GRUNT Campaign Targets Transgender Men Who Have Sex With Cisgender Men

Transgender men in Australia who have sex with cisgender men are to be targeted by a new sexual health campaign so they can keep it “safe, keep it hot and have awesome sex”.

GRUNT was launched earlier this month by the Peer Advocacy network for the Sexual Health of Trans Masculinities (PASH.tm) and Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO)

The campaign, which features images of trans and cis gay, bi and queer men, “grew out of the need to produce accessible and targeted health promotion information for men who may not have the same level of sexual health knowledge and literacy as their cisgender male counterparts, but are engaging in similar kinds of sex,” reports the Star Observer.

GRUNT with us at the Brisbane launch of Australia’s first sexual health campaign for gay, bi and queer trans men… t.co/VYyWZfgPcj

— Qld AIDS Council (@QLDAIDSCouncil) August 22, 2016

Ted Cook, campaign leader with PASH.tm said:

“This campaign is so important because trans men into men can’t often see ourselves reflected in sexual health campaigns that target gay men and don’t meaningfully and explicitly include trans men, even though we are part of this community.

“We hope to educate our community while unapologetically celebrating who we are and the guys we hook up with.

“GRUNT is about positive, accurate and contemporary sexual health information with tools on how to stay safe and have a great time with other guys.

“We have worked extremely hard over the last 12 months to develop this Australian-first sexual health and HIV prevention campaign, developed by and for gay, bi and queer trans men. “

RELATED: Austin Loses ‘A Safe Space for Gay Men to Go Have Sex’

AFAO CEO Darryl O’Donnell added:

“Trans men deserve access to quality sexual health information that is developed by them and for them. We’re exceptionally proud that GRUNT delivers that.

“HIV is real for all of us. We need to do more to ensure trans men are included when we work with gay, bi and queer men so that we’re embracing everyone in our community and reflecting its real diversity.”

The campaign will include a website, a booklet, a series of posters, a postcard and social media images featuring information about condoms, PrEP, PEP, risk reduction, resilience and sexual health empowerment.

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HRC Holds Voter Mobilization Meetings Ahead of November Election

Post submitted by Alec Thomson, HRC Regional Field Organizer

Last week, HRC members and supporters came together in Atlanta, Denver,  Las Vegas, Phoenix, Philadelphia and Orlando to plan voter mobilization efforts ahead of November’s election. Meeting participants strategized around building HRC’s volunteer base in their state and brainstormed ideas for supporting endorsed candidates in the weeks leading up to the election. These planning sessions were part of HRC’s unprecedented effort to mobilize pro-equality voters in key races up and down the ballot. HRC members nationwide are committed to this effort and to turning out the pro-equality vote in November.

In HRC’s western region, volunteers came together in Denver, Las Vegas and Phoenix to learn about HRC’s endorsement of Hillary Clinton for president and the candidates HRC has endorsed in their respective state’s for U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. Since all of these cities are in critical battleground states, the volunteers developed unique plans for strategic voter mobilization efforts.

In Philadelphia, the momentum of the Democratic National Convention carried into a lively meeting of local leaders to talk about mobilizing Philly’s pro-equality vote. Conversations centered around local energy for the election and plans for best utilizing that energy.

As advocates gathered in Orlando for a planning meeting last week, the memory of the tragedy at Pulse nightclub still weighed on everyone’s mind. Local advocates was the outpouring of of support for LGBTQ people in the days after the attack on our community. The team brainstormed ideas to tap allies to get them to vote for pro-equality candidates. The spirit behind #OrlandoUnited and #OrlandoStrong can be a rallying cry for Florida voters which will be critical in a battleground state.

In Atlanta, dozens of HRC leaders and community activists gathered to discuss strategies for turning Georgia blue in the upcoming election. Recent polls show that Georgia has the potential to be a competitive battleground state in the November elections and pro-equality voters could make a real difference in the outcome. With a diverse and growing electorate, Georgia leaders are set to mobilize voters for pro-equality candidates. The workshop laid the groundwork for a powerful shift that may turn a historically red state like Georgia blue.

At HRC we know that elections matter. The stakes have never been higher for the LGBTQ community than this election – that’s why HRC has aggressive plans to mobilize our members and supporters this fall and there is an important role for you in our effort. Click here to learn more about upcoming workshops in cities across the country.

For more information about our HRC Equality Votes workshops or volunteer opportunities in communities near you, contact Jonathan Shields at [email protected].  

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-holds-voter-mobilization-meetings-ahead-of-november-election?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

HRC Foundation Works With Maryland Officials to Improve Support for LGBTQ Youth in Foster Care

HRC Foundation’s All Children – All Families (ACAF) project is working with Maryland state officials to provide comprehensive staff training to better support LGBTQ youth.

According to The Washington Post, the trainings, which will start next month in Prince George’s county, will include guidance on how to recognize subconscious bias and using the proper language with LGBTQ youth.

“It comes down to education and talking to folks about what acceptance looks like,” Alison Delpercio, deputy director of ACAF, told The Washington Post. “When you talk to parents about that and help them understand even if they have the best interest of children in mind, expressing disgust or disapproval for a young person’s LGBTQ identity is harmful, and it’s the exact opposite of what they are trying to do.”

Research has shown that LGBTQ youth are over-represented in the foster care system. This means that the percentage of youth in foster care who are LGBTQ-identified is larger than the percentage of LGBTQ youth in the general youth population. LGBTQ youth in foster care also face disparities – differences in experiences in care or treatment by the system. Studies show they are more likely to be harassed or discriminated against and they have a higher number of placements (different places they have lived) during their time in care. LGBTQ youth of color are especially vulnerable to multiple forms of discrimination.

LGBTQ youth enter the foster care system for many of the same reasons as non-LGBTQ youth in care, including abuse, neglect, and parental substance abuse. Many LGBTQ youth have the added layer of trauma that comes with being rejected or mistreated because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

HRC’s expert training for child welfare professionals focuses on the knowledge and essential skills social workers need to create affirming and supportive environments for the diverse population of LGBTQ young people in care.

Currently, 21 states have policies or laws barring discrimination against foster youths based on sexual orientation. Only 14 extend those policies to transgender children.

Learn more about HRC’s work to promote LGBTQ cultural competency in adoption and foster care through our All Children–All Families project at hrc.org/acaf.

Click here to read HRC’s issue brief on LGBTQ youth in foster care.

www.hrc.org/blog/hrc-foundation-works-with-maryland-officials-to-improve-support-for-lgbtq-y?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

LGBT Comedians React to Drag-tastic VMAs

Any time you have Britney and Bey in the same room, gay Twitter is going to have something to say about it.

www.advocate.com/comedy/2016/8/29/lgbt-comedians-react-drag-tastic-vmas

Mexican Star Juan Gabriel Dies At 66 Of Heart Attack

Juan Gabriel. Via YouTube.

Mexican singer Juan Gabriel, who had relaunched his career and was on the biggest tour of his career, has died at the age off 66 from a heart attack.

Gabriel died on Sunday, in the middle of the U.S. leg of his MeXXico Es Todos tour.

Fans and media outlets have long alluded to him being gay, but he has only addressed the question once formally, telling a Univision reporter “lo que se ve, no se pregunta” (“don’t ask about something that is obvious”).

Related: Science Explains Why Freddie Mercury Was Such A Good Singer

“His music was his legacy for the world,” Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said on Twitter. “He left us too soon.”

President Obama released a statement saying his spirit would live on through his fans.

“His spirit will live on…in the hearts of the fans who love him” —@POTUS on Mexican musician #JuanGabriel: pic.twitter.com/355XTv2Hq2

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) August 29, 2016

“My father’s untimely passing is a tragic loss for all of us, his family, colleagues, and fans alike,” his son, Ivan Aguilera, said in a statement from the family. “We give heartfelt thanks for the outpouring of condolences we have received from around the world including from President Enrique Pena Nieto. We know that our father will miss entertaining his countless fans, who brought him tremendous joy in life.”

Related: Mexican Soccer Stars: Homophobia In The Stands Is Not Okay

In 2015, Billboard listed Gabriel as one of the “30 Most Influential Latin Artists of All Time” citing his “dramatic performance style” and that he “defined romantic Latin pop.” They inducted him into their Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame in 1996.

The six-time Grammy nominee has sold millions of albums and also has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He performed for thousands at the Los Angeles Forum just days before his death.

Juan Gabriel’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Via Cindy on Flickr, CC 2.0.

Gabriel was born Alberto Aguilera Valadez, the son of a farmer in Parácuaro, Mexico. When his father was sent to a psychiatric hospital and his mother was unable to care for him on her own, he was sent to an orphanage.

Last week, his new album, Vestido de Etiqueta: Por Eduardo Magallanes, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart and Telemundo is set to begin airing a TV series based on his life, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

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Golden Girl: Bea Arthur’s Shelter For Homeless LGBT Youth Will Open In 2017

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Actor Gene Wilder Dead at 83

Actor Gene Wilder, loved for his roles as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, as well as the Mel Brooks films Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, and multiple Richard Pryor collaborations, has died at the age of 83 at his home in Stamford, Connecticut.

Wilder’s family told Variety that he died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease:

His nephew said in a statement,

“We understand for all the emotional and physical challenges this situation presented we have been among the lucky ones — this illness-pirate, unlike in so many cases, never stole his ability to recognize those that were closest to him, nor took command of his central-gentle-life affirming core personality. The decision to wait until this time to disclose his condition wasn’t vanity, but more so that the countless young children that would smile or call out to him “there’s Willy Wonka,” would not have to be then exposed to an adult referencing illness or trouble and causing delight to travel to worry, disappointment or confusion. He simply couldn’t bear the idea of one less smile in the world.

He continued to enjoy art, music, and kissing with his leading lady of the last twenty-five years, Karen. He danced down a church aisle at a wedding as parent of the groom and ring bearer, held countless afternoon movie western marathons and delighted in the the company of beloved ones.”

Gene Wilder-One of the truly great talents of our time. He blessed every film we did with his magic & he blessed me with his friendship.

— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) August 29, 2016

RIP.

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