3/28/97 - GayPLAY

KSAP, the Kent Sussex AIDS Programformerly known as Turnaboutis offering a number of community services this year for the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender population of Southern Delaware. Penny LeCates, KSAP Program Director, states, "After years of providing counseling, treatment and support services to people with HIV/AIDS we are now broadening our efforts to meet the comprehensive needs of our community. We offer individual, group and couple counseling for HIV/AIDS issues, in-home counseling and support for people with AIDS, a HIV/AIDS resource library, substance abuse counseling, public speaking and community presentations about HIV/AIDS topics. Now, in addition we are expanding to include HIV negative gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender people who need the above services. It is an exciting time for us as we get more involved with the entire gay community."

Last year a research project was conduced to determine what kind of HIV prevention services would be helpful in the Rehoboth Beach area. "We found people wanted more than talk and more than training over and over on the facts of HIV/AIDS. Everybody knew all the answers to the factual questionswhat was interesting was the decision making process individuals had gone through adapting the facts to their lifestyles," commented Nancy Holmes, the researcher and now the Prevention Coordinator at KSAP. "We really have not spent much time allowing people to discuss choices without making judgments or lecturing."

Currently, KSAP is facilitating discussion groups and providing community leadership trainings to fill in the service gaps. "We will always be committed to the unending demands of HIV/AIDS providing quality services at little or no cost," Nancy continues. "Our mission is to strengthen the foundation of our community, to help reduce risk behavior in whatever formdepression, low self-esteem, loneliness, addiction, unsafe sexby creating safe environments where discussions can be held, support/resources can be shared, and a community identity can be shaped. We want to help make us stronger, wiser, happier and healthier. We named the prevention projects PLAY! (Prevention Lessons and Activities for You!) and for the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender community "gay PLAY!" (you've probably seen the great tee-shirts designed by Murray Archibald).

Funding for the new initiatives is from the Southern Division of the Public Health Service. Jim Dickinson is the Project Officer and supports new, creative approaches to preventing and treating HIV/AIDS such as the various community development and support services KSAP has developed. "Jim is tireless in his efforts to get Sussex and Kent counties moving in healthy directions. His creativity and support constantly motivate us," Nancy and Penny agreed.

Flyers announcing the variety of KSAP services are already popping up all over Rehoboth, a discussion and social group for under 25 year old men having sex with men, on Fridays at 7:00 - 8:30 in Georgetown and Rehoboth; a lesbian discussion group in Rehoboth; and a "County Hollar: Come On Down, Fellas!" community forum scheduled for late Aprilwe can't wait to talk about the details of this event! So keep your eyes wide open and loin KSAP activities soon. For more information or suggestions, please call Penny LeCates or Nancy Holmes or Cliff Wilson at (302) 856-2388 or (302) 226-9695. Play with us! All activities are free or low cost!

Translator Needed for young gay men's group Friday evenings from 7 - 8:30 in Georgetown and Rehoboth. Please call Nancy at (302) 856-2388.

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3/28/97 Issue. Copyright 1997 by CAMP Rehoboth, Inc. All rights reserved.