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

The leaders of the Vermont House and Senate announced Wednesday they have formed a special commission to gauge Vermonters' thoughts on expanding marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples.

Will Vermont be the next state in the Union to grant basic fairness to all families?

Read entire story here.

Labels: legislature, marriage, vermont

Legislation that would replace Vermont's landmark civil union law with same-sex marriage was introduced Wednesday at the State House.

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Mark Larson (D) and has 32 house members and 10 senators as co-sponsors.
"After seven years of civil unions, this is simply the right thing to do," Larson said in introducing the legislation.

The measure is similar to one Larson put forward last year but failed to gain support.

The legislation, Larson said, would do three things. First, it would give same-sex couples the right to marry. Secondly, it would allow clergy to refuse to perform a same-sex marriage if it violated their religious beliefs. Thirdly it would convert civil unions already performed into marriages.

In 2000 the Vermont Supreme Court ordered the legislature to recognize the rights of same-sex couples. The debate over civil unions opened up major rifts across the state, but sponsors of the gay marriage bill said the proposal is expected to move much more slowly.

If the measure passes and if Gov. Jim Douglas signs it, Vermont would become the second state to permit same-sex marriage. Connecticut and New Jersey allow civil unions.

Connecticut is also going for full marriage equality-as is California for the second year in a row. California's Legislature passed AB 849 last session but the Governor vetoed the historic legislation.

Labels: california, civil union, legislature, marriage, vermont