Series).
When fully staffed, the center today has about eight staff members-a far cry from the day when there was only one paid employee, a part-time director.
Through all of the progress the center has made, one very important issue remains a priority at the agency: HIV prevention and programming. The center's efforts began when news of the epidemic surfaced in the carly 1980s.
The Living Room, a drop-in center for people with HIV and AIDS, opened in 1988, It was the first of its kind in the Midwestern United States. As the center grew, so did their programs to prevent HIV infection, support those already affected by the virus and educate the greater community on HIV, AIDS and other health issues.
Take a look at some of the programs and services the center offer to maintain a healthy and well-informed community:
Life Support in the Living Room
This weekly (Tuesdays, 6:30 pm) support group for HIV-positive gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men is a safe space for peer support and knowledge sharing. The group members also have a weekly discussion on topics such as stress management and finding acceptance, and occasion-
ally meet outside the group for social activities.
"It's the perfect common ground," says a regular member of the group. “Everyone knows where everyone else is at. It's great that we have our own space."
True 2 You
This new life skills education program is designed to empower and educate LGBT youth through a series of activities about safer sex, relationships and wellness. One of the main goals of the program is to reduce the HIV infection rates of Cleveland-area youth.
Free oral HIV testing
Through a collaboration with Project SAFE, the center offers free anonymous oral HIV testing every Thursday from 5:30-7 pm and on the first and third Mondays of each month from 1-2:30 pm. No appointments are necessary.
Provider assistance
Health and wellness and youth services staff members regularly conduct in-serviee training to various health care providers on issues affecting the LGBT community and works with them to create health care environments that value all patients and clients, regardless of their sexuality, gender identity or HIV status.
Outreach
The center's dedicated Health Education Action Team (HEAT) volunteers distribute safer sex kits at bars, clubs and events. They also answer questions and provide resources to community members. As part of the Life Skills program, a group of youth interns and volunteers ages 13-20 conduct peer outreach on safer sex, youth resources and more.
Peer support
Community members who are recently diagnosed with HIV turn to the center for peer support, either over our community hotline-216-651-5428 or toll-free 888-4298761-or in person at our facility, 6600 Detroit Avenue.
Prevention
With the support of outreach volunteers, center staff members conduct social marketing campaigns on HIV and AIDS, getting tested, using condoms and other barriers, healthy relationships, women's sexual health, hepatitis, alternative social events and other topics.
'Body, Mind and Spirit'
Under the guidance of a cross-generational and diverse women's advisory council, the center published "Body, Mind and Spirit" a publication for lesbian and bisexual women on topics like HIV and AIDS, STDs and sexual health.
Community education
From quarterly community workshops on HIV and AIDS to the "You Deserve Good Sex" series, the center's health and wellness staff and HEAT volunteers hold events to
educate members of our community. Past topics include healthy eating and HIV, negotiating safer sex, the side effects of HIV medication, having fun and healthy sex and other issues.
This year, the center also hosted a successful Lesbian and Bisexual Women's Health Fair and launched a new series of women's movie nights called Chick Flicks.
In order to continue offering these programs and services, the center needs both the financial and volunteer support of the community. As a non-profit organization, the center offers a variety of membership levels and volunteer opportunities. To join, make a donation, get involved, or for more information on the Center, call 216-651-5428 or visit www.lgcsc.org.
Tim L. Marshall is the communication manager at the Lesbian-Gay Community Service Center of Greater Cleveland.
Be the flower.
V2V
MA/S E
VASE
the flower store
10431 Clifton Blvd. Cleveland, OH 44102 tel. 216.631.1441
fax 216.634.8364
This season, why not say
Hippo Holidays
to someone you love!
Adopting an animal at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is a great gift for that special someone who has everything...but a hippo.
Your gift ensures the highest quality care and environment for all Zoo animals.
18
■ADOPTANI
ANIMAL
Cleveland Zoological Society
Adopt a Pygmy hippo at the $50 level, and your unique Holiday gift package will include: Collectible stuffed hippo toy
Personalized adoption certificate
Color photo and fun fact sheet about Pygmy hippos
Invitation to ZooParents' Night 2003, an exclusive summer Zoo event
Name recognition on the Zoo's web site
Subscription to Zoo magazines ZooM! and Z
Upgrade your single adoption to $100, and you'll also receive a ZooParent T-shirt and recognition on Zoo grounds.
――
At the $250 gift level, you'll also receive four free passes to ZooLights 2002, and an exclusive invitation to go behind-the-scenes of the Zoo's Pachyderm building home, sweet home, to our Pygmy hippo.
Call the Cleveland Zoological Society at (216) 661.6500 x4440 or visit www.clevelandzoosociety.org by December 9 to ensure holiday delivery!