Tag Archives: discrimination

FDA Relaxes Blood Donation Ban For Gay Men Again, STILL Stigmatizing To Some.

FDA Relaxes Blood Donation Ban For Gay Men Again, STILL Stigmatizing To Some.

Featured, Gay News Domestic & U.S. Politics, , , , , ,

Despite the fact that every drop of blood donated is tested for every disease including AIDS and other diseases the FDA has demonized and stigmatized gay men for decades.

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday announced it had officially eliminated SOME restrictions that had previously prohibited many blood donations by gay and bisexual men from giving blood.

In a news release, the agency said it will recommend a series of “individual risk-based questions” that will be the same for every blood donor, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender or sex. Those who have had anal sex with a new sexual partner, or more than one sexual partner, within the last three months would be asked to wait to donate blood.

With the updated guidelines, most gay and bisexual men who are in a monogamous relationship with a man will no longer have to refrain from sex in order to donate blood. With the EXCEPTION of anyone taking HIV medications — including people who are HIV negative who are taking medications called PrEP to prevent infection.

The original blood donation ban, which was implemented in the 1980s during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, prohibits men who have had sex with other men (MSM) from donating blood for 12 months after their last sexual encounter. In 2020, the ban was revised to reduce the deferral period to three months.

In the past the American Medical Association, the American Red Cross, and numerous other health organizations have called for the ban to be lifted entirely, as it is not based on scientific evidence but the FDA has always ignored them

For decades the FDA policy perpetuated a harmful stereotypes that stigmatize and discriminated against gay and bisexual men. . It implied that all are inherently diseased and dangerous, and reinforced the hate of anti-gay activist and the notion that gay men were they less worthy of donating blood than their heterosexual counterparts.

Still not there yet.

FLORIDA - Bill That Allows Doctors The Right To Refuse Treatment to LGBT+ Patients. The “Protections of Medical Conscience” Act.

FLORIDA – Bill That Allows Doctors The Right To Refuse Treatment to LGBT+ Patients. The “Protections of Medical Conscience” Act.

BREAKING NEWS, Featured, Gay News Domestic & U.S. Politics, , , , , , ,

Florida is turning the Hippocratic Oath into the Hypocritic Oath.

Two weeks ago we alerted you to a bill making its way through the Florida State House by Pensacola physician and Republican state Rep. Joel Rudman that would allow doctors and insurance companies the freedom to drop patients based on what they’re calling “conscience-based objection” 

Yesterday the Florida House approved SB 1580/HB 1403 officially called the “Protections of Medical Conscience” Act. As written it states that healthcare providers cannot turn anyone away based on their “race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.” But gives the physicians the right to turn away LGBT+ patients without suffering any ramifications .

Florida Democrat Anna Eskamani offered up a potential scenario.

Democrat Michele Rayner-Goolsby, who is married to a woman, compared it to Jim Crow laws.

“The sponsor of the bill purports that this bill doesn’t discriminate,” she said. “But listen, y’all. I am old enough, I am Black enough, and I am queer enough, and I’m woman enough to know that the impact of this bill — and I would argue the very intent of this bill is to discriminate against folks.”

The bill passed the Senate on Friday on a 28-11 vote. It passed last night in the House 84-34 vote. It now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis’ desk for signing which he will most assuredly sign into law.

If you still don’t think that Florida is trying to kill the LGBT community you are dead wrong.

And if you live in Florida you could just be dead. PERIOD.

BOYCOTT FLORIDA TOURISM!

LGBT FLORIDIANS GET OFF YOU TANNED LAZY ASSES AND PROTEST!

IF YOU LIVE IN FLORIDA ONLY SUPPORT LGBT+ BUSINESSES!

GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics Announces NEW Dorian Theater Awards

GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics Announces NEW Dorian Theater Awards

Entertainment, Featured, , , , , , ,

GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics today announced it is expanding its mission to honor Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, across a variety of inaugural categories, beginning with the current 2022-2023 theater season..

One winner and two finalists will be selected per category. In the future, the wing may expand to a more traditional nominations/winners timeline.

The voting period this year is Monday, May 22, 2023 to Monday, May 29, 2023. Winners and finalists will be announced on June 1, 2023, in time for Pride Month.

Dorian Theater Awards inaugural categories:

Outstanding Broadway Musical
Outstanding Broadway Play
Outstanding Broadway Revival of a Musical
Outstanding Broadway Revival of a Play
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Broadway Musical
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Broadway Play
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Broadway Musical
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Broadway Play
Outstanding LGBTQ Broadway Production
Outstanding Broadway Ensemble
The Broadway Showstopper Award
(To a standout production number or scene)
LGBTQIA+ Theater Trailblazer Award
Outstanding Off-Broadway Production
Outstanding Off-Broadway Performance

GALECA’s Executive Director John Griffiths personally hand picked the Theater Wing’s 31 Members despite some questionable “parameters” of who could be chosen.

The voting period this year is Monday, May 22, 2023 to Monday, May 29, 2023. Winners and finalists will be announced on June 1, 2023, in time for Pride Month.

Due to the small size of the event the awards will not be broadcast or podcasted.

We’ll keep you updated on any changes and information as the event date comes closer.

RUSSIA: Bolshoi Ballet Cancels 'Nureyev' Ballet Piece Over 'LGBT Propaganda" Law

RUSSIA: Bolshoi Ballet Cancels ‘Nureyev’ Ballet Piece Over ‘LGBT Propaganda” Law

Entertainment, Featured, Gay History, Gay News Domestic & U.S. Politics, Gay News From Around The Globe, , , , , ,

The Bolshoi Ballet is an internationally renowned classical ballet company based at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia.

On Wednesday, the Bolshoi theatre announced it has dropped a contemporary ballet about the legendary Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev from its repertoire following the expansion of Russia’s ban on “LGBT propaganda”.

This makes any portrayal of homosexuality – such as Nureyev’s relationships with men after his defection from the Soviet Union in 1961, which the ballet touches on – impossible.

“‘Nureyev’ was removed from the repertoire in connection with the law … where issues related to the promotion of ‘non-traditional values’ are stipulated absolutely unequivocally,” Vladimir Urin, general director of the Bolshoi, told a news conference on Wednesday.

The ballet, choreographed by Kirill Serebrennikov, has had a troubled history in Russia. It premiered in December 2017, several months late, after the then-culture minister reportedly called it gay propaganda, and has not been performed since 2018. Performances scheduled for 2022 were abruptly cancelled after Serebrennikov publicly blamed Russia for the conflict in Ukraine.

Serebrennikov is one of Russia’s leading film, theatre and television directors and stage designers, has made his frustration clear.

Below you can watch the best of talented ballet star Rudolph Nureyev.

Meet the True Most Marginalized and Vulnerable in the LGBTQ Community: LGBTQ Seniors

Meet the True “Most Marginalized and Vulnerable” in the LGBTQ Community: LGBTQ Seniors

Featured, Gay News Domestic & U.S. Politics, , ,

For the past 10 years we have heard that the QPOC and the Trans segments of our community are the “most marginalized and vulnerable” That may have been true then but in the past decade the narrative changed to the point where LGB issues like the Equality Act have virtually been ignored to support these communities,

But in reality the most marginalized, vulnerable and ignored in our community is LGBTQ seniors. Very little attention has been paid to the problems and dangers facing LGBTQ seniors today. These individuals face a unique set of challenges related to their sexual orientation and gender identity, which often go unnoticed or ignored.

One of the major problems faced by LGBTQ seniors today is social isolation. Many of these individuals have lived through times when their sexual orientation or gender identity was considered taboo or even illegal. They may have been forced to hide their true selves or face discrimination and violence. This isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety, which can have serious implications for their mental health.

Another problem facing LGBTQ seniors is discrimination and lack of access to adequate healthcare. Many seniors in this community may have faced discrimination throughout their lives, and this can extend to their experiences with healthcare providers. They may face barriers to accessing care, including lack of insurance coverage or discrimination from providers who are not knowledgeable about LGBTQ health issues. This can lead to a lack of appropriate treatment or preventative care, which can have serious consequences for their health.

Additionally, LGBTQ seniors face unique challenges related to aging, including financial insecurity and access to affordable housing. Many of these individuals may have faced discrimination in employment or housing throughout their lives, and this can leave them with limited financial resources in retirement. This can make it difficult to access the care and support they need as they age. Additionally, these individuals may be less likely to report abuse or neglect due to fear of discrimination or stigma.

Given these challenges, it is essential to develop strategies to address the needs of LGBTQ seniors. One potential approach is to increase education and awareness about the issues facing this community. This can include training for healthcare providers and caregivers to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide appropriate care. Additionally, community organizations can provide resources and support to LGBTQ seniors to help them connect with others and access necessary services.

Another strategy is to advocate for policies that address the specific needs of LGBTQ seniors. This can include expanding access to affordable housing and healthcare, as well as protecting the rights of LGBTQ seniors in long-term care facilities. Additionally, policies can be developed to ensure that LGBTQ seniors are not discriminated against in employment or housing, which can help address financial insecurity in retirement.

LGBTQ seniors face unique challenges related to aging, including financial insecurity and access to affordable housing. Many of these individuals may have faced discrimination in employment or housing throughout their lives, and this can leave them with limited financial resources in retirement. This can make it difficult to access the care and support they need as they age. Additionally, LGBTQ seniors may face discrimination in housing or long-term care facilities, which can limit their options for affordable, safe housing. And sadly also LGBTQ seniors face discrimination and invisibility within the community itself.

Finally, LGBTQ seniors may face increased risk of abuse and neglect. Studies have shown that LGBTQ seniors are more likely to experience abuse or neglect from caregivers, including family members and healthcare providers. This may be due to a lack of cultural competency or understanding of the unique needs of LGBTQ seniors. Additionally, these individuals may be less likely to report abuse or neglect due to fear of discrimination or stigma.

Given these challenges, it is essential that the community develop strategies to address the needs of LGBTQ seniors. Many of which are responsible for fighting for the rights we have today..

LGBTQ seniors face a unique set of challenges related to their sexual orientation and gender identity. These include social isolation, discrimination in healthcare and housing, financial insecurity, and increased risk of abuse and neglect. To address these challenges, we must increase education and awareness about the needs of this community, advocate for policies that protect their rights and address their needs, and create safe and welcoming spaces where they can come together and build community. By doing so, we can ensure that LGBTQ seniors receive the help and support that they rightfully deserve.

For more information please visit the National Resource Center On LGBTQ+ Aging

Twenty-two Attorneys Generals Call For End of Discriminatory Gay Blood Ban.

Twenty-two Attorneys Generals Call For End of Discriminatory Gay Blood Ban.

Featured, Gay News Domestic & U.S. Politics, , , ,

Twenty-two Attorneys Generals from across the country, including Illinois’ Kwame Raoul, are calling for an end to the FDA’s blood donation policy they say stigmatizes the gay community.

The Attorneys General supports a proposed policy that would use a risk-based model for all donors.

The origins of this policy date back to the early days of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, when HIV was spreading rapidly among gay men. At the time, the medical community knew very little about the virus and how it was transmitted. As a result, many people were afraid of contracting HIV through blood transfusions, and the ban on gay men donating blood was seen as a way to prevent the spread of the disease.

Proponents of the policy argue that it is necessary to protect the blood supply and prevent the spread of HIV. However, many people, including LGBT activists and medical professionals, argue that the policy is discriminatory and outdated.

One major issue with the ban is that it effectively stereotypes all gay men as being at high risk for HIV, regardless of their actual behavior. Furthermore, the ban on gay men donating blood is also seen by many as a violation of their human rights. In many countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, it is illegal to discriminate against individuals based on their sexual orientation. The ban on gay men donating blood is seen by many as a clear example of discrimination.

Over time the “Blood ban” policy has been partially lifted or modified to allow gay men who have been celibate for a certain period of time to donate blood. However, many people argue that these changes do not go far enough, and that the ban should be lifted completely.

Interestingly all blood donations are currently and have in the past been tested for a number of infectious diseases – including HIV.

LIFT THE BAN

KENTUCKY Legislature Overrides Governor's VETO. Makes Don't Day Gay/Anti Trans Bills Laws.

KENTUCKY Legislature Overrides Governor’s VETO. Makes Don’t Day Gay/Anti Trans Bills Laws.

Featured, Gay News Domestic & U.S. Politics, , , , , ,

Today on Wednesday, the second to last day of the General Assembly. The Kentucky legislature has overridden Democratic Governor’s Andy Beshear’s veto and has passed into law the most heinous Don’t Say Gay/Anti-Trans laws in the country.

The Senate passed the measure first 29-8. It then went straight to the House, where protesters disrupted chambers by breaking out in chants.

The legislation in Kentucky is part of a national movement, with Republican state lawmakers approving extensive measures that restrict the rights of LGBT+ people this year — from bills targeting trans athletes and drag performers to measures limiting gender-affirming care and saying the word “gay”. . At least nine states have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming care for minor.

Republican Sen. Robby Mills said he supported the bill because of his belief that “puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones, when administered to youth under 18 for the purpose of altering their appearance, is dangerous for the health of that child.”

Transgender medical treatments have long been available in the United States and are endorsed by major medical associations.

TEXAS - GOP State Rep. Brandon Creighton Sneaks "Don't Say Gay" K-12 Law.

TEXAS: GOP House Bill On Property Tax Relief Excludes LGBT Couples

Featured, Gay News Domestic & U.S. Politics, , , ,
Mess with Texas. PLEASE!

Via: The Hill:

A new Texas House bill that provides property tax relief based on the size of a family excludes LGBT(Q) couples and divorced parents with children, among other parties, from getting the tax advantage. Texas House Bill 2889, introduced this week by state Rep. Bryan Slaton (R), would supply a homestead tax credit to “certain married couples” in the state with either biological or adopted children of any age. Slaton said his bill intends to lift the state’s falling birth rate by establishing financial incentives for child-rearing. The proposed law is inspired by policies enacted in Poland and Hungary.

If this bill becomes law (certainly a possibility in the hellhole of Texas), could it possibly withstand legal scrutiny?

It is subsidized breeding after all.

Sound off in the comments below.

In the 1940's a handwritten, misspelled sign that said “Fagots Stay Out,” made history at West Hollywood eatery and watering hole Barney’s Beanery.

Gay History – February 7, 1970: The Gay Liberation Front Protests LA’s Barney’s Beanie “Fa**ots Stay Out” Sign

Featured, Gay History, , , , ,

In the 1940’s a handwritten, misspelled sign that said “Fagots Stay Out,” made history at West Hollywood eatery and watering hole Barney’s Beanery.

Put up by original owner John “Barney” Anthony, the message so offended the locals so much t that Life magazine did an article on opposition to the sign in 1964, which included a photograph of the owner steadfastly holding on to it. The owner died in 1968, but the new owner Irwin Held, kept the sign up despite pressure and efforts continued to have the sign removed. The Rev. Troy Perry, founder of Metropolitan Community Church, said he was shocked when he first heard about the sign. He confronted Held, who said the sign “didn’t mean anything” and refused to take it down.

Activists put pressure on Held not only through protests and actions designed primarily to make them a nuisance to the business. “Sip-ins” involved settling into booths for hours while ordering nothing but coffee. In “change-ins,” people queued up in long lines just to ask the staff to make change.

The Gay Liberation Front organized a zap (protest) of the restaurant on February 7, 1970 to push for its removal. The sign disappeared that day — but then it went back up along with several more signs.

It wasn’t until early 1985 that it finally came down for good with the newly incorporated city’s adoption of an antidiscrimination ordinance, Days after the city voted. The then-mayor, Valerie Terrigno, the entire city council and gay-rights activists marched into Barney’s and relieved the wall of the offending sign. It now rests in the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives.

The removal of the sign was a time of the changing times in West Hollywood — but many LGBT people continued to steer clear.

Barney’s Beanery is still in operation today. Under new owns and management.

This is your history.

Learn from it

NYC Gay Nightclub The Q Hit With Racial Discrimination Lawsuit By Former Partner

NYC Gay Nightclub The Q Hit With Racial Discrimination Lawsuit By Former Partner

Featured, Gay News Domestic & U.S. Politics, , , ,

The Q, a celebrity-backed gay nightclub which opened in 2021 on Eighth Avenue and 48th street, was supposed to trumpet “inclusiveness,” but in a lawsuit brought by a former fired partner claims that partner Alan Pikus “was vocal in his discriminatory beliefs and was hostile to the club catering to any group other than white young men,” Frank “Frankie” Sharp alleged in the suit which was filed last month in state Supreme Court in Manhattan.

The suit alleges that Pikus wanted the venue to be “comfortable for white twinks,” or young gay, white men, the suit alleges. He wanted women barred from entry and made a disparaging remark to a potential bar manager, saying, “I don’t need [you] to break my back to hire people just because they’re black or trans.” 

“I was shown the door BECAUSE of my REPEATED attempts to address the problematic behavior and dangerous mismanagement of the Q….All I am seeking in this claim is Justice and I REFUSE to be intimidated,” Former partner Frankie Sharp said on his Facebook page.

Thomas Shanahan, a lawyer for Pikus said, “the allegations of inappropriate, racially insensitive and discriminatory comments, they were taken out of context.”

The Q announced on its Instagram page this week that Pikus was no longer affiliated with it and that it made a $10,000 donation to Destination Tomorrow, a Bronx nonprofit serving the LGBTQ+ community.