TMC Administration Notes - June/July 2003

Letter from the Chair

The Men's Center is doing well. Though not all successful, we have tried some new support groups and have collaborated with Chrysalis with a Couples Class. Thanks to all who have put their hearts and energies into the new projects.

The Men's Center is doing okay financially. Our heads are above water but don't let that stop you for supporting us financially. We count on your contributions to run the organization.

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all the mothers/mother figures and Happy Father's Day to all fathers/father figures out there. Your role in someone's life is so important.

May those in the GLBT community have a fulfilling Pride Celebration in June.

For Men, For All,

Tom Perrault
Board Chair
Library Corner

–– Ted Bradford, Librarian

Thank you, National Coalition of Free Men – Twin Cities chapter, for your recent donation of If Men Have All the Power How Come Women Make the Rules? by Jack Kammer. This book can be found in the newly -organized Men's Movement/Masculinity section of the Men's Center Library

In fact, all sections in the library have been re-organized in the past three month and we have received some good new books. Using the library is a membership privilege. To check out a book, all you have to do is write your name. phone number, and the date on a checkout card and leave it in the box. Or just come in and browse – you will be surprised at how stimulating it can be to expose yourself to the books in our collection. So come on in and take a look.

We also have many useful periodicals, such as:

  • Men's Health
  • Voice Male
  • Everyman (April-June Issue featuring Gay Men and Homophobia
  • Lavender
  • Men's Journal
  • Transitions
  • Rainbow Families
  • Bi All Means
  • Wellness Journal
  • The Edge
  • and others

In recent weeks, some of the books on display have been removed without being checked out. Please be sure you use the library check-out system. And if you have overdue books, please return them so others can benefit from them.

Enjoy your library!

Public Service Announcement

Minnesota Department of Health releases 2002 HIV/AIDS data

The number of people diagnosed with HIV infections in 2002 rose 6 percent from 2001, from 288 to 305 cases, according to a new report from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), "HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report – 2002."

African-born, African American and Latino populations continued to have higher rates of infection compared to whites. Statewide rates for African Americans and Latinos were 12 and 7 times greater than whites. Rates for African-born communities were over 40 times greater than whites. Men who have sex with men (MSM) of all races and ethnicities continue to have higher rates of infection.

"Populations of color and MSM continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV in the United States and Minnesota, and we are deeply concerned when we see these health disparities continuing among our communities," said Dr. Harry Hull, state epidemiologist and director of the Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control at MDH. "In order for us to turn this trend around, we need to continue to intensify and concentrate our efforts within these communities."

Health officials emphasize that the spread of HIV remains highly preventable. Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, are highly effective in preventing HIV transmission. Avoiding the sharing of needles or equipment to tattoo, body pierce or inject drugs will prevent the spread of HIV as well.

In addition, new initiatives have begun to reach Minnesota's African-born communities through a project consultant that was hired at MDH. "We are connecting our African-born communities with local HIV prevention education, HIV testing services, and trainings for their community educators," Hull said. " We are also assisting agencies and organizations serving these communities to expand their capacity to deliver HIV-related programs." The MDH web site has fact sheets about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases that have been translated into the African languages of Oromo, Somali and Amharic. The complete HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report – 2002 and the fact sheets that have been translated into African languages can be found on the MDH web site at http://www.health.state.mn.us.

Information about HIV is also available from the Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP) AIDSLine, (612) 373-2437, 1-800-248-2437.