New York reports decline in AIDS deaths; despite increased infection rates:
Deaths in New York City from HIV/AIDS fell by nearly 15 percent in 2006 the city health department said Wednesday.

AIDS deaths dropped from 1,419 in 2005 to 1,209 in 2006. The decline was reflected in both sexes and all ethnic groups.

"Numbers this low have not been seen since 1984, when New York City recorded 952 deaths from AIDS," the health department report said.

Circumventing Process, Vermont's Anti-Gay Groups Form Group to Block Gay Marriage:
Conservative anti-gay groups have been avoiding all legislative hearings regarding civil unions vs. marriage stating that the legislature is "pro-gay".

Conservative groups that boycotted legislative hearings on a proposed gay marriage bill in Vermont accusing it of being pro-gay announced Tuesday they have set up their own commission to "set the record straight".

The groups, which include Vermont Renewal an organization that for most of its history has fought all LGBT legislation in the state, held a news conference at the State House to announce the establishment of commission.

Spokesperson Stephen Cable said the commission will hold public hearings throughout the state. The first "Marriage Matters" forum will be held January 19th at the University of Vermont.

The commission also will open a Web site "to educate people" about the dangers of same-sex marriage, especially to children whose interests he said have been overlooked to date.

To save you from having to go to their website to learn about the 'dangers of same-sex marriage', here are three of them.
1.) Families will legally be able to take care of one another in times of crisis.
2.) Couples will legally be automatically able to leave their estate to their partner.
3.) Spouses will automatically be able to share a cemetery plot.

HORRIFIC I KNOW!

Clinton Wins New Hampshire:
Surprising to most who know me, but I have yet to pick my presidential favorite. I was very pleased when Obama won Iowa and also pleased to see Hilary come out on top in NH.

Labels: 2008 Presidential Election, new hampshire, new york, vermont

This morning, New Hampshire Governor John Lynch signed a civil unions bill into law that grants same-sex couples the same rights and benefits of marriage. When the bill goes into effect in January, New Hampshire will become the 10th state in the nation, along with the District of Columbia, to provide at least some form of state-level relationship recognition for same-sex couples. Last month, the New Hampshire state Legislature passed the civil unions bill through the Senate by a vote of 14 to 10 and in the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 243 to 129.

Labels: civil union, new hampshire

Today, New Hampshire's House of Representatives voted overwhelming to give gay couples nearly the same rights as married couples by voting 243 to 129 on Wednesday to allow civil unions for gays and lesbians.

The speculation is that the NH Senate will vote to approve the civil unions bill as well, which must be signed by Gov. John Lynch, a Democrat who has publicly expressed opposition to gay marriage and has not indicated if he will sign it into law.

New Hampshire would become the 4th state in the U.S. to offer civil unions--unless of course Oregon can beat them to the punch.

Oregon's HB 2007 (civil union/domestic partnership type bill) is making it's way through the process right now. The first hearing for the Oregon Family Fairness Act will be help this Monday, April 9th. The House is expected to pass the bill and the Oregon Senate is expected to pass it as well.

-GS

Labels: basic rights oregon, civil union, gay rights, legislature, new hampshire