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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (April 20, 2001)
1 2 J u s t « ■ ! ’ aprtl 20.2001 T hat ’ s L ife include: Who is to blame for new infections? focusing on anal sex. What HIV prevention messages speak to gay men? Next up was Homo-larious , an evening of gay and lesbian And what are we as a community going to do about behaviors we don’t agree with? comedy, last October. The Beardsley admitted that it has been a struggle event was timed to coincide Network takes a unique approach with the 2000 election season, at times for members of Gay Life to explain how to gay men's health by Tom Stevenson which included an anti-gay ini the groups approach fits into the philosophy of HIV prevention. By holding the unique events, tiative on the Oregon ballot, he noted, the hope is to better affect the “broad saying ‘just wear a condom’ doesn’t and was designed to help people effectively deal er social environments.” with high-stress issues. cut it.” “Sex becomes a coping mechanism,” Beards “Our hope is to support individual mental The coalition was formed by a ley explained. “Too often we don’t address the and physical health by identifying and combat group of people who insisted that ing unhealthy coping mechanisms such as sub broader social context... we don’t get to the rix)t more had to be done about gay mens health issues. Its mission is to “pro stance use and sexual risk taking that individu of the problem.” What is the root of the problem? There are mote individual and community als often use during times of high stress,” the actually several, , but Beardsley said perhaps health through engaging and cultur group said in a press release. Now, Gay Life is in the midst of planning for the key issue is that we live in a heterosexual- ally meaningful communication, ad dominant culture. several performances dressing complex social and psycho So, to deal with logical issues that factor into gay of The Bad Boy Next "Sex becomes a coping mechanism. those kinds of intense Door, a one-man men’s health behavior.” Too often we don't address the issues, members of Gay show that takes a That would be a daunting task for Kip Beardsley believes HIV prevention requires a Life will use all of the anyone to accomplish, but when you look at gay men’s broader social co n text.. . we do n't holistic approach resources available, in also take into account that Gay Life health issues. The cluding drama, comedy s it enough to tell a gay man that to have safe is made up of a bunch of volunteers, it makes it all event, which is get to the root o f the problem ." and anything else that the more impressive. It is a task that group mem being sponsored in sex all he has to do is slip on a condom? — Kip Beardsley might come to mind. partnership with tri Some say yes. Others passionately say no. bers think is absolutely essential. For Beardsley and other “Because sex is the result of social values, angle productions!, You can count those involved with the members of the coalition, it’s about building vis Gay Life Health Network, a loose-knit emotional values and environmental and physi will be held at 8 p.m. June 7 to 9. The Bad Boy Next Door was written by and is ibility, community organizing and getting gay coalition of HIV prevention groups, among cal factors, you have to address all of these men to have positive, healthy discussions with those who say that truly dealing with gay mens things to be successful,” said Beardsley, who performed by Tony Valenzuela, who was pushed into the national limelight in 1997 as the poster one another. health issues involves a whole lot more than sim works for the Southwest Washington Health child for a newly public discussion about con ply telling them to wear a condom. They say it District, dealing with gay health issues. Gay Life did not quietly enter the local health domless anal sex. In this show, he shares the G ay L ife meets twice a month and always is looking involves an approach that “goes beyond a focus scene. Instead, group members chose to use a lit story of his life, his first sexual feelings, the com for additional board members and volunteers. For on condom education to a more holistic one.” more information call Kip Beardsley at 360-397-8098 “You have to recognize that all of our deci tle bit of humor and a whole lot of discussion by ing-out process, sexual exploration, sero-conver- or send e-mail to kbeardsley@swwhd.wa.gov. helping organize Tunnel of Love...Greatest Hole sion and experience in the public eye. sions about health— be it smoking, exercise, The performance will raise a number of ques drug and alcohol issues and sex— are a product on Earth in May 2000. That event, which drew more than 500 people from throughout the Port tions, including what gay mens responsibility is T om S tevenso n is a Portland-based free-lance of the environment we live in,” said Kip land metropolitan area, was a frank, open forum regarding their sexual behavior. Other issues writer. He can be reached at ruraltom@yah(x >. com. Beardsley, Gay Life board chairperson. “And in When an ordinary R ealtor sim ply won't do ... 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