Chastity, M.D.
Conservatives teach sex ed to medical students. Thanks, Congress.
By Amanda Schaffer

As Michael Specter pointed out in The New Yorker last month, the Bush administration spends hundreds of millions of dollars touting the benefits of abstinence. Most abstinence-promoting programs waste the government's money funneling misinformation directly to adolescents. But one such group, the Medical Institute for Sexual Health, has another audience in mind—medical students. With the help of Congress, the institute has finagled $200,000 out of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop a sexual-health curriculum for doctors in training. It's a small bit of pork, but it represents the hijacking of a government agency that normally funds research based on merit. And the CDC's imprimatur could persuade medical schools to use the institute's work.

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Harvard adds gender identity to anti-discrimination policy
Written by HRC   

WASHINGTON - Harvard University, the oldest institution of higher learning in the nation, announced April 11 that it would be adding gender identity to its non-discrimination policy, safeguarding transgender students and faculty. "Harvard's step forward will ensure that its students and staff continue to represent some of the best this country has to offer," said Human
Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "Colleges and universities are increasingly aware that to attract the best and the brightest, they need to ensure equal treatment regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.By ensuring protection for all students and staff, Harvard is continuing its centuries-long tradition of advancing understanding and nurturing national leaders."


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Transgender Person Elected to Italian Parliament
 
ROME, Wednesday April 12, 2006  –  Five lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) politicians have been elected as members of the Italian parliament.  While Europe is more accustomed to the presence and visibility of LGB people in politics, the case of Vladimir Luxuria, a transgender person being elected as a parliamentarian, is probably the first a European ‘first’.

This is a significant result not just for Italy but for the entire Europe and European politics as LGBT people are taking more prominent and visible place within the political arena. The majority of the centre-left coalition Unione lead by the former President of the European Commission Romano Prodi is expected to introduce some form of legal recognition for same-sex couples as most coalition members supported the idea in their election manifestos




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ACTION ON ANTI-GAY TASMANIA ADS  
by Ian Gould

Tasmanian activists have welcomed a decision by the state’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner to investigate election campaign advertisements that lobbyists claim incited hatred of the transgender community.

The office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner announced this week it would look into a complaint by transgender activist Martine Delaney about the half-page newspaper ads that appeared in the lead-up to Tasmanian elections last month.

As Sydney Star Observer reported at the time, the advertisements claimed the Tasmanian Greens’ progressive transgender and intersex policies would “ruin our families and societies”.

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The 2006 queer tax guide


Taxes are confusing for everyone. But for LGBT people it's even more maddening, especially this year. Which tax benefits do we get this week? Should we file jointly if our spousal status is still being argued in court?



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Advocates expect challenge to ban on N.C. gay-straight alliance
The Associated Press

Supporters of a club for gay students and supportive heterosexuals at South Rowan High School say they expect a legal challenge to the school board's decision to ban the club and similar groups.

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'Open season' on gay employees

Yesterday, Gov. Ernie Fletcher and others held a celebration for diversity throughout the commonwealth.
The Governor announced an executive order that would protect employees throughout various state agencies from discrimination. As it should be throughout our state's merit system, employees need to be judged on the merits of their work, not on who they are or what kind of political connections they have.


However, this executive order was not really necessary. We've had one in effect for almost three years now, but the one the Governor announced today changes the state policy in a key way: Sexual orientation is no longer covered.

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Testimony on gay nuptial ban starts
By Russell Nichols, Globe Staff  

The debate over gay marriage returned to the State House yesterday with supporters and opponents gathering for an emotional hearing on a proposed ban on same-sex nuptials for the 2008 ballot.