An article recently published by Switzerland’s Federal Commission for HIV/AIDS states that HIV-positive individuals on effective antiretroviral therapy are not at risk for transmitting HIV to their sexual partners under certain circumstances. The Commission acknowledges that there are no scientific data that the risk of transmission in these circumstances is zero. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) underscores its recommendation that people living with HIV who are sexually active use condoms consistently and correctly with all sex partners. Read all about it!

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The New York Times reports that the seventh-longest-running Broadway show, Rent, is closing. This musical was a break-through show for people in the GLBT and AIDS communities.

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A concert by alt-folk singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco, scheduled for Saturday at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park, was postponed due to illness. More info.

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Introducing our new web site!

• Entirely new layout
• Read our posts in your favorite blog reader (RSS feeds)
• More features yet to come!

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Established in 1988 and first awarded in 1989, the Honor Award recognizes people who have worked for the betterment of the LGBTI community through a single significant effort or a sustained period of transforming work. The D. Bennett Mazur Award, established in 1992 and first awarded at Honor 1993, recognizes those individuals who, at extreme risk to themselves, have nevertheless made sustained and profound contributions to transforming our society. Since it began, with these awards, the Annual Achievement Awards Banquet has acknowledged the extraordinary volunteer work done by more than 125 local activists.

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Thanks to NJLGC/PLF Board Member Eric Schwarz, here are pictures from the 2007 Annual Achievement Awards Banquet. Thanks to all who attended or supported the event. See you next year!

The 2007 Awardees are:

Achievement Awards:

• Debbie Bazarsky, Lambertville. GLBTI activist and Director of Princeton University’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center. She has moved Princeton University to one of the top 20 university’s for LGBTI students, as well as initiated New Jersey’s Transgender Day of Remembrance.
• Miguel Cardenas, Jersey City. A co-founding member of Jersey City Lesbian and Gay Outreach (JCLGO). JCLGO produces Hudson County’s annual Pride Festival and has organized the GLBTI community politically and socially.
• Abbe Dolobowsky, Fair Lawn. A longtime GLBTI activist. She has consistently created networking opportunities for lesbians, beginning with Amazon Autumn conferences in the 70’s and 80’s and Out and About hikes in the 90’s and early 2000’s. While not currently affiliated with any organization, she continues to maintain the Out and About website so that she can refer women to other social networking opportunities.
• Toby Grace, Trenton. A former trustee of the Trenton Gay and Lesbian Civic Association and current Senior Editor of Out in Jersey Magazine, Toby has a long history of GLBTI and HIV/AIDS activism. He is currently a trustee of the Interfaith Task Force in New York City, providing emergency shelter to homeless youth.
• Napoleon Paul Mendoza, Jersey City. A co-founding member of Jersey City Lesbian and Gay Outreach (JCLGO). JCLGO produces Hudson County’s annual Pride Festival and has organized the GLBTI community politically and socially.

Rebecca Locketz Legal Pioneer Award:

• Neil Mullin, Montclair and Nancy Erika Smith, Montclair. Husband and wife attorneys in Montclair, Mullin and Smith have a long history of protecting the civil rights of all New Jerseyans, including the GLBTI community. Most recently they took on the case of the male couple harassed by the Secaucus volunteer fire department.

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URGE YOUR CONGRESS MEMBERS TO LISTEN TO THE LGBT COMMUNITY AND OUR ALLIES!
WE OPPOSE HR 3685, A NON-INCLUSIVE EMPLOYMENT BILL!

In an unprecedented act, Congressional leadership is moving forward to pass civil rights legislation that is not supported by a single organization within the lgbt community that the bill is intended to protect.

House leaders intend to schedule HR 3685 for mark-up in the House Education and Labor Committee on Thursday, October 18, with a floor vote as soon as October 23. HR 3685 is an employment non-discrimination bill that does NOT ban discrimination based on gender identity; it also includes a far more sweeping religious exemption than we have seen in any other civil rights legislation of this kind. This bill is opposed by over 300 lgbt organizations. Tens of thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and our allies have contacted our members of Congress to express our dismay and to urge Congress to only consider HR 2015, the inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act that will best protect ALL members of our community.

What will it take to get Congress to listen to the American people? Your voice is urgently needed! Please call, fax, and email your representative in the House TODAY — even if you have already done so. We must continue to stand together to make our voices heard.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION

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