NEWS BRIEFS
Posted on | October 1, 2011
APRI Seeks Referrals for Gay-Friendly Doctors
AIDS Project Rhode Island is collecting contact information for “gay-friendly” doctors in Rhode Island. This effort was launched in response to inquiries from APRI clients, and will include primary care practices and physicians who “provide a welcoming and non-judgmental environment,” and “protect the privacy/confidentiality of gay/bisexual clients.” In meeting “gay-friendly” criteria, these doctors will also be aware of the specific health needs and issues of gay/bi-sexual men. To suggest a doctor, contact bertrandth@familyserviceri.org with their name, contact information for the practice, and any comments about your experience with the doctor.
Rhode Island Gets Gay
The Williams Institute has released a report based on the 2010 US Census that ranks Rhode Island number 14 in population of same-sex couples, and ranks Providence as 11th in similarly sized cities. In Rhode Island, LGBTQ couples number 8.9 of every 1,000 households. Rhode Island lesbians are in the lead, representing 62% of same-sex households, while an overall 19% of couples are raising children. Nationally, census numbers show 22% of more than 900,000 same-sex couples are raising children. Not surprisingly, Provincetown’s gay and lesbian households make it number one in cities with a population under 100,000.
Marriage Equality on the Ballot in NC
On September 13th, the North Carolina State Senate voted to allow a referendum on marriage equality that will be put on the ballot in May 2012. The Senate passed the measure by a 30-16 vote, just one day after it was passed by the House of Representatives by a margin of 75-42. This means that North Carolina voters will have the opportunity to amend the state constitution to define marriage as one man and one woman. NC law already limits marriage to one man and one woman, but putting the issue to a ballot question ensures no possibility of gubernatorial veto. The original bill text stipulated a November 2012 referendum which would provide the high voter turnout of a presidential election, while the May 2012 referendum will be held on the same date as the Republican primary. Local and national marriage equality and LGBTQ-advocacy groups are already organizing in North Carolina to ensure that this discriminatory measure does not pass.
Millennials Rock
In August, the Public Religion Research Institute released the findings of a survey of millennials concerning the rights of LGBTQ individuals and families. The results showed an unmistakable generation gap in terms of feelings about LGBTQ equality. The poll compared millennials (aged 18-29), the general public, and seniors aged 65+, and showed a 20-point gap between millennials and seniors on every LGBTQ-related public policy issue. 49% of Republican millennials support marriage equality, as do 44% of Evangelical millennials. Overall, 62% of this demographic favor marriage equality, 69% support adoption by same-sex couples, and 79% support legislation preventing employment discrimination against LGBTQ individuals. This is a striking comparison to the 31% of seniors who support marriage equality, and 36% who support same-sex couples adopting children. It should be noted that the Public Religion Research Institute’s poll is in line with other recent polls showing a significant five-year increase in public support for marriage equality.
Run Tammy Run!
Wisconsin Representative Tammy Baldwin will run for the US Senate in the 2012 elections. Baldwin, a seven-term Congresswoman, will run for the seat being vacated by retiring Senator Herb Kohl. If elected, Baldwin would become the first openly gay U.S. Senator in the nation’s history. Baldwin is no stranger to blazing trails – she is the only openly gay female in the House of Representatives. She was also co-founder of the House’s LGBT Equality Caucus, which focuses on addressing issues of LGBT equality and discriminatory laws.
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Rhode Island’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Newsmagazine Since 1982
PO Box 6406
Providence, RI
02940-6406
(401) 724-LGBT
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