The Church and its Holistic Paradigm of Sexuality

Wilson Yates

Margaret Sanger, the birth control reformer of the first part The Holistic Paradigm of this century, began her books with the sentence: “Sex is I wish to call this paradigm a holistic paradigm, in contrast the pivot of civilization.” Perhaps she was given to hyper- to the more traditional dualistic paradigm to which the bole, but few of us in the latter part of this century would church has been wedded so long.2 The dualistic paradigm deny that sexuality is a central human force that can exploit has been marked by assumptionsof patriarchy, dualism of and destroy, or enhance and enrich, personal life and the body and spirit, a strong procreative ethic, a denial of the human community. We have come to appreciate Sanger’s relationship of erotic love to divine grace, a strict set of insistence that the power of sexuality is a profound and external rules to govern sexual behavior, and a strong ever-present power. Anthony Kosnick, in our own time, also condemnation of homosexuality- all of which stand in addresses this theme: sharp contrast to a holistic perspective.3

Sex is. a force that permeates, influences, and affects every act of a person’s being at every moment of existence. It The assumptionsof the new paradigm that I wish to is not operative in one restricted area of life (that is, simply elaborate upon include the following: physical intercourse) but it is rather at the core and center of our total life response. ’ 1. Sexuality should be viewed in light of an egalitarian perspective in which men and women are considered to be Preciselybecause sexuality is such an important part of life, equal to one another. the church (the Christian community) has been expected to 2. The morality of homosexual expression should be judged deal with its morality and meaning- and this the church much as we judge heterosexual expression: in light of has done. It has given shapeto sexual ethics and theologies whether it enables an individual to realize wholeness. of sexuality down through the centuries. Today, however, 3. Sexuality, as part of creation, is good. the church finds itself in quandary, for the way it has 4. Sexuality should be understood to be related to both body and spirit. defined and interpreted sexuality in the past is being 5. Sexuality should be seen as a dimension of the self that is challenged by forces and groups-within the church and expressed in all forms of love-forms that together outside of it-and it is being forced to rethink what it has constitute holistic love. said in the past, what it is saying now, and what it ought to 6. Sexuality should be seen as a means through which say in, and for, the future. I would like to comment briefly persons can know the grace of God. on each of these. 7. Rules governing sexual behavior are important to sexual health and wholeness. One should move with caution in suggestingwhat the outcome of that rethinking will be, but we are now at a point where we can seethat certain assumptionsare being As an introduction to the discussionof theseassumptions, made, that certain new waysof thinking are being set forth it is important to define two key concepts of the holistic that are suggestiveof a new paradigm for understanding paradigm: wholeness and sexuality, Wholenessis a word sexuality. These assumptionshave begun to appear in rooted linguistically in such New Testamentconcepts as different contexts: the writings of theologians, sexuality holy, health, unity, and salvation.* It is the experience of study commissions,official church pronouncements, well-being, of health, of integration, of trust, of love, of popular religious publications, and Sunday morning knowing one’sself to be autonomous and, assuch, a congregational forums. They are the subjectsof debate, significant part of a greater whole. Wholenessis not limited modiftcation, criticism, and acceptanceat any given point to peak experiencesbeyond the processof daily living, but in the give-and-take of the theological and institutional life rather includes experiencesrealized in the midst of daily of the church, and in that give-and-take they are taking on existence in response to the problems and possibilities that a shapeand significancethat clearly points to their power. life poses.It is not a continuing state that we achieve, but They are the elements of a new paradigm of thought that, an experience that is realized in moments of an event or I think, has opened the church, and the world on which it relationship. It is also the experience of a broken life impacts, to a new understanding of sexual health. made whole. Sexz&ty is a concept that, in religious thought, has been I ammy beloved’sand his desireis for me. too often limited to genital sexual experience. There is a Come my beloved, let us go out into the country, need, however, for a more encompassing understanding Let us spend the night in the villages. which can be expressed in the following manner: Sexuality Let us rise early and go the vineyards; is our basic identity as males and females, which expresses Let us see whether the vine has budded and its blossoms itself in our attraction for, in our drive to know, and in our have opened, way of relating to ourselves, to others, and to God. And whether the pomegranates have bloomed. There I will give you my love. (7:10-12) The Foundation of the Paradigm The poet expressesthe way sexuality can becomea means of With these definitions as a backdrop, I would like to turn knowing, of loving, of realizing union with the other. It now to a discussion of the assumptions which form the becomesa meansof knowing the presenceof wholeness;of foundation of this paradigm. The first assumption is that being at one with another in a loving relationship; and of we must understand male and female, malenessand discovering the goodnessof creation. femaleness,in egalitarian terms. This egalitarianism is rooted theologically in the assumption that we are all equal Sexuality is expressiveof the goodnessof creation by virtue in the eyesof God- that we, as persons,are all of equal of its procreative powers.Our reproductive capacity links us value. It is rooted sociologically in the proposition that men in a specialway, both with the natural world-for it is and women should have equal opportunity to choosethe expressiveof our organic, biological nature - and with the roles they play basedon their ability, energy, interest, time and place, rather than simply on gender. Social structures should, in turn, support this possibility. It should be noted that this egalitarian position doesnot mean that men and women are all alike. What it doesmean is that the differences that do exist are differences that do not make one subordinate to the other. Realization of wholeness, SIECUS Report Vol. 16 Nos. 4. 5 then, begins with the assumption that we should recognize and respectour basic equality, one with another. Editor, JanetJamar May/June 1988

The second assumption affirms an inclusive stance towards The SIECUS Report is published btmonthly and disrributed ro sexual orientation. With this perspective, opposite, SIECUS members, professtonals. organizations, government officials, bisexual, and same-sexrelationships are judged on the basis libraries, the media, and the general public. of whether they enable the individuals involved to realize some degreeof wholenessin their lives, rather than on the Annual membership fees: Individual $60; Student (wtth validation) grounds that a given orientation is intrinsically right or $30; Senior Citizen $40; Organization $100; (includes two bimonthly wrong, natural or unnatural. Thus, the theological issue copies of the SIECUS Report) Library $60. SIECCS Report subscription regarding sexual orientaiton, from this perspective, is not alone, $40 a year. Outside the U.S.: add $10 per yearto thesefees (except whether one’sorientation is moral or not, but whether one Canada and Mexico, $5). To be put on mailing list and to receive the quarterly SlECUS New.&tter$lO. The SIECUS Report is available on is able, within one’sorientation, to experienceand know microfilm from University Microfilm, 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, wholenessand grace, rather than sexually alienating and MI 48106. destructive behavior. All article and review submissions, advertising, and pubhcation inquiries should be addressed to: The third assumption declaresthat sexuality, as part of creation, is good. “God created them male and female. they becameone flesh. they knew one JanctJamar Manager of Publications another. they were fruitful and multiplied. and it was SIECUS good,” the Old Testament affirms. From the beginning, we 32 Washington Place were created as sexual beings and were invited to express New York, New York 10003 our sexuality in a creative and procreative fashion. (212) 673.3850 “The Song of Songs,”in the Old Testament,provides a beautiful testimony to the goodnessof love between a man EditorialConsultants and a woman. In the song, the lovers come to a garden and Michael Carrera, EdD Robert Selverstone, PhD Jane Quinn, ACSW Beth Winship there, midst an Eden-like world, they speak, touch, and Susan Wilson, MSEd David L. Giveans embrace-fully giving to and fully receiving one another. The richnessof the song’ssensuality speaksfor itself: Copyright 0 1088 by the Sex Information and Education Council ofthe U.S., Inc. No part of the SIECUS Report may be reproduced in any form Oh that you would kiss me with the kisses of your mouth without written permission. For your love is better than wine. (1:2) Oh may your breasts be like clusters of the vine, Library ofcongress catalog card number 72.627361. And the scent of your breath like apples, ISSN, 0091-3995 And your kisses like the best wine. (7:8-y)

SIECUS Report, May/June 1988 2 self-transcending world of feelings and reflection-for it is that which is present in the pleasurable sexual feelings we expressive of the emotional, rational, and cultural aspects of have for ourselves and for others. our lives. The most intense expression of this form of love is the Sexuality, then, as a part of creation, is good-and that desire for sexual relations. It is wrong, however, to limit goodness is expressed in terms of the purposes central to its epithymia to that act. It is expressed, equally, in the nature: intimacy and procreation. Scripture does not deny pleasure experienced from looking, touching, hugging, and that our sexuality, and its expression, can be a source of holding. It is felt in being physically present with another, alienation. It can become the source of distrust and fear, of and in experiencing that presence with anticipation and joy. brokenness and manipulation. But what it can become in the interest of one’s self-centeredness, and what it is created Epithymia is present, therefore, in my desire to reach down to be, are not the same. The creation of sexuality, and the and pick up an infant; to reach out and hug an elderly intentions of that creation, are the key concerns here. friend; and to toss my arm around the shoulders of my son when he beats me in tennis. As such, I am not seeking or desiring to have sexual intercourse. I am desirous of making The fourth assumption holds that sexuality is related to contact in a pleasurable sensual way, quite removed from both body and spirit. “The Song of Songs” symbolizes this. genital expression but no less personal and important, no It is a canticle of sensuality, lifting up and celebrating the less filled with anticipation and satisfaction. beauty and fullness of the bodies and spirits of the lovers: voices speak, eyes behold, lips meet, and join in the joy of erotic communion. As a song of the erotic communion of This form of love contains a self-oriented need that does not necessarily take into account the other person’s needs or the two bodies, it also becomes a song of the spirit, of the union of two persons. The lovers, in their very acts of desires. It focuses on the self, and the self s desires of the looking, speaking, touching, and reaching out to hold one moment. If that focus becomes the only basis on which a person finally acts, then love becomes a self-centered, rather another, engage in a spiritual act of togetherness, consciously, intimately. Feelings yield thoughts. Touches than a mutually giving responsiveness. yield words. They seek to know, to communicate, and they become persons bound together. Eros or erotic love drives us to seek union with that which can provide fulfillment and can give us a sense of wholeness, by reuniting us to that which we long for but of The fifth assumption is that body and spirit should be which we are not a part. It is the passion to find, to understood in holistic terms. There is no body and spirit experience, and to know the other. What eros provides dualism. Rather body and spirit are essential, and equal, epithymia, therefore, is a power of passion that drives the dimensions of a whole. As the ancient Old Testament song self toward the other in order to experience and know the suggests, we were created from dust into which spirit was other in a meaningful way, breathed so that we might become human beings. To speak of body and spirit in dualist terms, to speak of them in terms of one being superior to the other, is to speak of Thus, I desire to have sexual relations with my wife, to them as unrelated realities co-existing, if not struggling enjoy the sensual delight of our bodies. But this desire is against one another. A dualistic approach to body and more than simply the need to satisfy a sexual urge. I desire spirit distorts their relationship to each other and skews an to be united, in a meaningful way, so that my satisfaction, understanding of human existence as an integrated whole. my sense of completeness, is more than that of sexual release. My satisfaction comes from giving and being given to, from having a sense of oneness and of integration. The sixth assumption is that our sexuality is seen as a dimension of the self that is expressive through all I desire to pick up and cuddle a baby as a meaningful dimensions of love-dimensions that together constitute interaction with another person: a person whom I once was holistic love. These expressions of love have traditionally like, a person who needs to be touched. In touching, been thought of in their classical Greek formulations of human contact occurs that is fulfilling to both of us. (Birth- epithymia, eros, @a and agape. 5 In the old paradigm, they giving and breastfeeding are wonderfully erotic experiences, were separated from one another and treated in hierarchical I am told). fashion. What now becomes important is that they be seen as dimensions of a whole: epithymaic love as an inner desire for sexual pleasure; erotic love as the passion that drives us Further, my sexuality, as an expression of myself as a sexual to seek union with the other; filial love as companionate or person reaching out to the other, is manifest through the friendship love; and agapaic love as the love that is manifest third dimension of love, that offilia. Filial love is the love of in self-giving. All are dimensions of love necessary for love friendship, of companionship. It is love in which a mutual to be known in its fullness. I will comment on each of these. life of giving and receiving is present in an ongoing fashion. It is, or should be, a strong element in sexual relationships. Too often the importance of friendship as a necessary Epithymia is the inner desire for sexual or sensual pleasure ingredient in the creation of a good relationship is ignored. and satisfaction. It is the experience of sexual excitement, and the desire to satisfy the tension which that excitement Such a relationship involves a genuine interest in another creates. It is that “spark” that attracts us to another, and individual: in what they think and feel; in what they do

3 SIECUS Report, May/June 1988 and believe; and in how they live the way they do. This The sixth assumption is that sexuality should be seenas a interest forms the grist of friendship. But the underlying meansthrough which we can know the grace of God. Our power of erotic love is initiatory and sustaining. Erotic sexuality is a pivotal dimension of human life; it becomes sexuality, therefore, is a part of filial love. As the theologian one of the meansthrough which the grace of God is Norman Pittenger states: “in human relationships as such, experienced. For through it we encounter, and participate of whatever sort, there is a sexual element precisely because in, the creative, sustaining, and reconciling grace given to those who are party to them are sexual beings.“” us by God.

The expressionof our sexuality can becomea means of The final dimension of love is that of agape, self-giving experiencing creative grace insofar as it engagesus in love. Agape should not be seenas one form of love along- creatively using our imaginations in responding to ourselves side the other forms, but rather as a love that informs or and to others. Grace comesat that point, when seeking to infusesthe others. Paul Tillich seesit as a quality of self- find a vital way of relating, of touching, and of responding, giving that should ground all other forms of love. And the we suddenly find one that “fits”- one that is appropriate, ethicist, JamesB. Nelson, provides a unified understanding that moves the relationship to a new level of meaning. We of love in which agape “undergirds and transforms” the experiencea breakthrouugh to the new. Grace is a gift, a other modes of love. He writes: gift we are free to receive.

Another way in which we participate in creative grace is Agape isnot anotherkind of love. It is the transformative through procreativity. Procreation has biological, quality essentialto any true expressionof any of love’s modes.If wedefine Christian love asagape or self-giving emotional, social, and moral dimensions.Beneath these alone-without elementsof desire,attraction, self- dimensions,we confront a mystery- the mystery of why we fulfillment, receiving-we aredescribing a love which is are created in such a fashion and how that fits into a cosmic both impoverishedand impoverishing.But the other whole. In confronting that mystery, we begin to recognize elementsof love without agapeare ultimately self- that the miracle of a life can be experienced as a gift of destructive.Agape present with sexualdesire, erotic grace. We know this grace when we becomea part of the aspirationand mutuality releasesthese from self- procreative process.We participate in the miracle of birth. centerednessand possessivenessin a relationshipthat is humanly enrichingand creative.It doesnot annihilateor replacethe other modesof our loving. It undergirdsand Sexual expressioncan also becomea meansfor sustaining transforms.And faith knowsthat agapeis gift, and not of grace. As human beings, we know sustaining grace in loving our own making.’ and being loved, in disclosingand discovering. A parent’s massagingof a child’s back, the holding of a friend in grief, the sexual union of partners - thousandsof acts over Agape, then, is to be seenas that form of love that should thousandsof days that are acts of physical presence- transform all our expressionsof love. becomethe means by which we receive the grace of sustenanceand nurture. A few years ago, a photographic essaywas published under the title of Gramp.* The authors tell the story of their grandfather and the grandfather’s relationship to his family. Sexual expressioncan also be a meansof reconciling grace. They include two photographs that, taken together, provide In a broken relationship, sexual expressionas an act of a powerful statement of the character of love that I have reconciliation can becomea meansof overcoming that been discussing.One picture showsthe grandson as a brokenness.It may be the one place in a couple’slife where middle-aged man holding his thin and very aged they find sometype of vital communion together. It may grandfather. The statement is obviously not a statement be their way of maintaining touch on the road back to about “sex” in the narrow senseof that word. It is a togetherness. statement about love - a love in which the sexuality of these personsis very much present in a rich and meaningful fashion. The grandfather and the grandson, in each picture, In all of these forms of grace, the experience becomesthat stand as personswith a physical presenceto each other in of wholeness-of integration, of love, of fulfillment. It is in their acts of touching and holding. Two personsdeeply that experienceof wholenessthat we know God: to be attracted to one another have reached out and have been sexually whole is to know divine grace. drawn closetogether in a union that includes, yet transcends, simple holding. There is present, both The seventh and final assumption is that norms governing physically and spiritually, the warm mutual love of sexual behavior should exist as guides to the realization of comraderie, of friendship, of familial devotion. sexual health and wholeness.Anthony Kosnick and his colleaguesin their study, Hzlman Sexuality, have suggested a set of norms that I find indicative of what the new Thus, the acts of touching and holding are transformed by paradigm seeks.They call for sexual relations to be self- the inexplicable gift of self-giving that infusesthe revealed liberating, other-enriching, honest, faithful, socially love. Our sexuality and our love, from the perspective of a responsible,life-serving, and joyous.9It is important to note holistic vision, are necessarilyinterwoven. To deny one, or that thesenorms focus on the realization of well-being for the other, would be to split that which creation and personsand community, and on the realization of some creativity have made into one cloth. experienceof wholeness,rather than simply on the right-

SIECUS Report, May/June 1988 4 ness nr wrongness of a particular act. In light of the above, I would Iike to offer the following norms for consideration: Debra W. Haffner Joins SIECUS As New Executive Director 1. our sexual expressions should be expressions of loving intimacy in which passion, companionship, and self-giving are all present. The board of directors of SIECUS is 2. The primary context for healthy sexual relations should pleased to announce the appointment of be within a stable structure-such as a marriage or a union or a primarycommitment-in order that continuity and Debra W. Haffner as its new executive depth may be more nearly realized, and that the relation- director. Ms. Haffner, a sexuality ship of sexual expression to an ongoing life together may be educator since 197 5, was previously more nearly experienced. director of information and education for 3. Procreative choices should be made in a deliberate and the Center for Population Options; cautious manner in light of whether the best interests of the child, the parents, and the larger community will be served. director of community services for 4. The expression of our own sexuality should be made in a Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan fashion that is respectful and responsive to the needs for Washington; and a special assistant for sexual wholeness that the self, the other, and the larger community have, and that God intends for us. the U.S. Public HealthlService, where she directed a national adolescent What the church’s new paradigm of sexuality will finally health program. look like remains to be seen. However, I think that the assumptions I have set forth are shaping the basic foundation and the form that it will take. Haffner has published over two dozen articles,1 . pamphlets,_ and monographs on adolescent sexuality and sextlalitv Footnotes education. Her articles have a&ared in 1. Anthony Kosnick, et. aL., Hum& Sexuality, New Directions in the. JourmZ of SchooZ Hedth, ;Le Journd Amerzkan Catbol’ic Thought (Paulist Press, 1977) p. 92. Medical Association, 2. This treatment of the holistic paradigm draws on material from of de Amerzrcdn the earlier articles: Wilson Yates, “Sexuality, love and Wholeness,” in Journal’ of Adobescent He&h Care, Engage/SocialAction, November, 1982; “Human Sexuality: Seminars in Adolescent Medicine, and in Duality and Holistic Paradigms,” in SIECANNJozlrnL Proceedings of the Canadian Association for Pastoral Education Conference, several national organizations’ journals Kitchener, January, 1987, Vol. 2, No. 2, Summer, 1987. and newsletters. She has also appeared 3. See James B. Nelson, Between Two Gardens (Pilgrim Press, 1983) ch. 5, for a discussion of old and new paradigms in regularly on national television and radio Protestant positions on sexuality and the shift he sees taking place. programs, including “Good Morning 4. See James E. Sellers, Theological Ethics (Macmillan, 1966) pp. America,” “Nightline,” and “The CBS 55-6. In this study, he develops an ethic of wholeness and gives attention to the theological roots of the word. Evening News.’ 5. Several theologians have developed perspectives regarding the interdependence of the various forms of love including Paul Tillich, Love, Power andJutice (Oxford, 1960), ch. 11; Daniel Day Haffner is recognized as one of the Williams, The Spiri3 and Forms of Love (Seabury, 1975) chs. I, II, country’s leading experts on AIDS and and V; Rosemary Reuther, “Misogynism and Virginal Feminism in adolescents. More than 3000 copies of the Fathers of the Church,” in Religion and Sexism, Rosemary Reuther, ed. (Simon & Schuster, 1974); and James B. Nelson, her monograph, “AIDS and Adolescents: Embodiment, op. cit. ch. V. Nelson’s study provides the most The Time for Prevention Is Now,” have thorough understanding of the interrelatedness of the four dimensions of love and the present discussion draws on his been broadly distributed. She directed a treatment: see ch. V. Centers for Disease Control initiative on 6. Norman Pittenger, Making Sexuality Haman (Pilgrim Press, 1970) p. 30. AIDS education and has been a keynote 7. Nelson, L&d, pp. 113-14. speaker on AIDS for the National 8. Mary and Dan Jury, Gramp (Penguin, 1978). Education Association, the Association of 9. Kosnick, op. cit., pp. 92-95. Junior Leagues, the National Resource Center for Youth, and the Support Wilson Yates, PhD, 2s d ean of the United Theological’ Center for School Based Clinics. Seminary of the Twin Cities in New Brighten, Minnesota, ana’professorof religion, society, and the arts.

5 SIECUS Report, May/June 1988 Human Sexuality Education in Japan

An Interview with Mr. Naohide Yamamoto, Japan Society for the Study of Human Sexuality

In 1987, Mr. Naohide Yamamoto and 35 sex educators from Do most of you teach health education courses? the Japan Society for the Study of Human Sexuality Yes. However, I teach social science, and in two of my attended a three-day seminar co-sponsored by SIECUS and classes-youth problems and human relations - I teach New York University. At the request of the Society, the about human sexuality. seminar focused on sexuality education in the United States. Topics covered were: an overview of the current status of sex education; training of sex educators; sex education at Do you feel that all Japanese schools should the elementary, junior and high school levels; Latin0 sex provide sex education? education concerns; public school and health agency I personally wish that by the 21st century each and every programs; AIDS education; teaching materials and audio- school in Japan will have at least one sex education visuals SIECUS board members, Peggy Brick and Bob professional. This is my wish but, of course, sometimes Selverstone, were presenters, as were SIECUS staff mem- wishes never come true. But one never knows. bers, Ann Welbourne Moglia (former executive director), Diane de Mauro (manager of educational programs and Why do you believe that accomplishing such a computer systems), and Leigh Hallingby (former librarian). goal is important? The editor of the SIECUS Report, Janet Jamar, Ann Welbourne Moglia, and Ron Moglia, director of the human Because I see more and more problems related to sex sexuality program at New York University, conducted the among Japanese students. following informal interview, through an interpreter, with Mr. Yamamoto at lunch. What kind of problems? Pregnancy among teenagers. Prostitution. Types of rape - How do you teach sex education in Japan? forced rape. Unfortunately, sex education is very limited in Japan. In our grade schools, fifth grade girls learn about menstruation, And you feel more education will curtail this? and that’s about it so far. Ten percent of our high schools In a way. My primary reason for wanting our programs to provide some kind of sex education. expand is similar to what I heard today in two of your lectures. That is, it is my hope that by offering students What topics are taught in high school? more information and more education in this area they will Students learn about how one ejaculates; male and female have more choices and will be able to decide what they sexual differences; male and female gender roles; really want. In Japan, we have two other organizations that menstruation; sexual intercourse; pregnancy; contraception; are similar to ours, but our organization is closest to abortion; and sexually transmitted diseases. SIECUS in thinking.

Why do only 10 percent of your high schools How are teachers now trained in Japan? provide sex education? Through organizations such as ours and the others I have Human sexuality education is provided in health classes. mentioned. The Japanese Association of Sexual Education Only the schools that have teachers who can teach about also offers seminars. human sexuality can provide it.

Is that why you are here? Are any courses in human sexuality taught in Exactly. The members of this society are all sex educators: your universities? some are teachers, some are school nurses, but all have Maybe less than ten universities offer a course in human something to do with sex education. sexuality.

SIECUS Report, May/June 1988 6 What is the attitude in Japan toward adolescent father-is not recognized by other people asa person. It is pregnancy and abortion? like a handicap if a single person has a baby. It is asthough Very negative. According to Japan’s Ministry of Welfare, they are deformed. seven out of one thousand teenagers have abortions but, in reality, the figures are three times that number. There are What happens to a young woman who decides to always people who do not report. It has always been the give birth to her baby? How does she live? Can case that the actual numbers are three times the official she stay with her family? numbers. They do not even acknowledge the facts, and they It is very rare for a teenage girl to have a baby without try not to acknowledge the problem. Of course, to start marrying the father. It has never happened in the high with, sexual intercourse, itself, is denied. It is not even school where I teach-as far as I know. We have no single acknowledged yet as a healthy, positive thing. Ten percent parents. We have very good doctors, capable doctors, who of the male students and eight percent of the female do operations. It is very simple: just go there, have an students, within the Tokyo area, have had sexual inter- abortion, and it’s done. (Editor’s note: according to course. And, of course, the percentages are increasing year Induct&Abortion: A Wodd Review I!%%, pp, 12, by year. published by the Alan Guttmacher Institute, no formal authorization for an abortion is required; it is permitted in When a young woman becomes pregnant, what the doctor’s office; and it is de facto available on request.) happens to her within her family, her community? First of all, when high school students get pregnant, they In America, many religious people feel abortions generally do not go directly to their parents. They first talk are wrong. Is this also true in Japan? to their friends. Eventually, however, parents find out- they nose around- then two choices are given: get married or Some small religious organizations do have similar attitudes have an abortion. The immediate response is that the entire toward abortions. However, they do not have as much power family are criminals, and the parents are made to feel small as do similar organizations in the United States. for a while. A single parent-one whose child is without a How would you compare what you teach in Japan to what we teach in America? Still, in Japan, it is sex education that is emphasized- Japan: Dee :linina Fertilitv children learn more about sex with the ultimate goal of preventing premarital sex and pregnancy. But, I have Due Mainly to Mkriage m noticed that in the United States education is provided on Trends, Birth Control Use human sexuality and emphasizesmaking choicesand Marriage patterns and contraceptive practice decisions,not the suppressionof premarital sex and are the two major factors responsible for the pregnancy. You have a more affirmative attitude toward life. very low fertility levels that have character- That is the big difference. In Japan, sex education is ized Japan since the late 195Os, according to preventive; in the United States, it is not. an analysis of the country’s postwar demo- graphic experience. The study finds that al- Do you see yourselves moving in a similar though induced abortion played an impor- direction? tant role in lowering fertility during the 15 years following World War II, since 1960 the Yes, especially becauseof the nature of this organization. practice hashad a steadily diminishingeffect on fertility.’ The country now has a crude You indicated that there were two other organ- birthrate of 12 per 1,000population, the low- izations similar to yours in Japan, but that you est level in Japan’shistory. Contraceptive are more like SIECUS. What are the differences practice iswidespread (63 percentofmarried between these organizations and your organization? women use a method), but it consistsover- The other organizations maintain that sexual activities whelmingly of relianceon the condomand among teenagersshould be suppressed.Such activities are rhythm. The pill and IUD together account wrong, they say. And we, our organization, as I said before, for lessthan 10percent of all methoduse! is more like SIECUS. We emphasize that children need to learn more positive attitudes toward life and to make Referemcee decisions,positively, on their own. As I listened to each 1. N. 0. Tsuya, “Japan’s Fertility: Effects of Contracep- tion and Induced Abortion After World War II,” Asian speakerin the seminar,I felt as though I wasa member of and Pacif~Popukztion Form, Vol. 1, No. 1,1966, p. 7. SIECUS, asour thinking is so alike. I felt at home. 2. Y. Ashino, ‘Two Children Now Japanese ‘Ideal,’ ” People, Vol. 13, No. 4, 1966, p. 26. How can our two organizations support and help each other? Excerpted and reprinted with permbion We can exchange information and human resources,just from Family PlanningPerspectives, VOL. 19, like this. You can come to Japan. Our memberswill come No. 2, 1987, page 86. here. We offer a seminar, annually, that runs for about three days. About 1000 teachersfrom throughout Japan attend this seminar.

7 SIECUS Report, May/June 1988 One Organization’s AIDS Policy Statement: A Useful Model

THE AIDS CRISIS: EDUCATION AND POLICY ISSUES

A Statement of American Friends Service Committee Understandings and Plans

AIDS (Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) presents in defense of the rights of those who are vulnerable to the world with a crisis. To date science has found no cure. discrimination and our experience in helping communities Treatment methods are severely limited and costly. define and seek solutions to problems that affect them.

The crisis is spiritual and ethical as well as medical. Faced We have no certain answers to the enormous dilemmas with with a virus against which the best medical technology has which AIDS confronts the world. We do have perspectives yet to find an answer, communities are at risk, as well as on related public policy issues, and this statement individuals. represents our best effort to clarify these perspectives so as to inform our own response to AIDS. The statement also The human spirit is severely challenged when simple acts of provides us a means to share our perspectives and receiving blood or attending an ill person-or the act of understandings with others. We believe that all people who love itself- become as much associated with the risk of pain become aware of AIDS share a renewed sense of their own and death as with the joy of life. mortality and are called to identify with those who have been stricken by the disease or are particularly threatened AIDS challenges society to respond to this threat in ways by it. that affirm respect for all human beings and strengthen our sense of community. AIDS is preventable. No one should Four kinds of responses are required. die of AIDS. One, in&k&ah can prevent infection by the AIDS virus by The American Friends Service Committee’s concern with avoiding behaviors that put them at risk, specifically unsafe AIDS grows both out of AFSC’s spiritual values and our sex practices and sharing of hypodermic needles. program experience. Two, ed2lcutionalstra~egies must provide accurate, explicit, A Quaker organization, the American Friends Service comprehensible and compelling information about “safe Committee is an expression of Friends’ historic conviction sex” practices, the risks of promiscuity and the dangers to that all human life is sacred, that no one is expendable. drug users from contaminated needles. Special efforts will Indeed, all are equal in the eyes of God. Our be needed to reach those communities that are particularly organizations’s role is to challenge ourselves, our vulnerable and poorly served by information and health communities, and governments to respect the inherent care systems. dignity of all people. Three, an extraordinary scientij% effort is needed to find The AFSC is composed of a rich diversity of people from a methods of prevention and treatment. multitude of backgrounds and experiences who work on our staff and committees. We work in communities across Four, barriers to the health care and the full range of this country and in some 30 nations abroad. We are thus support services needed by persons with AIDS (PWAs) and engaged with and led by many of those groups who are or AIDS Related Complex (ARC) must be removed. The who potentially may be most affected by the AIDS illness must not become an occasion to exclude people or epidemic and the actions or inactions of governments in deny our common humanity. response to it. Our involvement with people who are poor and with people of color and others in this country- AIDS and drug abuse are often linked, since AIDS can be prisoners, undocumented people, farmworkers, lesbian and transmitted by intravenous drug use. But the two threats gay people, minority and nonminority youth- and our must also be addressed separately. Confronting drug abuse work in the Third World obligate us to address the ethical must be a major priority, quite apart from its connection to and social issues related to the disease as we understand AIDS; each is deadly and each causes incalculable human them. Our competence stems from AFSC’s history of work suffering. Eliminating drug abuse will require addressing

SIECUS Report, May/June 1988 8 the social and economic inequities deeply embedded in Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization United States society. In the meantime, it is essential to (WHO) on the numbers of persons with AIDS and those make a major commitment of public resources to drug infected with the AIDS virus to date; predictions of new treatment programs. cases in the next several years; and estimates of how long it may take to develop a vaccine, much less an effective AFSC Actions treatment or cure. The AFSC feels obligated to take actions of our own in AIDS was initially described as occuring in the United response to the AIDS crisis. States almost exclusively among certain groups. It has 1. We will identify effective AIDS educational materials become increasingly clear that the issue is not risk groups focusing on prevention and make them available in every but risk behaviors. Evidence suggests that incidence of the office of our organization and at program events organized disease is growing throughout the United States by AFSC in the United States. population. 2. We intend to consult with communities of color and Black and Latin0 communities, for whom racism and language minorities in the United States with whom we are poverty have meant inadequate health services and a presently engaged to determine the availability and cultural disproportionate toll of almost all diseases and mortality, appropriateness of educational materials and to explore run great risk of undetected exposure to AIDS. According what we can do, working with groups already involved with to the CDC, the incidence of AIDS is far greater for Black this issue, to help assure the availability of effective and Latin0 women than for white women. The vast majority materials. of infants with prenatally acquired AIDS are Black or Gay community groups are experienced in devising Latino. materials and implementing preventive strategies. In our efforts, AFSC will seek to facilitate and strengthen linkages Though the facts on prevalence of AIDS in Africa are between gay and non-gay groups so that all can gain from incomplete, it appears that there is a concentration of cases this experience. in the Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Kenya, 3. We are asking our staff working in other countries or Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire and Zambia. The disease is not with international bodies to determine how governmental confined to the United States and Africa. Brazil, France and international agencies are approaching AIDS issues and and other European countries and East Asian countries are to make recommendations on a role AFSC can play in also feeling the impact of the epidemic. facilitating responses and sharing information about effective approaches. 4. We will speak out regarding public policy on funding Challenges to AIDS Prevention and on testing. We will press for policies which support Prevention education makes a difference. Education education, research and health care in response to the AIDS campaigns by the gay community in some areas are credited crisis. This challenge will be addressed to federal, state and with causing behavior changes which have slowed the local governments, educational and correctional bodies and spread of AIDS in that community. other agencies. Massive public funding is needed for this work in the United Staes. We oppose singling out whole groups of people for mandatory testing. We support a It is essential that prevention efforts reach those United policy in which voluntary testing is made available to all States communities that are poorly served, if at all, by with guaranteed confidentiality and, where possible, information and health care systems and are therefore anonymity. particularly vulnerable to AIDS. These groups include poor communities, men and women of color, prisoners, 5. We have developed personnel policies to implement undocumented immigrants, farmworkers and many young principles of confidentiality, and nondiscrimination people. Continued and intensified efforts to reach gay and concerning AFSC staff members who may develop AIDS or bisexual men are imperative. test positive for the AIDS virus. We have reviewed our insurance coverage to assure that affected employees are covered to the extent possible. Development of education strategies must recognize that there is no single approach that will be tailored to the 6. We intend to share this statement and action plans particular needs of each group if they are to be heard and with other private and public groups and organizations, acted upon. They must be sensitive to cultural differences encouraging them to take similar actions with us in and delivered through appropriate channels. Efforts will be demanding governmental action. We plan to work together most effective if those who are part of the various groups with groups and organizations that are already active in are involved in their design. education and public policy efforts consonant with our principles. Prevention campaigns must respect the groups to whom they are addressed, focusing on dangerous behavior and Dimensions of the Crisis offering realistic alternatives. They must not become efforts The devastating character of the AIDS crisis for the United to “reform” what some consider inappropriate life styles or States and the rest of the world is well documented. It has be weighted with racial or homophobic stereotypes or been underscored by: figures from the Center for Disease sexual taboos.

9 SIECUS Report, May/June 1988 Barriers to AIDS Prevention States is available only recently and only in a few places; undocumented people run the risk of deportation if they Denial The assumption that only others-specifically seek information or medical care. homosexual and bisexual white men and intravenous users - are at risk has led many people to feel unthreatened and to fail to adjust their behavior to protect themselves. In For women, the achievements of recent years in gaining addition, the belief that AIDS was “someone else’s” control over thier own sexual behavior are threatened by problem has meant a disinclination to support changes in societal reactions to AIDS. In some quarters, the danger public policy and allocation of public funds adequate to posed by the sexual transmission of AIDS has been used as the challenge of this deadly disease. Some communities, the rationale for imposing a restrictive behavior code for because their members view homosexual and bisexual women. It is important that AIDS prevention efforts offer a behavior as unacceptable, refuse to perceive or accept the positive attitude toward sexual expression. In addition, fact that homosexual and bisexual people exist among some women risk condemnation, rejection or violence from them. As a consequence, the need for prevention education partners if they ask them to use condoms or to redirect is denied, compounding the misinformation and lack of sexual activities; they may therefore decide not to raise the information that can put entire communities at risk. A side issue of safer sex, even at the cost of greater risk to effect of such denial is reinforcement of the isolation and themselves and to children they might bear. To serve the rejection of gay men and lesbians in these communities and interests of women, AIDS prevention efforts must take this sanction to stereotyping, threats and physical harm. reality into account.

Denial takes many other harmful forms as well: some Preval’ence of Dmg Use. It is urgent that the societal causes bisexual men deny that their behavior poses threats to their of substance abuse must be confronted. In the short run, it female partners and to themselves; many young people is imperative that adequate funding be committed to drug deny that unprotected sexual activity can cost their very treatment programs, which presently have waiting lists of lives; school officials in many places refuse to acknowledge six months to two years. Cutbacks in drug treatment that their students are at risk or that they have any programs are unconscionable, in view of the severity responsibility to help them avoid risk; many prison officials of the problem. deny the prevalence of sexual activity and drug use in their institutions. Because intravenous drug use, through sharing of contaminated needles, can be a mode of transmission of In part, denial results from societal discomfort with the AIDS, this practice becomes a deadly one, not only for drug subject of sex. We are challenged anew to deal realistically users but also for their sexual partners and their babies. and explicitly with these issues. Special outreach and prevention efforts will be required to Misinformation and Feax Rumors and misinformation often reach drug users regarding AIDS prevention. Street coun- feed an unfounded fear of casual contact; this in turn has seling programs are being developed in a number of cities caused discriminatory and inhumane treatment of people to reach those whose continued behavior puts them at risk. who have AIDS or test positive for AIDS exposure, and has been a factor in stimulating demands for punitive measures such as a quarantine of persons with AIDS or testing postive for the AIDS virus. Accurate information and Public Policy Issues training are particularly essential for those who come in Civil Rights. The AIDS epidemic has accentuated and physical contact with people with AIDS. complicated the on-going controversies in the United States about civil rights protections for lesbians and gay men. Indeed, the AIDS crisis has been exploited to advance the Societal’Barhm. The problem of AIDS is exacerbated by political agendas of those who oppose civil rights some of the worst tendencies in our society: by homophobia, protections for gay men and lesbians. Homophobia in some racism and sexism; by stereotyping, excluding people from instances has taken a religious cloak: AIDS is described as decisions affecting their lives and stigmatizing people God’s punishment of homosexuality. because of problems they face. These tendencies often pit affected groups against each other; AIDS has intensified AFSC’s values lead us in a different direction: AFSC this effect. supports the freedom of lesbians and gay men to express their affectional orientation and their right to legal protection against discrimination. A few examples of ways in which disregarded groups bear the brunt of this problem: the government, much of the medical establishment and society at large were slow at first Sex Education. Ongoing controversies around sex education to respond to AIDS, which was seen then as a disease have been exacerbated by the AIDS crisis. The question chiefly affecting gay men; prostitutes have been scapegoated now is not just the right of young people to have accurate for a disease contracted from their male clients; prevention information but the absolute necessity of such information information targeted to language minorities in the United for their survival. We recognize that young people will

SIECUS Report, May/June 1988 10 make their own decisions regarding sexual expression. others; 3)justice - avoidance of invidious discrimination These decisions are most responsible when informed and and assuranceof fairnessin the distribution of benefits and uncoerced. Both those who choose abstinence and those burdens. We recognize that theseprinciples may conflict who choose to be sexually active must be provided with when applied to actual casesbut they must be evaluated in prevention information. each caseof proposed mandatory testing.

We are aware that “just say no” to sex is a widely heard Testing should be made widely and easily available on a admonition to youth in response to the AIDS crises. For voluntary and anonymous basis,with strict confidentiality some it is a response which fits well with their values and about results. Supportive counseling should alwaysbe circumstances. For others such a slogan will have little provided before and after testing, to cushion the meaning and impact. To insure that saying no is an option psychological impact. and not an order, it is important also to convey a positive attitude toward responsible sexual expression and provide practical information. Quarantine of Persons with AIDS. Quarantine measuresfly in the face of clear evidence theat AIDS is not transmitted by casualcontact. Such deprivation of freedom and human Mandatory Antibody Testing. We opposemandatory testing rights can serveonly to blame and punish the victims. in which whole groups of people are singled out. Mandatory testing of prisoners, undocumented personsand military personnel, for example, constitutes a clear caseof invidious Publ’ic Funding. Efforts to combat AIDS require funding discrimination againstgroups over whom society has great equal to the magnitude of the problem. Private and control; it is not a valid responseto a seriouspublic health institutional sourceswill be needed. But the magnitude of problem. Lessintrusive alternatives, such as voluntary the crisisrequires that governments at all levels make a testing and education efforts, exist to meet the legitimate major commitment of resourcesfor aslong as the crisis public health concerns. continues.

We do not, however, opposetesting in certain circumstances, The federal government must make a massivecommitment such asdonations of blood, organsfor transplant and semen. of funds to deal with all facets of the need: for the search Individuals can avoid testing by refusing to participate in for a vaccine and a cure; for prevention efforts in the United theseactivities. Moreover, the risk of harm if testing is not States and in other parts of the world; and for the medical done overwhelmingly outweighs the difficulties this might care needsof personswith AIDS and related ailments. State have for the recipients or the donors, and there are no less and local governments must provide substantial resourcesto intrusive measureswhich can be taken to insure safety to support broad prevention efforts and to assurethat already recipients. overburdened medical systemscan meet the needsof personswith AIDS. It is essentialthat this be new money, not funds diverted from other health or social programs. In evaluating proposalsfor mandatory testing we must ask:

*What are the real reasonsfor the testing? Conclusion *Are there alternative measuresless intrusive than The continuing flow of new knowledge about AIDS will mandatory testing that can provide the necessary undoubtedly changethe specific terms of the public policy protections? How can people be assuredof protection debate in the months and years ahead, and it will againstthe consequencesof false-positivetest results? undoubtedly affect AFSC’sthinking about the issues.The 01sthere a high likelihood of finding a significant number vaccination and cure for which all people pray would of true-positives, or will the numbers found be small in provide a major breakthrough and substantially alter the comparisonto the economiccosts of testing and the issuesnow confronting us. dangersof invasion of privacy and potential interference with individual freedom? *Will the test resultsbe used asjustification for isolation Certain principles, however, must undergird societies’ or segregation? responsesto the AIDS epidemic under any circumstances. *Will the test resultslead to unneccessaryeconomic lossor They include universal values of compassion,respect for the social stigma? dignity of individuals and equal treatment of all @Will the testing alienate thosewho might seektesting on individuals and groups. These principles alone cannot rid a voluntary basisand drive AIDS further underground? society of AIDS; they can assurethat the diseasedoes not attack the bonds of humanity and community.

Until a cure for AIDS is found and available to all, each proposal for mandatory testing must be evaluated This statement was approved by AFSC’s board of directors separately for its impact on principles of 1) respect for on September 26, 1987. It has been reprinted with personsand their right to decide what will or will not permission from the American Frknds Committee, lJO1 happen to them, their right to privacy and informed Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 94121. Free copies are consent; 2) harm to individuals weighed against benefits to available; 12 + are $S/lOO.

11 SIECUS Report, May/June Conference/Seminar/Course Calendar

XIII WORLD CONFERENCE ON HEALTH EDUCATION, 2ND NATIONAL FAMILY RESOURCE COALITION “PARTICIPATION FOR ALL IN HEALTH,” Aivgzst 28- CONFERENCE, “FAMILIES: A NATIONAL RESOURCE, A September 2, 1988. Co-organizers are the Centers for Disease NATIONAL PRIORITY,” October 6-9, 1988. Will include 109 Control, National Center for Health Education, United States workshops, 7 half-day focus sessions, 10 seminar sessions, program Host Committee, and the International Union for Health tours, video film theater, exhibits, and a program showcase. The Education. Co-sponsor is the United Nations Children’s Fund. Palmer House, Chicago, Illinois. Contact: Family Resource “Health experts from around the world will discuss their strategies Coalition, 230 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1625, Chicago, IL for the solution of such critical global ptoblems as AIDS, world 60601, (312) 726-4750. hunger, cancer and drug abuse.” Surgeon General Everett C. Koop will present the opening address and Dr. H. Nakajima, newly appointed director of WHO, and James Grant, executive director FIRST NATIONAL VIDEO TELECONFERENCE ON “RISK of UNICEF, will address the general sessions. Four thousand TmG IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS,” Octobel; 1988, health and related professionals from more than 75 countries are 3-S:OO PM El: Sponsored by the Brown University Child Behavior expected to attend to exchange information on research, equip- and Development Letter, and others. Will discuss “how to ment and clinical services, and methods for educating and recognize the antecedents and predictors of high-risk behavior; involving people and communities in their health (over 1200 why teenagers engage in sexual practices that could lead to abstracts have been submitted). Some 30 cities plan to host a unwanted preganancies and life-threatening diseases like AIDS; variety of activities before and after the conference. Contact: Sarah which cultural conditions ate most likely to increase the chances of Felknor, Conference Coordinator (713) 792-8540 ot Mary Louise teens engaging in hazardous activities; and what you can do to D’Avino, The National Center for Health Education, 30 East 29th intervene.” Contact: The Btown University Child Behavior and Street, New York, NY 10016, (212) 689-1886. Development Letter Seminar Division, 80 South Early Street, Alexandria, VA 22304, (800) 336-4776, (703) 823-6966, 751-9345. PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND FALL 1988 PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS, “Raising Children’s THE SEXOLOGY OF AIDS 301-LATEST INFORMATION, Self Esteem,” September 23, 1988; What’s Happening to Me: SAFE SEX, ENRICHMENT OF INTIMACY TECHNIQUES, Sexuality Education for Middle School Students,” October 7, 1988; MEDIA (course) October 17-21, 1988. SAFE SEX INSTRUCTOR/ “AIDS: A Private and Public Concern, October 19, 1988; “AIDS ADVISOR CERTIFICATE-CURRENT INFORMATION, NEW Education: A Challenge for Schools,” October 20, 1988; “Reaching MATERIALS, TEACHING STRATEGIES (certification program), the Boys: Understanding Male Sexuality,” November 4, 1988; November 5-11, 1988. Sponsored by the Institute for Advanced “Socialization and Sexuality Education for Persons Who Ate Study of Human Sexuality (CME credits available). San Francisco, Mentally Retarded?” November 14-lS, 1988; “Getting a Good California. Contact: (415) 928-1133. Start: Family Concepts in the Elementary Grades,” December 9, 1988. Contact: Connie Leff, 23 Mansfield Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401, (802) 862-9637. NATIONAL AIDS NETWORK SKILLS BUILDING CONFERENCE: FOR COMMUNITY BASED AIDS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, October 20-23, 1988. Will provide MALE RESPONSIBILITY CONFERENCE, September 24-Z>, opportunities to hear from experts and to learn about tools that 1988. Sponsored by the Illinois Male Adolescent Network. Will really work, and to examine case study material and network with inlcude workshops on men’s reproductive health, fathering, and people doing similar work. Hotel Inter-Continental New Orleans, family planning. Americana Hotel, Chicago, Illinois. Contact: Louisiana. Contact: Skills Conference, The National AIDS Curt Davies, (217) 782-0554. Network, 1012 14th Street, NW, Suite 601, Washington, DC 20005, (202) 347-0390. “SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES,” a conference course (14 credit hours), September 26-27, 1988. Sponsored by Michigan Medical School, Department of Physical INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM: ETHICS & THE HEALTH Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kenny Michigan Rehabilitation PROFESSIONALS ROLE IN COMMUNLCATING HEALTH Foundation. Among the endorsers of the conference ate SIECUS, RISKS, (CME credits available), October 21-22, 1988. Sponsored AASECT, and SSSS. Will discuss issues and develop further by the Institute for Health Policy Analysis. Washington, D.C. strategies for preventing sexual exploitation of disabled persons. Contact: (202) 965-0025. Course director is Sandra S. Cole. Among the presenters ate SIECUS board member, Frank Caparulo, and Sol Gordon. “UPDATE ON SEXUALITY,” a symposium sponsored by the Michigan League, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Contact: Gayle Fox, National Task Force on Sexuality and Disability of the American Program Assistant, Office of Continuing Medical Education, Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) and Towsley Center, Box 0201, University of Michigan Medical School, the American Congress of Rehabiftation Medicine (ACRM) Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0201, (313) 763-1400. during their annual meeting, Octobe?; 1988. Upon completion of this symposium, participants “should be able to demonstrate an MIDWEST CONFERENCE ON THE SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS up-to-date understanding of sexuality in traumatically brain OF AIDS, October 3-4, 1988. Sponsored by Illinois State injured, spinal cord injured, and geriatric patients.” Will also University, Normal, Illinois. Will deal with “the many social, include a session on “Challenges and Solutions for Sexual economic, political, ethical and legal implications of the AIDS Exploration of Disabled Persons.” Seattle, Washington. Contact: epidemic.” Contact: Dr. Ann Elder, Acting Director, Community Nathan D. Zasler, MD, Interim Chairperson, P.O. Box 677, MCV Research Services, Illinois State University, Normal, IL 61761, (309) Station, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia 23298, 438-7771 or 4385669. (804) 786-0200.

SIECUS Report, May/June 1988 12 SIECUS Salutes Hisphos Unidos Contra SIDAlAIDS

For Providing the Hispanic Community of New Haven, Connecticut with Information and Education about AIDS

At a recent SIECUS board of directors The following are some of the highlights of their meeting, the board voted to honor Hispanos achievements during the past year: Unidos Contra SIDA/AIDS with a SIECUS They have developed two AIDS brochures in Spanish, one Salute. SIECUS Sdutes are given periodicah’y designed to reach IV drug users with information about needles and condoms, the other designed to reach the to honor exemplary contributions and general public. “The need for educational materials, which programs. are in Spanish and sensitive to the cultural mores of Hispanics, is crucial if changes in ‘safe’ behavior are desired.”

The History and Accomplishments of Hispanos They have visited all of the Hispanic service agencies in the Unidos Contra SIDA/AIDS city to give their staff basic information about AIDS to pass On June 10, 1987, 30 people from the Hispanic community on to clients. “Poverty for people in our community means of New Haven gathered at Centro San Jose to discuss the limited access to information and adequate medical care. Our needs are great and we have few resources to educate feasibility of organizing a Hispanic response to the AIDS and care for our people. The need for persons who can epidemic that would educate the Hispanic community provide support and disseminate information about about AIDS and serve as an advocate for culturally sensitive available resources is critical. more Hispanics need care for Hispanic people with AIDS. As a result of the to be trained in order to work more effectively with this meeting, Hispanos Unidos Contra SIDA/AIDS was formed. community.” Prior to its formation, there were no AIDS education efforts in the city that were designed and carried out by Hispanic They have organized a table with AIDS information at the people for Hispanic people. two neighborhood clinics; have held two evening training sessions on AIDS in the Hispanic community and used role- Hispanos Unidos Contra SIDA/AIDS has as its goal and playing with the entire group so they could practice responding to different situations; have distributed AIDS mission the prevention of the spread of HIV infection information at a large Hispanic community summer within the Hispanic community. According to the group, festival; and held a “March for Life Against AIDS.” New Haven ranks 12th in the nation for the number of people with AIDS per 100,000 population; and out of 126 They have given information and training sessions to people with full-blown AIDS in New Haven, 14 percent are ministers and members of the Pentecostal churches in New Hispanic. To prevent the spread of HIV infection within Haven, and they have met regularly with these ministers to their community, the organization has taken action to help them develop an educational and support service role educate the Hispanic community about AIDS: what it is, for the churches. how it is transmitted, who is at risk, and about ways to They have formed a support group for Spanish-speaking protect oneself and others. people with AIDS and their loved ones, and have also begun an AMIGOS program in which Hispanics accompany Hispanos Unidos Contra SIDA/AIDS is composed of people Hispanics with AIDS. from diverse backgrounds. There are individuals who work with IV drug users and with the probation process. There Hispanos Unidos has also formed close ties with the Health are those who provide pastoral care to inmates, who work Department, with AIDS Project New Haven, and with the with adolescents and their parents, (either through a Mayor’s Task Force on AIDS. The Coordinator of the Hispanic human service agency or through the churches), Mayor’s Task Force helped to organize Hispanos Unidos and there are individuals representing the two inner city Contra SIDA/AIDS and was recently elected to its board of clinics located in Fair Haven and the Hill. In addition, directors. Four members of Hispanos Unidos sit on the there is an adult education teacher, an attorney, an AIDS Decision Making Body of the Mayor’s Task Force on AIDS educator, someone who works with the Hispanic elderly, and several others participate in various subcommittees of and a person who is active in Head Start. Ninety percent of the Task Force. the group is Hispanic. The organization’s diversity and its natural links to the most vulnerable of the community has Congratulations Hispanos Unidos Contra SIDAIAIDS! enabled it to achieve a great deal in a short period of time. SIECUS salutes your good and beneficial work!

13 SIECUS May/June 1988 News 0 a 0

Degrassi Junior High Goes know what’s out there and give them The Task Force has set forth a Into 1988-89 Season information to make their own Statement of Purpose defining their decisions. Degrassi lets us do that.’ ” goals. Their key objective is “to provide The Public Broadcasting Service 15th Another teacher from Iowa wrote: “My a forum for the exchange of ideas and annual Program Cooperative has students viewed the show weekly. information among health care workers purchased 16 new programs in the Each episode led to great discussions and the lay population regarding Degrassi Junior High (DJH) series to and also allowed the students to sexuality issues in physically challenged air in Fall 1988. Their new themes will express their feelings on the main idea. persons.” They plan to provide include eating disorders, drug abuse, I feel the show was very realistic and so “information/consultation regarding death of a parent, and truancy. “And, typical of the life of a junior high sexuality issues to local, state, and of course, the perennial plagues of student. My students could relate to national organizations who deal either early adolescence-peer pressure, each situation.” One student directly or indirectly with the area of emerging sexuality, family commented: “There are many reasons I disability,” and will encourage relationships, and academic like Degrassi Junior High. One of them “definitive, peer-reviewed clinical expectations-will continue to be is that they deal with teenage problems research in the area of sexuality and treated with candor and humor.” head on. It doesn’t beat around the disability.” They also plan to “forecast bush, it lets you know the facts.” important issues and trends” and Moreover, in recommending Degrassi “foster responsible debate on Patricia Harris of WGBH reports that to its 1.9 million members, the controversial issues related to sexuality the show has been extremely successful National Education Association said and disability.” In addition, they will in reaching its target audience of that among the aspects of the show provide information on educational young teens: “According to Nielsen, 30 most appreciated by their viewers were: and research opportunities in the field; percent of the Degrassi audience “students make choices and take promote the incorporation of a consists of children under the age of responsibility for their own actions, “Sexuality and Disability Care 18 - the main target of the series. An plots include a broad variety of Curricula” into the training program of additional 40 percent consists of situations that teens may find all health care workers in the field of viewers between the ages of 18 and 49,” themselves in, and a diversity of ethnic rehabilitative medicine; influence which suggests “that many parents are groups and socio-economic levels is public policies from a local to a choosing DJH for family viewing.” She represented in the casting.” national level; and “improve the sexual emphasized that Degrassi attracted the health and attitudes of those persons largest percentage of teen viewers of all with disabilities by elevating the public television shows measured by standards of care provided by an Nielsen in Fall 1987, including informed health care worker Wonderworks, Square One TV, and Task Force on Sexuality and community.” Newton’s Apple. From October to Disability Reactivated December, “Degrassi’s audience increased by over 500,000, bringing the “Renewed interest in sexuality concerns total number of weekly viewers to of the physically challenged has led to National Organization of approximately 3.5 million.” a resurgence of interest in and reactivation of the American Congress Black County Officials of Rehabilitative Medicine’s Task Force Receives Grant to Conduct Degrassi Junior High News (Vol. 1, No. on Sexuality and Disability,” said Dr. AIDS Education Program 2, April 1988) mentioned that “besides Nathan D. Zasler, interim chairperson. commending Degrassi for its realistic He said that the Task Force will be The National Organization of Black portrayal of junior high school life, approaching the issue from its medical, County Officials, Inc. (NOBCO) has teachers point to the fact that the series social, psychological, and cultural received a $100,000 one-year grant doesn’t moralize about right and aspects, and that “an interdisciplinary from the U.S. Department of Health wrong. A sixth grade teacher from approach to the area of sexuality and and Human Services, Centers for Michigan emphasized that he doesn’t disability in physically challenged Disease Control, to conduct a National try to preach to kids. ‘We want them to individuals” would be their focus. Program for School Health Education

SIECUS Report, May/June 1988 14 to Prevent the spread of AIDS. The other forms of oppression,and to phobia.” The steering committee of project, which is expected to be a five- promote feminism and changesin NOCM said, “homophobia affects all year effort, will involve the male roles. Activists, educators, human of us, regardlessof gender or race. And development and implementation of serviceproviders, and artists,” they homophobia, racism,sexism, and other an effective national health education said, “realized the need for a national forms of oppressionare interrelated; program about AIDS and ARC for forum in which to addressmasculinity they reinforce one another.” They black youth, including elementary and the need for a change.” added: “Often our racism and sexism through college-age youth and out-of- are unintentional and simply every day school youth. According to NABCO, expressionsof the dominant culture, “the need for AIDS/ARC education for The organization now offers “a network our whiteness,and for some of us our black youth is especially acute as of support and resourcesfor men and maleness;while this may be largely national statistics reveal that women committed to positive changes true, it also makesracism and sexism AIDS/ARC victims are dispropor- in men’sroles and relationships. more difficult to identify and tionately non-white and young.” works in cooperation with other challenge and therefore makes the task organizations devoted to ending of eliminating them more difficult.” inequality basedon sex and sexual The objective of the grant, said orientation in society and advocates NABCO, is to help increase the changesin policies and institutions Those who would like to join The number of schools, colleges, and other which foster unhealthy male behavior.” Campaigncan contact Cooper organizations that serve black youth to Thompson, national coordinator of the provide effective education about Campaign,at (617)868-8280, for the AIDS/ARC that is locally determined, Members of NOCM’s Gay Rights and namesof regional representativesand consistent with community values, and Homophobia Task Groups, in the for additional information. appropriate to community needs. summer of 1986-“in the face of the “Effective AIDS education needs to be Supreme Court’s Harwick decision”- integrated within a more comprehen- began to explore the possibility of sive program of health education that creating a national educational New Position Statements establishes a foundation for under- campaign to reduce homophobia. from AAPHR standing the relationships between During the following year, they started personal behaviors and health.” shaping, in meetings with local activists in cities acrossthe country, The American Association of what has since becomeknown as “The Physiciansfor Human Rights (AAPHR) NOBCO will also “use its Campaign to End Homophobia.” recently issuedposition statementson: organizational capabilities and contact tracing for AIDS; treatment national network of black community implications of HIV antibody testing; officials in 33 states,” whose primary In May 1988, the campaign launched HIV infection in the school setting; responsibility is the delivery of public its first working conferencewith HIV transmissionduring oral-genital health services at the local level, “to approximately 150 leadersin the field contact; continuing high risk behavior help with the implementation and of homophobia education. The aims of in gay men; and a casefor reinfection diffusion of this program to black the conferencewere to exchange by a secondstrain of HIV. Copies of a constituencies in localities across the strategiesand resourcesfor teaching full set of all of their statements, some country.” They will also work in close about and reducing homophobia, to of which date from June 1987, are cooperation with the Charles R. Drew build a basefor a long-range coalition, available. The following is AAPHR’s Postgraduate Medical School/Martin and to make plans for regional and position statement on contact Luther King, Jr. General Hospital in national events. Among the notification for AIDS: Los Angeles County, California. The conference’ssponsoring organizations King/Drew Center will be the national were: the Unitarian Universalist Contact Notification for AIDS technical assistance coordinating team Association, Women’sAction Alliance, for this project. They will collect and Methodist Federation for Social Action, Contact tracing has not been shown to review model materials that can be Vermont Coalition for Equality, be either effective or ineffective in used for educating black youth. National Gay & Lesbian TaskForce, slowing the spreadof the HIV. AIDS is American PsychologicalAssociation, clearly different from curable diseases Goddard College, and The Fund for where contact tracing is used. Most Human Dignity. people at risk of infection with the National Campaign to End virus are stigmatized even before they might have been infected with HIV. Homophobia Launched The present goalsof The Campaign are Therefore, any proposed program of “to create a national network in which contact tracing must recognize these In 1982, the National Organization for people can work together in order to differences and addressthem Changing Men (NOCM), presently develop effective educational resources appropriately. composedof individuals and groups at and strategiesfor reducing homophobia, community and regional levels to encourage others to examine homo- throughout the country, wasformed phobia in their lives, and to focus Any program of contact tracing must “to help bring an end to sexismand attention on the problem of homo- be part of a community-wide effort to

15 SIECUS Report, May/June 1988 slow the spread of the virus. This must pointed out the eight elements that at risk of pregnancy, AIDS, or other include widespread educationlcounsel- she thought should be included in an sexually transmitted diseases. ing programs as well as drug programs. effective AIDS education program. Among the components sheproposed were the following: Contact tracing can only be done ‘AIDS education shouldbe voluntarily. It is best that people who empowering. Numerous studieshave test positive contact their own prior indicated that we cannot change sexual and drug-use contacts. Required ‘MDS education programs should be people’sbehaviors through fear. We reporting of people testing positive is value-based, AIDS education cannot need to be sure not to portray AIDS as counter-productive and will likely lead be ‘value free’ becauseof its connection the inevitable result of risky behavior. to people avoiding testing or seeking with the intimate parts of people’s Teensneed to know that they can testing in other states. lives. These values certainly include control their risk of exposure to HIV many of the onespromulgated by the largely by their own decision making. Domestic Policy Council, including the Until very recently, the people who If health departments have the values that abstinenceis the best becameinfected with HIV were unable resources to assist in notification, it is method of AIDS and teenage to protect themselvesbecause the facts essential that public health officials pregnancy prevention and that teens of transmissionwere unknown. We understand that improper notification should understand that the only truly now know the behaviors that must be of a possibl’e contact can destroy that safe sexual intercourse takes place adopted to prevent infection. Teenagers person ‘.rI+. Guaranteeing within the context of a long-term can be helped to understand that if confidentiality, beginning with the monogamousrelationship. However, they chooseto practice safe behaviors initial notification process,must be the almost all Americans would support a they will not be infected.” top priority. value that is not present in many of the materials developed by the federal Since there is no need for further government-it is immoral to say to Health Department-initiated follow the young people of America ‘just say -up after someoneis notified, all no or die.’ Sexually active teenagers records of the notification must be need accessto both information and destroyed. Guarantees that this will services. Legislative & occur must be provided prior to the initiation of any program. It would be appropriate, however, to ask people to Legal Notes ‘AIDS ea’mation shoul’d be Rex participate in a study to determine if positive.’ Our young people need to the contact tracing was effective in know that sexuality is an integral changing behavior. Lambda Calls for component of their personality, and that the expressionof sexuality is a Legislation to Cover AIDS- Opportunities for anonymous testing wonderful part of life. In too many Related Discrimination must be made available to people who programs, we have substituted the ‘joys In the Spring, Abby R. Rubenfield, are notified of possible exposure. of sex’ with the ‘dangersof sex.’Teens former legal director of Lambda Legal can be helped to understand that Defense and Education Fund, testified positive sexuality meanspracticing before the President’sCommission on Emotional counseling must be responsiblesexual behaviors, and that the HIV Epidemic that the AIDS available to people who are notified of for most teens, this meanswaiting to medical crisisthreatens to cripple the possibleexposure regardlessof whether have intercourse until they are older. legal system becauseof rampant, or not they decide to be tested. unchallenged discrimination. She Appropriate counseling, as always, called for legislation “not only to must be available to those who are “However, programs must recognize clearly cover AIDS-related discrim- tested regardlessof whether they test that there is likely to be a wide range ination, but also to prohibit positive or negative. of sexual experiencesin any classroom discrimination basedon sexual or group of young people. Many of the orientation.” Rubenfield emphasized teensin a 10th grade classwill have that “the Commissionmust also already had heterosexual experiences; acknowledgeand respond to the Haffner Brings “AIDS and somewill have had homosexual homophobia that underlies most Adolescents” Issues Before experiences.Programs need to help AIDS-related discrimination,” Presidential Commission sexually active teensidentify which sexual behaviors are truly safe,and Debra Haffner, MPH, the new which can only be consideredsafer. Rubenfield called for “much, much executive director of SIECUS, testified Teensneed to understand that even more” education to help discourage before the Presidential Commissionon protected sexual intercourse with a discrimination before it occurs, the HIV Epidemic that school partner whose HIV status is unknown pointing out that the legal system is ill- education programs must educate the posessome risks, and that there are equipped to deal with “the staggering nation’s adolescentsabout AIDS and sexual behaviors that neither put one amount of discrimination and bigotry

SIECUS Report, May/June 1988 16 that presently exists.” She said that to protect the human rights and dignity to advocate the need to protect the “the Commission must encourage of HIV-infected people and people with human rights and dignity of HIV- more attorney involvement both to AIDS, and members of population infected people, people with AIDS, avoid discrimination and to represent groups, and avoid discriminatory action and of members of population groups’ victims of such discrimination once it against and stigmatization of them in and, when working with governmental has occurred. Funding more legal the provision of services, employment, and non-governmental bodies, ‘to and travel; checks would send the message to emphasize the importance to the employers and others that if they global strategy for the prevention and discriminate, they will be called to to ensure the confidentiality of HIV control of AIDS of avoiding discrim- task.” She told the Commission: “We testing and to promote the availability ination against HIV-infected people are setting ourselves up for disaster of confidential counselling and other and people with AIDS.’ ” unless changes are made.” support services to HIV-infected people and people with AIDS. Lambda emphasized that “contrary to the above recommendations to protect Rubenfield felt that the Commission to include any reports to WHO on the public health, the United States- members were concerned and had national AIDS strategies information on the country with the highest number been moved by Lambda’s testimony. measures being taken to protect the of HIV-infected persons - has failed to Lambda was joined on its panel by human rights and dignity of HIV- institute a federal policy which would Benjamin Schatz of National Gay infected people and people with AIDS. protect its population from baseless Rights Advocates, Mitchell Karp of the discrimination,” and thus, they say, New York City Human Rights Com- “continues to jeopardize the health of mission, and Curtis Decker of the “The resolution calls on the Director- Americans, as well as people National Association of Protection and General to take all measures necessary worldwide.” Advocacy Systems in Washington, DC.

Lambda has been in the forefront of the fight against AIDS-related discrimination. They filed and won the first cases of such discrimination under both state and federal handicap discrimination law.

World Health Organization Adopts Anti-Discrimination Resolution The World Health Organization of the United Nations (WHO) adopted resolution WHA41.24, in Geneva on May 13, 1988, calling “for the avoid- ance of discrimination in relation to HIV- infected people and people with AIDS,” reported Lambda’s AlDS Update (June 1988). “The policy,” they said, “recognizes the need for protec- tion from discrimination as the cornerstone of a succesful program to prevent further spread of global HIV infection.” According to Lambda, the four point declaration states: “[Member states are If you w&Id like to be listed a speaker o;are in need of urged], particularly in carrying out a speaker, please contact: Diane de Mauro, PhD, SIECUS, national programmes for the preven- 32 Washington Place, New York, NY 10003, 212-673-3850. tion and control of HIV infection and JOIN THE SIECUS SPEAKERS BUREAU-LET US HELP AIDS: YOU ORGANIZE BETTER CONFERENCES AND WORK- to foster a spirit of understanding and SHOPS! LET US HELP YOU REACH THOSE WHO NEED compassion for HIV- infected people and people with AIDS through YOUR EXPERTISE! information, education and social support programmes;

17 SIECUS Report, May/June 1988 Book Reviews l Book Reviews l Book Reviews

RE-MAKING LOVE: THE butor to Beatlemania was the new read: “Feminists came to understand FEMINIZATION OF SEX. purchasing power of teens: good girls that sex and gender are not so easily Barbara Ehrenreich, Elizabeth Hess, in the early 60s still didn’t go very far separatedafter all. That is, sex as an and Gloria Jacobs. Garden City, New with the boys they knew, nor were act or activity is not so easily York: Anchor Press/Doubleday, 1986 they allowed to expresstheir sexuality disentangled from gender as a social (228pp.; $15.95). in any other way; but they could go arrangement in which women, from as all the way buying up the Beatles re- far back as there is history to tell, are In this provocative book, Re-Ma&ng cords, posters and other paraphernalia. equal and inferior.” (p.199) Love: The Feminization of Sex, Barbara Ehrenreich, Elizabeth Hess, Another important, though slightly Nevertheless,Re-Making Love does a and Gloria Jacobs argue that there has disturbing, chapter in the book deals good job of reminding us that in the been a genuine revolution in sexual with sadomasochism,a volatile issue still unfinished struggle for women’s attitudes, and that it was initiated by that has divided the women’smove- equality, at least in terms of sexual women-not men. The authors ment for more than a decade. About freedom, we’ve come a long way. And demonstrate--through books, S/M, they say it “was a bizarre side- in exposing the hostility to women’s magazines, movies, television, and trail for a sexual revolution that had autonomy that is behind today’s materials of popular culture-how begun in women’semerging drive for renewed sexual conservatism, it sounds radically public attitudes towards equality and independence. by a warning that all of us would do well women’s sexuality have changed sequesteringsex into a realm of cons- to heed. As the authors point out, the in the last thirty years. Re-Making cious ritual, S/M could be consistent growing sexual conservatismbegan Love documents how quickly-in only in an only odd way with feminism or long before the current fear of AIDS. 20-years-time-women have gone from any other egalitarian belief system.” being forbidden to talk about sex at (p.132) In this context the authors This book should be required reading all to our current freedom to speak uncover a truly compelling point: in any courseon human sexuality. openly and to think challengingly “S/M is not only the latest sexual about sex. novelty, it is perhaps the ultimately commercial form of sex” (p.123) VIRTUE UNDER FIRE. The book contrasts the male medical becauseit requires an array of sexually John Costello. Boston, Toronto: Little, “experts” of the 50s who agreed that specialized equipment and media. Brown and Company, 1985 (309 pp.; orgasm was vaginal, to the work of $17.95). Shere Hite and Masters and Johnson This is an important book, even a in the 70s which debunked the myth brilliant book, yet it leaves this reader Vi&e Under Fire offers us a complex of the vaginal orgasm, and with it the with an uncomfortable sensethat and fascinating survey of love, sex, and once sacrosanctnotion that sexual some turf hasn’t been prodded. The morality during World War II. Writer intercourse was the only proper route authors conscientiously document the John Costello showshow men and to pleasure. The authors trace popular change in public discourseon sex, but women in factories, armed forces, and sex manuals from Theodore Van de leave out the private debate within homes, in both the United States and Velde’sIdea/Marriage of the 50s the individual woman. The ranks of Britain, came through the war with which told women that their role in bestsellersslated for women today different, and more open, attitudes to sex was akin to falling off a log (in seem to indicate that the sexual sex, homosexuality, and the relative fact it was being the log), to The Joy revolution may be more of a triumph roles of men and women in society. ofSex and its energetic lovers having in the public arena than in the private These attitudes were to set the stage an explicitly wonderful time. The realm of the heart. I would have liked for the changesand attitudes that change in the ideal of female passivity to see Re-Making Love probe a bit were to come in the post-war decades. in sex is pegged as a benchmark in the deeper into the private psyche of Even if some of this liberation was “for sexual revolution. women today, and explain why “the the duration only,” Costello proves remaking and reinterpretation of sex is that the effect of World War II on In one of the most interesting discus- something that women both deeply people’slives was so pervasive that it sionsin the book, the authors say that want and deeply fear.” (p.198) became a powerful catalyst in the Beatlemania was really an excusefor processof social change. millions of adolescent girls to indulge After all the positive thoughts about their desire to let looseand screamin the great strides that woman have In fact, the female work force an orgasmic frenzy. Perceptively, the made in the last 30 years, it’s a little increasedby a dramatic 40% in World authors point out that a major contri- discomforting to come to the end and War II. In Britain, the ministry of

SNIECUSReport, May/June 1988 18 Labor estimated that over 80% of all and fast action to restore the old the Heart: How to Talk to Your single women between 14 and 49; moral values of ‘the married way’ and Teenagersabout love and Sex and 41% of wives and widows; and 13% of sexual continence.” (p.258) Although Swept Away; and rec+ient of the mothers with children under 14 were women’sproduction had made a Margaret Sanger Award of the at work in the uniform of the auxiliary critical contribution to the allied war Institute for Family Research and forces. Making up almost a quarter of effort, just a year after the war ended, Education. the total work force, married women three million American women and outnumbered single women in the over a million British women were laid workplace for the first time in the off or voluntarily left their wartime United States. jobs. Many women were forced out of KAIROS, CONFESSION OF work, while many more faced A GAY PRIEST. redistribution from highly paid Zalmon 0. Sherwood. Boston, MA: Costello says:“The breakdown of the wartime jobs, where they had replaced Alyson Publications, 1987 (139 pp.; traditional sex roles of a large section men, to lower jobs in textile manufac- $6.95). of the allied female population was turing and food preparation, the the most profound sexual consequence traditional female employers. Every gay man and lesbian woman has of World War II-even though its full a story to tell. If recited only to them- impact was to take two decadesto selves,the account of their life manifest itself.” (p.264) Costello arguesthat the reasonso many women rapidly embraced the struggle to understand, to accept, and myth of fragile femininity after World to celebrate their sexual orientation Some of the best parts of this book War II may have had lessto do with can be a healing exercise. If shared are the photographs from World War the seduction of the so-called with others, particularly with those II, that were in the popular magazines “feminine mystique” than with the uneducated about homosexuality, the of the day, and the posters or sheer exhaustion of a large percentage story can be enlightening. propaganda posters that were put up of the female population who were to entice women to be part of the war finally able to lay down their wartime Some gay storiesof survival are so effort. Also compelling are Costello’s burdens. significant that they should be pub- interviews with the women who were lished. These accountsnot only have the basic elements of confusion, there: the Rosy Riveters of World War Still, the steady advance of women, II, whose frank recollections give a alienation, fear, anger, and isolation toward full equal economic and social which are common denominators for poignant and insightful look at how status with men, may well prove to be women felt during that time. Says most gay people, but they also include the most significant social revolution important statementsabout the one: “While in mixed company, of the 20th century- a revolution that women were submissiveand accepted homophobia of our social institutions, is far from over. Costello concludes: (The story of Leonard Matlovich, the the role men expected them to play. “While many of the woman’swartime In our barracks we were something Air Force sergeantwho won a chestful economic gains were given up in the of medals in Vietnam and was kicked completely different. We’d play dan- retreat to post-war domesticity after gerously and talk dirty. Getting out of the service becausehe was gay, 1945, the seedsof a profound sexual comes to mind.) enough sex was all part of the dare the revolution had already been sown. war represented for us women, because They were to germinate and flower Zalmon 0. Sherwood is a gay it allowed us to expressour liberty and two decadeslater in a movement for rebelliousnessfrom the male set arche- Episcopal priest who has a story to female liberation that won many of tell. He tells that story in his book, types of loving wife and mother that the rights for which many women in they had always tried to tie us to. This Kairos, Confessions of a Gay Pri&. World War II had been fighting.” I’m glad for him that he was able to naturally brought women together (p.274). and, apart from the prim or religious tell his tale, but I feel this book ones - of which there were quite a doesn’t enlighten us much about the few - it enabled women to talk This book, and Re-making Love would real issuesat hand. together about men.” (p.64) make great companion pieces. The compelling social history, laced with The conflict of a young gay man or anecdotesand the personal memoirs woman who feels called by God to In the last chapter, “The Seedsof the of women, lends a poignancy not serve the world through ordained Sexual Revolution,” Costello throws a found in other books that deal with ministry, but who also feels called by splashof cold water in our face. Until social history. nature to be true to self, is a drama then, we see upbeat women rattling worthy of our attention. Is there a the cagesof patriarchy, but in this difference between the call of God chapter Costello tells us that what in Both of the above books were and the call of nature? Why do gay the beginning was not necessarily reviewed by Carol Cassell,PhD, people seekto serve in a church which what was in the end. He says, director of the Institute for Sexuality condemnsthem? While some might “Something approaching a moral Education and Equity; former ask, “Are upfront gay people healthy panic overtook church and lay president of the American Association for the church?“; others might organizations on both sidesof the of Sex Educators, Counselors,and inquire, “Is the church healthy for gay Atlantic. They began calling for firm Therapirts; author of Straight From people?”

19 SIECUS Report, May/June 1988 Though Kuiros, Confessions of a Gay 13 sexual practices and the proper technical the ethical, legal, social, psychological, and Pr%xt, does help me to raise these terms for each; 15 outrageous acts of biomedical issues surrounding PMS. issues here, I feel that it probably can’t censorship in the history of gay people; 12 raise these issues on its own. Nor do I countries and when each decriminalized EROTIC INTERLUDES: TALES TOLD feel that the understanding and sym- homosexual acts between consenting BY WOMEN Ionnie Barbach (ed.). Garden adults; 22 countries in which homo- pathy that Zalmon Sherwood, and City, NY Doubleday & Company, Inc., sexuality is still specifically proscribed by 1986 (278 pp.; $15.95). countless others like him, deserve will law; 22 states in which homosexual acts come from reading this book. Self- between consenting adults are still a crime; Pleasures: Women Wnke Erotica, Lonnie affirmed gay and lesbian Episcopal, and 17 famous people who supported the Barbach’s first book, broke new ground in Roman, and other denominational idea of homosexual rights before 1930, etc. exploring the subject of female erotica. clergy generally feel unwanted, unac- With Erotic Interludes, the sequel to that book, she offers a new anthology of erotic cepted, and certainly unappreciated, IN THE LIFE: A BLACK GAY fiction by 21 women writers-some well- but their pain does not come through, ANTHOLOGY Joseph Beam (ed.). Boston: known, some published for the first to me, in this account. I didn’t feel Alyson Publications, Inc., 1986 (255 pp.; time-who range in age from 23 to 58. their confusion, their deep sense of $7.95). “But whether their tales tell of women frustration with the closeted clergy, “In 1985, we are still radicals. Because of young or old, married or single, hetero- their hurt. Though I admired the our homosexuality the Black community sexual or lesbian, they each joyfully celebrate female sensuality and beautifully seeming gay self-confidence of the casts us as outsiders. We are the poor storyteller, for me his ambivalence relations, the proverbial black sheep, reaffirm every woman’s right to the about the ministry, his self-indulgent pleasures and adventures of sex.” Barbach without a history, a literature, a religion, or has been active in the field of women’s manner, and his undisciplined hand a community. Our already tenuous position as Black men in white America is sexuality for the past 14 years. She is also got in the way of him being a credible the author of Women Discover Orgasm: A witness. exacerbated because we are gay. We are Therapisti Guide to Orgasmic Response; even more susceptible to the despair, alienation, and delusion that threatens to For YourseLf-The Fu@Lment of Female My hope for the author is that this Sexuality: A Guide to Orgasmic Response; telling of his story was personally engulf the entire Black community.” This collection “of writings in which 29 Black For Each Other; and co-author of Shared Intimacies and the Intimate Male. healing. My hope for his editor is that authors explore what it means to be doubly he or she will spend more time with different - both Black and Gay- in their next client. For the readers of modern America,” includes stories, verses, Continuedfrom page 21 this review, my wish is that you will works of art and theater pieces. “The words keep your eyes open for a book, which and images here - by, for, and about Black will capture for you, the important gay men-are for us as we begin to end the intonations seemunnecessarily grim issues faced by gay men and women silence that has surrounded our lives. .” and patronizing. who seek to serve the world through The material was collected by the editor an ordained ministry which forbids “after years of frustration with gay literature The video comeswith a Trainers’ them to be self-affirmed. There are that had no message for- and little Manual which provides appropriate mention of- Black gay men.” plenty of people to tell this important advice about the qualifications of the story, but it is not told in this book. educator who must adapt the video to PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME B. E. the needsof a particular group. Yet, Reviewed by Brian McNaught, Ginsburg and B. F. Carter (eds.). New York: becausethis video is dominated by the Plenum Press, 1987 (436 pp.; $55). freelance writer and educator, and spectreof AIDS, the reviewersfeel that azldor of the book, A Disturbed Explores the interrelationship between the before being exposed to its somewhat Peace (a revised edz’tion has been functional and organic aspects of pre- scary and explicit, self-protection published under the title, On Being menstrual syndrome and addresses many of messages,developmentally disabled Gay: Thoughts on Family, Faith, and the difficult issues involved in understand- young adults deserve,and should ing and treating perimenstrual dysfunction. receive, positive education about their he). McNaught is also featured in “This entity, with its blurred boundaries, the educational video, On Being Gay. sexuality and should have an oppor- constitutes an interface between biomedical tunity to discusstheir feelings and research, clinical practice, social, legal, and relationships separatefrom fear of the psychological concerns, and divergent ethical viewpoints” and “exemplifies the disease.We therefore recommend that BOOK BRIEFS methods and premises of these inter- this video be used only within the connected fields in relation to the context of a comprehensivesexuality objectives of each. These desiderata, so education program that has been clearly illustrated in the example of designedto enhancepeople’s under- THE GAY BOOK OF LISTS Leigh W. premenstrual syndrome (PMS), apply as Rutledge. Boston: Alyson Publications, standing and acceptanceof themselves well to many other areas. In that sense, the assexual beings. Inc., 1987 (212 pp.; $6.95). issues addressed in the present volume go A collection, meant to be informative and far beyond the particular syndrome with Reviewedfor SIECUS by the staffof entertaining, “of lists that range from the which it deals.” The book is the product of the Centerfor Family Life Education, historical (6 gay or bisexual popes) to the an international, multidisciplinary think- political (17 outspoken anti-gay tank that took place on the topic and Planned Parenthood of Bergen County, politicians).” Covers slang expressions; 10 included ethicists, legal scholars, clinicians, New Jersey-Peggy Brick (board most common explanations for why people biomedical researchers, sociologists, member of SIECUS), Hillary Kunins, are gay; 11 alleged cures for homosexuality; psychologists, psychiatrists, feminists, and and Maria Matthews -and written by 16unusual or archaicterms for a gay man; criminologists. Twenty-three writers cover PeggyBrick.

SIECUS Report, May/June 1988 20 Audiovisual Reviews l Audiovisual Reviews l

SEXUALITY AND AGING In the menopausesegment, Philip Peggy Brid is director of education for 1988, video, 60 min. GPN, PO. BOX Sarrel and Lorna Sarrel (currently chair Planned Parenhood of Bergen County 80669, Lincoln, NE 68501, (800) of SIECUS’ board of directors) present in New Jersey. She has recently hireda 228-4630. Price: $50, plus $2.50 p/h. the results of their years of researchat new educator to devel’op a “Sexudity: the Mid-Life Study Program at Yale. Midz’ife and Beyond” initiative. Sexuality and aging is the new frontier This researchled to their advocacy of of sex education. This video provides estrodial plus progesteronefor the important basic information from majority of women, not only to avoid AIDS: HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF leaders in the field and models open the immediate symptomsof meno- 1987, video, 17 min. Young Adult discussion among elders themselves. pausebut to prevent osteoporosis, Institute, 460 West 34th Street, New Since there is a dirth of resources for which for most is a far greater danger York, NY 10001,(212) 563-7474. helping people learn about the than are any of the negative side-effects Price: $145, plus $4 p/h. problems and possibilities of sex in the of hormone therapy. later years, educators will welcome this The Young Adult Institute has very useful program. In the male sequence,Marty Klien produced an amazingly explicit video discussesthe performance pressures for training people with development Produced by the Nebraska Projects that causeanxiety in many older men, disabilities in how to protect Unit of the University of Nebraska- and the importance of sex education in themselvesfrom AIDS. Methodically, Lincoln Television, the 60-minute affirming the changesin arousalthat using simple graphics, the video program uses a documentary format are normal. In an unusual seriesof presentsthe basic information needed: with veteran actor, Ford Rainey, as interviews, men tell of the strong people die from AIDS: anyone can get narrator. It will be most useful for feeling of inadequacy that impotence AIDS; people get AIDS from semen encouraging discussion and learning caused- and of the new life that can and vaginal fluids. Each bit of when only one of the three segments is come with a penile implant. Matter-of- information is followed by instructions shown at a time. The segments are: fact descriptions of the tests that to “stop tape and discuss.” “Attitudes and Gender Imbalance,” identify the causeof impotence, of the which warns viewers that there are five three major types of implants, and of Viewers are told that if they do have heterosexual women for every ‘Impotence Anonymous,” all seemto sex, they should use condoms; and unattached heterosexual male over 50; normalize the problem and to they are shown exactly how to put one “Female Physiological changes and encouragemen to seekhelp when they on and take it off. Three scenesshow Menopause,” which features a group of need it. people using condoms when the penis women talking openly about their is put into the vagina, the mouth, and varied experiences; and “Male Physio- In a final scene,William Stayton (a the anus. Finally, through role-play, logical Changes, Impotence, and Sex member of SIECUS’ board of directors’ problem situations are demonstrated Education,” which reveals the equally executive committee) leads a classof where people are pressuredinto having varied feelings and experiences of men. college students asthey fantasize their sex without using protection: a woman own old age, imaging their sexual whose male partner refusesto use a Ed Brecher, author of the Conszlmer futures. This is a good finale: condom; two men disagreeingabout Reports study, Love, Sex and Aging- education about sexuality and aging whether they should use one; and a but perhaps best known for his should begin in youth! woman rejecting a man’ssuggestion to pioneering role in demonstrating, in use one. Each scenemodels how to the now classic“‘A Ripple in Time,” resistsocial pressureand the “stop tape that elders do enjoy sex-reports that, This useful video is marred by and discuss”instructions ask: “why in spite of early repressivelearning unfortunately long scenesof chipper is. . ?” and “what should. . .do?” today’s elders have great interest in elders on sunny Miami golf courses- things sexual. He reports that those perhaps poor city dwellershave less Congratulations to the Institute for its who are more sexually active have more interest in sex?Even more serious,is very direct approach to the sexuality of life enjoyment. the lack of any minority representation people who are developmentally among theseelders seeking to under- disabled; for the clear depiction of However, the video attempts to give a stand their sexual selves. condom use; for including a homo- balanced picture, noting the problems sexual couple among the heterosexual aswell as the joys that are common for With these caveats,I recommend this couples; and for having a woman older people, such as not having a well-priced video as an excellent tool pressuringa man, and the reverse.The partner; ageism, the assumption that for educating about the life changes reviewersregret, however, the funereal it is humorous when an older person that we all will face-sooner or later! approach of the narrator -whose heavy showsinterests; and the fear of sex, Recommendedfor late teens(parts), especially during and following an college, general adult public, and illness. professionals. Continued on page 20

21 SIECUS Report, May/June 1988 .- Other Information Resources

AIDS women as men. These are their nation’s education and other family life education breadwinners, many of them educated materials, and lists the new revised edition professionals. The impact of their gathering of Marcia Quackenbush’s and Pamela THE AIDS CATALOG (1988, 15 pp., death march will scar Africa for a gener- Sargent’s Teaching AIDS: A Resozzrce cataloe). Includes books, films, audiotapes, ation. the far less equipped health Guide on AcquiredImmune Deficiency pamphlets, some organizations and services of Brazil, Tanzania, Rwanda, Syndrome (163 pp., 8%“xll”, $19.95). This databases, etc. AIDS Internationad I? 0. Zambia, Haiti, Uganda and Zaire today guide explains how to use their curriculum, Box 2008, Saratoga, CA 9SO70, (408) contemplate a crisis which is several times offers teaching plans, teaching materials, 866-6303. worse [than the US.]. .The impact of and background materials for secondary AIDS on Third World development will be and college level students (35 additional AIDS AND THE THIRD WORLD (Revised profound.” John Panos, president of the pages and updated statistics are included). Panos Institute, stated in the introduction The catalog also includes the following new March 1987, 83 pp., 8%x11, Panos Dossier #I), published by the Panos Institute in to this report, “effective action is still pamphlets: AIDS: You Can’t Get It association with the Norwegian Red Cross. hampered by the lack of accurate Holding Hands; What You Should Know At the time of this report 127 countries of information,” but this dossier is meant to About the AIDS Antibody Test; AIDS, the world’s 159 had documented the be a “contribution toward that education Think About It (also in Spanish); Zdking presence of the AIDS virus in their process” and “is the most adequate global With Your Child About AIDS; Teens & countries. This report updates a prior review of AIDS yet published.” The Panos AIDS!: Why Risk It?; What Is Safer Sex?, report (November 1986), extends the Institute is “an international information Talking With Your Partner About Safer Sex. section on Latin America, and contains and policy studies institute, dedicated to Network Publications, ETR Associates, I! details of the AIDS strategy developed by working in partnership with others towards 0. Box 1830, Santa Crux, CA 9~061-1830, WHO. “Most of those already carrying the greater understanding of sustainable (408) 438-4080. AIDS virus live in the Third World. in development.” The Panos Institute, 1401 some central African capitals, up to one King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) person in five is infected. Most of them are 960-2791. GUIDELINES ON AIDS IN EUROPE in their twenties and thirties, as many (first revised edition 1986, 38 pp., 6%x9%, The CHANNING L. BETE COMPANY booklet). Incorporates data up to publishes a catalog of more than 500 September 30, 1985. Drafted by Dr. H. Scriptographic Booklets which includes Zoffman, Statens Seruminstitut, Copen- Choices: booklets on AIDS, sexually transmitted hagen, Denmark, and amended and disease, growing up, family planning, teen approved by the participants in the In Sexuality with pregnancy and parenting. Among them Consultation on AIDS policies in Europe. are: Why You Shodd Be Informed About An international Conference on AIDS was Physical Disability AIDS, for healthcare and related personnel; organized in Atlanta, Georgia, with more (16 mm & Video/Color/60 Mins.) What Everyone ShouldKnow About AIDS than 3000 participants from 50 countries. Produced for: (+ Spanish); Protecting YourseLffrom Following this conference, the WHO Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine AIDS (+ Spanish); What Yozlng People Regional Office for Europe convened a New York University Medical Center Shoda’Know About AIDS (+ Spanish); Consultation on AIDS Policies in Europe Joan L. Bardach Ph.D., Project Director About AIDS and Shooting Drugs (+ with the specific intention of formulating a Frank Padrone Ph.D., &Director Spanish); What Gay and Bisexual Men policy on AIDS control in the European Should Know About AIDS (+ Spanish); region. One of the recommendations of Choices is a film which can be used HIV&AIDS/ Military, designed especially that consultation was the preparation of time and time again in rehabilitation for military personnel; About AIDS in the guidelines for national public health facilities human sexuality programs and Workplace; STDr (+ Spanish); About VD., authorities to provide them with a brief in any group where issues of sexual in- About Vaginal Infections; About Herpes introduction to the problem and to the teraction and adjustment to a disability (+ Spanish); Syphilis and Gonorrhea; public health measures that can be taken to are being discussed. If both parts cannot About Chlamya’ia; Contraception (+ reduce the spread of infection. “These be purchased, Part 1 is a tremendously Spanish); Natural Family Planning (+ guidelines cover the magnitude of the good discussion starter and should not Spanish); Making Responsible Choices problem in Europe, the virus and its mode be missed. About Sex; As You Grow Up; As Boys of transmission, the major clinical features Pam Soy/e, Coordinafor: Reproductive Health Grow up; Becoming an Adult; Infertility; of the disease, laboratory tests, possibilities and Disabilities Program of the Margaret Teenage Pregnancy; Teenage Parenthood; of treatment and prophylaxis, the role of Sanger Center of Planned Parenthood. NYC. About Rape (+ Spanish); and Date Rape. blood and blood products, the public Booklets can be custom-designed and can health importance of the disease, and be published in almost any language (they control measures. This booklet is essential provide translators or will use provided reading for anyone who needs to become translations). Charming L. Bete Co., Inc., quickly acquainted with the overall AIDS Mercury Productions 200 State Road: South Deer-e& MA situation in Europe at the present time.” 01373, l-800-628-7733, (413) 6657611. WHO Publications Center USA, 49 7 West 78th Street, 2nd f/r Sheridan Avenue, Albany, NY LWO or the NYC 70071 (212)869-4073 EDUCATING ABOUT AIDS (1988, 15 pp., United Nations Bookshop, New York, NY suppl’ementalcatalog). Includes 27 AIDS 10017. Price: $S.

SIECUS Report, May/June 1988 22 LIVING WITH AIDS: A GUIDE TO THE the perineum. Jim Jackson and Company, LEGAL PROBLEMS OF PEOPLE WITH 33 RichdaLe, Cambridge, MA 02140. P&e: AIDS (1987, 32 pp., 5 %x8%, guide). $40, plus $4 p/b. Written by Trudy Hayden of Lambda “to explain some of the most common legal Reproductive questions that confront people with AIDS. HOW BABIES AND FAMILIES ARE It is addressed primarily to the layperson MADE: THERE IS MORE THAN ONE rather than the lawyer. It is not intended to WAY! (1988, 52 pp., 7x10 book). Written by Patricia Schaffer, illustrated by Suzanne Anatomy replace professional legal advice, but only to give a general description of the statutes, Corbett. This updated facts of life book was regulations, and court decisions that most created for parents to teach children age 5-9 about their own beginnings and Models directly concern the problems of people with AIDS.” Chapter 12, “Where to Go for families and about those of their friends. Help,” suggests sources of assistance. Living Alternate forms of conception (e.g. artificial With AIDS focuses almost entirely on insemination, in-vitro fertilization) are federal law and the law of New York State. acknowledged “so that all children whatever However, the problems discussed here are the circumstances of their birth will feel relevant to people anywhere in the United included.” Discusses topics such as: sexual States, and their remedies, although intercourse; conception; infertility and described specifically in terms of New York alternative ways of conception; twins and law, will often follow a similar pattern multiple births; fetal development; elsewhere.” Explains how to get medical miscarriage and neonatal death; premature services; protect confidentiality of records; babies; caesarean birth; disabilities; and put your personal affairs in order; get different kinds of families, including insurance and financial help; keep your job; biological, stepfamilies and adopted. and covers housing, schools, military, Thirty, black and white pencil drawings SOFT l DURABLE l SIMPLE immigration, and working with people depict people of different ethnic groups, EXPLICIT l PORTABLE with AIDS issues. Lambda Legal Defense ages and abilities and also help illustrate REALISTIC and Education Fund, 666 Broadway, New and explain biological functions. The York, NY 10012, (212) 99J-8J8J. Price: author suggests that parents may elect to jim jackson and company $3.9>; lo-49/$2; 50+/$1.50. use their own words while using the text 33 richdale avenue and illustrations as reference but she also Cambridge, massachusetts 02140 WHAT KIDS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT acknowledges that children should be AIDS: RESOURCES AND LIFE SKILLS familiar with proper terminology. Ebor (617) 864-9063 free brochure EXERCISES FOR EDUCATORS K-6 Sarah Books, 24419 Jefferson Ave., Berkely, (1987, 141 pp., 11x8%, manual). Produced CA 94703. Prices: l-4/$6.9> a copy; 20% by Planned Parenthood of North East discount for 5 or more copies; plus $1.25 Maternal and Child Health and Resources Pennsylvania, this compilation of references p/b first copy and&Jo each additional copy. Development, the National Center for includes age-appropriate information and Education in Maternal and Child Health, materials on anatomy, physiology, sexual the National Center for Clinical Infant health and decision-making, and also NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION Programs, and the Healthy Mothers, factual information about AIDS. Also IN MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH Healthy Babies Coalition. Some publi- includes an annotated bibliography, lists of PUBLICATIONS CATALOG (January 1988, cations from other sources are also AIDS hotlines and HIV testing centers, and 21 pp., catalog) The National Center and available. Most publications distributed by guidelines for evaluating AIDS curricula. the National Clearinghouse are sister the Clearinghouse are available in limited Planned Parenthood of Nor.& East organizations developed to provide quantities at no cost. Some are for sale by Pennsylvania, 112 North 13th Street, education and information services on the Center and are listed in the catalog. ALLentown, PA 18102. maternal and child health. Both are funded NMCHC/ NCEMCH, 38th and R Streets by the Bureau of Maternal and Child NW, Washington, DC 20057, (202) Health and Resources Development of the 625-8410, (202) 625-8400. BIRTH/FAMILY U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Clearinghouse provides current information through the collection MENOPAUSE and dissemination of publication on THE BIRTH OF KATE: SLIDES OF A maternal and child health topics and each VAGINAL CHILDBIRTH WITH month distributes a wide range of MCH CAPTIONS (23 slides, with an topics (more than 50,000 publications) to UNDERSTANDING MENOPAUSE (1987, accompanying text of captions). The step- over 2000 requestors nationwide. It makes 24 pp., 5x7, Public Affairs Pamphlet No. by-step process of giving birth, photo- them available to the public through this 651) written by Nancy C. Doyle. Discusses graphed and produced by Jim Jackson, with catalog which includes a sampling of the the reproductive cycle and menopause; the medical advisor Dr. Norman Fertel. Clearly specific areas they cover such as: pregnancy, menstrual cycle; physiological changes; the shows all aspects of the birth process, adolescent health; nutrition; child health; signs; osteoporosis; the pros and cons of including fluid discharges, the actual genetic disorders/chronic illnesses/ estrogen replacement; sex and menopause; delivery, the suctioning of mucus from the disabilities (including AIDS); maternal and alternatives to estrogen replacement baby’s mouth and nose, the mother child health services and programs, Most of therapy; and menopause and woman in holding the baby with the umbilical cord the publications, available as newsletters, literature. Also mentions further reading attached, the clamping and cutting of the bibliographies, directories, proceedings, on the subject. Public Affairs Pam2blets, umbilical cord, the delivery of the placenta booklets, brochures, resource guides, and 381 Park Avenue South, New York, NY and examining its maternal and fetal sides, other informational and educational 10016. Prices: I-3 copies/$l; 4-24/$80; injecting anesthesia, and the stitching of materials, are produced by the Bureau of 2599/$.6S; 100.499/$JJ. !

23 SIECUS Report, May/June 1988