New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the creation of the End of AIDS Task Force to implement his bold plan to end new HIV infections in the Empire State by 2020, according to a press release. Members of the task force include longstanding AIDS activists, HIV-services providers and persons living with HIV/AIDS. Over the last decade, New York state has achieved a 40-percent decrease in new HIV cases, which is unprecedented nationwide, the statement says.
A New Hampshire Republican got deeply personal with U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster—who is running for re-election—by saying she looked like a "drag queen," according to The New York Daily News. New Hampshire state Rep. Steve Vaillancourt wrote on his blog, "Let's be honest. Does anyone not believe that Congressman Annie Kuster is as ugly as sin? And I hope I haven't offended sin." He then called Kuster a "drag queen" before predicting a victory for her Republican challenger, Marilinda Garcia.
Jazz Jennings—who, at 14, already has become a nationally known transgender activist and author—recently achieved two new honors: Time magazine named her to the 2014 list of 25 Most Influential Teens, and Equality Florida will present her with its Voice for Equality award, The Miami Herald reported. On the Time list with Jazz: the Obama daughters, Sasha, 13, and Malia, 16; Kylie, 17, and Kendall Jenner, 18; Vine song sensation Shawn Mendes, 16; and Malala Yousafzai, 17, who also recently won the Nobel Peace Prize. Jennings first attracted attention at age 6 in 2007 after Barbara Walters interviewed her for ABC News' 20/20.
Annise Parker, the lesbian mayor of Houston, has narrowed the scope of subpoenas sent to local pastors who led opposition to the city's equal-rights ordinance earlier this year, Chron.com reported. The lawsuit, set for trial in January, was filed by opponents of a nondiscrimination measure City Council passed in May. Known as HERO, for Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, the law bans discrimination among businesses that serve the public, private employers, in housing, and in city employment and city contracting. Religious institutions are exempt. The city has suspended enforcement of the ordinance until the case is resolved.
GLAAD showcased participants who wore or went purple for Spirit Day in a stand against bullying and to show support for LGBT youth, a press release stated. Among other things, Laverne Cox joined GLAAD to light the Empire State Building in purple for Spirit Day. Other celebrity participants included Mariah Carey, Ellen DeGeneres, Fran Drescher, Ariana Grande, Nick Jonas, Ricky Martin and Debra Messing, among others. Networks ranging from MSNBC to the Oprah Winfrey Network and companies/leagues such as the NBA, AT&T, United Airlines and Ultimate Fighting Championship ( UFC ) also participated.
A federal judge has cleared the way for legally recognized gay marriages in Arizona by ruling that the state's ban on same-sex unions is unconstitutional, according to the Associated Press. The Oct. 17 ruling by U.S. District Judge John Sedwick bars state officials from enforcing a 1996 state law and a 2008 voter-approved constitutional amendment that outlawed same-sex marriage. Sedwick said in his ruling that because the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals had already ruled against gay marriage bans in Nevada and Idaho, he did not need to give a lengthy reason for his ruling and was bound by the appeals' court decision.
On the same day, federal judge Scott Skavdahl struck down Wyoming's ban on same-sex marriage. He has put his own ruling on hold until Oct. 23 or until state officials declare that they will not appeal, whichever comes first, NBC News noted. Republican Gov. Matt Mead said in a debate last night that he saw no point in an appeal, given that the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, of which Wyoming is a part, has already ruled that laws similar to Wyoming's are unconstitutional.
A gay-rights group and two lesbian couples filed a federal lawsuit to try to overturn the ban on same-sex marriage in Mississippi, the Associated Press reported. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Jackson by Campaign for Southern Equality; Rebecca "Becky" Bickett and her longtime partner, Andrea Sanders, who were denied a Mississippi marriage license earlier this year; and Jocelyn Pritchett and Carla Webb, who live in Mississippi and married in Maine in 2013.
Also on Oct. 17, a federal judge denied Arkansas' request to delay proceedings in a lawsuit challenging the state's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, KY3.com . Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel earlier this year asked the court to put the case on hold until the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a case involving Utah's gay-marriage ban. However, U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker has since rejected McDaniel's request as moot.
Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the federal government will recognize same-sex marriages taking place in the states affected by the Supreme Court's recent decision to decline to review rulings from three federal appeals courts that had struck down bans on same-sex marriage, according to a press release. Holder said, in part, "I am pleased to announce that the federal government will recognize the same-sex marriages now taking place in the affected states, and I have directed lawyers here at the Department of Justice to work with our colleagues at agencies across the Administration to ensure that all applicable federal benefits are extended to those couples as soon as possible."
The National LGBTQ Task Force has issued an apology for a blog post that drew criticism from many bisexual activists and commentators, and has removed the post, Advocate.com reported. In the article, leadership programs director Evangeline Weiss said she is ready "to say bye bye to the word bisexuality," saying the word reinforced a binary concept of gender. Commenators said they recognized Weiss' right to identify in any way that suits her, but added that she should not impose her view on people who do identify as bisexual.
In Seattle, thugs beat up a teen, stole his cellphone and then texted his mom: "I'm gay you know that," New York Daily News reported. The 16-year-old was reportedly waiting for a bus when the robbers attacked. The battered victim, who suffered a cut on his face, returned home where he was told about the text. He told cops he thought one of the goons was a former classmate, but he was unable to identify the rest of the gang.
The Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) Foundation released its annual Healthcare Equality Index ( HEI ), with some significant changes from last year, according to a press release. For example, the Health and Aging Program team proactively researched hospitals that chose not to participate, numbering 640 facilities. Another new feature of this year's HEI is a Google Maps lookup feature that allows people to search for HEI-rated facilities based on their location, making it even easier for people to find LGBT-inclusive care more quickly and easily. Visit http://www.hrc.org/hei.
Texas Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott is defending his state's same-sex marriage ban by saying it both reduces "unplanned out-of-wedlock births," and ensures "the survival of the human race"—two seemingly contradictory goals, MSNBC reported. His comments add to those of his fellow Lone Star Republicans, who earlier this year warned that marriage equality could lead to incest and pedophilia.
Lambda Legal, in partnership with South Carolina Equality, filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of South Carolina arguing that South Carolina is obligated to allow same-sex couples to marry, according to SDGLN.com . Gov. Nikki Haley and Attorney General Alan Wilson, Republicans standing for re-election on Nov. 4, vowed to continue to apply the laws banning marriage for same-sex couples even after the U.S. Supreme Court let stand the ruling by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals striking down a similar ban in Virginia.
Hillary Clinton raised a record $2.1 million for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee at a fundraiser DreamWorks Animation boss co-chaired, according to Deadline. With top tickets for the dinner, reception and a photo with Clinton going for $32,400, the fundraiser for the Grassroots Victory Project 2014 was held at the upmarket Tavern restaurant. Among those attending were Eva Longoria, Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons and Cameron Diaz.
Oregon Teacher of the Year Brett Bigham has said he's been harassed and bullied by supervisors at his school district, KATU.com reported. Bigham, a special-education teacher with the Multnomah Education Service District, has said, "I have been told not to say 'I'm gay' in public." However, he added, "I have made the choice that I will not follow their directives and I will continue to be who I am." The district spokesperson said the district is investigating these accusations and taking this matter seriously, but would not comment on a personnel matter while investigating.
The Human Rights Campaign ( HRC ) has endorsed efforts to promote the use of a once-a-day pill to prevent HIV infection and called on insurers to provide more generous coverage of the drug, LGBTQ Nation reported. Some doctors have been reluctant to prescribe the drug, Truvada, on the premise that it might encourage high-risk, unprotected sexual behavior. However, its preventive use has been endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and many HIV/AIDS advocacy groups. HRC called on insurers, regulators and Truvada's manufacturer to take steps to reduce costs and raise public awareness.
The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs ( NCAVP ) has released the report "Intimate Partner Violence in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer ( LGBTQ ), and HIV-Affected Communities in the United States in 2013." Among other things, NCAVP's 2013 report documents 21 homicides—the highest number of LGBTQ intimate partner violence ( IPV ) homicides recorded and on par with the 21 homicides in 2012. The full report is at www.ncavp.org . October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
A woman has filed a complaint with the Chicago Commission on Human Relations, alleging that her landlord is trying to illegally evict her from her apartment because she is transgender and her fiancé is Black, according to Windy City Times. Michelle Roberts was allegedly informed by representatives of her landlord, Zoran Knezev, in mid-September that Knezev was unable to rent out other spaces in his building because prospective tenants were put off by both by Roberts' gender identity and the race of her fiancé, Sidney Morgan. Knezev allegedly used racial epitaphs when referring to Morgan, and forbade him from spending the night in Roberts' apartment, according to the Sept. 22 complaint.
Vice President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden was discharged from the Navy in February after testing positive for cocaine, ABC News has revealed. The person said Biden had failed a urinalysis test administered in June 2013 before he was discharged from the Navy. Hunter Biden, 44, had needed an age waiver to join the Reserves because of his age as well as a second waiver because of a drug-related incident while a young man.
The United States will keep custody of a Marine suspected in the murder of a transgender Filipina he met in a bar, NBC News reported. Chuck Little, a spokesman for U.S. Marines in the Pacific, said Adm. Samuel Locklear had told all U.S. warships remotely related to the incident to remain in the country pending an investigation into the killing of Jeffrey Laude, known as "Jennifer." The 26-year-old was found strangled in Olongapo City.
The Office for Civil Rights ( OCR ) has entered into an agreement with California's Downey Unified School District to resolve a complaint about the harassment and discriminatory treatment of a transgender student, according to a press release. The complaint alleged that the District discriminated against a transgender student by failing to respond adequately to complaints that the student was subjected to verbal harassment by peers and that staff at the student's school disciplined her for wearing make-up, discouraged her from speaking about her gender identity with classmates and suggested she transfer to another school.
Stripper and male model Axl Goode has quarantined himself after finding out his airplane seat was within three feet of Ebola-infected nurse Amber Vinson's, Boston.com reported. Goode took the Cleveland-to-Dallas flight with his friend Taylor Cole. The two men model for romance novel covers and were returning home from RomantiCon. Vinson cared for Thomas Eric Duncan, the Liberian man who died of Ebola at Texas Health Prebysterian hospital in Dallas on Oct. 8.
