Federal judge strikes down Oregon marriage ban

U.S. District Judge Michael McShane has ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in two consolidated marriage cases challenging Oregon’s ban on marriage equality, known as Measure 36. Judge McShane’s is the latest in a string of rulings striking down state laws or constitutional amendments that ban marriage for same-sex couples. The cases were both filed…

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India’s anti-gay Hindu nationalist party voted to power

New  Delhi — India’s Hindu nationalist party, that has opposed any move to nullify the Supreme Court’s re-criminalizing of consensual same-sex relations has won the general elections dealing a huge setback to efforts to scrap a colonial-era law that made it punishable by up to life imprisonment, reports GayAsiaNews.com. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP, Indian…

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White House Office of National AIDS Policy announces series of ‘Listening Sessions’

The White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) has announced that it will host a series of regional listening sessions this summer on the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS). Mr. Douglas Brooks, ONAP’s newly appointed director, will lead the listening sessions, which will be part of a visit to each community that…

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Obama nominates sixth openly gay diplomat as the next ambassador to Vietnam

President Barack Obama has nominated Ted Osius as the next ambassador to Vietnam, the White House has announced. If confirmed, Osius, who is openly gay and married to Clayton Bond, an officer with the State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, would replace David Shear, who has held the position since 2011. Ted Osius, a career…

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Update: Pastor Dan’s ‘Birthday Bash’ fundraiser tops $5,000

Update May 16 – Fundraising for Pastor Dan’s Birthday Bash has topped the $5,000 mark, with donations still coming in. All the money raised goes to support The Met’s ministries. Lee Bowman, minister of administration & communications said, “Though more may still come in, the best figure we have for the fundraiser is ‘just over…

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Attorney General of North Carolina describes United Church of Christ lawsuit as ‘complex and significant’

CHARLOTTE, N.C.,  — Defendants in the case, General Synod of the United Church of Christ v. Cooper, filed motions for a 30-day extension of time to respond to the lawsuit today in U.S. District Court in Charlotte. The Attorney General of North Carolina, Roy Cooper, on behalf of himself and all Defendant District Attorneys, specifically…

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HRC Foundation releases inaugural edition of ‘Equality Rising’

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation has released the inaugural edition of Equality Rising—a brief overview of many of the successes and setbacks of LGBT activists, advocates, and allies around the world in 2013.  Released in advance of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on May 17th, this report aims to educate the…

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CDC

New CDC guidelines recommend daily HIV prevention pill for those at substantial risk

Health care providers should consider advising the use of anti-HIV drugs by uninfected patients who are at substantial risk of infection, according to new clinical guidelines, released by Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, could reduce HIV infection rates. When taken daily as directed, PrEP can reduce the risk of…

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