FDA Lifts Ban On Gay & Bisexual Blood Donations

This year is wrapping up with one more step in the right direction for the LGBT community here in the states.

On Tuesday, the FDA announced its plans to lift the lifetime ban on blood donations from gay and bisexual men. The ban was put in place in 1983 during the AIDS epidemic. Back then, very little was known about HIV or what causes the disease, nor were there any quick tests for the disease. Thanks to advances in science and medicine, much more is known, and understood, about HIV now.

While the FDA has lifted the original ban, it is keeping a ban on donations by men who've slept with other men in the last year. This decision brings the US up to par with many European countries, including Great Britain, who adjusted their lifetime ban to a 12-month ban back in 2011. So while the ban isn't completely gone, it is a step in the right direction.

This decision has had mixed feedback. Some believe this is a step in the right direction. “This is a major victory for gay civil rights,” said I. Glenn Cohen, a law professor at Harvard who specializes in bioethics and health. “We’re leaving behind the old view that every gay man is a potential infection source.” However, he did admit that the policy was “still not rational enough.” While others were not so impressed. GMHC, an advocacy group formerly known as Gay Men’s Health Crisis, called the new policy “offensive and harmful.” and AIDS United, a Washington-based lobbying group, said the policy was a “step forward,” but that it “continues to perpetuate discrimination against gay and bisexual men.”

Overall, I agree that this is a step in the right direction, but it does feel like the FDA is saying only gay and bisexual men can carry HIV. However, all things take time and I'm going to count this as a win for the LGBT community. Let's hope it leads to even bigger, more significant wins in the future.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/24/health/fda-lifting-ban-on-gay-blood-donors.html?_r=0

Biggest Influential Coming Outs Of 2014

2014 was a great year as far as people in the media coming out. From all sectors of the media - broadcasting to acting to professional sports - this was the year to stomp on stereotypes and prove you can be anything you want to be no matter your orientation.

Here's a list of those whose coming outs made some of the biggest impacts in 2014.

1. Ellen Page - a Canadian actress who came out at a gay youth conference back in February.

2. Kristian Nairn - an Irish actor from the show "Game Of Thrones" who came out in March, wanting to challenge those who stereotype what gay men are supposed to look like.

3. Vicky Beeching - a British Christian singer who came out in August and became an advocate for gay rights in churches.

4. Daniel Franzeze - an actor best known for his role in the film "Mean Girls" who came out by writing a letter to his character from the film.

5. Tyler Glenn - the lead vocalist and keyboardist for the band Neon Tree proved when coming out that you can be gay and Mormon.

6. Andreja Pejic - a model for Elle and French Vogue who stunned the fashion world when she came out as a transgender woman.

7. Mark McAdam - a Sky Sports presenter who came out in September.

8. Maria Walsh - won the Rose of Tralee (a competition to find the "ultimate Irish woman") in August.

9. Michael Sam - the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year challenged the stereotype that gay men can't play football when he was drafted by the NFL.

10. Derrick Gordon - became the first openly gay National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 play when he came out in April.

11. Thomas Hitzlsperger - the highest profile soccer player to ever come out as gay which he did a mere 4 months after retiring.

12. Wang Ann-Jiun - the magazine editor-in chief came out as lesbian right in front of Taiwan's Parliament.

13. Sam Smith - the singer's debut album about unrequited love for a man was released this year.

14. Kellie Maloney - a former boxing promoter and UKIP politician had one of the most publicized coming outs this year.

15. Richard Quest - a CNN reporter who became one of the few out and proud gay journalists working for a national publication.

16. Djuan Trent - the first ever veteran Miss American contestant to come out.

17. Ian Thorpe - an Australian championship swimmer came out this year after years of media rumors circulating about his sexuality.

18. Charlie King - after earning his fame from the show "The Only Way Is Essex", the reality star came out on live UK morning television.

Thomas Hitzlsperger

National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 basketball player - See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/18-coming-outs-changed-world-2014101014#sthash.ymnfI9qc.dpuf

Daniel Franzeze

Daniel Franzeze

It's people like these individuals who help pave the way for the younger generations. They're the ones who show others that their orientation does not limit their potential to be or do anything they want.

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/18-coming-outs-changed-world-2014101014

Kristian Nairn

Kristian Nairn

Kristian Nairn

Kristian Nairn

2014 LGBT Enemy and Ally Of The Year

Today an article was released by Grindr, naming Vladimir Putin as Enemy of the LGBT Community 2014.

This really shouldn't be too big of a surprise to anyone. In mid 2013, he passed a law banning “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships” to minors. Those found breaking this law are fined, some even arrested. This law caused quite the international uproar and numerous protests during the 2014 Olympics in Sochi earlier this year. Not to mention being LGBT in Russia overall is dangerous due to the majority of general populous being against same-sex relationships and LGBT rights in general

On a lighter note, Hillary Clinton was named Straight Ally of the Year. She has publicly condemned Russia’s treatment of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people, and has consistently fought for LGBT rights. In 2011 she was quoted as saying, "Gay rights are human rights."

These results were from a poll given to Grindr users in the UK, US, and Australia. Grindr is a social networking app popular with gay and bisexual men for those of you who haven't heard of it.

Spreading Christmas Hate

(Finally back! Sorry about that rather long hiatus...)

Ever notice how there always seems to be something new for homophobes to be upset over? Well, the newest thing causing a homophobic uproar online is really for rather ridiculous reason (even more so then usual). So what is this new thing you ask? A documentary about SANTA CLAUSE.

A recently released documentary entitled "I Am Santa Clause" delves into the world of professional santas and the men that play them. The film follows four seasoned santas and one rookie to show what it takes to play Santa, and what their lives are like the rest of the year. I first learned about this film because it stars (and was produced by) WWE legend Mick Foley, who outside the world of professional wrestling is a big fan of Santa Clause. It actually looks like a truly fascinating documentary. Unfortunately, the film has experienced a large amount of homophobic backlash simply because one of the santas is gay.

The men featured in the film aren't just your run of the mill professional santas. These men are truly dedicated, altering their appearances and wearing Christmas themed clothing throughout the year. One of the men, "Santa Jim", is kindhearted man in his 70's who loves to spread love and joy in the spirit of Santa Clause and just happens to be gay. Mick Foley stated, "I would dare anyone to watch the film and not like Santa Jim.  I think there are going to be two types of reactions to Jim: some will be touched by him, and others will have to work hard to convince themselves that they were not touched by him. Jim clearly does an outstanding job of making children feel special."

Backlash has included posts featuring homophobic messages on the film's various social networking sites and threats to both Santa Jim and Mick Foley.

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, Santa Clause has been a widely known and beloved part of Christmas celebrations for centuries. As a child, I remember how it was always exciting to experience a visit to Santa. Now, as an adult, I have a large appreciation for the men who dedicate themselves to filling such a special role in the hearts of children everywhere. So why should it matter who they love outside that role? Last time I checked, nowhere does it say you have to be straight in order to bring joy to children.

The fact that some people are so upset over a gay man playing Santa Clause just proves to me that the world is filled with horrible people who aren't happy unless they are constantly finding something to be upset over. The man clearly loves what he does and is very good at it. I, for one, would be proud to take my child to see Santa Jim or any other Santa who is part of the LGBT community. People have a right to be happy with who they are and what they do with their lives. These homophobes seriously need to find some happiness themselves and stop trying to rob it from others.

http://www.themarysue.com/i-am-santa-clause-gay-santa-backlash/

Polls Show Improving Numbers

Good news has come via a poll by CBS and The New York Times!

The poll has run for several years with the exact same wording, asking voters,“Do you think it should be legal or not legal for same-sex couples to marry?". The results revealed less people are opposed to same-sex marriage than in previous polls.

The long-running poll showed 56% of Americans in favor of same-sex marriage with only 37% opposed to it. These numbers show a 3% drop in opposition since July of this year when 40% of Americans were opposed to same-sex marriage. Comparatively, the new numbers show a big drop in opposition from July 2012 numbers where 44% were opposed.

This news made me really happy. It's things like this that show how things are slowly but surely changing for the better for the LGBT community in the US. It's important to take notice of small stories like this to remember to always have hope for a better, more equal future.

A Step Forward In Israel

Some exciting, and somewhat surprising, news came out of the Middle East this week. Israel has announced it will extend the benefits of the Law of Return to ALL married couples, including same-sex couples. This also allows Jews to immigrate to Israel with their non-Jewish same-sex spouses. Due to a directive that was made public on Tuesday, immigration authorities have now been informed by Israeli Interior Minister Gideon Saar to not differentiate between hetero and same-sex couples. 

“The Law of Return deals with the ingathering of all members of the Jewish people,” Saar wrote to his ministry’s Population and Immigration Authority,“In this regard, I see no reason to distinguish between Jews married in heterosexual marriages and Jews legally married abroad to a same-sex spouse. Both are Jews in terms of the Law of Return.”

In the last few years, the Israeli government has only naturalized non-Jewish persons whose same-sex spouses were Jewish after threats were made to send petitions the Supreme Court. It appears those threats were not in vain and helped push this new directive forward.

Israel does not allow same-sex couples to marry inside the country but does recognize same-sex marriages performed legally in other countries. Furthermore, gay people openly serve in the Israel's parliament and military. The Israeli Supreme Court also grants family rights, such as inheritance and survivors' benefits, to people that are gay.The country as a whole is actually quite tolerant of gay people. 

I have to admit that learning all this was a bit surprising to me. Unfortunately, most countries in the Middle East are automatically labeled as being homophobic and bigoted. It is important to remember that countries from all parts of the world are moving forward with human equality, and that anyone can be an LGBT ally regardless of where they are from. 

Same-Sex Parents Create Happy Kids

According to a recent study conducted by the University of Melbourne in Australia, children of same-sex couples are happier and healthier then children from "traditional" families. The study was aimed to "describe the physical, mental and social well-being" of children with same-sex parents as well as "the impact that stigma has on them".

A research team surveyed 315 same-sex parents and a total of 500 children. The results show, on average, the children with two moms or two dads scored 6% higher on measures of general health and family cohesion. When it came to temperament, mood, behavior, mental health and self-esteem, the children scored the same as children with heterosexual parents.

Head researcher, Simon Crouch, believes an emphasis on skills rather then traditional gender roles is a major factor in the survey results. "So what this means is that people take on roles that are suited to their skill sets rather than falling into those gender stereotypes. What this leads to is a more harmonious family unit and therefore feeding on to better health and wellbeing." Crouch explained. 

I think this is a brilliant idea because it helps show children that their gender does not make them who they are. Society as a whole still as a stigma that if you are a certain gender you can only like certain things or do certain things. Such as only girls can enjoy baking, and only boys can be grow up to be mechanics. As a society we need to do away with the idea of traditional gender roles for the sake of future generations. 

In my opinion, the results of this survey make perfect sense. Unlike heterosexual couples, no same-sex couple has a child accidentally. Whether they are from fostering, adoption or surrogacy, having a child is a meticulous process that requires time and planning for any same-sex couple. Most importantly, every child raised by same-sex parents knows they are wanted. 

For the full results of this survey, visit http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/14/635/abstract

Conversions In Washington State

Monday marked a change for same-sex couples in Washington state. The majority of registered domestic partnerships have now been converted into marriages by the state. 

Before Washington state voters legalized same-sex marriage in 2012, there were roughly 10,000 domestic partnerships registered with the secretary of state's office. Since the same-sex marriage law went into effect at the end 2012, over 7,000 same-sex couples have been married. Not all of the marriages were previously registered domestic partnerships, but many of them were. Those domestic partnerships that weren't previously converted into marriages by the actual couples have now been converted by the state as of Monday. 

This change was a component of the state's same-sex marriage law. However, the conversion only went into effect for couples who are both under the age of 62. Domestic partnerships can now only be filed if one of the partners is over the age of 62 because seniors risk losing certain retirement benefits if they marry. This stipulation for domestic partnerships holds true for both heterosexual and same-sex couples. It was estimated that around 3,600 couples have been effected by the conversion. 

Couples were notified of the impending change last year, and then again in March of this year. They were also instructed on what to do if they wanted to end their domestic partnership before the change went into effect. However, according to the corporations director for the secretary of state's office, Pam Floyd, despite best efforts by the state, there will be inevitably a few couples that have broken up and moved to a different state without legally ending their partnership who don't know about the conversions. Those couples will now need to get a divorce to dissolve their partnerships.

Washington citizens have shown mixed feelings about this decision. Some couples feel like their right to decide when they want to be married was taken away, and some were frantically trying to dissolve their partnerships before the change went into effect. Dissolving a domestic partnership is similar to a divorce in a marriage. You have to go to court and file an action. Other couples didn't mind the change because they either already got married, or they feel as though it saved them a step. 

Washington isn't the only state to convert domestic partnerships into marriages. New Hampshire and Connecticut have done the same. 

Surprising News From The White House

Today, at the annual LGBT Pride celebration at the White House, President Obama gave some astounding news.

Last year, the President promised the LGBT community he'd make sure the Affordable Care Act was implemented to insure no one could be denied health insurance based on their sexual orientation OR gender identity. He didn't disappoint. Now he's taking on another challenge for the LGBT community, this time within the work place.

He announced plans to sign an executive order protecting all Federal workers from gender identity discrimination. This order is designed to help protect transgender workers. Previously this month, he announced plans to prohibit federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Federal employees are already protected from discrimination based on sexual orientation. Together, these orders will insure all LGBT Federal employees and contractors are protected from discrimination for being who they are.

While these most recent executive orders for transgender persons are a big step forward, they apply only to Federal employees, and there is still a lot of work to be done around the country to insure everyone is treated equally. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, only 37% of Americans live in an area of the U.S. that protects employees on the basis of gender identity. However, these orders by President Obama have set a good example for (hopefully) the rest of the country to follow.

Obama had called on Congress to pass federal legislation prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, but they would not. So the President decided to issue executive orders instead.

“The majority of Fortune 500 companies already have nondiscrimination policies to protect their employees because it’s the right thing to do and because many say it helps to retain and attract the best talent,” Obama said. “And I agree. So if Congress won’t act, I will.”

Pride 2014!

Earlier this month I attended my second LGBT Pride festival here in my town. It's not nearly as big of an event as places like Seattle, Toronto, Portland etc. but it was still tons of fun!

I get why some people in the LGBT community don't think Pride should still exist. In this day and age, it shouldn't matter what orientation you are, everyone should just be the same. There shouldn't still be a need for Pride festivals, but since the fight for equality is still happening, Pride still means a great deal to a lot of people. It's a time where you can celebrate the ability to be you without the threat of jail time or being put to death for your orientation. Considering there is still a lot of places in the world where that is legal, it's a relief to those who are in a place that celebrates Pride because they don't need to worry about those threats.

That being said, I highly recommend going to a Pride festival if you have the chance. Whether you are part of the LGBT community or an ally, they are a lot of fun. There is access to all kinds of information and services not to mention there's usually fun activities for the kids, performances, and even a parade. You can meet all kinds of new people and learn new things. Plus there's just something about Pride that is comforting to be around.

I wore a shirt to Pride that said "100% Asexual, 100% Out, 100% Proud". I had people stop me to ask about asexuality, tell me they knew someone that was asexual, and even one young lady tell me she was asexual too! It was great to help spread visibility and educate people.

So if you have the chance, grab some friends like I did and go experience a Pride festival. You won't regret it! =)