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AIDS 2012: Pre-Conference Addresses Stigma and Rising HIV Rates Among Gay/Bi Men

I'll be filing reports from the 19th International AIDS Conference for EBONY, the Black AIDS Institute and Germany's Deutsche Welle.

My first report for the BAI: "Rising Infection Rates, Stigma and Discrimination Addressed at AIDS 2012 Pre-Conference on Men Having Sex with Men and Transgender People."

Men who have sex with men(MSM) remain at substantial risk for HIV infection in almost every nation across the globe. The situation is even more glaring in high–income nations such as the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Canada—where overall HIV trends are declining except among Black MSM. And in many nations, discrimination, stigma, and criminalization laws present significant barriers to creating an AIDS-free generation.

These were just a few of the themes at Stigma to Strength: Strategies for MSM, Transgender People and Allies in a Shifting AIDS Landscape, the day-long pre-conference to the 19^th International AIDS Conference sponsored by the The Global Forum on MSM & HIV. More than 800 delegates from 100-plus countries attended to discuss the health and human rights of MSM and transgender people, according to conference organizers. This was the International AIDS Conference’s fifth biennial pre-conference and the largest so far.

Perhaps the most compelling research was announced by Kevin Fenton, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. Dr. Fenton reminded the audience that there has been a soaring number of seroconversions among Black American men who have sex with men—and new data show that “globally Black men who have sex with men are 15 times more likely to be HIV-positive.”

Read the full report HERE.

Lenk Confirmed as First Openly Gay Justice on Mass. Sup Judicial Court

After a relatively brief confirmation process that featured several ugly attacks from anti-gay politicians, Barbara Lenk has been confirmed to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Lenk becomes the "first openly gay judge to serve on the state’s highest judicial body," reports the Boston Globe.

The Governor’s Council confirmed Lenk on a 5-3 vote. She is Governor Deval Patrick’s fourth appointment to the seven-member SJC, which issued the landmark 2003 ruling that made Massachusetts the first state to legalize same-sex marriage. Lenk, who married her partner, Debra Krupp, after the ruling, has 18 years’ experience on the bench, a degree from Harvard Law School, and a doctorate in political philosophy from Yale. Patrick nominated her to replace Justice Judith A. Cowin, who is retiring.

Gov. Patrick also elevated pro-equality Roderick Ireland to become the state's first Black chief justice.

Lenk becomes the third openly lesbian state supreme court justice confirmed in recent months. Colorado Deputy Attorney General Monica Marquez became the first Latino and the first openly gay jurist on that state's high court in December 2010. Judge Sabrina McKenna was confirmed to the Hawaii Supreme Court in February.

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Mass. Gov. Deval Patrick Nominates Lesbian to Supreme Judicial Court

Massachusetts Democratic Governor Deval Patrick has nominated Barbara Lenk, an openly lesbian associate justice of the state Appeals Court, to the Supreme Judicial Court, reports the Boston Globe.

If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, Lenk would be the first openly gay judge on the state’s highest court. She would also be the only justice who was married as a result of the court’s landmark 2003 ruling that made Massachusetts the first state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage in 2004.

The nomination of Lenk comes after the governor named Roderick Ireland to be the first African-American chief justice of the SJC, and Fernande R.V. Duffly to be the first Asian-American judge on the state’s high court. Patrick has spoken of his desire to make the judiciary and other branches of government more reflective of the state's diversity. ...

A specialist in civil litigation and First Amendment issues, Lenk holds a doctorate in political philosophy from Yale University and a law degree from Harvard Law School. In 1993, Governor William F. Weld, a Republican, appointed her to the Superior Court, where she served until 1995, when Weld appointed her to the Appeals Court. She was considered a top choice under Weld, but was never selected by him.

Lenk would fill the seat vacated by Justice Judith A. Cowin, who will retire in April.

Lenk would become the third openly lesbian state supreme court justice nominated in recent months. Colorado Deputy Attorney General Monica Marquez became the first Latino and the first openly gay jurist on that state's high court in December 2010. Judge Sabrina McKenna was confirmed to the Hawaii Supreme Court in February.

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