Since the HIV epidemic began in 1983, many have been eager to label the HIV/AIDS epidemic by who's most affected, but the fact remains that HIV is a universal problem that has devastating effects on all communities. What's of particular concern are the social-economic factors that make some communities more vulnerable to HIV infection than others. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) released a poverty study at the 18th International AIDS Conference titled "Communities in Crisis: Is There a Generalized HIV Epidemic in Impoverished Urban Areas of the United States" that examines the impact of poverty on HIV infection rates. What they found is that in poorer communities, incident rates among Whites and Hispanics is just as high as blacks in the same community. Infection rates among females and males also matched. This is the first time in the U.S. that HIV is being looked at through the lens of poverty. According to the numbers, poorer people are more likely to be infected with HIV. Previous studies say blacks are more likely to be poor. And, according to the 2009 LGBT Poverty Report by The Williams Institute at UCLA, poverty rates for LGB adults are as high or higher than rates for heterosexual adults. The think tank found that 24 percent of lesbians and bisexual women are poor compared to 15 percent of gay men, strikingly high numbers given the gay wealth misconception.Poor most likely to get HIV; Blacks and gays likely to be poor originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Sunday, July 25th, 2010 at 16:32:54.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Black gay and bi men are waging a tough war against HIV, carrying a disproportionate number of new HIV infections. Yet, it is "the fear of 'coming out,' pop culture which celebrates homophobia and churches and churchgoers that demonize gay Black men compound the problem for Black MSM in America, the Caribbean and Africa," says blogger Rod McCullom, that are the main obstacles to controlling the epidemic. The issue: Stigma surrounding HIV among men who have sex with men in Africa and the diaspora circulates from pop culture to faith organization and onto legislation. Did you know in more than 80 countries have laws that criminalize same sex behavior and that, according to a Planned Parenthood report, 58 countries have laws that criminalize HIV or use existing laws to prosecute people for transmitting the virus. Another 33 countries are considering similar legislation? "The stigma, discriminatory laws and criminalization of HIV transmission encourage the spread of this disease. Why should someone seek testing or medical advice come forward if you could be arrested? There is no incentive," says Joel Gustave Nana, executive director of the Johannesburg, South Africa -based African Men for Sexual Health and Rights (ASMSHer). Breaking the cycle: The negative flow of information and criminalization is showing signs of blockage. According to McCullom's report for Black AIDS Weekly, 14 countries out of 54 that include men who have sex with men in their national HIV strategic plans. For Black gay/bi men, stigma is enemy number one originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Sunday, July 25th, 2010 at 15:30:25.Permalink | Comment | Email this

In general, men who have sex with men don't have the highest risk of contracting Hepatitis C; but, according to health researchers, getting HCV is "all about sharing." Of the three Hepatitis infections, C is the most deadly. Plus, it can't be cured. Hepatitis attacks the liver and 80 percent of people with the virus have no symptoms. Hep C's number one risk group are intravenous drug users. Still, gay men that don't inject should be on guard since HCV travels through blood transfer. If You Like Rimming, You Need To Know This! What puts you at risk? Rob Gair of Canada's Heath Initiative For Men said in a panel presentation at the XVIII International AIDS Conference that oral and semen exchange aren't the main culprits. Men who have sex with men increase their risk when they share unprotected sex partners. Having certain types of sex such as rough sex that causes anal bleeding, using drugs during sex, barebacking with multiple partners, topping multiple partners without using separate condoms, or fisting with shared gloves and lubes can open doors for HCV. Related: Is Staph The New Gay Disease?Are you at risk for Hepatitis C? originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Sunday, July 25th, 2010 at 14:45:27.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Dust bunnies aren't the only thing you'll find under the beds of some gay and bi men. About half of the men studied at Indiana University's Center for Sexual Health Promotion say they've used a vibrator in the last month. The results of the survey of 25,000 gay men that frequent "one of the largest internet sites for men seeking social or sexual interactions with other men" doesn't represent the sexual likes of all gays, as Cory Silverberg writes in Vibrator Use Among Gay and Bi Identified Men, but the findings are interesting since most people associate vibrator use with women. And that's not all. The study also found that while 49.8% of men said they have used a vibrator, only 27% said they had purchased one. Talk about sharing resources. Cory breaks down vibrator use by gay and bi men after the jump. Sex toy buzz: Half say they've used a vibrator originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Monday, July 19th, 2010 at 08:23:43.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Sprawling 1 million square miles with over 3 thousand miles of coastline, Argentina and its capital city Buenos Aires are beautiful destinations for gay men looking for a quiet getaway. On October 15, 2010, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage, inviting couples eager for a Latin American wedding or a single's vacation to the Southern Hemisphere. Give in to the ease of Argentina originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Sunday, July 18th, 2010 at 16:43:11.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Active gay and lesbian service members are being asked to take cover if a Department of Defense survey comes in the mail. The DOD, as part of the Pentagon's review of the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy, mailed 400,000 surveys to active soldiers and reserves with questions about how they would react if service members were allowed to serve openly. The questionnaire seems straightforward, but the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, an advocacy group for openly gay and lesbian service members, is concerned that the DOD can too easily pull a bait-and-switch. Related: Petraeus will reshape war and 'don't ask, don't tell' According to DOD officials, soldiers can choose anonymity. They must first log in using their common access card, or CAC, but can then get an "untraceable PIN number they then can use to log on from any computer." Seems confidential enough, but there's no guarantee that even "untraceable" electronic signatures can't be followed, especially by agencies with access to advanced cyber technology. Besides, the DOD has yet to promised that it won't violate soldiers' privacy or give immunity to soldiers discovered to be gay through the survey. "At this time SLDN cannot recommend that lesbian, gay, or bisexual service members participate in any survey being administered by the Department of Defense, the Pentagon Working Group, or any third-party contractors," SLDN executive director Aubrey Sarvis said in a release. "While the surveys are apparently designed to protect the individual's privacy, there is no guarantee of privacy and DOD has not agreed to provide immunity to service members whose privacy may be inadvertently violated or who inadvertently outs himself or herself." SLDN to soldiers: Don't check the box originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Thursday, July 8th, 2010 at 14:37:54.Permalink | Comment | Email this

The New York State Senate signed the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) into law after a nearly decade-long debate period. Senators went across the aisle to approve the bill, with a vote of 58-3. All three no votes came from Republicans, and the yes votes included Bronx Democrat Ruben Diaz, Sr., a strident anti-gay minister, and longtime enemy of the New York LGBT community. Readers Respond: Have You Been Bullied? DASA aims to protect students from bullying and discrimination based on a number of factors including sexual orientation and gender identity. DASA marks the first time the NY State Senate has approved any legislation referencing gender identity, just two weeks after the Senate Judiciary Committee rejected the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, which would protect people from similar forms of discrimination, especially in the fields of housing and employment. Related: New iPhone App Helps Kids Who've Been Bullied According to statewide LGBT Advocacy Group Empire State Pride Agenda, "Key provisions include developing rules to prevent and respond to discriminatory harassment and hate violence; establishing teacher, staff, and administrative training guidelines; incorporating discrimination awareness into civility and character education curricula; and required reporting of incidents of bias harassment to the state education department." Manhattan Democratic Senator Eric Schneiderman said of the bill, "It sends a strong message that every student in New York State will be treated equally." -Mathew RodriguezDASA Puts Student Dignity First originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Thursday, July 8th, 2010 at 09:58:01.Permalink | Comment | Email this

The Church of England has been in flux in recent years with a number of issues—namely ordaining female clergy and electing lesbian and gay bishops—that have forced the church to rethink its future. In the middle of heavy debate surrounding women clergy, and sanctions against the U.S. Episcopal Church for electing a lesbian prelate, the Church of England is splintering over the possible appointment of a gay bishop. The subject of debate now is the promotion of out Rev Jeffrey John to bishop. John withdrew from his appointment to assistant bishop seven years ago over the outcries about his sexuality. However, Rev Canon Giles Goddard, the chairman of Inclusive Church, a group advocating for the inclusion of gay clergy, believes that Rev. John will have an easier time being elected since the "strength of the opposition is much weaker this time" around. Will a new gay bishop split the Church of England? originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 at 13:22:33.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Hawaii is the newest of the 50 states, sitting just southwest of the continental United States. With just over a million permanent residents, gay culture is vibrant in the paradise state. But hopes of a civil union bill that would have given same-sex couples the same rights as marriage quickly faded into ashes.Gay rights in Hawaii originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 at 11:08:11.Permalink | Comment | Email this

There was a time when Nhojj didn't think he was talented enough. And now the out neo-soul recording artist and songwriter boasts a number one MTV video for the hit song, 'Love'. MTV picked up his video from LOGO. BET hailed him as a pioneer in music. Now, with his melodic pride anthem "The Gay Warrior Song", indie sensation Nhojj is the artist to watch this year. Beautiful music with Nhojj originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Tuesday, July 6th, 2010 at 12:21:57.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Pop star George Michael was arrested for the seventh time after reports that he crashed his Range Rover into a Snappy Snaps shop in London. Michael was handcuffed Sunday after crashing into the North London building following a gay pride appearance. He posted bail and awaits an August court date. Michael had just gotten his driving privileges back last year after a 2007 suspension for driving into three parked cars while on drugs. Related: My Letter To George Micheal's latest arrest is further proof that the former pop icon's self-destruction needs more attention than a night in jail or a suspended license. Micheal's been arrested seven times for everything from public indecency to several DUI's and yet he continues to dive deeper into whatever substances are giving him blurry vision. Fans kept a Whitney-type of hope that their former sex symbol would make a comeback in 2007 with his "25 Live" tour, but all optimism ran flat. I wonder just how many chances he will get. George Michael arrested after crashing into Snappy Snaps originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Tuesday, July 6th, 2010 at 11:40:41.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Ireland is known for its sprawling countryside, rocky sea-side cliffs, sublime scenery, and—well—a pub or two, but never as a gay travel destination. However, with a new law on the books, the heavily traditional country may see a influx of gay and lesbian traffic. Ireland's legislature has approved a civil partnership bill that gives gay and lesbian couples most of the rights of marriage, another welcome step from a nation rooted in deep Catholic tradition. And, in a mark for equality in entertainment, a new television show for gay, lesbian, bi and trans people in Ireland called 'Gay Nation' launched Monday on City Channel. More about gay life in Ireland. Ireland: A new gay destination? originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Monday, July 5th, 2010 at 13:04:14.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Just 365 days ago, before Section 377 of India's penal code was repealed and homosexuality was decriminalized, gays and lesbians could face up to 10 years in prison for what what the government called an offense against the "order of nature." But today, LGBT Indians celebrate the end of living in fear of criminal prosecution. Related: 377 and Gay Life in India The LGBT community celebrated the first anniversary of the verdict that struck down India's law against homosexuality with colorful parades and festivals.A year since 377 originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Friday, July 2nd, 2010 at 15:48:57.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Google, the leader in search, has given the world yet another reason to love the rainbow-colored company. On Thursday, Google began paying gay and lesbian employees more to cover the cost of extra taxes same-sex partners have to pay out because they can't legally marry. "> The New York Times reports that "on average, employees with domestic partners will pay about $1,069 more a year in taxes than a married employee with the same coverage, according to a 2007 report by M. V. Lee Badgett, director of the Williams Institute." Google scored a perfect 100 on HRC's Corporate Equality Index, including an extra bonus for its trans-inclusive insurance coverage. More: Get a job at Google and join the Gayglers A bonus for Google's Gayglers originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Friday, July 2nd, 2010 at 15:28:16.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Wisconsin has quickly become one of the worst states for equal rights. Wednesday, in a 7-0 ruling, the Supreme Court upheld Wisconsin's ban on same-sex marriage. The court supported a 2006 voter referendum banning gay marriage and civil unions, backing 59 percent of Wisconsin voters that believed marriage should be between a man and a woman. Wisconsin's ban on gay marriage also means no gay adoption, since state law prohibits unmarried couples from adopting. And just last week, Wisconsin's fourth district court ruled that gay parents who separate from their partners don't have the right to be their children's guardian.Once a center of northern abolitionism, Wisconsin is now home to some of the most restrictive equal rights in the country, a whickering squeak from the Badger State. Wisconsin: From abolitionism to inequality originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Thursday, July 1st, 2010 at 12:37:06.Permalink | Comment | Email this

A year ago, the FDA started a great American smoke out. No, they didn't want us to toke; Pres. Obama gave them the power to regulate the tobacco industry and help us pass on cigarette addiction, which affects LGBT people more than any other group. Related: How To Kick Butt Twenty-five to forty-four percent of LGBT adults smoke compared to just twenty percent of the general population. Bisexual men drag twice as much as heterosexual men. So, why are we up in clouds of smoke? Smoke-filled bars and clubs are common hang outs for many gay men. According to The American Cancer Society, cloudy hangouts make gay men are more likely to smoke or be exposed to smoke. Smoking accelerates the progression of AIDS and increases the risk of lung cancer. HIV also accelerates smoking-induced emphysema. Related: Become an Ex As of last week, US cigarette and tobacco packaging can no longer carry the terms "light", "low tar" or "mild," a blow to big perceptions that light fags are better than full strength sticks. But, the tobacco companies hit back with more smoke and mirrors. "Your Marlboro Lights pack is changing. But your cigarette stays the same. In the future, ask for 'Marlboro in the gold pack'," Philip Morris told customers. In response, the FDA asked the Philip Morris, one of the world's largest tobacco companies, to prove that it isn't breaking the new law by pushing their gold pack. Do you smoke? Have you tried to quit? Tell us your story. Smoke screen originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 at 13:05:05.Permalink | Comment | Email this

This June marks 41 years since the Stonewall riots in New York City's Greenwich Village. The round number of last year's anniversary prompted lots of looks back at history. So this year, ColorLines, the "News for Action" zine, is looking forward.Colorlines recently spoke with three queer bloggers who have built thriving online communities. Today, in a special slideshow for Colorlines, I feature young movers and shakers who are building the community's multiracial future. They are professionals, scientists, athletes, performers, artists, and activists like 16-year-old Gabi Padilla pictured above. Check out this dynamic list after the jump. The young people building tomorrow's queer world originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 at 12:04:19.Permalink | Comment | Email this

Entertainers, politicians, journalists, and athletes may lag behind America's teens in terms of their language use and framing of LGBT issues. After an ad campaign deriding the use of the slang term "That's So Gay" by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)—which their statistics say proved successful—there has been a noticeable rise in the amount of language snafus made by people in the public eye. Does being in the public eye make one more accountable for what they say? Last week, Gen. Stanley McChrystal spoke with Rolling Stone and referenced dining with a French minister as "f***ing gay," a slur that greased the slippery slope to his resignation. Considering his high rank in an organization steep in LGBT controversy, the phrase may not be surprising, but it is given his public persona. Many politicians have also recently come under fire after the nomination of notably single Elaine Kagan led to the throwing of anti-gay remarks among Washington elite—especially those who presume Kagan's a lesbian. Like politics and the military, the country music industry isn't always LGBT-friendly. In her new autobiography, newly out country artist Chely Wright sheds light on the amount of power language has on the coming out process. After hearing her boyfriend, country musician John Rich say, "Good, thank God," after she told him she wasn't gay, the singer faced suicidal ideations—to the point of having a "9 millimeter gun in my mouth." But, do forum, career path, or the speaker's sexuality excuse or lighten language's impact? Recently, gay journalist Ramin Setoodeh, wrote an article regarding gay actors' inability to inhabit straight roles. The article, purely opinion, caused a firestorm among the gay community and television talking heads. With the article clocking in at only a few hundred words, celebrities, gay and straight—like Kristin Chenoweth—have come out swinging against the author's words. Does Setoodeh deserve a pass because he's gay or because his forum is a bit more intellectual? Does anyone deserve a pass when expressing an opinion, whether the person is part of the LGBT community or not? -Mathew RodriguezSlips of the tongue originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 at 19:28:58.Permalink | Comment | Email this

A new CNN "In America" article claims the bisexual man is the last person to come out. Some gay men argue that the bisexual man doesn't exists at all—at least after he comes out. Bisexuality is one of the most debated topics among gay men. Is bisexuality a transition, a phase, the description of a person not ready to claim either end of Kinsey's spectrum; or is bisexuality "just a part of" the bi guy, like hospital administrator Christine Winn says of her husband, Robert in CNN's article. Christine is straight, but Robert came out to her years ago as bi. "There is a whole list of assumptions of what my life might be like, that somehow she is some sort of front for me because I'm not willing to accept I'm gay," Robert told CNN. "People are confused by bisexuality. There's just not a lot of support for people who fall in the middle like me." Myth or fact, folks? Lets hear it. Related: Top Myths About Bi Men Bisexual Dating Bisexual And Ready To Come Out Does the bisexual man exist? originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 at 17:00:16.Permalink | Comment | Email this

On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-to-4 decision that it is a public college or university's constitutional right to withdraw support from student groups that do not accept all students who wish to participate. The case involved a law school that withdrew its recognition of a Christian student group because they excluded gay members. The group claimed Hastings College of the Law's action violated their First Amendment rights. However, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. made it clear that "no freedom for expression that offends prevailing standards of political correctness in our country's institutions of higher learning." What remains fuzzy is how the decision will effect future cases where public institutions refuse to acknowledge organizations that discriminate. In a contradictory ruling by a lower court last week, the City of Philadelphia was told that they could not evict the Boy Scouts of America from free public space because they exclude gays.Supreme Court: Universities can exclude anti-gay groups originally appeared on About.com Gay Life on Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 at 13:32:32.Permalink | Comment | Email this