Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 2, 1999)
rrrïjïn July 2. 199S • Just OMt n e w s G oing H olistic New program (or gay and bisexual men addresses myriad health concerns by Patrick Collins W hile the end of June saw the demise of the HIV counsel ing and testing program at Cascade A ID S Project, the beginning of July brings the kickoff of a new program sponsored by the Mult nomah County Health Department. At this years Portland pride celebration, the health department set up camp, immunized 130 people for hepatitis A, and distributed a hefty amount of literature on a wide array of sexual health issues. According to the programs architects, its only the beginning. Aimed at gay and bi men, and other men who have sex with men, the program offers “a rainbow of sexual health services” and has the potential to revolutionize queer men’s concept of the term health. Rather than focusing solely on HIV, the pro gram incorporates HIV issues into a broader framework of health issues: hepatitis A and B vaccinations, testing and treatment for a spec trum of sexually transmitted diseases, preven tion education, and community referrals. Although still lacking an official title, the program appears to rest on a foundation of solid planning and organizational efforts. More than a year and a half in the making, the program will offer hepatitis vaccinations at the rate of $20 per visit. (Hepatitis A requires two visits, while B requires three.) W hile at the clinic, clients will be offered a menu of services, including a comprehensive S T D exam as well as HIV testing options. “This is a brand new approach, part of an institutional shift in how we look at the health of the community,” says Doug Moon, a commu nity health advocate with Multnomah County Health Departments HIV prevention and out reach effort. Recently, Moon says, he noticed a “consis tent prevalence" of hepatitis A spread through anal-oral con tact, and that 65 to 70 percent of the cases were in gay or bi men. “We did an ethnographic study a few months ago search ing for a link,” Moon says. “The major link turned out to be sex, rather than food or travel. To address this increase, we came up with a program that looks at the total picture rather than just chasing down one disease.” Moon says he has faith the fledgling program will succeed. “Gay and bi men are a very sophisticated audience,” he explains. “I think people have been overloaded with HIV Allen Fortuna receives a vaccination from Dave Christensen and A ID S prevention mes at Multnomah County Health Department’s pride booth sages, and they’ve been asking HIV, but all STD s as well as other sexual health for something which addresses the bigger pic- »> education.” ture. Christensen has no shortage of ideas for top A holistic approach to sexual health for ics he’d like to see addressed when clients visit queer men at a local county health department? the clinic. “There’s a new movement afoot to bring “I’d like to educate gay men about the risks everything under the same roof because the ill for colo-rectal cancer and testicular cancer,” he nesses are transmitted and prevented in a simi says. “There are also referrals to services people lar way,” explains Dave Christensen, who has might need, ranging from domestic violence to joined the county’s team as a clinician, bringing needle exchange. My philosophy is to not clob with him 14 years of HIV and ST D prevention ber people over the head and tell them what experience. they should and shouldn’t do, but to meet them Both Moon and Christensen are openly gay where they are, to give them the tools to be as men. “The Centers for Disease Control’s recom safe as they can be within the risks they’re com fortable taking.” mendation around communicable sexual disease While all STDs are not curable, Christensen prevention is to try to integrate HIV and ST D points out that most of them are treatable. prevention and treatment,” says Christensen. “Plus, treatment and education can often "W e want to approach this in a holistic way reduce the risk of passing something on to a because our program is not going to be about just P ortland ' s ONLY I ndependent • N oncommercial L istener -S ponsored C ommonitt R adio S tation Qu* U lo tV * partner,” he says, adding, “It’s a pretty aggressive approach, but I’m excited because it’s where the C D C wants us to go, even though there aren’t a lot of health departments willing to do it. We can always use more resources, but we’ve put together the funding and have people in man agement positions who support it.” One such supportive manager is Karen Lam- ica, who heads up the health department’s ST D clinical services and programs. “In this program, we have the opportunity to serve gay and bi men in new and improved ways,” Lamica says. “We can be relevant to them, and we can make a difference.” Lamica says part of the driving force behind the new program is budgetary concerns. After 1997’s Ballot Measure 50, she says, the county lost 30 percent of its clinical staff. That, com bined with a steady reduction in federal funding in the HIV arena, has required organizations serving at-risk populations to come up with new and innovative ways to approach age-old prob lems. Lamica seems undaunted by the potential for political fallout from so openly confronting the health concerns of queer men. She proudly cites the example of the county funding C A P ’s bath house outreach program. “I don’t know of too many governmental agencies that go to the bathhouse,” she says, adding that she sees this program as yet another step in a continual process. “We’ve been trying new and creative collab orations with communities all along,” Lamica says. “This is not new, nor is it the final step. These programs grow out of our willingness to invite gay and bi men in, to welcome them to the table, to entertain their questions. Each step is small, but it represents us continuing to reach out.” ■ Hepatitis A and B immunizations and STD prevention education are available at the MULT NOMAH C o u n ty H ealth D epartment on Wednesdays from l to 6 p.m. and on Thursdays from 9 a.m . to 7 p m. The clinic is located in doun - town Portland at 426 S.W. Stark St. on the sixth floor. To m ake an appointment, call (503) 248-3700. 9s discrimination due to gender identity or sexual orientation a problem fo r you? The City of Portland is fighting this discrimination. Help is available to resolve conflicts or problem s at work, in housing, or public accom m odation. Confidential consultation and mediation services are free of charge. For m ore information call: 90.7 en P ortland • 91.7 C olumbia 6omt » 100.7 Wimmni V allit M EDIATION PILOT P R O G R A M 274-9886 or TTY 1-800-735-2900 Wanna haue a good time? Wanna meet some great people? Wanna haue the best summer euer? Christi today: 6444600 c V O IC I P f R S O N A L ADS Saturn of Beaverton Thon lor N m OUT A D i f f e r e n t K ind 5 ATLRN. Comer of Canyon Road and SW 139th Ave. o f C omp any . A D i f f e r e n t K ind o f C ar .