
Quickies: Sexual Health, LGBT in Asia, and Same-Sex Marriage in AR
- Not just for men who have sex with men anymore: new CDC guidelines have expanded the populations recommend for the use of PrEP to include heterosexuals and IV drug users. With 20% of new HIV infections occurring in women, it’s about time they had access to the same preventative treatments.
- While daily use of PrEP can reduce HIV infection risk by 90%, it still does not prevent the spread of syphilis. Infection rates are on rise in gay and bi men. Condoms and frequent testing are still the best strategy for sexual health.
- Three reports were recently published on the state of LGBT violence in Asia. “It surprised us that governments are turning a blind eye to community and family violence, and that intolerance at the state level filters through to the family and home level, promoting stereotypes about lesbians or trans people as deviant, sick, perverse, or all of the above.”
- The AR Supreme Court has put same-sex marriages on hold. “It was a one-sentence order without any elaboration granting motions by the state and four counties for a stay.”
Oregon!!!
http://equalityontrial.com/2014/05/19/breaking-federal-judge/
From the decision:
“Conclusion
“I am aware that a large number of Oregonians, perhaps even a majority, have religious or moral objections to expanding the definition of civil marriage (and thereby expanding the benefits and rights that accompany marriage) to gay and lesbian families. It was these same objections that led to the passage of Measure 36 in 2004. Generations of Americans, my own included, were raised in a world in which homosexuality was believed to be a moral perversion, a mental disorder, or a mortal sin. I remember that one of the more popular playground games of my childhood was called “smear the queer” and it was played with great zeal and without a moment’s thought to today’ s political correctness. On a darker level, that same worldview led to an environment of cruelty, violence, and self-loathing. It was but 1986 when the United States Supreme Court justified, on the basis of a “millennia of moral teaching,” the imprisonment of gay men and lesbian women who engaged in consensual sexual acts. Even today I am reminded of the legacy that we have bequeathed today’ s generation when my son looks dismissively at the sweater I bought him for Christmas and, with a roll of his eyes, says “dad … that is so gay.”
“It is not surprising then that many of us raised with such a world view would wish to protect our beliefs and our families by turning to the ballot box to enshrine in law those traditions we have come to value. But just as the Constitution protects the expression of these moral viewpoints, it equally protects the minority from being diminished by them.
“It is at times difficult to see past the shrillness of the debate. Accusations of religious bigotry and banners reading “God Hates Fags” make for a messy democracy and, at times, test the First Amendment resolve of both sides. At the core of the Equal Protection Clause, however, there exists a foundational belief that certain rights should be shielded from the barking crowds; that certain rights are subject to ownership by all and not the stake hold of popular trend or shifting majorities.
“My decision will not be the final word on this subject, but on this issue of marriage I am struck more by our similarities than our differences. I believe that if we can look for a moment past gender and sexuality, we can see in these plaintiffs nothing more or less than our own families. Families who we would expect our Constitution to protect, if not exalt, in equal measure. With discernment we see not shadows lurking in closets or the stereotypes of what was once believed; rather, we see families committed to the common purpose of love, devotion, and service to the greater community.
“Where will this all lead? I know that many suggest we are going down a slippery slope that will have no moral boundaries. To those who truly harbor such fears, I can only say this: Let us look less to the sky to see what might fall; rather, let us look to each other… and rise.”
Pennsylvania is a permanent addition to the side of equality! Rob Corbett made the wise decision not to appeal, so Judge Jones’ ruling is final.
http://equalityontrial.com/2014/05/21/pennsylvania-marriage-equality-case-wont-appealed/