What the Daraprim Price Gouging Means for You

Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO Martin Shkreli ignited a firestorm this week when news broke that his company increased the cost of Daraprim, a vital part of treating toxoplasmosis — which disproportionally affects patients with HIV and AIDS — by more than 4,000%, from $18.50 to $750 per pill.

Many called for a boycott of the company, but it’s hard to boycott a drug if you’ll die without it. Judith Aberg from the HIV Medicine Association estimates that patients could wind up paying upwards of $150 per pill out of pocket, even with insurance. To put this in perspective, a common course of treatment could now cost upwards of $63,000 — up from a more reasonable $1,130 just a month ago. The story even inspired Hillary Clinton to announce her plan to cap out-of-pocket drug expenses to $250 per month.

After the scandal sent his stock prices spiraling, Shkreli announced that he would be lowering the cost of the drug, although he has not yet specified by how much. Clinton had a succinct, elegant response, tweeting the word “Good” in reply. But until pharmaceutical companies face this kind of scrutiny over all their pricing practices, and we have stricter measures in place to prevent this kind of abuse, this just isn’t good enough for the people who need these drugs to survive.

I’ve been preoccupied with the cost of HIV and AIDS medications for some time, as I am developing a narrative feature film and companion documentary on the subject. I recently spoke with HIV patients living on Medicaid in Alabama that said they could not always afford an $8 copay for their medications — capitalism doesn’t work without compassion, and there are few regulations placed on morality in business. The truth is, even if we cap out-of-pocket expenses, someone will still have to foot the bill for exorbitantly over-priced medication, and the cost will inevitably have consequences for consumers.

To understand what this scandal really means for patients who need access to Daraprim, I reached out to infectious disease specialist Dr. Kalvin Brewer-Yu, who is currently the chief integration officer at Kaiser Permanente Southern California.

Williamson: What is Daraprim? 
Brewer-Yu: Daraprim is actually a drug called pyrimethamine, which is what it’s been known as for decades. It is the cornerstone drug of a combination of two or three drugs used to treat toxoplasmosis, an infection in the brain that can cause blindness, seizures, and neurologic deficits in movement. It is acquired by ingesting the toxoplasmosis organism via undercooked meat and contamination with cat feces. People with immune system deficiencies and pregnant women are particularly at risk. 

How have you seen toxoplasmosis affect patients living with HIV?
I think every infectious disease doctor that trained in the late ’80s or early ’90s has had several HIV patients die from toxoplasmosis. If they survive, it is often with neurologic deficits such as visual problems or limb weakness. It’s a serious disease in this population, even today, and the differential diagnosis includes brain lymphoma or progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, both of which are often life-threatening. 

What’s a course of treatment for Daraprim cost?
We have to keep in mind that toxoplasmosis treatment only works with a combination of drugs, not just one. With the recent proposed price hike, the IDSA has been quoted as stating that treatment will cost at least $336,000-$600,0000 per year — just for the Daraprim alone — depending on how much you weigh. The drug is prescribed depending on weight, so this is not a “simple” one-pill-once-a-day-for-all situation. 

Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO Martin Shkreli has described this 4000% increase as a “reasonable profit, not excessive at all.” Does this mean if a patient doesn’t have insurance they could be on the line for the full cost of treatment?
If they don’t have insurance they could be facing a bill anywhere from $300,000 to $600,000 for the year. There are other drugs they have to take in combination with Daraprim, so keep that in mind. 

Are there other necessary, life-saving treatments that cost this much?
The new hepatitis C drugs in the last two years have similar pricing, and HIV medications are also expensive. Although it must be said, there has rarely been a drug that has been generic and inexpensive for decades that suddenly shot up in price like this. It is quite shocking actually, but in line with recent expensive medications and likely inspired by the ability of other drug companies to make such a profit. 

Shkreli has also said they needed to increase profits to research better treatments — in your medical opinion, is a new treatment for toxoplasmosis needed or is Daraprim effective? 
I don’t believe this is the case; in fact, the part of the therapy that some patients do not like is the other drugs that they have to take up to four times a day. But Daraprim is not that drug. The argument falls flat when you consider which drug has been hiked up in price. The other point is, anybody can say they are trying to “make things better for the future,” but the reality is this particular action will make things worse immediately, and overnight. 

As a medical professional, do you feel that we should we have regulations in place to prevent abuses in the healthcare industry?  
I feel like the word “regulation” has so much negative connotation attached to it, that it would be a disservice to invoke that particular word. What we need is reasonable pricing so that people don’t lose their homes or ability to be financially stable just because they happened to get infected with something. The same can be said for drugs used to treat some forms of cancer, HIV, rheumatologic diseases, and hepatitis C. We need a reasonable, separate third party not involved in the stakes of financial gain to mediate drug prices, such that pharmaceutical companies can thrive without bankrupting the patients or rendering the therapies unaffordable. It’s hard to watch someone die when you can see the drug in your local pharmacy just sitting on the shelf.

DR. KALVIN BREWER-YU is the chief integration officer at Kaiser Permanente Southern California and an associate research professor at the College of Global Health at NYU.

KIT WILLIAMSON is an actor, filmmaker and activist living in New York City. He best known for playing the role of Ed Gifford on Mad Men and creating the LGBT series EastSiders, which recently premiered its second season exclusively on Vimeo On Demand. 

Kit Williamson

www.advocate.com/hiv-aids/2015/9/24/what-daraprim-price-gouging-means-you

On the "A" w/Souleo: Bionka, Trans Star of New Show Transcendent </em>is Ready to Open Up
Is the mainstream media visibility of transgender women such as Laverne Cox and Caitlyn Jenner a passing fad or not? It is a question that causes Bionka to pause and reflect on the long journey of raising awareness for the transgender community. As one of the stars of the new docu-series Transcendent, Bionka is stepping into the spotlight and she intends to stay there, along with other trans public figures.

“It is amazing how America has been catapulted into the trans issue. I don’t think this is momentary,” she said. “The more we raise awareness the more you will see us popping up. We were in the shadows and now we are in the light and we will flourish.”

On Transcendent transgender cabaret entertainers at San Francisco’s Asia SF invite viewers into their lives to share their personal, professional and romantic ups and downs. Bionka, who balances performing at Asia SF with her social service work in the trans community isn’t afraid to let it all hang out. A central part of her storyline is her desire to undergo sex reassignment surgery (SRS). It is a part of the transgender journey for some that even the likes of Cox, Janet Mock and Carmen Carrera shun discussing. But Bionka views such openness as educational.

“I think I might have been more reserved discussing it (SRS) but it’s something I put out there. I cannot take it back. I think the show will help to better educate the public about our trans issues–medical or not. Everyone watching our show will see we are just human beings.”

Transcendent debuts Wednesday, September 30 (11:30 p.m. EDT, FUSE).

Transphobic violence issue takes center stage at Courage Awards

The transgender community may be gaining visibility but it is also facing what some refer to as an “epidemic” of transphobic violence. According to The Advocate, 19 trans women (mostly of color) have been murdered in the U.S. so far this year. On September 16, the New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) hosted its 19th Annual Courage Awards at the Broad Street Ballroom. The organization which provides social services, advocacy and education to end violence against LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities and allies honored television icon Phil Donahue, law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and community advocate Armani Teighlor.

Teighlor, a trans woman of color was one of the evening’s highlights sharing an emotional and sobering story of having experienced violence just a few days prior to the event.

“On Sunday night while walking to the subway a man yelled transphobic and homophobic slurs. Someone stopped me to see if I was okay. The man came back toward me and punched me in the face,” she recalled. “I saw a police officer and called out for help. But when he came over I was shocked when he arrested me after being assaulted. I share this attack because I believe I was profiled as a trans woman of color. This happens to us every single day and it is unfortunate. It takes courage to stand here tonight in your presence after the violence I just experienced this past week. But this is the best way to educate community members about the works that needs to be done to ensure we are all safe from violence.”

As of October 13, AVP’s mission will fall under the leadership of the organization’s new executive director, Beverly Tillery. Her nearly 30-year career includes advocacy, organizing and leadership work for social justice organizations such as Lambda Legal, ACORN, Amnesty International and SEIU. Tillery gave insight into her advocacy strategy by underscoring the intersectionality of various forms of oppression.

“We are not going to be able to do this work without recognizing intersections and how people with multiple areas of oppression are impacted greatly by violence, homophobia, transphobia and racism,” she said. “If we want to end violence we have to change the culture and how we think about our communities and support them. We must understand that racism is a serious player here. It is a root cause.”

The weekly column, On the “A” w/Souleo, covers the intersection of the arts, culture entertainment and philanthropy in Harlem and beyond and is written by Souleo, founder and president of event/media content production company Souleo Enterprises LLC.

— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.

feeds.huffingtonpost.com/c/35496/f/677065/s/4a1fe09d/sc/7/l/0L0Shuffingtonpost0N0Cpeter0Esouleo0Ewright0Con0Ethe0Ea0Ewsouleo0Ebionka0Et0Ib0I8187730A0Bhtml0Dutm0Ihp0Iref0Fgay0Evoices0Gir0FGay0KVoices/story01.htm

Surgeons slam trans beauty pageant for giving gender surgery as top prize

Surgeons have condemned a UK beauty pageant for trans women for offering gender reassignment surgery in India as its top prize.

Among the prizes for Miss Transgender 2015, ‘the winner will be awarded a voucher for full gender correction surgery in India inclusive of all hospital, travel and accommodation worth over £10,000’ ($15,260 €13,630).

But some trans people feel that offering something so basic for good health as gender reassignment surgery as a prize trivializes trans health needs.

If the winner has already had gender reassignment surgery, they can swop for procedures including body sculpting, breast augmentation or facial feminisation. The winners of five regional heats will also get vouchers for facial feminisation procedures.

The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) is concerned.

Consultant plastic surgeon and BAAPS member Marc Pacifico said: ‘No ethical clinic or surgeon would ever offer to perform surgery as a prize for a beauty contest.

‘Any surgery should be carefully thought through, and any patient assessed for pre-existing medical conditions – not simply awarded surgery without having met with or discussed a surgical plan with the operating surgeon, or given time to cool off after consultation to weigh the risks as well as benefits of surgery.

‘The pressure to go ahead with a surgery (or in this case, a series of surgeries) would be tremendous, leaving the patient to making irreversible decisions in circumstances of hype, excitement and emotion, putting themselves at great risk, which could have disastrous psychological as well as physical consequences.

‘Furthermore, this prize stipulates a time limit, further pressurising the winner into having surgery.’

Pacifico is also worried the surgery is being offered abroad.

He added: ‘There can be language barriers limiting the patient’s ability to communicate a problem; and there is a lack of follow-up care, especially upon returning home.

‘If there is a complication – since no surgery is 100% guaranteed – the patient is left with no recourse, which can have dangerous, sometimes tragic repercussions.’

Jess Bradley of Action for Trans Health is concerned the pageant promotes unrealistic beauty standards.

She told GSN: ‘To provide basic healthcare as a prize for the most beautiful, according to standards most trans women may not be able to meet, is deeply harmful to trans women’s mental health.

‘It plays into the idea that our healthcare needs are cosmetic and elective rather than vital and fundamentally necessary for all trans women, regardless of how you look.’

Miss Transgender UK has defended the prize saying the terms and conditions of state ‘only participants who have given their informed consent in advance and in writing will be eligible to be considered for …medical treatment’, and this consent must be certified by ‘a magistrate or another person of similar standing’.

A list of rules also insist on screening by psychiatrists and much more. They say this protects the contestants.

In a statement issued to GSN, the organizers added: ‘Participants in Miss Transgender UK may decline the donation of medical treatment. Their informed consent is a cornerstone of receiving this donation.’

And they hit back at their critics.

‘Sadly, it is reported that the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons the trade body representing high priced elective cosmetic surgeons is attacking Miss Transgender UK and its participants in a clear attempt to protect “jobs for the boys”.

‘This is at the same time its members freely advertise their wears in newspapers, on the high street and in clinics and hospitals up and down the country.’

They believe the prize will be welcomed, particularly by trans people who have not yet had gender-affirming surgery.

‘At a time when the average wait for such treatment on the NHS is five-and-a-half years and many transgender people attempt suicide before getting the medical treatment they need, it is awful that a professional body should try to stop vulnerable transgender people getting treatment from whatever source they choose,’ the statement added.

The contest has been organized for the first time this year. The voucher for surgery in India is valid until March 2016.

The winner of the pageant will be announced at an event in London on Sunday (27 October). They will also win £5,000 ($7,630 €6,800) cash.

The post Surgeons slam trans beauty pageant for giving gender surgery as top prize appeared first on Gay Star News.

Jane Fae

www.gaystarnews.com/article/surgeons-slam-trans-beauty-pageant-for-giving-gender-surgery-as-top-prize/

Dealing With Homophobic Internet Bullies

A few days ago I stumbled upon a rather vindictive online attack against my family and me. A Mormon blogger and pundit spitefully titled his post “Yes, your gay family is as fake as the day is long” while slapping a picture of my husband, my daughter, and myself at the top of his diatribe. 

I wasn’t sure if I should laugh at the absurdity of this person’s angry rebuke or be offended. Being mocked on the Internet by someone you have never met is an experience that’s, honestly, hard to describe.

Having an entire blog post labeling my life fake, insulting my family, and then denying that homophobia even exists — as this blogger strives to do — is both surprising and very, very troubling.

A few months back, when I wrote a personal piece about how the recent General Conference remarks from one of the Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints affected me as a gay parent and Mormon convert, I figured there might be some backlash. Never read the comments section, is what my editor wisely told me.

Overall, I knew the risks and was glad I put my heart into my op-ed. I was happy with how I used my column to express my insights on Elder L. Tom Perry’s speech asserting my family was somehow counterfeit because it consists of two gay fathers. I felt I had presented my perspective in a clear, concise, and honest way.

After it went live, I braced myself for some of my stalwart LDS friends to take issue with my views — one did indeed text me to say my piece, while well-written, was also borderline salacious and libelous. We bantered over it, we briefly battled over it, and ultimately we agreed to disagree and moved on. Our friendship was, thankfully, stronger than our divergent views.

Beyond this one contentious moment with my friend — a friend who baptized me into the Mormon faith at the age of 18 — I was surprised at the overall support I received from my fellow Mormons. That is, up until this delightfully awful “fake family” post crossed my path.

Now, I’m a firm believer that everyone has a right to their opinion and the expression of said opinion. I don’t, however, believe that having the right to express your views gives you a license to attack, insult, and name-call.

Seeing my life called fake honestly doesn’t sting or hurt me. But I can’t deny the fact that this toxic rhetoric is a form of Internet bullying under the guise of righteous, better-than-you religious privilege.

The blogger’s post is so weighted down with gospel principles in an effort to prove his point of view that it is gleeful in its dismissiveness of my family. In his eyes, it’s the truth. The key problem with religiously grounded truth is that it’s only truth to those who believe in said religion. To everyone else, it’s just another opinion.           

To call my family fake and to then take the picture of my family — to steal the image from my Advocate column with my husband and baby girl — and to use it as religious propaganda in a war against not only my family but the entire LGBT community is a step too far. Come after me and my husband if you must, but leave my innocent daughter out of your mean-spirited vendetta.

I’m actually quite sad for this blogger. To so vehemently classify any family that lacks the “sanction,” “revelation,” and “promise” of God as a family that is less than, not equal, and deserving of condemnation is a hateful and narrow-minded worldview.

To look at a family like mine and to judge our legitimacy in a lengthy blog post is indicative of our current cultural divide — the heated battle between the religious and the secular we see splashed across the news and in our presidential campaigns. It’s a prime example of how the religious lash out at any who question their right to discriminate based on their closely held principles.

I resist the blogger’s declaration that only a family that is ordained by a heavenly power has value. I don’t agree that the family unit was created and instituted solely “by God for the glory of God.”

There are many types of families in the world, made up of numerous and beautifully unique configurations. Many of these families do not believe or follow any religious edicts. And that’s OK. A family, regardless of how it is made up, is based on love. Love is what makes a family, not a family’s belief in God. 

In reading the post I found his efforts to silence me very telling. Five times I’m told to stop expressing myself. Five times I’m called upon to stop using my voice.

Those who use religion as a means to belittle others — to make others into something other than human — seek to silence those like me who exist outside their convictions. His response is a perfect example as to the very reason I spoke up in the first place.

If the blogger’s main goal was too pick apart my article line by line in an effort to discredit me and insult me into silence, he’s picked the wrong writer to bully. I will always speak, I will write, and I will stand against those who strive to silence my community and me.

My gay family is not fake. We’re as real as any other family. We are not less than worthy, less than equal, and certainly not less than deserving of respect and dignity. We are just three people who love each other, fiercely, deeply, and eternally. We’re living our lives and striving for the best our world has to offer. I am so blessed and thankful that I can indeed call us a family. No one can or ever will take that right away from me.

BRIAN ANDERSEN is a writer and indie comic book creator who lives in San Francisco with his husband and gorgeous baby daughter. 
Brian Andersen

www.advocate.com/commentary/2015/9/24/dealing-homophobic-internet-bullies

Survey: Grindr users back Bernie Sanders for president

The majority of Grindr users are backing Bernie Sanders for president of the United States.

Users of the gay hookup app are ‘highly engaged’ in both national and local politics, according to a new poll.

Of the 1,718 respondents, 76% say they vote in both general and presidential elections, with 64% indicating that ‘culture wars’ over LGBTI issues motivate them to vote in non-presidential elections.

More than half identified as Democrat (51%), among whom Bernie Sanders edged out Hillary Clinton 38% to 35% for the nomination.

Only 15% identifited as Republican with Donald Trump comfortably ahead of the other hopefuls with 21% of the vote. John Kasich and Jeb Bush followed next each with 7%, while Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina were both at the 5%, with the 10 others in the crowded field trailing behind.

‘LGBTQ voters reject simplistic “identity politics” and vote on much broader issues affecting them AND their fellow Americans,’ Grindr’s blog noted.

Half of all Grindr voters chose the economy as the ‘biggest issue’ facing America today. Other leading issues included immigration (10.3%) and healthcare (9.8%); while ‘minority rights’ outpolled ‘LGBT rights’ 9% to 3%, suggesting users take a holistic view of rights issues.

That said, LGBTI matters still remain front and center on Grindr guys’ minds.

Asked what was the next big issue for the LGBTI movement in the US, 41% singled out the Equality Act. Fighting HIV/AIDS drew 15% of votes, followed by ‘ensuring that states follow the law on marriage and adoption’ with 12.4% and ‘strengthening transgender rights’ with 11.5%.

The post Survey: Grindr users back Bernie Sanders for president appeared first on Gay Star News.

Darren Wee

www.gaystarnews.com/article/survey-grindr-users-back-bernie-sanders-for-president/

Mike Huckabee: Obama inviting LGBTI Catholics to meet pope is like setting up open bar at Alcoholics Anonymous

Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee has said US President Barack Obama inviting LGBTI Catholics to meet the Pope Francis is like setting up open bar at Alcoholics Anonymous.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Vatican had ‘taken offense’ to some of the guests who attended the pope’s welcome ceremony at the White House, which included transgender activists and the first openly gay Episcopal bishop.

Classless decision by @POTUS to transform @Pontifex visit into a politicized cattle call is an insult to millions of Catholics #PopeInUS

— Gov. Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) September 21, 2015

‘Obama shows total disrespect to millions of Americans by transforming Pope Francis’ White House visit into a politicized cattle call for gay and pro-abortion activists,’ Huckabee wrote in a op-ed for the Daily Caller.

‘The Catholic Church is also pro-marriage. When the issue emerged in his native Argentina, Pope Francis blasted same-sex marriage as a “destructive pretension against the plan of God.”‘

Huckabee reiterated comments he made in a Fox News interview News on  ( September) that inviting LGBTI people to the meet the pope was like setting setting up an open bar at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

‘Welcoming a pro-life, pro-marriage leader at the White House with a crowd of abortion and gay rights activists is as classy as hosting an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting with an open bar,’ he said.

‘President Obama should be ashamed of himself.’

Huckabee added: ‘It’s all petty, partisan politics. Exploiting the Pope for cheap political points at the expense of millions of Americans and Catholics around the world is a shameless new low for this Administration. This classless stunt is disrespectful and disgraceful.’

Watch the Fox interview below:

The post Mike Huckabee: Obama inviting LGBTI Catholics to meet pope is like setting up open bar at Alcoholics Anonymous appeared first on Gay Star News.

Darren Wee

www.gaystarnews.com/article/mike-huckabee-obama-inviting-lgbti-catholics-to-meet-pope-is-like-setting-up-open-bar-at-alcoholics-anonymous/

Pope Francis Welcomed at LGBT-Inclusive White House Reception

The White House ceremony welcoming Pope Francis today went smoothly — and the presence of LGBT guests proved to be no problem, contrary to the dire predictions of conservative politicians and commentators.

“The White House crowd of about 11,000 ticket holders couldn’t have been more polite,” reports Mother Jones in a story headlined “Gay People, Liberal Nun Fail to Embarrass Pope at the White House.”

The guests who raised the ire of American conservatives and even Vatican officials included Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church; Mateo Williamson, a transgender Catholic activist; and Sister Simone Campbell, a (presumably) straight nun who has publicly supported the Affordable Care Act, which has been denounced by some Catholics because it mandates coverage of contraceptives. There were several other attendees who differ with Catholic teachings on LGBT rights and other issues, but these were the ones singled out for criticism.

“Welcoming a pro-life, pro-marriage leader at the White House with a crowd of abortion and gay rights activists is as classy as hosting an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting with an open bar. President Obama should be ashamed of himself,” Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee wrote on The Daily Caller, a conservative website, and he made similar comments in an interview with Megyn Kelly on Fox News. 

Hot Air blogger Ed Morrissey wrote, “The White House wants to deliberately embarrass the Pope by sticking a thumb in his eye, and by sticking their noses into Catholic doctrine and teachings.” And some Vatican officials worried that if Pope Francis had his picture taken with LGBT activists or dissident Catholics, it might appear that he endorsed their views.

However, there were no confrontations at the event on the White House’s South Lawn. A few guests wore rainbow flag pins, Mother Jones reports, but the pins were small and not visible to the pope from any distance. “The only real outburst from a guest came as the pope was leaving, when a man yelled, ‘We love you, Pope Francis!’” the magazine reports, adding, “A Twitter jokester attributed this to Vice President Joe Biden.”

At the ceremony, the pope praised President Obama’s efforts to address climate change; the pontiff also voiced support for immigrants and stressed the need to reduce income inequality, CNN reports. “While some of these themes were sure to please the left, he also delivered a firm defense of traditional values, warning that the institution of marriage and family needed to be protected at ‘a critical moment in the history of our civilization,’” the network notes on its website.

“He said that it was right that society was ‘tolerant and inclusive’ but warned that American Catholics were ‘concerned that efforts to build a just and wisely ordered society respect their deepest concerns and their right to religious liberty. That freedom remains one of America’s most precious possessions,’” CNN’s report continues. In response, “Obama gently — but pointedly — argued, ‘here in the United States, we cherish religious liberty,’” the network notes.

After the event, Bishop Robinson told CNN reporter Chris Cuomo he “didn’t feel very controversial” standing far away from the pope in such a big crowd, and called the controversy over some of the guests “a bit of a tempest in a teapot.” He was “honored and humbled to be invited,” he said. Robinson’s denomination is part of the global Anglican Communion, whose “mother church,” the Church of England, broke off from the Roman Catholic Church nearly 500 years ago.

While the Catholic Church continues to oppose same-sex relationships, Francis has changed the church’s tone toward LGBT people, Robinson said, adding, “What I hope is that over the course of his ministry, as he meets with gay and lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people — as he’s already begun to do — his own views about our families will change.” (Watch the interview below; the clip is from a right-wing site that objected to CNN giving Robinson a platform, but it includes none of the site’s editorializing.)

LGBT Catholics and their supporters made their views known at venues outside the White House reception. In Washington, the Human Rights Campaign headquarters was draped with a banner reading, “We are your children, your teachers, your faithful. Welcomed by God, dismissed by our bishops. Pope Francis, will you welcome us home?” As his motorcade went past the building today, Mashable reports, “dozens of LGBT advocates and Catholics stood out front, welcoming him with cheers, as well as flags and signs imploring him to embrace the LGBT faithful.”

The pope’s visit to the U.S. continues with stops planned in New York City and Philadelphia.

Trudy Ring

www.advocate.com/religion/2015/9/23/pope-francis-welcomed-lgbt-inclusive-white-house-reception

Anti-gay Ben Carson: Muslim shouldn’t be president because they are homophobic

Anti-gay Republican Ben Carson has said a Muslim should not be president of the United States because they kill homosexuals.

In an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday (20 September), the retired neurosurgeon said he ‘absolutely would not agree’ with a Muslim president.

Democrat and his fellow Republican presidential candidates have criticized his comments but campaign donations have reportedly spiked since the interview.

Carson took to Facebook on Monday (21 September) night to clarify his comments:

‘I could never support a candidate for President of the United States that was Muslim and had not renounced the central tenant [sic] of Islam: Sharia Law,’ he wrote.

‘Under Islamic Law, homosexuals – men and women alike – must be killed. Women must be subservient. And people following other religions must be killed.

‘I know that there are many peaceful Muslims who do not adhere to these beliefs. But until these tenants [sic] are fully renounced…I cannot advocate any Muslim candidate for President.’

Carson is currently second in the polls with 15%.

According to a June Gallup survey, 38% of Americans said they would not support a Muslim presidential candidate.

Read the full posts below:

The post Anti-gay Ben Carson: Muslim shouldn’t be president because they are homophobic appeared first on Gay Star News.

Darren Wee

www.gaystarnews.com/article/anti-gay-ben-carson-muslim-shouldnt-be-president-because-they-are-homophobic/

Yogi Berra, Baseball Legend and LGBT Ally, Dead at 90

Baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, who died Tuesday at age 90, was famed for his playing prowess and tendency to mangle the English language to comedic effect — but, in an achievement that’s less well known, he was also a strong LGBT ally.

In 2013, Berra became an ambassador for Athlete Ally, an organization that partners with professional, college, and Olympic athletes to advance LGBT equality. Under his leadership, the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center in Little Falls, N.J., presented an exhibit titled “Championing Respect,” highlighting athletes who contributed to social change, from Jackie Robinson to Billie Jean King to those working for LGBT equality today.

“We will remember Yogi Berra for his values and his courage,” said Hudson Taylor, Athlete Ally founder and executive director, in a statement posted on the group’s website. “He was a true pioneer for inclusion in sport, and a personal hero of mine. Not only was he one of the best catchers in MLB history, but he was strongly committed to diversity, inclusion, and education.”

“As Yogi said, ‘Respect the game, respect others. That’s what I always learned in sports. Treat everyone the same. That’s how it should be,’” Taylor added. “I couldn’t agree more. Yogi truly understood what it meant to be an ally, and he lived it every day. Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and we thank Yogi for teaching us all to value respect and inclusion in sport.” The group presented Berra with an Athlete Ally Action Award in 2014.

Berra played 18 seasons with the New York Yankees — 1946 through 1963 — and one with the crosstown Mets, mostly at the physically demanding position of catcher. He had a lifetime batting average of .285, hit 358 home runs, and amassed 1,430 runs batted in. He played on 10 world championship teams with the Yankees, and he went on to coach and manage for the Yankees and Mets, leading both to the World Series. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972.

Born Lawrence Peter Berra, he received the nickname “Yogi” as a teenager from friends who thought he took a yoga-like pose as he sat cross-legged waiting his turn at bat. A cartoon character, Yogi Bear, was named after Berra.

Many humorous quotes are attributed to Berra; whether or not he actually uttered them “has long been a matter of speculation,” The New York Times noted in its obituary. Among them: “You can observe a lot just by watching”; “When you come to a fork in the road, take it”; “Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded,” — the latter of a popular restaurant.

Underneath it all, Berra was actually brainy, a Times sportswriter noted in 1963, saying, “He has continued to allow people to regard him as an amiable clown because it brings him quick acceptance, despite ample proof, onfield and off, that he is intelligent, shrewd and opportunistic.”

He was also a consistent champion of the underdog. He was friendly and supportive to the Cleveland Indians’ Larry Doby, the first black player in the American League, and welcoming of Elston Howard, the Yankees’ first black team member. His museum has offered a variety of programs aimed at fostering sportsmanship and educational achievement among young people. And then there’s the partnership with Athlete Ally.

“You don’t usually see guys like Yogi at gay pride parades,” center director Dave Kaplan told the Times earlier this year, “but when I explained to him that this is the equivalent of the civil rights movement — people looking for equal opportunity and respect — he said: ‘I have no problem with that. If they can play, they can play.’”

Trudy Ring

www.advocate.com/sports/2015/9/23/yogi-berra-baseball-legend-and-lgbt-ally-dead-90

Study: Younger men more likely to consider being gay a core part of identity

Gay men in their 20s are far more likely to consider their sexual orientation to be a core part of their identity than gay men in their 40s, according to a study released by Logo TV on Wednesday (23 September).

The Gay Men Redefined survey was given to 1,000 men in the US between the ages of 18 and 49. It found that 55% of men in their 20s view being gay as extremely or very important to their identity. This is 15% higher than gay men in their 40s.

Almost all respondents (95%) seem to agree that younger gay men are embracing their gay identity more so today than in the past.

They also almost all are united (92%) in hoping the community becomes more accepting of each other, that there a a need for more open dialogue among gay men (91%), and 87% wish the gay community was as united during the rest of the year as we are during Pride.

With same-sex marriage now legal in all 50 US states, six in 10 of the respondents who are in their 20s say their families expect them to get married and have children one day.  But 67 percent still believe that being gay means you have the freedom to do things differently.

The survey also showed that coming out is no longer the most defining experience for many young days. Of those in their 20s and 30s, 65% said they are focused on life after coming out and are struggling to figure out what kind of gay man they want to be.

Other findings include:

• 61 percent of gay men in their 20s and 30s believe gay community was more united in the past.
• 85 percent agree that even as gay people become more accepted, they should have places that are just for them and many are sad to see gay neighborhoods and bars disappear.
• 67 percent say their life is more interesting because they are gay.
• 75 percent believe that being gay has had a positive effect on their life.
• 86 percent still wish there were more gay role models and mentors they could look up to.

The post Study: Younger men more likely to consider being gay a core part of identity appeared first on Gay Star News.

Greg Hernandez

www.gaystarnews.com/article/study-younger-men-more-likely-to-consider-being-gay-a-core-part-of-identity/