Organization Spotlight: Front Runners

Front Runners International is the hub for GLBT running/walking clubs throughout the world. The organization unites people who are GLBT who have an interest in walking/running for sport and fitness, and is a safe environment as well as a social one.

Word of the Gay: "Sexual Orientation Disturbance"

"Sexual Orientation Disturbance" was a term used by the American Psychological Association after eliminating homosexuality as a disease category. The new term was used to describe individuals who were disturbed, in conflict, or wished to alter their orientation. The antiquated term has since been eliminated, because the disturbance is not a result of the orientation itself, but of the way society treats people who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual.

World Aids Day (12-1-08)

World Aids Day is observed every December 1st. The AIDS epidemic has killed more than 25 million people around the world, including many dear and beloved members of our queer community. In addition an estimated 33 million people are living and suffering with HIV worldwide. Many lives have been claimed, many have been affected, and many people remain in the dark and do not know their status.

Click here for a national listing of HIV & STD testing resources.

It is vital to get tested regularly to ensure that you are not HIV positive, this very serious disease poses a risk not only to yourself but also to potential partners. It only takes one time to get the illness and there is no cure. Regardless of ones status it is imperative to always use protection.

HIV can be transmitted through anal, vaginal, and oral sex, and through the use of dirty and/or used needles. HIV can be transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal secretions, pre-ejaculate, and breast milk.

Please always make sure to use protection, via condoms, female condoms, and dental dams for oral-genital contact. No question is ever too stupid when it comes to dealing with sexual health, and please visit AVERT for comprehensive information on HIV/AIDS for specific countries, sexuality, and more.

On this day let us contemplate the millions of lives who have been and are currently affected by HIV/AIDS. Please use protection, educate yourself and educate others!

Stay safe, and please feel free to use the comment section to ask any questions, we are all here to help one another and no question can be deemed invalid when it comes to our sexual health.

Hospital Visitation Rights Petition

Janice Langbehn and Lisa Pond were ready to depart on a family cruise with their children when tragedy struck. Lisa collapsed and was rushed to a Miami hospital. At the hospital, Janice was told she was in an antigay state and kept from seeing her partner of 20 years. Lisa lay dying alone with her family just feet away in the next room.

We're suing the hospital on Janice's behalf. We're also calling on the next President of the United States to create a health care plan that ensures fair treatment for LGBT people and people with HIV in hospitals and health care settings.

Help Lambda Legal get 10,000 signatures on the petition!

Sign the petition for all the Janice's and Lisa's in the world!

We Have Your Back BCBS-Florida!

"Since publicly announcing their opposition to this discriminatory amendment, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida has been targeted the far right. They stood up for all Floridians and now we need to stand up for them.

Send a Thank You message to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida and let them know that we will stand with them every time they support fairness and equality."

Join SayNo2 campaign in thanking BCBS.

Demand Tasmanian Blood Ban be Dropped!

The Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Tribunal has been debating whether gay/bisexual men should be allowed to donate blood. The case was brought to the tribunal because currently the Red Cross the largest national blood collection agency enforces a ban on donations by men who have had sex with men, and people feel this is tantamount to discrimination.

The Tasmanian Gay & Lesbian Rights Group is fighting the ban. They said the ban is immoral for three reasons.

"1. It puts lives at risk by reducing the pool of potential blood donors at a time when blood is in short supply.

2. It stigmatises gay and bisexual men as a threat to public health.

3. It wrongly portrays male-to-male sex as inherently a health risk, and sends out the irresponsible public health message that heterosexual sex is health-risk free."

Please contact the tribunal and demand an end to the archaic and discriminatory ban.

Email: ADT@justice.tas.gov.au

The Anti-Discrimination Tribunal
23 - 25 Liverpool Street
HOBART TAS 7000

Telephone: (03) 6233 8372

Fax: (03) 6233 5355

Please also take the time to contact the Red Cross and express your views.

Robert Tickner
Chief Executive Officer
Red Cross National Office
Postal: PO Box 196 Carlton Vic 3053
Telephone: 03 9345 1800
Facsimile: 03 9348 2513
Email: natinfo@redcross.org.au


The Chief Executive Officer
Australian Red Cross Blood Service
GPO Box 5103
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Contact Form: Click Here

For more info on the men who began the battle or to get involved in blood-ban activism in Tasmania contact Rodney Croome at 0409 010 668 or Michael Cain at 0400 734 798.

Tell your Senator that NOW is the time to abolish the HIV Travel Ban!

"We are so close to ending the inhumane HIV Travel Ban, which prevents individuals living with HIV from traveling to or becoming citizens of the United States. By writing your lawmakers today, you can help ensure that they keep the removal of the ban in PEPFAR legislation, and help us end this unjust policy.

Tell your Senator that it is time for the U.S. to stop discriminating based on HIV status - they need to ensure the discriminatory HIV Travel Ban is abolished."

Please fill out the e-contact form below to message your rep:
http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/hivtravelban

Conservative MP Mark Pritchard Questions NHS Funding of Sex-Reassignment Surgery

According to Pink News:

"A Conservative MP has claimed that gender reassignment is a "matter of choice."

Mark Pritchard, who represents The Wrekin, expressed his view during Business Questions in the House of Commons yesterday.

He said that while he is "not against sex changes" he wants a debate on their cost to the NHS.

"Given the number of sex changes, which are increasing in the United Kingdom year on year, the cost to the NHS, which has scarce resources, and the fact that sex changes are a matter of choice, is it not time that we had a debate about the issue?" he asked Harriet Harman, Leader of the House.

"Many of my constituents do not have access to Alzheimer's drugs or cancer drugs, but neither of those diseases do they have through choice."

While sex change operations are a choice, so is taking medication for an illness such as Alzheimers or cancer. The fact is both are conditions that require treatment in order for the person to live a healthy and satisfactory life. Please contact Mr. Pritchard and share your viewpoint.

You can write to Mark Pritchard, MP at:
House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA
or at his constituency office:
25 Church Street, Wellington, Shropshire, TF1 1DG.

By email:

pritchardm@parliament.uk

Urge Australian Red Cross to Stop Blood Ban!

Tasmanian gay activists are angered that the prohibition on homosexual men from donating blood still exists. Recently the laws have been changed to allow 16 year olds to donate blood without parental consent. The new laws however still prohibit gay/bisexual males from donating blood.

Contact Australian Red Cross Blood Service

HIV/AIDS is Still a Big Deal!

A great and moving video put out by the New York University and Public Health Solutions targeting the gay community.

Initial studies have found that after viewing the video people were more likely to disclose their HIV status and to get tested regularly.

Please support the project, and spread the video. This can save lives people!

http://www.hivbigdeal.org

Northern Ireland Politician Suggests "Gay Conversion" Therapy

According to BBC News:

"Iris Robinson, is the chair of the Stormont health committee in Northern Ireland.

Mrs Robinson said with help, gay people could be "turned around".

"I have a very lovely psychiatrist who works with me in my offices and his Christian background is that he tries to help homosexuals - trying to turn away from what they are engaged in," she said.

"I'm happy to put any homosexual in touch with this gentleman and I have met people who have turned around and become heterosexuals."

Perhaps you would like to remind her that the Royal College of Psychiatrists said that homosexuality is NOT a psychiatric disorder and that she should stick to her day job of politics and representing all people in her district.

Ms. Iris Robinson

12 North Street
Newtownards
BT23 4DY
Tel: 9182 7701
Fax: 9182 7703

Email: Click here to email Ms. Robinson!

Urge Salt Lake County Council to Vote in Favor of Partner Benefits

The council in Salt Lake City Utah is scheduled to vote on a health insurance plan that would include lesbian and gay couples. The plan would enable anyone living together who can demonstrate financial ties regardless of their gender or if they are legally married to be able to access coverage.

Please urge council members to vote in favor of equality.

Click below to find contact information for council members:

http://www.council.slco.org/html/contact.html