Just out., March 07, 2008, Page 7, Image 7

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Quality Foods
Beds
(oats
includes providing services to
lesbians and transgender people
1 eashes
of color in addition to same-gen-
•** Collars
der-loving
African-American
Quality
men.
't' Loys
Supplies
Unity Project of Oregon will
have a broader social justice
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for Dogs & Cats
agenda while aiming to meet
971 255 0772
health and social service needs.
Visit www.unityprojectore-
gon.org later this month to view
ALL NATURAL PET FOODS
the agency’s new logo.
Meaningful Care
Conference Educates
Medical Practitioners
Research data indicate the
queer community faces a number
of barriers to health services:
Sexual minority youth are more
likely to commit suicide than
their straight counterparts; gay
men and lesbians are at an
increased risk for lung, cervical,
Alisa Simmons is here to stay, after accepting the permanent
executive director position at Unity Project of Oregon, formerly
Brother to Brother.
breast and anal cancers; and the
AIDS crisis still disproportion­
ately affects queer populations.
To combat these disparities, the
Alisa Simmons, the group’s permanent execu­
second week of April is National LGBT Health
tive director, created buzz for the organization by
Awareness Week. The week is aimed at educating
promising a name change to match the organiza­
medical practitioners and students on the best prac­
tion’s new, expanded mission at a renaming cere­
tices to effectively relate, treat and diagnose the
mony and logo launch Feb. 29 at Chesterfield
unique health care needs of the queer community.
In response to the national effort, the office of
Lounge.
Dignitaries, candidates for public office and sup­
Multnomah County Commissioner Maria Rojo de
porters showed up for the news and nosh, including
Steffey is sponsoring the Meaningful Care
former Multnomah County Chair Diane Linn;
Conference at the Oregon Convention Center.
U.S. Senate candidate Steve Novick; longtime les­
Now in its third year, the conference is aimed at
bian activist Kathleen Saadat; the Rev. Tara
improving the quality of health care for the queer
Welcoming
community. Focusing on information for medical
Congregations; Jeana Frazzini, executive director of
practitioners and medical students, the conference
Basic Rights Oregon, with other BRO staff; philan­
seeks to improve the level of health care for queers.
thropists Alex and Kevin Bailey-Gilliam; and
“The philosophy behind this project is deeply
Patricia Keeney, former state coordinator for
rooted in respect, compassion and social justice,”
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays’
said Lillian Shirley, Multnomah County Health
Oregon State Council.
Department director. “To provide the best care pos­
Wilkins
of
Community
of
Brother to Brother, Simmons explained, no
sible, clinicians must create a safe environment
longer fit the organization’s focus, which now
Continued on Page 8
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