DELAWARE’S LESBIAN HEALTH RESOURCE GUIDE PUBLISHED

Wilmington, DE, June 30, 2003 – Taking Care of Ourselves, a program of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, Inc. (DBCC) for lesbians and women who partner with women introduces Delaware’s Lesbian Health Resource Guide, a compilation of lesbian-friendly health care providers and facilities in Delaware. The Guide is available on-line at www.debreastcancer.org, or paper copies may be requested by calling (302) 778-1102.

Lesbians and women who partner with women face barriers to accessing health care, including fear of disclosing sexual orientation. Many women have had previous negative experiences within the health care system and avoid routine health care, seeking it only in times of emergency.

The Guide will help lesbians feel more at ease, knowing that the providers listed in the guide are sensitive to the needs of lesbian patients. The health care providers and facilities listed in the Guide were either referred by members of the lesbian community, or completed a survey and requested to be listed in the guide.

The Guide is one of many services provided to the lesbian communities in Delaware by the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, Inc. Through Taking Care of Ourselves, DBCC provides breast health house parties, breast health workshops, and training to health care providers about lesbian health. The latest workshop was entitled Becoming an Empowered Health Care Consumer and addressed issues concerning communicating with and coming out to health care providers.

For more information, please call DBCC at (302) 778-1102 or (866) 312-DBCC (toll free in Delaware), or e-mail at dbcc@debreastcancer.org.

This project is supported by a grant from the Philadelphia Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. DBCC was established in 1991 by a small group of community volunteers to raise awareness of breast cancer by providing information, education and support in a caring and responsive manner on the early detection and treatment of breast cancer. DBCC is a member of the National Breast Cancer Coalition and supports their efforts to research the causes of breast cancer and pursue optimal treatments and cures. DBCC is located at 100 W. 10th Street, Suite 1115 in Wilmington, DE 19801, with a Resource Center located in Dover, DE. For additional information, please call (302) 778-1102 or visit our website at www.debreastcancer.org.