Category: Uncategorized

Posted on

Denmark: Possible breakthrough for curing HIV “within months”

Researchers in Denmark believe they are on track to finding a possible cure to HIV:

Danish scientists are expecting results that will show that “finding a mass-distributable and affordable cure to HIV is possible.”

They are conducting clinical trials to test a “novel strategy” in which the HIV virus is stripped from human DNA and destroyed permanently by the immune system.

The scientists are currently conducting human trials using their treatment, in the hope of proving that it is effective. It has already been found to work in laboratory tests.

The technique involves releasing the HIV virus from “reservoirs” it forms in DNA cells, and bringing it to the surface of the cells. Once it comes to the surface, the body’s natural immune system can kill the virus through being boosted by a “vaccine.”

Read more at Business Insider
Posted on

Proposal of the day: Shaun’s surprise proposal to Michael

From Shaun Aukland: “On April 22 2013, I invited Michael to lunch at the Google office. He had no idea I would be asking him to marry me. Or that hundreds of people were in on it.

“We are a binational couple, separated for the last two years, on and off, without the ability to sponsor Michael for citizenship in the United States because of the Defense of Marriage Act. I flew to London for one of our regular trips and secretly to propose to Michael, in hopes that he’ll be able to finally join me permanently in the US after the Supreme Court decision.

“Five minutes before the proposal, all of the TV screens in the cafe showed a timer countdown. At about 10 seconds, Michael remarked “its really busy in here. also, what is that timer”. Then the video starts.”

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Posted on

Openly gay Kicker Alan Gendreau waits for the NFL to call

Alan Gendreau, the placekicker who is hoping to become the first openly gay player in the NFL, was the first out player to enter the draft this week. Unfortunately, he’s still waiting to be picked.

Check out his interview with ABC News while we wait. Fingers crossed Gendreau at least gets a shot at making it in the NFL.

(via the Advocate)

Posted on

Angus T. Jones reduced to part-time work on TWO AND A HALF MEN next season

Entertainment Weekly says that CBS has officially renewed Two and a Half Men but the “half” part will only be part-time as  Angus T. Jones won’t be a regular, but he will do a few episodes here and there throughout the season.

You’ll recall Jones released a video statement last year imploring people to not watch the show that’s put millions of dollars in his pocket because he felt it was filled with “filth.”

“Jake from Two and a Half Men means nothing. He is a non-existent character. If you watch Two and a Half Men, please stop watching Two and a Half Men. I’m on Two and a Half Men and I don’t want to be on it. Please stop watching it and filling your head with filth. Please. People say it’s just entertainment. The fact that it’s entertainment, it’s… Do some research on the effects of television and your brain, and I promise you you’ll have a decision to make when it comes to television, especially with what you watch. It’s bad news. I don’t know if it means anymore coming from me, but you might not have heard it otherwise. Just watch it. A lot of people don’t want to think about how deceptive the enemy is.”

I’m guessing he’ll be a bit less “filth” filled next season.

Posted on

President Obama jokes at the 2013 White House Correspondents Dinner

Some of President Obama’s one liners at the White House Correspondent’s dinner:

• I’m not the strapping young muslim socialist like I used to be.
• I admire the DC press corps covering all sides of an issue, just in case one of them happens to be accurate
• I’m taking my charm offensive on the road… a book burning with Michele Bachmann
• Some have suggested we put my library in my birthplace, but I’d rather keep it in the US.

I love this tradition, and I like that he can make fun of himself.

Posted on

Next US states in play for marriage equality

(image via USAToday)

The Associated Press gives us a run down on what appear to be the next states in play for marriage equality:

Delaware: The state’s House approved a bill Tuesday legalizing same-sex marriage on a 23-18 vote. The bill now moves to the Senate. It has the support of Democratic Gov. Jack Markell. Delaware approved same-sex civil unions last year.

New Jersey: The Democratic-led legislature is expected to attempt to override Republican Gov. Chris Christie’s veto of gay marriage legislation a year ago. But there aren’t enough Democrats to guarantee an override, and Christie has suggested putting the question before voters.

Oregon: Gay marriage advocates hope to place a proposed constitutional amendment on the 2014 ballot that would reverse a ban on gay marriage passed by voters in 2004. The effort has the support of Gov. John Kitzhaber.

Minnesota: Hundreds of gay marriage supporters gathered at the state Capitol this month to urge lawmakers to vote for gay marriage. Legislation has cleared committees in both the House and Senate.

Illinois: The state’s Senate approved gay marriage legislation on Valentine’s Day. Supporters in the House say they’re still a few votes short but hope a vote is held before the General Assembly adjourns this spring. Gov. Pat Quinn supports the bill.

(h/t JMG)

Posted on

Jeremy Jordan & Jonathan Groff – “Let Me Be Your Star”

A bit of Saturday silly fun from hunky Jeremy Jordan (SMASH) and Jonathan Groff (GLEE). I’ve liked the song “Let Me Be Your Star” since I first heard it in the pilot of SMASH.

In related news, Glee‘s Jonathan Groff has been cast in The Normal Heart, HBO‘s original movie adaptation of the Tony-winning Larry Kramer play, which is being written by Kramer and directed by Ryan Murphy.

He joins Julia Roberts, Mark Ruffalo, Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons and Taylor Kitsch in the pic, which tells the story of the onset of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City in the early 1980s. Production is slated to begin later this year in New York for a 2014 debut.

Posted on

NFL agrees to not ask questions about sexuality of potential players

(image via Memegraph)

After discussions with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who last month expressed concern over reports that potentional recruits at the NFL Combine were being asked questions to possibly determine whether or not they are gay, the NFL has announced it will be reinforcing policies against discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Via Capital New York:

Under an agreement reached with the NFL and the Player’s Association, the league’s collective bargaining agreement will be expanded to protect newly recruited players from being asked questions such as whether they like women or have a girlfriend.

“Schneiderman’s office was concerned the questions were designed to determine whether a player is gay and potentially block them from being drafted. At the same time, posters will be added to locker rooms directing players to call the Player’s Association if they suspect there is discrimination.

“These interviews determine the future course of their lives… We’re just making sure the non-discrimination applies to everyone,” Schneiderman said in the interview.

Posted on

Mormon church supports Boy Scouts proposed change in gay scout policy

The Mormon Church has released a statement in support of the proposed policy change by the Boy Scouts to end discrimination for gay scouts.

Reads a statement from the church:

Over the past several weeks BSA has undertaken the difficult task of reviewing its membership standards policy. In their own words, this undertaking has been ‘the most comprehensive listening exercise in its history.’

While the Church has not launched any campaign either to effect or prevent a policy change, we have followed the discussion and are satisfied that BSA has made a thoughtful, good-faith effort to address issues that, as they have said, remain ‘among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today.’

The current BSA proposal constructively addresses a number of important issues that have been part of the ongoing dialogue, including consistent standards for all BSA partners, recognition that Scouting exists to serve and benefit youth rather than Scout leaders, a single standard of moral purity for youth in the program, and a renewed emphasis for Scouts to honor their duty to God.

We are grateful to BSA for their careful consideration of these issues. We appreciate the positive things contained in this current proposal that will help build and strengthen the moral character and leadership skills of youth as we work together in the future.

The Mormon Church is a major sponsor of local scouting troops around the nation.

(via Instinct)