Depressed about Prop 8

Old news is good news, especially when it's gay news.

Articles

Age really IS just a number
The average age of all the cells in an adult’s body may be as young as 7 to 10 years

Gay seniors face healthcare abuse
A Canadian study shows mistreatment of gay and lesbian patients

Report: U.S. failing in HIV/AIDS efforts
Though a leader in the worldwide fight aganst HIV/AIDS, the U.S. is failing to effectively combat the disease at home

Exercise Can Improve Mood in Elderly
An effective way for the elderly to turn a grimace into a grin is through regular exercise.

Emotional Health Improves As We Age
You might think that the burden of aging, loss, illness and death would harm the emotional well-being of older adults. But researchers have found that emotional health improves as we get older.

Let Us Decide: Healthcare Proxies and Living Wills
Here's some information that helps define what healthcare proxies and living wills are and how they may help your family. Take the quiz at the end!

More Young Gay Men Are Contracting HIV from Steady Partners
In recent years, young gay men have become more likely to contract HIV from a steady sexual partner than from a casual one, according to a study of men in the Netherlands.

Growing "Golder"
With so much of gay culture focused on the young, maintaining a healthy attitude about getting older is difficult for many men in the gay community. A new book, entitled Golden Men: The Power of Gay Midlife, helps gay men see aging in a more positive light. This illuminating Q & A with author Harold Kooden, Ph.D. explores some of the book's broader themes.

Sensitivity Training on LGBT Aging Scheduled in San Francisco and Philadelphia
The American Society on Aging (ASA) is providing training for service providers and other professionals concerning the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) elders.

Time: More gay teens come out
A new study says gay teens are coming out earlier than ever

National Coming Out Day is October 11
But for more and more people, “coming out” isn’t as simple as declaring “Yep, I’m gay” to the world.

Christian schools often boot gay students
Coming out can lead many gay students to get the boot at Christian schools across the country.

An 'out' NHL hockey player?
According to an Olympic gold medalist, it almost happened in 2004

Inside the gay married man's mind
Plenty of gay men choose to remain in heterosexual marriages--but pay a big price as a result.

Former NBA star comes out
Ex-NBA center Amaechi comes out in new book

Amaechi to head 'coming out' campaign
Former NBA star John Amaechi teams up with the HRC

Gays Serving Openly in Australian Military a "Non-event"
The Australian military lifted its ban of gays and lesbians in 1992 against the wishes of critics. A study by researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara, however, not only disproves the critics but shows the Australian military actually benefited from the policy change.

I'm Coming Out!
Psychotherapist Jim Fillman answers some of the most commonly asked questions lesbian and gay teens have about the scary and affirming process of coming out: from what they can expect from parents to the best approach and knowing -- for themselves -- when the time is right.

National Coming Out Day Celebrated Across the US
All around the US, gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders celebrated National Coming Out Day’s twelve year anniversary on October 11th.

Queer Duck Keeps on Quacking
He's an openly gay male nurse!

Coming Out At Work
Work is hard enough without the added pressure of having to come out. Jim Fillman, a psychotherapist based in Newtown, PA, offers some advice that might make the process a little easier.

Coma Out on Queer as Folk
Depression can be especially severe during the holidays.

America’s Gay Sex Explosion
It's gay-okay in the U.S.A.

Redefining Sisterhood
Sorority sisters come out!

Gays Get By with a Little Help from Their Friends
Gay men who accept their sexuality and have support from friends and family are more likely to develop close adult relationships and to disclose their sexual orientation to others.

BOOK REVIEW: Coming Out on Campus
A lot of closet doors slam open on college campuses.

ER’s Dr. Weaver Comes Out of the Closet
I have one thing to say, Dr. Weaver: You betta work!

Inside America’s Most Queer-Friendly College
"College can be a time for discovery and liberation."

Colorado Students Hold Same-Sex "Kiss-In"
Don't get pissed -- get kissed!

QUEER AS FOLK: Justin Gets Bashed
A classmate bashes Justin’s head in with a baseball bat in the season finale of Queer as Folk.

High School Seniors Support Gay Rights
"On average, the class of 2001 holds liberal, pro-gay opinions. They are much more liberal on gay matters than adults."

HRC Releases Updated Resource Guide to Coming Out
Updated guide offers advice for people in the military

National Coming Out Day Celebrated Across the US
All around the US, gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders celebrated National Coming Out Day’s thirteenth year anniversary on October 11th.

TRUE STORY: Why Coming Out Is Not a Hollywood Movie
I have always been a lesbian. Right from the start I liked girls.

This Week on QUEER AS FOLK
Find out what happened this week on QAF.

Big win in Maine
Non-discrimination laws now enacted in all New England states

Tenofovir as a party drug?
New trend among HIV-negative men worries health officials

A shocking 'diagnosis' in Florida
Florida patient given literature calling homosexuality “sinful” at doctor’s Ofoice

Bills might limit LGBT healthcare
Do healthcare workers have the right to refuse to treat LGBT patients?

Police chief accused of denying gay man CPR
The American Civil Liberties Union sued on behalf of his mother.

A win for NYC's transgenders
New York City is now at the forefront of efforts to redefine gender.

A Shocking Story
When a healthcare provider says 'no' to treating a gay patient...

New Jersey approves civil unions
Move isn't called 'marriage' but allows many legal protections for gay couples

Gay marriage in New York?
Gov. Eliot Spitzer will introduce a bill in the coming weeks to legalize same-sex marriage in New York.

New Hampshire approves civil unions
State joins New Jersey, Vermont and Connecticut in approving civil unions for gay couples.

Gay marriage in California?
The state assembly has voted to allow gay couples to marry in California.

Gay couple faces legal tragedy
Gay man's family refuses his partner of 25 years visitation rights during his illness.

Maryland says 'no' to gay marriage
Gay rights leaders still call right to marry 'inevitable' in Maryland...

Anti-gay measure defeated in Oregon
Oregonians not interested in repealing anti-discrimination laws

Frank on ENDA: "My country doesn't hate me"
The House Education and Labor Committee approved historic legislation to end workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation...

New Jersey gets tough on hate crimes
The bill historically unequivocally includes transgender people.

Signing On The Dotted Line…
Getting your legal paperwork in order can help guide your loved ones to carry out your wishes

Activists Smuggle AIDS Drugs into Mexico
Millions of dollars worth of antiretroviral medication is smuggled illegally across the U.S.-Mexico border each year. The "mercy smugglers" view their actions as the only effective way to bring Mexicans with HIV and AIDS life-saving drugs.

Ruling Keeps Transgender Child Away from Parents
A juvenile court on September 12th rebuffed the appeal of parents who fought to bring their transgender child home from protective custody.

Judge: Don’t Ban Gay-Positive Books for Kids
A federal judge in Wichita Falls, Texas struck down a local ordinance that required the relocation of two gay-positive children’s books from the children’s section to the adult section of city’s public library.

Gag Order Issued in Transgender Child Custody Case
The parents fighting for the release of their transgender child from protective custody were ordered by a juvenile court judge to keep quiet about the case.

Man Blames Surname for His Shooting of Gay Bar Patrons
After his arrest, Ronald Edward Gay cited his last name as an impetus for the shooting, which killed one and wounded six others.

Union of Slain Gay Man Calls on Congress to Pass Hate Crimes Legislation
The 740,000-strong Communications Workers of America (CWA) union called on Congress to pass pending hates crimes legislation that covers acts of violence based on sexual orientation, gender or disability.

Christian Coalition Targets Gays and Lesbians in Miami
In a plot to strip gays and lesbians of protection under local law, the anti-gay group put an "unconscionable" spin on the Matthew Shepard murder.

Transsexual Student Wins Court's Support
A judge has ruled that a school may not prohibit a biological male who gender identifies as female from wearing girls clothes in school.

Bringing Up Baby
Are you considering adoption?

Bill Would Target Illegal Net Pharmacies
Lawmakers introduced a bill in the US Senate that would pose tough penalties on Internet pharmacies that illegally sell prescription drugs to US consumers.

Employees Who Need A Day Off Feign Illness
Have you ever rolled out of bed and decided that going to work just wasn’t in the day’s plans? You're not alone.

Boy Scouts Official Comes Out, Gets Canned
A high-ranking Boys Scouts official who oversaw 249 Scout units along the central coast of California was fired for disclosing he was gay.

Man Arrested for Smuggling Steroids Is A Real Pill
A man was arrested at San Francisco International Airport for allegedly taping 14,000 steroid pills to his body in an attempt to smuggle them through customs.

New Site Offers Support to Gays and Lesbians Who Adopt
Considering adoption, or have you adopted already?

Christian Coalition Puts Anti-Gay Measure on Miami Ballot
The referendum, if passed, will strip Miami-Dade county of the part of its Human Rights Ordinance that bars discrimination against gays and lesbians.

California School Sued for Banning Gay Books
"We all know why these books have been banned," said Martha Matthews, attorney for the Southern California chapter of the ACLU.

TV Movie Chronicles Lesbian Custody Battle
Based on a true story, Lifetime is airing a television movie, starring Brooke Shields, that recounts a lesbian's struggle for custody of her daughter.

BOOK REVIEW: Planning is Key to Financial Health
Gays and lesbians -- who lack the legal protection married heterosexuals enjoy -- must plan ahead or risk losing control over their financial and physical health.

Signatures on Anti-Gay Miami Petition "Show Fraud"
An ongoing review of the signatures that appear on an anti-gay petition uncovered "blatant evidence of fraud" and prompted an investigation by local law enforcement.

Celebrate National Freedom to Marry Day
Always a bridesmaid but never a bride? Not for long.

Hospital Shutout on Queer As Folk
This weeks episode of Queer as Folk tells a familiar tale of how invisible LGBT families can be in hospitals, courts and other institutions.

Anti-Violence Advocates Contest FBI Hate Crime Stats
Anti-violence advocates say there were 38 percent more anti-gay hate crimes in 1999 than the FBI reported.

BOOK REVIEW: The Lowdown on Lobbying
"There is no mystery or awe to the federal legislative process."

Conference to Address Transgender Issues
GenderPAC, a national advocacy organization for transgender equality, announced it will hold its first annual National Conference on Gender.

BOOK REVIEW: Somebody's Watching Me
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you.

Bush Budget Puts AIDS Services in Jeopardy
President George W. Bush's budget does not include any increased funding for the Ryan White CARE Act.

Bush Appoints Gay Republican as AIDS Czar
Evertz, a Roman Catholic and the head of the Wisconsin Log Cabin Republicans, will become President Bush’s first gay appointee.

Anti-LGBT Violence in U.S. Up 8 Percent
In all, 2,151 separate incidents were reported in 2000, up from 1,992 incidents the previous year.

Homophobia Causes Gay Youth to "Shut Down"
Many gays and lesbians must "sit out" adolescence because they do not feel comfortable or safe enough to be themselves.

Spielberg Says Bye-Bye to Boy Scouts
The Oscar-winning director called the Scouts’ ban on openly gay members "a real shame."

Health Messages Fail to Reach Male Sex Workers
It is difficult to target male sex workers with safer-sex messages and health services, because many of them work independent of brothels or parlors.

Most Parents Accept Lesbians and Gays, Survey Says
Parents who think America’s increasing acceptance of gay people is a good thing outnumber parents who don’t, two-to-one.

Brazil to Mandate Safer-Sex Messages in Porno Flicks
The Brazilian government is poised to pass a law that would require all pornographic film companies to include a public service announcement to promote condom use for sexual intercourse.

Picking the Right Health Insurance
Don't wait for an illness or accident to choose a health insurance plan.

New Site Educates School Staff about LGB Health Issues
The American Psychological Association launched a new Web site to help educate school counselors, nurses, social workers and psychologists about the health needs -- and risks -- of LGB youth.

Medical Marijuana is Illegal, Rules U.S. Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court dealt a blow to advocates of medical marijuana on May 14, ruling that ill patients are no exception to a federal law that makes marijuana illegal.

BOOK REVIEW: It Takes A Village
Chances are, you’ve heard the saying: "It takes a village to raise a child." And nowhere is this adage more evident than in our own community.

Canada to License Growers of Medical Marijuana
The Canadian government is poised to pass legislation that would allow it to license marijuana growers by the end of July.

Report Highlights Worldwide Violence Against LGBT People
Gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders throughout the world are regularly victimized by communities and governments who view them as "threatening [to] social order."

NY AIDS Agency Sues Landlord Over Eviction
The Hispanic AIDS Forum claims its former landlord refused to renew the agency's lease because of prejudice against its transgender clients.

Indian Police Jail HIV Prevention Workers
Police in India raided the offices of two HIV prevention organizations on July 7, confiscating safer-sex materials and arresting staff members, according to the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission.

Generic Prozac Coming Soon
On August 2, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave several drug makers the go-ahead to market generic forms of the popular antidepressant, Prozac.

BOOK REVIEW: Private Lives, Public Conflicts: The Gay Rights Battle in the U.S.
What’s the single most effective way to secure gay rights in America? Here's a hint: it's not marches, demonstrations or cultural activities.

Fund Established for LG Survivors of Terrorist Attacks
More than $140,000 was donated to the September 11 Gay and Lesbian Family Fund, the Empire State Pride Agenda and the Stonewall Community Foundation announced on September 13.

Gay Adoption Supported by Pediatric Group
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a new policy statement in support of gay and lesbian adoption rights on February 4, 2002.

Hospital Sued for Keeping Gay Man from Visiting Dying Partner
When Bill Flanigan admitted his partner Robert Daniel to the hospital because of AIDS-related complications, his rights were violated and his life was changed forever.

Teens observe "Day of Silence"
Thousands of schools across the country raise awareness for gay teens

High Schools Need Lessons on Lesbian and Gay Youth
Holding schools accountable for anti-gay harassment and violence is an important step toward improving the mental health of lesbian, gay and bisexual adolescents, according to a presentation at the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association conference August 10th.

Youth and HIV Expert Issues Call to Action
More must be done to stem the rates of HIV among adolescents, who are particularly vulnerable to infection.

Let's Talk about Sexuality: Caring for LGBT Youth
Providers may not be aware that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth are represented in their practice. Most queer youth are invisible, and don’t come out to their providers until they feel it’s safe to do so. How, then, can you create a safe, supportive environment for them?

Parents Want Homosexuality Taught in Sex Ed
A new study shows parents want more in-depth sex education classes in public secondary schools. This includes an array of controversial topics including sexuality and abortion.

Youth Activists Must Take Better Care of Themselves
LGBT youth activists must take care of themselves physically and emotionally or risk burning out from stress, according to a presentation at the eighth annual LLEGO conference.

Antidote to Teen Smoking Rings Clear
A sharp increase in cell phone ownership among teens in the United Kingdom may be directly related to a marked decrease in teen smoking there.

Teens Who Smoke At Greater Risk for Anxiety Disorders
Adolescents who smoke over a pack a day are at significantly higher risk of developing anxiety disorders in their early 20s.

Ignored to Death: Gay & Lesbian Teen Suicide
The rates are higher than you think...

Hotline Offers Support to Teens in New York Suburb
A new toll-free hotline for teens in Westchester County, NY offers referrals to a variety of local resources, including those for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth.

ACLU Offers Web Resource for LGBT Students
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has launched a new web-based resource to help reduce homophobic attacks on LGBT students. The resource is part of the organization’s Lesbian and Gay Rights Project.

Ellen to Star in New CBS Sitcom
"A positive role model like Ellen portrayed in such a visible manner helps to teach that it’s okay to be gay."

BOOK REVIEW: Out on Frat Row
Think frat life is every young gay man’s wet dream?

High Rates of Suicide Seen Among Gay Teens in Massachusetts
Compared to their heterosexual classmates, gay and lesbian high school students are four times more likely to attempt suicide.

Intervention Curbs Risky Behavior of HIV-Infected Youth
"Our finding prove that kids can and do change a lot."

One in Three Adolescents Involved in Bullying
Almost one in three U.S. adolescents either bullies others or is bullied by others, according to a study in the April 25 edition of JAMA.

U.S. Government Outlines Suicide Prevention Strategy
The government has unveiled a sweeping new suicide prevention strategy.

Lesbian & Gay Youth: Care & Counseling
GayHealth spoke with Caitlin Ryan and Donna Futterman about physical and emotional health, identity, family issues and care and counseling for LGBT youth -- all of which are covered in their book.

AMA Hopes to Reduce Suicide Among Gay Youth
The American Medical Association may pass a resolution that would call on youth groups across the nation to not ban gays and lesbians.

Americans Support Condom Advertising on Television
Seven in ten Americans believe that television networks should broadcast condom advertisements, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Higher Beer Tax Reduces Teen STD Rates
New CDC study finds higher tax on beer reduces STD rates among teens and young adults.

Kids of Lesbian Parents More Likely to Break from Gender Roles
Girls raised by two moms were more likely to aspire to be engineers, astronauts, doctors and lawyers, and boys were more likely to be nurturing and less aggressive.

Gay Youth Twice As Likely to Attempt Suicide
Lesbian, gay and bisexual youth are more than twice as likely as non-LGB youth to attempt suicide, according to a study published in the June 1 issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

Gay-Sensitive HIV Education Greatly Benefits LGB Students
Gay-sensitive HIV education in high schools helps lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) students reduce risky sexual behavior and may alleviate their risk of suicide.

Teasing and Taunting Leads to Depression
Getting taunted and bullied during school puts adolescents at greater risk for anxiety and depression, according to a new report.

Schools Must Go Beyond Gay-Straight Alliances for LGBT Youth
While LGBT youth are benefiting from Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) in schools, the programs are not all that LGBT youth need, according to a new study conducted by the Institute for Gay and Lesbian Strategic Studies (IGLSS).

Homeless LGBT Youth at Greater Risk for Substance Abuse
There are greater difficulties for LGBT homeless youth when compared to heterosexual homeless youth.

Nearly $900,000 Awarded for Study of Gay Youth
A grant totaling nearly $900,000 was awarded to researchers at San Francisco State University to study lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth that come out to members of their family during adolescence over three years.

STUDY: Children of Lesbian Parents Don’t Have More Mental Health Problems
Children of lesbian parents don’t have more mental health problems when compared to children with heterosexual parents, according to a new study.

Gay Teens Not Necessarily Distressed
A pediatrician at the Indiana University School of Medicine released a study on Monday that suggests differences in the emotional development between gay and straight teens is fairly negligible.