Friday December 3, 2010
I remember the the first time I saw the image by artist Tee Corinne, it was a grainy black & white photo of two nude women kissing. One of them was in a wheelchair. I was in my teens and just coming out. I was being exposed to so many new thoughts and ideas. The rights of people with disabilities to have healthy sexual relationships was just one one of them.
But of course, everyone is a sexual being, whether or not others see them that way. Disabilities can range from mild to moderate to severe, temporary or permanent. Lesbians with disabilities may need to get a little creative when it comes to their sex lives, but healthy and fulfilled sex lives they do have.
Have you or your partner had to make special accommodations to have sex? Share your story with us.
© Comstock Images
Wednesday December 1, 2010
Every year on December 1st, we commemorate World AIDS Day. The theme this year is "Universal Access and Human Rights." Mark Cichocki, About.com's guide to HIV and AIDS has this to say:
Human rights violations actually contribute to the spread of HIV. For instance, women in some parts of the world have absolutely no say in their sexual life. In fact most don't even have the right to choose if they want to have sex and who they have sex with. In some cultures, the rape and sexual abuse of women is rooted in decades of societal practices and tradition. Finally, marginalized populations such as transgendered people, sex workers, and IV drug users are at the front lines of social injustice and prejudice. As a result these populations have a high risk of HIV infection. As part of World AIDS Day 2010, the emphasis will be on making the world aware of these human rights injustices in hopes of someday eliminating them with them the spread of HIV.
It makes me think of the lesbians and trans people in different parts of the world who are sexually assaulted because of their sexual orientation and gender identity and how beyond the physical and emotional suffering from being raped, they can then contract a deadly disease, which they might then have little access to treatment for.
There are actions we can take to help the suffering of others. And we should also take care of ourselves. Learn the facts about lesbians and HIV, learn how to protect yourself and your partner. And most of all, don't assume that because you have sex with other women that you are immune from the disease.
© Photo by David Dallaqua
Tuesday November 30, 2010
The Pentagon today released the long-awaited report about the impact allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly will have on the military. Here's what it found: 70% of military personnel said allowing gays and lesbians to serve would be "positive, mixed or have no effect" on the military. Most agree that repealing the ban would have little impact on the military, even in wartime. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is not concerned about gays serving in the military, in fact, he said any concerns that soldiers have about serving with gays could be addressed through education and training. So, what is Congress waiting for? Let's get this done before the end of the year.
© Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Monday November 29, 2010
As the year winds down, we take a look at some of the victories and defeats for the LGBT community and our supporters in 2010. This was a year of celebrity coming outs, marriages and a one very gay TV show. It was also a year of political set-backs and violence against our community. It was a year where LGBT teens suffered and lesbians and gay men in Africa quiver and quake at intensity of violence directed at them. It is also a year in which the community and our allies, including the President of the United States and the Secretary of State put out a very clear and strong message for LGBT teens at risk.
Let's take a look back at 2010 and the Best and Worst events for the LGBT Community.
Photos: © Alex Wong and © Kevin Winter/Getty Images