[EDEQUITY] FW: important: launch announced of GLBT public health

From: Darcy Lees (DLees@ospi.wednet.edu)
Date: Fri Aug 04 2000 - 14:58:01 EDT


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Forwarded by Darcy Lees <DLees@ospi.wednet.edu>

> Dear Safe Schools members and friends ...
>
> Press Release re: the launch of the new GLBT public health webpages to
> which Safe Schools Coalition gave input in April. Go to
> http://www.metrokc.gov/health and click on "Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and
> Transgender Health." School nurses, counselors, social workers and the
> staff of school-based/linked health centers, especially, please visit
this
> new site.
>
> August 3, 2000
> Contact: Carolyn Halley (206) 205-5542
> Mark Alstead (206) 205-1143
>
> Public Health Launches Landmark Web Pages Focused on the Health
>
> Of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Communities
>
> KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Today, Public Health - Seattle & King County
> becomes the first local public health agency in the United States to
offer
> health webpages specifically targeting the gay, lesbian, bisexual and
> transgendered (GLBT) communities. The GLBT Health webpages can be found
on
> Public Health's server at http://www.metrokc.gov/health.
>
> These landmark webpages cover more than twenty health topics that
> differentially affect GLBT people, including hate crimes, breast cancer,
> cervical cancer smoking, domestic violence, finding a sensitive health
> care provider, sexually transmitted diseases and youth suicide. The
pages
> also offer guidance to health care providers to create an environment
> welcoming to GLBT people, a quiz on GLBT health, and links to other local
> and national resources.
>
> "Addressing disparities in health is our highest priority as a public
> health agency," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health -
> Seattle & King County. "Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons
> deserve health information that is accurate and culturally sensitive and
> we are proud to be on the cutting edge in this effort."
>
> "Access to reliable information is a first step in getting care and
> preventing the health problems that disproportionately affect our
> community," added Marsha Botzer, Co-Chair of the City of the Seattle
> Commission for Sexual Minorities. "These webpages will serve as an
> excellent resource for sexual minorities in Seattle and around the
world."
>
> "It is difficult to find culturally-appropriate health information for
> lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people on topics other than HIV
> on the Internet," said Dr. Donald Abrams, President of the Gay and
Lesbian
> Medical Association. "These webpages will help to make important health
> information accessible to our communities."
>
> Examples of health concerns facing lesbians and gay men include:
>
> * lesbians and gay men are more likely to smoke than
heterosexuals;
> * GLBT are at increased risk for hate crime victimization;
> * lesbian and bisexual women are less likely to have regular
> gynecological exams than heterosexual women, and have an increased risk
> for cervical cancer as a result;
> * syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea rates among gay and bisexual
men
> have increased dramatically in many urban areas in the United States;
> * GLBT youth are at increased risk for suicide and homelessness
> because of societal stigma and discrimination.
>
>
> Public Health staff determined content for the webpages through
interviews
> and focus groups with the GLBT community, as well as a review of the
> scientific literature. Prior to launching, the webpages were tested with
> the community in order to assure that they are appropriate and effective.
>
> This project was supported in part through a generous grant from the
> National Network of Libraries of Medicine.
>
> # # #
>
> ----------------------
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> ----------------------
> The Safe Schools Coalition is a public-private partnership of 90+
> organizations (government agencies, schools, community agencies,
churches,
> youth/student groups, gay/lesbian groups, human rights groups) and 400+
> individuals working to help Washington State schools become safe places
> where every family can belong, where every educator can teach, and where
> every child can learn, regardless of gender identity or sexual
> orientation.
>
> Safe Schools' website: http://www.safeschools-wa.org
>
> Got a problem at school with anti-gay harassment?
> Call us 3-9 p.m., M-F: 1-800-52-PROUD or email us any time
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>
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>
> For donations: "Safe Schools/NCHD" c/o NW Coalition for Human Dignity, PO
> Box 21428, Seattle, WA 98111-3428 (or call 206-233-9136)
>
> Co-Chairs:
> Frieda Takamura, Washington Education Association,
> mailto:fktakamura@wa.nea.org, 253-765-7062
> Roberta Adams, School Nurse Organization of Washington,
> mailto:badams@nsd.org
> Beth Reis, Public Health - Seattle & King County,
> mailto:elizabeth.reis@metrokc.gov, 206-296-4970
>
> Listserv Managers:
> Beth Reis, for most messages ( mailto:elizabeth.reis@metrokc.gov)
> Sue Anderson, for legislative and fundraising messages (
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>
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