Date: Sun, 12 Feb 1995 08:23:10 -0800 From: jessea@uclink2.berkeley.edu (Jessea Greenman) Subject: Miscellaneous Resources The Center for Population Options has a number of resources. To order, contact the CPO at 1025 Vermont Ave. NW, Suite 210; Washington DC 20005; phone 202-347-5700, fax 202-347-2263. Resources include: "Condom Availability in Schools: A guide for programs." 250 pp. 1993, $39.95. This manual is a step by step guide to advocating, planning, implementing and evaluating a condom availability program in school settings. Case studies of successful initiatives, sample materials and worksheets are included, along with listings of resource organizations and materials. "Peer Education: Youth Involvement in the Age of HIV." About 20 pp. April 1993, $6. This resource for program planners and youth workers examines the rationale and research behind the peer education approach to risk reduction, with a focus on HIV prevention. This booklet details the components and characteristics of successful peer ed programs and shows examples of model programs. "Guide to Implementing TAP (Teens for AIDS Prevention) Peer Education Program." 145 pp. 1990. $29.95. This step by step guide is for adults and teens to develop and implement a peer education program on HIV/AIDS prevention in schools and communities. Includes plans for 17 sessions with suggested activities and descriptions of ongoing projects. "Spread the Word--Not the Virus." 1992. 1-40 copies @ $.50 each; 41-500 @ $.40 each. This 8-page brochure provides teens with basic HIV/AIDS information including definitions of HIV and AIDS, the hows and how nots of transmission, safer sex guidelines, instructions for proper condom use, testing information and tips for talking to partners about using condoms. Again, note these are available from the Center for Population Options...see contact info at top. -- The Sept. '94 issue of "English Journal" (a publication of the National Council of Teachers of English) includes "Literature Out of the Closet: Bringing Gay and Lesbian Texts and Subtexts Out in High School English." For info., contact "English Journal," NCTE, 1111 W. Kenyon Rd., Urbana, IL 61801-1096, tel. 217-328-3870. ----- Two national organizations offer advice and help should a teacher run into censorship challenges: 1. The American Library Association's Office of Intellectual Freedom can be reached at 312-280-4223. 2. The National Council of Teachers of English Intellectual Freedom Wing can be reached at 217-328-3870. Both offices support gay and lesbian literature in the classroom. ----- "Just For Fun" is a new film, especially suited for teenagers, which examines issues surrounding homophobia and violence against gays and lesbians. For more information, contact Direct Cinema Limited, P.O. Box 10003, Santa Monica, CA 90410-1003, tel. 800-525-0000, fax 310-396-3233. ----- In mixture of simple text and colorful illustrations, Kathleen Krull's "Lives of the Musicians" explores the "fascinating facts and often humorous stories of twenty famous musicians -- people of all shapes, sizes, temperaments, and lifestyles, from various countries and historical periods, beginning with Vivaldi and ending with Woody Guthrie." About Tchaikovsky, Krull writes: "There are two stories about Tchaikovsky's death. Some say he carelessly drank unboiled water during a cholera epidemic, contracting the fatal disease. Others think he took poison because he was being blackmailed. Tchaikovsky was homosexual at a time when this was considered completely unacceptable socially, and members of the aristocracy were said to be threatening to expose him unless he killed himself." Perhaps in some more-enlightened classroom, children reading such a passage will be encouraged to consider not only how homophobia took a life, but how it may have robbed us all of musical masterpieces yet to be written. Krull's book simply acknowledges the diversity that exists among the lives of famous musicians. But for taking that simple approach, her book has already provoked criticism (after much censorious hubbub, for example, the San Diego County Office of Education has judged the book fit only for "older," high-school students, though it is clearly written for a younger audience). Children's books that include fair and factual references to sexual orientation must constantly be recommended to local boards of education, so often the targets of Right Wing homophobes. In addition, authors of such books must be encouraged -- despite the demands of bigots -- to continue creating a literature of integrity and truth that is the right of every child. Feedback can be sent to Kathleen Krull/"Lives of the Musicians," c/o Harcourt Brace & Company, 525 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101. ----- There is a new video called "Both of My Moms' Names are Judy: Children of Lesbians and Gays Speak Out." It illustrates how rough it can be for children of lesbians and gays. The video was produced by members of the Lesbian and Gay Parents Association in San Francisco. For more information about the video or about the LGPA, contact Kim Lawton at 415-387-9886, ---- "The Disco Years" A video from Select Media, a "video, videodisc and CD-ROM distributor specializing in health education and social issues media for children, youth and adults." "The Disco Years" is a story set in the late 70's. It follows the coming out of high school teenager Tom Peters and is often very funny. Told from Tom's point of view, the 30-minute film takes the viewer through Tom's sexual awakening in a high school gym class to the beginning of his coming out process. Tom must choose between accepting himself and being accepted by his family and peers. "...Accurately and affectionately depicts the awkwardness of the coming-out process." New York Times "...A richly detailed, well-cast and smoothly scripted work." The Washington Blade Purchase price $225 (aimed at school market). Select Media, 225 Lafayette St. #1102, NY NY 10012, 212-431-8923; fax 212-431-8946. *+*+*+*+*+*+ Jessea Greenman Co-Chair, Project 21, GLAAD/SFBA 1360 Mission #200, San Francisco CA 94103 ph/fax @ home: 510-601-8883; gopher@outright.com "If love is the answer, could you please rephrase the question?" Lily Tomlin