Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 06:55:17 -0700 (PDT) From: jessea@uclink4.berkeley.edu (Jessea NR Greenman) Subject: Youth HIV Education Study || CO workshop in September SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 13, 1996--Prevention programs that involve entire social systems to encourage and support young gay men to practice safer sex are successful in reducing HIV risk behavior, according to a UCSF study published in the August issue of the American Journal of Public Health. The UCSF study is the first controlled study to evaluate HIV prevention programs designed specifically for young gay men, according to Susan M. Kegeles, Ph.D., a researcher at the UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS). "We have found it is far more effective for peers to support and encourage each other in spreading the HIV prevention message through young gay men's social networks," Kegeles said. "Furthermore, we found that to most effectively reach young gay men who are engaging in high risk activities, programs need to go beyond traditional health education approaches," she added. "HIV prevention efforts need to be conducted within the context of broader issues of importance to young gay men, such as meeting social needs and having a place to get support from each other." Young gay men are engaging in alarming rates of unsafe sex, according to Kegeles, and HIV rates in this population continue to climb. "Young gay men are not being effectively reached by HIV prevention efforts," she said. "The HIV prevention program we evaluated in the study should be used as a model for mid-sized communities aiming to reduce HIV-risk behavior among its young gay and bisexual men." Kegeles and other CAPS researchers developed and implemented an eight-month peer-led HIV prevention program for young gay men in two midsize communities in the United States. The program involved five elements designed to increase support for safer sex and to change community norms: a young gay men's community center created for the study, a core group of young gay or bisexual men who ran the project, informal outreach conducted among friends, formal outreach conducted at gay venues and social events, and small groups that focused on safer sex and informal outreach. The study involved 242 gay and bisexual men ages 18 to 27 from both communities (Eugene, Ore., and Santa Barbara, Calif.). Participants were interviewed twice before the program intervention and twice afterward. Study results showed no significant difference between the levels of unprotected anal sex reported at each interview before the intervention, showing that there was no trend towards risk reduction. Two months after the program intervention, study findings indicated a 26 percent reduction in reported unsafe sex with casual partners and a 28 percent reduction in unsafe sex with boyfriends. The reduction in unsafe sex with casual partners was sustained one year after the intervention, findings showed. There was, however, a return to unsafe sex with boyfriends, many of whom were new relationships, Kegeles said. "Since new young men will continue to come out as gay each year, it is critical that there be an ongoing system to socialize them about the need for safer sex," Kegeles said. "Additional efforts need to focus on risk reduction among boyfriends." CONTACT: UCSF Rebecca Higbee, 415/476-2557 ----------------- ---------------------- Date: Wed, 14 Aug 1996 20:08:28 -0600 From: Tracy Phariss To: Jessea, GLSTN/Colorado and PFLAG/Denver are planning a workshop/conference in Setpember, respectfully. We would appreciate the distribution of the attached two files as e-mail to the PERSON project's mail list. They can be reposted. The attached files are text files, somewhat rearranged from our two brochures. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at GLSTN CO@aol.com or at this URL. Your help in this matter is greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Tracy Phariss GLSTN/Colorado 303-232-3789 The bibliography looks great on the web site. Take Care Building Bridges of Understanding Homophobia diminishes everyone. Many people have not had the opportunity to become informed. To build bridges of understanding, the Denver chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) presents an EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE Saturday, September 21, 1996 Denver Hilton South Building Bridges of Understanding A Conference Presented by the Denver Chapter of PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons, their families, and friends through support, education, and advocacy. PFLAG provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. Conference Objectives This conference addresses homophobia and its detrimental effects on the whole community. The training is directed to professionals in the fields of education, religion, business, and mental health who are striving to achieve diversity and acceptance. Participants will receive information about a wide variety of resources. They will leave the conference with a better understanding of how homophobia diminishes the entire community and of how they too can build bridges of understanding. Sponsors to Date Alfalfa's Capitol Hill Colorado AIDS Project Coors Brewing Company Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Teachers Network (GLSTN) of Colorado Norwest Bank Colorado Additional Questions: PFLAG 777-3602 CONFERENCE AGENDA ---------------------------------------------------- Saturday, September 21, 1996 Denver Hilton South 7801 E. Orchard Road at I-25 Englewood, Colorado ----------------------------------------------------- 7:30 - 8:30................................Registration Bookstore and Exhibits 8:30 - 9:00...........................Opening Address "Meet Us on the Bridge" Pat Romero, Director of Human Resources, Colorado Department of Education 9:00 - 11:30.........................Plenary Session "Building the Foundation for Understanding" Brian McNaught, Corporate Diversity Consultant and Sexuality Educator 11:30 - 12:00...............Bookstore and Exhibits 12:00 - 1:30....................................Luncheon Keynote Address "Building Bridges of Understanding" Mitzi Henderson, National PFLAG President 1:30 - 1:45...................................Transition 1:45 - 4:15.......Concurrent Workshop Tracks (see next panel) 4:15 - 4:30...................................Transition 4:30 - 5:30..................Closing Plenary Panel "Crossing the Bridge to the 21st Century" Moderator: Anna Spradlin Panelists: Kevin Jennings, Lucia Guzman, Bill Castleberry, Glenda Russell 5:30 - 6:30............... .Bookstore and Exhibits Reception with Speakers in Atrium Lobby CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS Track 1: Achieving Equity in Education * Planning for Change - Kevin Jennings, National Executive Director, GLSTN * Panel: Models of Youth Support and Empowerment - Moderator, Lynn Levine, PhD, Health Education Specialist, Denver Public Schools - School Model - Peer Support Model - Public Health Model - Community Model Track 2: Religious Beliefs and the Struggle for People of Faith * Examining Alienation and Its Deteriorating Effect upon the Soul - Lucia Guzman, Executive Director, Colo. Council of Churches * Believing Is Seeing: Perspectives in Our Pursuit of Meaning - H. Edward Everding, Jr., PhD, Professor, Iliff School of Theology Track 3: Workplace Diversity Equals Productivity and Success * The Price of Passing - Anna Spradlin, PhD, Department of Communication, University of Colorado at Boulder * Successful Workplace Models for Corporate America - Bill Castleberry, Corporate Manager of Diversity, Coors Brewing Co. - Tim Gill, Founder and Chairman, Quark Inc. Track 4: Exploring Our Own Journeys: Homophobia and Psychotherapy * Exploring Our Own Journeys through a Participatory Workshop for Mental Health Providers, Clients, and Laypeople - Karen Raforth, PhD, CU Boulder - Arthur Jones, PhD, University of Denver - Glenda Russell, PhD, CU Boulder - John Barry, MSW, LCSW, Denver Local Presenters John Barry - Group Psychotherapy Center, Denver Bill Castleberry - Corporate Manager of Diversity, Coors Brewing Company, Golden H. Edward Everding, Jr. - Professor of Religious Education and New Testament, Iliff School of Theology, Denver Tim Gill - Founder, Chairman, and Senior Vice-President of Research and Development, Quark Inc., Denver Lucia Guzman - Executive Director, Colorado Council of Churches Linda Harmon - Teacher and Facilitator of HHART, Smoky Hill High School, Aurora Arthur C. Jones - Faculty, Department of Psychology, University of Denver Lynn Levine - Health Education Specialist, Denver Public Schools Amanda Masters - Functional Training and Procedure Writing, Norwest Bank Colorado Ann Minzer - Coordinator of PFLAG Denver's support group for gay and lesbian teens and their parents Danni Newsome - KOA radio talk show host, Denver Karen Raforth - Counseling Center Director, Metro State College of Denver and University of Colorado at Denver Pat Romero - Director of Human Resources, Colorado Department of Education Glenda Russell - Co-Producer, Inner Journeys, Public Stands Anna Spradlin - Director of Public Speaking, Department of Communication, University of Colorado at Boulder National Speakers Brian R. McNaught is the nation's leading corporate diversity consultant on gay issues in the workplace. With more than twenty years' experience, Brian has educated managers and employees on homophobia at such corporations as AT&T, Motorola, and Prudential. Reared in the Catholic faith, he is also well known for his sensitive handling of religious issues. Mitzi Henderson, an elder in the Presbyterian Church, has been National President of PFLAG since 1992. She has worked to promote PFLAG's unique bridge-building capabilities between gay and non-gay constituencies. Mitzi is shown here with her gay son Jamie, who co-founded the Colorado Lesbian and Gay Law Association. Kevin Jennings is the National Executive Director of GLSTN (Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Teachers Network), which brings together gay and straight teachers to fight homophobia in their schools. Kevin was highly influential in the successful campaign which made Massachusetts the first state to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation in public schools. Registration Fee (Luncheon and Reception Included): Individual Group of 4 or more Through Aug. 31 $ 60.00 $ 50.00 per person September 1-16 75.00 65.00 per person After Sept. 16 100.00 (register at door - DO NOT MAIL) 0.5 CDE or Graduate Credit (additional charge, pay at door) Make check payable to PFLAG and send to P.O. Box 18901, Denver, CO 80218-0901. Amount enclosed_______________ o MasterCard and o VISA are also accepted (check one). Card #_______________________________Expiration___________ Signature_________________________________________________ Name_________________________________________________Phone__________________ _________ Address_________________________________________ City, State, Zip__________________________ Career Field_________________________________________ Which workshop track do you wish to attend? Choose only one: * Track 1 -- Achieving Equity in Education * Track 2 -- Examining Religious Beliefs * Track 3 -- Diversifying the Workplace * Track 4 -- Exploring Mental Health Please select your luncheon entree: o Chicken breast o Sea bass o Vegetarian pasta Will you be attending the Reception? o Yes o No If you need hotel information, call 303-779-6161. o Special needs? ___________________________________ Changing Hearts, Changing Minds An educational workshop for all who wish to create a safe and equitable educational environment for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered persons. Sponsored by GLSTN/Colorado Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Teachers Network of Colorado P.O. Box 280346, Lakewood, CO 80228-0346 A One-day Workshop on How to Create Change in Education Sunday, September 22, 1996 following the PFLAG Conference on Saturday Denver Hilton South 7801 E. Orchard Rd. at I-25 All educators and concerned community members are invited. "Changing Hearts, Changing Minds" will focus on a "change agent" model which will culminate in an action plan for each participant's chosen project. Participants will bring ideas for specific changes they would like to accomplish: eliminating harassment in halls and classrooms, getting sexual orientation added to the district's non-discrimination policy, starting a Gay-Straight Alliance, getting sexual orientation added to a school's harassment policy, or other such possibilities. This day-long workshop offers training and interaction to: 1) develop, refine, and practice the skills needed to become an effective change agent in your community via schools, parent/teacher associations, teacher unions, school boards, school system, and legislature; 2) start a process of continuous learning and self-improvement in the art and science of creating change; 3) develop the personal resources needed to maintain enthusiasm, prevent burnout, and keep energized. Kevin Jennings, best known for his work in the fight for equality for gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth, will facilitate this educational workshop. He has presented anti-homophobia workshops for over 100 educational institutions, as well as numerous conferences around the country. His books include Becoming Visible: A Reader in Gay and Lesbian History for High School and College Students and One Teacher in Ten: Gay and Lesbian Educators Tell Their Stories. Kevin Jennings is the Executive Director of the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Teachers Network, the largest national organization that brings together gay and straight educators and community members to fight homophobia in education. Kevin led the successful fight to create safe schools in Massachusetts. Out Magazine voted Kevin Jennings as one of the top 100 News Makers and Earth Shakers for 1995. Tracy Phariss will also be presenting. He is a Colorado public school teacher known for his long term commitment to create safe and equitable learning environments for g/l/b persons in education. He is presently Co-chair of the Colorado Chapter of GLSTN. Tracy is the author of an extensive 100 page bibliography covering g/l/b issues in education and an article, "Breaking Through the Wall of Silence: Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Issues for Middle Level Educators" published in the National Middle School Journal. He has facilitated anti-homophobia training seminars for teacher education programs throughout Colorado and has conducted workshops at state and national education conferences. The GLSTN Mission Statement GLSTN strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected, regardless of sexual orientation. We believe that such atmosphere engenders a positive sense of self, which is the basis of educational achievement and personal growth. Since homophobia and heterosexism undermine a healthy school climate, we work to educate teachers, students, and the public at large about the damaging effects these forces have on youth and adults alike. We recognize that forces such as racism and sexism have similarly adverse impacts on communities, and we support schools in seeking to redress all such inequities. GLSTN seeks to develop school climates where difference is valued for the contribution it makes in creating a more vibrant and diverse community. We welcome as members any individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or occupation, who are committed to seeing this philosophy realized in K-12 schools. Creating Change Morning Schedule 8:00 - 8:30 Registration - Coffee and tea 8:30 - 10:30 Becoming a Change Agent Assessing Your School/ Community Today Key Players 10:30 - 10:45 Break 10:45 - 11:45 Who Can Influence the Outcomes (and How) How to Respond 11:45 - 12:45 Lunch/Activity (on your own) Afternoon Schedule 12:45 - 2:00 Influence Planning 2:00 - 2:15 Break 2:15 - 4:30 Action Planning Closure 1/2 credit - either recertification ($15) or graduate level ($35) will be available. GLSTN/Colorado The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Teachers Network of Colorado An educational organization of gay and straight people working to end homophobia in schools. _____ Enclosed is my registration fee of $ 20.00 _____ GLSTN Membership -- optional ________ $35 standard membership $15 student/limited income membership _____ Donation to GLSTN/Colorado - optional ________ Total amount enclosed ________ Please make check payable to GLSTN and return to GLSTN/Colorado, P.O. Box 280346, Lakewood, CO 80228-0346. For more information, call (303) 232-3789 or (303) 770-6530, e-mail glstnco@aol.com If you would like to register for the workshop, please complete the following information. Name ___________________________________________ Position __________________________________________ Address __________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Phone ____________________________________________ e-mail ____________________________________________ *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ OK TO RE-POST. Jessea Greenman The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project (Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally) CHECK THIS OUT FOR TONS OF INFO - - http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/ Please cc us (for our files) on correspondence you send or receive re our action alerts.