Study claims HIV could be eliminated in decade

(London) The virus that causes AIDS could theoretically be eliminated in a decade if all people living in countries with high infection rates are regularly tested and treated, according to a new mathematical model.

It is an intriguing solution to end the AIDS epidemic. But it is based on assumptions rather …

Canadian province sued over gay marriage rule

(Prince Albert, Saskatchewan) A marriage commissioner is suing the Saskatchewan government after being fined $2,500 for refusing to marry a gay couple.

A Saskatchewan human rights tribunal cited Orville Nichols for discrimination in May for refusing to perform the same-sex marriage.

Nichols told the tribunal last year that he refused to marry …

African nation criminalizes homosexuality

(Bujumbura) The lower house in the central African nation of Burundi has passed legislation making homosexuality a federal crime.

The legislation, which must first be approved by Burundi’s senate, is part of a sweeping reform of the country’s legal system that for the first time abolishes the death penalty and creates laws on …

Life sentence for gay man in intern murder

(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) A 43-year-old suburban Philadelphia man will spend the rest of his life behind bars for the murder of a 23-year-old intern he had attempted to rape.

William Smithson could have been sentenced to death by lethal injection for the murder of Jason Kyle Shephard two years ago.

In addition to …

Florida gay adoption ban headed To State Supreme Court

(Miami, Florida) A Miami judge Tuesday ruled there is “no rational basis” for prohibiting gays from adopting children. It is the second time in two months a judge has ruled against the Florida ban.

Florida law allows gays to serve as foster parents but not adopt. The law is considered the …

Federal lawsuit filed over HIV+ student bullying

(Indianapolis, Indiana) A school district in the state where HIV-positive Ryan White fought for the right to attend classes two decades ago is being sued by the family of a 14-year-old girl who says she was bullied so badly over her positive status that she left school.

The federal lawsuit filed …

California to investigate Mormon Prop 8 donations

(San Francisco, California) California officials have begun an investigation into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to see if it broke the law during the campaign for a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

The California Fair Political Practices Commission said it wants to determine if the Church accurately …

Sheik appeals conviction for assaulting American man who spurned his advances

(Geneva) A brother of the United Arab Emirates’ ruler appealed to a Swiss court Monday to overturn his conviction for assaulting an American with his belt in a luxury hotel bar.

A lawyer for Sheik Falah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan denied that the 38-year-old whipped Silvano Orsi, 40, after …