Dear Editor:

Thank you for publishing this excellent article, which focuses attention on the prevalence and complexities of addiction within our Lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. The fact that Lesbians still remain essentially invisible and ignored by the mainstream culture does indeed complicate the identification and treatment of substance abuse in many ways. Articles like this one provide some reassurance, at least within our LGBT community, that Lesbian health issues are important and need to be addressed, and thus can and do provide a positive impact.

Two years ago, Stepping Stone embarked upon an effort to develop a social marketing plan tailored to Lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women who have issues involving addiction. It was largely a volunteer effort, headed by then-Board member Mary Stockton, and generously supported by researcher Dr. Jim Zians. The team quickly realized that the research upon which to base such a marketing campaign was simply not in existence. They took it upon themselves to develop and administer an LBT women’s health and health attitudes survey instrument, and followed it up with a series of focus groups. As a result of this effort, ads were developed that appealed to women, and the number of women seeking services increased. Concurrently, Stepping Stone began providing limited women-specific outpatient services. Stepping Stone is currently trying to identify the funding that is needed to continue and expand these services, and to increase the number of beds for women within the residential facility.

Stepping Stone is the premier provider of alcohol and other drug treatment, recovery, life-enhancing and prevention services in the GLBT communities of the San Diego region. It is important for all of us to recognize that the health of LBT women is in a large part dependent on the availability of women-specific services. This article does a great service by shining a light on the issues. Readers should also know that they can donate money, volunteer their efforts to help raise funds, and encourage their friends and loved ones to do likewise.

Sandy Johnson

Stepping Stone Board of Directors

Dear Editor:

This is a response to Mr. Primavera’s letter regarding teen age pregnancy. Yes, Prop 85 is the second time in one year that those individuals who are anti-choice have put the same initiative on the ballot. Last year it was Prop.73, and was defeated. This year, with a very few changes of wording, it is on the ballot again. It was primarily funded by a wealthy newspaper owner from San Diego, who also publishes a religious newspaper that is anti-choice .

And yes, most young teen age girls do talk with their parents before deciding to have an abortion. But, Proposition 85 hurts the girls who are afraid to talk with their parents. They are afraid of being thrown out of their homes, or they are afraid of violent punishment. They also may be a victim of incest.

Prop.85 affects these most vulnerable teenagers.

It is when instead of going to an abusive parent, a girl will risk a back ally abortion that she is in danger. And, Notification laws have not reduced teen pregnancy in other states.

I want to thank Richard Valdez for his understanding of this very sensitive issue. I think that he would be a great parent.

I hope that all of you who advocate for Civil and Human Rights will vote no on Prop. 85 .And for those of you who would like to help defeat Prop. 85, please call SD County Chapter of NOW at 619-238-1824.

Gloria Johnson