Author: Randy Slovacek

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FDA approves pre-exposure medication for HIV

The FDA has just given the green light to Truvada, the first drug approved to reduce the risk of HIV infection in uninfected individuals.

Taken daily, the drug is being touted as part of a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) strategy, in combination with safer sex practices, to reduce the risk of HIV infection in high-risk adults, including those with HIV-infected partners. The FDA previously allowed Gilead Sciences to manufacture Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) for use in conjunction with other antiretroviral agents for HIV-positive people.

“Today’s approval marks an important milestone in our fight against HIV,” said FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg. “Every year, about 50,000 U.S. adults and adolescents are diagnosed with HIV infection, despite the availability of prevention methods and strategies to educate, test, and care for people living with the disease. New treatments as well as prevention methods are needed to fight the HIV epidemic in this country.”

The medication shouldn’t be perceived as a cure or vaccine: Truvada for PrEP is only prescribed fpr individuals who are confirmed to be HIV-negative prior to using the drug. In double-blind studies of 2,499 HIV-negative men and women in high-risk categories, Truveda was effective in reducing the risk of HIV infection by 42% compared with the placebo. There are also potential side-effects including changes in fat distribution in the body and blood, kidney and liver dysfunction and weakening of the bones.

Via Queerty

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Aretha Franklin looking to become “queen” of American Idol

Aretha Franklin is the latest big name rumored to replace Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler as a judge on American Idol.

According to the NY Daily News:

ARETHA FRANKLIN might not rock the same mini-skirts as Jennifer Lopez if she took over the sultry singer’s judging chair on “American Idol,” but she could certainly bring more R-E-S-P-E-C-T to the show, which has seen its ratings decline. Franklin expressed her interest in the role as one of the reality show’s judges, reportedly in response to an email query, and a source close to the 70-year-old said she’s “seriously gunning for it now that it’s crossed her mind.”

The rumor mill continues to churn on overload with daily celebrity names being tossed in the hat for the judging positions.

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Romney campaign mad new ad points out Mitt’s hypocrisy

The Romney campaign has an unusual spin on this ad: they say President Obama is mocking “America the Beautiful.”

Every day, President Obama hits a new low. It is sad and shameful that President Obama would mock America The Beautiful. But sadly it’s not surprising for the man who launched his presidency with an apology tour. The ‘Uncle Jims’ of our country – as he condescendingly calls middle-class Americans – don’t believe in mocking America The Beautiful and don’t believe in apologizing for America. – Romney for President.

Watch the ad and share how you feel. I see the Obama campaign pointing out the irony of Mitt Romney singing about his love for a country as his Bain Capital “outsourcing” statistics scroll on the screen. Clearly an effective ad.

And clearly the President is not mocking “America the Beautiful.”

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CDC launches campaign to lessen stigma of living with HIV

To combat two major obstacles to HIV prevention — stigma associated with the infection and complacency about the epidemic — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today launched Let’s Stop HIV Together, a national communication campaign that gives voice to Americans living with HIV, and to their loved ones.

“In the fight against HIV, stigma and complacency are among our most insidious opponents,” said Kevin Fenton, M.D., director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention. “This campaign reminds us that HIV affects every corner of society, and that it will take every one of us—regardless of HIV status, gender, race or sexual orientation—working together to stop this epidemic.”

The campaign features people living with HIV standing with their friends and family, and calling on all Americans to join the fight against the disease. The campaign will reach millions of Americans through print, online and outdoor advertisements and through social media, including Facebook and Twitter. Outdoor and transit ads began running this week in six cities heavily affected by HIV—Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York City and Washington, D.C., —with 21 other cities to be added later in 2012.

Read the press release here.
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Cyndi Lauper rallies celebs to donate fan experiences for True Colors Fund

Via press release:

Long-time civil rights advocate and artist Cyndi Lauper has rallied an impressive list of stars from music and entertainment to help kick off the 2012 True Colors Summer Charity Auction to benefit the True Colors Fund’s work in support of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.

Elton John, Liza Minnelli, Lady Gaga, Anderson Cooper, Jason Mraz, Ricky Martin and many more celebrities have donated incredible experiences for the auction, open now through July 31st at leading online charity auction house Charitybuzz.

Lauper founded the True Colors Fund to inspire and engage everyone, especially straight people, to become active participants in the advancement of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. The organization also works to raise awareness about and bring an end to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth homelessness.

Check it out on Charitybuzz.

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Mitt Romney “retired retroactively” from Bain Capital

Mitt Romney adviser Ed Gillespie said Sunday that the candidate “retired retroactively” from his job at Bain Capital, which Romney maintains that he left in 1999 despite evidence suggesting he remained involved with the company until 2002.

Gillespie said Romney may have been listed as “part-time” after 1999, but that he had no role in the firm’s day-to-day affairs, a point the campaign has attempted to make repeatedly in order to separate him from Bain’s activity related to outsourcing during that period. Romney has said he left the company completely in 1999 when he started working to plan the 2002 Winter Olympics.

“There may have been a thought at the time that [Romney’s Bain work] could be part-time. It was not part-time. The Olympics was in a shambles,” Gillespie told Candy Crowley on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“He took a leave of absence and in fact, Candy, ended up not going back at all and retired retroactively to February 1999 as a result,” Gillespie said.

Romney’s involvement at Bain came under renewed scrutiny last week after additional reports surfaced revealing that he was listed as the CEO, president and chairman of the firm long after he had previously stated. He has insisted that he had nothing to do with Bain after 1999 in response to questions about its activities at the time, including investing in companies that sent jobs overseas.

Via Huffington Post

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Romney urged by Republicans to release tax returns

Mitt Romney appeared on Fox & Friends Monday morning to respond to the growing number of conservatives who are calling on the former Massachusetts governor to release more of his tax returns.

At least eight Republicans have urged Romney to publicize the records and put the issue behind him, but the candidate is sticking to his guns. The public will see just two years of returns and no more, Romney said, before appearing to admit that the records may contain something politically damaging:

ROMNEY: The Obama people keep on wanting more and more and more. More things to pick through, more things for their opposition research to try make a mountain out of and to distort and to be dishonest about. We’re going to put out two years of tax returns.

Republicans are also raising alarms about Romney’s returns. “The fact is, there are a couple of years he may not have paid any taxes,” MSNBC host and former Republican Congressman Joe Scarborough predicted during Monday’s Morning Joe. “Maybe he’s concerned about that. But if it’s going to come out, he needs to get it out now so he has a couple of months to explain it.”

Via ThinkProgress

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Target carrying greeting cards for same-sex couples

Target stores nationwide are now selling greeting cards to celebrate same-sex marriages.

Placed on card racks under the headings of “For two special men” and “For two special women,” the cards are adorned with phrases such as “Mr. & Mr.” and “Two very special women, one very special love.”

The cards hit shelves in mid-June, a month after the retailer began selling T-shirts with gay pride themes, and two years after Target drew a backlash for a $150,000 donation it made to a group backing Tom Emmer, the Republican gubernatorial candidate who opposed gay marriage.