Category Archives: Health and Wellness
Same Sex Parents Having Biological Babies
Researchers from Cambridge University have found that it is possible to make a baby using the skin cells of parents of the same sex.
A stem cell research breakthrough has revealed that in just two years same-sex couples could have their own biological children.
Researchers from Cambridge University have discovered that it is possible to make a baby using skin cells of parents of the same sex.
The researchers have shown, for the first time, that human egg and sperm cells can be made from stem cells in the skin of two adults. They have stated that the technique could mean same-sex couples could have babies in just two years.
see more at PINK NEWS
Gay Health News – Truvada
In a new article,
The scientific community and HIV/AIDS activists are abuzz about the preliminary findings of a new PrEP study showing not only the effectiveness of the treatment overall, but the success of an innovative regimen wherein participants took PrEP only when they anticipated having sex instead of taking it daily as it is currently prescribed.
Participants in the IPERGAY trial, which occurred in France and Canada and closed early due to high effectiveness, took two pills of Truvada in the 24-hour period before anticipated sex and, if sex occurred, then took two separate one-pill doses of the drug in the two days following sex. IPERGAY investigators did not release any effectiveness figures or other data, but will do so once a complete analysis of the results has been completed, which they say should be sometime in early 2015.
Read the whole piece at GA VOICE
Travada Financial Assistance information
Saks Fifth Avenue Transgender Discrimination
I could see WALMART doing this….but Saks Fifth Avenue???
Leyth O. Jamal, a transgender woman living in Texas, has filed a federal lawsuit against her former employer, Saks Fifth Avenue, alleging that she was exposed to a hostile working environment at the luxury department store’s Houston-area location, reports local news station KPRC.
In a statement from her attorney, Jamal describes being harassed and belittled by coworkers, being forced to use the men’s restroom, withstanding intentional and repeated use of male pronouns by her coworkers, and ultimately being fired. Following this alleged mistreatment, she filed a claim of workplace discrimination with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency that enforces Title VII of the Civil Rights Amendment of 1964, including protecting workers from sex-based discrimination. Full story at ADVOCATE.
Attorneys for the company also blatantly misgendered Jamal in court documents and alleged the retailer isn’t bound by its own nondiscrimination policy, which covers transgender workers.
BuzzFeed reports:
“Saks’ arguments are hugely concerning to us,” the director of HRC’s Workplace Equality Program, Deena Fidas, said in a statement provided to BuzzFeed News. “In its court filings, Saks attempts to secure a motion to dismiss Ms. Jamal’s allegations by simultaneously calling into question the validity of its own non-discrimination policy and the larger, crucial protections afforded by Title VII.”
Regarding its Corporate Equality Index, an effort to alert consumers to pro-LGBT or anti-LGBT policies of companies, Fidas added: “The policies our CEI advances are not window dressings for any company to prop up or disregard in the face of individual allegations of misconduct. Saks is publicly undercutting the applicability of its own policies reported in the CEI and we must suspend Saks’ CEI score until further notice.”
A huge backlash AGAINST SAKS has already started.
FCKH8 Male Model Charity Calendar
Straight and Gay Hunks Get Naked Together, Lowering Their Underwear to Raise Awareness and Funds with 2015 HIV/AIDS Charity Calendar
FCKH8.com Teams Up with Photographer Justin Monroe to Create Sexy Poolside Photo Spread.
Hot on the heels of the massive viral success of their anti-sexism “Potty-Mouth Princesses” video that garnered almost 20 million views and raised $30,000 for charities promoting girls and women’s rights, FCKH8.com is campaigning to benefit HIV/AIDS charities with a sexy new 2015 benefit calendar that features straight and gay men getting naked together for a cause.
Lensed by renowned photographer Justin Monroe, and promoted by the gay social app Jack’d, the 12 month photo calendar features beefy straight and gay hotties stripped down to their bathing suits… or their birthday suits. The calendar, as well as the behind the scenes video that shows even more of the guys than the calendar does, were shot by the pool in the Hollywood hills in the hot California sun.
With a behind-the-scenes video on the FCKH8.com home page, the 9 inch x 12 inch glossy calendar is available for purchase for $9.99 on the FCKH8.com campaign website. To support the cause, 50% of all the money raised will go to HIV/AIDS charities that online supporters will be able to vote for on the campaign’s Facebook page.
The video and calendar shoot were made with the help of the guys at Jack’d, the fastest-growing gay social app in the world, who are promoting the cause to their audience of millions of gay and bi men to turn them on and turn up their support.
Behind the Scenes Video Can Be Seen HERE
Joan Rivers Leaves Money to Gods Love We Deliver
The legendary comic Joan Rivers in life was always a strong supporter and philanthropist when it came gay issues .
Now, even though Joan is gone, she is still continuing her support by leaving the AIDS charity, Gods Love We Deliver a sizable amount of money in her will.
Ms. Rivers trust was filed with New York State Surrogate’s Court on Tuesday – and daughter Melissa Rivers named as executor of her $150 million estate.
While the exact amount is not known, Joan left a substantial amount to the charity was set up in 1985 to deliver food to men dying at the height of the AIDS crisis – many of whom were not receiving substantial care.
Read more at Back to Stonewall.
Christian Linda Robertson Regrets Conversion Therapy
Saying goodbye … Linda Robertson kisses the cheek of her eldest son, Ryan, days before he died of a drug overdose.
DEVOUT Christian Linda Robertson says her son came out to her at 12-years-old but that she forced him into ‘conversion therapy’. Now she is traveling the US to ensure more kids don’t die like hers did.
Rob and Linda Robertson of Washington State were told by their son Ryan, then aged 12, that he was gay.
“It’s just the way I am and it’s something I know,” Mrs Robertson recalls him saying. “You are not a lesbian and you know that. It is the same thing.”
While initially understanding, the Robertsons forced Ryan into weekly reparative therapy meetings with their pastor during his teenage years.
“Basically, we told our son that he had to choose between Jesus and his sexuality,” Mrs Robertson said.
Regrets … Linda and Rob Robertson want to stop other parents going through what they did. Read the full article and see video HERE.
Linda also writes on Huffington Post
Linda’s passion and prayer is that Ryan’s life and death will matter –- and that the mistakes she made, as a conservative evangelical mom with a young gay son, will serve to help someone else learn to really love their children.
#WeAreAllClean the HIV ALS Challenge
THIS IS BRILLIANT!
Could this be the HIV equivalent to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge? We think so. The concept is the brainchild of well-known HIV activist, Jack Mackenroth who has partnered with Moovz, the leading global gay social app, to launch the project. It’s genius in its simplicity. We are now a selfie-obsessed culture and Mackenroth urges everyone to take a special selfie for an important cause.
“I was inspired by the use of the word ‘clean’, especially common in gay culture, to describe oneself as STI/STD free. Indirectly this implies that HIV-positive people are somehow ‘dirty'”, says Mackenroth. “I thought a PG or PG-13 shower selfie or Vine video would be a fun way that everyone could easily show their support on social media for finding a cure by using the hashtag #weareALLclean when they post their photo with the link. They then nominate 3 other people to participate and hopefully donate to the project as well.”
The goal of the campaign is to raise 1 million dollars to stop the epidemic and help find a cure and the campaign will be ongoing indefinitely. Donate here. All donations received will be donated to Housing Works, a New York-based nonprofit organization fighting on the front lines to end AIDS and homelessness, not just in New York but globally by 2030. The CDC estimates that there are currently 1.2 million people in the US living with HIV and over 35 million people around the world.
“As someone who has been living with HIV for 25 years this is very personal to me.” Mackenroth adds, “There is current urgency for funding as we have new treatments that maintain viral suppression and render HIV-positive individuals virtually non-transmissible. Those same treatments can be given to HIV-negative individuals and protect them from infection. Essentially we already have the tools to stop the epidemic from spreading. Exciting new research is bringing us closer to a real cure for AIDS every day. ”
The campaign will launch within Moovz because of the app’s high user engagement rates and it’s history of successful international LGBT social media campaigns. Mackenroth is known as a social media powerhouse in his own right but he is also enlisting many of his “social media superstar” friends to get the campaign off the ground.
Actor, model, singer and social media stud, Chris Salvatore is igniting the campaign from Los Angeles after joining forces with Moovz as well. “It’s time to erase the stigma and unite as a global community. Regardless of your gender or sexual identity—no matter what age, color, size or shape you are, you should be part of this project! Let’s all be one loud, united voice in support of awareness, education, treatment and research for a cure.” says Salvatore. “And have fun with it. Be funny, sexy or silly. Who doesn’t want to see people in the shower soaping up for a good cause?”
“I truly hope this campaign goes viral—no pun intended.” Mackenroth quips.
The campaign launches between now and World AIDS Day, December 1st and is ongoing until the goal is reached. The hope is that there will be traction in the following weeks so that people know about the campaign on World AIDS Day and change their profile photos to show support.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1) Take a selfie or Vine video of yourself in the shower.** NO EXPLICIT NUDITY**
2) Post your photo now on Moovz and all social media platforms with the caption “Take HIV Shower Selfie Challenge raise $$ for AIDS cure bit.ly/CUREAIDS #
3) Nominate 3 or more other people to participate!
4) (Optional) DONATE!! Please consider a small donation if you are able. Every penny counts! bit.ly/CUREAIDS
5) On World AIDS Day (or before) : Monday, December 1st, please change all your social media profile pix to your shower selfie photo and spread the word!!
Could Pregnant Smokers be Making their Children GAY?
Smoking increases chances of child being gay in adulthood, controversial study claims
A neuroscientist has claimed a woman’s lifestyle during pregnancy is directly linked to the development of their children, influencing whether they may be gay and having an impact on their IQ.
Women who smoke or lead a stressful life during their pregnancy can influence their child’s sexuality and IQ, a neuroscientist has claimed.
A pregnant woman’s lifestyle is believed to have an impact on the development of their babies – with drinking, taking drugs and even living in an area with a lot of pollution affecting children in later life.
Dick Swaab, professor of neurobiology at Amsterdam University, suggests drinking and taking drugs can lower a child’s IQ while taking synthetic hormones and smoking can increase the likelihood of girls being lesbians or bisexual. READ MORE from UK Telegraph
Real.Soaps from Gay Business Owners in Chicago
You may want to eat these soaps… But Don’t!
For real though, these soaps smells divine. They are like a big comforting hug! Lots of oils and creative concoctions. Like the Tom Collins Scrub! Yes, based on the cocktail!
“We are two guys from Chicago who make amazing soaps and bath products! It all started when we decided to look at the ingredients of our commercial soaps & cleaning products. After some research we decided to rid our home of them and make our own. We learned that all you REALLY need to clean almost anything is some combination of soap and water. Logically, we began to make our own soaps, and it turns out, we are pretty good at it. Our friends started asking us to buy our REAL soaps to replace their commercial “soaps,” so we set up a shop on etsy and now you can too.
We use the traditional cold-process method to produce small-batch, handmade artisan soaps. To us, REAL means natural. We don’t use any dyes, preservatives, or artificial ingredients. Each bar is hand cut and cared for to bring you a personal, REAL experience.
If you want to try our REAL. soaps, you can order some here in our ETSY shop”
Like us on Facebook facebook.com/real.soaps
Follow us on Twitter, Pinterest, & Instagram! @realsoaps
Magic Pads for Glowing Skin
A friend of mine told me about these, now I am hooked! MAGIC PADS! The Magic Pads is the world’s newest and most revolutionary product illuminating the road to perfect skin!
Using a unique blend of Glycolic and Salicylic Acids combined with Aloe and vitamin e. No fragrance, no parabens, no unnecessary nonsense.
The Magic Pads is designed to destroy acne, clear breakouts, smooth skin, PLUS they tighten pores, exfoliate, tone, clarify and fight aging as well as moisturize all is one swift swoop of the pad.
Little Goddess Cosmetics blogger said, “I had the pleasure of speaking with the creator of The Magic Pads, Rob Harmon (who besides being a skin care wizard, is also a makeup artist on the hit Broadway musical, Wicked) and when I asked him why he decided to create these, he basically said he wanted a product that worked without all the unnecessary ingredients and was affordable for the people who really needed it.
$20 a jar – well worth it!
The Magic Pads online and on Facebook!
Genetic Link found – Men being born Homosexual
A new study of gay men in the U.S. has found that male sexual orientation is influenced by genes passed on by the mother.
The British newspaper the Guardian reports that in a test of 400 gay men, genes on at least two chromosomes affected whether a man is gay.
GEENA ROCERO IS FIRST TRANSGENDER SPEAKER AT “TED” CONFERENCE
To coincide with the celebration of International Day of Transgender Visibility, activist and model Geena Rocero today launched her new a global awareness campaign, Gender Proud, which calls attention to the fact that there are only 8 countries where transgender individuals are able to change their gender marker without having to first undergo surgery. In addition, her recent TED talk, which garnered an immediate standing ovation and praise, goes live on the TED site at 11am EST.
‘I want people to realize that while gender identity is core to our being, sometimes our gender assignment doesn’t match. There should be space to self-identify,’ says Geena.
In the months ahead, Gender Proud will work alongside the ground-breaking LGBT justice organization AllOut to target countries where gender marker legislation is at a ‘tipping point’.
As it launches, Gender Proud has initiated a petition on Change.org (www.change.org/genderproud) that seeks to bring awareness to the issue at a broader level; simultaneously, an IndieGogo campaign will raise money for a national speaking tour by Rocero about the organization and the need for all transgender people to self-identify with the fewest possible barriers. The campaign will feature donation perks including a limited edition t-shirt designed by world-renown street artist Seizer One, and limited edition prints from award-winning Russian visual artist Uldus.
Geena’s talk marked the first time that TED has tackled transgender rights issues on the main stage.
“Every year we work to bring inspiring ideas and speakers from a wide range of backgrounds to the TED stage,” said Kelly Stoetzel, Director of TED Content. “This year, we were thrilled to have Geena join us. Her courageous story stands to help people everywhere think about gender in a new and nuanced way.”
Gay Man Sues Ex-Boyfriend For Being Closeted
WOW!
Here is an amazing story about a gay man suing his ex-boyfriend for essentially being in the closet. The court papers were filed on Valentine’s Day this year.
The gay man is claiming damages for money invested in his ex while not initially knowing he was in the closet and not knowing how the ex was conflicted out his sexuality due to religious teachings. The suing man is essentially saying that it’s unfair he invested money in him without knowing to what extent he was closeted and to what extent he was conflicted about his sexuality. Additionally, the suing man is claiming emotional distress damages.
What’s more, the suing man is homeless living out of an automobile and claims his ex promised to pay him for a gym membership so he could access showering.
The suing man is YouTuber Jeff 4 Justice. WATCH HIS VIDEO
This case could set an interesting precedent regarding gay couples. This is a small claims case set in Los Angeles for 4-21-14.
Undetectable viral load Showing Very very low Transmissions of HIV
The second large study to look at whether people with HIV become non-infectious if they are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) has found no cases where someone with a viral load under 200 copies/ml transmitted HIV, either by anal or vaginal sex.
Statistical analysis shows that the maximum likely chance of transmission via anal sex from someone on successful HIV treatment was 1% a year for any anal sex and 4% for anal sex with ejaculation where the HIV-negative partner was receptive; but the true likelihood is probably much nearer to zero than this.
When asked what the study tells us about the chance of someone with an undetectable viral load transmitting HIV, presenter Alison Rodger said: “Our best estimate is it’s zero.”
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Real Life Ken Doll Justin Jedlica
Perfection. Beauty. Tolstoy said, “If you look for perfection, you’ll never be content.”
Ask Justin Jedlica, who has been referred to as the human ken doll.
“I’ve always been into plastic surgery because it’s an extension of me being creative,” he said.
Growing up, Jedlica was a straight-A overachiever with a secret loathing: His nose was “astronomically huge.” He got a nose job, and has since had four more, each one “not as extreme and exaggerated as I wanted,” he said. “I’m closer to … the picture that I have in my head … but it’s still not a hundred percent.” Jedlica has also had five lip injections.
“I can treat myself as if I were my own sculpture, my own artwork,” he said of the multiple surgeries. Justin has actually designed some of his own implants himself — leading to his own plastic surgery consultation business.
“This is a very exciting time because not only am I creating new implants for myself, I am also in the process of finding the right distributor for my line of custom implants as there are limited options in the current marketplace which simply do not fit everyone,” Jedlica told Radar in an exclusive interview this week. He also revealed he is now up to 145 procedures completed and a tab of more than $168,000. That includes silicone implants in his buttocks, belly, biceps and triceps, among others.
He told “20/20” that he won’t stop changing his body any time soon. “I love to metamorphosize myself, and the stranger the surgery the better,” he told ABC News. “Bucking the norm is so much fun.”
I think some gay men and some straight women are obsessed with beauty and perfection? We are never happy – we are never “there”, where we want to be, we can never satisfy our cravings for perfection. I have photographed countless male models who look great! But never 100% happy.
“I think I have a great eye for the human body and for the artistic finesse. I was a sculptor and a painter – and I think this is an extension of that.” says Jedlica.
“I have found my passion – I am a detailed oriented person. I never thought I was unattractive – and I was always lean – so I had a good body to work with.
It does not come from a place of me being unhappy with myself, it does install confidence and self esteem. I was never dissatisfied with myself but knowing you can be a better version of yourself and the world receives you in a different way – when you look you best you are received better from other people- that’s worth the investment in yourself.”
“I am looking to develop ab implants and have already talked with 7 doctors. I want to be the first person to develop this as a procedure. And that makes it very exciting for me.” said Justin.
Since relocating to Chicago last summer to be closer to his new husband’s business, Jedlica hopes he can grow his plastic surgery consulting business in the Midwest.
“I’d love to expand my client list to Chicago,” Jedlica said of his consulting business, which charges $500 for a single-session assessment of procedure options, doctor recommendations and drawing up a rough treatment plan.
But while Los Angelenos treat their plastic surgery “like a badge of honor” and New Yorkers are “very hush-hush” about it, but “definitely partake,” Jedlica said Chicagoans seem “much more conservative about it.”
“The launch of my consultancy allows me share all that I have learned with others looking to have cosmetic and/or reconstructive procedures, but are confused or overwhelmed by the process,” Jedlica said. “Over the years I’ve received so many emails and letters asking for advice that I am thrilled to have formalized a way to help those looking for guidance.”
“I don’t think its an addiction, its not mental illness. When people are opposed to what I am doing, it makes me want to fight back ten times stronger and show people that what I am doing can be a positive thing for people.”
JustinJedlica.com
Justin Jedlica on Facebook
Scientists have pieced together the origin of AIDS
Scientists have pieced together the origin of AIDS, and the tale is ludicrously interesting.
Take a few minutes to listen and learn how one of humanity’s most debilitating diseases grew into the monster it is today.
You won’t believe what you hear! This virus began in the early 1900’s!
We know the virus or a similar virus came from chimps in Africa…but this research now reveals new data showing that even further back, 12 variations of the virus, coming from 3 different types of monkeys / chimps / gorillas.
This audio clip was painstakingly produced by the geniuses at “Radiolab.”
How Health Care Reform Benefits LGBT Americans
“How Health Care Reform Benefits LGBT Americans”
For many years, the LGBT community has experienced
disparities in the health system as they have been denied the same
rights as heterosexual Americans, have been found to have a high
percentage of preexisting medical conditions and have
experienced difficulty finding affordable health insurance. Now
members of the LGBT community can have a sense of ease, as the
Affordable Care Act (ACA) and recent Defense of Marriage Act ruling
bring new health care rights and protections.
Under the ACA, insurance companies cannot
discriminate based on gender identity or sexual orientation, meaning
members of the LGBT community cannot be denied coverage or charged more
for being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. In
addition, health insurers cannot limit how much money they will spend
on medical care, over a year or over a lifetime. For the first time,
anyone living with a preexisting medical condition, including HIV/AIDS,
cannot be denied health insurance. These changes
are substantial for the LGBT community as studies have shown that LGBT
people suffer from chronic illnesses that require long-term costs at a
higher rate than other Americans.
Just like heterosexual married couples, legally
married same-sex couples, now have access to federal tax credits that
lower the cost of insurance. Even if a gay or lesbian couple lives in a
state that does not recognize same-sex marriage,
they can still apply jointly for federal tax credits. This victory for
the LGBT community came in June 2014 when the U.S. Supreme Court’s
ruling overturned part of the Defense of Marriage Act. This decision
also allows same-sex married couples the right to
visit his or her partner in the hospital and name a representative to
make medical decisions on a patient’s behalf.
Finally, under the new Medicaid expansion, more
LGBT Americans will now qualify for Medicaid if their incomes fall under
the poverty line. This expansion is significant for the LGBT community,
because according to a report by
The Williams Institute, the LGBT community is more likely to live in
poverty, especially transgender men and women as they are less likely
to find a job.
With all the changes Americans are facing, finding
an affordable, comprehensive health plan can be frustrating and
confusing. GoHealthInsurance offers licensed advisors, at no cost, that
can recommend and help consumers choose a plan that
fits their lifestyle and needs. GoHealth licensed advisors can also see
if you qualify for tax credits and apply them to your coverage,
ensuring that the most cost effective and beneficial plan is obtained.
To compare health insurance options or speak with
a licensed advisor, visit the GoHealth Marketplace.
INTERSEX Rights – Whose Life is it, Anyways
Intersex, in humans and other animals, is a variation in sex characteristics including chromosomes, gonads, or genitals that do not allow an individual to be distinctly identified as male or female. Such variation may involve genital ambiguity, and combinations of chromosomal genotype and sexual phenotype other than XY-male and XX-female.
Intersex infants with ambiguous outer genitalia may be surgically ‘corrected’ to more easily fit into a socially accepted sex category. Others may opt, in adulthood, for surgical procedures in order to align their physical sex characteristics with their gender identity or the sex category to which they were assigned at birth.
From the NEW YORKER this week….
Jim Ambrose was born in 1976, with, he wrote last year, “genitals that
frightened my parents and caregivers.” He had one X and one Y
chromosome, but his sex organs were ambiguous, resembling a large
clitoris or a small penis. Doctors have an easier time eliminating
tissue than adding it, and so they decided to surgically remove the
organ and the nearby testes. The baby was raised as a girl, named Kristi
Bruce.
When Ambrose was twelve years old, he began to take female hormones. At
eighteen, he prepared to undergo a vaginoplasty, the surgical
reconstruction of the vagina. Suffering from depression, Ambrose
contemplated suicide. “I knew that I wasn’t a girl,” he later told a reporter.
The following year, Ambrose obtained his medical records, and
discovered what had happened to him as an infant: “I was sterilized at
birth—and no one ever told me.” Ambrose was born with a condition that
inhibited testosterone production; after adolescence, he began to take
testosterone shots, and had surgery to remove his breasts.
READ the full article.
Sexy Male Models and Obamacare! SIGN ME UP!
(the new effort by the Center for American Progress, the Sellers Dorsey
Foundation, and the Federal Agencies Project to try and get LGBT signed
up for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act) for a new
Christmas video featuring a few sexy guys from Santas workshop, in their bulging underwear!!
Obama Pledges $100 Million to Help End AIDS
President Obama announced on Monday he’s redirecting $100 million at
the National Institutes of Health for a new initiative to develop a cure
for HIV as part of his vision for an “AIDS-free generation.”
Obama made the announcement when speaking before a group of HIV/AIDS
advocates at a White House event observing World AIDS Day in the South
Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
“The United States should be at the forefront of new discoveries in
how to put HIV into long-term remission without requiting live-long
therapies, or better yet, eliminate it completely,” Obama said.
In a fact sheet published after the event, the White House clarified
the $100 million would be distributed over the course of three years and
would catalyze further research for new therapies to improve outcomes
for people with HIV.
Read More at Washington Blade!
