The Mautner Project's Beds,
Breakfasts and Breasts
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| Compiled by GayToday
Washington, DC- Beds, Breakfasts and Breasts is an innovative new program
to promote lesbian breast health through partnerships with inns and bed and
breakfast facilities (B&B's) that cater to a lesbian clientele.
"Lesbian-friendly B&B's provide a welcoming and safe place for lesbians to
relax and be themselves," says Kathleen DeBold, Executive Director of the
Mautner Project for Lesbians with Cancer. "That makes them the perfect
environment for delivering breast health messages geared toward our
community."
Throughout the month of May, the Mautner Project is furnishing
lesbian-friendly inns around the country with free Beds, Breakfasts and
Breasts ("3-B") kits to share with their guests. The "3-B" kits include
"Dykes to Watch Out For" breast self-exam shower cards - specially designed
by popular cartoonist Alison Bechdel - and brochures describing the breast
health and other services available through the Mautner Project.
Because B&B's are such an integral part of the lesbian community, Beds,
Breakfasts and Breasts will also help the Mautner Project reach a wider
segment of the lesbian population, especially those who are older or
closeted. "Older lesbians are at a higher risk for cancer and closeted women
are the hardest to reach with lesbian-oriented health messages," says
DeBold. "Many lesbians wouldn't dream of visiting an LGBT community center
or attending a gay pride event in their own towns, for fear of being outed,"
says DeBold, "but they will visit an out-of-town B&B, so that's where we'll
reach them."
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In addition to educating lesbians about breast cancer risk reduction and
screening, Beds, Breakfasts and Breasts highlights the services and support
available to lesbians with cancer, their partners and caregivers. These
range from phone and email support for women who are homebound or
geographically isolated, to referrals to lesbian-friendly providers and
agencies in local communities. "The Mautner Project exists so that no
lesbian has to face the challenges of cancer alone," says DeBold. "The more
women we can reach through the 3-B program, the closer we'll be to making
that a reality."
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Lesbian Health: A Landmark Report
Tai Chi: How Meditative Exercizes Help
Related Sites:
The Mautner Project
GayToday does not endorse related sites.
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If the Bed, Breakfasts and Breasts program is successful, the Mautner
Project will launch the second phase of their B&B outreach, Beds, Breakfasts
and Butts, later this summer. The goal of Beds, Breakfasts and Butts will be
to increase the number of smoke-free, lgbt-friendly venues and to get
smoking cessation information into the hands of as many smokers, their
lovers and friends as possible.
Founded in 1990, the non-profit Mautner Project is the nation's leading
lesbian health organization. The Mautner Project provides direct services to
lesbians with cancer, educates lesbians about cancer; trains healthcare
providers about the needs and concerns of women who partner with women; and
is the leading advocate on lesbian health issues nationwide.
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