Washington Blade - December 2, 2005

PHILADELPHIA - A new double issue of the Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy examines the dangers of unprotected anal sex, known as barebacking, among gay men, according to a news release from the Haworth Press, publisher of the issue. The journal is the official publication of the Association of Gay & Lesbian Psychiatrists. Titled "Barebacking: Psychosocial & Public Health Approaches," the issue includes writings from HIV/AIDS health leaders at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and other experts. Ronald Stall, chief of prevention research at the CDC's division of HIV/AIDS prevention, wrote the preface for the publication. According to the journal, barebacking continues to be a significant threat to the health of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men. The issue examines the implications barebacking has for prevention of the spread of HIV, plus the rate of HIV transmission risk among men who engage in barebacking. Other studies incorporated in the journal look at sex practices among gay men divided into various ethnicities, barebacking as related to club drug use and as related to men who seek sex partners via the Internet.

Brazil officials support singer despite Vatican rejection

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) - Cabinet ministers last week urged pop singer Daniela Mercury to keep promoting the use of condoms to fight AIDS, even though the cause has cost her a spot in a Christmas concert at the Vatican. Catholic authorities objected to statements by Mercury that went "against the moral doctrine of the church," said Eligio Ermeti, a spokesperson for the agency in Rome organizing the event. Mercury, one of Brazil's most popular singers, took part in a Health Ministry campaign to promote condoms to fight the spread of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. "The Vatican may not want Daniela Mercury in one of its shows, but we want her to continue her effort and her campaign to fight HIV transmission in our country," said Nilcea Freire, minister of the Special Secretariat for Women's Policies. "The state has to give people the information and the means to protect themselves."

Canadian AIDS activist resigns over safe-sex campaign

TORONTO - Accusing the AIDS Committee of Toronto of launching a campaign that fails to advocate for safe sex practices, the director of the group resigned last week, the Toronto Globe & Mail reported. At a time when the number of gay men who test positive for HIV is on the rise on Ontario, Richard Churchill said the organization shouldn't organize tours of bathhouses or passing out decks of cards that promote unsafe activities. Churchill, 44, a real estate developer, criticized the committee's deck of 26 "Sex From A-Z" cards because some describe acts that involve the exchange of bodily fluids, which can transmit HIV. But the panel stands by its efforts.

European collaboration aims to develop AIDS vaccine

PARIS - Researchers with GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals and the Institut Pasteur announced this week they intend to cooperate on an AIDS vaccine, according to GlaxoSmithKline. Funded by the EU, collaborators in France, Belgium and the United Kingdom will work to fuse genes from HIV into the existing measles vaccine with hopes that it will serve as a carrier to deliver HIV proteins and allow scientists to produce a potent and lasting vaccine to prevent AIDS. The project also is to include two clinical studies to follow the production process of the experimental vaccine. The company licensed Institut Pasteur technology in a public-private partnership to start with the measles vaccine and begin work on developing a vaccine to guard against AIDS.

Cancer-stricken N.J. lesbian fighting for partner benefits

TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) - A cancer-stricken law enforcement officer who wants her partner to get her death benefits got an enthusiastic show of support last week, with more than 100 gay rights advocates turning out to denounce Ocean County officials for not agreeing to it. Members of Garden State Equality and other groups staged a rally outside the county Board of Chosen Freeholders' office, accusing the panel of homophobia and hypocrisy in failing to extend benefits to the partners of gay employees. At the center of the dispute is Lt. Laurel Hester, 49, a 23-year police investigator who is fighting lung cancer. Hester wants the county to pass a resolution as provided for by New Jersey's 18-month-old Domestic Partners Act, which gives counties the power to extend D.P. benefits.

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