Lesbian Health Research Center

Institute on Health & Aging, UCSF

The E-Newsletter of the Lesbian Health Research Center at UCSF        Vol 1, No 2

Lesbian Health Matters

Newsletter Archives

Index

Gala Holiday Event

LHRC Holiday Benefit Gala
Featuring Suede – December 13th

This is the holiday party of the year! You'll enjoy jazz singer Suede direct from Provincetown, followed by a dance with DJ Page Hodel. Plus, you can enjoy a fabulous pre-event dinner by renowned Chef Jeff Freburg. This is a very special evening to benefit the Lesbian Health Research Center. Singles and couples welcome. 'Brothers for Sisters' and all in the LGBT community encouraged to attend, celebrate the holidays and support LHRC.

Become an LHRC Sponsor! You and your company can support lesbian health by choosing to host a table at the Holiday Dinner immediately prior to the concert and dance. There are many options to choose from in making your plans for this special benefit.

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets
Concert/Dance with Dinner Option

Note from the Editor

How to support LHRC

Welcome everyone to the second edition of the LHRC newsletter—Lesbian Health Matters.

This edition introduces several new features, including a spotlight interview with renowned psychologist and researcher Esther Rothblum. Also included is an overview of our newly formed Salon Series, and our Community Leadership Circle. “For Your Reference” guides you through recently published articles, and gives a glimpse behind some of the health professionals who are working tirelessly to bring Lesbian Health to the forefront of all of our lives.

This newsletter is being shaped by all of you. We encourage you to get involved and share with us subjects and issues that you would like to see in future editions. E-mail us at newsletter@lesbianhealthinfo.org.

This edition has something for everyone—so read on, and pass this link on to all those that you care about. We are all so excited to be bringing such important information into all of your lives.

With warmest regards,
Jodie Silberman, Editor – Lesbian Health Matters

 

Still a “young” and developing organization, LHRC does need your support! Making your tax deductible donation is very easy using the LHRC secure donation web page:

Click Here to Support LHRC  

Welcome to our Circle!

LHRC Salon Series, Inagural Season

I am very pleased to introduce our Community Leadership Circle. Our purpose is to support the work of the Lesbian Health Research Center by engaging members of the community in building awareness of health issues; by providing volunteers to assist with Center events; and by developing a strong funding base to sustain and expand our programs. We would like to thank the founder of our Leadership Circle, Jody Cole, for her strong support and encouragement in reaching out to the community.

Jan Corlett, PhD, Co-Chair
LHRC Community Leadership Circle

As one of our first activities, the Circle is proud to announce the launch of a salon series devoted to exploring the unique health issues faced by lesbians and their families. In an informal setting, we will have an opportunity to share with each other and engage in topical discussions with health and medical professionals affiliated with the Lesbian Health Research Center. If you would like to attend our salons, please check the LHRC website for details http://www.lesbianhealthinfo.org.

Sincerely,

Jan Corlett
Circle Co-Chair

In the Spotlight

Newsletter editor Jodie Silberman, (l) and Esther Rothblum, PhD, LHRC visiting scholar

An informal Q&A between visiting scholar and psychologist Esther Rothblum and Newsletter Editor
Jodie Silberman

Jodie Silberman (JS): What is your background?
Esther Rothblum (ER): Clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychology at the University of Vermont for the past 20 years and editor of the Journal of Lesbian Studies.

JS: What brought you to San Francisco and how long will you be here?
ER: I consider San Francisco to be the epicenter for Lesbian Research and I will be here for one year, from June 2003 until June 2004.

JS: Tell us a little about the primary areas of research in which you have been involved.
ER: My research has been focused primarily on methodological issues, including factors that are unique to lesbians as well as ways that gender and sexual orientation intersect.
1. Civil Unions. This research focuses on couples that have had civil union ceremonies in Vermont. These couples are compared with their married sibling and spouse and also with a gay or lesbian couple in their friendship circle that has not had a civil union.
2. Comparison of Lesbians and Gay Men with their Heterosexual Siblings. This study compares demographics, mental health, and physical factors.
3. Weight and Stigma. This research focuses on weight and employment discrimination, and ways in which fat women cope with the stigma of weight.

JS: Tell us about the Journal of Lesbian Studies?
ER: The Journal of Lesbian Studies, from Hawthorne Press, is published 4 times per year.

JS: What are your passionate research topics?
ER: Lesbians in the mainstream and weight issues – at oppression.

JS: What do you consider the state of mental health for lesbians today?
ER: There are a number of risk factors to consider. These include: being in the closet, the increase of hate crimes due to sexual orientation, and our LBGT youth. Youth who know early that they are attracted to same-sex partners seem to have a greater risk.

On the other hand, lesbians seem to be a more protected group than heterosexual women in the samegroups. Part of this is due to the sense of community, less risk for depression. Also, lesbians are more likely to be involved in therapy (positive culture).

JS: Would you like to see changes and what changes would you like to see?
ER: LGBT respondents all complain about the insensitivities of the medical field. I would like to see more done to educate health professionals. I would like to see health professionals have the chance to become acquainted with their peers who are lesbian and gay medical professionals.

JS: Do you have any other suggestions to pass along to our readers in terms of mental health and wellness?
ER: Keep lesbian health highlighted. Keep communicating and pass along our newsletter to other resources. Participate in research studies where it is applicable.

JS: How can our readers find out more about your work?

BOOKS by Esther Rothblum

Mintz, B. & Rothblum, E. D. (1997). Lesbians in academia. Routledge Press.
Weinstock, J. S., & Rothblum, E. D. (1996). Lesbian friendships. New York
University Press.
Gartrell, N.K., & Rothblum, E.D. (2001). Everyday mutinies: Funding lesbian
activism. NY: Haworth Press.

ARTICLES by Esther Rothblum

Morris, J.F., Balsam, K.F., & Rothblum, E.D. (2002). Lesbian and bisexual
mothers and non-mothers: Demographics and the coming out process. Journal
of Family Psychology, 16, 144-156.
Rothblum, E.D., & Factor, R. (2001). Lesbians and their sisters as a control
group: Demographic and mental health factors. Psychological Science, 12,
63-69.

3rd Annual Lesbian Health Research Conference Brings Together Community Members and Health Care Leaders

Compiled by Angela Gross

Kate O’Hanlan, MD (r), keynote speaker & Patty Robertson, MD, moderator

The 3rd Annual Conference on Lesbian Health Research, "Lesbian Health
Matters," was held at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center on Saturday, June 14th. The key emphasis of the program was 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?"

Keynote Speaker Kate O'Hanlan, MD, shared statistics from the National Survey of Midlife Development. Indications are that LGBTs are 2.2 times more likely to experience stress sensitive health problems and that 42% of LGBT people have experienced stress due to discrimination. O'Hanlan, the former president of the GLMA, was also recently honored by the ACLU with an On the Front Line Award for her sustained activism and impassioned health advocacy for the LGBT community.

General session speaker, Brenda Crawford, Executive Director of Progressive Research and Training for Action, addressed the current political climate and dangers for lesbian health. Crawford works to eliminate health disparities of African-American lesbians.

Highlights of the conference included a panel discussion on lesbian health issues through the ages, moderated by Patricia Robertson, MD, and a lively panel discussion on sexual health. Tamar Gershon, MD, discussed lesbians age 0 to 10. Gershon suggests that the early developmental years of 0 to10 are the most critical decade in the mental and physical health of lesbians. Caitlin Ryan discussed lesbians age 11 to 20. Ryan indicated that it is during these years that the first awareness of same sex attraction often takes place.

Helen Smith and Leah Crask discussed the ages 20 to 29among lesbians. High risks for lesbians of this age include partner abuse, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, negative body image, restricted employment opportunities, and discrimination in health care. Sherron Mills, RN, spoke of the years 31 to 40. Many LBTQ women of this age group are trying to become pregnant. Mills gave practical advice including taking vitamins for three months prior to an attempt to become pregnant.

Rani Eversly, PhD, discussed lesbians 41 to 49. Concerns in this age group are mental health issues, physical changes, social losses, increased familial responsibilities, retirement, and the role of stress. Sue Dibble, DNS, RN, covered women ages 51 to 60. Ovarian and breast cancer are a particular concern for LBTQ women in this age group. Marcy Adelman, PhD, addressed the health concerns of women ages 61 to 70, and Joyce Pierson discussed lesbians over the age of 70. Concerns in this age group include stability, retirement, housing, declining health—often times with chronic difficulties and with shame and stigma that have festered over the years.

One important feature of the conference was the availability of screening tests for LBTQ women, including tests for STDs, body mass index, colorectal health, thyroid levels, blood pressure, smoking cessation, mental health, and gynecological issues.

The 4th Annual Lesbian Health Research Conference will be held in San Francisco on Saturday, June 19, 2004. Mark your calendars so that you don't miss this important event!

Conference Photo Gallery: http://www.bettyslist.com/gallery/album10

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 www.lesbianhealthinfo.org.

The Salons will provide an on-going forum to meet and mingle, introduce newcomers to LHRC, and enjoy an informal discussion on selected topics. Mark your calendars for the following dates, and check the website for details http://www.lesbianhealthinfo.org.

  • September 25, 2003 – September is National Grandparenting Month
    Hosts: Patty Robertson, MD, and Susan Ashton
    Topic: Grandparent's Role and Effects on Child's Upbringing
    Special Guests: Ellen Haller, MD, Audrey Koh, MD, and Patty Robertson, MD
  • October 30, 2003 – October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
    Hosts: Betty Sullivan, EdD, and Irene Hendrick
    Topic: Breast Cancer Risks Among Lesbians
    Special Guest: Suzanne Dibble, DNS
  • November 20, 2003
    Hosts: Patty Robertson, MD, and Dixie Horning, Executive Director of the National Center of Excellence in Women’s Health. This Salon will be held at the Center, and a tour of the facilities will be available.
    Topic: Lesbian Health in Australia
    Special Guest: Ruth McNair, MD, University of Melbourne, Australia
  • December - NO SALON
    Please join us for the LHRC Holiday Benefit on Saturday, December 13th.
  • January 22, 2004
    Host: Audrey Koh, MD
    Topic: To Be In Civil Union Or Not to Be: A Comparison of Same-sex Couples in Civil Unions, Their Lesbian/Gay Friends without Civil Unions, and Their Married Heterosexual Siblings
    Special Guest: Esther Rothblum, PhD
  • February 26, 2004 – February is National Heart Month
    Host: TBA
    Topic: Heart Disease Risk Among Lesbians
    Special Guest: Stephanie Roberts, MD
  • March 25, 2004 – To Be Announced
For Your Reference
News, Links and Commentaries
  • Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Lesbian Women
    Roberts SA, Dibble SL, Nussey B, Casey K..
    Women's Health Issues 2003;13:167-174.
    This study compared risk factors for cardiovascular (includes heart) disease between California lesbians over age 40 and their heterosexual sisters closest in age. The lesbians reported a significantly higher weight relative to height, waist size, and waist size relative to hip size suggesting a possible higher risk for cardiovascular disease
    http://www.planetout.com/news/article.html?2003/09/10/4
  • Treating Chronic Diseases with Asian Medicine
    Misha R. Cohen, OMD, LAc
    Gynecology Guidelines
    Painful Menstrual Periods
    Acupuncture Today, October 2003
    http://www.acupuncturetoday.com/archives2003/oct/
    10cohen.html
  • Eastern Treatment Options: Traditional Chinese
    Medicine for HCV
    Misha R Cohen, OMD, LAc
    NUMEDX.com (Hepatitis Journal) Summer 2003, pp. 16-17
    http://hepatitis.numedx.com/complementary/index.phtml
  • Treatment for a Common HIV-Related Problem: Chronic Sinusitis
    Misha R Cohen, OMD, LAc
    NUMEDX.com (HIV Journal) Summer 2003
    http://www.numedx.com/complementary/index.phtml
  • Bronfenbrenner Ecological Theory and Lesbian Families
    Van Dam, M. A.
    Journal of Clinical Excellence for Nurse Practitioners.7(4) In Press, Dec 2003
    Lesbian families often live in an environment that negates their existence and where negativity and hostility are directed toward them. Some lesbianfamilies may lack various common support systems and are at risk for social isolation. This article provides Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Theory as a framework for understanding the lesbian family interaction with their environment.
  • Pioneers in Partnership
    Solomon, S.E., Rothblum, E.D., & Balsam, K.F.
    Journal of Family Psychology (in press)
    Lesbian and gay male couples in civil unions compared with those not in civil unions, and heterosexual married siblings.
Professional Profile

Patricia A. Robertson, MD

Patricia Robertson, MD,
Co-Director of the Lesbian Health Research Center

Patty Robertson always knew she wanted to be a doctor. Not a nurse, as young girls interested in medicine generally thought in the 1950s, but a doctor. Patty stayed true to her dreams, and enrolled at the University of Texas School of Medicine in 1972. In those days, Robertson says, there was an unspoken agreement among the medical schools to cap the number of women at 10% of the class.

Robertson chose as her specialty Obstetrics and Gynecology (ob-gyn), in large part because of her medical school experiences where she saw teenagers dying in hallways from botched, back alley abortions. Further career confirmation during medical school came from her work at a free clinic, housed in the office of a doctor who had died in prison from tuberculosis while jailed for doing safer but still illegal abortions. She was also moved, Robertson says, during a summer experience working in Chile. “I saw how the quality of women’s lives and that of their families were improved by women’s access to health care,” she said.

In 1976, Robertson came to UCSF for an ob-gyn residency, after which she spent five years in private practice. The lure of teaching, however, pulled her back to San Francisco. Not only does Robertson enjoy teaching, but she sees it as an important tool. “There was so much in women’s health care at that time that needed to be changed. In private practice I felt I was affecting only a small group of patients. I wanted to have a broader influence by teaching students who would themselves enter into practice.”

Robertson has achieved her wish to effect change. As Director of Medical Student Education in her department, she has helped change the way the ob-gyn specialty is taught. She is happy to see that practice in the field of ob-gyn has become more evidence-based and more sensitive to women’s needs.

The particular focus of Robertson’s work, managing high-risk pregnancies, has become the subject of a book she has written especially for women. Additionally, she has recently published results of a study assessing the neonatal risk of conception immediately following miscarriage.] Currently she is at work studying the cardiovascular effects of exercise in older pregnant women. In addition to her busy faculty schedule and teaching hospital practice, she does outreach to Bay Area hospitals that refer high-risk pregnant women to UCSF for their delivery.

What’s more, if all this were not enough, Patty Robertson has made her mark on the otherwise unmet health care needs of lesbians. More than 20 years ago, she co-founded the Lyon-Martin Women’s Health Clinic in San Francisco. Her current emphasis is improving primary health care for lesbians. One way of addressing this concern is to speak out to physician groups so that they understand the special health care needs of lesbians and to insure that lesbians are receiving the same standard of care as other women. “I still hear horrible stories in which a doctor will either leave the room or make an inappropriate remark when a lesbian patient discloses her sexual orientation.”

Robertson, as co-director of the Center for Lesbian Health Research, is working with the faculty of the Center in the areas of: access to care, treatment of depression, and prevention of substance abuse. Hats off to Patty Robertson—an amazing role model, remarkable teacher, and accomplished leader in women’s medicine.

Visit our Web Site

The Lesbian Health Research Center has a comprehensive and growing web site that is just a click away. http://www.lesbianhealthinfo.org/

Look for information on Events and News, Research, Useful Links, and Resources. Remember to check the events calendar for updates, and enjoy our photo gallery.

About the Newsletter

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

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

Shots from our Photo Gallery


LHRC Community Leadership Circle members, (l-r) Carla Wilson; Misha Cohen, OMD, LAc; Kitty Richards; Grace Floyd and Mary Ann Brown celebrate the birthday of Michele McKee, Esq, (foregroud) during a dinner following an LHRC event.

 
Betty Sullivan, EdD, (standing), circle co-chair, moderates an ‘around-the-room’ introduction and sharing session at a Volunteer Appreciation Party hosted by Patty Robertson, MD, LHRC co-director, and Susan Ashton.

 
The Volunteer Appreciation Party brought together a standing room only crowd, including Suzanne Dibble, DNS, RN, LHRC co-director and co-founder (foreground).

 

Nancy Milliken, MD, National Center of Excellence in Women's Health director (l), welcomes LHRC supporters on a tour of facilities. Among tour goers was Jody Cole (r) LHRC Community Leadership Circle founder.
©2003 Lesbian Health Research Center Newsletter Archive