Thursday, March 7, 2013

The U.S. State Department's LGBT Travel Guide

U.S. State Department LGBT Travel Information - "By fighting for the rights of so many others, we realize that "gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights." –Secretary Clinton, December 6, 2011. Attitudes and tolerance toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons vary from country to country, just as they vary among U.S. cities and states. Most LGBT travelers encounter no problems while overseas, but it helps to be prepared and research your destination before you go. There are a number of countries that provide legal protections to those who are LGBT. Unfortunately, there are others that do not, and a significant number that even criminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations.  Persons convicted in these countries could be sentenced to prison, and/or be punished by fines, deportation, flogging, or even sentenced to death. Before choosing one’s international destination, LGBT travelers should carefully consider the laws and biases of their international destination and decide how open one can be regarding one’s sexual orientation or gender identity.  Personal judgment and knowledge of local laws and customs before one goes will help ensure your safety." For more information on international GLBT rights see www.EktaTransglobal.org.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

World Awaits Impact of Baby Cured of HIV

Jay Ferchaud
March 6, 2013, United States―As the dust settles around the global news of an HIV cure that worked for a Mississippi infant, the effect of the announcement remains to be seen in a state with one of the nation's worst outcomes for people with the virus that causes AIDS. An HIV-positive mother from rural Mississippi gave birth to the girl who would go down in history as only the second person to have been cured of the virus. Konkle-Parker's colleague, UMC pediatric HIV specialist Dr. Hannah Gay, treated the child 30 hours after birth.

"It was a high-risk case," Gay said. "I suspected more strongly that this baby could be infected than I would if the mom had been treated during pregnancy." Gay said she began treatment with three drugs, a more intense measure than normal. HIV/AIDS awareness bracelets and buttons sit in a basket to be given away Feb. 7 on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. "We drew tests on the baby just as we were starting those medicines, and they showed us the baby already was infected," she said. "Infection probably occurred just before delivery. "When we consider starting any medicine in any patient, we always consider the risk-benefit ratio, and when the risk is something as serious as HIV disease, then it's worth the benefit you may get from preventing that disease," Gay had said during a news conference Monday night. "So even though you never want to start drugs that may cause toxicities, if the benefit outweighs the risk, you do it." The girl—whom Gay and her team lost touch with for about five months—responded better than expected. After her return to treatment, they discovered she didn't have the active virus in her system. "In the developing world, this is huge," said Konkle-Parker, who noted the instances of babies contracting HIV in the womb is a major problem. "In the United States, it's much more of an adult illness."

While Gay said the media attention has been overwhelming, she is glad this case continues to receive attention. "But I guess the message that I want to get across to the public very strongly is we don't know yet if we can create the same outcome in other babies." Konkle-Parker remained cautiously optimistic, saying the next step is to see the outcome replicated. "But what I hope will come of this, and it may take a long time, but I hope it will point us in the right direction to come up with a cure we can consistently apply to other babies worldwide."