May 15, 2013

A South Carolina couple is suing the state’s Department of Social Services, a hospital, a medical school and individual hospital employees, alleging that a “medically unnecessary” genital removal surgery violated their adopted intersex child’s constitutional rights.

Mark and Pam Crawford say that their child, identified as M.C., is now 8 years old and chooses to identify as a boy, despite doctors deciding that M.C. should be a girl at 16 months old. The couple say that they chose to adopt M.C., who was in state custody at the time of adoption, knowing about the intersex condition.

“The first thought that I had was, lets make sure they don’t do the surgery,” Pam Crawford said in an audio recording posted to YouTube. Crawford said the surgery happened about three months before the adoption.

Continue ast U.S. News and World Report

May 15, 2013

Fish oil not a protection against heart disease ⁰

by Editor • Healthcare

I still take it as part of my handful of morning supplements, but a new study finds fish oil has no effect on preventing heart disease.

From HealthDay:

By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, May 8 (HealthDay News) — Although previous research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids may help those who have already had a heart attack or suffer from heart failure, a new study finds that the supplements do little to prevent cardiac trouble in people who have risk factors for heart disease.

Italian researchers reported that omega-3 fatty acid supplements did not reduce death from heart disease or heart attacks or strokes in this vulnerable group.

“Contrary to the expectations, adding supplemental omega-3 fatty acids does not have any specific advantage in a population that is considered at high risk of cardiovascular disease,” said lead researcher Dr. Gianni Tognoni, from the Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche in Milan.

Tognoni said omega-3 fatty acids do seem to help prevent abnormal heart rhythms following a heart attack or heart failure. There appears, however, to be no value in taking the supplements to prevent heart disease, he added.

Continue at HealthDay

May 15, 2013

Minnesota Gov. Dayton signs marriage bill, makes it 12 and counting ⁰

by Editor • Across the Country

From the Star Tribune:

Amid a cascade of cheers and applause, Gov. Mark Dayton legalized same-sex marriage in Minnesota on Tuesday surrounded by thousands of gay and lesbian supporters and advocates.

“By your political courage, you join that pantheon of exceptional leaders who did something extraordinary,” Dayton said. “You changed the course of history for our state and our nation.”

Dayton signed the marriage measure at a historic outdoor ceremony, a day after the Senate and House passed the proposal.

Minnesota will become the first Midwestern state to legalize same-sex marriage by legislative vote and the 12th state in the nation to recognize such unions. Dayton’s action technically repeals a state statute that had prohibited same-sex marriage.

The law will take effect Aug. 1.

Continue at the Start Tribune

May 15, 2013

UN issues new anti-homphobia video ⁰

by Editor • Videos

May 15, 2013

Around the Globe: Irish General Practitioners issued new guidelines for LGBT patients ⁰

by Editor • Across the Globe

From Pink News:

Unveiled at the weekend, the guide was written jointly by the ICGP and Ireland’s Gay & Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN).

It includes information for GPs on topics such as sexual orientation; mental and sexual health; supportive services GPs can refer patients to; and resources for further learning.

A recent Irish study found that 45% of lesbian and gay people actively seek out gay-friendly healthcare professionals because of bad experiences they had in the past and 28% admitted to hiding the fact that they were gay for fear of a negative response from professionals.

Odhrán Allen, director of mental health at GLEN, said: “For the most part lesbian, gay and bisexual people face the same health issues as heterosexual men and women but there are specific health issues that GPs need to be aware of for LGB people including mental health and sexual health.

Continue at Pink News

May 15, 2013

From the Overnight Desk ⁰

by Editor • From the Overnight Desk

California Gets Closer to Transgender Equity
Ms. Magazine
Attacks on LGBT people in France spiked in 2012
By Agence France-Presse
Joyce Brothers: The Evolution of an LGBT Ally
Advocate.com
Baby Boomers Driving the Technology Wave
WealthManagement.com
Companies, LGBT Employees Still Face Challenges to Inclusive Workplace
Bloomberg BNA
Transgender woman wins right to marry in Hong Kong
GlobalPost

May 13, 2013

Column: Are You a Boy?

by Editor • Columns, Stephanie Mott

By Stephanie Mott

It is Saturday morning, and I don’t have anything pressing this morning. I know from experience that this is totally the best time for me to write. My mind is free to follow its own path. Many of (what I think are) my better writings have come from sitting at this computer at this time of day on this particular day of the week.

Mr. Kitty is at my side. He has his own chair next to mine. He was five years old when I adopted him from some friends who were moving into an apartment that had rules about cats. He was not able to go with them. I was helping them load up some boxes and things. That was almost seven years ago.

I remember that day quite well. Yes, because it was the day that I became Mr. Kitty’s person. But also because it was the day a four-year-old boy asked me, Are you a boy, or are you a girl? I responded, That’s a good question, buying myself a few moments to think about how to answer.

May 13, 2013

MCC Founder Rev. Troy Perry joins this week’s ‘Aged to Perfection’ podcast

by Editor • Aged to Perfection, LGBT News, Podcasts

Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we welcome the Rev. Elder Dr. Troy D. Perry to the podcast. Rev. Perry is the founder of the United Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC), a worldwide denomination that began with 12 people in his living room in Los Angeles on October 6, 1968. Over the course of 45 years, Rev. Perry became an internationally recognized spiritual leader and one of the world’s leading activists for the civil rights of gay/lesbian/bisexual and transgender people.

Rev. Perry hold an Honorary Doctorate of Ministry from Samaritan College in Los Angeles for founding MCC, an Honorary Doctorate in Human Services from Sierra University, Santa Monica, California for his work in civil rights, and was lauded by the Gay Press Association with its Humanitarian Award. Rev. Perry has been invited to the White House on five occasions.

In addition to everything else, Rev. Perry was a featured speaker at all of the LGBT Marches on Washington: 1979, 1987, 1993, 2000 and 2009. He conducted “The Wedding”–a demonstration for marriage equality at two of the marches–in 1993 at the IRS building and in 2000 at the Lincoln Memorial. We’re delighted to have him as a guest on the podcast.

Date: Wednesday, May 15
Time: 6:30 pm eastern
SHOW LINK HERE
For Q&A: (888) 287-3795