Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people have many of the same health concerns as anyone else, but cultural differences and the impact of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia mean that these health needs may be experienced quite differently. LGBT people also do not have the same access to health care that many Cambodians take for granted, as they often face several barriers when attempting to access health care.
Due in part to negative past experiences, many LGBT people may delay or avoid seeking health care altogether. They may choose to withhold personal information from health care providers as well, because of the fear that disclosure will lead to prejudice and discrimination. In addition, LGBT people have some unique health concerns and may be at increased risk for certain health issues. Most health care providers are not trained on these LGBT health needs and may not be sensitive to the particular health risks or knowledgeable about how to work with LGBT people.
In general, LGBT people end up receiving less quality health care than the population as a whole. A 2008 Ministry of Health through NCHADS study showed that gay men, lesbians and bisexuals were more likely than heterosexuals to report having had an unmet health care need in the past year. Often, this lack of access is compounded by membership in other groups which also face discrimination or other access problems including Aboriginal communities, people with disabilities, racial and ethnic minority groups, newcomers, rural communities and people living in poverty.
We all deserve to be healthy, and being healthy means taking care of our physical, emotional, sexual, psychological and spiritual needs.
The Healthy Gay Cambodia website is designed to provide information to help both LGBT people meet their health care providers who are friendly, gentle and expecially more aware of LGBT health issues:
• If you want to meet your health's need please come to visit our clinics
1) Clinic Marie Stopes Chba Ampov House # 15, Highway 1, Chba Ampov 2 Khan Mean Chey, Phnom Penh
Email: msm.ca@mariestopes.org.kh
Tel: 023 720 125
2) Clinic Marie Stopes Takhmao House # 538, St 210 Phum Takhmao, Srok Takhmao Kandal province
Email: msm.tk@mariestopes.org.kh
Tel: 023 425 710
3) Clinic Marie Stopes Koh Kong, Phum # 2, Srok Smach Meanchey Koh Kong province
Email: centerkk@mariestopes.org.kh
Tel: 035 936 238
4) Clinic Marie Stopes Battambang, House # 152 Highway # 5, Phum Romchak 4, Srok Battambang Battambang Province
Email: centerbb@mariestopes.org.kh
Tel: 053 953 107
5) Clinic Marie Stopes Kampong Thom, Phum 4, Khum Kampong Thom, Srok Stung Sen, Kampong Thom province
Email: centerkt@mariestopes.org.kh
Tel: 062 962 238
6/ Marie Stopes Siem Reap# 68, group 5, Tapon village, Svay Dongkum district, Siem Reap province
Email: msm.sr@mariestopes.org.kh
Tel: 063 963 454
• If you want to talk to very soft voice of the gently counsellors please call to (855)012 38 72 38; (855)012 53 43 67; (855) 099 33 80 09
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Kindest Cut campaign
Today, MSI launched its Kindest Cut campaign. As part of the campaign, MSI has launched a new video on how Male Circumcision could be used in Malawi to help prevent the spread of HIV; developed a new section about Male Circumcision on the MSI website; produced a fact sheet; run a widespread press campaign and mailed all of our major donors, potential donors and other supporters the following will give you more information:
http://www.mariestopes.org/Health_programmes/HIV%c2%acSTIs/Male_Circumcision.aspx
http://www.mariestopes.org/Health_programmes/HIV%c2%acSTIs/Male_Circumcision.aspx
Monday, November 30, 2009
LGBT movies: A Glimpse Of The Third Sex
Do you always think that the gay and the lesbians are ‘untouchables’? Are you always waiting for an opportunity to crack a rude joke on your lesbian colleague? If yes, then you need to understand that they are normal people like us. A classic LGBT movie can help you to dwell deeper in the unchartered waters of lesbianism.
An LGBT movie( Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans gender) explores the emotional aspect of the relationships which are not considered normal by the societies across the world. The issues of unusual sexual preferences of people has always been a clandestine affair. However these movies have brought it to forefront and depicted these relationships in a very educating light.
Two of the greatest works in this field are “I can’t think straight” and “The World Unseen”. The first movie shows you how women across the world are liberating themselves from age old beliefs and going great lengths to find their lady love. “The World unseen” is a period drama set against the apartheid ravaged South Africa in 1950. This movie speaks strongly about women liberation as well as the clutches of racism.
Enlightenment Films provide healthy LGTB entertainment. Enlightenment Productions have many new exciting assignments in the pipeline. You can log on to www.enlightenment-productions.com to know more about the company.
An LGBT movie( Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Trans gender) explores the emotional aspect of the relationships which are not considered normal by the societies across the world. The issues of unusual sexual preferences of people has always been a clandestine affair. However these movies have brought it to forefront and depicted these relationships in a very educating light.
Two of the greatest works in this field are “I can’t think straight” and “The World Unseen”. The first movie shows you how women across the world are liberating themselves from age old beliefs and going great lengths to find their lady love. “The World unseen” is a period drama set against the apartheid ravaged South Africa in 1950. This movie speaks strongly about women liberation as well as the clutches of racism.
Enlightenment Films provide healthy LGTB entertainment. Enlightenment Productions have many new exciting assignments in the pipeline. You can log on to www.enlightenment-productions.com to know more about the company.
Creating a Healthy LGBT Relationship
When You Meet Someone Special
It takes time, respect and nurture to create a healthy relationship. Being in a relationship can provide support and comfort in a society that can be isolating. Yet, lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender couples often begin relationships without role models or social acceptance. This brochure offers suggestions to help your relationship have the best foundation possible.
Laying the Groundwork
It is important to begin a relationship without unfinished business. Ideally, each person should enter the relationship from a place of acceptance of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It would be helpful to work through internalized homophobia or transphobia prior to coming together. If you cannot feel good about yourself, it will be harder to feel good about your relationship.
Each couple will need to decide how out to be. Where different levels of being out exist, frustration can develop. If one partner is used to being open about their orientation or identity and the other person has reasons to not disclose, discussing where to be out and where to be judicious can help.
Each person should have a good support system in place. This support will help you deal with external bias and discrimination. A good support system will encourage your relationship to flourish when outside society may undermine it.
Creating What Works
Here are some qualities to look for:
Time: It is a red flag when relationships move too fast. It takes time to learn about a potential partner: What do other people say about him or her? How does she interact with her family? How is he when things do not go his way? Has she ever been arrested? Is he or she in financial trouble?
Family and Friends: Your partner understands and encourages you to spend time with the people you care about. She or he is secure.
Give and Take: Both partners give. Both partners take. No one is being used. No one is being neglected. Responsibilities are not lopsided.
Equality: One person does not have the power and control.
Negotiation: Each person will concede or apologize and do what is best for the relationship. Agreements are renegotiable. Both people take responsibility to make the relationship work.
Decisions: Partners make important decisions together. One person is not deciding everything. Each person makes their own decisions on minor things, but both opinions and preferences are considered in major things. Compromises are made.
Peaceful problem-solving: Disagreements and problems are solved peacefully, without violence. Thoughts can be voiced and heard. There are no personal attacks. After the argument, you both make efforts to resolve the issue. Apologies are made and neither person carries the blame. The resolution is satisfying to both people.
Finances: You work together to manage finances and needs in a mutually agreeable way. There are communicated understandings and goals that you both work toward. No one is hiding information or ignoring concerns.
Sex: As a couple you decide how monogamous to be and you keep the agreement. If you say no to a sex act, that is respected. If you say wait, then your partner waits.
Feelings: You feel good about yourself and your relationship. You want to be in the relationship because you are with the right person, not because it is better than being alone or you fear leaving.
Safety: Both people feel safe and free from threat. There is the absence of physical, verbal and emotional violence. No one is threatening to harm him or herself as a means of manipulation or control. If you choose to keep your orientation private, your partner holds that as sacred.
Challenges in Committed Relationships
LGBT couples begin relationships without clearly defined roles. This is an advantage and a challenge. Each couple can create what works best, yet will have to negotiate things that other couples may take for granted.
Both people may have been socialized to take the lead, but it can be freeing to let go and decide roles based upon each other’s strengths and on what is best for the couple.
LGBT relationships also lack full legal protection in Cambodia. Canbodian law provides protections around health care and finances. There is a health crisis, a partner may not be able to decide things or even visit.
For more information and the brochure about your relationship have the best foundation possible please go to http://www.ewu.edu/x59423.xml
It takes time, respect and nurture to create a healthy relationship. Being in a relationship can provide support and comfort in a society that can be isolating. Yet, lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender couples often begin relationships without role models or social acceptance. This brochure offers suggestions to help your relationship have the best foundation possible.
Laying the Groundwork
It is important to begin a relationship without unfinished business. Ideally, each person should enter the relationship from a place of acceptance of their sexual orientation or gender identity. It would be helpful to work through internalized homophobia or transphobia prior to coming together. If you cannot feel good about yourself, it will be harder to feel good about your relationship.
Each couple will need to decide how out to be. Where different levels of being out exist, frustration can develop. If one partner is used to being open about their orientation or identity and the other person has reasons to not disclose, discussing where to be out and where to be judicious can help.
Each person should have a good support system in place. This support will help you deal with external bias and discrimination. A good support system will encourage your relationship to flourish when outside society may undermine it.
Creating What Works
Here are some qualities to look for:
Time: It is a red flag when relationships move too fast. It takes time to learn about a potential partner: What do other people say about him or her? How does she interact with her family? How is he when things do not go his way? Has she ever been arrested? Is he or she in financial trouble?
Family and Friends: Your partner understands and encourages you to spend time with the people you care about. She or he is secure.
Give and Take: Both partners give. Both partners take. No one is being used. No one is being neglected. Responsibilities are not lopsided.
Equality: One person does not have the power and control.
Negotiation: Each person will concede or apologize and do what is best for the relationship. Agreements are renegotiable. Both people take responsibility to make the relationship work.
Decisions: Partners make important decisions together. One person is not deciding everything. Each person makes their own decisions on minor things, but both opinions and preferences are considered in major things. Compromises are made.
Peaceful problem-solving: Disagreements and problems are solved peacefully, without violence. Thoughts can be voiced and heard. There are no personal attacks. After the argument, you both make efforts to resolve the issue. Apologies are made and neither person carries the blame. The resolution is satisfying to both people.
Finances: You work together to manage finances and needs in a mutually agreeable way. There are communicated understandings and goals that you both work toward. No one is hiding information or ignoring concerns.
Sex: As a couple you decide how monogamous to be and you keep the agreement. If you say no to a sex act, that is respected. If you say wait, then your partner waits.
Feelings: You feel good about yourself and your relationship. You want to be in the relationship because you are with the right person, not because it is better than being alone or you fear leaving.
Safety: Both people feel safe and free from threat. There is the absence of physical, verbal and emotional violence. No one is threatening to harm him or herself as a means of manipulation or control. If you choose to keep your orientation private, your partner holds that as sacred.
Challenges in Committed Relationships
LGBT couples begin relationships without clearly defined roles. This is an advantage and a challenge. Each couple can create what works best, yet will have to negotiate things that other couples may take for granted.
Both people may have been socialized to take the lead, but it can be freeing to let go and decide roles based upon each other’s strengths and on what is best for the couple.
LGBT relationships also lack full legal protection in Cambodia. Canbodian law provides protections around health care and finances. There is a health crisis, a partner may not be able to decide things or even visit.
For more information and the brochure about your relationship have the best foundation possible please go to http://www.ewu.edu/x59423.xml
Sunday, November 29, 2009
What MSM Can Do?
Your risk of getting HIV or passing it to someone else depends on several things. Do you know what they are? You might want to talk to someone who knows about HIV. You can also do the following:
If both you and your partner have HIV, use condoms to prevent other STDs and possible infection with a different strain of HIV.
If only one of you has HIV, use a latex condom and lubricant every time you have sex.
If you have, or plan to have, more than one sex partner, consider the following:
- Get tested for HIV. Men who have sex with other men should get tested at least once a year.
- Talk about HIV and other STDs with each partner before you have sex.
- Learn as much as you can about each partner’s past behavior (sex and drug use) and consider the risks to your health before you have sex.
- Ask your partners if they have recently been tested for HIV; encourage those who have not been tested to do so.
- Use a latex condom and lubricant every time you have sex.
- If you think you may have been exposed to another STD such as gonorrhea, syphilis, or Chlamydia trachomatis infection, get treatment. These diseases can increase your risk of getting HIV.
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B viruses.
- Even if you think you have low risk for HIV infection, get tested whenever you have a regular medical check-up.
- Do not inject illicit drugs (drugs not prescribed by your doctor). You can get HIV through needles, syringes, and other works if they are contaminated with the blood of someone who has HIV. Drugs also cloud your mind, which may result in riskier sex.
If you do inject drugs, do the following:
- Use only clean needles, syringes, and other works.
- Never share needles, syringes, or other works.
- Be careful not to expose yourself to another person's blood.
- Get tested for HIV test at least once a year.
- Consider getting counseling and treatment for your drug use.
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B viruses.
- Do not have sex when you are taking drugs or drinking alcohol because being high can make you more likely to take risks.
To protect yourself, remember these BCs:
B=Be Faithful
C=Condoms
If both you and your partner have HIV, use condoms to prevent other STDs and possible infection with a different strain of HIV.
If only one of you has HIV, use a latex condom and lubricant every time you have sex.
If you have, or plan to have, more than one sex partner, consider the following:
- Get tested for HIV. Men who have sex with other men should get tested at least once a year.
- Talk about HIV and other STDs with each partner before you have sex.
- Learn as much as you can about each partner’s past behavior (sex and drug use) and consider the risks to your health before you have sex.
- Ask your partners if they have recently been tested for HIV; encourage those who have not been tested to do so.
- Use a latex condom and lubricant every time you have sex.
- If you think you may have been exposed to another STD such as gonorrhea, syphilis, or Chlamydia trachomatis infection, get treatment. These diseases can increase your risk of getting HIV.
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B viruses.
- Even if you think you have low risk for HIV infection, get tested whenever you have a regular medical check-up.
- Do not inject illicit drugs (drugs not prescribed by your doctor). You can get HIV through needles, syringes, and other works if they are contaminated with the blood of someone who has HIV. Drugs also cloud your mind, which may result in riskier sex.
If you do inject drugs, do the following:
- Use only clean needles, syringes, and other works.
- Never share needles, syringes, or other works.
- Be careful not to expose yourself to another person's blood.
- Get tested for HIV test at least once a year.
- Consider getting counseling and treatment for your drug use.
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B viruses.
- Do not have sex when you are taking drugs or drinking alcohol because being high can make you more likely to take risks.
To protect yourself, remember these BCs:
B=Be Faithful
C=Condoms
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights
Everyone is entitled to a satisfying and safe sex life. We all have the right to decide if, when and with whom we have sex, as well as if, when and with whom we have children. Those are some of the foundations in the work for sexual and reproductive health and rights – SRHR. Here are a few others:
- LGBT people should be able to live their lives in the open, free from discrimination.
- Sexual violence must stop.
- Everyone is entitled to choose for themselves whether they want to marry, and whom.
- Pregnancy should not endanger women's lives (or lesbian's lives.
- Everyone should be given the information they need in order to protect themselves against unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
- Everyone should have access to contraceptives.
- Abortions should be legal, accessible and safe.
- Mothers and infants should be given adequate health care.
The key to development
It was only recently that health and rights connected to sexuality and pregnancy were acknowledged as human rights. The idea still faces fierce opposition. But in the most intimate lies the key to many of the major global challenges today, such as the fight to eradicate poverty, and the struggle to keep the mothers of the world alive.
- LGBT people should be able to live their lives in the open, free from discrimination.
- Sexual violence must stop.
- Everyone is entitled to choose for themselves whether they want to marry, and whom.
- Pregnancy should not endanger women's lives (or lesbian's lives.
- Everyone should be given the information they need in order to protect themselves against unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
- Everyone should have access to contraceptives.
- Abortions should be legal, accessible and safe.
- Mothers and infants should be given adequate health care.
The key to development
It was only recently that health and rights connected to sexuality and pregnancy were acknowledged as human rights. The idea still faces fierce opposition. But in the most intimate lies the key to many of the major global challenges today, such as the fight to eradicate poverty, and the struggle to keep the mothers of the world alive.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Heterosexism and Homophobia
Heterosexism is the devaluation of what is not heterosexual. For example, some individuals believe that being gay is abnormal and something to be pitied or cured, while heterosexuality is the "right" way to be. Others persist in thinking that gays, lesbians and bisexuals are immoral or sick. Yet the American Physiological Association and the American Psychiatric Association declared over two decades ago that homosexuality is not a mental disorder or psychiatric problem. A more subtle form of heterosexism is evident when people assume everyone they meet is straight and eventually wants to marry. Different sexual orientations are treated as if they don't exist, at least "not at my school," church, town, etc.
Homophobia is the irrational fear and dislike of lesbians and gay men. Homophobic jokes, anti-gay graffiti, threats and intimidation as well as assaults against bisexuals, lesbians, and gay men are sad reminders of the fear, bias and hatred in American Culture. Bisexuals face unique discrimination since they are often viewed as outsiders by both gay and straight individuals.
Heterosexism and homophobia are cultural forces that distort perceptions of reality; these must be understood and challenged, along with similar prejudices against class, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, and age.
"Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trangender students need to both know that Bucknell can be both a challenging and supportive environment. The university community is committed to creating a safe space for all students to flourish. It is the responsibility of each of us to help create a safe and welcoming environment for Bucknell community members of all sexual/gender orientations."
Andrew Dunlap, LSW
Psychological Services
Homophobia is the irrational fear and dislike of lesbians and gay men. Homophobic jokes, anti-gay graffiti, threats and intimidation as well as assaults against bisexuals, lesbians, and gay men are sad reminders of the fear, bias and hatred in American Culture. Bisexuals face unique discrimination since they are often viewed as outsiders by both gay and straight individuals.
Heterosexism and homophobia are cultural forces that distort perceptions of reality; these must be understood and challenged, along with similar prejudices against class, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, and age.
"Lesbian, gay, bisexual and trangender students need to both know that Bucknell can be both a challenging and supportive environment. The university community is committed to creating a safe space for all students to flourish. It is the responsibility of each of us to help create a safe and welcoming environment for Bucknell community members of all sexual/gender orientations."
Andrew Dunlap, LSW
Psychological Services
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