HIV Infection Rate Down In NYC

The New York City Health Department has announced that new diagnoses of HIV infection in NYC have reached an all-time low of 2,157 in 2017 which is a 5.4% decrease from 2016. Kelsey Louie, CEO of Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) stated, “Another year of record low new HIV infections in New York City is reason to be optimistic about where we’re headed in this epidemic. The fact that new infections among women a group that saw a slight uptick in new infections in 2016 fell by nearly 12% is a testament to the power of following the data & being smart about prevention targeting and outreach. But while there is a lot to celebrate, we must also remember that 2,157 New Yorkers were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2017 & that’s 2,157 New Yorkers too many. With proven prevention methods like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) & the knowledge that people living with HIV who are on treatment cannot transmit the virus, we have the tools & the data to end this epidemic once & for all. Now we need the proper resources. GMHC is proud to partner with the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene as we work collectively to stop new infections & reach all New Yorkers who are living with or affected by this disease.” However, the report showed some areas where we need to redouble our prevention efforts. For example, new infections among Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) increased in 2016, according to the report.
For More Info: gmhc.org
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Transgender Troops Attacked Again

The Trump administration’s assault on transgender troops continues with news that Senator Inhofe, Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee is seeking to perpetuate the Trump-Pence Administration's proposed ban on transgender military service. Aaron Belkin Palm Center Director stated, “Senator Inhofe insisted for years that allowing gays & lesbians to serve openly would undermine the military, falsely claiming that ending ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ would undermine ‘our military's ability to fight, protect & win.’ Yet gays & lesbians have now served openly & successfully for seven years in all ranks & services. Numerous military & political leaders who once opposed their service have acknowledged they were wrong & even expressed regret over a 'moral passing of the buck.’ But not Senator Inhofe, who is now taking aim at transgender troops to score political points. The senator's new embrace of President Trump's proposed transgender ban is just as misguided as his earlier embrace of 'don't ask, don't tell'. Senior military leaders have confirmed what we know from more than two years of successful, trans-inclusive service: that inclusive policy promotes military readiness, while discrimination harms it.” Andy Blevins, OutServe-SLDN Executive Director concluded, OutServe-SLDN will continue to vigorously defend our transgender servicemembers & we call upon Senator Inhofe & his like-minded associates to do the same. Open & authentic transgender military service has successfully been in effect for almost 3 years now. We cannot afford to revert to a standard that does not fully support & celebrate the identities of all the selfless patriots that make up our military services.To all of our transgender servicemembers & veterans, whether you are serving openly or in silence, please know that we see you, we appreciate your service & that we got your six."
For More Info: outserve-sldn.org
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Creative At Any Age Lesbian Event

Boston OLOC (Old Lesbians Organizing For Change) will present a very special program entitled “Creative At Any Age: Outstanding Performances” featuring six creative artists on Sunday December 2nd from 2P to 4P at the Brookline Senior Center at 93 Winchester Street in Brookline, Massachusetts. Maggie Cee, artist, activist, dancer, writer & the founder of the long-running, wildly popular Femme Show will be performing her fabulous new dance/theater piece. Amber Aliyah Williams aka SublimeLuv who is a Boston born & bred womanist spoken-word artist will be performing her powerful activist art in a set entitled, 'Sublime Poetry.’ They will be joined by panelists including Kalyani Devajgoti, Jyl Lynn Felman, Sarah Pearlman & Sue Katz. Author Sue Katz stated, "This programs highlights the talents of creative women of various ages in our community. Our artists do not always get the opportunities they deserve to perform & to read their work, so we are excited to bring together & to celebrate so many extraordinary voices." OLOC Boston programs & events are open to lesbians of all ages, including transgender lesbians. OLOC’s mission includes their commitment to creating communities of older lesbians & solidarity with allies for racial, economic & social justice. Following the event there will be an early dinner at Lemon Grass at 239 Harvard Street in Brookline, MA.
For More Info: spearlman@hartford.edu
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LGBTQ Cyber Monday Event

This year now more than ever it’s extremely important to display your commitment to LGBTQ equality & this Cyber Monday for the Holiday Season we’re offering the highest quality gear for all our LGBTQ shoppers & allies. We would appreciate it if you could take a moment & visit our online OUTTAKE EQUALITY STORE where your purchases will help support our mission to provide & produce our free exclusive & insightful podcasts with LGBT leaders & allies on OUTTAKE VOICES into 2018 & beyond. Choose from a fabulous array of unique gear while supporting our quest for full global LGBT equality. We have tee shirts, tote bags, watches & more all displaying either our cool OUTTAKE logo or merchandise designed by visionary Richard Emmanuel whose emblem consists of universal symbols. Two androgynous gender nonconforming figures are meeting each other within the circle of the world. This creates a symbol of unity that is diverse with its differences, yet respectful of each person’s beliefs. The word “Equality” is boldly displayed with the words “LGBTQ Civil Rights.” This awesome design is empowering & a courageous symbol for our LGBTQ community with a symbol that reflects our strong commitment to equality. Both of these designs are an excellent way to get the conversation started to maintain & advance LGBTQ civil rights & equality. So what are you waiting for? Just click on the link below & check it OUT!! :)
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Trump's Trans Military Obsession

The Trump Administration has requested a writ of certiorari from the U.S. Supreme Court in cases challenging the president's ban on transgender troops. The cases are currently before lower federal courts that are still deciding on several motions but the Trump administration wants to intervene now & implement the transgender military ban. So what could have possibly caused such an appalling maneuver by this homophobic & transphobic administration just days after the global recognition of Transgender Day of Remembrance & recent release of “TransMilitary” the groundbreaking & award-winning documentary that chronicles the lives of four transgender service members honorably protecting America on Logo TV? Jennifer Levi, GLAD Transgender Rights Project Director stated, “There is no urgency here & no reason for the Court to weigh in at this juncture. The injunctions preserve the status quo of the open service policy that was thoroughly vetted by the military itself & has been in place now for more than two years. This is simply one more attempt by a reckless Trump administration to push through a discriminatory policy. The policy flies in the face of military research & dozens of top military experts.” Sarah McBride HRC National Press Secretary concluded, "The Trump-Pence administration's desperate desire to discriminate against transgender service members knows no bounds. The administration is in a rush because they know that every day that transgender people continue to enlist & serve with distinction is another day that the courts & the public see this irrational policy for what it is. There is simply no reason to circumvent the traditional judicial process in pursuit of banning qualified, patriotic Americans from serving their country.”
For More Info: notransmilitaryban.org
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Harvey Milk Forty Years Later (Audio)

This year on November 27th marks the 40th anniversary when Supervisor Harvey Milk & Mayor George Moscone were assassinated by a deranged gunman at City Hall Plaza in San Francisco, California. It was a day that changed the course of our LGBTQ history forever & a day that I personally will never forget. San Franciscans were still in shock by news of the Jonestown Massacre which took the lives of 900 members of their community when the news broke after San Francisco Board Member Dianne Feinstein heard gunshots & called police & then found Milk face down on the floor shot five times, including twice in the head. Soon after she announced to the press stating, "Today San Francisco has experienced a double tragedy of immense proportions. As President of the Board of Supervisors, it is my duty to inform you that both Mayor Moscone & Supervisor Harvey Milk have been shot & killed & the suspect is Supervisor Dan White." Milk was 48 years old & Moscone was 49. White turned himself in at the police station where he was formerly an officer & the term "Twinkie defense" came from his murder trial that convicted him of the lesser crime of manslaughter. Outrage over White's lenient sentence caused a riot by angry protestors. After White was released from prison he committed suicide shortly afterwards in 1985. On Tuesday November 27th at 5P the Castro Theatre will host a free screening of the Oscar-winning documentary “The Times of Harvey Milk” & at 7P there will be a memorial vigil at Harvey Milk Plaza in the Castro organized by the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club & contemporaries of Milk followed by a candlelight procession to City Hall where there will be additional community reflections. Listen: Cleve Jones Talks About Harvey Milk:
For More Info: milkfoundation.org
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Trans Day of Remembrance (Audio)

On Transgender Day of Remembrance we observed those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia. November 20th is an internationally oserved day to draw attention to the continual violence against our transgender community. In a new report since the start of 2018 at least 22 transgender people have been killed in the U.S. & 2017 were deadliest on record with at least 29 transgender people killed. Nearly nine in every 10 victims were transgender women & 45 percent of all domestic deaths occurred in the U.S. South. Jay Brown, Acting Senior Vice President, HRC Foundation stated, "At least 128 transgender people with the vast majority transgender women of color have been killed in the last five years. But most people can't even name one victim -- one human being who left behind family, friends & a future. We must do better. Solidarity means showing up, speaking out, saying their names & steadfastly working to change the realities that conspire to put transgender people at risk of violence. We can do better." Education is key & in this exclusive audio interview we talked with author & activist Brynn Tannehill about her new book “Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Trans (But Were Afraid to Ask)” that really does tell you everything you need to know about transgender issues & serves as a valuable reference source to debunk many of the untruths circulating about our transgender community.  
For More Info: hrc.org
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