This is too cute for words and so inspirational!
Monday, August 16, 2010
A Word from Julia
And I that's why I love this woman:
When asked if she hopes to see gay rights progress in those countries (homosexuality only became legal in India in 2009), Roberts said, “Everywhere. Even in America, we think we’re such forerunners and we haven’t worked out all the kinks either- and I think that love is the ultimate theme of our lives and to let everybody love in the best way they can in the most nurturing way with whoever that person is that they choose, that chooses them- if we could get that down, I think it would solve a lot of other problems.”
When asked if she hopes to see gay rights progress in those countries (homosexuality only became legal in India in 2009), Roberts said, “Everywhere. Even in America, we think we’re such forerunners and we haven’t worked out all the kinks either- and I think that love is the ultimate theme of our lives and to let everybody love in the best way they can in the most nurturing way with whoever that person is that they choose, that chooses them- if we could get that down, I think it would solve a lot of other problems.”
He has a "Vision"
(CNN) -- I am a product of the "The Black Church." It shaped me into who I am today: a Christian pastor aware of God's amazing grace and love.
When I announced I was gay, the church limited that grace and love. Although I had no doubt that God loved me, I discovered that God's love and the church's love can be two different things.
To be Christian is to be inclusive of people who love one another. This is why I support same-sex marriage.
As a pastor, I have counseled countless heterosexual and homosexual couples, and have observed that no matter the race, background or sexual orientation of the couple, a healthy relationship requires commitment, genuine respect and mutual love.
Though my partner and I had a commitment ceremony in 2003, and obtained a marriage license this past July in Washington D.C., we learned that marriage is more than our religious convictions and our commitment, but also about laws that will protect us.
Marriage equality is not about religious rights, but the right to equal benefits. At the end of 2003, the U.S. Government Accountability Office identified 1,138 federal provisions where marital status is a factor in determining or receiving benefits, rights and privileges.
These include next-of-kin hospital visits and medical decisions where one partner is too ill to be competent; automatic inheritance in the absence of a will and inheritance of jointly owned real and personal property through the right of survivorship. These benefits allow all marriages access to the social and emotional supports that can produce healthy families and communities.
I affirm the role of religion in our society. But no matter how powerful religion is, in the United States, the laws of the church and the laws of the government are intentionally separate.
Another view from the pulpit: Same-sex marriages will hurt families
In 1968, 73 percent of Americans disapproved of marriage between blacks and whites. Then, it was argued that interracial marriage would hurt families and dismantle societal structures. In 1967, the Supreme court ended race-based restrictions on marriage in Loving vs. Virginia.
Today, support of interracial marriage is stronger than it has ever been. So is support of same-sex marriage. Like interracial couples, gay couples are seeking equality under the law, asking their government for these rights, not individuals, or religious bodies.
If same-sex marriage is about love and religion is about love, then in this debate, love must go both ways. We must not be hateful in our disagreements over marriage. Verbal and emotional abuse should have no place in our sacred places of worship. The pulpit should not be used as a place of abuse even if one disagrees with same-sex marriage.
Jesus never mentioned homosexuality in his 33 years of life. But in Mark 12:31, he did emphasize, "...thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." The apostle Paul said: "Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another." I wonder what the debate over same-sex-marriage would be like if we applied this basic scripture?
True equality can begin when we see others as we see ourselves. I believe there is room to disagree, but just because we don't agree on my legal rights does not mean I am not entitled to them.
The gay community must also learn how to love those who disagree with them. If heterosexual couples and gay couples could see their commonality, equality would not just be the law of the land, but it could be a new law for humanity that governs our fragile future.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of O.C. Allen.
When I announced I was gay, the church limited that grace and love. Although I had no doubt that God loved me, I discovered that God's love and the church's love can be two different things.
To be Christian is to be inclusive of people who love one another. This is why I support same-sex marriage.
As a pastor, I have counseled countless heterosexual and homosexual couples, and have observed that no matter the race, background or sexual orientation of the couple, a healthy relationship requires commitment, genuine respect and mutual love.
Though my partner and I had a commitment ceremony in 2003, and obtained a marriage license this past July in Washington D.C., we learned that marriage is more than our religious convictions and our commitment, but also about laws that will protect us.
Marriage equality is not about religious rights, but the right to equal benefits. At the end of 2003, the U.S. Government Accountability Office identified 1,138 federal provisions where marital status is a factor in determining or receiving benefits, rights and privileges.
These include next-of-kin hospital visits and medical decisions where one partner is too ill to be competent; automatic inheritance in the absence of a will and inheritance of jointly owned real and personal property through the right of survivorship. These benefits allow all marriages access to the social and emotional supports that can produce healthy families and communities.
I affirm the role of religion in our society. But no matter how powerful religion is, in the United States, the laws of the church and the laws of the government are intentionally separate.
Another view from the pulpit: Same-sex marriages will hurt families
In 1968, 73 percent of Americans disapproved of marriage between blacks and whites. Then, it was argued that interracial marriage would hurt families and dismantle societal structures. In 1967, the Supreme court ended race-based restrictions on marriage in Loving vs. Virginia.
Today, support of interracial marriage is stronger than it has ever been. So is support of same-sex marriage. Like interracial couples, gay couples are seeking equality under the law, asking their government for these rights, not individuals, or religious bodies.
If same-sex marriage is about love and religion is about love, then in this debate, love must go both ways. We must not be hateful in our disagreements over marriage. Verbal and emotional abuse should have no place in our sacred places of worship. The pulpit should not be used as a place of abuse even if one disagrees with same-sex marriage.
Jesus never mentioned homosexuality in his 33 years of life. But in Mark 12:31, he did emphasize, "...thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." The apostle Paul said: "Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another." I wonder what the debate over same-sex-marriage would be like if we applied this basic scripture?
True equality can begin when we see others as we see ourselves. I believe there is room to disagree, but just because we don't agree on my legal rights does not mean I am not entitled to them.
The gay community must also learn how to love those who disagree with them. If heterosexual couples and gay couples could see their commonality, equality would not just be the law of the land, but it could be a new law for humanity that governs our fragile future.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of O.C. Allen.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Loving Steph Jones
R&B Singer Steph Jones speaks the truth about our community...Luck Jordan Sparks...HEFFA...just joking!!!!!I love Jordan!!!
Judge Walker's Final Words on Prop 8
Final Stay Order
Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, who last week struck down Proposition 8 as unconstitutional, has lifted his stay but same-sex marriages are still on hold.
Walker has ruled that same-sex marriages should resume immediately in California and put his order on hold until August 18 for the appeals court to review the matter.
Adds the Mercury News: "Walker's ruling invalidating the state's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage has already been appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Proposition 8 proponents have indicated they will seek an emergency stay from the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit of any order from the judge that would allow same-sex marriages to take place while the broader legal challenge proceeds."
Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, who last week struck down Proposition 8 as unconstitutional, has lifted his stay but same-sex marriages are still on hold.
Walker has ruled that same-sex marriages should resume immediately in California and put his order on hold until August 18 for the appeals court to review the matter.
Adds the Mercury News: "Walker's ruling invalidating the state's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage has already been appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Proposition 8 proponents have indicated they will seek an emergency stay from the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit of any order from the judge that would allow same-sex marriages to take place while the broader legal challenge proceeds."
Justin Terry on GLO Network
Activist, Air-Force veteran, and husband, Justin B. Terry-Smith has dedicated his life to educating and bringing awareness to HIV/AIDS. Involved in many outreach programs and organizations like: Us Helping Us, Human Rights Campaign, Equality Maryland, The National Black Justice Coalition, etc., Justin has created “Justin’s HIV Journal,” which is airing on the upcoming LGBT network GLO TV. Justin boldly showcases his life on video for the world to see. Inviting viewers to witness what it is really like to be “living with HIV.”
She Has a new Attitude and a New Job
Good Luck to Patti!!!!
New attitude! Patti Labelle will join the cast of the Tony-winning Fela! on September 14th and will perform there until the show's scheduled closing in January. She will replace Tony winner Lilias White in the role of Fela's mother.
-A Broadway version of Glee will definitely happen, according to the show's co-creator Ryan Murphy, who says he is already auditioning the cast. No opening date has been disclosed. Murphy is also slated to direct the movie version of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart.
-Hairspray Tony winner Marisa Winokur will co-cost the coming CBS talk show about motherhood with openly lesbian Rosanne star Sara Gilbert.
-Patti Lupone and Brian Stokes Mitchell will star in the musical version of Pedro Almodovar's Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown, which begins previews at the Belasco Theatre on October 2nd.
-Turn around bright eyes: Tony nominee Justin "Kiki" Bond will perform a series of dates at Joe's Pub beginning on September 12th. If you haven't seen Justin Bond, you are missing one of the truly unique theatrical experiences of our days.
-Spider-Man: Turn Of The Dark will finally begin previews on November 14th after almost a year of delays related to its record-breaking $50M production cost.
-Tony winner Beth Leavel (Drowsy Chaperone) and George Wendt (Cheers) have been cast in the musical version of Elf, set to open at the Hirshfeld on November 14th. Wendt will play Santa, the lead role of Buddy has not yet been cast.
New attitude! Patti Labelle will join the cast of the Tony-winning Fela! on September 14th and will perform there until the show's scheduled closing in January. She will replace Tony winner Lilias White in the role of Fela's mother.
-A Broadway version of Glee will definitely happen, according to the show's co-creator Ryan Murphy, who says he is already auditioning the cast. No opening date has been disclosed. Murphy is also slated to direct the movie version of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart.
-Hairspray Tony winner Marisa Winokur will co-cost the coming CBS talk show about motherhood with openly lesbian Rosanne star Sara Gilbert.
-Patti Lupone and Brian Stokes Mitchell will star in the musical version of Pedro Almodovar's Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown, which begins previews at the Belasco Theatre on October 2nd.
-Turn around bright eyes: Tony nominee Justin "Kiki" Bond will perform a series of dates at Joe's Pub beginning on September 12th. If you haven't seen Justin Bond, you are missing one of the truly unique theatrical experiences of our days.
-Spider-Man: Turn Of The Dark will finally begin previews on November 14th after almost a year of delays related to its record-breaking $50M production cost.
-Tony winner Beth Leavel (Drowsy Chaperone) and George Wendt (Cheers) have been cast in the musical version of Elf, set to open at the Hirshfeld on November 14th. Wendt will play Santa, the lead role of Buddy has not yet been cast.
New Models Inc...Congrats to Amber Starr
Per Carriefairfield:
GREETING TO ALL,
IT BECOMES WITH GREAT SADNESS TO MAKE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AS IN THE HISTORY OF 12 YEARS NOW AND COUNTING WE HAVE NOT HAD EVEN THE THOUGHT PROCESS OF MAKING A DECISION SUCH AS THIS AND REGRET HAVING TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE FASHION.
AFTER MUCH THOUGHT AND POOR COMMUNICATION WITH THE REIGNING MISS MODELS INC 2010 (TAMISHA IMAN). MISS MODELS INC NATIONAL PAGEANTRY HAS COME TO A MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AS TO HER TO RESIGN FROM THE POSITION AS MISS MODELS INC NATIONAL 2010. WE WHERE GOING TO AWAIT TO MAKE THIS OFFICIAL AS OF SUNDAY, AUGUST 15TH 2010 AND AFTER CAREFUL REVIEW DECIDED TO NOT FURTHER DELAY THE BUSINESS OF MMI.
WE WILL NOT GO INTO ANY FURTHER INFO REGARDING THIS DECISION OUT OF MAINTAINING A PROFESSIONAL APPROACH TO THE ART FORM. THERE ARE MANY DETERMINING FACTORS AS TO WHY THIS DECISION WAS MADE AND HARD FEELINGS ARE CERTAINLY "NOT" SOMETHING WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON HERE AT MMI.
WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE MISS MODELS INC NATIONAL 2010 (MISS AMBER STARR) "THE MMI REWIND" AND LOOK FORWARD TO A GREAT 10 MONTH REIGN WITH HER AS SHE IS AWARE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND OVERWHELMINGLY TAKES ON THE POSITION. OFFICIALLY ASAP SHE WILL RECEIVE COMPLETE CROWNING ROYALTIES AND WILL TAKE ON HER FIRST NATIONAL BOOKING SEPT 24TH-26TH IN NORFOLK VA FOLLOWED BY A STUNNING EXCLUSIVE MMI SHOOT TO BE OFFERED ASAP PUBLICLY.
WE WELCOME HER TO THE NATIONAL ARENA AND TO THE MMI MAFIA NOW AND FOREVER. PLEASE NOTE WE WILL NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER INFO REGARDING THIS MATTER AS WE ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD. PLEASE FURTHER NOTE THAT ALL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS PER MMI ARE COMPLETE UPON THIS DECISION AS WELL.
RESPECTFULLY ,
MISS VEGA OVA
MMI NATIONAL PAGEANTRY CEO/FOUNDER
GREETING TO ALL,
IT BECOMES WITH GREAT SADNESS TO MAKE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AS IN THE HISTORY OF 12 YEARS NOW AND COUNTING WE HAVE NOT HAD EVEN THE THOUGHT PROCESS OF MAKING A DECISION SUCH AS THIS AND REGRET HAVING TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE FASHION.
AFTER MUCH THOUGHT AND POOR COMMUNICATION WITH THE REIGNING MISS MODELS INC 2010 (TAMISHA IMAN). MISS MODELS INC NATIONAL PAGEANTRY HAS COME TO A MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AS TO HER TO RESIGN FROM THE POSITION AS MISS MODELS INC NATIONAL 2010. WE WHERE GOING TO AWAIT TO MAKE THIS OFFICIAL AS OF SUNDAY, AUGUST 15TH 2010 AND AFTER CAREFUL REVIEW DECIDED TO NOT FURTHER DELAY THE BUSINESS OF MMI.
WE WILL NOT GO INTO ANY FURTHER INFO REGARDING THIS DECISION OUT OF MAINTAINING A PROFESSIONAL APPROACH TO THE ART FORM. THERE ARE MANY DETERMINING FACTORS AS TO WHY THIS DECISION WAS MADE AND HARD FEELINGS ARE CERTAINLY "NOT" SOMETHING WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON HERE AT MMI.
WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE MISS MODELS INC NATIONAL 2010 (MISS AMBER STARR) "THE MMI REWIND" AND LOOK FORWARD TO A GREAT 10 MONTH REIGN WITH HER AS SHE IS AWARE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND OVERWHELMINGLY TAKES ON THE POSITION. OFFICIALLY ASAP SHE WILL RECEIVE COMPLETE CROWNING ROYALTIES AND WILL TAKE ON HER FIRST NATIONAL BOOKING SEPT 24TH-26TH IN NORFOLK VA FOLLOWED BY A STUNNING EXCLUSIVE MMI SHOOT TO BE OFFERED ASAP PUBLICLY.
WE WELCOME HER TO THE NATIONAL ARENA AND TO THE MMI MAFIA NOW AND FOREVER. PLEASE NOTE WE WILL NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER INFO REGARDING THIS MATTER AS WE ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD. PLEASE FURTHER NOTE THAT ALL FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS PER MMI ARE COMPLETE UPON THIS DECISION AS WELL.
RESPECTFULLY ,
MISS VEGA OVA
MMI NATIONAL PAGEANTRY CEO/FOUNDER
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
PROP 8 OVERTURNED>....VICTORY!!!!!!
Moments ago California's Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage was OVERTURNED by Judge Vaughn Walker..This is great but we still have a war to win..KEEP IT UP EVERYONE!!!! I'm so excited.!!!!
Prop 8 Ruling
Prop 8 Ruling
GLO to hit in September!!!
Well the wait is almost over. The new LGBT newtork "GLO" is set to release next month and I have to say that I am extremely excited about it..check out the website and all the new shows that will be coming!!!!
http://www.glotvnetwork.com/
http://www.glotvnetwork.com/
This is just Sad...Man kills Baby for Acting like a girl
Heartbreaking. Horrific. Beyond disgusting.
A 20-year-old Long Island man is behind bars and accused of brutally beating the life out of a 17-month-old boy that he was babysitting. The little boy was "acting like a little girl", Pedro Jones told police, reports ABC 7. "Police were called to the scene [at the Shinnecock Indian Reservation] around 8:25 Sunday night. The child was in cardiac arrest, police said. He was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time later. According to court documents, Jones, who was not related to the boy, punched him over and over with closed fists and grabbed him by the neck. Documents say he confessed to the crime, telling troopers, 'I was trying to make him act like a boy instead of a little girl. I never struck that kid that hard before. A one-time mistake, and I am going to do 20 years.' He told troopers he planned to marry Roy's mother, who is a member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation. They lived together on tribal land in Southampton."According to the felony complaint, Jones said, "I never struck the child that hard before" and "One mistake, I'm going to do 20 years." Beating an infant to death is a mistake? Jones was arraigned and plead not guilty to a charge of first-degree manslaughter, reports WCAX. And claimed yet another underage casualty to hypermasculine thug culture.
watch video @ http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=7588244
A 20-year-old Long Island man is behind bars and accused of brutally beating the life out of a 17-month-old boy that he was babysitting. The little boy was "acting like a little girl", Pedro Jones told police, reports ABC 7. "Police were called to the scene [at the Shinnecock Indian Reservation] around 8:25 Sunday night. The child was in cardiac arrest, police said. He was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time later. According to court documents, Jones, who was not related to the boy, punched him over and over with closed fists and grabbed him by the neck. Documents say he confessed to the crime, telling troopers, 'I was trying to make him act like a boy instead of a little girl. I never struck that kid that hard before. A one-time mistake, and I am going to do 20 years.' He told troopers he planned to marry Roy's mother, who is a member of the Shinnecock Indian Nation. They lived together on tribal land in Southampton."According to the felony complaint, Jones said, "I never struck the child that hard before" and "One mistake, I'm going to do 20 years." Beating an infant to death is a mistake? Jones was arraigned and plead not guilty to a charge of first-degree manslaughter, reports WCAX. And claimed yet another underage casualty to hypermasculine thug culture.
watch video @ http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=7588244
Thursday, July 29, 2010
A Pill to prevent HIV? Could it be?
On the closing day of the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria, some promising news on Tenofovir, a powerful antiretroviral previously reported on R20. A study presented by the Centers for Disease Control found that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir is safe for men who have sex with men (MSM). Tenofovir is found in Viread, Truvada and Atripla.
PrEP is one of the most promising prevention tools on the immediate horizon. With PrEP, HIV-negative individuals take antiretroviral drugs to prevent becoming infected with the virus. The first PrEP studies are testing tenofovir alone (Viread), while several later studies are testing tenofovir plus emtricitabine (Truvada). For that study, CDC-4323, Lisa Grohskopf, MD, from the CDC and her colleagues enrolled 400 HIV-negative MSM...The study was not designed to determine whether tenofovir could prevent HIV transmission, only whether or not it was safe compared with a placebo. All of the men were tested for HIV regularly and received rigorous HIV prevention counseling and condoms throughout the study. Grohskopf and her colleagues found that men taking tenofovir had no more side effects than men taking a placebo.
The promising PrEP results follow a breakthrough tenofovir microbicide study that found significant reduction in HIV transmissions in women who used the vaginal gel. The gel could theoretically be used in anal sex, but that has not been tested. Tenofovir is one of so-called HIV "morning after pills". The post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a cocktail of usually 3 or 4 anti-retoviral medications that must be taken after possible exposure to HIV and for up to 30 days. There are anecdotal reports that some gay men are taking "T" after a weekend of drug use and unprotected sex. More on PEP HERE and HERE.Meanwhile: A "substantial" proportion of gay men say they "would reduce condom use" if pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) proves to be effective at preventing HIV, according to study released last month and presented at AIDS 2010.The Centers for Disease Control is very bullish on the PrEP findings, especially the prevention possibilities for Black MSM. Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of the CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, talked with R20 at AIDS 2010 and we'll publish that interview soon.
PrEP is one of the most promising prevention tools on the immediate horizon. With PrEP, HIV-negative individuals take antiretroviral drugs to prevent becoming infected with the virus. The first PrEP studies are testing tenofovir alone (Viread), while several later studies are testing tenofovir plus emtricitabine (Truvada). For that study, CDC-4323, Lisa Grohskopf, MD, from the CDC and her colleagues enrolled 400 HIV-negative MSM...The study was not designed to determine whether tenofovir could prevent HIV transmission, only whether or not it was safe compared with a placebo. All of the men were tested for HIV regularly and received rigorous HIV prevention counseling and condoms throughout the study. Grohskopf and her colleagues found that men taking tenofovir had no more side effects than men taking a placebo.
The promising PrEP results follow a breakthrough tenofovir microbicide study that found significant reduction in HIV transmissions in women who used the vaginal gel. The gel could theoretically be used in anal sex, but that has not been tested. Tenofovir is one of so-called HIV "morning after pills". The post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a cocktail of usually 3 or 4 anti-retoviral medications that must be taken after possible exposure to HIV and for up to 30 days. There are anecdotal reports that some gay men are taking "T" after a weekend of drug use and unprotected sex. More on PEP HERE and HERE.Meanwhile: A "substantial" proportion of gay men say they "would reduce condom use" if pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) proves to be effective at preventing HIV, according to study released last month and presented at AIDS 2010.The Centers for Disease Control is very bullish on the PrEP findings, especially the prevention possibilities for Black MSM. Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of the CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, talked with R20 at AIDS 2010 and we'll publish that interview soon.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Applause for Miss NYC
• Beauty and Guts. Move over anti-gay Miss USA contestant, Carrie Prejean, there’s a new queen in town. The newest Miss New York, Claire Buffie, is the first Miss America contestant, in it’s 90 year history, to use gay rights as her platform. Her platform is “Straight for Equality: Let’s Talk” Ms. Buffie tells The Advocate “that it’s really important to promote equality for all people, ‘all’ being the main word. As a straight ally, I think it’s so necessary to have that straight allies’ support for the LGBT community.” Inspired by her lesbian sister and her years surrounded by gays in her dance program she is ready to bring the equality train the national pageant. In the past years the American public has been able to vote anywhere from one to four contestants into the televised top 15. I think Miss New York’s platform should guarantee her a place on our speed dial.
AIDS Conference sends strong message to Obama
A major protest marked the start of the 2010 International AIDS Conference—Twitter hashtag #AIDS2010—in Vienna. Hundreds of HIV-positive activists marched through the streets and into the Messe Wien conference center and staged a massive "die-in" to delay the start of the opening ceremonies.
The activists were calling attention to the decreased funding of HIV/AIDS programs by the G8 leaders, as well as the "slowing and scaling back their commitments toward Universal Access to HIV care, treatment and prevention." No arrests were reported.
The AIDS 2010 protest mirrors the massive May 13 New York City action when hundreds of activists blocked traffic and laid down on Madison Avenue to protest the Obama Administration's record on HIV/AIDS funding.
Last week the Obama Administration unveiled the nation's first National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Although the strategy shifts focus to "concentrate HIV prevention efforts at the highest-risk population"—including men who have sex with men (MSM) and black Americans—the strategy entails no new additional spending.
The activists were calling attention to the decreased funding of HIV/AIDS programs by the G8 leaders, as well as the "slowing and scaling back their commitments toward Universal Access to HIV care, treatment and prevention." No arrests were reported.
The AIDS 2010 protest mirrors the massive May 13 New York City action when hundreds of activists blocked traffic and laid down on Madison Avenue to protest the Obama Administration's record on HIV/AIDS funding.
Last week the Obama Administration unveiled the nation's first National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Although the strategy shifts focus to "concentrate HIV prevention efforts at the highest-risk population"—including men who have sex with men (MSM) and black Americans—the strategy entails no new additional spending.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
WOW-Monica
I don't normally do this but I had to post this video of Monica's Love all over Me...I actually really liked it...She looks absolutely FABULOUS!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Queen Latifah on Larry King
Queen Latifah was all aglow as she promoted her new book, “Put On Your Crown: Life-Changing Moments on the Path To Queendom,” on CNN’s Larry King Live last night (July 9th). Born Dana Owens, the accomplished rapper/actress takes readers through certain life changing moments and how she dealt with it, not in a preachy way, but conversation-style – from her experience dealing with being molested at the age of 5 to her brother Lance’s death to how she almost went broke.
“Putting on your crown is really like accepting the fact that you are a queen,” Latifah explained. “Wherever you are in life, just keep on that path…as women, we forget that about ourselves. So, putting on your crown is sort of reminding yourself that, hey, I’m a queen, and I can do what I want in this life and take it.”
Latifah spoke of the need for inspiration throughout one’s life and messages to help maintain one’s high self-esteem. She credits her relationship with her parents and especially the messages instilled by her mother for her own high self-esteem. “My mom raised me to be a queen,” said Latifah. “Every woman is a queen and should be treated as such and we should request that sort of treatment from others.”
Latifah shared it took losing her brother Lance, age 24, in a motorcycle accident to reveal to her parents she had been molested by someone they knew. “I had to let them know what I had gone through so that they could understand maybe more of my mindset, and freed myself of that burden,” said Queen. She was 22 at the time of Lance’s death, an experience she describes as the most difficult thing she’s been through in her life.
Despite Latifah’s candor, don’t expect to find any juicy details about her love life in the pages of “Put On Your Crown.” The mere mention by Larry that she doesn’t discuss her personal life caused Latifah to jokingly interject, “Nope… don’t go there, Larry,” to which he responded, “I’m not.”
When asked how she protects her privacy in this day and age of the internet, Latifah explained, “I don’t read all of the blogs and I’m not media hungry like that. I don’t have to look at myself online every day…. I share with the public the things that we should share. We should share music. Let’s share that. Let’s share films. Let’s share that. Let’s share thoughts about positive things. Let’s share those things, but what happens in my personal, personal life is my personal business.”
As for her life philosophy, “Life is for the living,” said Latifah. “It’s about living every moment to the full, as best you can. Whatever I do, I’ll try to make sure I have a good time doing it, that I enjoy it, and that I get every full moment out of everything I do.”
“Putting on your crown is really like accepting the fact that you are a queen,” Latifah explained. “Wherever you are in life, just keep on that path…as women, we forget that about ourselves. So, putting on your crown is sort of reminding yourself that, hey, I’m a queen, and I can do what I want in this life and take it.”
Latifah spoke of the need for inspiration throughout one’s life and messages to help maintain one’s high self-esteem. She credits her relationship with her parents and especially the messages instilled by her mother for her own high self-esteem. “My mom raised me to be a queen,” said Latifah. “Every woman is a queen and should be treated as such and we should request that sort of treatment from others.”
Latifah shared it took losing her brother Lance, age 24, in a motorcycle accident to reveal to her parents she had been molested by someone they knew. “I had to let them know what I had gone through so that they could understand maybe more of my mindset, and freed myself of that burden,” said Queen. She was 22 at the time of Lance’s death, an experience she describes as the most difficult thing she’s been through in her life.
Despite Latifah’s candor, don’t expect to find any juicy details about her love life in the pages of “Put On Your Crown.” The mere mention by Larry that she doesn’t discuss her personal life caused Latifah to jokingly interject, “Nope… don’t go there, Larry,” to which he responded, “I’m not.”
When asked how she protects her privacy in this day and age of the internet, Latifah explained, “I don’t read all of the blogs and I’m not media hungry like that. I don’t have to look at myself online every day…. I share with the public the things that we should share. We should share music. Let’s share that. Let’s share films. Let’s share that. Let’s share thoughts about positive things. Let’s share those things, but what happens in my personal, personal life is my personal business.”
As for her life philosophy, “Life is for the living,” said Latifah. “It’s about living every moment to the full, as best you can. Whatever I do, I’ll try to make sure I have a good time doing it, that I enjoy it, and that I get every full moment out of everything I do.”
Possible Cure for HIV
Some progress to reports in the so-far elusive quest to find a vaccine for the human immunodeficiency virus ...
Government scientists announce the discovery of three powerful antibodies, the "strongest of which neutralizes 91% of HIV strains, more than any AIDS antibody yet discovered." The antibodies were discovered in the cells of a "60-year-old African American gay man identified as 'Donor 45'" and the discovery could have a substantial implications on HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and research in the black and black gay communities.
CNN's Don Lemon discussed the findings with Black AIDS Institute CEO Phill Wilson. "This is fantastic news [because] clearly our best hope of ending HIV are with a vaccine," Wilson said. "This is a case study on why we should all be involved in research, particularly African Americans. The antibodies were found in a black gay man."
Watch the video HERE ...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCS76SpjDvA
The study was funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The data will be presented next week at the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna.
The White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) and the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA)—Phill Wilson is a member—will present the National HIV/AIDS Strategy on Tuesday. This at the same the recession has created a major funding crisis for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. White House announces $25M emergency re-allocation to ADAP. HIV advocates say an additional $126M is needed.HIV testing expansion bill advances in New York. The bill mandates all doctors to offer HIV tests to patients ages 13 to 64. The bill has passed the Senate and Assembly and awaits Gov. Paterson's signature.
Government scientists announce the discovery of three powerful antibodies, the "strongest of which neutralizes 91% of HIV strains, more than any AIDS antibody yet discovered." The antibodies were discovered in the cells of a "60-year-old African American gay man identified as 'Donor 45'" and the discovery could have a substantial implications on HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and research in the black and black gay communities.
CNN's Don Lemon discussed the findings with Black AIDS Institute CEO Phill Wilson. "This is fantastic news [because] clearly our best hope of ending HIV are with a vaccine," Wilson said. "This is a case study on why we should all be involved in research, particularly African Americans. The antibodies were found in a black gay man."
Watch the video HERE ...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCS76SpjDvA
The study was funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The data will be presented next week at the XVIII International AIDS Conference in Vienna.
The White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) and the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA)—Phill Wilson is a member—will present the National HIV/AIDS Strategy on Tuesday. This at the same the recession has created a major funding crisis for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. White House announces $25M emergency re-allocation to ADAP. HIV advocates say an additional $126M is needed.HIV testing expansion bill advances in New York. The bill mandates all doctors to offer HIV tests to patients ages 13 to 64. The bill has passed the Senate and Assembly and awaits Gov. Paterson's signature.
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