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by Shannon Hames
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February 04, 2011 00:00 |
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Queer youth in Cobb County are proclaiming their identities proudly and ready to show off on the dance floor with the first “Gaybie Hawkins Dance” — a way for LGBT teens from outside Atlanta to gather with others who are like them. Planned for Feb. 18 and organized by the Metro Atlanta Queer & Allied Teens (MAQAT), the dance — a gay take on traditional Sadie Hawkins Dances — aims to become an annual party held near Valentine’s Day. Being open about your sexual orientation and gender identity in the very socially conservative Cobb County (home of Newt Gingrich) is not easy, but is something queer teens want desperately to be able to do.
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by Laura Douglas-Brown
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January 21, 2011 00:00 |
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Homophobic attitudes don’t just hurt feelings. They also have a direct impact on LGBT health.
“The stigma and discrimination that the LGBT community faces is a primary factor in the health disparities that affect our community,” says Hector Vargas, executive director of the national Gay & Lesbian Medical Association.”
Access to quality healthcare is a key issue.
“One of our surveys shows that LGB people delay seeking medical care at almost twice the rate of the heterosexual population,” Vargas says.
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by Staff
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January 21, 2011 00:00 |
GAY MEN
HIV/AIDS, Safe Sex That men who have sex with men are at an increased risk of HIV infection is well known, but the effectiveness of safe sex in reducing the rate of HIV infection is one of the gay community’s great success stories. However, the last few years have seen the return of many unsafe sex practices. While effective HIV treatments may be on the horizon, there is no substitute for preventing infection. Safe sex is proven to reduce the risk of receiving or transmitting HIV. All health care professionals should be aware of how to counsel and support maintenance of safe sex practices.
Substance Use Gay men use substances at a higher rate than the general population, and not just in larger communities such as New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. These include a number of substances ranging from amyl nitrate (“poppers”), to marijuana, Ecstasy, and amphetamines. The long-term effects of many of these substances are unknown; however current wisdom suggests potentially serious consequences as we age.
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by Laura Douglas-Brown
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January 21, 2011 00:00 |
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New Year’s resolutions typically focus on physical health. But paying attention to mental health is also important, experts say.
Luckily, some of the same steps you can take to improve your physical health also have mental health benefits.
“Air is good for the brain like the rest of the body and regular exercise is the best support for good mental health,” says Franklin Abbott, an Atlanta psychotherapist in private practice.
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by Tristan Skye
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January 21, 2011 00:00 |
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1. Big Brother is watching. A food journal is the best way to keep track of your diet. It can also play the role of an accountability partner. At www.calorieking.com you can search food items to help you track down your daily intake. Many smartphones have applications to help you keep track of calories, fat grams, carbs and more. One of these free apps is called “Lose It!” Another fun app is “Foodpics Log” which uses your smartphone’s camera to capture what you really eat. You can even find a group in your area that will help support you like the Weight Watchers group at the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative.
2. Cheat to beat defeat. Allow yourself one cheat meal per week. This does not suggest an entire day of McDelight, but make sure you reward yourself to one meal per week that consists of foods that you are not allowed in your new diet plan.
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