Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
and TransgenderedHealth Science Librarians
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
and Transgendered
Greetings to the Readership...
... and welcome to the inaugural issue of the LGBHSL newsletter. What
is intended to be a thrice annual event, the newsletter hopes to serve as
a forum to collect and disseminate newsworthy articles and tidbits
pertinent to the reasons around which we have elected to form our special
interest group.
The next installment of the newsletter, which, by the way, needs a catchy name, will be in January. So you have plenty of time to submit your journalistic masterpieces. Comments, criticisms (bouquets & brickbats), editorials, etc., are invited and welcomed and should be directed to me, Bill Karnoscak, via E-Mail at btk@lib.rpslmc.edu, or by telephone at [312] 942-6832.
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by Jean Sullivant The Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual Special Interest Group and the Relevant Issues
Section will cosponsor a program on "Health Effects of Discrimination" at
the 1995 MLA Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. At the time of this
writing, the program is scheduled for Monday, May 8, from 2:00 to 3:30
p.m. Many thanks to Kate Benning for her efforts in laying the groundwork
for this program with MLA. Kate has passed the torch (please forgive the
mixed metaphor) for program coordination to Jean Sullivant, Mt. Sinai
Medical Center, NYC. If you wish to volunteer your time or ideas to
bringing this program from idea to reality, please contact Jean at
JSSMS@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU, or via telephone at 212-241-6680 (voice mail or a
real person). Jean may also be reached via snail-mail at Mt. Sinai
Medical Center, Gustave L. and Janet W. Levy Library, Box 1102, 1 Gustave
Levy Place, New York, NY 10029.
Currently, the program is shaping up as a panel discussion, featuring
two to three stimulating speakers, and moderated by Jerry Perry. However,
speakers are not set yet. If you have ideas or comments you wish to
share, or suggestions for speakers (preferably dynamic and willing to
speak for an extremely modest fee), contact Jean via any of the methods
listed above.
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by Karen Zundel I first heard about Stadtlanders Pharmacy last year when a local
newspaper did a feature story on a family-run pharmacy describing its more
than 60-year history in the community where it's located. Tucked away
within the text of this article was a lone paragraph which mentioned
Stadtlanders' involvement in fund-raising efforts for the Stonewall-25
celebration. I filed that bit of information away in the back of my
memory... Months later, when suddenly I found myself working as a
lesbigay-rights advocate in search of other gay-rights supporters, I
remembered that bit of information and decided to find out more about it.
After several phone calls, I was put in touch with Heidi Grey,
marketing assistant for Stadtlanders. When Heidi briefed me about
Stadtlanders' commitment to the gay and lesbian community, I was
pleasantly surprised to learn what that commitment includes. Stadtlanders
Foundation was formed in October 1993 by Stadtlanders Pharmacy to offer
direct support on a national level to those charitable endeavors which
improve the quality of life for patients living with chronic conditions.
With the help of the community, the Foundation hopes to raise more than
$100,000 to benefit AIDS-service organizations nationwide. But
Stadtlanders is involved in much more.
During the historic Stonewall-25 March on the United Nations in New
York City this past summer, Stadtlanders Foundation sponsored the "Raise
the Rainbow" project which produced the world's largest, mile-long rainbow
flag. Stadtlanders commissioned Gilbert Baker, creator of the original
rainbow flag (used in San Francisco's 1978 Gay Pride march), to sew the
rainbow flag. The collaboration produced a flag that empowered members of
the lesbian and gay community and raised critically needed funds for AIDS
service organizations through contributions made by flag carriers (and
spontaneous contributions from the sideline crowds making the flag
extremely heavy to transport). The Raise the Rainbow project was the
brain-child of Cleve Jones, found of the NAMES Project Memorial Quilt,
anbd Chair of the National AIDS Community Advisory Board of the
Stadtlanders Foundation.
Stadtlanders Pharmacy says that giving back to the community is an
important part of how they operate. They give back through service and
education programs, and through support for gay and lesbian rights and
AIDS service organizations across America. Some examples of their efforts
include:
Nutrition Seminars: Working with the Physician's Association for AIDS
Care (PAAC), Stadtlanders Pharmacy has developed and hosted a series of
seminars on nutrition and HIV in cities across the country. These
seminars provide the most up-to-date information to peopole with HIV about
maintaining good health through proper nutrition.
HIV Disease Nutrition Guidelines: Working with PAAC, Stadtlanders
Pharmacy has produced a booklet of information for people with HIV,
offering information on a complete range of nutritional issues. These
booklets have been advertised in the gay press nationwide, and to date,
over 130,000 have been distributed free of charge.
AIDS Walks: Stadtlanders Pharmacy supports AIDS Walks all over the
country through direct contributions, support for publicity, and on-site
support. The people of Stadtlanders Pharmacy pitch in directly, for
instance, traveling by chartered bus to the Washington DC AIDS Walk to
walk and raise funds for local AIDS Service organizations.
LIFETIMES2: Stadtlanders Pharmacy publishes and distributes a free
tri-annual magazine which focuses on a broad range of issues that affect
the lives of people with HIV/AIDS.
Stadtlanders By the Bay: Located on Fire Island, NY, a popular gay
resort community that has been seriously impacted by HIV/AIDS, the center
provided free educational materials, information on HIV/AIDS services,
accepted donations and sold merchandise from not-for-profit AIDS
organizations all during the summer of 1993. All of the proceeds from
this center went to AIDS charities.
Direct Grants: Through contributions to organizations like: Human
Rights Campaign Fund, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund,
Whitman-Walker Clinic, AIDS Atlanta, Food and Friends, The Community
Research Initiative, Being Alive, The National Association of People With
AIDS, and others, Stadtlanders Pharmacy provides support to those
organizations fighting for gay and lesbian rights and caring for people
with AIDS.
Corporate Leadership: Through Stadtlanders' membership and involvement
in organizations such as The National Leadership Coalition on AIDS, Lambda
Legal Defense and Education Fund, The Association of Nurses in AIDS Care,
and others, Stadtlanders Pharmacy leads the business community as an
advocate for gay and lesbian rights and adequate services for people with
AIDS.
Corporate Policy: Stadtlanders Pharmacy lives its commitment to gay
and lesbian rights by including sexual orientation as part of their
written equal opportunity policy and by providing full benefits to the
partners of their gay and lesbian employees.
To receive a free subscription to LIFETIMES2, request a copy of other
free educational materials, or find out more about Stadtlanders
specialized pharmacy services for HIV/AIDS patients, or other health
information resources and services, call 1-800-238-7828 or write:
Stadtlanders Pharmacy
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by Mitch Walters walters@medcat.library.swmed.edu
The first draft of the position statement has been written and is
currently being reviewed and refined. It is tentatively titled "Position
Statement on the Need for Identification and Dissemination of
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual Health Care Information." Several documents were
reffered to and were used in the development of the Position Statement.
To date, those documents include:
In addition, Tanner Wray has agreed to serve as liaison to the ALA
Gay/Lesbian Task Force. As a result of his contact with the ALA GLTF
spokespersons, pertinent information is being forwarded to us which
potentially may be incorporated into our Position Statement.
If you are interested in reviewing and providing feedback on the
Position Statement, please contact Mitch or Karen.
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by Sally Harvey, harvy@uwlax.edu
The American Association of Physicians for Human Rights (AAPHR) is a
U.S. and Canadian organization of lesbian, gay and bisexual physicians and
medical students. AAPHR surveyed its members in February of 1994 in order
to assess the level of anti-gay discrimination in the medical setting. A
54% response rate was received and responses were representative of
AAPHR's membership. The extent of the reported discrimination was not
anticipated by AAPHR.
A majority (59%) of physicians and medical students reported having
suffered discrimination, harassment or ostracism themselves from within
the medical profession, and a vast majority (91%) reported knowledge of
anti-gay bias toward lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) patients. In fact,
LGB patients are reportedly in a catch-22 situation, with 98% of
respondents stating that these patients have medical concerns which may
not be adequately examined without informing their physicians of their
sexual orientation, but 64% of respondents also believe that LGB patients
risk receiving substandard care due to discrimination if they "come out"
to their heterosexual physicians. Instances and examples of observed
discriminatory practices are described.
The report, titled "Anti-Gay Discrimination in Medicine: Results of a
National Survey of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Physicians," is
approximately 30 pages in length and available from AAPHR for $9.00,
payable by personal check, VISA, or Mastercard (AAPHR, 273 Church Street,
San Francisco, CA 94114 [415] 255-4547). It is articulate and highly
relevant to some of the core reasons for the formation of the Gay, Lesbian
and Bisexual Special Interest Group. Another report from AAPHR is
forthcoming regarding homophobia as a healthcare issue.
Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York City
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Pharmacy Writes Perscription for Lesbigay Rights
McKeesport (Pa.) Hospital
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600 Penn Center Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15235-5810
LGBHSL SIG POSITION STATEMENT PROGRESS
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
and Karen Zundel
McKeesport (Pa.) Hospital
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AMERICAN ASSOCIATION of PHYSICIANS for HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT on
ANTI-GAY DISCRIMINATION
Gunderson/Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse WI
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