transdada

poetics, time, body disruption and marginally queer solutions

Tuesday, July 13, 2004

Condom vs. abstinence row breaks out at AIDS conference
Gay.com/PlanetOut.com Network


Condom use has been a hotly debated topic this week at the international AIDS conference in Bangkok, Thailand, with several experts dismissing US President Bush's emphasis on abstinence-only programs as a setback for HIV prevention worldwide.

In many Asian countries, including Thailand, condoms are promoted as the first-line defence against HIV infection.
In fact, a campaign to enlist Thai sex workers to insist on condom usage led to a more-than-sevenfold reduction in HIV rates over 13 years, the Associated Press reported.

But other countries, such as the United States and Uganda, promote a three-prong prevention strategy that emphasises abstinence as the main priority. The strategy is known as ABC: Abstinence, Being faithful and Condoms, in that order.



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Research into housing needs for older Scottish LGBT people launched
Ben Townley, Gay.com UK


Stonewall Scotland has announced it is to undertake research into the housing and support needs for older LGBT people north of the border, with the aim of resolving any problems that might currently exist.

Funded by the Scottish Executive's housing agency Communities Scotland, the research is expected to help the charity form a report on how well LGBT older people are cared for in Scotland.

As well as hoping to present recommendations to the country's government as to how it should help support older people, Stonewall says it also intends to compile guidance for LGBT older people themselves, so as to offer best practice solutions to some of the more common problems and to help people access housing and support services.

The charity is looking for people aged 45 or over to help with the research, either by conducting face-to-face interviews, or by conducting an online questionnaire.



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City mulls stand on gay-marriage ban
Janet Urquhart


Aspen should take a formal stand against a constitutional amendment that would "advance discrimination" by banning same-sex marriages, according to City Councilwoman Rachel Richards.

She urged the council Monday to approve a resolution opposing the amendment, which Congress is expected to vote on this week. Amending the U.S. Constitution would also require ratification by the states.

The council agreed to consider a resolution when it meets today, after taking a look at the amendment language.

"It's a state issue. It should be left to the states' courts to decide," Richards said. "It's important to go on the record on this.



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Brownback speech stuns local gay-rights advocates
By Brooke Wehner, 6News


Members of a Lawrence gay and lesbian organization were taken aback by U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback's speech Monday proposing that gay marriages be outlawed.

"It's hard to believe that he stands there and suggests that gay marriage will weaken his marriage," said Bruce Ney, vice president of NetworQ.

The Senate is debating an amendment to the Constitution that states, "Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman."

Brownback, R-Kan., is the co-sponsor of the amendment.


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