GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE June 3, 2011

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GAY PEOPLE'S▼

Chronicle

Publishing the News of Ohio's LGBT Community since 1985 Volume 27, Issue 1

ISSN 1070-177X

Managing Editor: Patti Harris

Associate Editor: Brian DeWitt

Art Director: Robin Stone

Staff Reporters: Anthony Glassman, Eric Resnick

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Melanie Leu, Todd Urban and Julio Aponte, from left, at the 2010 Gay Games in Cologne, Germany.

Synergyfest has lowered sign-up fee

by Todd Urban

Cleveland-Sports have always been used to encourage physical fitness, but they have also been used to develop self-esteem and confidence. Since the first Pride events, gays have organized sporting teams in softball, volleyball, and swimming just to name a few, which have all served to foster positive characteristics within our community and given many a healthy social outlet. Many groups have morphed into more than

just social clubs and compete at the highest levels, offering regional and national tournaments.

Another opportunity to demonstrate our athletic prowess is scheduled for July 29-31 in the form of the annual SynergyFest MultiSports Festival which will offer nine competitions held in and around Cleveland State University. Sports offered are swimming, basketball, billiards, bowling, cards, flag football, women's softball, tennis, volleyball and even Wii. Venues for the sports are

top-notch and many attendees are coming just to compete in them.

Swimmers from as far away as Massachusetts, Philadelphia, Texas, and even Canada have already entered to compete. One relay team from Illinois will be making an attempt to set two swimming masters world-records while here. Volleyball teams are entered from cities such as New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Atlanta and Dayton; along with

continued on page 5

Taskforce explores education via friends

by LaRaun Clayton

Cleveland-Although there are many uses and meanings for the word "pride," I think for this occasion we shall use it to celebrate the achievements and the progress that we have made as a community.

While recognizing that individuals still face obstacles on a daily basis, pride allows us to face those obstacles without fear because we know we have a community that is fighting along with us.

As we wrap up this Pride season, we also ; commemorate 30 years of HIV, and while this does not call for celebration, it does allow us to reflect strongly on where we have been and where we are going. That, in and of itself, is something that the community can take pride in. Due to sheer altruism, and a genuine concern for our brothers and sisters, there have been tremendous breakthroughs that stem from research whether it is around medication, mental health, vaccines, prophylactics, and/or interventions.

Research is one of the most unique and instrumental aspects of HIV prevention.

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Although researchers have the ability to publish articles and reap the benefits associated with findings, it is the people within our community who step up and drive the research studies through volunteering.

Getting involved in research is a way to help the community in more ways than one. On one level we could have prevented someone from becoming ill, or in most cases, have saved someone's life. Getting involved in research allows us to take pride in contributing support to something that is much larger than ourselves, and in some cases, the research may not aid certain individuals, but will definitely help others in the community..

Some individuals are apprehensive and will never participate in a study, but if we take the time to educate ourselves about the research that is being done within the community, that education is also a way of making a contribution. As the needs of people change, research will continue to change, members of the community to have the ability to be a part of those successes and breakthroughs.

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Currently the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland is conducting research around social networks of African-American men who have sex with men.

The EDGES (Engagement of Diverse Groups Exploring Sexuality) Research Project will help us gain more in-depth knowledge of the African American MSM community, to develop an HIV intervention that will allow us to use natural friendship circles to disseminate prevention and safer sex messages.

This type of intervention will afford us the ability to reach vulnerable groups of individuals who would not normally seek out HIV/STI prevention. This program is something that our staff takes pride in.

If you would like more information, please contact the director of research and EDGES project, LaRaun T. Clayton, LSW at 216621-0766 ext. 286, or via e-mail at lclayton@atfgc.org.

LaRaun Clayton is the director of research for the AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland as well as director of its EDGES Research Project.

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Photographer: Janet Macoska

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Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 David A. Ebbert 440-986-0051 DisplayAds@ChronOhio.com

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