July 20, 2010

Gay Marriage: Paraguay or Uruguay, Who’s Next?

July 20, 2010 by Jason Shaw

Who’s next on the equality trail? Things are moving at quite a rapid pace down there in South America. Could Uruguay and Paraguayfollow in the footsteps of near by neighbor Argentina and legalize gay marriage?

Gay rights groups and campaigners in both Uruguay and Paraguay are pushing hard for their respective parliaments to consider bills allowing gay’s equal marriage rights.

Argentina became the first country in Southern America to make gay marriage legal, with the President, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner expected to ratify the law this week.

However media reports from the region are suggesting Uruguay is now the most likely of the two countries to introduce equal gay marriage rights. It would seem the most logical step as they already have same sex civil unions, there are also adoption rights for gay couples, plus gay people have the right to serve openly in the military.

Paraguay is less likely to make the change at least for the moment, as church leaders have already been speaking out against such things, however gay rights group, Somosgay, announced this week it will lobby government to introduce a bill.

Roman Catholic Bishop Adalberto Martinez of San Pedo stated a “intense educational campaign” on Christian values would be launched and the the country’s vice-president Federico Franco has said man and woman were created to raise a family.

However the momentum for gay marriage in South America is starting to gain speed, with many observers expecting bills to be introduced in both countries before the end of the year

Jason Shaw

http://www.gayagenda.com

Mike Jones, Male Prostitute Who Outed Ted Haggard, Says a 1/5of His Johns Were Clergy

Mike Jones, the Denver prostitute and personal trainer who outed former New Life Church pastor Ted Haggard in 2006, wrote an article Saturday for the Daily Beast in which he estimates as many as 15% of his clients in Denver were in some way connected to the church.

From the Daily Beast article:

During the 1990s, when I worked as an escort in Denver, Colorado, I estimate at least 15 percent of my clientele were clergy or connected with the church in some way. There were one-timers and there were guys who came back again and again and again, and they were all the same: positively giddy when the encounter began, unable to look you in the eye as they left. The excitement that initially animated them was wholly overshadowed by the despondency and guilt that would overcome them as soon as it was over.

I can't imagine the guilt they were feeling. Not only were they having sex with another man--a sin punishable by God, in their minds--but I believe many of them were doing exactly what Father Gray did: stealing from their own churches. Maybe not a million bucks, maybe not even so much that anyone would notice. But more than once I was paid for my services with a handful of crinkled ones and fives. I would think to myself, how could they take from their own church's collection plate? The answer is simple and sad: addicts will do whatever they need to do to support their habit.

In November, 2006, Jones claimed that he and Haggard, who was in a leadership position at the National Council of Evangelicals at the time, carried on a three-year sexual relationship during which the Colorado Springs-based pastor paid Jones for oral sex and admitted to taking crystal meth.

At the time, Jones said he outed Haggard because he wanted to "expose the hypocrisy." Haggard was a vehement opponent of gay marriage.

After a hiatus from the Church, Haggard has returned to Colorado Springs where he has started a new Church. He has made headlines lately with his softened rhetoric on gay rights, saying he would welcome gay members at his church. Last week, Haggard announced his church wasmoving to a new venue after out-growing the Haggard family's Colorado Springs barn.

denver@huffingtonpost.com

Argentina Passed Marriage Equality and It Is Because of Its President! Video

Possible AIDS breakthrough

Sarah Coffey

Jul 20th 2010 at 6:00am

Filed under: Health, In the News

U.S. researchers have discovered two powerful antibodies that can neutralize more than 90% of all known strains of the HIV virus in the lab, according to new research by National Institutes of Health scientists.

The antibodies, known as VRCO1 and VRCO2, prevent most HIV strains from infecting human cells, a potential breakthrough for advancing HIV vaccine design, and antibody therapy for other diseases.

The study is published in the July 9 issue of Science.

"The discovery of these exceptionally broadly neutralizing antibodies to HIV and the structural analysis that explains how they work are exciting advances that will accelerate our efforts to find a preventive HIV vaccine for global use," said Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health.

"In addition, the technique the teams used to find the new antibodies represents a novel strategy that could be applied to vaccine design for many other infectious diseases," Fauci stressed in a statement.

At the end of 2006, around 1.1 million people in the U.S. were living with an HIV infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Globally, the number of people getting treatment for AIDS has increased twelve-fold since 2003, according to Aids2010.org.

Tip #3 of 7: Find New Love By Closing Old Wounds>Entering The Golden Age of Dating

Tip #3: Find New Love By Closing Old Wounds
Reaching the Golden Age of Dating
by Ramon Johnson

Many years ago, a friend and I relished in our ability to cite the most fabulous of historical monarchs,
Elizabeth I. It’s said that the young queen harbored in the Golden Age of British prosperity. Even so,
she lost her personal war on love.

"I am married to England," Elizabeth declared in herring defiance to the miscreant Sir Robert Dudley.
She risked her crown for her adorer. He, in return, broke her heart by plotting against her life. She kept
him alive despite his treason as a constant reminder of how close she came to danger—declaring her
independence from the like of any man. Her primary concern became matters she could control, not
unpredictable men.

Modern day love isn’t quite as melodramatic, but my friend and I had experienced our fare share of no
good Dudley’s. Our dates always started out with excitement and ended in complete anarchy. Some
mini-relationships lasted a few hours, others weeks until they suddenly ended with us left alone in a
tower of loneliness and regret. We began dating with extreme caution, assuming that every man would
inevitably break our hearts.

It’s understandable: Why would we surrender to the monstrous dating scene? We’d been hurt so many times.
The crown of our hearts proved to be much more fragile than one of a kingdom. Instead of harboring
in a new age of love, we wallowed in our lost opportunities.

There needed to be a change if we were ever to break the cycle. In order to make room for better love,
we had to free our crowded perceptions.

Far too many of us take the bitter queen approach to love. You see, the mistake Elizabeth made was
keeping Lord Robert alive. We too kept our old failures alive in the form of resentment, anger, bitterness
and mistrust. And holding on to past failures leaves little room for future possibilities. Our crown jewels
don’t always have to be protected in order for us to be fully appreciated by other men. Each opportunity
must be approached with a clean bully of possibilities.

Sour subjects exist in every realm of dating potentials. And most of us, at some point or another, have fallen
victim to their folly. But better, more affirmative men await our approach. Only by sending old wounds to
the gallows can we harbor in a new, more prosperous golden age of dating.

Taxpayers Demand $4.4 Million Refund Over Anti-Gay Military Survey

Servicemembers United an advocacy organization dedicated to repealing the anti-gay military policy known as Don't Ask Don't Tell is furious over a new and biased survey about the policy.

The Department of Defense just paid the research firm Westat the outrageous sum of $4.4 million to design and administer an email-based survey about the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law. While its development was shrouded in secrecy for weeks, leaked copies of the final version recently began circulating. To everyone’s surprise, the survey, which went out to 400,000 service members, turned out to be laced with bias, inaccuracies, and derogatory assumptions and insinuations about gay and lesbian Americans. Demand that Westat and the Pentagon repay the American Taxpayer for this outrageous waste of $4.4 million!

United Nations Grants Official Status to U.S.-based International LGBT Rights Group

United Nations Grants Official Status to U.S.-based International LGBT Rights Group
A victory against homophobic silencing of civil society
07/19/2010

(July 19, 2001) On July 19, 2010, the full United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) voted in favor of a US-led resolution to grant the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) consultative status. IGLHRC is only the tenth organization working primarily for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) human rights to gain such status at the United Nations.

"Today's decision is an affirmation that the voices of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have a place at the United Nations as part of a vital civil society community," said Cary Alan Johnson, IGLHRC Executive Director. "The clear message here is that these voices should not be silenced and that human rights cannot be denied on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity."

The resolution passed with 23 in favor, 13 against, and 13 abstentions and 5 absences.

This victory is particularly significant, coming as it does after a prolonged 3-year application process in the sub-committee that makes initial recommendations on status. Despite full compliance with all procedures IGLHRC faced deferrals, homophobic questioning, and procedural roadblocks in the ECOSOC NGO Committee.

Today's decision overturned a "no-action" vote in the NGO-committee that threatened to establish a dangerous precedent and the possibility of organizations deemed controversial being continuously denied the opportunity to have their application put to a vote even after undergoing the required review.

The vote also signals a recognition of the important role of a diverse and active civil society at the UN. In support of progress on IGLHRC's application, a group of over 200 NGOs from 59 countries endorsed a letter to all UN Member States, demanding fair and non-discriminatory treatment and supporting IGLHRC's goal of amplifying LGBT voices in the international arena.

"As human rights defenders and LGBT people living in countries where homophobic discrimination is a daily reality, we celebrate the accreditation of IGLHRC at the UN," said Frank Mugisha, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), one of 13 NGOs from Uganda to publicly call for IGLHRC to be accredited. "IGLHRC's access to the UN means that we too will have greater access to international human-rights mechanisms that can prove invaluable to LGBT people's lives."

The government of the United States stood strongly behind IGLHRC's application, calling for a vote in both the NGO Committee and ECOSOC. Ambassador Susan Rice, US Permanent Representative to the United Nations,publicly supported IGLHRC's application. Additionally, 14 members of the US House of Representatives and 4 Senators sent letters of support to all UN Member States for IGLHRC's application. Among them were Senator John Kerry, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and Congressman Howard Berman, Chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The victory continues the upward trajectory for LGBT rights at the UN. It allows IGLHRC to participate in a more formal way through attending meetings, submitting statements and collaborating with the UN and governments in the international human-rights arena.

"We celebrate this decision," stated Toni Reis, president of the Brazilian LGBT group, Associação Brasileira de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transexuais (ABGLT) – that in 2009 was the last LGBT organization to receive status. "It is crucial that LGBT NGOs have the opportunity to participate in the UN human rights debate – though in future, organizations should receive full and fair reviews before the NGO Committee itself."

Despite the limited opportunities offered to non-accredited NGOs, IGLHRC has a long history of advocating at the UN for the rights of all people, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. The organization advocated for sexual rights to be included in the official discussions at the 1995 UN Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing; spoke at the first UN General Assembly meeting on HIV and AIDS in 2001; and in recent years has been part of a collaboration between NGOs and supportive States that resulted in the groundbreaking 2008 UNGA Declaration on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, signed by 67 UN Member States.

www.iglhrc.org(International Gay, Lesbian,Human Rights Commission)

HIV Treatment Cuts New HIV Diagnoses in Half

HIV Transmission Decreased as Use of HARRT Treatment Increased, Study Finds

By Katrina Woznicki
WebMD Health News

Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD

July 19, 2010 -- New HIV diagnoses dropped by more than half since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV-infected patients, a Canadian study shows, suggesting that the treatment was effective at reducing viral load.

The study, based on HIV infections treated in the Canadian province of British Columbia -- showed that from 1996 to 2009, for every 100 patients placed on HAART, new HIV diagnoses decreased by 3%. Specifically, the researchers found that:

HAART use increased overall by 547% between 1996 and 2009;
During this period, new HIV diagnoses fell overall by 52%;
Also during this period, rates of sexually transmitted infections (such aschlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis) increased, suggesting that the decrease seen in new HIV diagnoses was not related to a decrease in risky sexual behavior.

The study was led by Julio Montaner, MD, director of the British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS in Vancouver. The results will be presented this week at the International AIDS Society conference in Vienna, Austria, and were published on The Lancet’s web site.

“Our results show a strong and significant association between increased HAART coverage, reduced community viral load, and decreased number of new HIV diagnoses per year in the population of a Canadian province,” the authors say.

HAART Lowers HIV Viral Load

In 2008, there were 33.4 million people living with HIV, 2 million AIDS-related deaths, and 2.7 million new HIV infections worldwide. Montaner and his colleagues note that these numbers triggered “an urgent redoubling of efforts” by the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS.

HAART works by stopping the AIDS virus from replicating, which then helps reduce “viral load,” or the levels of the AIDS virus in the blood. This gives the patient’s immune system a chance to regain its strength, which then helps the patient go into remission from the disease. HAART does not eradicate the virus from the body, but it can reduce its presence to a point where the patient can enjoy overall decent health.

The authors said their findings support HAART as a potent component of HIV/AIDS prevention and could be a part of the global efforts to curb the HIV pandemic, which has struck particularly hard in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.

Success With HAART

In an accompanying editorial, Franco Maggiolo and Sebastiano Leone of the Division of Infectious Diseases, Ospedali Riuniti in Bergamo, Italy, suggest that HAART must be combined with education and other interventions, such as screening, to reduce HIV/AIDS.

“HAART might prove effective within other risk populations provided that the source individuals are thoroughly identified and correctly treated,” they write. “Therefore we must couple the use of antiretrovirals with risk reduction strategies, and identify infected individuals through information or education interventions that favor individual access to screening programs. Integrated experiences that provide voluntary routine HIV testing and rapid entry into care, such as those recently implemented in Washington, D.C., would tell us whether HAART can succeed as an epidemic control measure.”

Maggiolo and Sebastiano conclude: “While waiting for an effective vaccine, experiences such as those reported today should be strongly considered by clinicians, national and international agencies, policy makers, and all parties involved in the development of treatment guidelines, because the population-based dimension of HAART might play an important part in the future control of the HIV epidemic.”

July 19, 2010

Tip #2: Dating Efficiency/2 of 7

Tip #2: Dating Efficiency
Use Your Dating Time Wisely
by Ramon Johnson

As resources become more limited, our lives are becoming more efficient. We thirst for more conscious
everything: cars, appliances, materials, and our personal and professional time. Industries and individuals
can no longer afford waste of any kind.

Still, despite the limitation of resources, our needs and desires change little (if at all). In relation to romance,
the need for companionship remains constant yet the availability of the personal time and energy available
for dating dries up faster than an SUV gallon. We’re working longer hours, planning bigger, and wading
just above the surface of a crude environment. So, where do we find the time to look for a date?

In times of limited resources, we must manage dating the same as other areas of our lives. The anticipation
of finding a man and the excitement of a potential match is great, but it can become an obsession when we
spend countless hours refreshing our inbox, hoping for a new message.

Instead, use your time more wisely with a proactive approach. Set time limits for yourself and be direct
about your interests and disinterest. Try not to view your search as a stressor, but an experience that will
eventually produce a return on your investment. A better-managed dating approach will optimize your
resources and balance your life, making you a better catch in the long run.

House Democrats add gay rights to immigration reform

By Celeste Lavin, 365gay.com

In an effort to gain more support for immigration reform, House Democrats are pushing for a provision that would let gay and lesbian Americans bring their foreign partners to the country.

At present, legal permanent residents of the U.S. can bring a foreign spouse or immediate family members to the country by securing a green card or immigrant visa. This does not apply to same-sex bi-national couples, because their relationships are not considered marriages under federal law.

Adding the Uniting American Families Act to immigration reform is being called risky by both Democrats and Republicans.

“It adds another dimension to the issue that will be the subject of significant debate,” said Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.). “For sure, it will enhance the debate.”

National Republican Campaign Committee spokesperson Joanna Burgos said that trying to appeal to Hispanic voters and gay and lesbian voters with one piece of legislation could be problematic.

“I think it puts Democrats in Hispanic districts in an awkward position because they are very socially conservative,” she said.

The comprehensive immigration bill was introduced buy Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) in December 2009, and last week, he said that he is just 17 votes short of the majority he needs to pass the bill in the House.

But Jerrod Nadler (D-NY) said, “No immigration reform measure will truly be deserving of the term ‘comprehensive’ unless it provides equality for gays and lesbians as well.”

Gunmen kill 17 at party in Mexico Most of Which were Gay

Gunmen kill 17 at party in Mexico

The attackers say nothing but open fire on revelers in Torreon. The party had been announced on Facebook by a gay group, but police suspect drug trafficking, not hate, motivated the assailants.

A view of the Italia Inn events house in Torreon, where gunmen killed 17 people. The dead were in their 20s and 30s. (El Siglo de Torreon / EPA / July 18, 2010)

By Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times

July 19, 2010

Reporting from Mexico City —

The announcement went out on Facebook, an open invitation summoning revelers to a birthday party at the Italia Inn in the northern Mexican city of Torreon.

But early Sunday, as musicians serenaded amid food, drink and dancing, gunmen burst into the party, blocked the exits and, saying not a word, opened fire, killing 17 men and women and injuring a similar number.

It was one of the highest single-incident death tolls since the beginning of Mexico's raging drug war, which has claimed nearly 25,000 lives from the time that President Felipe Calderon launched a military-led offensive against powerful narcotics cartels in December 2006.

The dead identified by Sunday afternoon were in their 20s and 30s, some related to one another, according to the prosecutor's office for the state of Coahuila, where Torreon is located. Coahuila borders Texas, and while beset by the same violence terrorizing other border states, has received less publicity.

Authorities confirmed the number of dead and said some of the 18 injured were in critical condition.

Pictures from the scene showed toppled white plastic chairs, scattered musical instruments and cups and plates and shoes strewn on a blood-splattered floor alongside a tented pool. Empty beer bottles were lined up on tabletops; bullet holes punctured the walls.

"The party was ongoing … when gunmen arrived in several vehicles, disembarked and, without uttering a word to those in attendance, opened fire," Jesus Torres, state attorney general, said in a statement. The assailants fled.

Investigators recovered 122 spent shells from high-velocity assault rifles.

Many of the partygoers at the event that began Saturday evening were attracted by an invitation that appeared on Facebook, according to reporters at the Torreon edition of Milenio newspaper and television. The posting included directions and a map.

Organizers of the party were a gay group, Milenio said, but the invitation specifically said the event was open to all. Although that raised the possibility of an anti-gay hate crime, most speculation centered on drug traffickers as the assailants.

Violence has surged in Coahuila, a smuggling transit point, and neighboring states as the longtime dominant Gulf and Sinaloa cartels battle the paramilitary Zetas. Mass shootings at clubs, bars, rehab clinics and other sites are now common in once-calm cities such as Torreon, as well as in other more troubled neighboring municipalities.

wilkinson@latimes.com