HIV Infection, Sex Risks, and Substance Use Among Latino Gay/Bi/Trans Community

UNITED STATES: "HIV Infection, Sexual Risk Behavior, and Substance Use Among Latino Gay and Bisexual Men and Transgender Persons"
Am Journal of Public Health Vol. 98; No. 6: P. 1036-1042 (06..08):: Jesus Ramirez-Valles, PhD, MPH; Dalia Garcia, MA; Richard T. Campbell, PhD; Rafael M. Diaz, PhD, MSW; Douglas D. Heckathorn, PhD

The researchers undertook the current study to examine HIV prevalence and the socioeconomic correlates of HIV infection, sexual risk behaviors and substance use among Latino men who have sex with men and among Latino transgender persons in Chicago and San Francisco. Respondent-driven sampling and computer-assisted self-administered interviews were used to collect data from 643 people: 320 in Chicago, and 323 in San Francisco.

The results showed HIV prevalence to be higher in San Francisco (0.325; 95 percent confidence interval=0.260, 0.393) than in Chicago (0.112; 95 percent CI=0.079, 0.163). In San Francisco, HIV prevalence was higher among respondents born in the United States than among those born elsewhere; the opposite was true in Chicago. Heavy use of alcohol was noted, particularly in Chicago (0.368; 95 percent CI=0.309, 0.432; San Francisco: 0.154; 95 percent CI=0.116, 0.192). Drug use and more education were positively correlated; greater age was negatively correlated with unprotected anal intercourse.

"Heavy alcohol drinking and use of drugs remain a significant public health problem in this population," the authors concluded. "Drug use was more closely linked to HIV sexual risk behaviors than was heavy drinking."

Increased STD Prevention Funding Via Stimulus Bill

UNITED STATES: "Economic Stimulus Bills Allot Millions for STD Prevention"
Washington Times (01.29.09):: Stephen Dinan

On Wednesday by a 244-188 vote, the House approved an $819 billion economic stimulus bill that included $335 million for STD prevention. The Senate version directs $400 million to CDC "for the screening and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV."

While the House measure passed, it was not without criticism. Some Republicans said earmarking money for fighting STDs makes no sense in a bill designed to get the US economy back on track. Following a personal appeal by President Obama, Democrats removed a separate $200 million set-aside that would have boosted contraceptive coverage under Medicaid.

The Senate is expected to debate its stimulus bill next week. That measure too will be challenged by Republicans. "Senate big spenders will never be underbid in wasting tax dollars. But how in the world does STD research create jobs?" asked Wesley Denton, an aide to Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.).

But Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), chairperson of the Senate Appropriations health subcommittee, defended the allocation as one of the bill's noteworthy achievements, along with $870 million for pandemic influenza preparedness and $75 million for smoking cessation.

"This initiative includes grants to communities for health promotion, immunization programs, health screenings and counseling, smoking-cessation programs, scholarships and loan repayment for health professionals, research, and evidence-based disease-prevention strategies," said Harkin.

Al Sharpton's Views on Anti-Gay Mega Church's

Al Sharpton Denounces Anti-Gay Black Mega-Church Pastors
http://www.nationalactionnetwork.net

When Rev. Al Sharpton is right the truth cuts like a knife. The reverend once again slams black mega-churches and major denominations for ignoring poverty and justice to focus on gays and marriage.

Sharpton delivered the keynote at the Human Rights Ecumenical Service at Atlanta's Tabernacle Baptist Church, probably the city's largest gay-friendly and inclusive black church. The good reverend used the opportunity to question the role of the Mormon Church—whichheavily bankrolled the Yes on 8 campaign—and the black mega-church pastors who mobilized congregations against gay marriage.

"There is something immoral and sick about using all of that power to not end brutality and poverty, but to break into people's bedrooms and claim that God sent you."

"It amazes me when I looked at California and saw churches that had nothing to say about police brutality, nothing to say when a young black boy was shot while he was wearing police handcuffs, nothing to say when they overturned affirmative action, nothing to say when people were being [relega
ted] into poverty, yet they were organizing and mobilizing to stop consenting adults from choosing their life
partners."

"I am tired," he went on, "of seeing ministers who will preach homophobia by day, and then after they're preaching, when the lights are off they go cruising for trade...We know you're not preaching the Bible, because if you were preaching the Bible we would have heard from you. We would have heard from you when people were starving in California-- when they deregulated the economy and crashed Wall Street you had nothing to say. When Bush took us to war chasing weapons of mass destruction that weren't there you had nothing to say. But all of a sudden, when Proposition 8 came out, you had so much to say, but since you stepped in the rain, we're going to step in the rain with you."

This is not new for Sharpton. When the reverend ran for president in 2004, he was one of only two candidates to support full marriage equality. In June 2006 he told CNN, "There are no gay people coming to our churches asking to get married. But there are plenty of people coming with problems voting or their sons in jail."

The civil rights activist has never really gotten his due from the mainstream LGBT community or much of the black LGBT community outside the Tri-State. But how fierce is it to have a pastor speaking the truth we know oh-so-well about those anti-gay pastors who rant from the pulpit and "cruise for trade" at night? You'd better work it out, Rev. Al.

The Creator Made Me Perfect, Society Skewed My Perfection

The Creator Made Me Perfect, Society Skewed My Perfection- Part I

By Stephaun Clipper Wallace (Stephaun Elite Blahnik)

www.stephaunelite.blogspot.com

January 24^th, 2009

Many challenges and personal strife's later in life, I find myself still battling some of the same demons that plagued me as an adolescent. These demons however, are not only more noticeable, they are less of a challenge. The year 2008, provided me an opportunity to revisit my past in ways that were not easily transcribed into thought or word. How exactly do you put into words the space and place that exist between time and thought? This has been a challenge for me for as long as I can remember, but yet and still I continue on my quest to understand the complexities of my current and past circumstances and existences. Recently, I was asked whether or not I believed I was perfect. The sheer complexity of the question reverberated a host of emotions and thoughts; which without a proxy to respond promoted me to curb my over-active mind in order to address the inquisitor. "Certainly", I said with my head held high.

From early in my life, I have taken my life's cues from many avenues that the Universe has given light and birth to. In the biblical book of Genesis chapter 1 verse 26 which loosely translates into, "And God said; Let us make man in our image, after our likeness". So, if I were to adopt the literal translation of this, meaning that I am made in the exact image and likeness of the Creator…then I believe it fair to say that I was made perfect; if it be generally understood that the Creator is perfect. For some people, this is a challenging notion; disrupting the fabric of religion and doctrine that are ascribed to by many who have been socialized to believe they were "born into a world of sin", thus believing they are innately sinful. My question is simply, how healthy or functional is it to worship and reverence a divine being that you believe whose image you were created from, but believe that you are tainted? From where I sit, this is not very healthy at all. For those who fall into this belief, I would recommend a good psycho-therapist.

No, I do not possess any sort of personality disorder categorized in the recent installation of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. I am simply a being who believes in the undisputed and systemic utility of logic and universal truth.

 

 

(Part II coming soon)

United States: Sexual Risk Among Young MSM Internet Users

UNITED STATES: "Sexual Risk Taking Among Young Internet-Using Men Who Have Sex with Men"
Am Journal of Public Health Vol. 98; No. 6: P. 1059-1067 (06..08):: Keith J. Horvath, PhD; B.R. Simon Rosser, PhD, MPH; Gary Remafedi, MD, MPH

The current study's subjects, men who have sex with men (MSM) ages 18 to 24, completed a 45-minute online survey about their sexual activities and Internet use in the preceding three months. The researchers used these data to examine the characteristics of young MSM who use the Internet, together with the risks associated with seeking sex online, offline or both.

Unprotected anal intercourse was reported by 29 percent of MSM seeking sex exclusively online, by 34 percent of MSM seeking sex exclusively offline, and by 43 percent of MSM seeking sex through both strategies. MSM who reported meeting partners exclusively offline reported the fewest number of partners but the highest proportion of partnerships involving unprotected anal intercourse (49 percent). Using both strategies to meet sex partners (odds ratio=3.38-58.42) and being drunk (OR=1.57) or high (OR=2.24) increased the odds of having more sex partners. The same factors also increased the odds of unprotected anal intercourse: using both strategies (OR=1.60); being drunk (OR=1.43); being high (OR=1.61).

"Risky sexual behavior was prevalent among all of the study subgroups," the authors concluded. "Our findings suggest that online sex seeking is associated with greater numbers of sexual partners but neither promotes nor discourages unprotected anal intercourse. Regardless of where sexual partners met, being drunk and high were significant risks for unprotected anal intercourse."

Coming Soon: CONSEQUENCES

For those of you who don't know, a very talented author calling herself Skyy has penned another novel in her series called CONSEQUENCES. Her first book, CHOICES, was a great read, and I did a review of it (the link to the review located on the left side of the screen under the label "book reviews". This is what the publisher had to say about the new book:

"So many of you have commented privately on the voyeuristic aspect of Skyy's bestseller, Choices that I thought I would let you know, the sequel, Consequences is due in February. The book follows the same four friends and introduces a few new characters. It is filled more tight black lesbian drama and is even sexier than the first. Skyy has really outdone herself with this one. She listened to her fans and delivered. Pre-orders are available on Amazon.com and on SimplySkyy.com. Enjoy the read."

I will be doing a review of this book as well, and will post shortly after I read it. Keep checking back here for more information on this talented author and publishing company, Kings Crossing Publishing.

President Obama's Inaugural Speech

Evolution Through Exploration

FYI.......



Evolution Through Exploration
Purpose
By: www.dailyom.com

Most living things belong to a particular soul group and are born knowing their purpose in life. An animal will spend its day foraging for food, taking care of itself and its young, and creating a home. No one tells an animal to do this, yet it instinctively knows how. Humans, for the most part, are not born consciously knowing what their purpose is.

Purpose gives our life meaning. When you discover your purpose, you can live your life with intention and make choices that serve your objective for why you are here on the planet. Finding your purpose is not always easy. You must embrace life wholeheartedly, explore many different pathways, and allow yourself to grow.

Your purpose is as unique as you are and will evolve as you move through life. You don't need anyone's permission to fulfill your purpose, and no one can tell you what that purpose is. Finding and fulfilling your purpose can be a lifelong endeavor. To figure out what your purpose is, ask yourself what drives you – not what forces you out of bed in the morning, but what makes you glad to be alive. Make a list of activities that you wish you were involved in or think about a career path that you would love to embark upon. These are the endeavors that can help you fulfill your purpose and bring you the most satisfaction.

Picture yourself working on projects that don't interest you or fulfill your purpose, yet they help satisfy your basic survival needs. Imagine how living this way each day would make you feel. Next, picture yourself devoting your time to projects that spark your imagination, inspire, excite, and satisfy you. More often than not, these activities are some of the ways that you can fulfill your life purpose. Time spent on these endeavors will never feel like a waste. Live your life with purpose, and you will feel significant and capable because every action you take and each choice you make will have meaning to it.

 

Stephaun Clipper-Wallace
www.stephaunelite.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/christianelite

"Hope – Hope in the face of difficulty. Hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope! In the end, that is God's greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation. A belief in things not seen. A belief that there are better days ahead."~ Barack Obama

CHAMP: Creating a National AIDS Strategy with Impact

Read full article here by Chris Collins

Economy Has Serious Impacts on HIV/AIDS Clients

CALIFORNIA: "Down Economy Takes Toll on People with AIDS"
Bay Area Reporter (01.08.09):: Seth Hemmelgarn

As the economic crisis continues, the AIDS Housing Alliance/SF and other San Francisco AIDS service providers report receiving more requests for assistance. AHA/SF received five applications for emergency financial help in December 2007. In December 2008, it processed 25 applications.

"We are struggling to keep up, and I don't have any money to hire additional help," said Brian Basinger, AHA/SF's founder and director. With a budget of about $300,000, the agency helps clients with back rent, move-in deposits, and other needs. It also has 10 single-room occupancy hotel rooms for temporary use. These are in great demand: AHA/SF turns away three times as many people as it helps each week.

AHA/SF is now seeing more clients who had never accessed social services prior to being laid off. "People are in a state of panic because their sense of hope that they're going to be able to get a new job has diminished," Basinger said. "At the same time, individual giving is down, the city is facing this massive need to prioritize spending, and rents are too high."

The AIDS Emergency Fund, which also helps clients in financial crisis, made grants totaling $152,000 to about 240 clients last month, compared to $97,000 distributed to 180 people the previous December. Forty-five new clients signed up in December, compared to 30 new clients in December 2007 - "which I think is a reflection of the economy - people needing help for the first time," said Executive Director Mike Smith.

Requests for help are also up at Project Open Hand, which delivers food to the homebound, including people with HIV. "We haven't seen a huge increase in the number of clients," said Executive Director Tom Nolan, but rather "an increased pattern of usage of the services." "We believe fully that's a reflection of the economy," he said.

HOUSE OF BLAHNIK NAMES 2ND RECIPIENT OF SCHOLARSHIP

For Immediate Release

January 9th, 2009

Contact: Damon L. Humes aka Overall Father Jay Blahnik
Telephone: (215) 431-1790
Email: houseofblahnik@yahoo.com

2ND INSTALLATION OF SCHOLARSHIP FOR YOUTH OF COLOR
The House of Blahnik Acknowledges Patron of the “Ballroom” Community
For many, the only reference of the House/Ball community comes from the movie, “Paris Is Burning;” which showed a world chiefly occupied by a melee of artistically talented misfits and criminals. For some, the more recent documentary “How Do I Look” which provides a snapshot of the community from the eyes of its participants, produced by Wolfgang Busch. Through the lenses of the larger society, and even the larger lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual (LGTB) community (especially communities of color), participants in the house/ballroom culture are in many instances seen as outcasts. Although many advances and much notoriety have been achieved on the part of participants in the house/ballroom culture to showcase their community in a more positive light, numerous challenges that face members of this population still go unanswered. Chief among those changes are the efforts made by The House of Blahnik. This house chose to make a difference in the lives of others by awarding the “FIRST EVER” scholarship to students who are pursuing their passions through educational advancement.

The House of Blahnik, like those featured in Paris is Burning and How Do I Look, value all of the social contributions made by this marginalized population; but, The House of Blahnik is also a real non-profit organization under the fiscal management of the Men of Color Health Awareness (MOCHA) Project, Inc. The House of Blahnik established its’ House of Blahnik Scholarship Fund in 2006, to support the educational and “ballroom” success of LGBT members of the House/Ball community. The House of Blahnik Scholarship Fund encourages LGBT community members to aspire to positions in which they are able to contribute to society, are open about their sexual orientation and act as role models for their peers in the Ballroom scene.

This year’s recipient of the House of Blahnik Scholarship is Tony Farley known by his house/ballroom friends and family as “YB Chanel”. YB is currently a graduating senior in a Bachelor of Arts program at North Carolina A&T University and an active member in the House of Chanel International and North Carolina Ballroom community. “Tony truly exemplifies our community’s new leaders and has the tenacity to succeed,” states Damon Humes (Co-founder and Overall Father of the House of Blahnik).

Last year’s recipient, Ajmar Millar is known by his House/Ball friends as “Ajay Balenciaga” and holds the unique distinction of being the House of Blahnik’s first scholar. In May 2008, Ajay completed an undergraduate degree at Morehouse College, in Atlanta (GA).

The House of Blahnik: With chapters in New York (NY), Philadelphia, Atlanta (GA), Detroit (MI), Chicago (IL), Cleveland (OH), North and South Carolina, Oakland (CA) and various cities in New Jersey seeks to invest in the future of ball patrons who make valuable contributions to the ballroom community. The House of Blahnik seeks to shift community norms by creating tangible recognition for individuals who make such contributions and highlight these contributions.


For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please call Damon L. Humes at (215) 431-1790 or e-mail at houseofblahnik@yahoo.com.

Bush Responds to Questions Upon His Exit

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090113/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush

Interview of Bryn't by James Hipps of Gay Agenda

(Photo from artist website: http://www.myspace.com/bryntmusic)











The acclaimed Out and Open Hip Hop and Rap recording artist Bry'Nt provided an interview to a friend and colleague James Hipps of GayAgenda (www.gayagenda.com). You can check the interview here on the Gay Agenda website or click the link here to listen to the interview on blogtalkradio.com: