by Kait Scalisi | Oct 25, 2013 | News
Sexual Health Rankings™ presents Sex Stories, a weekly roundup of sexual health news from around the country.
Teachers’ Unions Fight Bill That Would Bar Sex Offenders From Schools (Fox News)
Major teachers’ unions are attempting to block a bipartisan bill that would prevent sex offenders from working in schools. Supporters want a zero-tolerance policy while the unions are worried the measure will affect workers’ protections.
Stem Cell Transplants May Harm Recipient’s Sex Life (Health)
A new study shows that blood cancer treatments can impact the sex lives of patients even after recovery. Participants reported decreases in the frequency of sex as well as their sexual function, satisfaction, and drive. Overall, women reported significantly worse sexual effects than men.
Firm Loses Appeal in Contraception Provision Fight (The State)
An appeals court did not grant Eden Foods, a well known organic company, an exemption to the requirement that employers provide workers with free contraceptive coverage. Though Eden’s CEO claims such provision is against his beliefs, the court concluded that as a secular, for-profit company, Eden cannot exercise religious protection.
Public Costs from Unintended Pregnancies and the Role of Public Insurance Programs in Paying for Pregnancy and Infant Care: Estimates for 2008 (Guttmacher Institute)
A new study from the Guttmacher Institute argues that better family planning programs can not only help improve the health, social, and economic outcomes for women but also save the US $12.5 billion per year. This number equals the public costs for births resulting from unintended pregnancy and would be double if not for current prevention services.
Ingham County Couples Disappointed by Delay in Same-Sex Marriage Ruling (Lansing State Journal)
A federal jude in Detroit delayed the ruling for a pivotal lawsuit that challenges Michigan’s ban on same sex marriage and adopting a same-sex partner’s child. Rather then rule from the bench, the judge scheduled a trial for February 2014.
Gender-Neutral Housing Sparks Campus Debates (Rolling Stone)
The fight for gender-neutral housing, in which students can choose to live with someone of any gender, continues on at UNC-Chapel Hill since the Board of Governors’ vetoed the option for this year. The conversation about this issue which traditionally was part of the LGBTQ community has broadened to include most co-eds.
HIV Protective Drugs ‘Do Not Increase Sexual Risk-Taking’ (Medical News Today)
Using data from the Partners PrEP study, researchers found that rates of unprotected sex between heterosexual couples with different HIV statuses did not increase even when they knew about the effectiveness pre-exposure prophylaxis at preventing transmission.
Proposed Legislation Should Make Sex Trafficking an Expensive Crime (Macomb Daily)
A package of 19 bills seeks to deal with sex trafficking in Michigan from several fronts. These include but are not limited to: loss of parental rights for parents convicted of trafficking, eliminating the statue of limitations for such offenses, charging adult entertainment operators a fee per customer, and placing customers who purchase sex on the sex offender registry.
UO Designs Sex Ed App (The Register-Guard)
Over 100 people at the University of Oregon have created a smart phone app called SexPositive that teaches users about the risks of sexual activities, how to talk about them, and safer alternatives. The app uses two spinning wheels, one with body parts and the other with objects, to get the job done.
by Kait Scalisi | Oct 4, 2013 | News
Sexual Health Rankings™ presents Sex Stories, a weekly roundup of sexual health news from around the country.
Lesbian Florida Teen to Accept Plea in Underage Sex Case (Daily News)
Nineteen year old Kaitlyn Hunt accepted a plea deal that includes jail time and house arrests but does not require her to register as sex offender. Hunt is accused of having sex with an underage girlfriend.
Doctor Sues to Regain License after Sex Abuse Charges Dropped (Chicago Tribune)
A Chicago doctor accused of several sex crimes is suing the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to remove the suspension of his medical license. The suspension came after the doctor did not comply with a requirement to see patients only with a chaperone present. All charges were dismissed in August.
‘Porn and Pizza’: Gay Rights Club Hosts Event for Sexual Health (International Business Times)
University of South Carolina students recently used porn as a medium to discuss health sexual practices. The event, titled ‘Porn and Pizza,’ was hosted by the Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Straight Alliance and involved watching movie clips, interactive games, and a detailed discussion on the different views of sexual health.
Obamacare Cuts Costs of Sexual Healthcare with Co-pay Elimination (Healthcare Finance News)
This week’s opening of the Health Insurance Marketplace means millions more Americans have access to key sexual healthcare. Low-cost insurance plans and the removal of co-pays for services like HIV screening, birth control, and pregnancy care mean tens of millions of individuals can receive the guidance and care they need.
Cocaine May Make People More Susceptible to HIV (CBS News)
A new study shows that cocaine lowers the defenses of some immune system cells to HIV infection. Though other studies have linked cocaine use with a higher risk of contracting HIV, this one showed how a cell not normally infected by HIV can be weakened by the drug. Implications of the study include watching patients with histories of substance abuse more closely.
The Silent Infection (Missoula Independent)
Public health officials in Montana are warning residents about the states alarming increase in gonorrhea and chlamydia rates. Part of the rise is due to increased testing on American Indian reservations; however, this factor does not explain the entire increase implying that rates are still rising overall.
New Nebraska Family Alliance Attacks Transgender Student Athletes (Think Progress)
Two prominent Nebraska social conservative groups have come together to form the Nebraska Family Alliance. First on their agenda is to block a policy that would allow transgender students to participate equally in school athletics. The Alliance bases its argument on safety and financial concerns.
Azusa Pacific University Students Rally Behind Embattled Transgender Professor (NBC Southern California)
Students at a Christian university are supporting a theology professor who was asked to step down after coming out as transgender. While the professor’s lawyer argues that he did not violate any policies, students are focusing on his merits as a teacher.
by Kait Scalisi | Sep 27, 2013 | News
Sexual Health Rankings™ presents Sex Stories, a weekly roundup of sexual health news from around the country.
George H. W. Bush Witness at Maine Same-Sex Wedding (ABC News)
Former President George H. W. Bush acted as official witness at the same sex wedding of two longtime friends. The ceremony took place in Maine which began allowing such marriages in December 2012.
UNL Students for Sexual Health Hope to Promote Dialogue with ‘Virginity’ Documentary (THe Daily Nebraskan)
A student group at the University of Nebraska hope to get their peers talking about the definition of virginity. By showing How to Lose Your Virginity, they hope students will relax about the topics and begin working towards breaking the double standard.
Teens Can Text Sex Questions to Hotline in New Mexico (My Fox 8)
Teens in New Mexico can now text their sexual health questions to BrdsNBz, a new hotline that provides answers within 24 hours. The nonjudgmental responses are provided by health experts and available in both English and Spanish. BrdsNBz targets teens aged 13-19.
Judge’s Decision to Allow Lisa Mehos’ Abortion to be Used as Evidence in New York Custody Case Causes Stir (NY Daily News)
As part of her custody battle, Lisa Mehos is being required to testify about an abortion she received after becoming pregnancy unexpectedly from a one-night stand.. The decision came down from a New York Supreme Court Justice who felt discussing the procedure was important because Mehos had the children in her care during the time of the affair.
House Republicans Argued to Include Abortion Provision in Debt Ceiling Bill (Huffington Post)
As a government shutdown looms, House Republicans attempted to include a ban on late-term abortions in exchange for agreeing to an increase in the debt ceiling. The ban already passed the House but has no support from the White House.
Shaken by School HIV Lesson, A Mom Shakes Up What’s Taught (Seattle Times)
A Washington state mom is working to ensure middle schoolers receive updated information about HIV/AIDS. After reviewing the materials shown in schools, Jodie Howerton was appalled to discover that the curricula was inaccurate, outdated, and fear-mongering. Washington is one of 33states to mandate education about HIV/AIDS.
Ruling Expected Monday on Fairness of Agreement to Integrate HIV-positive Inmates in Alabama Prisons (AL.com)
A federal ruling about the fairness of the plan to integrate HIV-positive inmates in Alabama is expected by Monday. Attorney Margaret Winter said current HIV-positive inmates are worried about the length of the integration, being targets of abuse and not having access to their medicine. As part of the transition, all DOC staff and inmates will receive education about the disease. Alabama is one of the last states to segregate HIV-positive inmates
With Special Courts, State Aims to Steer Women Away from Sex Trade (New York Times)
New York is creating a statewide system of specialized courts to handle prostitution cases and provide services to sex trafficking victims. The Human Trafficking Intervention Courts will incorporate specially trained individuals at all levels as well as social workers. The model is based on similar systems in cities like Baltimore but is the largest initiative of its kind.
Sex-trafficking Task Force Wants Tougher Laws Against Johns (AZ Central)
The Arizona Task Force on Human Trafficking is calling for harsher penalties for johns and raising public awareness about the problem of sex trafficking. The latter proposal includes a campaign encouraging zero tolerance for human trafficking and hopes to change societal views on paying for sex. Other recommendations include changes to state policies to give victims easier access to services.
by Kait Scalisi | Sep 20, 2013 | News
Sexual Health Rankings™ presents Sex Stories, a weekly roundup of sexual health news from around the country.
HIV-Positive Porn Actors Call for Condoms (ABC News)
Cameron Bay and Rod Daily, two of the porn actors recently diagnosed with HIV are calling for safe industry practices. In response to the recent diagnoses, the industry has shortened the time between HIV tests. Actors are still responsible for covering the costs of tests.
New York HIV Activists Campaign for Increased Access to ‘HIV Morning-After Pill’ (The Guardian)
Act Up, a New York-based HIV awareness and activism group, are working to convince state health officials to start a comprehensive PEP awarness campaign and provide funding for programs to reach at-risk groups. PEP, a standard HIV treatment, may reduce transmission by about 70% if its started within 72 hours after unprotected sex.
Lawmaker’s resignation doesn’t end sexual harassment investigation (Kentucky.com)
The Kentucky Legislature continues to investigate allegations that a former State Representative sexually harassed staffers. The House insists an investigation is needed to ‘protect the integrity of the Legislature’. Rep. John Arnold, accused of both inappropriate touching and speech, wrote that he does not believe he is guilty of harassment.
SCSU Students Demand Professor Accused of Sexual Harassment be Removed from Campus (Huffington Post)
Southern Connecticut State University students held rally last week to demand the removal of a music professor who made harassing comments and tried to have sex with a recent graduate. The student says she felt dismissed when she raised the issue to campus administrators. The professor was suspended for just a week.
Occidental College Settles in Sexual Assault Cases (LA Times)
Occidental College has reached a quiet and undisclosed monetary settlement with at least 10 of the 37 students and alumni who filed a federal civil rights complaint in April. The individuals are not allowed to publicly discuss the college’s handling of their cases or participate in the college’s Sexual Assault Coalition.
Pope Francis Takes Issue with Church Focus on Gays, Abortion (LA Times)
In a candid interview, Pope Francis confirmed his earlier comments about not judging LGBQT individuals and called for the Church to ‘[throw] open its doors’ and be more merciful. Unlike his predecessor, the Pope feels that Church will lose its way if it continues to obsess over key issues like homosexuality, abortion, and contraception.
Anti-Abortion Measure cold be on 2014 Oregon Ballot” (The Oregonian)
Initiative Petition 6, which would prohibit using state taxpayer money to pay for abortions, is makings its rounds in Oregon. The issue, which needs 116,284 signatures to qualify for the ballot, failed to get the required number of signatures in 2012.
by Kait Scalisi | Sep 13, 2013 | News
Sexual Health Rankings™ presents Sex Stories, a weekly roundup of sexual health news from around the country.
The Geography of Unintended Pregnancy (Huffington Post)
The latest report from the Guttmacher Institute shows that the number of unintended pregnancies in the US is still at about 50%. This number has remained the same since the 1980s. The issue mostly affects women with incomes at or below the federal poverty level.
New York Voters Soundly Reject Sex Scandal-Ridden Pols (NY Daily News)
New York voters ensured that four politicians involved in sex scandals were not reelected Tuesday night. The scandals, ranging from sexual harassment to prostitution, ensured that Anthony Weiner, Eliot Spitzer, Vito Lopez, and Micah Kellner lost their shot at posiions ranging from mayor to assemblyman.
Cruise to Feature Mass Ceremony for Same Sex Couples (USA Today)
Next October, a Florida-based cruise seller is hosting a mass commitment ceremony and reception on the beach of St. Thomas. The company created the trip because of an increase in the number of same sex ceremony requests it has received recently.
Male Menopause? Estrogen, not Testosterone Affects Body Fat, Sex Drive, Study Finds (Washington Post)
A preliminry study on the effects of sex hormones reveals that both testosterone and estrogen are needed for normal sex drive and performance. Implications for treatment include trying different levels of the hormones to see desired results. A larger study focusing on testosterone replacement should provide results by the end of this year.
Fourth Porn Star Reportedly Latest to Contract HIV (CBS News)
A fourth porn star came forward this week after supposedly testing positive for HIV. The Free Speech Coalition, a group representing adult films, denies these claims on the basis that none of the official testing centers or doctors confirmed the diagnosis.
