Videos urge LGBT participation in Census
Ten new videos released by the U.S. Census Bureau urge the LGBT community to fill out and return Census forms [1].
“What I tell folks in the bureau is that this is a powerful, important part of American society,” Tim Olson, a Census Bureau assistant division chief helping to oversee the campaign, told the Associated Press [2].
[3]
“We have to reach out and engage this part of the population. Anything less than that is a failure.”
Five states and Washington, D.C., have legalized same-sex marriage, but the Census Bureau encourages any same sex couples who consider themselves to be married to check the “husband” or “wife” boxes. And “unmarried partner” box is also available.
Conservatives are angry about the move because they feel it legitimizes and redefines marriage.
Watch all of the videos at Logo Online [4].
[1] http://www.365gay.com/news/get-counted-why-the-census-is-crucial-to-gays/
[2] http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GAYS_CENSUS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
[3] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-census-pie-top.jpg
[4] http://www.logotv.com/video/misc/499724/ben-de-guzman.jhtml?id=1635376
1 in 7 gay men in D.C. are HIV+
About one in seven gay men in Washington, D.C., are HIV positive. That staggering figure was released last week by the D.C. HIV/AIDS Administration [1], according to a story by The Washington Post [2].
In a study of 500 gay men in the city, more than 40 percent of the participants were unaware of their diagnosis prior to the study. One in three men reported they didn’t know the status of their last partner.
[3]
“This is a wake-up call,” gay D.C. Council member David A. Catania told the Washington Post. “It’s time for my generation to assume greater responsibility for themselves and their partners. Just because we escaped the epidemic of the 1980s doesn’t mean we are immune.”
Last year, the city distributed more 3.5 million condoms and tested 95,000 people for HIV.
While the figures for HIV among gay men in D.C. are high – almost five times higher than the rate of HIV among adults and teens across the city – figures in other cities are higher. In San Francisco, 24 percent of gay men are HIV positive; in New York it’s 25 percent and in Baltimore, an astounding 40 percent.
[1] http://doh.dc.gov/doh/cwp/view,a,1371,q,573205,dohNav_GID,1802.asp
[2] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/25/AR2010032503730.html
[3] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-hiv-testing-top.jpg
Catholic Charities cuts off benefits for employees’ spouses
Catholic Charities, a Washington, D.C.-based social services agency, appears to be continuing its tantrum over the impending start of same-sex marriages in the district.
On Monday, the agency announced to employees that they would no longer be eligible to receive benefits covering legally married spouses, according to The Washington Post. The …
Tuesday watercooler: Naked, nude and risque
It’s a good week for marriage equality as two more cities get added to the list of those allowing same-sex marriages.
In Washington, D.C., the magic day is expected to be Wednesday. (Opponents filed a challenge with Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on Monday, but I’m going to assume that …
Organizers hope to set largest wedding record
Up to 400 same-sex couples are going for a Guinness World Record on March 20. They want to hold the title for the largest wedding in history.
The event, at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., also celebrates the legalization of same-sex marriage in the district, which officially begins on …
Monday Watercooler: McCain’s love of pretzels to Ashley’s missing brain cells
All you couples better get to D.C. Want to make your mate an honest woman (or man) and be part of marriage equality history? Then grab a marriage ring and get to Washington, D.C. On March 20 up to 400 couples will be exchanging vows and tying the knot. If …
Day One: Prop 8 trial saw some humor, lots of heart
(San Francisco) The trial to challenge Proposition 8 in federal court got underway Monday in San Francisco, but the opening acts were upstaged in Washington, D.C. just minutes before the proceeding began.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy asked the full court to weigh in on the fairness of allowing videotaped …
D.C. Council gives first nod to marriage equality bill
(Washington) The City Council of Washington, D.C. voted 11 to 2 today to support a bill to provide marriage licenses to same-sex couples the same as it provides to straight couples.
“Today’s vote is an important victory –not only for the gay and lesbian community but for everyone who supports equal …
The state of gay marriage: NY, NJ, NH, Ore., Mich. and DC
The struggle for marriage equality looks like a juggling act this week: New York’s up in the air, New Jersey is poised to hop from one hand (the legislature) to another (the governor). And Washington, D.C., is about to be hoisted upward.
But, wait! There are more bills in the air: …
DC addresses domestic partnerships, religious protections in gay marriage bill
From a press release:
(Washington, D.C.) Proponents and supporters, including D.C. religious leaders, will attend the scheduled mark-up of the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009 at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
The Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary, chaired by Councilmember Phil Mendelson, will review the text of …
