San Francisco Giants say “It Gets Better”, Red Sox’s next?, FlAG Drama, Methodist Clergy plan to marry gays against church’s will, Denver Airport is evil?, Santorum news and Miley Cyrus dislike for him, Gays in relationships at higher risk for HIV, and much more

3. June 2011 by admin.

Pride Flag Drama: Some Upset at Richmond Bank’s ‘Commitment to Values of Acceptance and Inclusion”

Richmond’s Federal Reserve Bank is flying the Pride Flag for the month of June at the request of PRISM, an LGBT employee group, but some wingnuts are already complaining, though the Richmond bank is a private institution.

Said Sally Green said, chief operating officer at the bank: "We strongly support a diverse and inclusive culture at the Richmond Fed and have learned that it is important to value and embrace differences, both seen and unseen. We are flying the ‘Pride’ flag as an example of our commitment to the values of acceptance and inclusion."

Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/#ixzz1O7TXqQfE

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San Francisco Giants Release ‘It Gets Better’ Video

The San Francisco Giants yesterday released their "It Gets Better" video, becoming the first professional sports organization to show their support for the campaign and take a stand against bullying.

The Giants’ participation followed an online petition initiated by gay activist Sean Chapin which gathered more than 6,000 signatures.

Incredible! 

http://www.towleroad.com/2011/06/watch-san-francisco-giants-release-it-gets-better-video.html

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12-Year-Old Petitions Red Sox for ‘It Gets Better’ Video

Taking a cue from activist Sean Chapin (whose campaign inspired a pledge from the SF Giants to create an ‘It Gets Better’ video), 12-year-old Sam Maden has launched a petition campaign in memory of his uncle to get the Boston Red Sox to do the same.

Writes Sam in the petition letter:

Every day, gay and lesbian teens in Middle School and High School are made fun of and bullied. It’s sad that some of them are bullied so badly, they decide to commit suicide. Recently, a petition much like this one was created to ask the San Francisco Giants to make an "It Gets Better" video. The Giants announced that they will make a video against bullying. We can do the same.

My name is Sam, I am 12 years old and my two friends and I really like the Boston Red Sox. If we can get a lot of signatures from our peers and teachers, we can possibly have the Red Sox make a video too!

Via bosguy, who writes: "Apparently the idea came after his 43 year old uncle Chris died unexpectedly. Chris had given Sam a necklace from the Trevor Project, and according to Sam’s mother, Sam wears it every day in memory of his uncle."

To sign the petition go to http://www.change.org/petitions/boston-red-sox-please-make-an-it-gets-better-video?utm_source=action_alert&utm_medium=email&alert_id=PPLXGhzmOM_StoYVNjBMZ

http://www.towleroad.com/2011/06/12-year-old-petitions-red-sox-for-it-gets-better-video.html

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Methodist Clergy Pledge to Marry Same-Sex Couples in Minnesota

A group of Methodist clergy have come together in support of same-sex marriage, WJON reports:

"During their annual conference in St. Cloud, about 40 Minnesota United Methodist clergy have signed a statement saying they would marry any couple who came to them, including same-sex couples. Reverend Bruce Robbins of the Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis read the statement yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon. He said he initially had about a dozen of his colleagues sign the statement, by last night that number had grown to 40. The statement was a voluntary action and not a part of the annual conference."

Bishop Sally Dyck noted that "church discipline does forbid same-sex marriage, and clergy who perform them could lose their conference membership, or clergy credentials."

Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/#ixzz1O7Vl0aZw

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This next video is meant more for a joke, but could it be a sign that the end of the world is coming? 

William Tapley analyzes the art and architecture at the Denver International Airport for you. 

Perhaps if he came to Pittsburgh International he would discover an airport that is underused and looks like the premature ejaculation of the darting US Airlines of which dumped its load and headed off to Philadelphia?

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SUBJECT OF THE DAY!

Study shows new prevention efforts need to address young gay couples

This week IMPACT published a new study in the journal Health Psychology that found that young gay and bisexual men in serious relationships have nearly eight times the rate of unprotected sex as compared to when they are in casual relationships.

The findings provide a new direction for prevention efforts in this population who account for nearly 70 percent of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in adolescents and young adults in the United States and who also have the highest increase in new infections. Below are some excerpts from my interview with the Health Sciences Editor at Northwestern University.

“Being in a serious relationship provides a number of mental and physical health benefits, but it also increases behaviors that put you at risk for HIV transmission,” said Dr. Brian Mustanski, associate professor in medical social sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and lead author of a paper on the research. “Men who believe a relationship is serious mistakenly think they don’t need to protect themselves.”

About 80 percent of gay young men who are HIV positive don’t know it, because they aren’t being tested frequently enough, he noted. “It isn’t enough to ask your partner his HIV status,” Mustanski said. “Instead, both people in a serious, monogamous couple relationship should go and receive at least two HIV tests before deciding to stop using condoms.” 

New research shows HIV prevention programs should be directed toward serious relationships rather than the current focus on individuals who hook up in casual relationships.

The study findings along with recent Centers for Disease Control data showing the majority of HIV transmissions occur in serious relationships.

More info and source:  http://www.impactprogram.org/?p=422

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Miley Cyrus Condemns Rick Santorum’s Anti-Gay Ways

According to Politico:

Miley Cyrus isn’t a fan of Urban Outfitters after stories emerged alleging that the store has copied jewelry designs, so she pointed out that the company’s president had contributed to Santorum. “IF WE ALLOW GAY MARRIAGE NEXT THING U KNOW PEOPLE WILL BE MARRYING GOLD FISH’ – Rick Santorum UO contributed $13,000 to this mans campaign” tweeted Cyrus, mocking Santorum for some earlier remarks regarding gay marriage.

She also wrote about Urban Outfitters and Santorum: “Not only do they steal from artists but every time you give them money you help finance a campaign against gay equality.” It may not be the best news for Santorum, who is expected to launch his campaign next week since Cyrus has over a million Twitter followers.

http://www.towleroad.com/2011/05/miley-cyrus.html

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jB_N9pkNTvA#at=114

Rachel Maddow On Rick Santorum And His Own Man And Dog Encounter

Rick Santorum, famous for his "man on dog" remarks about same-sex marriage, recently shared a story about a dog who peed on his leg during a campaign stop. Rachel Maddow wants Santorum to know that if he’s trying to distance himself from that remark, he’s doing a lousy job.

Said Maddow: "Mr. Santorum is trying to undo what started as his man-on-dog problem with a new stump speech about a man and a dog. And a warm sensation."

Watch the rest of Maddow’s commentary about "frothy mix" and the "serious barrier" that his googled name presents to his very likely presidential campaign.

http://www.towleroad.com/2011/05/santorum.html

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