Health News
2006-07-19
Cleveland
bathhouse raises HIV fears
Some health
officials in Cleveland are worried that a 50,000-square-foot
gay bathhouse scheduled to open next month in the city could
Some health
officials in Cleveland are worried that a 50,000-square-foot
gay bathhouse scheduled to open next month in the city could
interfere with efforts to lower rates of HIV and other
sexually transmitted diseases, The Plain Dealer
reports.
According to the
city health department, new HIV infections reached an
11-year high in 2005, with most of the cases being among gay
or bisexual men. Health experts worry that unprotected
sex at the planned bathhouse, called Flex, will boost
that rate even higher. They’re hoping to include
HIV awareness programs, HIV antibody testing, and condom
distribution campaigns at the facility. Charles Fleck,
Flex’s owner, has said he will sign an
agreement addressing the health department’s concerns
before the bathhouse opens.
Flex will be the
fifth gay bathhouse in Ohio—there are two in
Cleveland, two in Columbus, and one in Toledo. (The
Advocate)
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