Somewhere along the fund-raising and development continuum for non-profits that serve gay men, someone had a clever and profitable thought, that gay men are inclined to purchase materials with photos of good-looking, sexy men.

Enter the Texas Men Calendar, the creation of Tyler Productions, as a means of benefiting the Montrose Clinic.

The calendar, with 12 months of bare-chested, sexy men, will be unveiled Sunday during an all-day event at Berryhill Baja Grill & Cantina in Montrose.

A Bottomless Mimosa Brunch kicks off the event at 10 a.m. for $20.00 per person. A percentage of the brunch proceeds will also benefit The Montrose Clinic.
Festivities move to Berryhill’s Outrageous Patio Party at noon for giveaways, calendar sales and various drink promotions.

Models from the Texas Men Calendar are expected to show up at 1 p.m. to sign calendars and greet their public. A live auction gets underway at 3 p.m. featuring Houston PBS personality Ernie Manouse.

Along with 12 pretty faces, the calendar also provides information regarding the services offered by the Montrose Clinic.

Calendar creator and Tyler Productions Executive Director Matthew Soileau developed the calendar specifically to bring a greater focus of the goods and services the clinic provides.

“Of course we want to raise funds for the organization, but we would also like the community to become more familiar with the benefits the Montrose Clinic provides, “ Soileau said. “The calendar is a fun and creative way to do both.”

Soileau serves as Board Vice-Chair of the Montrose Clinic.

Most Texas Men models are represented by the Neil Hamil Modeling Agency.

Soileau said he hopes the calendar will prove to be an effective fund-raising vehicle for a nonprofit that serves a diverse clientele.

Originally established to treat sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), Montrose Clinic has greatly expanded its programs over the last 20-plus years to meet the needs of underserved people throughout the greater Houston area.

Responding to the HIV epidemic since 1985
A United Way agency, the clinic has been at the forefront of responding to the HIV epidemic since 1985, when it became the city’s first, and the nation’s second, alternative HIV antibody testing site.

The clinic now serves more than 15,000 men, women and teens annually, with more than 30,000 patient/client visits for a full spectrum of care.

“Homophobia in medical practice is an unfortunate reality,” said Katy Caldwell, clinic executive director. “Disclosing information about sexual orientation can be anxiety provoking. We specialize in addressing the unique needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in a culturally sensitive environment.“

Responding to the need for health care in a non-judgmental and confidential setting, Montrose Clinic now provides affordable health care services to all, regardless of HIV status.

Community Care targets individuals who are uninsured and underinsured, especially gay men, lesbians, bisexual, and transgender individuals who want to access appropriate care.

“Overall, the LGBT community generally receives less health care and the quality of this care also suffers,” Caldwell added. “LGBT individuals face financial, personal, and cultural barriers as they attempt to access competent, culturally sensitive health care services. Mistrust of the medical profession and the anxiety produced from facing these barriers prevent some LGBT individuals from receiving the screening and preventive services they need, and may, in fact, cause delays in receiving necessary care for treating acute conditions.”

Caldwell pointed out the importance of sexual orientation disclosure in the health environment setting.

“There is a general tendency to be guarded or not disclose information about one’s sexual orientation or gender identity. This may further impede proper health care treatment,” she said.

Recently published works on the health of gay men suggest that they are at increased risk for anal cancer, lung cancer and Hepatitis A & B. Gay men also have a higher tendency to smoke, abuse substances and suffer from depression.

The Montrose Clinic recommends Hepatitis A and B vaccinations and anal Pap smears for gay men. The clinic also provides TB Skin tests and other laboratory services. Services are provided at convenient times by a team of physicians and nurse practitioners.

For more information on these or other services at Montrose Clinic or to make an appointment call 713-830-3000 or visit www.montroseclinic.org

The calendars are $10.00 each and are available for purchase at Berryhill Montrose or www.matthewsoileau.com.

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