juna fi. 2003
rTTîTïTÏÏTnTïnetvsbrie/s
Continued from Page 11
previously has worked as a partner at Ater
Wynne LLP and professor at University of
Kansas and San Jose State. She holds a bache
lor’s of fine arts from University of Illinois at
Champagne/Urhana, a Ph.D. from Stanford
University and a doctor of jurisprudence from
Lewis & Clark.
Diane Tutch is a management consultant
with expertise in organizational and board
development, fund development, program eval
uation and grant writing. She previously was a
vice president at the United Way of the Colum-
bia-Willamette. She holds a masters degree
from University of Washington and a bachelor’s
degree from University of Minnesota, both in
social work.
For more information call 503-231 -5759 or visit
wunv. equity foundation. org.
M ultnomah C ounty
S yphilis C ases Q uadruple
I
n step with a national trend, syphilis cases in
Multnomah County have increased more
than four times among men who have sex with
men (M SM ). According to Margaret Lentell,
the county’s sexually transmitted disease pro
gram manager, 18 cases were reported in 2002,
compared with only four the previous year.
The spike in infection rates is so alarming,
the national Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention will visit Oregon this month to work
with the county and its collaborative partners,
such as Cascade A ID S Project and the state
health department, in an attempt to prevent the
situation from escalating, as it has in Seattle, Los
Angeles and New York.
When syphilis rates rise, Lentell says, the
C D C can send out disease intervention spe
cialists. But that’s effective only when sexual
partners can he identified and informed.
Among MSM cases, anonymous partners con
nect primarily at bathhouses or through Inter
net chat rooms.
In the most recent case, a man reported that
he had 150 p 3 rtners in the past six months.
Because syphilis symptoms are not always appar
ent, county officials now worry that a growing
number of potentially infected people who are
sexually active have not been tested or treated.
C D C representatives will conduct an ethno
graphic survey in which they will interview
county residents to acquire more concrete data
about sexual activity, customs and social norms.
By helping determine what drives unsafe sexual
activity, the health department will he able to
better f<x:us its intervention activities. The
C D C also will offer internal epidemiological
support to ensure an effective evaluation and
response to this growing public health concern.
In an effort to step up its outreach to the
hard-hit gay community, the county program
and Cascade A ID S Project will have booths at
Portland Pride 2003 on June 14 and 15 at
Waterfront Park. Visitors can pick up informa
tion about sexually transmitted diseases such as
syphilis and HIV and receive saliva-based HIV
testing and vouchers for free ST D testing.
For more information call 503-988-3700.
S tudents C ancel
B lood D rive
A
bltxxl drive at Southern Oregon U n i
versity in Ashland was canceled last
month when students objected to eligibility
guidelines that discriminate against gay men,
T he Associated Press reported.
Men who have had sex with another man,
even once since 1977, cannot participate, Deanna Leitner of Southern Oregon University’s queer student union says the Red Cross
according to blood donation guidelines estab policy marginalizes gay men
lished by the U.S. Food and Drug Administra
tion and implemented by blood collection agen has received some extremely promising sup youth— and will help them trade street life for
cies such as the American Red Cross. The wait port through a $1 million award from the fed self-sufficiency.
ing period is only a year, however, for a woman eral government. T he Department of Health
who has had sex with a man who has had sex
and Human Services will provide the non
with another man.
profit organization with $200,000 annually for
ay
an uns for
“From my understanding, it’s a rule that they five years.
eattle ity ouncil
made up in the 1980s, and people are not up to
The money will support six transitional
date,” said SO U multicultural senator David
housing units for homeless youth ages 16 to
gay man, Tom Rasmussen, is vying for a
Adkins-Brown, whose petition contended that
21— three units on site at Outside In and three
Seattle City Council seat in the Sept. 16
the criteria violate existing anti-discrimination
apartments in the community— and will pay
primary. If elected, he would be the first queer
policies on campus.
for staff to help provide 24-hour supervision.
on the council in eight years.
Deanna Leitner of S O U ’s Lesbian, Bisexual,
Funds also will provide support services needed
“He has a broad base of support, knowledge
Gay, Trans and Allies Student Union told the
for these kids to achieve independent living,
and experience, and that will help him build the
Mail Tribune: “The issue marginalizes [gay] men
including case managers
coalition he needs to
as people to be feared. We have never been
and a mental health
win this race,” said
"This is an im portant grant
against the Red Cross. We are seeking a way to specialist.
Chuck Wolfe, execu
for some o f Portland's most
rectify the Red Cross and SO U policy.”
According to execu
tive director of the Gay
Dr. Leslie Holness, a medical officer with a
tive director Kathy Oliv
Lesbian Victory
vulnerable people— homeless &
division of the FDA handling blood applica er, as economic uncer
Fund, a Washington,
tions, told the AP, “You have to balance how
tainties prevail and youth— and w ill help them trade D.C.-based
political
much good you’re doing with a safe blood sup unemployment remains
action committee that
street life for self-sufficiency" supports openly gay and
ply with the bad feelings you’re stirring in high, the need for transi
groups of people.”
tional housing for home
— Kathy Oliver lesbian candidates for
The Portland-based Pacific Northwest
less
youth
working
office. “ His advocacy
regional office of the Red Cross met with stu toward self-sufficiency has greatly increased.
runs the gamut from aging issues to LG B T civil
dents in a May 28 forum and forwarded their Queer and questioning kids reportedly consti rights to working on behalf of those with dis
concerns to national officials.
tute nearly 40 percent of the homeless clients
abilities. Tom has a long and remarkable track
served by Outside In.
record of public service.”
"I’m proud that Outside In is able to bring a
In the fall of 1991, Sherry Harris became the
significant
federal
grant
into
this
community
nation’s
first black lesbian city council member
utside n warded
during this time of budget deficits and cuts by
when she beat a 24-year incumbent. She has
illion
local governments,” Oliver said in a statement.
since left office. j n
"This is an important grant for some of Port
t a time when government resources are
down and social needs are up, Outside In land’s most vulnerable people— homeless
Compiled by JlM R a d OSTA and T IM O T H Y KRAUSE
G
S
A
O
$1 M
I A
A
Retail N u rsery - L an d scap e Serv ices
1>I IK #(>7 74 i
MID-CENTURY...57YZ. £7
R elocation forces sale of this O n e-o f-a-K in d
Gardening Workshops:
Som eone w ith Good Taste is going to get a G reat Buy
Sunday Gardening Workshops
June 8, 1pm - “ Holistic Gardening: Tread Lightly Upon the Earth"
Join Nadine Black, Certified Garden Professional
June 15, 1pm - “Paths and Circulation: Tips For the Home Gardener”
Join John Caine, Joy Creek Garden Designer
beautiful street in wonderful, diverse neighborhood
quality retro-modern remodel with impeccable details
For Information Call:
503 / 543*7474
Open daily 8am-5pm
2 0300 NE Watson Rd
Scappoose, OR 97056
3,250 s.f. • 1/4 acre lot w/magnificent private yard
mountain view • hot tub • open, flowing floor plan
hardwoods & tile • 2 * fireplaces • 90+ gas furnace
amazing kitchen w/new appl. • 1 blk to Concordia U.
8 min. to downtown • New Seasons • much more...
priced to sell • must see! 503.703 0773 $ 2 4 9 ,0 0 0
N ation al C ata lo g u e Sales - w w w .joycreek .com
M
R
C
C
13