Now we’re talking. Barack Obama has finally gotten rid of the ridiculous and archaic ban on HIV-positive people traveling to the United States (the US was basically the only country in the Western world with this law). The new rules take effect in January — as the Department of Health and Human Services is given 60 days to enact the new rules — meaning HIV status is no longer a factor in issuing visas or immigration papers.
Obama’s statement:
“Twenty-two years ago, in a decision rooted in fear rather than fact, the United States instituted a travel ban on entry into the country for people living with HIV/AIDS. Now, we talk about reducing the stigma of this disease—yet we’ve treated a visitor living with it as a threat. We lead the world when it comes to helping stem the AIDS pandemic—yet we are one of only a dozen countries that still bar people from HIV from entering our own country. If we want to be the global leader in combating HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it. And that’s why, on Monday my administration will publish a final rule that eliminates the travel ban effective just after the New Year. Congress and President Bush began this process last year, and they ought to be commended for it. We are finishing the job. It’s a step that will encourage people to get tested and get treatment, it’s a step that will keep families together, and it’s a step that will save lives. ”
Sadly underseen in its theatrical release this Spring, HBO is premiering Kirby Dick’s revelatory and important doc “Outrage” tonight. If you haven’t seen it and give even the slightest about the mass hypocrisy of the US government with regard to gay issues, please watch.
It blows my mind that Charlie Crist is still running for 2010 Republican senate and considered a potential 2012 presidential despite this film making it 100% clear that Crist is a homo.
The New York Times’ Benoit Denizet-Lewis has written an extensive and fascinating article on middle-school age (!) gays who are coming out and leading happy, healthy lives with the support of their family and friends. I always find the generation gap between myself and gays ten years older difficult to negotiate due to the large increase in rights and visibility that happened in time for my adolescence, but not theirs. They got to be thirteen years old when AIDS hysteria was exploding. I got to watch Ellen come out when I was thirteen. But something tells me the generation after me is starting to create an even greater gap (and good on Denizet-Lewis for going into depth about how the internet is playing a massive role in this; I was the last generation to not have facebook and myspace in high school, and its gonna show). Already I picture myself ten years from now, drunkenly whining to a twentysomething version of one of those boys about how bad I had it. But the point remains: this article is lovely and amazing and an excellent way to spend your next twenty minutes.
In honor of same-sex marriages beginning today in Vermont, ice cream makers Ben & Jerry have temporarily renamed one of their most popular flavors. SaysThe Boston Herald
“The legalization of marriage for gay and lesbian couples in Vermont is certainly a step in the right direction, and something worth celebrating with peace, love - and plenty of ice cream,” Ben & Jerry’s CEO Walt Freese said in announcing the sugary switch. Ben & Jerry’s, which has long backed liberal causes, plans to rebrand “Chubby Hubby” as “Hubby Hubby” for 30 days to show support for Vermont’s new law. The move is mostly symbolic, as Burlington-based Ben & Jerry’s isn’t changing labels on “Chubby Hubby” pints sold in stores.
Free Hubby Hubby will be handed out by Ben & Jerry’s trucks “across Vermont” today.
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