Hepatitis rates ‘alarmingly high’ Gay and bisexual men urged to get vaccinations
Vol. XIV, No. 1
Serving the Gay and Lesbian Community of the Inland Northwest
January 2005
SAN FRANCISCO – Although
hepatitis vaccination rates are on the rise, more than half of the nation’s gay and bisexual men are said to be unprotected against hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Both strains are feared to disproportionately affect gay and bisexual men. Routine vaccination against both hepatitis A and hepatitis B is recommended for all gay and bisexual men by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta and the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) based in San Francisco. Symptoms of hepatitis A and hepatitis B include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, stomach discomfort, dark urine and jaundice. In 5 percent to 10 percent of cases, hepatitis B infection becomes chronic and may cause primary liver cancer, which can lead to death, according to GLMA. Immunity is conferred by prior infection or by vaccination. The hepatitis alert developed from GLMA studies conducted at Pride festivals last summer. Statistics from the organization’s 6th annual multi-city survey of men who have sex with men (MSM) included 949 responses from nine sites: ■ 40 percent of respondents were judged completely immune to hepatitis A, and 39 percent were judged completely immune to hepatitis B. (Complete immunity is conferred through prior infection or a complete course of vaccination, according to the GLMA.) ■ The highest vaccination rate was reported by respondents at San Francisco PrideFest, where 51 percent of respondents had received at least one dose of a vaccine against hepatitis A, and 56 percent had received at least one dose of a vaccine against hepatitis B. ■ The lowest vaccination rates were reported by respondents at the Queens, N.Y., PrideFest: 35 percent had received at least one dose of a vaccine against hepatitis A, and 40 percent had received at least one dose of a vaccine against hepatitis B. ■ GLMA found that respondents were less likely to have been vaccinated if they had a lower income, if they didn’t have healthcare coverage or a regular healthcare provider, or if they were not “out” to their provider. A comparison to the previous survey shows that, for respondents living in 8 of the 9 cities studied, the vaccination rates for both hepatitis A and hepatitis B rose by at least five percentage points between 2003 and 2004. Since 1999, the first year GLMA conducted a hepatitis survey, vaccination rates against hepatitis A have more than
PJALS calls for freedom to marry campaign Grassroots coalition hopes also to rally for domestic partner benefits for city employees One nonprofit organization allied to the gay community and a grassroots effort by individuals both announced plans this month to mobilize action in support marriage equality for gay couples living in committed relationships. The Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane (PJALS), which supports the freedom of individuals to marry as a civil rights issue, said in an electronic message that it is “committed to actively address the freedom to marry issue as 2005 gets under way.” PJALS announced a meeting to establish a freedom to marry campaign for Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Building at 35 W. Main. Those interested in participating are asked to contact Brooke Powers at doubled (from 21 percent to 48 percent). Vaccination rates against hepatitis B increased 45 percent (to 48 percent of the targeted population). Earlier last year, GLMA relaunched its program to promote hepatitis vaccination for MSM, distributing 170,000 brochures, posters, postcards and stickers at Gay Pride events and through clinics and private providers. Innovative programs now offer free or low-cost vaccination at many community-based clinics. Off-site programs such as New York City’s “Hot Shots” bring free vaccinations to bars and clubs popular with gay men. (See related story on page 5.) “We are pleased to see progress,” said Joel Ginsberg, executive director of the GLMA, “but we shouldn’t be lulled into a false sense of security.” Added Ginsberg, “While rates of new hepatitis A and hepatitis B infections are falling among almost every other population group, they remain alarmingly high among men who have sex with men. “Gay and bisexual men need to ask their providers about hepatitis vaccination and providers need to be trained to make sure their gay and bisexual male patients are protected against these diseases,” he said.
PJALS by calling 838-7870 or by email to Brooke.PJALS@gmail.com. The grassroots organization seeks people willing to advocate for the extension of domestic partner benefits for Spokane city employees and who would serve as part of a coalition to help preserve the gains to be made legislatively at the state level. Principal organizers include former City Council member Dean Lynch; Brad Read, former chair of the Spokane Human Rights Commission, and Barbara Williamson, a professor at Spokane Falls Community College. Three reasons they cite as the need for active participants are: ■ If the Spokane City Council passes an ordinance authorizing domestic partner benefits – which has been languishing with the Human Rights Commission for well over two years – it is possible for opponents to try to repeal it by voter initiative in November.
Gay GOPs plan inaugural dinner to benefit AIDS WASHINGTON, D.C. – A black tie, $125-a-plate dinner to raise money for an AIDS organization founded by gay Republican activist Abner Mason is expected to become one of the main events for gay Republicans in the nation’s capital on Jan. 20, when President Bush is inaugurated into his second term in office, said the Washington Blade. The dinner comes at a time when Log Cabin Republicans, the nation’s largest gay GOP group, is working to mend fences with the Bush administration. Log Cabin refused to endorse the president in the recent election because of his announced support for a U.S. constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. The group endorsed Bush in 2000. The AIDS Responsibility Project (ARP), which Mason formed in 2003, is billing the dinner as a “salute to a second term” and a celebration of “the presidential inauguration and Republican electoral success.” The dinner is scheduled for the J.W. Marriott Hotel downtown beginning at 6 p.m. Many of the 150 participants expected to attend, including Log Cabin members and other gay GOP activists,
■ If the Washington Legislature passes the Cal Anderson bill – which would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation – it is possible the opposition will try to repeal it in a statewide initiative to voters in November. ■ If the state Supreme Court “upholds the unconstitutionality of preventing equal treatment of citizens based on marriage and requests the Legislature to act” – a decision is anticipated as early as this summer – another voter initiative, this one also statewide, might materialize for November 2006. Individuals who recognize the need for people to form a unified coalition in support of human rights and equality are invited to contact the organizers: Call Dean Lynch at 838-6743 or send him an e-mail at flynch10@comcast.net. Call Brad Read at 536-8847 or email him at mbblread@comcast.net. Call Barbara Williamson at 3890330 or send her an e-mail at amlit278@hotmail.com.
likely will attend one of the official inaugural balls after the dinner ends at 9 p.m., the Blade said. Some critics have called the ARP a front for U.S. pharmaceutical companies, which provided funding for the group. Among other things, ARP has sided with the pharmaceutical industry on some AIDS drug-related issues. Mason defended the actions, he said, because they call for the best means of providing drugs to millions of poor citizens in developing countries. Mason is a former Log Cabin board member and served as head of the organization in Massachusetts before moving to Los Angles two years ago, when the White House named him to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.
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