STUDY: Voter ID Laws in 10 States May Disenfranchise Transgender Citizens

This November, thousands of trans people in ten Southern and Midwestern U.S. states will face strict photo ID laws that may bar them from voting.

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Mitch Kellaway

www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2014/09/10/study-voter-id-laws-10-states-may-disenfranchise-transgender

Criminalization of LGBT People and Those Living With HIV Threatens Global Progress Against AIDS
When Uganda President Yoweri Museveni visited the White House during the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit last month, a high court had just overturned his country’s widely reviled “Anti-Homosexuality Law” which penalized “aggravated homosexuality” with life in prison, and criminalized the provision of services and support to gay people, threatening progress in that country’s long battle against HIV.
The elimination of the law, which President Barack Obama had warned Museveni would “complicate” the relationship between their two countries, allowed Museveni to focus on the summit, centered around growth, economic development, and the theme of “investing in the next generation.” In many sub-Saharan African countries, no greater threat to growth exists than the impact of HIV on human resources, development and income.

The irony is that by then, Museveni had apparently decided to sign the “HIV Prevention and Control Act,” a new setback to Uganda’s HIV fight. The law criminalizes HIV transmission and “attempted” transmission; forces involuntary testing on survivors of sexual assault, all pregnant women, and anyone who “unreasonably” withholds consent for testing; and encourages medical providers to divulge patients’ HIV status. In addition to promising a further erosion of human rights in Uganda, the law provides a powerful disincentive for Ugandans to risk criminal culpability by getting tested for HIV, or seek medical care at all. United States Global AIDS Coordinator Ambassador Deborah Birx, who leads the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Uganda’s longtime partner and funder in fighting its HIV epidemic , called on the government of Uganda to reject the bill when the parliament passed it in May.

While Museveni’s signature on the law, revealed only after the Washington summit, is dated July 31, 2014, reports say it was backdated, making it likely he signed the law after posting a photo to Twitter of himself between President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama. Either way, he signed it within a few days of meeting with U.S. leaders to discuss ways to foster growth and opportunity in Africa, while being aware that his support for such legislation was in conflict with the goals of PEPFAR, and the U.S. Government.

The latest law raises questions of how many opportunities have been squandered, not just during the week of the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ summit but also during the last decade of the global HIV response, to communicate the importance of human rights and sound public health approaches to “investing in the next generation.” Museveni was representing a country with grave human rights abuses enshrined in law. Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who signed his country’s anti-homosexuality law earlier this year, also attended. Other leaders represented countries that already had HIV criminalization laws, as well as laws abusing the rights of gay people, women, ethnic minorities, immigrants, and migrants, and other important populations to reach if these countries hope to have lasting success in controlling their national HIV epidemics.

To communicate the link between health and human rights, however, the United States has to set a credible example. The ability to do that is challenged by HIV criminalization laws on the books of at least 33 states in this country. It also is challenged by an inconsistency. President Obama rightly issued sanctions in response to Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Law, and those may have factored into the nullification of that law. However, PEPFAR had by then been funding activities for a decade at the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda, an organization that urged the signing of the Anti-Homosexuality Law, and then celebrated when it was signed. When their funding ended in the wake of the new law, the group’s leaders claimed surprise that their stance was held against them, apparently still unaware that homophobic abuse ran counter to the mission they had been enlisted to carry out.

A decade-long public health partnership between the U.S. and African countries should have clarified, by words, actions and example, that human rights are critical to success in stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS throughout the world, particularly in those countries hardest hit by the epidemic. Any new public health partnerships must make this a priority.

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Kenneth Mayer, MD is founder, Co-Chair, and Medical Research Director of The Fenway Institute, the research, training and health policy division of Fenway Health, an ambulatory facility caring for HIV-infected patients. He is also a professor at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health; attending physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston where he serves as director of HIV Prevention Research; and serves as co-chair of the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s Center for Global Health Policy that focuses on the U.S. response to HIV and TB globally.

www.huffingtonpost.com/kenneth-h-mayer-md/criminalization-of-lgbt-p_b_5796602.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Openly Gay Candidate Loses in New Hampshire Primary

Republican and openly gay candidate Dan Innis lost in New Hampshire’s first congressional district GOP primary.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/openly-gay-candidate-loses-in-new-hampshire-primary?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

VOTE: Stoli Guy Chicago Winner Jon Melts Our Hearts With An Inspiring Performance

Jon, the Stoli Guy Chicago winner, took the stage at Market Days for the GayCities-produced star search and showed a more sensitive side. Using heartwarming messages written on cardboard signs, he captivated the crowd, co-host The Pricess and judges Richie Rich and Traver Rains of Heatherette with his uplifting song about why he deserved to be the authentic, inspired, original Stoli Guy.

Now Jon is getting ready to travel to New York City for the national finale. Will he be the one to claim the $10,000 prize?

Click to Vote

Can you give us a little teaser of what your original talent showcase will be at the finale on September 18?

I’m keeping my showcase simple and sweet, I will be “yours” on that stage!

Have you been to New York City before? If so what are your favorite places?

I have never been to New York City, I’m sure I’ll get lost at least once! Maybe there will be someone to show a cute guy around 😉

How did your friends and family react when you were crowned Stoli Guy 2014 in your hometown?

They were all so supportive before and after. I think most of them were crying more than I was from excitement! ….yes I cried, but only a little!

Being an LGBT ambassador for Stoli is an exciting job. Why do you think you’d be the best at it?

I have a great ability to make people feel very comfortable and at ease when I’m around them. I think it’s from growing up in a small town. You definitely get a sense of your neighbor in a town like mine. I don’t pass a single person without throwing a wave or a smile their way. Whether I’m in a big city like New York or not, that doesn’t change. I’m me no matter what!

Why do you think being “authentic” is important in the LGBT community?

The LGBT community has seen its ups and downs. And growing up in this community, you never know what someone might think of you, say, or do to you, once they find out you are a part of it. That uneasiness is where authenticity comes in to play. Everyone wants a trusting and caring person in their life who can handle themselves in any situation. In my eyes an “authentic” person is someone to count on, to lend a hand, or to ease someone’s worries.

What inspired you to participate in Stoli Guy 2014?

The people around me in my hometown actually played a big part. Almost everyday I’m humbled by a comment, a gesture, or a kind word in my community. One thing that is a constant with me is how true I am and guess I always thought I would be a great person to represent a company like Stoli. I just never thought I would actually get a chance at it! Most other pageants/competitions they just want a pretty face. Stoli wants you to continue inspiring the community and to take pride in who you are!

Favorite Stoli Guy Cocktail: Boy Next Door (Stoli Blueberi + Lemonade)

Oscar Raymundo

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/1HYDC_3EZlQ/vote-stoli-guy-chicago-winner-jon-melts-our-hearts-with-an-inspiring-performance-20140910

LGBT Immigrants Hold Reform Rally in Front of White House: VIDEO

Jake Folsom

www.towleroad.com/2014/09/lgbt-immigrants-hold-reform-rally-in-front-of-white-house-video.html

Titus Speaks Out in Defense of LGBT Veterans
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WATCH: Toronto School Board Member Tongue-Tied Over Transphobic Tweets

A Toronto School Board member was struck dumb when a local reporter asked him about his tweets claiming he ‘reserved the right’ to believe that trans people don’t exist and may or may not be mentally ill.

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Mitch Kellaway

www.advocate.com/politics/transgender/2014/09/10/watch-toronto-school-board-member-tongue-tied-over-transphobic

Violence Hurts Us All: A Different Perspective on the Ray Rice Coverage
As a dad and a huge football fan, I find myself continually disturbed by the ongoing developments in the Ray Rice story. While I commend the Ravens this week for releasing Rice, I only wish they would have done so five months ago when the story first broke. I think we can all agree that there is no place in sports or our society for such behavior.

That being said, I am very conflicted by the media coverage that I have seen. On the one hand, I appreciate the fact that domestic violence has garnered so much attention and people understand the devastating affects it has on families and our society. Yet on the other hand, I feel the bigger issue here is not just domestic violence but violence itself.

Before I get pegged as some radical, peacenik hippie from Berkeley. I am none of those things. I love football. I played in high school and I have been a fan all my life. I can appreciate a good hit — on the field that is. I am not the guy who’s trying to ban UFC fights or video games. I am just a dad who is concerned about my kid growing up in a society that is numb to violence of all kinds.

Since the Rice video was released and the world witnessed him beating his then fiancé, the media attention has been squarely focused on domestic violence. The more light that is shone on the issue the better. There is an incredible amount of education that is still needed in this arena and as tragic as these events have been, the hope is good will come from it. It is with that sentiment that I would like to push the conversation beyond domestic violence.

Nowhere should this type of brutality that we witnessed be acceptable. When it’s a fight between two men, regardless of the victims’ size, age or ability — we should take notice and condemn the aggressor with the same severity. It just seems as though if both have a penis it’s fair game. Ask yourselves if the uproar would have been the same if the victim were his smaller, less athletic brother that was smacked unconscious?

In 2010, Francisco Rodriguez was closing games for the New York Mets when he was in a “one-sided” altercation with his father-in-law at Citi Field. The story made some headlines and cost the pitcher a few games but ultimately he continued pitching for the Mets until he was traded the following year to the pennant chasing Brewers. Notably, that Milwaukee team that traded for him is partially owned by Bud Selig, the baseball commissioner. To add insult to injury, K-Rod finished that season making about $11.5 million and was rewarded the following year by the commissioner’s team with another multi-million dollar contract. Apparently beating up a man that is half your size and twice your age isn’t a crime worthy of a serious suspension or expulsion.

I suspect that many people simply have a visceral reaction to women being hurt and for good reason. But as a society do we no longer cringe when David is getting his ass kicked by Goliath? Is that because all men are more capable of defending themselves? Men regardless of the situation “know what they are getting into” just because they are men? Does a fair fight matter? Is it even about a fair fight?

In the progress column, earlier this month the NFL, after great pressure, came out with a stricter domestic violence policy. Players would receive a six game suspension for their first offence and a one-year banishment for a second one. I would argue that is not strict enough. And I would go further and say this policy should go beyond just domestic violence and cover all violence that is in line with what we witnessed in the Rice video.

The attention on domestic violence is incredibly important and needs to be seen and heard. But I believe we need to broaden the conversation. Let’s tap into the fury that Mr. Rice has created and use our disgust that we all feel to stand up and stop the glorification of brutality.

www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-raj/violence-hurts-us-all-a-d_b_5794482.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

The Supreme Court Could Take Up a Marriage Equality Case (or Cases) In Less Than a Month

To date, four federal circuit court rulings in cases from five states have been appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/the-supreme-court-could-take-up-a-marriage-equality-case-or-cases-in-less-t?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed