Tag: lifestyle

0

Study Conducted Of Gay 'Baby Boomers' Born (1946 thru 1964) Shows How They Live

LGBT Baby Boomers have withstood many years of discrimination and say their approach to retirement and aging has been shaped by these experiences. "Still Out, Still Aging: The MetLife Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Baby Boomers," conducted with the American Society on Aging (ASA) and its constituent group, the LGBT Aging Issues Network (LAIN), shows LGBT Boomers will approach retirement differently than the general population and most will delay retirement until they are 70. Largely single and living alone, they will rely more on close friends than family for support as they age. "Boomers in the LGBT population, born between 1946 and 1964, advanced the gay rights movement," said Sandra Timmermann, Ed.D., director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute. "Born into a generation known for social activism, they were activists on a personal mission, forced to fight discrimination in school, in the workplace, in government, in society and among their own families. The result is a cohort of strong individuals who will continue to blaze trails as older Americans." According to Robert Stein, president and CEO of ASA, there are recommendations from the study that ought to be implemented. "We suggest that policy makers look at a number of items, including workplace and benefit changes to address the delayed age of retirement for many and a broader definition of caregivers than those now accepted by the aging industry. We also need to take a look at a greater public role in caregiving for those who say they have ‘no one’ to rely on in an emergency. Finally, there are lessons to be learned by the resilience and self-advocacy skills of the LGBT group that should be shared." The study, which polled 1,200 LGBT individuals and 1,200 people from the general population, shows stark differences and striking similarities between the two groups with regard to attitudes, demographics and aging:

• 60% of LGBT Boomers fear being unable to care for themselves as they age; 35% fear becoming dependent on others; and 10% fear discrimination as they age.
• Of the LGBT sample surveyed, Lesbians (76%), Gay men (74%), Bisexuals (16%) and Transgender individuals (39%) say they are “completely” or “mostly” out. 61% of Lesbians and 57% of Gay men say their families are “completely” or “very” accepting, while that is true for 24% of Bisexuals and 42% of Transgender individuals.
• Members of the LGBT group are more likely to say they will be at least 70 before they can retire, 48% compared with 40% in the general population, mostly for economic reasons. Only a quarter or fewer in the LGBT group say they have saved what they need to live in retirement.
• While LGBT Boomers continue to fear discrimination, 55% of the LGBT sample say they have total or near total confidence that they will be treated with dignity and respect, compared with 39% of the comparison group.
• A higher percentage of LGBT Boomers have completed living wills, health care proxies, rights of visitation and partnership agreements, in comparison to the general population.
• Though both populations are likely to discuss end-of-life issues with their partners/spouses, LGBT Boomers have many more of those discussions with siblings, parents and other relatives.
• In the LGBT group, men and women are equally likely to be caring for a parent or partner.
• Members of the general population are more likely to be in a relationship than those in the LGBT sample, 77% vs. 61%. More than a quarter (26%) of LGBT partners have gotten married, even though only five states grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Many (63%) say they would marry if there was a federal law allowing gay marriage.
• Nearly two thirds of LGBT Boomers say they have a “chosen family,” a group of people they consider family, even though they are not legally or biologically related.

In conjunction with the study, the MetLife Mature Market Institute and SAGE, the world’s oldest and largest non-profit agency dedicated to serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender older adults, has produced "Planning Tips for LGBT Individuals and Couples," a consumer checklist to ensure that people have the necessary documents for financial, retirement, estate issues. Methodology To conduct the MetLife study, "Still Out, Still Aging," Harris Interactive collected survey responses from 1201 individuals aged 45-64 who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender (LGBT) and 1206 individuals of the same age from a “general population” pool. Surveys were conducted online between December 10-21, 2009. American Society on Aging ASA is an association of diverse individuals bound by a common goal: to support the commitment and enhance the knowledge and skills of those who seek to improve the quality of life of older adults and their families. The membership of ASA is a multidisciplinary array of professionals who are concerned with the physical, emotional, social, economic and spiritual aspects of aging. They range from practitioners, educators, administrators, policymakers, business people, researchers, students, and more. The LGBT Aging Issues Network (LAIN) works to raise awareness about the concerns of LGBT elders and about the unique barriers they encounter in gaining access to housing, healthcare, long-term care and other services. SAGE Since its inception, SAGE has pioneered programs and services for older people in the LGBT community, provided technical assistance and training to expand opportunities for LGBT elders across the country, and provided a national voice on LGBT issues. In 2005 SAGE became the first official LGBT delegate at a White House Conference on Aging. SAGE is the first LGBT member of the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations. In 2008, SAGE celebrated its 30th Anniversary with its 4^th National Conference on LGBT Aging, sponsored by AARP. For more information, please see www.sageusa.org. The MetLife Mature Market Institute® Established in 1997, the Mature Market Institute (MMI) is MetLife's research organization and a recognized thought leader on the multi-dimensional and multi-generational issues of aging and longevity. MMI's groundbreaking research, gerontology expertise, national partnerships, and educational materials work to expand the knowledge and choices for those in, approaching, or caring for those in the mature market. MMI supports MetLife's long-standing commitment to identifying emerging issues and innovative solutions for the challenges of life. MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading provider of insurance, employee benefits and financial services with operations throughout the United States and the Latin American, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. For more information about the MMI, please visit: www.maturemarketinstitute.com. "Still Out, Still Aging: The MetLife Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Baby Boomers" and "Planning Tips for LGBT Individuals and Couples," can be downloaded from www.maturemarketinstitute.com; on the home page, see "New from the MMI." They can also be ordered by e-mailing maturemarketinstitute@metlife.com or by writing to: MetLife Mature Market Institute, 57 Greens Farms Road, Westport, CT 06880.

2

Atlanta is the Gayest City in the USA, Sorry WeHo!

GAYEST CITIES IN AMERICA: Over at The Advocate, “Intrepid amateur sociologist Mike Albo searches for America’s 15 gayest burgs—based on a finely tuned (if totally arbitrary) calculus.” This list of the list of the 15th Gayest Cities in America has been compiled based on a point system of same sex households per capita, statewide marriage equality, gay elected officials, gay bars per capita and gay films in Netflix favorites. Liberal college towns have favorable ratings; like Madison, WI; Iowa City; Austin, TX; Burlington, VT and Bloomington, Indiana. Spoiler alert! Interestingly, the number 1 honor doesn’t go to New York OR Los Angeles (in fact, those two cities don’t even rank!) … it’s Atlanta:

Georgia isn’t the most gay-friendly state, but Atlanta is undoubtedly our gayest city—with 29 gay bars here, there’s a reason it’s dubbed Hotlanta. Atlanta’s several queer events include one of the nation’s largest Prides in October (returning to Piedmont Park this year), and MondoHomo, a May event celebrating art, drag, burlesque, film, and BBQ. The gay epicenter is Midtown, anchored by Outwrite Books, a giant gay bookstore bucking the national trend—by staying in business! Atlanta guys are hunky, the ladies are gracious, the gay sports leagues are seriously well organized, and its housewives (and their gay BFFs, complete with handbags and heels) are now camp icons. And who doesn’t love the sweet lilt of a Georgia accent on a knockout guy or gal?

I wonder about the Netflix rentals as a factor — in NYC and LA, gay people can go see gay films in theaters, or rent them at local video stores, or buy them in video stores, whereas in other cities Netflix is often the only option for viewing these films. Might not be the best barometer. For more on the history of Atlanta’s gay community, check this out.

0

China's first Gay Pride

China's first Gay Pride Week kicked off in Shanghai on Sunday, but without the customary street celebrations as organisers sought to maintain a low profile and steer clear of official approval. Instead, gays and lesbians in Shanghai will hold film screenings, workshops, art exhibitions and charity events, while an all-day party is scheduled for June 13, organiser Tiffany Lemay told the Associated Press.

"We have consulted a lawyer to determine how safe this is, and he suggested that we not apply for approval or consult with the government," Lemay said. "All of our events will be open to the public, but they will be held at private venues. So there will be no events in public spaces or in parks."

Homosexuality has long been a taboo subject in China with gay sex decriminalised only in 1997, while homosexual behaviour was officially viewed as a mental disorder until 2001. The event is largely being organised by foreign expatriates in Shanghai in coordination with the domestic Rainbow League, which boasts about 2,000 members, Lemay, 32, an American, said. The week-long event will raise funds through donations and corporate sponsorship for Hong Kong's Chi Heng Foundation with proceeds going to its China AIDS Orphan Project, she said. Promoting tolerance and acceptance for gay and lesbian lifestyles will be the theme of the week's events, Lemay added. Organisers estimate that there are up to 200,000 homosexuals in Shanghai and hope to draw up to 2,000 visitors to the week-long event. According to China Daily, there are up to 30 million gay men and women in China, just under 3 per cent of the nation's total population.

0

Do not know they have HIV!

A first-of-its-kind study looking at HIV infection rates found that half of gay men in Chicago who have HIV did not know they were infected, and two-thirds of infected black men were unaware. In addition, infection rates for black men were more than twice the rates for whites and Hispanics. The results of the Chicago Department of Public Health survey are sobering, officials say, but not unexpected. "It's a terrible thing, but it is not surprising," says Jim Pickett, director of advocacy for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. The statistics prove what some organizations, including the city, have been seeing for several years: That gay black men are among the fastest growing groups to test HIV-positive. The Chicago study found that more than 17 percent of gay men in Chicago have HIV; 39 percent did not get tested in the last year because they were worried about the result. Almost 600 gay men from across the city were tested for HIV/AIDS and interviewed about their lifestyles, including questions about drug use and number of partners. Ninety-one of the subjects tested positive for the virus. Thirty percent of gay black men in Chicago tested positive, the study showed, while Hispanics and white men had rates of 12 percent and 11.3 percent, respectively. A quarter of blacks aged 18-24 tested positive. More than 37 percent of blacks aged 25-34 - the highest of any age group - tested positive. The numbers are similar to national figures.

"What we think we're seeing here is the shifting sands of two epidemics," says Nik Prachand, an epidemiologist with the city of Chicago's STI/HIV/AIDS division. "What we're seeing right now is a new surge in (HIV cases) with black (gay men)."

Prachand says anecdotal data has backed up the information the city collected between August and December last year. He said it is important to understand that the prevalence of HIV in black men can be tied to the elevated rates in the black community.

"It's not that black (gay men) are exhibiting higher risk behaviors in either sex or drug use," he says, pointing to data showing them to engage in less risky behavior than whites or Hispanics. "It's sort of a network effect. When your overall community prevalence is higher, you're going to see elevated rates within subgroups."

Pickett says the study points to a need for an overhaul of how gay men approach health.

"When you focus on one specific thing, it doesn't reflect all the issues," including mental and physical health, depression and substance abuse, he says. More than 40 percent of those surveyed admitted illicit drug use, and whites were more likely to do drugs than any segment.

"We need to incorporate HIV into a broader or more holistic framework (covering) gay men's health needs from top to toe," Pickett says.

That's the city's take, too, says Prachand.

"I think it's important that our prevention points towards healing the whole community. It's an issue of being more holistic about HIV," he says.

But, with HIV's high profile in the community, Pickett and others say more testing is needed. Currently, the CDC recommends that gay men be tested once a year. Ariq Cabbler, co-chair of the Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus, says two tests a year should be the norm; Pickett recommends three. Cabbler is worried that a new breed of promiscuous young men are not listening to the traditional HIV/AIDS messaging. The study's statistics show that men who tested negative in earlier tests are now testing positive, an indication, Cabbler says, that they are engaging in risky activity during a 90-day period of time when HIV essentially incubates in the body.

"We need to know who makes up these social networks," which include men who meet other men over the Internet or through phone networks, he says. "You're kind of playing Russian roulette."

As part of its response to the report, the health department is proposing expanded testing and condom distribution, more community-level interventions, and outreach programs, including through the Chicago Black Gay Men's Caucus. Pickett said the city has done a good job in making gay men's health a priority.

"I am happy to say that Chicago is a leader in this country in working with the community and working with gay men. I can only imagine what the numbers could be if CDPH hadn't been doing good work."

He said the AIDS Foundation and other groups are stepping up awareness efforts this month. June is Gay Pride Month.

"The moral of the story is we want to catch people early in their infection," Pickett says. "We don't want people to test positive; we want them to test negative. And we want to provide them with the right kind of counseling and the right tools to maintain that negative."

The city is formally releasing the study's results June 9 at a 1 p.m. meeting at the DePaul Center. Health officials will lead a community discussion to see how the city's response can be improved. Story From Alex Parker ChiTownDailyNews

3

10 Delightful Homo Facts

Ten delightful homosexuality facts is a really interesting and fun read that appeared in the Examiner today, written by the Sexual Health Examiner, Courtney Bee. Here are some fun homosexuality facts to brighten your day and melt your cold little heart:

• When reading horizontally from Shakespeare's original published copy of Hamlet, the furthest left hand side reads 'I am a homosexual' in the last 14 lines of the book. Was this coincidence, or a literary coming out?
• 3,995: Number of gay couples that were married when San Francisco legalized gay marriage (in the several months before the state intervened and voided the marriages). Demographic information showed most of the gay couples were older and better educated than average newlywed couples, with more than 74% over 35 years old and 69 % holding a college degree. I’m not sure if the crazy evangelical guy holding the “God hates queers” sign on my streetcorner holds a college degree, but judging by his misspelling of “queers,” I’m leaning toward no.
• 17 percent: Number of therapists and psychiatrists practicing in Britain that had tried to help their patients reduce "gay or lesbian feelings" through therapy (according to BMC Psychiatry).
• 1999: The year Jerry Falwell accused Teletubby Tinky Winky of being homosexual. He added that “role modelling the gay lifestyle is damaging to the moral lives of children."
• Twink: "an attractive young or young-looking gay male (usually in his late teens or early twenties) with a slender build, a slight muscular physique, and little or no body hair (Wikipedia).” Crap—I think I may have dated a twink.
• The fourth most common sexual fantasy among straight men is sex with another male, especially receiving oral sex from a guy.
• Pedophilia and homosexuality are unrelated. Pedophiles generally have no sexual attraction to other adults, and have no particular preference to boys or girls. There is an assumption in some of these studies that male-male child molestation is committed by a homosexual male, but this belief is unsupported by research. In one study, (Dr. Carole Jenny, Denver, July 1, 1991 - June 30, 1992), research found only 2 cases of 269 (less than 1%) in which the child molester was known to be homosexual. Eat it, accusatory religious pamphlets.
• 1992:  The year The World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its official list of mental illnesses.
• Roy and Silo: The homosexual penguin couple at New York City Central Park Zoo that successfully hatched an egg given by zookeepers and raised a healthy young chick, a female the keepers named Tango. Their story is the basis for the children's book And Tango Makes Three.
• Although Hitler did condemn homosexual acts, he only condemned them between men. But lesbians were rarely (if at all) sent to concentration camps, because it was not in the laws written by Hitler to denounce women loving other women. See? Even psychotic dictators love girl-on-girl action.

18

To Escort Or Not ?

Prostitution is on the rise in our local communites and across the world, especially among our transgender brothers and sisters. Some say that participation in prostitution for a transgender person or a gay man hustling is the easy way out. I beg to differ. To be an escort is even considered part of a "fabulous lifestyle" as I've been told by gay porn stars who double as performers and escorts. I also hear from some performers that they engage in prostitution because they have to supplement their incomes because pay from being a video performer just isn't enough. I also understand that the money is great and it enables them to live lifestyles that typically would not be available to them otherwise. UPDATED: 5/5/2009 South Carolina's top prosecutor says Craigslist could face prosecution if it doesn't take down ads about prostitution. Attorney General Henry McMaster says Tuesday in a letter to CEO Jim Buckmaster that the classified ad Web site has until May 15 to take down sex-related ads on its South Carolina Web sites.

"Therefore, please be advised that the craigslist management may be subject to criminal investigation and prosecution by this office if the portions of the Internet site dedicated to South Carolina and its municipal regions and which contain categories for and functions allowing for the solicitation of prostitution and the dissemination and posting of graphic pornographic material are not permanently removed on or before 5:00pm EST, the close of business Friday May 15, 2009."

http://www.scag.gov/newsroom/pdf/2009/craigslist_letter.pdf The primary reason for participating in prostitution, for many who do, is for food, a place to live or just plain survival. Our sisters and brothers are putting themselves in harm’s way because our country will not give us our rights as American citizens to have a job without discrimination and to earn a decent living. Instead, some LGBT people are forced to turn to working the streets, bars or escort services, exchanging their health and STD risk for food, stability, clothing and roofs over their heads. Some GLBT people would rather commit suicide than turn to prostitution.  Every day for the past 2 years the gay news is inudated with stories about murder, suicide, crime and other problems that have roots deeply involved in escorting/prostitution. On a daily basis I have tons of emails from people on my social networking profiles who are asking me if I'm available for prostitution. Many of the proposals are not just the typical vanilla variety. Many of my proposals request that I beat them until they are black and blue, bareback sex while partaking in use of crystal meth and even several more offers that are downright morbid in nature. I've seen the trouble of prostitution first hand among many people that I've became associated with since I began doing adult computer programming.  I’m not just talking theory and thought about this issue of prostitution, I'm talking about real danger. This is not much of a life, huh?

We deserve a chance to obtain employment without discrimination. I believe it’s our birth right. I believe that right is protected by the Constitution and Bill of Rights. GLBT people are a proud, educated people who can contribute to society, if only we are given the chance.

These rights have been twisted into chaos to suit the bigots and the religious right. They influence our lawmakers to reject any rights we might lobby for. These so-called Christians, in the name of God, only want to eradicate us like a plague. Every time a major crime happens that has prostitution as the root cause our fight for equality takes a serious blow.  In closing, I hope and pray that we will be victorious for the sake of all of us — so that we do not have to resort to prostitution and suicide, so that we can prosper in society to provide for ourselves without depending on government aid or others. We deserve a car in every garage and a chicken in every pot just as much as we have a right to be homosexual. Please leave me your thoughts and comments about this issue. I'd like to hear from everyone.My editorial does not exactly express the view of this network or it's affiliates and this article only reflects my personal opinions and beliefs.