Thursday, June 27 is National HIV Testing Day

Thursday, June 27 is National HIV Testing Day National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) is an annual campaign to encourage people of all ages to "Take the Test, Take Control." Too many people don't know they have HIV. In the United States, nearly 1.1 million people are living with HIV, and almost one in five don't know they are infected. Getting tested is the first step to finding out if you have HIV. If you have HIV, getting medical care and taking medicines regularly helps you live a longer, healthier life and also lowers the chances of passing HIV on to others. Find a local testing location here   Reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com,

Hector Vargas on Supreme Court Rulings

Note from Hecor Vargas, Executive Director GLMA , reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com,

In two separate rulings today, the US Supreme Court opened the doors for legally married same-sex couples to be treated equally under federal law and re-opened the doors for loving and committed same-sex couples in California to marry.

GLMA joins with the entire LGBT community in celebration of equality and renews our commitment to ensure that every same-sex couple in this country, regardless of where they live, will one day enjoy the freedom to marry.

I was lucky enough to be in the courtroom today as these decisions were released, and I couldn’t help but feel strong pulls of joy and pride as Justice Anthony Kennedy read from his opinion overturning DOMA (the so-called Defense of Marriage Act), speaking about the dignity of same-sex couples and their children and the very real harms DOMA inflicted on them. Justice Kennedy wrote that DOMA “undermines both the public and private significance of state-sanctioned same-sex marriages; for it tells these couples, and all the world, that otherwise valid marriages are unworthy of federal recognition.”

In his opinion, Justice Kennedy alluded to the social stability that marriage affords and also noted how—in very tangible terms—the law prevented married couples from receiving federal healthcare benefits and raised the cost of healthcare for families by taxing health benefits employers provided to same-sex spouses of employees.

In addition to overturning DOMA, the Supreme Court let stand a federal district court ruling that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional allowing marriage of same-sex couples to resume in the state of California.

I’m proud of the hard work of the many LGBT people and organizations across the country who made this possible —especially the ACLU and the American Foundation for Equal Rights, who brought the cases decided today. I’m also proud of the role that each of you, as GLMA members, played in this historic victory.

Through GLMA’s friend-of-the-court briefs, submitted to the Supreme Court in March, we provided your expertise as health professionals to the nation’s highest court and joined a chorus of organizations and individuals in support of marriage equality.

Through these briefs, GLMA stood up for LGBT equality and the freedom to marry as critical issues that affect the health and well-being of LGBT people and their families.

While we celebrate this victory today, you and I both know there is still much work to be done. The repeal of DOMA and marriage equality will play a significant role in helping to strengthen our community, but it is not a silver bullet.

With renewed spirit from this victory, GLMA will continue our quest for LGBT health equality. Our work encompasses the philosophy that not only is LGBT health a civil rights issue, but also that issues of LGBT equality, such as marriage, have a significant impact on LGBT health.

Your support has helped us reach this pivotal moment in the movement for LGBT equality, and so I thank you and look forward to continuing our work together to achieve our goal of healthcare equality for LGBT people.

Victory! U.S. Supreme Court Restores Marriage Equity to CA

Victory! The U.S. Supreme Court has just issued a decision in AFER’s case against California’s Proposition 8 that restores marriage equality to California!

The Supreme Court has dismissed AFER's case against Prop. 8, Hollingsworth v. Perry, because the Proponents of Prop. 8 lack standing. Today’s decision makes permanent the landmark Federal District Court ruling that found Prop. 8 unconstitutional. Gay and lesbian couples will be able to marry in California once the District Court’s judgment takes effect.

And, because the Supreme Court also ruled in United States v. Windsor that the so-called Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, the marriages of gay and lesbian couples in states with marriage equality—including California—will now be recognized by the federal government. 
Click here to read the decisions and to watch a live stream of our press conference from the steps of the Supreme Court.

Because of our efforts together, California joins 12 other states and our nation’s capital in recognizing the fundamental right of gay and lesbian couples to marry. As the nation’s most populous state, California substantially increases the number of Americans—approximately 94 million people, or 30 percent of the United States population—who live in a state with marriage equality.

Moreover, AFER and our case against Prop. 8 have accelerated a national discussion about love and equality. Since we embarked on our journey four years ago, we have seen an unprecedented increase in public support. More than 30 national polls now show that a majority of Americans—as high as 58% of the nation—support marriage for gay and lesbian couples. That support comes from Americans of all partisan and ideological stripes—Republicans and Democrats, conservatives and liberals alike. Marriage equality is now an American value.

Posted by Adam D. Umhoefer, Executive Director, American Foundation for Equal Rights
Reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com,

Ending LGBT Youth Homelessness: A Call to Action

Posted June 20, 2013 Reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com,

Looks like another great webinar from our colleagues at the Technical Assistance Partnership for Child and Family Mental Health. Mark it down on your calendar Network faithful!

• Ending LGBT Youth Homelessness: A Call to Action
• July 10, 2013 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM EDT
• Click here to register, or copy and paste the following link into your browser: http://www.tapartnership.org/events/listView.php?id=1249#event1249
• Description:
  Too many youth become homeless each year. Youth who are LGBT are significantly overrepresented in homeless youth populations. These same youth are also more likely to experience stigma associated with their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression, trauma, and disparities in accessing resources from human service systems.
  
  This webinar will: 1) highlight issues contributing to homelessness among LGBT youth; 2) showcase the Forty to None Project, a national program of the True Colors Fund (co-founded by Cyndi Lauper) that is working to end LGBT youth homelessness; 3) describe strategies to reduce homelessness among LGBT youth and provide trauma-informed care to them; and 4) share lessons learned from the field.
• Presenters:
  • Jeffrey Poirier, Senior Researcher, American Institutes for Research (AIR); TA Partnership Cultural and Linguistic Competence Community of Practice LGBTQI2-S Learning Community Lead
  • Christina Murphy, Director of Communications, AIR and the National Center on Family Homelessness
  • Jama Shelton, Director, Forty to None Project, True Colors Fund
  • Simon Costello, Associate Director, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, Children, Youth & Family Services

California Elected Officials Who Have Taken a Stand for Health

73 state and local officials signed statements that they would not accept tobacco industry contributions

Reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com,
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The California LGBT Tobacco Education Partnership (LGBT Partnership) today released its “Clean Money” list of state and local elected officials who have agreed to refuse tobacco industry contributions. Each official signed a statement that he or she would not accept donations from tobacco companies or distributors.

Tobacco use, according to the World Health Organization, is responsible for nearly six million deaths in the world each year. “Many elected officials told us that they don’t want to have anything to do with the tobacco companies”, said Bob Gordon, member of the San Francisco Tobacco Free Coalition and Project Director of the LGBT Partnership. “They understand the terrible costs we all pay in terms of damaged health, lost productivity and shortened lives.” According to the national organization Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, in California alone, the tobacco industry spends a half billion dollars every year to market itself, while Californians are left to shoulder $9.1 Billion annually in health care costs directly attributable to tobacco use.

Elected officials joined the signature campaign for several reasons. In a survey conducted by an outside evaluator, several officeholders indicated that the opportunity to sign the statement aligned with their interests. One indicated “This is a good opportunity for legislators to stand out in a positive way”. One staff member, before meeting with advocates, learned for the first time details about how the tobacco industry targets vulnerable populations “how it advertises to African Americans, Latinos, LGBTs, Asian Americans, and to a degree, to young kids—particularly disturbing”.

A full list of elected officials who have signed a no-tobacco statement is available at http://www.center4tobaccopolicy.org/cleanmoney

About the California LGBT Tobacco Education Partnership The California Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Tobacco Education is funded by California’s Tobacco Control Program.  The LGBT Partnership advocates for policies limiting tobacco industry donations and reducing the availability of tobacco.

LGBT-related policies the AMA HOD passed this week

Letter from GLMA executive Director, Hector Vargas, reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com, On Monday, GLMA President Desi Bailey and I shared the exciting news that GLMA was voted into the AMA House of Delegates (HOD). I wanted to take this opportunity to follow-up with you to share some of the LGBT-related policies the AMA HOD passed this week: Conforming Birth Certificate Policies to Current Medical Standards for Transgender Patients: Supports policies that birth certificate changes for transgender individuals can be accomplished through a physician’s verification that a person has undergone gender transition according to applicable medical standards. This policy will help lift significant barriers, including requirements for surgery that exist in many states, transgender people face in trying to change the gender marker on a birth certificate. Revised Blood Donor Deferral Criteria: Supports the elimination of the lifetime ban on blood donation by men who have sex with men (MSM). The AMA policy supports “rational, scientifically-based” policies on blood and tissue donation. Early Treatment and Partner Services for HIV: Supports physician education of “treatment as prevention,” including early treatment of individuals newly diagnosed with HIV, as a means to help end the spread of HIV. Discrimination Against Patients by Medical Students: Ensures medical students may not refuse to participate in the care of a patient based on several factors, including sexual orientation and gender identity. Confidential Care for Minors: Allows physicians to provide care to youth for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases absent of parental knowledge or consent. The policy is of significant importance to LGBT youth, who may not be out to their parents or family. The AMA’s Code of Ethics already supports confidential care in relation to treatment of sexually transmitted diseases. GLMA actively worked with the AMA’s GLBT Advisory Committee to support these policies, and I want to take this opportunity to thank the committee members for their leadership and cooperation. We look forward to a continued strong partnership together. GLMA’s work at the AMA Annual Meeting this past week is just one example of how GLMA’s relationships with other health professional associations can have a significant impact on LGBT health. Because of our longstanding relationship with the LBGT PA Caucus, earlier this month, GLMA President-Elect Henry Ng and I were invited guests at the Annual Conference of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, which has adopted a number of policies supporting LGBT health. GLMA is also developing and strengthening relationships with a number of nursing associations through the development of this September’s GLMA Nursing Summit, designed to develop a roadmap for nursing on LGBT health. As we begin a new chapter in our relationship with the AMA, GLMA looks forward to continuing to strengthen our relationships with other health professional associations to ensure that LGBT health issues are being addressed by all health professionals. We are proud of our multidisciplinary membership and have a deep understanding of the vital role associations from across the health professions play in improving the health and well-being of LGBT individuals. Thank you for your continued support of our work.

Yours in Equality,         Hector Vargas, JD  Executive Director

Warning about Blog spam

http://from-the-sidelines.blogspot.com/2013/02/another-day-another-referral-spammer.html

Please read this important information about blog spam.

If you notice another Blogger site by the name of www . kmzackblogger . com in your referrals, know that it is a blog setup to get you to pay for better YouTube video placement. It showed up on the blog I just started for my grandmother's diaries, so I was curious enough to check it out.
www . bthemes . info
This looks somewhat legitimate in that it has themes for Blogger. But the fact they use referral spam makes them look quite shady. I don't advise using them for that alone.

vampirestat and zombiestat
These are run by the same people using the same templates with different graphics and purport to show the monetary worth of websites. Do not go there.

UPDATED:

Yet another referral spammer on Blogger showed up with 11 page views on February 28.

make-money-with-your-blog . review-blogspot . com is another get rich quick scheme making the rounds. "Mary" even has a short bit on the page about people reporting her blog is a scam and that she has "the approval of Blogger." Of course there is only the one post containing a shortened link.

Avoid at all costs.

Reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com,

GLAMA Accepted into AMA House of Delegates

It is our pleasure to share with you the news that today, the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates voted to accept GLMA into its membership. This is an exciting accomplishment that signals greater understanding and recognition within the mainstream healthcare community about the LGBT community’s unique healthcare needs. This is a moment to celebrate together. As with all of GLMA’s accomplishments, our members have made this possible. Numerous efforts of GLMA members past and present have helped GLMA develop strong ties to the AMA, especially the AMA GLBT Advisory Committee—which has included members of GLMA’s leadership since its inception in 2005. Additionally, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our members who are also members of the AMA, whose membership in both organizations helped us meet a key requirement to joining the AMA House of Delegates. This is a shared victory! Joining the AMA House of Delegates provides GLMA with an opportunity to share the expertise of our members with the largest physician group in America to inform the development of policies around LGBT health. Yesterday, GLMA provided testimony to the AMA in support of several such resolutions that are important to LGBT people and people living with HIV. It is our hope that by joining the AMA House of Delegates and taking advantage of opportunities like this, we will be able to leverage the strength of the AMA’s support and influence to improve the health and well-being of LGBT people. With your continued support, we will maximize our seat in the House of Delegates and diligently work towards LGBT healthcare equality.
In Equality, Desi Bailey, MD President	Hector Vargas , JD Executive Director
P.S. GLMA is only as strong as our membership. Your membership and contributions are invaluable to advance GLMA’s mission and sustain progress towards LGBT health equality. If you are not a member or your membership has lapsed, please join or renew your membership today. If you are already a member, give a tax-deductible donation to continue our momentum towards LGBT health equality. Letter reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com,

NIH Takes Important Steps for LGBT Health

Article by Dr. Scout, Director, Network for LGBT Health Equity
At The Fenway Institute, reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com,

A year ago I wrote a HuffPost blog post decrying the apparent stall in LGBT research integration at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Now I'm happy to say NIH is moving forward with good speed on this topic.

Why is NIH integration of LGBT health research important? Because health research is the only way we'll find answers to the persistent health disparities we see across the LGBT population. Why do we smoke cigarettes at rates that are 68-percent higher than the general population? Can we do anything to protect against the spike in mental health problems after negative legislation is passed in our states? How can transgender people be assured of welcoming health care? What can be done about the high level of social isolation that LGBT elders report? And what can be done about the horrific LGBT youth suicide rates? If data tells the story of our lives, then research is the first step in writing happier endings.

In 2011, the Institute of Medicine released a historic report, "The Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People." In it they reviewed the scientific evidence, identified research gaps, and outlined steps to assist NIH in enhancing its efforts in this area. One of the positive steps NIH has since taken in the last year is to finally release a response to this report... Read the rest here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scout-phd/nih-takes-important-steps-for-lgbt-health_b_3468097.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices

GLMA Conference Program and Webinar

This summer, GLMA continues our commitment to increasing cultural competence in healthcare through professional education:

The preliminary program for GLMA’s 31st Annual Conference is now available! GLMA’s Annual Conference (September 18-21, 2013) is the premier scientific meeting on LGBT health, attended by over 400 health professionals from across the country (and around the world). Click here to register and download the preliminary program.

• Save-the-Date for Part 3 of our four-part Webinar Series: Quality Healthcare for LGBT People. Part 3: Clinical Skills for the Care of Transgender Individuals will take place on July 11, 2013, from 3:00 – 4:30pm (EST).

GLMA members provide the expertise that makes our professional education effective, and the support that makes this work possible.

If you are not a member, join GLMA today! Your membership allows us to provide programs like the cultural competence webinar series and the Annual Conference, which are vital to improving the health and well-being of the LGBT community. GLMA Members not only support our work, but receive benefits, like a discount on registration!

If you are a member, consider making an additional contribution to support these and other critical GLMA efforts. You can also make a donation to the student scholarship fund when you register for the conference.

This is an exciting time for GLMA and LGBT health, and we hope you will join us and be a part of it all!
Reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com,

LGBT Cancer Survivors' Voices Spotlight Cracks in Health CarE SYSTEM

The National LGBT Cancer Network released a new report today that uses the direct experiences of cancer survivors to paint a stark picture of the effect of discrimination on LGBT health. The free, downloadable booklet, “LGBT Patient Centered Outcomes,” uses the findings to suggest practical recommendations for improving health care for LGBT people.

“When we asked cancer survivors to tell us what they wanted health care providers to know, we were saddened, angered and moved by many of their stories; cancer is enough of a burden, no one should have to endure the discrimination, alienation, and, in some cases, less than adequate care because of who they are,” said Liz Margolies, Executive Director of the National LGBT Cancer Network. “For many of  the survey respondents, cancer treatment is both the same, and scarier.”

Go to the sites below to access this report and full article.

The National LGBT Cancer Network works to improve the lives of LGBT cancer survivors and those at risk by: educating the LGBT community about our increased cancer risks and the importance of screening and early detection; training health care providers to offer more culturally-competent, safe and welcoming care; and advocating for LGBT survivors in mainstream cancer organizations, the media and research. For more information, visit http://www.cancer-network.org.

The Network for LGBT Health Equity is a community-driven network of advocates and professionals looking to enhance LGBT health by eliminating tobacco use and other health disparities by linking people and information. The Network is a project of The Fenway Institute in Boston. The Fenway Institute at Fenway Health is an interdisciplinary center for research, training, education and policy development focusing on national and international health issues. For more information visit http://lgbthealthequity.wordpress.com/ and fenwayhealth.org.

 

Reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com,

 

“It Gets Better Project Columbus”

LISTEN TO OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE COLUMBUS POLICE CHIEF ABOUT THIS NEW VIDEO

The Columbus Division of Police and Columbus College of Art and Design are proud to announce the premiere of an original "It Gets Better" anti-bullying video. The video will be used as a public service announcement on the Division's website and features several sworn and civilian CPD employees. 

Our mission was to create a video that paralleled those videos already created for "It Gets Better.” By working together, we hope to change the landscape of bullying in our community. We are hopeful that this collaborative effort will continue and will result in additional videos or announcements about anti-bullying in Columbus.

June 2013 SAGE Newsletter Notes

Reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com,

Celebrating Pride: SAGE Is Here
It’s Pride month, and this year, SAGE has many victories to celebrate. As President Obama stated in his official declaration of June as Pride month, “Support for LGBT equality is growing, led by a generation which understands that, in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., ‘injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’” This past year, we’ve seen the introduction of the LGBT Elder Americans Act of 2012 in Congress, an 83-year-old activist take a case for marriage equality all the way to the Supreme Court, and much more. We still have a long way to go, but SAGE will be there every step of the way to ensure that LGBT older people are at the forefront of the fight for equality. So this month, join us in our celebrations around the country:

SAGE will be marching in the annual Pride Parade in New York City on June 30. Edie Windsor, longtime SAGE volunteer leader and plaintiff in the Supreme Court case challenging the Defense of Marriage Act, will be this year’s Grand Marshal.

• SAGE affiliates across the country are planning a variety of Pride events for LGBT elders and allies. For a list of affiliates and more information, visit SAGENet.
• SAGE is proud to support Harlem Pride again this year! Join the celebration at Jackie Robinson Park and make sure to drop by our table to learn more about SAGE Harlem. 

For a full listing of upcoming SAGE Pride events, visit our site.
 

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SAGE and Freedom to Marry Host DC Marriage Event
 When: June 10, 2013, 9:00 – 10:30 am  Where: National Press Club, Washington DC
 With a Supreme Court decision expected this month in two marriage cases, Freedom to Marry and SAGE will present a panel on the harms of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act on older same-sex couples. The panel will include leaders, experts, and LGBT seniors telling their stories of harm. Under DOMA, married same-sex couples are denied more than 1,100 protections and responsibilities automatically afforded to other married couples, including Social Security survivor benefits, access to health care and family leave, the ability to pool resources without adverse tax treatment, parenting rights, and familial status for immigration purposes.  Visit the SAGE Events page for more information on this important event. To attend, please RSVP to  angela@freedomtomarry.org.
 

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SAGE Joins 33 Other LGBT Organizations in Pledge to Fight HIV/AIDS
 On June 3, to mark Pride Month, executive directors from 34 LGBT and HIV/AIDS organizations from across the United States released a joint letter committing themselves and their organizations to re-engaging the broader LGBT community in the fight against HIV. SAGE is proud to join this effort and support the rapidly growing numbers of older people who are living with HIV/AIDS. Today, approximately 28% of people living with HIV in the U.S. are over 50. By 2017 that number is projected to grow to 50%. In addition, it is estimated that 15% of all new HIV infections occur in people over 50. And the available data clearly documents that the AIDS epidemic has disproportionately affected men who have sex with men, gay and bisexual men, people of color and transgender people of all ages, including elders. Read the letter at the SAGE Blog, and then visit the site We the LGBT to pledge your support for achieving the vision of an AIDS-free generation.

BRAVO Alert for the Safety LGBTQ Community of Central Ohio

BRAVO is Issuing the Following Alert for the Safety of the
LGBT Community of Central Ohio

Reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com,

BRAVO has recently received multiple reports of anti-LGBTQ hate crimes.  The incidents have occurred in the vicinity of LGBT establishments both in the Short North area and on the South side.  Several of the incidents have involved both physical assault and robbery.  BRAVO has good reason to believe that these attacks are anti-LGBTQ motivated.

According to Gloria McCauley, BRAVO Executive Director, "BRAVO believes that these incidents underscore the importance of a renewed discussion and action on hate crimes against LGBTQ people. Sadly, we know that hate violence is intended to send a message of hate and to instill fear throughout the entire community. Hate crimes are largely under-reported or not reported at all, and people are left feeling alone and vulnerable.  BRAVO is a great resource – we are asking people to call and report – we can help."

It is Gay Pride season and BRAVO wants everyone to have a fun and safe Pride!  Be alert, walk in groups, walk each other to your cars and be aware of your surroundings.   Additional safety tips are available on our website.   WWW.BRAVO-ohio.org.  Or scan the QR Code

For further information BRAVO can be reached at
614-294-7867 or 866-86-BRAVO.

All reports to BRAVO are confidential and may be made anonymously. All BRAVO services are free.

STAY ALERT
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
BE AWARE

Don’t take it. Report it.

ACT NOW: Support Policies on Change of Birth Certificates for Transgender Individuals

During its meeting in June, the American Medical Association House of Delegates will consider two different resolutions that the AMA “support policies that allow for a change of sex designation on birth certificates for transgender individuals based on verification” of a healthcare provider that an individual has undergone gender transition according to “applicable medical standards of care.” The vast majority of states require proof of sex reassignment surgery or sterilization for birth certificate changes, which is a significant barrier for transgender people and contrary to the World Professional Association for Transgender Health Standards of Care.

GLMA President Desi Bailey will be attending the AMA Annual Meeting and will lend GLMA’s support to these resolutions along with allies and supportive colleagues within the AMA, including the AMA’s GLBT Advisory Committee.

If you are a member of the AMA, please consider posting online testimony in support of these resolutions. Log in to the AMA website and look for "Res 004-Conforming Birth Certificate Policies to Current Medical Standards for Transgender Patients" and "Res 005-Conforming Birth Certificate Policies to Current Medical Standards for Transgender Patients," which are part of Virtual Reference Committee CCB. Be sure to include that:

1. As an AMA and GLMA member, you support Resolutions 004 and 005;
2. An accurate birth certificate is a matter of life and health for transgender people; and
3. The prevailing and widely recognized Standards of Care for transgender people, published by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, recognize that sex reassignment surgery or sterilization should not be required to change a person’s sex designation on a birth certificate.

The deadline for posting testimony is June 2.

You can also show your support by liking and sharing GLMA’s post on this topic on Facebook.

Thank you for your action to support the health and well-being of the LGBT community!

PS – If you are also attending the AMA Annual Meeting or will be in Chicago on June 15, please join us for a GLMA in Chicago reception.

Cultural Competency and LGBT Health Disparities: Identifying Barriers and Tailoring Strategies

Tuesday, June 18th, 2013, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET

Understanding and improving the health, safety, and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals is a growing public health concern and is a goal for Healthy People 2020.   The June National Cancer Institute (NCI) Research to Reality cyber-seminar will explore several health disparities this population faces across the cancer continuum. Join us as we feature research, programs, and resources designed to assess and address cancer health disparities facing sexual minorities.

Dr. Jose Bauermeister from the University of Michigan will share an overview of the issue and highlight outcomes from the Michigan Smoking and Sexuality study.  This cross-sectional, observational study examined the psychosocial correlates associated with female youth's smoking behaviors in Michigan. The findings are informing the development of a tailored smoking cessation program for this population.

Liz Margolies, Founder and Executive Director of the National LGBT Cancer Network will focus on the LGBT population’s access to patient-centered care.  The session will also highlight a new cultural competency booklet, “LGBT Patient-Centered Outcomes:  Cancer Survivors Teach Us How To Improve Care For All." Ms. Margolies" will discuss how cultural competency is a key tool for closing the disparities gap in health care and her experiences implementing this training curriculum.   

The final part of the webinar will be dedicated to Q&A and discussion and will offer an opportunity to engage with the presenters, and also to share your own experiences and thoughts.

Speakers:
Jose Bauermeister, PhD, MPH Assistant Professor, University of Michigan School of Public Health; Director of the Center for Sexuality & Health Disparities	Liz Margolies, LCSW Founder and Executive Director, National LGBT Cancer Network

Register Now!
Please click on the following link for more information and to register for this event: https://researchtoreality.cancer.gov/cyber-seminars.

Following registration, you will receive a confirmation email with the toll free number, web URL, and participant passcode.  This cyber-seminar will be archived on the Research to Reality (R2R) web site at http://researchtoreality.cancer.gov approximately one week following the presentation.
Cyber-Seminar Archive
IIf you have missed any of the previous cyber-seminars, you can view them all on the R2R Archive.  Watch the presentations, and join in the discussions.  

Reposted at http://www.keystothecloset.blogspot.com, and http://www.tobaccoDeathRay.blogspot.com

Incorporating LGBTQ Victims’ Needs Into Mainstream Victim Services

June 5, 2013—Join an Online Discussion Incorporating LGBTQ Victims’ Needs Into Mainstream Victim Services

On June 5, 2013, at 2 p.m. (eastern time), in commemoration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) will present a Web Forum discussion with Robin Parker and Sharon Stapel on best practices for incorporating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) victims’ needs into mainstream victim services. Mr. Parker is the Executive Director of the Beyond Diversity Resource Center in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, and a diversity consultant committed to building a more inclusive society through diversity education initiatives for individuals and communities. He previously served as a deputy attorney general for the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice; and as chief of the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law and Public Safety, Office of Bias Crime and Community Relations. Mr. Parker also is the coauthor of the article We Can’t Talk About This: The Trouble With Discussing Sexual Orientation, 2 Honest Conversation 1. Ms. Stapel is the Executive Director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project, an organization dedicated to ending hate, sexual, and intimate partner violence affecting people who identify as LGBTQ, as well as HIV-affected communities. Ms. Stapel is a member of the LGBT Advisory Committee to the NYPD, as well as various national stakeholder groups that address the inclusion of LGBTQ individuals in services provided for crime victims and survivors at local, state, and federal levels. Ms. Stapel is the former chair of the New York City Bar Association’s Domestic Violence Committee and the New York City LGBTQ Domestic Violence Task Force. Visit the OVC Web Forum now at http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ovcproviderforum to submit questions for Mr. Parker and Ms. Stapel and return on June 5 at 2 p.m. (eastern time) for the live discussion. Go to http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ovcproviderforum/asp/participate.asp for instructions on how to participate. OVC's Web Forum allows participants to tap into a national network of people with various backgrounds who all face similar challenges and experiences. It is the perfect place for crime victim service providers and allied professionals to gain peer insight and support related to best practices in victim services. Please be reminded that the Web Forum is a public domain and personal or case information should not be shared. JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS • JUSTICE FOR ALL OVC shares your mission and has a wide range of resources to help you accomplish it. Visit the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) online at http://www.ncjrs.gov to register for services or to find out more.

Talk to Your Dr. Webinar Offered by The Ntwork and GLMA

A new feature of the CDC's Tips From Former Smokers campaign was unveiled this week— “Talk With Your Doctor” (TWYD). The goal of this phase of the campaign is to engage health care providers and encourage them to use Tips as an opportunity to start a dialogue with their patients who smoke about quitting. It is also meant to serve as a reminder for smokers to talk with their healthcare providers about effective methods to help them quit.

As you may remember from our press release about the Tips campaign, "One of the ‘Tips from Former Smokers’ ads features a lesbian who suffers from asthma triggered by working in a smoke filled bar. Recently released data from the CDC shows that LGBT people smoke cigarettes at rates that are nearly 70% higher than the general population." This new phase of the campaign is yet another amazing way to reach out to our communities about this huge disparity!

On Thursday, June 13th, The Network will be teaming up with the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) andCenterLink to bring you a webinar discussing the “Talk With Your Doctor” campaign, and the impact that it will have on the health of LGBT communities.

Join us at 2pm EST by registering HERE!

Reposted at http://www.tobaccodeathray.blogspot.com, posted by The Network.