by Kait Scalisi | Aug 23, 2013 | News
Sexual Health Rankings™ presents Sex Stories, a weekly roundup of sexual health news from around the country.
From Failed to Approved, Assembly Revives Sex Abuse Bill (The Sacramento Bee)
A California bill that would remove the statue of limitations for sex abuse cases for one year has been revived. Though SB 131 was struck down last week in the Appropriations Committee, the vote for its reconsideration was passed. It will now head to the full Assembly for a floor vote.
County Clerk in New Mexico Issues Marriage Licenses to Same Sex Couples (New York Times)
A New Mexico county clerk began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples even as the courts continue to debate the legality of doing so. Currently, the state’s definition of marriage includes no mention of gender though the marriage applications require couples to list a bride and a groom. Though the Attorney General will not stop any clerk from issuing such licenses, they could be invalidated if the New Mexico Supreme Court eventually rules that same sex marriage is not allowed.
Porn Industry Sets Moratorium after Positive HIV Test (USA Today)
The adult film industry is on hold after an actor tested positive for HIV on Wednesday. The performer is not thought to have received the infection on a film set and the actor’s partners are being tested. Filming will being again when the risk of disease transmission has been eliminated. Criticism came quickly from industry opponents, especially those who have lobbied for the enforced use of condoms on set.
Minnesota Supreme Court Sides with HIV-Positive Man (ABC News)
An HIV-positive man accused of passing the virus to another man was acquitted on Wednesday based on the argument that the statue under which he was convicted did not apply to sexual acts. Gay rights supporters cheered the outcome saying it represents the need for government to respect the decisions of consenting adults. Prosecutors, on the other hand, argue that the defendant is a sexual predator. He has four additional cases pending against him.
Pinellas Commission Passes Protections for Transgender People (Tampa Bay Times)
On Tuesday, the Pinellas County Commissioners voted almost unanimously to replace ‘sex’ with ‘gender’ in the county’s human rights laws. This change will provide transgendered individuals the same protections as those based on race, for example. Religious institutions, public schools, and businesses with less than five employees are exempt from the law. Neither the country nor businesses are required to build extra unisex bathrooms. Similar protections are being pursued in Miami-Dade County.
Orange County Targets Customers in Fight Against Human Trafficking (LA Times)
Since stricter human trafficking laws went into effect in CA this January, Orange County officials are not only going after pimps but also their customers. The district attorney’s website features names of men suspected of soliciting sex, descriptions of alleged pimps’ arrest, and stories of trafficking survivors. Advocates for survivors are not completely on board with this approach, feeling that it may push soliciters further underground. Other changes, such as fining offenders to fund social services for survivors, are also being put into effect.
Petition Calls for Change to Domestic Violence Law after Martel Murder (Boston Magazine)
Bostonions are calling for changes in state law regarding when offenders are released after committing certain crimes. The petition results from the murder of a Waltham woman the day after her partner was arrested for assaulting her. The author of the petition hopes that abusers will no longer be freed without bail within 24 hours of a repeat offense. The petition, which has over 500 signatures, is being sent to state officials.
by Kait Scalisi | Aug 16, 2013 | News
Sexual Health Rankings™ presents Sex Stories, a weekly roundup of sexual health news from around the country.
More Sex on Campus Today? Not Really, a New Study Shows (USA Tody)
A study of nearly 2,000 high school graduates who completed at least one year of college concludes that today’s young adults do not report having more partners, either overall or during the past year, than young people in the late 1980s and early ’90s. Even though the raw numbers have not changed, more respondents report having had sex with a casual date or friend-with-benefits than with a spouse or partner. The study compared responses on the General Social Survey from both 1988-1996 and 2002-2010.
Pentagon Extends Benefits to Same-Sex Military Spouses (Washington Post)
As a result of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn DOMA, the Pentagon announced this week that it will extend all benefits, including health insurance, housing, and the option to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, to same-sex spouses of U.S. troops.
Hagel Tries To Blunt Effect of Obama Words on Sexual Assault Cases (New York Times)
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered the military to exercise independent judgment in sexual assault cases. His directive was in response to President Obama’s previous remarks regarding precisely how sexual offenders should be sentenced (e.g. dishonorably discharged). Many felt this was an attempt to influence court outcomes and that it could taint trials. Obama’s legal team is working to undo the potential damage to future cases.
Illinois Sex Ed Will Teach Birth Control, STI Prevention (Rockford Register Star)
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn is set to sign a law requiring Illinois schools that teach sex education provide a comprehensive curriculum. The goal of the legislation is to help prevent unwanted pregnancy and disease by providing information on birth control and STIs. The bill does not apply to schools that do not teach sex education, and parents can pull their children out of classes in those districts that do include it.
by Kait Scalisi | Aug 9, 2013 | News
Sexual Health Rankings™ presents Sex Stories, a weekly roundup of sexual health news from around the country.
Advocacy Groups Blast Classifieds Site Backpage.com for Promoting Underage Sex and Prostitution (The Star Ledger)
A coalition of 50 New Jersey advocacy groups is fighting against Web sites they say promote child sex trafficking. Backpage.com, which fought a NJ law that would make it a first-degree crime to advertise sex with a minor, argues that the law violates a federal one protecting websites from the material people post. The advocacy groups say Backpage should better police its ads but the Web site feels that taking down the ads will not stop trafficking and allows them to work with law enforcement.
Horace Mann Pays Out $1M in Hush Money to Two Sex Abuse Victims (New York Post)
Recent court filings reveal that the elite Horace Mann prep school paid over $1 million to two of over 30 individuals who claim they were sexually abused there between the 1970s and 1990s. The number was reveled during new court proceedings in which the school sued their insurers for not reimbursing the payout. In addition to the payout, the school claims it is owed defense costs and other expenses.
Fight AIDS With Your Smartphone (CNN Money)
A new Android app lets you donate unused computing power to scientists looking for new drugs to treat HIV. FightAIDS@Home is using IBM’s World Community Grid, which harnesses the energy from idling electronics and has sponsored dozens of research projects, to create a quasi-supercomputer that cuts down on research costs and time. Devices must be both plugged in and connected to WiFi to avoid draining the battery and using data.
Fla. County Sets Public Hearing on Gender Identity Protections (Tampa Bay Newspapers)
Florida’s Pinellas County is considering amending is human rights ordanice to prohibit gender identify discrimination in employment, housing, and public places. The change would strike “sex” from the ordinance and replace it with “gender.” If passed, it will join several jurisdictions in FLorida and 17 states. The code would exempt religious-affiliated institutions and the school district as an employer. A public hearing is being held on August 20. A similar bill is being considered in California.
One Week Later, Women Denied Abortion Feel More Regret, Less Relief Than Those Who Have One (Guttmacher Institute)
A new study of over 800 women who visited 30 U.S. facilities were asked about six emotions (relief, happiness, regret, guilt, sadness and anger) related to their experiences seeking an abortion. Both women who had an abortion and those who were denied one expressed mixed feelings. However, in the former group, even negative emotions such as regret did not change the fact that most of these women also reported feeling relief and that they made the right decision.
by Kait Scalisi | Aug 2, 2013 | News
Sexual Health Rankings™ presents Sex Stories, a weekly roundup of sexual health news from the around the country.
Sex and the Cardiac Patient Should Not Be a Taboo Subject (Forbes)
Consensus statements from both the American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology are encouraging physicians to “get over” their embarrassment and counsel patients about sex, specifically when to resume having it, recommended positions and methods, and alternatives to intercourse. The statement acknowledges the concerns expressed by cardiac patients of all genders as well as the barriers physicians face to initiating such a discussion.
FBI Crackdown Nabs Pimps, Rescues Children (CNN)
On Monday, the FBI announced its latest efforts to end child prostitution. The nationwide operation boasts impressive numbers: 150 pimps arrested, 105 teenagers rescued, and 129 seizures of cash, rugs, vehicles, and firearms in 76 cities by 230 law enforcement units.
Louisiana Sodomy Sting: How Invalidated Sex Laws Still Lead To Arrests (Time)
Despite the fact that the U.S. Supreme Court deemed sodomy laws unconstitutional in 2003, male undercover cops in East Baton Rouge, La., have arrested at least 12 men since 2011 for agreeing to have sex with them. While the Sheriff’s office originally claimed ignorance of the Supreme Court ruling, a newer official statement is apologetic and indicates the state’s sodomy laws have been “deemed unenforceable.” Several other states have kept such laws on the books, and this case shows how they can continue to be dangerous — a fact gay rights activists feel should be discussed.
Nurses Claim Wilmington, Del., Planned Parenthood Never Notified Women of STDs (NBC Philadelphia)
Three former employees of a Delaware Planned Parenthood clinic are arguing that the facility is unsafe, and its staff under-trained and unprofessional. The women claim that patient privacy is jeopardized; women did not receive medicines they needed; and up to 200 people were never informed of positive test results for sexually transmitted infections. This is not the first time the clinic has come under fire, having received past citations from both the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the state health department.
