June 19, 2008 |
Contacts:
Krishna Stone, 212.367.1016
|
GMHC Mourns the loss of Michael Shernoff
March 31, 1951–June 17, 2008
Gay Men's Health Crisis mourns the loss of Michael Shernoff, MSW, LCSW, ACSW—an outstanding, dedicated pioneer in the field of HIV and AIDS, and longtime friend and volunteer. Michael's relationship with GMHC started in the early years of the AIDS epidemic. In 1985, Michael, Daniel Bloom, JD, CSW and Luis Palacios-Jimenez, developed HIV prevention workshops for gay men at GMHC and other community-based organizations throughout the United States and Canada. The workshop—"Eroticizing Safer Sex"—and the facilitator's guide became one of the cornerstone works in what was then the new field of HIV prevention. The tremendous impact of Michael's work in preventing the spread of AIDS and saving countless lives can never be fully measured.
Michael wrote extensively about a wide range of topics including gay male sexuality, HIV prevention, counseling people living with HIV and AIDS, and family treatment with chemically dependent gay men and lesbians. He was a teacher, an expert in mental health, and an openly gay psychotherapist for over 31 years.
After retiring from private practice following his cancer diagnosis, Michael continued to share his wealth of knowledge and experience as a volunteer on the GMHC Hotline. Many of the staff and fellow volunteers in the Hotline lovingly thought of him as the "essence of integrity, respect and humility," "a man of great warmth and intelligence," "a great friend and mentor to everyone on the Hotline," and "an affectionate man with a wicked sense of humor."
His remarkable expertise as a therapist, professor, trainer and activist will be profoundly missed. Our tender thoughts and condolences are with his partner, John Goodman.
* * *
About Gay Men's Health Crisis
Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. We provide services and programs to over 15,000 men, women and families that are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in New York City, and outreach and education to hundreds of thousands throughout the world.
© 2008 Gay Men's Health Crisis
|
home 
