and so it begins, legalized apartheid in amrka

Michigan House Votes in Favor of 'Conscience' Clause
April 26, 2004
Gfn.com News
The Michigan House has voted in favor of so-called "conscience" legislation that would protect medical professionals from being fired or sued for failing to participate in procedures they are morally opposed to.

The Conscientious Objector Policy Act, which passed the House 69-35, will allow doctors to refuse to treat gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender patients based on moral, ethical or religious beliefs.

The law also allows for a period of 24 hours from the time a worker receives notice of a request to perform a procedure in which to object.


Calling the Republican-backed measure "frightening" and "inhumane," Kathleen DeBold, executive director, The Mautner Project for Lesbian Health, said Friday, "A core belief held by doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists and other health care professionals is to 'first do no harm.' And nothing could be more harmful to


~

Suspicions about transgender teen simmered in weeks before death
MICHELLE LOCKE
Associated Press
HAYWARD, Calif. - Suspicions about the biological identity of a transgender teen began to simmer after two men who had sexual encounters with her began comparing notes, an acquaintance of the pair testified Monday.

At one point, Jaron Nabors testified that he and friends Michael Magidson and Jose Merel talked about what would happen if a man living as a woman got involved with "a really bad guy."

"Once that happens, then you have a body on your hands and then it's just a big old mess," Nabors recalls being said.


Magidson, 23, Merel, 24, and a third man, Jason Cazares, also 24, are charged with killing Eddie "Gwen" Araujo after finding out she was biologically male. Nabors, 21, initially was charged but pleaded guilty to manslaughter and has been promised an 11-year sentence in exchange for testifying.



~

Homophobia hampers HIV fight in UK's African communities
Ben Townley, Gay.com UK
Homophobia within the UK's African communities is blocking any progress on HIV and AIDS, according to the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) chief Trevor Phillips, who adds that "stigma and denial" is hampering further successes within such communities.

In a speech to be delivered at today's Civil Service Race Equality Network, Phillips will also call for African people across the country to learn from how the gay community dealt with HIV education, prevention and treatment.

The comments follow increasing transmission figures across the UK's African population, which has now become the centre of heterosexual infections. 

“In Britain, expertise in fighting HIV rests in the gay community, but African men in particular are wary of being associated with anything gay," he will say, adding that HIV positive African people are arriving at doctors at too late a stage to be considered for drug treatment.


~

THE BATTLE OVER SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
After the wedding bells, gays face maze of legal obstacles
Harriet Chiang, Chronicle Legal Affairs Writer
Gay and lesbian couples who were married at San Francisco City Hall may still be basking in the romantic glow, but some now face a dilemma of whether to call themselves legally wed if they want to buy a house, have a baby or get health coverage for both partners.

Veteran lawyers say they have never encountered a situation such as the one confronting the more than 4,000 same-sex couples who got married in San Francisco -- one in which the marriages are in jeopardy of being wiped off the books.

"We understand that these licenses are in a state of legal uncertainty,'' said Kate Kendall, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights in San Francisco.

The California Supreme Court also seems stumped by the situation. Earlier this month the court asked lawyers for the city, state and anti-gay marriage groups whether it should declare the unions void if it rules that San Francisco officials exceeded their authority in issuing same-sex marriage licenses.