| Letters to the Editor
CONDOM QUEST
In response to the letter from Tim Campbell in
the June issue of OutSmart [Letters], we are pleased
that Mr. Campbell thought of Montrose Counseling
Center as a community resource. We often refer
individuals to Montrose Clinic and other GLBT-
and HIV/AIDS-service organizations if we are unable
to help a person directly. Unfortunately, it appears
that Mr. Campbell’s request (for a “supply
of condoms” for an AA meeting) was outside
the scope of MCC’s funding. The specific
funds that MCC receives to purchase condoms are
from the state and federal governments, which
restrict the way that we may distribute them.
Condoms are available to all of our clients who
come to MCC at 701 Richmond Avenue, and they are
passed out through MCC’s HIV Street Outreach
program. Other organizations have methods of distribution
based on their funding restrictions, so we often
make referrals to one another in an effort to
assist the person in need.
Ann J. Robison, PhD
Executive Director, Montrose Counseling Center
In his letter printed in our June issue, Tim Campbell
complained that he could not obtain condoms for
the Lambda Center from either Montrose Counseling
Center or Montrose Clinic. A response follows
from the latter organization.
Montrose Clinic attempts to satisfy all requests
for condoms to local organizations, businesses,
and events; however, due to occasional supply
shortages, requests are handled on a case-by-case
basis. The Clinic often utilizes condom packs
containing two condoms, four packets of lube,
and educational and referral information. Earlier
this year, the Clinic supplied 1,000 condom packs
to the organizers of LUEY weekend to distribute
to party attendees, 250 condom packs were available
at the Lone Star Volleyball Association tournament,
500 condom packs were given to National Leather
Association Houston for their Spring Inequity
event, 250 packs went to the Bunnies on the Bayou
fundraiser, and 500 were passed out at the Jungle
Lust party. For this year’s Pride Parade,
Montrose Clinic will be handing out 5,000 condom
packs. Also, single condoms and educational information
have been delivered to the gay AA center. If your
organization or event would like to have condom
packs available at your next event, please contact
me at 713/830-3068 or eroland@montroseclinic.org.
Eric Roland
Director of Education, Montrose Clinic
Male condoms, female condoms, and dentals dams
are available at no charge at the Houston GLBT
Community Center, 3400 Montrose Blvd., Suite 207,
courtesy of the city of Houston HIV/AIDS prevention
department. Check out www.HoustonGLBTCenter.org
for more information.
Clarence Burton Bagby
Houston GLBT Community Center President
ONE SOLDIER’S STORY
I would like to thank you for printing a great
story on the movie Soldier’s Girl [“Keeping
Pace,” May], which although sad at the end
was very good. I myself am a transsexual. So this
story hit home. That is why at the end my sister
and I had tears running down our faces.
Lisa A. Estrine
Encinitas, California
IN THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
Two OutSmart contributors, D.L. (Deb) Murphy and
Sally Sheklow, received awards at the May 31 Houston
Press Club Lone Star Awards dinner. Murphy collected
a bronze trophy for her March 2002 feature “School’s
Out.” Sheklow won bronze honors for her
January 2002 column “Thanks for Sharing.”
Check out the online archives to read both articles.
CORRECTIONS
We hope everyone made it to the Pride parade on
June 28 despite the fact that we bollixed the
date in last month’s issue [“We Like
a Parade in June”].
If you have any comments about this article,
please email them to letters@outsmartmagazine.com.
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