MNews

Portugal comes out as the next nation to legalize gay marrigae

2010-06-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

So the winner for next gay friendly country goes to Portugal. Congratulations to Teresa Pires and Helena Paixao who are the first same sex married couple in Portugal. With more and more places are accepting gay marriage, when do you the the entire U.S. will get with the program?

Article after the break...

Portugal lesbian couple in nation's first gay marriage

Monday, 7 June 2010 14:48 UK

Teresa Pires (left) and her partner Helena Paixao at the registry office in Lisbon on 7/6/2010 The couple had campaigned for years for a change in the law

The first same-sex marriage has taken place in Portugal, a month after a law allowing gay marriage came into effect.

Teresa Pires and Helena Paixao, both divorced mothers in their 30s who have been together since 2003, married at a Lisbon registry office.

The couple - who had campaigned for a change to the law - described it as a "great victory, a dream come true".

The Socialist government had faced fierce opposition to the law in what is a mainly Catholic country.

But a petition against the change failed to gain enough support for a referendum.

The bill was passed by parliament in January and ratified by President Anibal Cavaco Silva in May - making Portugal the sixth European country to recognise same-sex marriages.

White House Meeting on Black Men and HIV on CSPAN3

2010-06-02T10:22:00.000-07:00

So today the White House is having a meeting on black men and HIV. This is a very big meeting and fortunately I have found out it is being broadcast on CSPAN-3. If you are interested, you can find it here:

http://www.c-span.org/Watch/C-SPAN3.aspx

FYI - It’s on right now!

Happy Memorial Day! (a day late ofcourse!)

2010-06-01T10:32:00.000-07:00

So in honor of memorial day, which was yesterday, I figured now would be a great time to talk about Don't Ask Don't Tell. Don't Ask Don't Tell was Clinton's resolution to the ban on gay's joining the military. It roughly states that anyone regardless of there sexual preference is allowed in the military as long as they don't tell anyone what there sexual preference is. While it was a step forward at the time, many feel that it was still discriminatory against homosexuals. The reason this is coming up in the news now is because a senate committee and the House of representatives have now voted to repeal the dadt bill. While this is a great step forward there are still a few more steps that must be taken before the bill is removed, so it's not in the clear yet. We will see what happens but until then what do you think about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"?

full article after the break

Historic votes are cast, but hurdles remain for ending 'don't ask, don't tell'
Saturday, May 29, 2010

RECENT POLLS have shown that the American people overwhelmingly support allowing gay men and lesbians to serve openly in the military. Congress reflected that view late Thursday when a Senate committee and the full House of Representatives voted to repeal the 17-year-old "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The vote was a victory for anyone who abhors discrimination. But it's not a done deal yet.

The Senate Armed Services Committee voted 16 to 12 to include the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" in the massive Defense Department spending bill. The House then voted 234 to 194 to lift the ban on gays in the military. Key to passage was a compromise delaying implementation of the repeal until after the Pentagon Working Group delivers its report (due Dec. 1) on how integration of openly gay men and lesbians would affect the military and how such a nondiscriminatory policy would be implemented. President Obama, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, must certify that lifting the ban would not negatively affect the armed forces.

Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.), an Iraq war veteran, deserves high praise for his dogged determination to persuade enough of his colleagues to cast the historic vote. We also congratulate Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.) for mustering the votes, including that of Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), to get the amendment and the bill out of the Armed Services Committee. Sens. James Webb (D-Va.) and Scott Brown (R-Mass.) managed to say no and yes. Each voted against repeal but for the overall bill, which goes to the full Senate for a vote next month.
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Two hurdles remain before the demise of "don't ask, don't tell" can be assured. The House version of the defense bill contains a provision for a jet engine program for F-35 fighter jets that Mr. Gates doesn't want and that has earned (rightly) a veto threat from the administration, reiterated by the president Friday. Meanwhile, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and other Republicans are threatening to support a filibuster because the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell" is in the bill.

Mr. McCain once said he'd accept the verdict of Pentagon brass on this matter. Now Mr. Gates and Adm. Mullen are on board, but Mr. McCain has vowed to "do everything in my power" to fight the bill. It's sad to watch.

Your Unzipped Tip for The Weekend

2010-05-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

“Condoms don’t fit me.” “They’re too tight.” This old excuse is not worthy of you putting yourself at risk. In condom demonstrations, educators have put condoms on over their shoe, their head, and their forearm without breakage, showing no man is “too big” for a condom.

For more safe sex tips check out mproject954.com

Catholic School Deny Entry to Kid of Gay Parents

2010-05-18T11:55:00.001-07:00

So yet another Catholic school, this time in Boston, has denied the rights of a kid who happens to have gay parents from going to there school. The school defends it's decision by saying "If a child of gay parents comes to our school, and we teach that gay marriage is against the will of God, then the child will think that we are saying their parents are bad. We don't want to put any child in that tough position". Which in all honesty is a very valid point. But should it be enough to deny schooling to a the child of gay parents? What do you think?

article after the break...

Should Catholic schools reject gay couples' kids?

By Paul Aiken, AP

Strike up the old song, God bless the child that's got his own.

I always thought it referred not just to money or possessions but to salvation. It comes to mind now that yet another Catholic school district is in the news for rebuffing the child of gay parents.

This story, set in Boston, has a different ending, however, than an earlier case this year in Colorado.

The Associated Press is reporting that Archdiocese of Boston Superintendent of Schools Mary Grassa O'Neill has offered to help the lesbian parents find a different Catholic school for their 8-year-old boy.

Earlier stories said the child was accepted, then rejected from St. Paul Elementary School in Hingham after a priest told one of his parents that the mothers were "in discord" with church teachings that marriage should be between one man and one woman.

O'Neill told AP there's no policy barring children of same-sex parents although all parents are expected to recognize that Catholic school curriculum includes its teachings.

These situations are not uncommon. Marianne Duddy-Burke, executive director of DignityUSA, a Boston-based advocacy group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Catholics, told the Boston Globe she gets "three or four" calls every year from parents across the country with a similar problem.

Duddy-Burke also said:

... gay and lesbian parents considering Catholic schools for their children often face a dilemma over whether the merits of the school outweigh the possibility their child may hear messages about the church's teachings on homosexuality and gay marriage that could be painful.

Earlier this year, a pre-school child of a lesbian couple in Boulder was denied entry to a Catholic school. But in that case the Denver Archdiocese backed the priest, Rev. Bill Breslin, in booting the youngster. Breslin blogged that this decision was for the child's benefit, writing:

If a child of gay parents comes to our school, and we teach that gay marriage is against the will of God, then the child will think that we are saying their parents are bad. We don't want to put any child in that tough position - nor do we want to put the parents, or the teachers, at odds with the teachings of the Catholic Church. Why would good parents want their children to learn something they don't believe in?

He leaned on a page from the pope who often speaks against relativism in society.

Glossing over differences on essential matters, and pretending that crucial issues are irrelevant, is not tolerance. It is relativism, meaning that nothing is important anymore and everyone can have their own interpretation of what is goodness and truth.

I wonder, however, how far the Denver and Boston priests are willing to take their standards.

Are those schools monitoring all the sexual choices of all the pupils' parents to see how many violate the same church teachings on marriage: Divorced and remarried outside the church, perhaps, or a single parent whose dates spend the night, or involved in adultery. Is there a sexual behaviors questionnaire that parents complete along with the vaccination verifications for the child when kiddo is enrolled?

Should a religion that says it offers truth -- and deny the opportunity to learn and accept that truth to a child?

Your Unzipped Tip for The Weekend

2010-05-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

Water based lube only when using latex condoms! Think, “Hell no, if it’s not H2O!”

for more safe sex tips check out mproject954.com

One step forward and then one step back for China

2010-05-12T16:02:00.000-07:00

So China has taken one step forward but yet another step back when it comes to people living with HIV/AIDS. China just recently removed the ban on people with HIV/AIDS coming into China, which seemed like a step in the right direction for the acceptance of people living with AIDS but now it seems that the pressure the put on AIDS Activist has caused the man and his family to flee to the U.S.

article after the break

AIDS Activist Leaves China for U.S., Citing Pressure

By EDWARD WONG

Published: May 10, 2010

BEIJING — The founder of a prominent AIDS activist group in Beijing has left China for the United States with his family because of increasing pressure from the government, he and his supporters said Monday.

Elizabeth Dalziel/Associated Press

“When I work in China, they can really find a target to attack,” Wan Yanhai said.

The activist, Wan Yanhai, his wife and their 4-year-old daughter spent the weekend at the home of a friend in Philadelphia after flying from Hong Kong on Thursday.
In recent months, the group that Mr. Wan led, the Aizhixing Institute, had come under increasing scrutiny from tax officials and even the fire department, he said.
“The Chinese government made it impossible for Wan Yanhai to remain in China,” said Kate Krauss, the friend in Philadelphia and the director of the AIDS Policy Project, which advocates for more research into a cure for AIDS.
Mr. Wan said in a telephone interview, “We were getting a lot of attention from different government agencies.”
He added: “When I work in China, they can really find a target to attack. When I left, they no longer had a target.”
Mr. Wan is arguably the most outspoken AIDS campaigner in China. He founded Aizhixing in 1994 to support the cause of AIDS awareness and prevention. At the time, the Chinese government was reluctant to speak publicly about AIDS.
Mr. Wan helped turn an international spotlight on villages in Henan Province where residents had become infected with H.I.V. in the 1990s because of poor government oversight of blood transfusions. He was detained for four weeks in 2002 because of that advocacy.
Although Mr. Wan and his group had come under pressure before, the latest scrutiny coincides with a wider crackdown on civil society groups and grass-roots organizations that operate independently of the government. The authorities have been especially wary of groups that receive any financing from abroad and have imposed new restrictions on such financing.
On Monday, a man named Lei Yang answered the telephone at the Aizhixing office in Beijing and said the group was still working. When asked about Mr. Wan, he said, “I am not aware of this situation.”
Ms. Krauss said Mr. Wan had told her how officials from several government departments in Beijing had made recent visits to the Aizhixing office. The tax officials who arrived were from a municipal authority, which was unusual, Ms. Krauss said. Fire department officials entered the office to see whether the office was complying with fire safety codes, she said.
“I wonder if it’s a way to expel him without publicity,” said Ms. Krauss, who advocated for Mr. Wan’s release when he was detained during the four-week period. The Chinese government has used administrative pressure to shut down civil society groups in the past year.
One notable case occurred in July 2009, when tax officials scrutinized foreign financing that was supporting Gongmeng, a legal research organization in Beijing. Gongmeng, or Open Constitution Initiative, had been taking on controversial legal cases and openly questioning central government policy, and it was forced to shut down after the investigation by the tax officials and after one of its leading members, Xu Zhiyong, was detained. Mr. Xu was later released.

Zhang Jing contributed research.

A version of this article appeared in print on May 11, 2010, on page A9 of the New York edition.

Another Anti-gay Activist Outed

2010-05-11T11:38:00.001-07:00

So here is yet another interesting turn around. Anti-gay activities Dr. George Rekers, who teaches and "believes" that gay's are immoral and doomed to die early, has been caught red handed with a 20 year old male prostitute. Dr. Reker is best known for his job at the attorney general's office defending the ban on gay adoption. So needless to say it came as quite a surprise to many that he was found purchasing the services of a male rentboy. His defense? "He hired him to help with his luggage"... So what do you think?

article after the break

Mike Thomas: Anti-gay 'expert' carries unsavory baggage

Mike Thomas Sentinel Columnist

As someone opposed to stereotypes -- for example, the stereotype of deviant, child-molesting homosexuals put out by some social conservatives -- I will refrain from drawing any conclusions about the inner conflicts of those who seem just a bit too obsessed with, well, homosexuals.

Except to say, here we go again.

In 2008, I wrote about the state's legal battle to block foster parent Frank Martin Gill, a gay man, from adopting two abused children he rescued from a crack house. Florida lawmakers banned gay adoptions in 1977 during the state's Anita Bryant phase.

The Attorney General's Office hired Dr. George Rekers, a Miami psychologist and co-founder of the Family Research Council, a conservative Christian group, to defend the ban. Rekers considers gays immoral deviants, doomed to an early death and thereafter to eternal damnation.

So it understandably caused a stir when the Miami New Times busted Dr. Rekers for going on a 10-day European vacation with Lucien, a 20-year-old male prostitute who advertised on rentboy.com.

Don't you just hate it when Stephen Colbert names your expert witness the "Alpha Dog of the Week"?

Rekers didn't help his cause by claiming that recent surgery required he hire a "travel assistant'' to tote his luggage. To prove it, he sent the New Times this statement he said he drew up with Lucien: "We agreed that my travel assistant did in fact lift my luggage each time it was necessary, that I did not lift my luggage, and my travel assistant did all the lifting."

Meanwhile, the ever-lifting Lucien told the paper about Rekers' favorite massage techniques, administered while Lucien was nude.

If you think Rekers is a laughingstock, imagine how the Attorney General's Office feels. It represented the Department of Children and Families, charged with enforcing a gay adoption ban that DCF Secretary George Sheldon opposed when he was in the Legislature.

The Attorney General's Office paid Rekers $60,900 for his expertise.

Attorney General Bill McCollum said last week that his agency did a "thorough search" to find him. He said Rekers had a Ph.D. from UCLA and experience testifying in similar cases.

Rekers did testify in Arizona in opposition to gay foster parents. But the judge there called his testimony "extremely suspect and of little, if any, assistance to the court."

So much for a thorough search. McCollum then admitted the obvious about hiring Rekers:

"There wasn't a whole lot of choice."

It's almost impossible finding a credible mental-health expert who supports a blanket ban on gay adoption. Research shows that it's parent quality that matters, not parent sexual orientation.

Rekers was so embarrassing, even back in 2008, that McCollum's office blamed DCF for finding him. That infuriated a DCF official, who said the Attorney General's Office found him, which McCollum now confirms.

The Florida judge didn't find Rekers any more credible than the Arizona judge and tossed out the state's gay adoption ban. The Attorney General's Office is appealing.

McCollum says he is obligated to do so, having been hired by DCF to defend the 1977 law. Asked whether he supported the law personally, he said he couldn't comment on an active case. But he pointed out one of his campaign consultants is a gay man who adopted children in another state.

"Let's leave it at that," he said.

And I'll leave it at this.

In December 2004, a state welfare worker brought a baby and his 4-year-old brother to Gill in hopes he could provide them a decent Christmas. The older boy was dressed in filthy clothes, infected with ringworm and all but comatose. Gill took them in.

Almost six years later, they are a happy family.

We have a state agency that supposedly supports happy families and an attorney general who is OK with his gay consultant adopting children, trying to break them up because of a law that nobody in either agency admits supporting.

And eager to help them was a psychologist whose luggage handler advertises with rentboy.com.

Ludacris promotes "Living Large" with new Magnum Condom Campaign

2010-05-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

So here is an interesting new ad campaign promoting safe sex. Ludacris has joined forces with Magnum condoms to promote safer sex by "living Large". This ad campaign is targeting guys ages 15-30 who are into the hip-hop and rap scene. While I think the safe sex message is great, and it's always good to see more celebrity support I can't help but to think that this is more of a way for Ludacris to brag about his "package". As I tell everyone that comes to me asking for Magnum condoms: While Magnum condoms proclaim to be for the larger men out there, most condoms can fit your entire arm. What do you think about this ad campaign?

Full article after the break

Magnum Condoms Go Hip-Hop in New Contest

Updated: Thursday, 29 Apr 2010, 1:05 PM EDT
Published : Thursday, 29 Apr 2010, 1:02 PM EDT

(CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - Magnum, a Trojan sub-brand of large condoms, is asking fans to think large as it solicits help from rap artists in its new advertising campaign.

Magnum has launched an advertising campaign called Magnum Live Large Project. The project features rapper Ludacris and will launch in the May issues of Vibe and XXL and in the June issue of The Source, according to The New York Times .

The project centers around a contest that encourages R&B and hip hop performers to submit tracks centered on how "Trojan Magnum Condoms helps you master the game." The track can be 30 seconds to four minutes and can either be made using tracks supplied online atwww.magnumlarge.com/contest.html or by using their own tracks.

The winner gets $5,000 and a trip to a June 19 Atlanta hip-hop festival named Birthday Bash. Ludacris will congratulate the winner onstage.

Visitors to the site vote on participants.

Julian Long, a consultant for ad creator Colangelo Synergy Marketing in Darien, Conn., told the Times that while rappers use the large condoms to "imply a physical attribute" that isn't the contest's point.

"We're looking for songs that encompass the Magnum lifestyle and what it means to live large – not just he size of the condom or what it's put on but want it means to live large across the board," Long said. "We're saying, 'You know how to handle your business and we want to give you an opportunity to celebrate that level of understanding.'"

Reporting on the new contest Gawker.com raised the stereotype of blacks having large penises.

"Not only is he a rapper but he's also a black guy, which means that he possesses two of the leading contributing factors to the American public's assumption that one is well-endowed," the website states. "The subtle strategic element here, from a branding point of view, is like, if Ludacris tells you to buy Magnums, you're gonna be like, 'Yea, of course, that is my preferred brand already.' You don't want to look 'uncool' in front of Ludacris, do you?"

Gawker.com also shared a study by the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction that asked male respondents if the last condom they used had fit. Almost half said it had not and a senior researcher said that usually people answer condoms are more tight-fitting than loose-fitting.

NYC Council Weighs in on MSM Blood Donation Ban

2010-05-04T11:07:00.000-07:00

Yet another group is speaking out against the blood ban. New York City Council has passed a resolution asking the FDA to repeal it's ban on gay men donating blood. For those who don't know in 1983 the FDA placed a ban against MSM (Men Seeking Men). Keeping any man who had ever had sex with another man from donating blood. At the time the intention was to keep HIV/AIDs out of blood banks. Unfortunately, while the technology and procedures for testing blood have grown tremendously we are still stuck with this archaic law. What do you think?

Full article after the break...

Withers: New York City Council weighs in on the blood ban

By James Withers, contributing editor, 365Gay Blog05.04.2010 12:04pm EDT

Last week the New York City Council passed a resolution calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to repeal its prohibition on blood donations from gay men.

“This policy is wrong and it should be rescinded immediately. Numerous public health groups, including the American Red Cross, the American Association of Blood Banks, America’s Blood Centers, and the American Medical Association, as well as leading HIV/AIDS organizations have urged that the FDA’s lifetime restriction be revised,” said City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn

In 1983 the FDA put in place a “MSM exclusion,” a ban against blood donations from any man who had sexual contact with another since 1977. There were multiple sound reasons then. Our knowledge of AIDS/HIV in those early years of the epidemic was murky at best, but as Quinn noted technology isn’t what it used to be.

“We have the technology to make sure that every pint of blood collected is screened for a variety of markers of transmissible diseases including HIV. It’s time for the FDA to acknowledge this and to change its policy.”

University of Miami Adopts first Gay friendly Fraternity

2010-04-29T10:02:00.000-07:00

Here’s some great news for all of our gay and bi-sexual men who wanted to be a part of a fraternity at University of Miami. UM has added its first Gay and Bisexual friendly Fraternity to their Inter-fraternity council, identifying it as a valid member of the fraternities on University of Miami’s campus. I think this is a great step forward for the stereotypical heterosexual view of fraternities and it’s great that it was approved 10 to 2! So the question is… if a gay friendly fraternity was available at your school would you join?

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Gay, bisexual-friendly fraternity adopted

Posted April 25, 2010 at 9:03 pm

By Colleen Dourney // Contributing Writer

The college Greek stereotype typically isn’t compromised of gay and bisexual men, yet fraternities at the University of Miami chose to defy that image.

Last week, by a vote of 10-2, the university’s fraternity presidents approved the adoption of Delta Lambda Phi, a gay, bisexual and progressive male fraternity, into its ranks.

The Interfraternity Council (IFC) affords every fraternity one vote in deciding whether to allow another fraternity to colonize or not. Each fraternity president is given the power to vote.

Delta Lambda Phi will be the 13th fraternity under the IFC, the umbrella organization of all male fraternal organizations.

“Last year all of my friends rushed fraternities. I didn’t want to hide my identity as a gay person,” said sophomore Vincent Foster, president of Delta Lambda Phi. “I started asking around which would be the best fit, and when all of them basically told me they didn’t know, I knew it was time for me to do something.”
After his friends suggested he just start his own fraternity that welcomes gay and bisexual men, he began researching online and contacted Delta Lambda Phi last spring.

“It’s been a long uphill battle, basically a year, but it’s definitely been worth it, now being able to bring Delta Lambda Phi to our campus,” Foster said.

The process took such an extended time period because of previous rules in the constitution of the IFC.
According to the IFC’s constitutional laws, one requirement for any IFC fraternity was that it needed to be recognized by the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), which Delta Lambda Phi was not.
After voting on a constitutional amendment, the 12 fraternity presidents of the IFC welcomed any male fraternal organization into its ranks.

The measure affected more than one prospective Greek organization. Phi Delta Theta, another fraternity already on campus, is also not recognized by the NIC, yet had been able to overcome the constitutional law.
Delta Lambda Phi will begin recruiting in the fall, after the other 12 fraternities have conducted their recruitment season. Beginning in the spring 2011 semester, Delta Lambda Phi will recruit alongside all IFC organizations.

Tony Lake, associate dean of students, saw this as a way to increase opportunities for all Greek life. Lake advises the IFC through weekly meetings with the its five-member executive board.

“The [board] members saw that the rule was outdated and decided to change it in order to expand Greek life and get even more students involved,” Lake said. “Our IFC becomes one of a very few fraternity communities nationwide who understand that ‘fraternity’ is about something greater than yourself. [It] is something that we hope can be enjoyed by more men and women, and more organizations, with ever diversifying backgrounds and beliefs.”

To be a member of Delta Lambda Phi, a student doesn’t have to be gay or bisexual. Gay rights serve as the foundation for the fraternity, just as Christian values are the foundation for several other UM fraternities.
“The goal of Delta Lambda Phi isn’t to exclude people, instead it is to break down stereotypes,” Foster said. “I want to redefine the gay image for the Greek community and also for the gay community, to let them know that being gay and being involved in Greek life don’t have to be mutually exclusive.”

South Africa's President Leads by Example

2010-04-28T11:00:00.001-07:00

So President Zuma of South Africa has been working on a large initiative to get all the people of South Africa tested for HIV. He has started this initiative by disclosing his own HIV status. I personally think it’s great that President Zuma is leading by his own example. Hopefully this will help his initiative reach it’s goal.

_______________________________________________

Zuma launches health campaign by disclosing HIV status

From Karen Smith, CNN

April 26, 2010 -- Updated 1018 GMT (1818 HKT)

(CNN) -- President Jacob Zuma launched a program to combat AIDS in South Africa by making a public announcement that he is HIV negative.

"After careful consideration, I have decided to share my test results with South Africans," Zuma said Sunday. "The purpose is to promote openness and to eradicate the silence and stigma that accompanies this epidemic."
The president's sex life has been a controversial subject in the country of 49 million.

Zuma is a member of the Zulu culture, which practices polygamy. He has three wives and 19 children, according to his Web site. Polygamy is legal in South Africa, but has sparked criticism from opponents who say it is out of step with modern times and unfair to women.

Adding to the criticism, Zuma was acquitted of charges of raping an AIDS activist four years ago. During the trial, he said he knowingly had consensual sex with the HIV positive woman and thought he could ensure his safety by showering afterward.

Zuma also recently apologized for fathering a child out of wedlock, prompting an outcry from critics who said he was undermining the nation's health campaign.

The United Nations estimates that 5.7 million South Africans are HIV-positive, the highest rate worldwide. The new campaign aims to test one-third of the population by June next year.

Elton John writes letter to Ryan White, 20 years later...

2010-04-27T10:53:00.001-07:00

This is a great letter written by Elton John to Ryan White. For those who don’t know Ryan White was a young boy who was kicked out of his middle school for being HIV positive. He soon became the poster boy for HIV and because of his advocacy the Ryan White care act was initiated shortly after he passed away. The Ryan White Care Act provides care to over 500,000 people living with HIV and AIDS in the United States.

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Elton John's letter to Ryan White, 20 years after his death from AIDS

By Elton John

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Twenty years ago this month, you died of AIDS. I would gladly give my fame and fortune if only I could have one more conversation with you, the friend who changed my life as well as the lives of millions living with HIV. Instead, I have written you this letter.

I remember so well when we first met. A young boy with a terrible disease, you were the epitome of grace. You never blamed anyone for the illness that ravaged your body or the torment and stigma you endured.
When students, parents and teachers in your community shunned you, threatened you and expelled you from school, you responded not with words of hate but with understanding beyond your years. You said they were simply afraid of what they did not know.

When the media heralded you as an "innocent victim" because you had contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion, you rejected that label and stood in solidarity with thousands of HIV-positive women and men. You reminded America that all victims of AIDS are innocent.

When you became a celebrity, you embraced the opportunity to educate the nation about the AIDS epidemic, even though your only wish was to live an ordinary life.

Ryan, I wish you could know how much the world has changed since 1990, and how much you changed it.
Young boys and girls with HIV attend school and take medicine that allows them to lead normal lives. Children in America are seldom born with the virus, and they no longer contract it through transfusions. The insults and injustices you suffered are not tolerated by society.

Most important, Ryan, you inspired awareness, which helped lead to lifesaving treatments. In 1990, four months after you died, Congress passed the Ryan White Care Act, which now provides more than $2 billion each year for AIDS medicine and treatment for half a million Americans. Today, countless people with HIV live long, productive lives.

It breaks my heart that you are not one of them. You were 18 when you died, and you would be 38 this year, if only the current treatments existed when you were sick. I think about this every day, because America needs your message of compassion as never before.

Ryan, when you were alive, your story sparked a national conversation about AIDS. But despite all the progress in the past 20 years, the dialogue has waned. I know you would be trying to revive it if you were here today, when the epidemic continues to strike nearly every demographic group, with more than 50,000 new infections in the United States each year. I know you would be loudly calling for the National HIV/AIDS Strategy that was promised by President Obama but has not yet been delivered. I know you would reach out to young people. I know you would work tirelessly to help everyone suffering from HIV, including those who live on the margins of society.

It would sadden you that today, in certain parts of the United States, some poor people with AIDS are still placed on waiting lists to receive treatment. It would anger you that your government is still not doing enough to help vulnerable people with HIV and populations that are at high risk of contracting the virus, including sexually active teenagers. It would upset you that AIDS is a leading cause of death among African Americans.
It would frustrate you that even though hundreds of thousands of HIV-positive Americans are receiving treatment in your name, more than 200,000 don't know their HIV-positive status, largely because a lingering stigma surrounding the disease prevents them from being tested. It would disappoint you that many teenagers do not have access to science-based HIV-prevention programs in school, at a time when half of new infections are believed to be among people under 25.

I miss you so very much, Ryan. I was by your side when you died at Riley Hospital. You've been with me every day since. You inspired me to change my life and carry on your work. Because of you, I'm still in the struggle against AIDS, 20 years later. I pledge to not rest until we achieve the compassion for which you so bravely and beautifully fought.

Your friend,
Elton

Archie Comics Moving Forward

2010-04-23T06:39:00.000-07:00

So looks like the Archie Comic’s are finally moving forward. What do you think about them adding a gay character to the mix? I personally feel that the way they have chosen to portray the community’s acceptance of this new gay character is great! Full article below

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Archie Comics to introduce gay character, cartoonist says

Posted on April 21, 2010 - 06:09 PM by Kevin Melrose

Archie's relationship with Valerie was only the beginning of the changes coming to Riverdale, apparently.
In an interview at C2E2 with gay podcast Feast of Fun, longtime Archie Comics cartoonist Dan Parent casually revealed that September's Veronica #202 will feature the introduction of a gay character named Kevin Keller.

"The plotline is that Veronica's got the hots for this guy and can't understand why he's not interested in her," Parent said, "and ... he's gay."
The cartoonist said that while readers shouldn't expect any of the regular characters to come out of the closet, we shouldn't look for residents of Riverdale to make a big deal about Kevin's sexuality, either. "The reaction is going to be, there isn't going to be a reaction -- it's just going to be acceptance," he said.

In the interview, Parent also discussed Archie's new relationship with Valerie, which he said will continue.
"They're a great couple, which is why we're going to be continuing the stories with them because, y'know, they just make a great couple," he said. "I mean, the interracial aspect is there, of course, but the main thing is to do a good story with good characters."

Annie Lennox Speaks Out Through Her Shirt

2010-04-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

Did anyone else notice the amazing shirt Annie Lennox was wearing on American Idol last night? The shirt read "HIV Positive" and was a statement towards the stigma that comes with being an HIV positive person. What a great message for those who are living with HIV! An article explaining the shirt is below.

__________________________________________________

Annie Lennox explains her 'HIV Positive' t-shirt

by Mike Bruno

A lot of heads were turned last night when Annie Lennox showed up on “Idol Gives Back” wearing a t-shirt with the words “HIV POSITIVE” emblazoned on the front (she also wore the shirt to events last year, including the 2009 Edinburgh Festival of Politics and the 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame concert in New York last October). The good news is she herself is not HIV positive, but simply showing solidarity with the millions of people who are.

In the video below, which was actually created last November, Lennox explains that she first saw someone wearing a bold “HIV POSITIVE” t-shirt in South Africa in 2004, and she thought it was such a “clever, brilliant” idea, she decided to run with it herself. “In a country like South Africa, where HIV is so prevalent, and yet you have stigma where people are afraid to openly come out and say that they’re HIV positive,” she says, ”this t-shirt, whoever wears it, is making a statement of solidarity, and they’re saying, ‘We’re coming out from behind the shadows. We’re trying to normalize what is a preventable thing. It doesn’t need to have the stigma.’”

Video after the Break...

And the New Year Begins

2009-01-07T11:07:00.000-08:00

and we are back... it has been a while since I've last posted but things have been going great. The boat party was a lot of fun. We danced the night away on our own private boat as we went up and down the inter coastal. We then enjoyed a performance by Tiffany Arieagus before heading back to the dock.

That Sunday you might have seen us doing outreach at Bill's Filling Station where both Misty Eyez and Alandra Matt helped support our cause.

After that night we settled down a bit and prepared for the holidays. We can't wait to see you all in the new year!

MProject Holiday Boat Party Dec 20th!!!!

2008-12-11T15:18:00.000-08:00

UNCUT REALITY GROUP MINUTES 11-13-08

2008-11-13T21:22:00.000-08:00

Uncut Reality Group Meeting Minutes

Thursday, November 13th, 2008 7:00 PM

In Attendance:

Ian, Paul, Chris, Kameron, Ryan, Adam

Old Business:

Game Night: Nov 11th

Movie Night: Nov 7th “Role Models”

Gay Men’s Health Summit:

Pending Items:

Softball team
Kayaking Activity – Jacques and Chris
Laser Quest - Paul
Thanksgiving Celebration on November 22nd
Cultural Day
Boomers - Ian

New Business:

Kameron’s Play will be this Friday at Artserve theatre 8pm
New rule: Anyone arriving after 8:15 for the core meeting will not get the free pizza.
Thanksgiving Celebration November 22^nd at Kameron or Ryan’ House. Potluck!
December 20^th will be our Boat Party discussed possible fund raising ideas. Please send your suggestions to jmenasche@browardhouse.org
Looking for volunteers for the Winter Wonderland Street Festival.
The MLounge will be closed on Nov 27^th and November 28^th for Thanksgiving.
Leslie is very interested in doing a monthly in office testing and will be stopping by to discuss when.
Discussed no bar locations to start promoting with flyers and palm cards send any suggestions to Jacques at jmenasche@browardhouse.org
Discussed what’s coming up in October and November check out our calendar to see for yourself!

NEXT MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR:

Thursday, November, 20^th 2008 7:00 PM

At The M Lounge

2645 N Andrews Avenue

Wilton Manors, FL 33311

954-618-0736

________________________________________________________________________

Jacques Menasche M Project Program Specialist 11/13/08

2008-11-11T10:48:00.000-08:00

Wow these last week has gone by fast! (Maybe it has been two weeks I've lost track heh).
Lets see... we had a great open house for all Broward House employee's which went very well. Almost everybody showed up to show there support for what we are doing.

Later that night the guy's got together for the Halloween Party! Where for the first time Mrs. Coxx preformed! We had everything from a handy man to a priest and so much more!

On Halloween you probably saw us at The Wicked Manor's Block Party. we had a blast at our booth handing out information and "goodies" to all the party goers.

The following week me and Robert attended more training so that we could better assist each and every one of you guys! Then to top it off this last weekend was the Gay Men's health Summit. it was a great opportunity for us to meet people sit in on some interesting presentations and even do an MGroup!

UNCUT REALITY GROUP MINUTES 11-6-08

2008-11-06T21:19:00.000-08:00

Uncut Reality Group Meeting Minutes

Thursday, November 6th, 2008 7:00 PM

In Attendance:

Ian, Paul, Kameron, Ryan, Orlando, Sebastian, Clayton, Adam, Chris

Old Business:

Game Night: Nov 4th

Movie Night: Oct 17^th “W.”

Halloween Party: Oct 30th

Open House for Broward House: Oct 30th

Wicked Manor Block Party: Oct 31st

Pending Items:

Softball team
Kayaking Activity – Jacques and Chris
Laser Quest - Paul
Thanksgiving Celebration on November 22nd
Cultural Day
Boomers - Ian
Kameron Scott has been cast in Psycho Beach Party.

New Business:

Discussed having a Monthly in-house testing
Thanksgiving Celebration will be at Ryan and Kameron’s House and will be a potluck. Ian and Paul will be heading this event.
December 20^th will be our Boat Party discussed it being $20 a ticket
Looking for volunteers for the Winter Wonderland Street Festival.
Movie Night was voted on and we decided to see “Role Models.” at Las Olas Riverfront Cinemas 7:45pm
Gay men’s health summit is this weekend.
Discussed This month’s Birthday Celebration. It will be at Lips on November 26th
Discussed what’s coming up in October and November check out our calendar to see for yourself!

NEXT MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR:

Thursday, November, 6 2008 7:00 PM

At The M Lounge

2645 N Andrews Avenue

Wilton Manors, FL 33311

954-618-0736

________________________________________________________________________

Jacques Menasche M Project Program Specialist 11/06/08

Tuesday Game Night October 29th

2008-10-29T12:16:00.001-07:00

We had a blast last night at the MLounge. Servio brought a new game with him called Sequence
It was a pretty cool game. Afterward we played a game called Killer Wink. Which turned out to be a bit more hectic.

After that we played a different Killer game involving vampires and psychics ( a variant of Mafia) Which was a lot of fun! Can't wait for next week's game night!

Back from Training in Orlando!

2008-10-28T11:56:00.000-07:00

Wohoo Were back from training in Orlando, and while it was fun and very informative. I definitely missed being back her with the guys! Looking forward to game night tonight! Here's some pictures of the people we meet and the things we did:

UNCUT REALITY GROUP MINUTES 10-16-08

2008-10-16T21:00:00.000-07:00

Uncut Reality Group Meeting Minutes

Thursday, October 16th, 2008 7:00 PM

In Attendance:

Alex, Adam, Chris, Ian

Old Business:

Game Night: Oct 14^th

Movie Night: Oct 10^th Quarantine

Afternoon Delight: Oct 11th Halloween Decorating

Pending Items:

Softball team
Kayaking Activity – Jacques and Chris
Laser Quest - Paul
Thanksgiving Celebration on November 22th
Cultural Day
Boomers - Ian
Kameron Scott has been cast in Psycho Beach Party.
Halloween Party. Volunteering for the night are Kameron, Paul, Nick, Ryan, Adam and Dante.

New Business:

The Halloween Party will be October 30^th from 7-? At the MLounge with our Hostess Mrs. Ayda Coxx
Thanksgiving Celebration will be at Ryan and Kameron’s House and will be a potluck
Discussed possibly having a pumpkin decorating contest
December 20^th will be our Boat Party
Movie Night was voted on and we decided to see “W.” at Las Olas Riverfront Cinemas 7:45pm
Discussed the gay men’s health summit. Scholarships available for all who wish to attend. Please call Robert if interested 954-618-0736
Discussed the open house even for Broward House employees October 30th from 4 to 6pm. Looking for MProject boy’s interested in hanging out and talking about the MProject.
Discussed Halloween Party at the MLounge from 7 till ? on October 30^th
Discussed Wicked Manor’s Block Party from 5 till 11 on October 31st. Looking for Mproject boys willing to hang out at our booth and pass out smiles and information on the Mproject.
Discussed Pumpkin decorating contest. Will send out email with more information shortly.
Discussed places we currently have and where we should have our palm cards and posters. If you have any suggestions please email them to Jacques at 954guys@gmail.com
Discussed what’s coming up in October and November check out our calendar to see for yourself!

NEXT MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR:

Thursday, November, 6 2008 7:00 PM

At The M Lounge

2645 N Andrews Avenue

Wilton Manors, FL 33311

954-618-0736

________________________________________________________________________

Jacques Menasche M Project Program Specialist 10/16/08

CORE GROUP MEETING MINUTES 10-9-08

2008-10-09T05:54:00.000-07:00

Uncut Reality Group Meeting Minutes

Thursday, October 9th, 2008 7:00 PM

In Attendance:

Paul, Ian, Chris, Bobby, Sebastian, Adam, Alex, Kameron, Ryan

Old Business:

q Game Night: Oct 6th We played Loaded Questions (5)
q Movie Night: Oct 3rd Nick and Norahs Infinite Playlist (9)
q Afternoon Delight: Oct 4th Volleyball @ Hagen Park. (4)

Pending Items:

q Softball team
q Kayaking Activity – Jacques and Chris
q Laser Quest - Paul
q Thanksgiving Celebration on November 26th
q Cultural Day
q Boomers
q Kameron Scott has been cast in Psycho Beach Party.
q Wicked Manor’s Block Party. Volunteering for the night are Kameron, Paul, Nick, Ryan, Adam and Dante.

New Business:

q We need a spearhead for softball that would be willing to run the event. The MProject would provide all the supplies
q Discussed Laser Quest tentative date of Nov 29th . Thank you Paul for getting us the information!
q Discussed boomers, thank you Ian for spearheading this event!
q Discussed Thanksgiving celebration looking for someone to donate there place for this event.
q Movie Night was voted on and we decided to see “Quarantine” at Las Olas Riverfront Cinemas 8:15pm
q Discussed painting the MLounge. We will make our final decision on Thursday October 16th at the Core Meeting so please bring your ideas in then.
q Kameron’s play is called Psycho Beach Party it will be showing Nov 1st thru Nov 30th on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 8pm.
q Discussed the gay men’s health summit. Scholarships available for all who wish to attend. Please call Robert if interested 954-618-0736
q Discussed the open house even for Broward House employees October 30th from 4 to 6pm. Looking for Mproject boy’s interested in hanging out and talking about the Mproject.
q Discussed Halloween Party at the MLounge from 7 till ? on October 30th
q Discussed Wicked Manor’s Block Party from 5 till 11 on October 31st. Looking for Mproject boys willing to hang out at our booth and pass out smiles and information on the Mproject.
q Discussed Pumpkin decorating contest. Will send out email with more information shortly.
q Discussed places we currently have and where we should have our palm cards and posters. If you have any suggestions please email them to Jacques at 954guys@gmail.com
q Discussed what’s coming up in October and November check out our calendar to see for yourself!
q Discussed new internet presence
o New Blog: Mproject954.blogspot.com
o New AIM: Mproject954
o New Yahoo Messenger: Mproject954
o New MSN Messenger: Mproject954
o Web Address: www.Mproject954.com

NEXT MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR:

Thursday, October, 16 2008 7:00 PM

At The M Lounge
2645 N Andrews Avenue
Wilton Manors, FL 33311
954-618-0736
________________________________________________________________________Jacques Menasche M Project Program Specialist 10/9/08

Core Group Meeting 10/2

2008-10-02T18:56:00.000-07:00

Uncut Reality Group Meeting Minutes

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008 7:00 PM

In Attendance:

Dante, Paul, Chris, Jacques, Ian, Robert

Please welcome Jacques Menasche, our new M Project Specialist, who will be starting Part Time on Tuesday October 7^th and then Full Time on Monday Oct 20th.

Old Business:

q Game Night:

q Movie Night:

q Afternoon Delight: September 27^th Volleyball @ Hagen Park.

q Monthly Birthday Celebrations: We hosted last Wednesday September 24th @ Lips. Chris and Paul's Special day with a Free Dinner and a Show. 8 people showed up to celebrate.

q Blue’s last day was Saturday September 27^th. Thank you for all you have done. You will be missed. Good luck in school!

Pending Items:

q Softball team

q Kayaking Activity – Jacques and Chris

q Laser Quest - Paul

q Thanksgiving Celebration on November 26th

q Cultural Day

q Boomers

q Kameron Scott has been cast in a New Play more information to come soon.

q Halloween Party. Volunteering for the night are Kameron, Paul, Nick, Ryan and Dante.

New Business:

q Order Food earlier for Core Group Meeting about 7:15 pm

q 2009 Contract Deliverables:

o 1 Mgroup a Month and 8 new people at each Mgroup. Because we will only be doing 1 Mgroup a month it will be a bigger event with nicer dinner, fun time. Expect it to be 2 1/2 to 3hrs long.

o Discussed inviting Treatment center guys who fit in our requirements to the Mgroup.

o Out Reaches will now be once a week

§ Minimum of 6 people per outreach

§ Examples of Outreaches would be: Volleyball if we go with our materials (pop-up stand, flyers, etc), Halloween Party, Wilton Drive Tag/Flea Market

o New Registration forms will be implemented

q Add Poll for Movie Night on Myspace so members can decide earlier which movie to see.

q Someone will be staying at the MLounge on Friday Night’s so it will be open to those who do not want to attend the movie.

q Oct 30^th Mproject open house for Broward House employees 4pm to 6pm.

o Have them learn about the Mproject so they can refer people to us

o Want some of our members to be there as well to talk to them.

q Female to Male transgender or welcome at the Mproject.

q New website Mproject954.com

q We will be updating our Myspace and extending our online reach

q Movie Night was voted on and we decided to see “Nick and Norahs Infinite Playlist” at Las Olas Riverfront Cinemas 8:10pm

q Saturday Event

o Group decided to do Volleyball! We will be exploring outreaching while at Hagen Park.

q Discussed having calendar for month in advance so that we can better promote the Mproject and our activities.

q Discussed putting up a suggestion box in the MLounge. – thanks Ian for the great idea! Also noted that we will set up online resources for people to give suggestions for Mproject and our Core Group meeting. Noted that people can call as well.

q Halloween Street Party on October 31^st

o Dante volunteered to join our Halloween Committee and Jacques will be emailing the group to get more people to help.

q New Years Boat Ride -Intercostal Charter Boat

q Chris Brought up Winterfest Boat Party Possibly with Broward House

q Monthly B-day Celebration possible changes

o Change Day it is on

o Possible alternative venues

o Need to identify who’s Birthdays are in October.

o Decided to have October’s B-day Celebration in house due to the open house, and Halloween party.

q Jacques and Robert will be in Orlando for training. October 21,22,23,24 and 25^th

o Dante Volunteered to cover on the 24^th if not working

o Paul Volunteered to cover on the 22^nd and 23^rd

q Discussed Mall Trip Thursday Oct 9^th Macy’s Fashion Show Fundraiser benefits going towards Broward House.Will be at the Galleria Mall. $20 a ticket

q November 7^th is the Gay Men’s Health Summit

o Will be having a 90 minute condensed Mgroup there.

o We will have a Mproject Booth. Need volunteers

o Free Scholarships to get in. Call us for more information

o There will be a dinner, reception and other events.

o Gaymenssummit.com

q Jacques suggested making a panel for the Aid’s Quilt. Robert will contact the person who is in charge

q Monday December 1^st is Aid’s Day

q December 13^th will be Boat ride

q Robert is looking for Mproject guys interested in learning how to and facilitating our Mgroups – please let him know if you are interested.

q Painting Party November 1^st! So we can decorate our place and make it ours! Please email, or bring in your color suggestions by or on Thursday so we can discuss during our core meeting.

q October 11^th’s Afternoon delight will be decorating the MLounge for Halloween! Bring your creativity and we will supply the rest!

q Chris brought up possible new furniture to replace broken furniture. If you know anyone willing to donate anything please tell us.

NEXT MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR:

Thursday, October, 9 2008 7:00 PM

At The M Lounge

2645 N Andrews Avenue

Wilton Manors, FL 33311

954-618-0736

________________________________________________________________________Jacques Menasche M Project Program Specialist 10/2/08