Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
and TransgenderedHealth Science Librarians
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
and Transgendered
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL SIG PROGRAM
Jean Sullivant JSSMS@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU
Mt. Sinai Medical Center, New York City
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The Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual Health Sciences Librarians Special Interest Group and the Relevant Issues Section will cosponsor a panel discussion on the "Health Consequences of Discrimination" at the 1995 MLA Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. The program is scheduled for Monday, May 8, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Three exciting speakers will participate.
Dan Hicks, MD, Capital Area Physicians for Human Rights, has agreed to address the topic of "Discrimination in Health Care." Dr. Hicks is the Vice-President of the Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists, and is affiliated with Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He will be discussing the American Association of Physicians for Human Rights report, "Anti-Gay Discrimination in Medicine: Results of a National Survey of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Physicians."
(name deleted at request of speaker), MA, MPH, Public Health Analyst/Advisor at the National Cancer Institute, has agreed to speak on "Measuring the Health Consequences of Discrimination." Mr. (name deleted at request of speaker), an epidemiologist, was an advisor to the Lesbian Health Survey and has been active in collecting data on activist/advocacy groups and their influence on health care policy. His research has involved using various questions as proxies in trying to gauge the effect of discrimination (lack of access, increased costs, differences in treatment patterns and preventive services) among LesBiGay people. (Note (Dec 14, 2000): Mr. (name deleted at request of speaker) is not currently engaged in this research area and is no longer available to speak on this topic)
He will discuss what work has been done to objectively measure access to health care and impact of disease on lesbian, gay and bisexual people, as well as other populations traditionally underserved by healthcare providers and systems. He will identify strategies and potential problems inherent in developing data collection tools which can quantitatively measure the health consequences of discrimination.
Our third speaker, Ruth E. Fassinger, Ph.D., has titled her talk, "'Out' Right: Anti-Gay Discrimination and Mental Health." She will cover general mental health issues related to sexual orientation, as well as specific kinds of discrimination which occur in mental health service delivery. Dr. Fassinger is Associate Professor, Counseling Psychology Program, Department of Counseling and Personnel Services, University of Maryland at College Park. She is known for her work in the psychology of women and gender, particularly women's career development and issues of sexand sexual orientation. She is a licensed psychologisonsults widely for local, state and national organizations regarding issues of gender, work, sexuality and mental health.
Our panel promises to be interesting and thought-provoking, and we have tried to schedule adequate time for questions and comments from the audience. Program moderator will be Jean Sullivant, Mount Sinai Medical Center Library, New York City.
Identifying appropriate speakers and convincing them to speak was a task which was, by turn, interesting, rewarding and frustrating. However, putting together the program was a true group effort and the teamwork made a difficult task much easier. Special thanks to our Program Committee members: Kate Benning, Jerry Perry, Sally Harvey, and Tony Gibbons for their assistance in contacting speakers by telephone and e-mail, and for their suggestions for sharpening the program's focus.
So mark your calendars for May 8, and bring a friend or colleague. We look fuality orward to seeing you at our first "outing"!
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GROUP LODGING for the MLA ANNUAL MEETING, REDUX
Bill Karnoscak
By this time you have probably received the Preliminary Program
booklet for the 95th annual meeting in Washington, D.C. this May.
If you haven't call MLA at 312.419.9094 immediately. It is
gratifying to see our SIG-related programming and business meeting
times printed there with the others.
If you'll notice, however, on page 47, the conference hotel lodging
rates are listed. I don't know about you or the funding situation
at your respective institutions, but $135/night for a single is
pretty steep. If you'd like to cut your lodging budget for this
year's annual meeting by over 50% (yes, 50%), consider making
arrangements to stay at the Kalorama Guest House, only a
three-to-four block away from the Washington Hilton and Towers.
Rooms at the Kalorama are available to LGBHSL members and their
MLA friends starting at $65/night for a shared bath or $85/night
for a private bath. If you have a conference lodging partner, you
can share quarters for an additional $10/night. Feel free to post
a note to the listserv if you are seeking a roommate for the
conference as that is probably the most efficient way to find one.
March 1st is the cut-off date wherein the Kalorama will hold the
entire block of 31 rooms for our group. As of earlier this week, 13
of the 31 spaces are already reserved. So be sure to call them
pronto, [202] 667-6369, to assure yourself accommodations there.
You should ask for Carlotta, and mention the fact you are with the
MLA LGBHSL group. They're expecting to hear from us. It would be
great if we could fill the four townhouse sites (they're all on the
same block of Mintwood Place) and have the run of the place.
If you have any que which isstions, pleae feel free to call me [312] 942-
6832 or t, and csend me an e-mail message. I have a fact sheet and some
other brochures I could fax to you to provide additional information.
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Jerry Perry
Mid-January, I received a letter from Carla Funk, Executive Director
of MLA, responding to our SIG's letter re: MLA's new "Social
Responsibility" policies. Ms. Funk wrote to invite me to attend a meeting
of the MLA Board, January 22 at the Palmer House Hotel, in Chicago.
Before attending, I drafted a precis of our concerns as expressed in
e-mail messages. Kate Benning and Bill Karnoscak edited my draft, and I
provided MLA with a copy prior to the meeting.
The entire Board was present for the Sunday mession. It
was particularly helpful Daniel Richards (, Dartmouth), Joanne
Marshall (Faculty, University of Toronto), the new MLA Pres. Jana
Bradley, and Janet Fischer (SIG Chair) were in attendance, as they made
very useful contributions to the discussion.
Pres. Fred Roper introduced me to the group, and I thanked the Board for
the opportunity. I only had .5 hour, and so tried to be succinct (can you
imagine!?). [Editor's note: No, I can't!] I explained our group
was uniquely "cybernetic" in the way we came together and continue to
communicate, and that our e-discussions of the social responsibility
policies raised concerns we felt the Board needed to be aware of.
I said, in a nutshell, the problem was perception, and I referred the
group to the precis. They had all apparently read it, and a few people
asked questions/made comments. Jana Bradley said she was well aware
there was a perception problem re: how the membership viewed the Board,
and that this was a serious concern. I said that it was important for
the Board to recognize that members of our SIG are particlarly tuned-in
to perception issues, especially as a result of our battle to form.
I said that the SIG vote was problematic because the MLA membership
did NOT vote as to whether we conflicted with Sections (per bylaw) but
rather the membership voted on the validity of our interest (to form).
Janet Fischer then spoke and apologized for the manner of the vote, and
said it was her responsibility the vote went as it had; that Section Reps.
should have been better advised and disciplined about conducting the vote.
I thanked her, but said that members of our SIG were not looking to blame
anyone. However, we are aware that the "litmus test of validity" had been
applied to us, and that we are rightfully concerned that this not happen
again as regards social issues that we or other members think important.
The new policies (except meeting site) on face read as if invisible-to-the-
membership, known-only-to-the-Board validity criteria or standards
will be applied to social issues brought to their attention.
Daniel Richards said the policies were meant as guidelines, and that they
were never intended to be rigid. He said the Board, being new at the
issue on hand, turned to other associations for models. He said the
policies needed to be challenged or used to see how they would work, but
that there was no intent on the part of the Board to set-up barriers with
the membership, particlarly our SIG. He then asked if we had
alternative wordings for the policies in question. I said no, we didn't
at this point, but I would refer the issue to SIG members to deterine if
this was a priority.
Fred Roper said the Board very often reconsiders policies, ithdraws some
drafted by previous Boards, re-works old ones, etc., and so if any of the
membership take issue with a policy, the Board is open to suggestions for
change. Jana Bradley added she felt what was at issue was a need for
massive communication, to help guiorning sde the Board.
Joanne Marshall said she felt the membership of MLA generally were
supportive of progressive social issues, and that, again generally,
our group should feel welcome and at ease in contributing. I said
there was good will on the part of our SIG members, that we perceive the
Board as acting with the best intentions, and that we felt it was
important for our group to communicate with and educate the general
membership re: our concerns. I mentioned we have submitted a poster re:
our SIG to the Midwest Chapter.
With that, Fred Roper let me know time was up, and I was thanked
for coming. I'd like to point out, I was definitely not rushed.
In a nutshell, I feel we had our say and I am confident we had a
good hearing. I think it was a very useful meeting in that it showed
the Board we are more than willing to roll up our sleeves and get
personally involved in the Association.
Rather than address the wording issue of the policies in question,
I think we should "test" the policies by bringing to the Board our
Position Statement re: the need to take a stand against censoring our
collections of LesBiGay content. I also think we need to move forward
with promoting adoption of the meeting site policy at the Chapter level.
Finally, as we consider our second year as a SIG, I think we need to "get
proactive" by launching a campaign directly to the membership about what
our issues and concerns are. The Board is important, but it's the
membership that needs to be addressed, IMHO!
e let me know if there are any questions about the meeting,
or my perspective!
Respectfully submitted,
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Peter M. Jones
This is the first update regarding our financial status. The
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Health Sciences Librarians (LGBHSL) Special
Interest Group (SIG) of the Medical Library Association now has a
checking account. Jerry Perry and myself are the two treasurers.
Since SIGs are not allowed (per MLA By-laws) to collect dues,
donations to the SIG treasury are purely voluntary. Anyone wishing
to make a contribution, please feel free to give as little or as
much as you can/want. Anyone who cannot donate should not feel
guilty. Donations will be directed towards the cost of general
operations (mailings and supplies) and possibly toward an
honorarium (or at least a dinner) for our speakers in May.
Honesty was an issue which needed to ne addressed. To establish
a system of checks-and-balances, the account requires Jerry's
signature (which is notarized and on record at the bank, Evergreen
Bank) and mine for each withdrawal. The account is set up to
require two signatures for access to money. No ATM card is allowed
for this account.
This checking account is strictly for LGBHSL business. I do not
benefit from it in any way. It is a non-interest bearing account
and we are charged .35 for each check drawn on the account.
If anyone wishes to donate, make the check payable to LGBHSL and
write "For Deposit Only" on the back of the check (additional
insurance the funds will be properly handled). Please send your
contributions to:
I will either e-mail a confirmation of receipt of funds or I will
mail back a copy of the deposit slip to the donator. If you have
questions, please call me at [518] 561-8605 or send e-mail to me
at the e-mail address supplied in the above byline.
It occurs to me some of the SIG members might not know who I am and
might feel odd about sending money to a stranger. I assure you
that this is strictly above-board and I will not benefit financially
from this endeavor.
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Bill Karnoscak
Of the 32 ballots mailed out to LGBHSL/MLA members I received 29.
They were all "accept" votes. The response rate (for all you
stats buffs) was 90.6% (29/32) and the following table breaks down
the method chosen to make your voice heard:
Thanks again to Karen Zundel and Mitch Walters for their
hard work and generosity of time.
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Karen Zundel
Ruth Schwartz. Lesbian health concerns. In: Knaus JV, Isaacs
JH, eds. Office gynecology: advanced management conk: Springer-Verlag, 1993: 276-86.
Dr. Schwartz was asked to write this chapter on lesbian health
concerns by editor John Isaacs. Although the publisher did not
want the chapter included in the textbook, Dr. Isaacs insisted and
Springer agreed finally. Dr. Schwartz feels the medical literature
dealing specifically with lesbian halth concerns is lacking and has
spoken to groups of physicians in an attempt to orient them to
medical issues pertaining to their lesbian patients.
The chapter begins with definitions of homosexuality and a
discussion of incidence and etiology. Although Dr. Schwartz
briefly discusses some of the specific medical concerns of lesbians
such as: abnormal pap smears, vaginal infections, HIV infection,
cystitis, pregnancy sexual abuse and others, her main focus is to
educate the physician to recognize their own bias and to offer
suggestions for improving the all-important doctor-patient dialog.
Schwartz includes 42 references for further reading.
Dr. Schwartz is a Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and has a private
practice also in Rochester, NY.
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Bill Karnoscak
Among the many irons the SIG has in the fire, another initiative
is afoot. Jerry Perry submitted a poster session application to
the program divas for the 1995 Midwest Chapter of MLA (MC/MLA)
meeting which will be held in October. It has been accepted! At
this point, the presentors of the poster will be Tony Gibbons,
Kettering Medical Center, Kettering, OH; Jerry Perry, Rush-
Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois; and
myself. Any other folks who are planning to be at MC/MLA are
welcomed to also sign on as "co-authors."
The actual poster will be designed and created at thcepts. New
Yore Department
of Biomedical Illustration at Rush (they have already done several
posters for Jerry in the past, and the results were smashing) so
the cost will be absorbed by our institution (which is the least
they can do for us after we've slaved so much for them!). The
mounting board is fairly sturdy, so we are hoping others will want
to facilitate at their local chapter meetings in future years.
We'll even give you the information sheet which was required for
all program entries, so it's really a no-brainer as far as work
output once the initial poster is created...
If there additional questions or suggestions regarding the poster
(I don't believe the request for the poster has been submitted),
or if you want to be "way out there," dispensing information about
our SIG, please contact Jerry, Tony or myself.
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Bill Karnoscak
As plans for the formal program are now in place, we need to consider
what we'd like to do in terms of kicking back during the free time the
conference allows. In San Antonio, a local person assisted mightily
in orgranizing a social night at one of the local bars in town. This
year we'd like to do something a little different (that's not to say a
bar or two won't be descended upon!). One suggestion which has gotten
some discussion was a personal tour of the NIH.
Another idea would be to reserve space at the Kalorama for an evening
social (this would run us about $100 to cover custodial costs for the
Guest House; and provide you all with a good reason to crack open your
checkbooks to contribute to the SIG treasury -- sorry, that will be the
only shameless plug to build the treasury). But this might prove to be
problematic if we don't completely fill at least one of the townhouses;
as we'd be restricted by not wanting to disturb other guests if it ran
past a certain time in the evening.
In any event, think about what would be fun to do (those of you who are
veteran visitors to, or local residents of, the nation's capital be
forthcoming with ideas). Because the conference schedule is so tightly
packed, we're probably going to have to plan an evening event. Post
your brainstorms to the list for consideration.
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
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"Sunday at the Palmer House With Fred,
or, Jerry Meets With the MLA Board"
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center; Chicago, Illinois
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Jerry Perry
TREASURER'S CORNER
Champlain Valley Physicians Medical Center, Plattsburgh, New York
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Peter M. Jones
3 Giroux Road
West Chazy, NY 12992
POSINT BALLOT RESULTS: UNANIMOUS!
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center; Chicago, Illinois
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# of responses Voting Method Percentage
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22 U.S. Postal Service 75.9%
5 Telefax 17.3%
2 Electronic Mail 6.8%
~~~~~
100.0%
______________________________________________________________
3/32 AbstTION STATEMEained (courteously 9.3%
or otherwise)
HQ 76.25: A CHAPTER ANNOTATION
McKeesport Hospital; McKeesport, Pennsylvania
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SIG POSTER PROPOSAL ACCEPTED
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center; Chicago, Illinois
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SIG SOCIAL! NEED INPUT FROM THE MEMBERSHIP-AT-LARGE
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center; ChicaDirectorgo, Illinois
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