Lesbian Health Matters, Vol 1, No 1

The E-Newsletter of the Lesbian Health Research Center at UCSF

Vol 1, No 1

Lesbian Health Matters is the quarterly e-newsletter of the Lesbian Health Research Center distributed by e-mail and available on our website, ..\..\index_main.htm. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or reply: newsletter@lesbianhealthinfo.org.

Editor: Jodie Silberman
Project Manger: Betty Sullivan, EdD
Contributing Writers: Naomi Rifkin, Angela Gross, Jan Corlett, PhD
Copyediting: Linda Phillips, PhD
Design Director: Tina Reynolds
Webmaster: Barb Rush
LHRC Co-Founders & Co-Directors: Suzanne Dibble, RN, DNSc; Dixie Horning; Patricia Robertson, MD

>From The Editor -

Welcome to the Premier Issue of the Lesbian Health Research Center Newsletter, Lesbian Health Matters

Our goal is to bring you informative and relevant health information in order to make a difference in the lives of all Lesbian women. Reflecting the purpose of LHRC, this newsletter will also include information related to the health of bisexual and transgendered women. The newsletter will be published quarterly and distributed via email and linked to the LHRC web site, www.lesbianhealthinfo.org

This first issue is an abbreviated one in content, but not in passion. We felt that it was important to launch this newsletter now. This issue will focus on the upcoming 3rd Annual Conference on Lesbian Health, and includes an overview of the hugely successful 50th Birthday Benefit supporting LHRC produced by Betty Sullivan. I'll be working with Betty and a team of talented communicators who are stepping up to the plate to bring Lesbian Health Matters to you.

Future issues will have features that will include the Calendar of Events; the To Your Health column addressing particular health concerns and questions; Profiles, a column highlighting the contributions of particular researchers and leaders in the lesbian health field; Research Corner, a regular feature providing information on recent studies; and other features including interviews, ways to support LHRC and volunteer opportunities and more.

Celebrate our launch with us. Pass this along to all those you care about. We welcome your ideas and suggestions for subjects and features you would like to see in future issues. Email us at newsletter@lesbianhealthinfo.org. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or supporter for LHRC, please let us know. All are welcome!

With Warmest Regards,
Jodie Silberman
Editor, Lesbian Health Matters

"Lesbian Health Matters" Selected as Theme for 3rd Annual Conference on Lesbian Health

LHRC will sponsor its third annual Lesbian Health Conference on Saturday, June 14th, 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street (@ Octavia).

Speakers include Kate O'Hanlan, MD, former GLMA president; Brenda Crawford, Progressive Research & Training for Action executive director; Suzanne Dibble, DNSc & Patricia Robertson, MD, co-directors of the Lesbian Health Research Center.

"Lesbian Health Matters" has been selected by the Conference Planning Committee as this year's theme. A key emphasis of the program is an articulation of an answer to the question "Why does lesbian health matter and how is it distinct from women's health concerns in general?"

"Who should attend?" asked LHRC co-director Suzanne Dibble, DNSc, "Anyone who cares about the health and well being of lesbians. Attending the conference will be community members and civic leaders, activists, health care providers, students, practitioners, researchers and those who provide health care services to lesbians and their families."

Highlights of this annual conference include an overview of the state of lesbian health, a panel discussion on lesbian health issues across a woman's lifespan to be moderated by Patricia Robertson, MD; and a lively panel discussion on sexual health.

Keynote speakers include

Brenda Crawford, executive director, Progressive Research and Training for Action, who will address the current political climate and dangers for lesbian health; and Kate O'Hanlan, MD, a private practitioner, internationally known speaker on lesbian health and former president of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association. The conference also includes interactive breakout sessions and screening tests for lesbians on topics including sexually transmitted diseases, height/weight, colorectal, STD's, thyroid, blood pressure, smoking cessation, mental health and gynecological issues (screening topics subject to change). The San Francisco based Purple Moon Dance Project will also perform.

General session panels will include discussions by Tamar Gershon, MD; Caitlan Ryan, MSW; Helen Smith and Leah Crask; Sherron Mills, RN, NP; Rani Eversley, PhD; Suzanne Dibble, DNSc; Marcy Adelman, PhD; Joyce Pierson; Marny Hall, PhD; Amy Andre; Jessica Meyer; Yasmin Ahmed; Trinity Ordona, PhD; and others.

Breakout session leaders include Cynthia Chang, Penny Sablov, Arisika Razak and others. Poster presentations will be offered by Suzanne Dibble, DNSc; Audrey S. Koh, MD; Leslie K. Ross, PhD; Rani Eversley, PhD; Lydia A Sausa, PhD; Brenda Crawford; Doretha Williams-Flournoy; Mary Ann van Dam and others.

Registration for the conference is $50 per person with a limited number of student, disabled or elderly scholarship registrations at $25 available. Registration can be made online at the secure web page accessible through LHRC's web site http://www.lesbianhealthinfo.org. For more information, please call 415-502-5209.

Betty (far right) at the Birthday Party Benefit joined by (left to right) party co-chair Chris Carnes, contributor Jody Cole, and lesbian icons Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon. Photo by Gloria Swanson.

Birthday Benefit a Smashing Success

Music, speeches, dancing, and cocktails were all part of Betty's 50th Birthday Party Benefit for the Lesbian Health Research Center (LHRC), held at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center on April 27th. Everyone had thundering fun as they raised more than $65,000 for the LHRC. The occasion marked the 50th birthday of LHRC supporter Betty L. Sullivan, founder of Sullivan Communications, Inc. and the Betty's List e-mail service (http://www.bettyslist.com).

More than thirty local and national organizations were included as Community Co-sponsors of the occasion, which was declared a "Brothers for Sisters" event by MAX (Men's Associated Exchange). Pre-event announcements of support for the birthday party by Bay Area LGBT community leader Jody Cole and Olivia Cruises' founder Judy Dlugacz were noted as having boosted awareness of the occasion and LHRC's goals and purposes.

The event began in The Center's Rainbow Room with a labyrinth walk facilitated by Lauren Artress of Veriditas The Worldwide Labyrinth Project and Margie Adam of The Avalon Project. A silent auction and reception, music by the Dixieland Dykes + Three, and an accompanying video of scenes from Betty's life rounded out the event's first segment.

The birthday party's program, emceed by Empress Donna Sachet, began with a welcome from Donna and event co-chairs Chris Carnes and Frank Woo. "It's great to see Brothers for Sisters here today," said Woo. "You (lesbians) were here for us during the AIDS crisis, and tonight we are here for you." "What an amazing crowd," said Carnes. "I had no idea Betty had so many friends."

Luminaries Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon took the stage to celebrate Betty's professional achievements and involvement in San Francisco's LGBT political and social life. They also joked about Betty's early life in Mississippi.

Lyon told a story about Sullivan water skiing behind a Mississippi riverboat, The Delta Queen. "I can't imagine how she did that, but it's HER memory!" she said with a laugh. San Francisco District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty and California Assemblyman Mark Leno were on hand to offer congratulations to Betty. "Betty has that Southern charm about her, and when she wants something from you, she turns on this thick ol' accent," Leno jested. "We are all the beneficiaries of her incredible energy, huge heart, wisdom, commitment, and tenacity on behalf of our extraordinary community."

Author and playwright Jewelle Gomez recited several of her poems and commented about LHRC, saying, "Focusing the attention of professionals and lay people on lesbian health in a productive way will save lives. How can we not celebrate such a groundbreaking effort? How can we not celebrate Betty Sullivan for inviting us to share in the joy of such work?" Gomez also acknowledged the significance of Sullivan's family from Mississippi coming to attend, noting that they symbolically represented the family members of many there whose relatives would not have been supportive.

More music followed, as Dr. Kathleen McGuire then led the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus' Lollipop Guild in a stirring a cappella song, "In My Nana's House," followed by Betty's favorite, "San Francisco." Following the singing, LHRC co-founders Dixie Horning, Dr. Suzanne Dibble, and Dr. Patricia Robertson spoke of how frustrating it has been to find information on lesbian healthcare and how important LHRC is for lesbians in particular.

Memories of Betty were shared by audience members, including National PFLAG president Sam Thoron, Wells Fargo Foundation's Mario P. Diaz, Betty's daughter Elizabeth Herren, and other members of Betty's extended family, including Audrey May of Memphis, Tn., and Barbara Gersh, who recalled answering questions posed by Betty during a seminar on new technologies.

Blessings by Dr. Penny Nixon of MCC and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were uniquely irreverent, with Nixon declaring, "Cake schmake! I want to bless Betty!" She proceeded to do so, encouraging the "congregation" to say amen and hallelujah with her at appropriate times. The Sisters' blessing included laying hands on Betty while sprinkling her with red glitter.

The enthusiastic crowd brought their support to bear in the silent and live auctions, where they bid on goods ranging from helicopter trips to meals in local restaurants. Bay Area community leader and philanthropist Jody Cole made a challenge grant gift of $10,000, which was immediately met by contributions from audience members. The celebration concluded with dancing to tunes spun by DJ Page Hodel.

During her remarks at the event's closing, Betty said, "I am deeply humbled by your expressions of love and caring, your gifts of resources and expertise, and your willingness to join with me in supporting a relatively new but very important organization bringing much needed health-related information to lesbians in our community and far beyond."

Birthday Benefit sponsors included Olivia Cruises and Resorts; MECCA Ladies Night; Uptown Studios; Flavors You Crave - Blue, Red Grill, Luna, Lalo's; Citizen Cake; The Isosceles Group; Bredwell Meyer Flowers; You Name It Promotions; Wine & Spirit Magazine; Fallons Café; Le Mediterraneé; Tin Pan; Domestic Partner Photography; Randall Schiller Productions; Little Jackie Paper; Richard Allen Productions; Chris Carnes Productions, and others. More than 60 volunteers contributed time and expertise in support of LHRC. Event committee chairs included Ann Biderman, Jan Corlett, Mary Hardey, Michele McKee, Kitty Richards, Barb Rush, Jack Ryder, and Richard "Kip" Serafin. (Naomi Rifkin is a writer, public relations specialist and member of LHRC's Community Leadership Circle.)

PRIVACY STATEMENT: LHRC respects the privacy of all subscribers and will not disclose your email address or any information about you to any third parties. You can read our complete Privacy Statement at http://www.lesbianhealthinfo.org.