Tuesday, June 21, 2011

[Peckers_Pics] Male/Gay Health-Discussion-PICS Model Wars-Jun 22, 2011-Countdown w/Keith Olbermann-Current TV (M-F) 8PM EST



Model Wars-PICS-Health-News-Jun 22, 2011-
Safe PICS For All Ages/Boycott Trump-NBC-TARGET-FOX NEWS
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Alert: Target + Minnesota Forward + Tom Emmer = Support for a rather dangerous and radical political philosophy that diminishes LGBT people to pests that should be murdered. And "Target" is cool with this? ...Now Target is suing the LGBT community for their peaceful demonstrations in front of their stores. ....Our answer: BOYCOTT "TARGET"

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Health - Wellness - Exercise - Reflections:
Sebelius promises to collect LGBT data in health surveys

Washington Blade - June 21, 2011 - By Chris Johnson

Secretary of Health & Human Services Kathleen Sebelius committed on Tuesday to start the collection LGBT data as part of federal health surveys, although she said the questions that would be used to gather the information must first be market-tested before they're made as part of any questionnaire.
 
During a news conference at the White House, Sebelius said in response to a question from the Washington Blade that the Department of Health & Human Services "fully intend[s] to collect LGBT data" through federal surveys.
 
"So it is definitely a commitment," Sebelius said. "We will be adding data questions to the national health surveys. And right now we are looking at developing a slew of questions, market-testing them, coming back and making sure we have the right way to solicit the information that we need."
 
Sebelius said including LGBT questions on federal health surveys has been difficult because the federal government hasn't engaged in such data collection before and hasn't settled on the right way to ask such questions. The secretary asserted the Department of Health & Human Services is market-testing questions to make sure they're worded in the right way to collect the necessary information.
 
"The problem is that it's never been collected, and what our folks came back to us with is we have to figure out -- and we're working with providers and advocates right now to actually market-test the questions -- how to ask questions in a way that they elicit accurate responses, because collecting data that doesn't give an accurate picture is not very helpful in the first place," Sebelius said. "And there has been so little attempt, either directly to consumers or to parents or to anybody else, to ask questions about LGBT health issues that we don't even know how to ask them."
 
Although Sebelius expressed a commitment to include LGBT data collection as part of federal health surveys, she didn't offer a timeline for when this market testing would be complete or when the questions would be included on the surveys.
 
To facilitate a better picture of the health of LGBT Americans, advocates have been seeking the inclusion of questions related to sexual orientation and gender identity on major federal surveys, such as the National Health Interview Survey and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
 
To gather data on sexual orientation, a survey could ask whether someone identifies as lesbian, gay or bisexual. Another survey more focused on sexual health, such as an HIV survey, could ask about sexual behavior and whether the responder has had sex with someone of the same gender.
 
For gender identity, a survey could ask whether respondents identify as transgender; if someone has transitioned from one gender to another over the course of their lives; or ask about non-conformity, regardless of how the respondent identifies their gender.
 
Advocates are hoping that data obtained from asking these questions may help ascertain whether certain health problems affect LGBT people more frequently than others, such as mental health problems or alcohol and drug abuse.
 
Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, praised Sebelius in a statement for expressing her commitment to including the questions on the surveys and said the change is needed to address LGBT health disparities.
 
"It has been repeatedly demonstrated -- including in a major LGBT health report issued just months ago by the Institute of Medicine -- that LGBT people experience significant health disparities and that we cannot fully understand those disparities and how to address them until major health studies ask about our community," Solmonese said.
 
Solmonese was referring to the report from the non-governmental United States National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine Report, published March 31, which found that researchers have insufficient data on LGBT people in health studies, prompting a tendency to treat LGBT people as a single homogeneous group.
 
Darlene Nipper, deputy executive director of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, also commended Sebelius for making the commitment for LGBT data inclusion as a means to address health problems affecting LGBT people.

"There is an urgent need to address health disparities because LGBT lives literally hang in the balance," Nipper said. "We're pleased that HHS is moving forward on data collection for the LGBT community in federal health surveys. While not typically headline grabbers, LGBT data collection in federal surveys is critical to the ultimate well-being of our community."
 
A number of LGBT advocates also called for greater transparency in the way that the Department of Health & Human Services devises the potential questions to obtain health data on the LGBT population.
 
Gary Gates, distinguished scholar at the Williams Institute at the University of California in Los Angeles, called the commitment from Sebelius "fantastic," but said questions on sexual orientation and gender identity "need not start from scratch."
 
"We know a great deal already about how to measure sexual orientation and some recent studies have also highlighted promising approaches to measuring gender identity," Gates said. "HHS now has a real opportunity to develop an open and transparent process as they assess how to best utilize this body of research to inform how they achieve LGBT inclusion in their data collection. That process must be transparent and involve experts from both inside and outside of the government as well as experts from the LGBT community."
 
Nipper made similar remarks on the need for openness in the way the LGBT-related questions for the health surveys are developed.
 
"We encourage the secretary to take this directive and turn it into action in a transparent process that includes experts from both inside and outside of the federal government to implement it effectively," Nipper said. "The sooner this happens, the sooner initiatives like Healthy People and the National Prevention Strategy will be able to adequately address the many health needs of our community."
 
The National Prevention Strategy, a comprehensive plan aimed at increasing the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of their lives, was published last week by the Department of Health & Human Services' National Prevention Council. The strategy recognizes that good health comes not just from quality medical care, but also from clean air and water, safe work sites and healthy foods.
 
A transcript of the exchange between the Blade and Sebelius follows:
 
Washington Blade: Madam Secretary, I have a question for you on a different topic. As I'm sure you know, the absence of nationwide data about the LGBT community's health needs and disparities has been a problem. Organizations want government assistance to address problems. The government insists on data to back up these requests, but the government won't collect data, so the LGBT community remains stymied.

It's public knowledge that groups have been advocating with HHS to address the data collection issue -- specific things like including LGBT questions on the National Health Interview Survey and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

You and the president have been advocates for evidence-based decision-making. What's the holdup here?
 
Kathleen Sebelius: Well, actually, it's a great question, and we fully intend to collect LGBT data. The problem is that it's never been collected, and what our folks came back to us with is we have to figure out -- and we're working with providers and advocates right now to actually market-test the questions -- how to ask questions in a way that they elicit accurate responses, because collecting data that doesn't give an accurate picture is not very helpful in the first place. And there has been so little attempt, either directly to consumers or to parents or to anybody else, to ask questions about LGBT health issues that we don't even know how to ask them.
 
So it is definitely a commitment. We will be adding data questions to the National Health Surveys. And right now we are looking at developing a slew of questions, market-testing them, coming back and making sure we have the right way to solicit the information that we need.
Take Action:
  • Update: DADT has been repealed. President Obama has kept his promise!
  • Boycott Bill O'Reilly and FOX News and their advertisers. Bill discussed a French commercial by McDonalds that was meant to show that McDonalds is Gay Friendly. Bill said what is next? Is McDonalds going to be Al-Qaida friendly as well? Imagine - Bill O'Reilly compares Gays to Al-Qaida! In conclusion, O'Reilly expressed out-right Hatrad of the LGBT Community.
  • Boycott Arizona the home of "hater" - U.S. Senator John McCain. Arizona's Hateful anti-Immigration Law - encourages racial profiling and increases hatred towards minorities. A remedy: Demand Republicans to support Immigration Reform (The Dream Act). Further, Senator McCain voted against ending DADT and Blocked Immigration reform!
  • Boycott Target, Best Buy, Gold's Gym - for donating money towards anti-gay political candidates/organizations. Update: (12/26/2010): Target is continuing to donate to anti-gay groups/causes/politicians. Update 03/08/11 - Lady Gaga Ends Target Partnership, Reportedly Over Target's Poor LGBT Stance. Update 3/25/2010 - Target displays their hypocrisy and Sues California Gay Rights Group for Lobbying Outside Stores. Target is attempting to block the LGBT right of free speech! STOP SHOPPING AT TARGET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Update 4/8/2011: Target lost it's case to stop the LGBT from canvassing in front of their stores. A huge PR Disaster for TARGET! Perhaps Target should go out of business as they betrayed their investers and customers. Target contributed massive funds to a politician who would like to exterminate gays. Now, Target can not stop us from Boycotting them, nor picketing, nor talking to customers near their stores; although, Target allows a anti-gay company such as the Salvation Army to stand outside their door and speak with customers and raise money. Isn't this a double standard? Perhaps TARGET would better understand the issue if they cared about David Kato - Uganda, who was slain because he is gay! That is because Uganda wants to kill gay people. Again, TARGET invested in a political candidate that would Kill the Gays!
  • End DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act). Prevents Federal employees and Gays in the Military from gaining equal benefits. Prevents Gay Partners from gaining equal benefits.
  • Pass ENDA (Employee Non-Discrimination Act). ENDA would prevent employment discrimination of LGBT workforce.
  • Boycott Salvation Army as they will not hire Gays! "DO NOT DONATE TO THEM."
  • BOYCOTT "Chick-fil-a" for donating to anti-gay marriage groups.
  • BOYCOTT KOCH INDUSTRIES PRODUCTS- to include their products: Angel Soft toilet paper / Brawny paper towels / Dixie plates, bowls, napkins & cups / Mardi Gras napkins and towels / Quilted Northern toilet paper / Soft 'n Gentle toilet paper / Sparkle napkins / Vanity fair napkins / Zee napkins / Georgia-Pacific paper products & envelopes / All Georgia-Pacific lumber & building products (INVISTA Products) / Lycra / Stainmaster Carpet. The billionaire - Koch brothers are ultra republican - tea bag founders/supporters that do not support causes of the LGBT community.
  • Boycott WALMART - The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, force criticized Wal-Mart for denying employee benefits to same-s-x partners and for failing to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity. By comparison, the group said two other chain stores with a strong presence in New York, Costco and Walgreens, did much better.
  • NEW: "Tune Out Trump", Boycott all Trump Hotel, casinos, holdings, The Apprentice and NBC Network! At CPAC, Trump said he is considering a run for president as a Republican. In a interview with the Des Moines Register, Trump added that he opposes all forms of legal recognition for gay couples, not just marriage. "They should not be able to marry," he said. So why does NBC keep the Apprentice when Donald Trump has stated he may run for president? After making racist remarks about Obama and recv'g public backlash, Trump decided not to run for president after NBC renewed his awful TV Show. How can NBC renew the clown's show after he pulled all such low-class shenanigans? Boycott NBC! Boycott advertisers of The Apprentice and Trump's other business's. Don't shop at any bullding with Donald Trump's name to include Trump Hotels, Casinos, Condo's, Offices, Shops! The Donald has expressed extreme Hatred towards gays and blacks with his birther remarks and anti-gay rhetoric. Remember how poorly Trump treated Rosie O'Donnel? Now we know why he did that! It was hate against a lesbian as we now know he is biget. Unforgiveable! Dump NBC because they re-newed Donald Trump's "The Apprentice"! NBC, Really? Update June 1, 2011: Trump now claims that Obama's long form, original birth certificate is fake. And NBC keeps this hater? NBC, You Kidding Us?

And Now, Model Wars!

This group is called "Peckers Pics." The English - slang definition of "pecker" is to pluck at the truth. Therefore, we peck at items such as Gay Men's Health, Male Fitness, Gay (LGBT) Politics & Issues. In this section you may peck at each photo in order to decide the winner of the "war of the fittest!" Whereas, who is the model that may inspire you to exercise and "get fit?" Warning: This may stoke you!

Your participation in discussion of health / news articles - appearing in this message is greatly appreciated.
 
RENATO RANGEL
 
VS
PETER BADENHOP
 
You Decide!
2011 Pride Parade, June 19, 2011, in Portland, Oregon
Stoked?
Tel Aviv Pride, Israel; June 10, 2011
[Guess what?  Israel is the only country in the Middle East to have Gay Pride]
Super Stoked?
Tel Aviv Pride, Israel; June 10, 2011
[Hmm, the Palestinian Territories do not have Gay Pride. This is only in Israel and
no-where else in the Middle East. Only in Israel is it OK to be gay and Gay Arabs go
to Israel to seek asylum. In Israel, the Military has openly gay personnel for decades.
There is no in-equality in Israel's Military. I highly recommend Tel Aviv as it is a
wonderful beach side city, very gay friendly and a place to have fun]  
Gay Marriage for Straight Legislators
Jun. 21 2011 - Forbes - by Lisa Duggan

Having extended their legislative session, which officially ended Monday, the New York State Senate remains poised on an historic precipice: they are one vote away from making same-sex marriage legal in the third most populous state in the nation.

Last Wednesday, the New York State Assembly approved the measure 80 to 63, and now a few Republican senators have been identified as holding the winning vote. Undoubtedly New York's gay constituents, as well as those in other states looking for the same equal treatment, will hail a vote for same-sex marriage in New York as a victory.

But I wouldn't break out the champagne, yet.

Without a federal amendment recognizing same-sex marriages between the few states that grant them, New York same-sex marriage licenses will not be worth the paper they are printed upon.

When I got hitched for the first time, in Staten Island's tiny city hall, I was a naive twenty-two year old, wearing a dress off Nordstrom's rack. New York State didn't ask, so we never had to tell anyone why we wanted to marry, only that we did.  Two signatures and two vials of blood was all that was necessary to be granted the state's legal blessing.

New York State was there as well, three years later, when we decided to get unmarried--and this time they were asking questions. Cruel and inhuman treatment? Abandonment for a period of one or more years? Adultery? Who did what to whom, and when: it was all material to our legal grounds for divorce.

Because we had no children and had already willingly divided our assets, these questions seemed unnecessary and intrusive. Although I couldn't appreciate it at the time, our divorce made visible the 1,138 federal and state rights and benefits designed to protect all the naive twenty-somethings, and hopelessly optimistic fourth-time-betrothed, equally.

For better, or for worse. In widowhood, or child-custody court.

Provided they are heterosexual, of course.

Unequal and separate.

As of June 1st, exactly one dozen states in this country grant licenses for either civil unions or same-sex marriages. The licenses convey roughly the same number of rights to gay couples as to straight, within that state.  However, none of these marriages are federally recognized, and this is significant for a number of reasons.

It means that a couple legally married say, by the State of Connecticut, who share a home, 2.5 kids and a red Prius, and who dutifully pay their federal income taxes, would be viewed simply as really close friends when passing through a dozen other states on their way to vacation in the Grand Canyon--and so they'd better remember to pack the adoption papers along with the diapers.

It means that our government will not pay Social Security benefits to the same-sex spouse of any enlisted person, grunt or officer, even if their partner of fifteen years dies while defending this country.

Is it me, or does all this scream civil rights violations? Isn't it the height of hypocrisy for State and federal legislators to collect taxes from their gay constituents with one hand, while denying their rights with the other?

Especially when you consider that this legal landscape is neither an oversight, nor a murky interpretation of the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the Constitution, which manages potential conflicts between various states' rules.  In fact, the US Congress had to go out of its way to create this "marriage apartheid."

There is no defense for the Defense of Marriage Act

The 1996 law that unfairly singles out some American citizens based solely on sexual orientation is called The Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).  The law was inspired when several gay couples from Hawaii sued for the right to legally marry. (DOMA was signed into law by that hero of marital fidelity, Bill Clinton.)

DOMA doesn't prohibit individual states from allowing gay marriages, but it denies federal recognition of these marriages and grants each state the right to refuse recognition of same-sex marriages issued by other states.  Keeping gay families unequal and separate.  As legal scholar Andrew Koppelman observes in his book, The Gay Rights Question in Contemporary American Law, DOMA:

"Create(s) a set of second-class marriages, valid under state law but void for all federal purposes. The exclusion of a class of valid state marriages from all federal recognition is `unprecedented in our jurisprudence."

And the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment will forever seal this separate status by defining marriage to be between one man and one woman. We've been here before, although some refuse to see the parallels: it wasn't until 1967 that the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional every miscegenation law in the country.

There has been progress. In February, President Obama called the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional and directed the Justice Department to stop defending the law in court. But this is largely a symbolic act.

The question is not whether the New York State Senate will approve same-sex marriage in the Empire State, but rather if they, and their counterparts in Congress, will find the moral courage, and political will, to work toward abolishing the Defense of Marriage Act--and grant gay Americans more than a certificate for framing.
Every gay and lesbian person who has been lucky enough to survive the turmoil of growing up is a survivor. Survivors always have an obligation to those who will face the same challenges."

....Jake
 
Important Notice: Our ObamaBiden2008 Group works hand - in - hand with Peckers PICS (Both groups were co-created to work with each-other). To prevent duplication of articles and questions, all members of this group are expected to join ObamaBiden2008. It is unfair for members that belong to both groups to hear members of just Peckers PICS (only) to make statements when the ObamaBiden2008 has covered such topics in detail. Therefore, members need to join ObamaBiden2008 immediately. This shall clear up communications and confusion. The LGBT cause is too important and beyond 1 person's need to just look at pictures. Therefore, please join ObamaBiden2008 now. No you don't have to read every article! But, it covers the LGBT community and includes updates on Health insurance; LGBT boycott list; Westboro Church; and the end of DADT, etc...Also, updates with the multi - state gov't's war against unions and people with disabilities. The group is created for you! There are gay teen suicides going on. There are Hate crimes against gay people. There are gays who are fired over their sexual identity. There are gay people who died for our cause! You always reserve the right to remove yourself from all my groups if you do not appreciate this request. I have done everything I can and now it is time for you to step up! My Groups are for Yahoo members who sincerely care about LGBT rights and Gay Mens Health! Please Join Now!
 

 



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All members of "Peckers PICS" are requested to join our "Obama Biden 2008" group as it runs in conjunction to this group.  Both groups shall not repeat articles from one group to another.  However, to gain full knowledge of Gay rights, members must belong to the Obama group as well as this group.  Therefore, please accept your invitation to join. 

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Thank you!
 

"Every gay and lesbian person who has been lucky enough to survive the turmoil of growing up is a survivor. Survivors always have an obligation to those who will face the same challenges."

...Jake (Moderator)



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