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Show Friday, June The Daily Utah Chronicle - 3 2,1995:' of gays, lesbians find support iin clufi Kids BY MARIANNE SCHMIDT Chronicle Staff Writer sands of whom are under 10, according to COLAGE. "The most feared epithet in schools is fag or dike," chfldren of one of me most socially stigma- - bian couple. said , Lynch. "This is tough on kids because they iden' ' '.. "Heather's favorite number is two. She has two tify strongly with their parents. Children associated rjzed American groups now have a forum. Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere was arms, two legs, two eyes, two cars, two hands and two with gays and lesbians are more likely targets for vioformed in 1988 by children of gays and lesbians to feet Heather has two pets: a ginger colored cat lence. Children may also feel pressure from parents not to tell anyone." provide support and information to teenage and' named Gingersnap and a big black dog named adult children lesbian Mama and has Instead of dwelling on ignorance, the club emphaHeather also mommies: of two Midnight. gay young parents. Resulting from a need to reach children age 10 and Jane and Mama Kate," is an excerpt from this chil--' sizes the diversity of the family structures, racial backunder, COLAGE has organized a kids' dub com- - dren's book. ... grounds, economic levels and how kids came into the world in fun and engaging ways. Membership ;pletc with membership cards and a quarterly :newslctter..i,V'--;r-';"s---'-- ; in the club includes membcrsliip cards, . SThe most pressing problem facing kids birthday cards and die "FunPagcs", a quarterly I with lesbian and gays publication similar to the kids' pages in the gay parents is our isolation" said Suzanne Pullcn, COLAGE's administra- newspaper. The "FunPagcs" have lesbian- - and viomore likely tive assistant and herself a daughter of a lesbian cartoons, games and member sub-' lence. Children may also mother. missions, according to COLAGE. world it's isn't adult of There have been 37 different studies conducted about an fit ,. politics, to anyone.' about children from gay and lesbian houseabout a kid's world of connecting and making , mends who understand. It according to Lynch. The studies have exposes kids all Lynch holds, found that "daughters and sons of lesbian, gay over the world to a community they are a . and bisexual parents have the same incidence of product and a part of, in a way that they can -- . ' .' relate to." : ; hcterosexuality as the general population." . ' from Children censored books school like of gays and lesbians arc more of books others them The These and are most two j many category about a wide variety of things than people with . and public libraries in 1993 were, books for children kept from the children: who could benefit the most from them, children with gay and lesbian parents. . ; with gay and lesbian parents, according to Stefan straight parents, daughters of lesbians have higher ' than daughters of straight women, sons "The isolation comes from a lot of outside forces Lynch, executive director of COLAGE. .. "They're just children's stories that happen to that keep families hidden," said Lynch. "There are a are more caring and less aggressive, and there is have gay or lesbian parents in them," Lynch said. lot of myths associated with gay and lesbian families. absolutely no evidence that children are psychologi- "Fart of the cally or physically harmed by having gay, lesbian or purpose of the club is to circumvent the The biggest one is that they don't have children." The American Bar Association estimates there are bisexual parents, according to COLAGE. : censorship. ' ' is Willhoite Roommate" Michael Anyone interested in COLAGE or the kids dub can amlad by upwards of 8 million daughters and sons of lesbian Daddy's it at 2300 Market Stmt 165, San Francisco, Calif 94114. written from the perspective of a young boy who tells and gay parents in the LIS. alone, hundreds of thou about his parents divorce and what things are like in . his family. "Heather has Two Mommies" by Leslea Newman tells the story of a young girl bom to a 1 Events Today An open house for at U.'s BirthCare HcalthCare Clinic (4500 S. 2180 East, Suite 150) will be held from 3 p.m.-- p.m. The Peace Institute will take place from 2 p.m.-- 3 p.m. in 418 Union. ,: . s, "Children associated with and lesbians are targets for feel pressure from parents not tell Stefan . - . open-minde- , "I didn't they know what the problem is," he said. "The parents need to know what we recommend." ' Cabal, who does most of the Spanish translating herAt first glance Armando Marcias looks like a normal, self, is looking for bilingual volunteers from the commu- - t healthy, boy. He's 10 years old,, plays soccer with his nity to "help in her programShe ays that by far thej friends, goes to elementary school, and loves to watch biggest need is 'Spanish. She' currently has seven TV. Spanish-speaki; r volunteers, but hopes to have over 20. While Cabal fervently seeks Spanish speakers, she - However, life can often be painful for Armando because he was born with spina bifida, a spinal defect says that she needs people who speak all languages. She is especially in need of Asian languages, such as that does not allow the lower body to develop fully. Armando can walk normally without wearing braces Mandarin, Vietnamese, Korean and Thai She also on his legs, but he is often plagued with pain in his head, needs people who speak other European languages, back or legs. He has had lour operations and may need Polynesian languages, African languages and Middle ' more. t; Eastern languages, j ,,,,, :. said. she his difficulties "It's a big job," But for Armando, the ; do not stop with Cabal explained that Armando's case is not as serious illness. He and his family are from Mexico, and his mother, Maria, speaks very little English. This makes it as many. "Sometimes you have to see blood," she said, hard for her to communicate with her son's doctors and since translators are often sent to the emergency room. She also said that translators sometimes have to break nurses. bad news to parents concerning their children's illnesses. "It makes me feel bad because there's a lack of comShe told of a recent experience where she had to tell a ' munication," she said in Spanish. It is vital for her to understand her son's doctors in mother that her young child's tumor had grown larger. "You have to feel comfortable in a hospital environorder for her to help him with his treatment, which includes medicine and exercises. ment," she said. In her search for bilingual volunteers, Cabal is trying .lb help, its patrons communicate with staff members Primary Children's Medical , to use the U. as a primary resource, since many foreign students' attend the U. and live dose to the hospital, Center, like other hospitals has implemented a translations department. Lucy Cabal, a Colombian native who which is near die U. Medical Center. from is volunteers Utah's large also recruiting She directs the department, says that her program often missionaries. LDS returned population of bilingual depends on volunteers from the community. In her recruiting effort at the U., Cabal has contacted "You the volunteer are the intermediary between the Bcnnion Center and the International Center. The the doctor and the patient" is usulatter, she says, is providing her with a list of interna, According to Cabal, the lack of communication '. tional students. because ally between parents and doctors or nurses, coordinator Bcnnion Center learned to Ryan group According most of the children speak English because they it in school. However, the parents are usually in charge Russell, Primary Children's translations program will work with the Bcnnion Center's English as a Second of the child's treatment. ' has Armando's neurologist Joel Thompson, M.D., Language Program next year. "It provides a setting where you can use a foreign lan. started learning Spanish to communicate better with . guage," he said. some of his patients and their families. As the community in Salt Lake "It'i an important language," he said. "Like most peoneed to go to grows, Cabal says her program is desperate for people, ple, I can say a few things in Spanish. I and hopes the community will get involved. . Mexico for two months to better learn it." "We need people now," she said. Thompson, who is also the director of the hospitals is For more information about Prima7 Children't Medical spina bifida dink, said that usually his basic Spanish franslation program, or to become a volunteer, Centers not enough, so he has to get a translator. 7. call , Lucy Cabal at "It's especially important because we need to be sure " BY JOHN DRAPER Chronicle Staff Writer C know that about Planned Parenfh , ;- ;,.'' . Planned Parenthood is only concerned with birth control and sex counseling. But Planned Parenthood is committed to all the reproductive health needs of women. They sincerely care about people. They're sensitive, courteous, and very professional. And everything is confidential. I can afford to go any- where, but you won't find me any place elsel . P Planned Rarer Brirg this coupon to Planned ParenthoocTs SakLakeHeafch Center far $10 Off - a complete annual exam. Orckit of your kt! : RranappwfenentVcal -- , 322-557- 9m) AflBWB fcF SrSrUW ttatM to l lt.1ll HuMMthn - ' SsMM( hilWlllMI ' n June 5 The U. Child Coordinating Office will offer free child care through June 8 for students with children years old. for more inforCall 585-589- 7 mation. 2-- 6 June 9 A garage sale to raise funds for the Learning Disabilities Association of Utah will be held today and tomorrow at Taylorsvillc Park (4700 S. Redwood Road). For more information call Claire at 963-380- CoupcmkrwesWCWS 0 -- barbecue and "Learn to Row" day will take place at the Great Salt Lake Marina from 9 a.m.-- 1 p.m. For information call Mclanic at 3631626 orjared at 5614266. June 14 Da Ncce Fickett, registered nurse, will speak at a U. Ncurospychiatric Institute lecture called "What b Quality Mental Health Care?1' at noon. June 15 Laura Csajkowski will speak, at a Ncurospychiatric Institute lecture called "ADHD in Adulthood: Its Effect on Work Performance" at 7:30 am Call to RSVP. 583-250- 0 June 22 TMiSWIilhrM IktMMtMt mmtn UMMMhlMH WimMii mi mm . iteCMMtMMto ImmmmUm itmtm . : hUO. Clii Tin Mm. Wiii WtOotrlmWiU w ii CkMMtol immmmmmmi ' . '. Willcm Kolff, U. professor, will speak at an ASM International Utah Chapter distinguished lecture called "The Resurrection of the Artificial Heart and Other in the Litde Novelties" America Hotel, Idaho Room at or 6 p.nt RSVP at 581-721- 7 581-638- 6. June 23 Resource Center will hold the Progroff Intensive Journal Program 0 through June 25. Call ' . for more informaiion. The Women's 581-803- , lite Ml TM 9m 6. St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church will hold a car show and carnival from 5 p.m.-1p.m. today, from 10 a.m. midnight tomorrow, and from 9 a.m. noon on Sunday at 4914 S. 2200 West. For more information call ttfm9 CaM UM.U mfmm 1 UTAH CHRONICLE RECOMMENDED SUMMER MOVIE VIEWING LIST. SEE THEM ALL OR ELSE! ftnJ S. Eastern Arts will present the Festival featuring traditional music and dance from Afghanistan and India at 8 p.m. in die U. Fine. Arts Auditorium. Indo-Afgha- 654 Saudi 900 East 588-376- DAILY think You probably , THE 355-ART- June 10 Salt Lake Sculling's annual s ! June 3 An concert, fea-- , Concert Chorale U. the luring and A'cappclla Choir will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Abravancl, Hall. For tickets call 968-236- . ,. , -- ng , , d self-estee- Primary Children !s Med Center seeking U. student translators . 7 June 24 Salt Lake's Greek Orthodox community will hold a dinner and dance to raise funds for U. Greek language classes. Cost is $25 per person. Call 328-968to purchase tickets. 1 ; |