Help End HIV/AIDS In Our Lifetime with AIDS Walk Los Angeles and APLA Health

From Stonewall to ACT UP, LGBTQ+ people have a history of taking to the streets to change the world. This fall, there is an opportunity to pound the pavement in support of APLA Health as they work to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic in our lifetime.

AIDS Walk Los Angeles will take place this year on Oct. 20. The world’s first walk to fight AIDS was first held in Los Angeles 35 years ago, and the event has raised more than $88 million since then to fuel APLA Health’s prevention, care and advocacy programs.

“Where I’m from in Barstow, they have very little services for HIV patients,” said Jodee Fauxe, a 26-year-old transgender woman and client at APLA Health. “Honestly, since coming to LA and working with APLA, I think really that’s how I became undetectable.”

Fauxe is just one of the 18,000 people APLA Health (formerly AIDS Project Los Angeles) provides services to each year. Sixty-five percent of those clients identify as LGBTQ, and 73 percent are from communities of color.

The annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles is a vital part of APLA Health’s mission. The yearly event helps support HIV testing, STD screening, primary medical care, dental services, behavioral health services, one-on-one counseling, group counseling, HIV prevention (including PrEP and PEP counseling and management), educational outreach on U=U, insurance enrollment and advocacy.

In addition to the incredible healthcare they provide for the people in their communities, APLA Health also offers additional services to encourage overall wellness for clients living with HIV/AIDS. AIDS Walk LA also supports the Vance North Necessities of Life Food Pantry, nutrition counseling, financial literacy programs, home health care, benefits counseling and housing support.

For clients like Fauxe, those additional services can save lives.

“I’d been on hormones, but got them illegally, injecting with god knows what,” she said while discussing working with her doctor at APLA Health. “He was like, ‘Look, we don’t want you to do that again, there’s a right way to do this;’ he definitely led me to the right direction, and I love him.”

You can support APLA Health as they continue to provide life-saving services to clients like Fauxe at this year’s AIDS Walk Los Angeles Oct. 20. Located in downtown LA, the event is now even easier to attend and participate in.

You can register for AIDS Walk LA here and support the more than 60,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles. Visit aplahealth.org to learn more about APLA Health.

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South African Student Graduates in Heels to Fight Homophobia

Letlhogonolo Masinga wanted to make a statement in a nation where homosexuality is legal but stigma remains. 

www.advocate.com/world/2019/9/18/south-african-student-graduates-heels-fight-homophobia

Corey Lewandowski Explodes After Being Called on Admission He Lies to the Press: WATCH

Former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski exploded at CNN’s Alisyn Camerota when she confronted him about his admission before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday that he has “no obligation” to be honest with the media.

“Are you lying now, for instance?” asked Camerota.

After being asked if he only feels the obligation to tell the truth when he’s under oath, Lewandowski screamed about former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe, former FBI director James Comey, and others: “If you’re going to hold me to a standard, hold your same employees and contributors to that same standard.”

Lewandowski’s hearing with the House panel on Tuesday was obstructive from the beginning.

The Daily Beast reported: “Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) could not get through his questioning of Lewandowski—President Trump’s former campaign manager and a key figure in Robert Mueller’s report—without the witness slow-walking by asking for a copy of the report itself and then asking for instructions on how to find specific passages. Then, Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), the top Republican on the panel, forced two groan-inducing votes on parliamentary procedure, which devolved into gavel-banging and shouting from Democrats and Republicans over Lewandowski’s clock-chewing tactics and Nadler’s move to give himself more time for questioning, respectively. … Lewandowski’s conduct so infuriated Democrats that several members called for him to be held in contempt of Congress for obstructing their investigation. Near the end of the hearing, Nadler dangled the punishment but ultimately suggested the committee had bigger fish to fry.”

In his interview with New Day, Lewandowski claimed he didn’t have any reason to be held in contempt: “I’m happy to come back… after the five or six-hour charade I went through.”

Camerota also confronted Lewandowski about his claims that the Mueller Report said there was no obstruction, even though he admitted he never read the report.

CNN was slammed on Twitter after announcing that they had invited Lewandowski to appear on the morning show, one day after the ridiculous performance he gave to the House committee.

Lewandowski told FOX & Friends on Wednesday morning that he’s very close to announcing a bid to challenge Jeanne Shaheen for her U.S. Senate seat in New Hampshire: “I wanted to get through yesterday before I made the final decision. I’m very, very close to announcing my decision on the U.S. Senate race. This is the number one rated television show in America right now, and if I was going to do it, I promise you I would do it on this show. But the truth is, I’ve got to spend a little more time with my family.”

The post Corey Lewandowski Explodes After Being Called on Admission He Lies to the Press: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Corey Lewandowski Explodes After Being Called on Admission He Lies to the Press: WATCH

#AM_Equality Tipsheet: September 18, 2019

HRC MOURNS JA’LEYAH JAMAR, A BLACK TRANS WOMAN KILLED IN KANSAS: “As we hold space to remember and uplift Ja’Leyah, we must also recognize the factors at play that contribute to the dramatically increased risk of violence that trans women of color — especially Black trans women — face everyday,” posted the Kansas Anti-Violence Project in a statement on Facebook. Ja’leyah-Jamar is the 19th known transgender person killed this year, and the 18th Black transgender woman. More from HRC. 

• Portland police investigating violence and potential bias crime against transgender woman. More from CNN. 

Ja’leyah-Jamar is the 19th known transgender person killed this year, and the 18th Black trans woman.

Of the known trans people killed this year, 13 have died from gun violence. These victims are not just numbers or headlines.

Rest in power. #SayHerName t.co/xTcuvCb8np

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) September 17, 2019

HRC RESPONDS TO ARIZONA SUPREME COURT DECISION IN BRUSH & NIB STUDIO V. PHOENIX: “Governor Ducey’s Supreme Court just issued a license to discriminate against Arizona’s LGBTQ community in an alarming decision that puts the state’s people, reputation, and the economy at risk,” said HRC Deputy Campaign Director Justin Unga (@justinunga). “Not only does this decision affect countless LGBTQ Arizonans, it sends a message about inclusivity to businesses and institutions seeking to invest in states that welcome all people. LGBTQ Arizonans pay taxes, own businesses, serve in our military and contribute to our economy, and they deserve a government that stands with them.” More from HRC. 

WHAT WE’RE READING WEDNESDAY — WHY VA DELEGATE DANICA ROEM’S REELECTION EFFORT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LGBTQ RACE IN 2019: “It’s an opportunity to make history once again and to rebuke hate in our politics, to stand up for Danica Roem at a pivotal moment for our community and our country,” writes People for the American Way President Michael Keegan (@MBKeegan) about Roem’s reelection race against an anti-LGBTQ extremist. More from Advocate. 

A new bigot is trying to take @pwcdanica down, writes @MBKeegan. t.co/WXveDVRns8

— The Advocate (@TheAdvocateMag) September 15, 2019

HRC MARKS NATIONAL HIV & AIDS AGING AWARENESS DAY 2019: The day provides a vital opportunity to shine a spotlight on the impact of HIV and AIDS on older adults in the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people ages 50 and older make up 26% of all people in the U.S. living with HIV. Of older adults living with HIV, 49% of new HIV diagnoses in 2015 were among gay and bisexual men. More from HRC.

HRC URGES U.S. SENATE TO REJECT ROBERT DESTRO, TRUMP-PENCE ADMIN’S NOM FOR ASS. SEC FOR DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND LABOR: More from HRC. 

Robert Destro, Donald Trump’s nominee to be Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, has a long record of hostility towards LGBTQ people.

His history should disqualify him from serving in any role at @StateDept. @HRC urges the Senate to reject his nomination. pic.twitter.com/m7ogoObTIO

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) September 17, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER BILL BANNING SO-CALLED “LGBTQ PANIC” DEFENSE: More from WTOP.

FOR #BIWEEK, HRC SHARES RESOURCE GUIDE TO COMING OUT AS BISEXUAL: 

Coming out is different for every person. For bi+ people, it often has some unique challenges.

This #BiWeek, @HRC has some tools to help you celebrate your identity on your own terms. ������t.co/VOn9yDBhWc

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) September 17, 2019

REMEMBERING JOURNALIST COKIE ROBERTS (@COKIEROBERTS), AN OUTSPOKEN ALLY FOR LGBTQ EQUALITY: Read Trudy Ring’s piece in The Advocate.

MSNBC’S KATY TUR (@KATYTURNBC) TALKS ABOUT MOTHERHOOD, HER MATERNITY LEAVE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING WITH FAMILY: More from MSNBC. 

• The HRC Foundation recently released a report detailing the results of its groundbreaking nationwide survey of LGBTQ people that reveals an urgent need for inclusive employer-paid family and medical leave. More from HRC. 

WATCH: On her first day back, @KatyTurNBC discusses becoming a new mother, her maternity leave and the importance of taking time off to be with family. t.co/oVfQQ6GN7I pic.twitter.com/SQ063WzcED

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) September 11, 2019

GLOBAL EQUALITY NEWS

HORRIFIC MURDER OF GAY MAN IN TASHKENT SPOTLIGHTS CONCERNS FOR SAFETY OF UZBEKISTAN’S LGBTQ COMMUNITY: The government of Uzbekistan must hold accountable those responsible for the death of Shokir Shavkatov and do more to ensure the safety of LGBTQ people. More from RadioFreeEurope.

SECOND TRANSGENDER CLINIC TO OPEN IN THE INDIAN STATE OF TAMIL NADU: “For years, members of the transgender community have had poor access to healthcare and barely treated with dignity and self-respect,” said Dean of the Government Rajaji Hospital Dr. K. Vanitha. The clinic will be in the city of Madurai’s Government Rajaji Hospital. More from The Hindu. 

READING RAINBOW – Bookmark now to read on your lunch break!
WTAJ reports that Altoona, Pennsylvania, plans to host its first Pride Parade; Pink News highlights London’s first runway featuring all trans and/or non-binary models, hosts and performers; Merriam-Webster adds non-binary pronoun ‘they’ to the dictionary.  

More than 530 new words were just added to the @MerriamWebster dictionary.

And the non-binary pronoun ‘they’ was one of them.

�������������������� ��������������.

���������������� ������������. t.co/Bzv4OKhxKp

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) September 17, 2019

Have news? Send us your news and tips at [email protected]. Click here to subscribe to #AM_Equality and follow @HRC for all the latest news. Thanks for reading!

www.hrc.org/blog/am-equality-tipsheet-september-18-2019?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

An Erotic Tour of Berlin in ‘My Gay Eye’ from Rinaldo Hopf

www.advocate.com/art/2019/9/18/erotic-tour-berlin-my-gay-eye-rinaldo-hopf

Prominent Democratic Donor Ed Buck Arrested, Charged with Running Meth Drug Den After Third Man Overdoses at His Home: WATCH

Ed Buck, a prominent Democratic donor who has been under suspicion and accused of murder for years after two black men died of meth overdoses (Timothy Dean last January, Gemmel Moore in July 2017) at his West Hollywood apartment, has been arrested following another man’s overdose last week. The third man, who escaped Buck’s apartment, gave authorities the evidence they said they required to make an arrest.

“Sheriff’s investigators found hundreds of photographs in Buck’s home of men in compromising positions,” the L.A. Times reports.

Prosecutors called Buck a “violent, dangerous sexual predator” with “no regard for human life” who “mainly preys on men made vulnerable by addiction and homelessness.”

CBS LA reports: “Buck was charged Tuesday with allegedly running a drug den out of his West Hollywood apartment and providing methamphetamine to a 37-year-old man who suffered an overdose last week, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office said. Buck, 65, was charged with one felony count each of battery causing serious injury, administering methamphetamine and maintaining a drug house. According to the DA’s office, Buck was accused with injecting the victim with methamphetamine at the defendant’s apartment in the 1200 block of Laurel Avenue in West Hollywood. The man survived.”

In January, “a coalition of 50 civil rights organizations — including Equality California, the ACLU, the National LGBTQ Task Force and the National Black Justice Coalition — called for a thorough investigation and for politicians to return all money Buck donated to their campaigns,” the L.A. Times reported.

Jasmyne Cannick, a political consultant and advocate for Moore’s family who has been pushing for Buck’s arrest for years, spoke out on Twitter after the arrest.

Said Cannick, in part (read the whole thread for full statement): “Like I’ve been saying all along, Buck has never stopped the same behavior that cost Gemmel and Timothy their lives. All this time Ed Buck has been operating with the impunity he knows he has as a white man. He wasn’t sneaking these men into his apartment or even trying to hide his behavior. But it’s a start. Ultimately, I want to see Ed Buck charged with the deaths of the Gemmel Moore and Timothy Dean–and I am not giving up hope on that happening.

The L.A. Times reports: ‘Cannick has said she believed Buck got special treatment because of his political activism and fundraising for Democratic candidates, a charge officials have denied, and because he was white and Moore and Dean were black. “I feel vindicated for all the people who said it was never going to happen,” she said. “I feel really good for all the young men he took advantage of because they didn’t feel like anyone took them seriously, like their lives weren’t important enough for anyone to really care about.” Cannick said she called Moore’s mother and Dean’s sister to tell them about the arrest, and “we were all crying.”’

Buck is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday.

Micheal Rice, the director of the film parTyboi: black boys in ice castles, a documentary about the crystal meth epidemic which contained a segment about Buck, spoke with Towleroad about the Democratic donor in an interview in January.

Rice said he believed Buck to be “a sadistic man who receives pleasure from the pain of others and in this case — the pain of disadvantaged young gay Black men.”

ICYMI: ‘parTy boi’ Director Micheal Rice Talks About Ed Buck And Meth In The Black Gay Community: WATCH

Added Rice: “Many clients/victims of Buck reported the constant use of the N-word during their visit, removal of their own clothes to wear items Buck lays out for them [ white long johns] and lastly to financially reward his guest by having victims or himself shoot large amounts of meth into their bodies to see the amount their bodies could withstand before passing out or overdosing… it’s sick, it is almost reminiscent of 19^th century New Orleans serial killer Madame LaLaurie. He targets those young black men that are socially disadvantaged or in need of help with promises of financial reward or shelter in order to fulfill his slave play fetishes and meth induced like experiments.”

The post Prominent Democratic Donor Ed Buck Arrested, Charged with Running Meth Drug Den After Third Man Overdoses at His Home: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.

Prominent Democratic Donor Ed Buck Arrested, Charged with Running Meth Drug Den After Third Man Overdoses at His Home: WATCH