UPS ends charitable contributions to Boy Scouts.

I love stories like this!

Apparently UPS is ending their charitable contributions to the Boy Scouts because of their discriminatory policies toward gays.

Read the AP story here.

We are finally getting to a place in this country that being discriminatory towards the LGBT community is bad for business!  UPS and Intel are two major corporations sending a message to the Boy Scouts of America that their policies are out of touch!

When the whole Chick-fil-A debacle was going on I got some hateful phone calls and emails calling me a hypocrite. They wanted to know why I was calling on Chick-fil-A to stay out of the business of equality and stick to the business of making great chicken sandwiches.  "Where were you when JC Penney came out in support of gays; telling them to stick to the business of making clothes?"

Standing for Equality is always the right thing to do! This is a civil rights movement and standing up and saying "I've had enough!" is what all corporations should be doing.

Should companies stay out of personal issues? maybe? But this is not a personal issue, this is about civil rights, and bringing a group of minorities into full inclusion as a viable member of American society! This is about being treated as a full and equal citizen! ENDA discrimination needs to pass in all 50 states! Being gay is not a legitimate reason for being fired. Marriage Equality needs to pass in all 50 states!

I would imagine many corporations felt the same way about civil rights in regards to African Americans and later saw the error of their ways and ended up apologizing for their backward stance. I truly believe the same will come about, hopefully in a few short years.

Jeran

Brilliant summary of the election!

What are the lessons to be learned from this election?  I have a couple of take aways....

• This country is no longer the property of middle aged white men.  
• Elections can't be bought by giant super PAC's.
• A grassroots effort can be extremely effective and victorious.  
• The tide has finally turned on gay rights and people will stand up for equality at the ballot box. 
• Women are more suited to make their health care decisions vs. 80 year old Senators.
• The Tea Party should be nervous.
• Democrats can't be afraid to play "rough" just like Republicans have been doing for years.
• Racism is alive and well in this country.

So will Republicans learn anything from this election? Will they continue to blame Hurricane Sandy for stopping Romney's momentum and stick to the extreme policies that ultimately cost them this election?

I think Republicans need to do some soul searching and shift away from an image of exclusivity. As long as they continue to align themselves with super radical Judeo Christians, stand for a policy of self deportation, make stupid comments about how's a woman's body can shut down a pregnancy resulting from rape (or call it God's gift,) and reserve the holy sanctity of marriage as only between one man and one women, they will continue to lose elections.

The Republican Party has cancer and I believe an all out civil war is about to ensue.  As long as you have the Tea Party screaming at the middle and vice versa, as long as you have RINO hunters, and as long as you continue to profess "My way or the highway," Democrats will continue to pick up seats.

I think Rachel Maddow sums it up perfectly! Could not have said it any better myself!



Jeran

p.s.  Florida and Arizona get your shit together!

Deny it all you want, racism is alive!

Hmmm.  See any correlation?

I've had it with this hatred towards our president! I keep seeing Facebook posts saying things that are, well, downright hateful!

I've never seen such hatred and vitriol spewed out towards any president.  I remember how disappointed all the dems were when George W won a second term but I don't recall the name calling, finger pointing, and fighting that has ensued since Obama was re-elected.

I've seen people saying we've re-elected the Muslim. We've re-elected a president who disrespects the flag. We've re-elected a president who will take away our guns.  We've re-elected a president who wasn't even born in this country. We've re-elected a president who is a socialist.

Really? Really?? First, the last I checked we lived in a country that professed freedom of religion. Our president isn't a Muslim but even if he was it shouldn't matter! Second, disrespecting the flag and taking away your guns??  Has there been evidence of this in his first term?  The birther and socialist thing.. give me a break! Saying these types of things make you look like an ass just like Donald Trump!

This really leads me to believe the underlying factor in this hatred has to be racially motivated. None of the other statements hold water..

Check this out. I found this fascinating!

click on the pic to enlarge

Jeran

This is my article for the Wyoming Equality newsletter in case anybody wants to read it early;

Well… it’s finally over! Election Day has come and gone and this has undoubtedly been the greatest election ever in regards to LGBT rights! The first sitting president to affirm his support for marriage equality has been re-elected.

Wisconsin voters are sending Tammy Baldwin to the United States Senate. She will be the first openly gay member of the upper chamber. New Hampshire has elected its first transgendered member of the state legislature; and Colorado and Oregon are both set to have openly gay Speakers of the House.

The Stonewall Democrats released a statement saying 57 of the 60 candidates they endorsed for marriage equality won their races for Congress. A win rate of 95%!

Finally, three states, Maine, Maryland, and Washington approved marriage equality at the ballot box and Minnesota voters rejected an anti-gay marriage amendment. This is a really big deal my friends! Since the late 90’s voters have rejected marriage equality 32 separate times in state initiatives across this country.  This clearly proves that public sentiment is changing. Our adversaries will have a hard time continuing to argue that liberal biased judges are the only people who feel strongly about equality!

However, I’m afraid the election results in Wyoming are a bit more problematic. Many candidates that voiced support for equality lost their bids to the Wyoming Legislature. I fear that we will once again be battling some very ugly anti-gay legislation in 2013.  Passage of civil unions may also be more of a battle than we had originally hoped for.

That being said, I am more fired up than ever before!  The national election has proven that a solid grassroots campaign can overcome what may seem like insurmountable obstacles! We will fight for equality in this state until we have achieved our goals! Momentum is on our side and I will not rest until I can marry the man that I love!

Jeran

Help me stop sinning sweet baby deezus!

This was in my Facebook inbox today;

HOLA JERIN. YOU'VE BEEN HEAVILY ON MY HEART FOR YEARS AND I NEED TO ASK YOUR APPOLOGY FOR NOT BEING ON MY KNEES FOR YOU LIKE I SHOULD. PLEASE FORGIVE ME. I'VE ALSO FAILED YOU AND THE LORD IN WANTING TO SHARE WITH YOU WHAT'S BEEN ON MY HEART, BUT HAVE HAD MORE CONCERN OF BEING REJECTED VERSES SPEAKING TRUTH IN LOVE. WELL, THIS NOTE FROM JIM PUTMAN HAS REALLY TOUCHED ME AND I FELT A NEED TO SHARE IT WITH YOU EVENTHOUGH YOU MAY REJECT ME FOR DOING SO. WELL, I LOVE YOU AND PRAY THAT THE LORD GUIDES, DIRECTS, AND BLESSING YOU AS YOU SEEK TRUTH IN HIM.

"WHERE GRACE ABOUNDS" IS AM AWESOME MINISTRY IN DENVER THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK OUT. GOD BLESS YOU BROTHER!

Where Grace Abounds

Population served: Those struggling with a variety of sexual and relationship issues, including pornography, sexual addiction, sexual abuse, same-sex attractions, and other issues, as well as family members affected by the above issues. Services: WGA provides support groups, discipleship, resources...

Page: 69 like this

This was my response; (took me about two minutes, ignore the grammar)

Oh sweet Jesus! I have no problem with my sexuality. It is how God made me! I love being an open honest gay man. I'm not a mistake, or an abomination, or a pervert, or anything else that the religious nut jobs can call me. I don't want to be straight!!!! not one little bit!!! I love who I am!

Every point, fact, or reference you can throw at me from the Bible I can counter with sound logic and history of why anti-gay and hateful things were written in the bible! I take the Bible seriously but not literally. I believe God gave me a brain and the ability to think for myself. I know this is how he made me and doesn't want me to change. I truly believe someday, maybe when we get to heaven, this will be made clear to all people.

More and more churches are getting this! The anti-gay so called "conversion" or "reparative" therapy is a CROCK!!! Not based on any credible science and actually does irreparable damage to people who think they can change the way they were created.

You didn't fail me, God didn't fail me. I have pride in who I am and no one can take that away from me!!!!

Let me also ask you, do you have slaves? any female sunday school teachers? ever eaten shrimp or lobster? does your church stone disobedient children and adulterers? you see where I'm going with this? ridiculous Bible verses that no one practices any more or they'd rightfully be put in prison!!

So why is you want to keep persecuting and bullying us homo's when you've given up the other ridiculous "commandments" long ago??

I'm sorry Johniey but the whole "Where Grace Abounds" movement is a bunch of MIERDA!! 

There is absolutely nothing you could ever do or say that will make me change my mind on this!

The best and worst of the DNC

You're running on four hours of sleep. Your brain is on overload. You're star struck. You're missing your loved ones at home. And then you see this....  I didn't just tear up, I cried!

Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm electrified the arena with her convention speech!  She was brilliant and a little zany! The applause, cheering, shouting, and chanting "USA!" was one of the most inspirational rally cries I've ever witnessed!!  Please take seven minutes and watch her speech. I don't think most viewers saw her since she was not in a prime time slot, but she should have been!

This was another highlight. Former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland delivered the best line at the convention "If Mitt Romney were Santa Clause he'd fire the reindeer and out source the elves!"

Think a Romney/Ryan ticket has a woman's best interests at heart? Watch Lillie Ledbetters speech. You can view it here.  Watch Cecile Richards speech. You can view it here.

The other big speeches, in case you missed them, are worth a listen too. President Obama knocked it out of the park. I thought Michelle was amazing! Julian Castro was inspiring!  Senator John Kerry whooped some serious Romney ass! But, for me, the best speech was delivered by Bill Cllinton. He made an exceptional case on why our President needs four more years!  When it comes to the economy and deficits his simple word of "arithmetic" really hit home with me. His simple yet eloquent pitch to American voters is something that I think will stick in everyone's mind, and I truly believe he has impacted this election!!

And now for the whack-a-doodle portion of the DNC.  Kit and I had just listened to Michelle Obama at the HRC/Victory Fund luncheon, stepped outside of the Marriott and ran into these winners!

thanks to Matt Baker for the pic!

You know... these kinds of "folks" used to bother me, but they really don't any more. You can't fix stupid!  It's like when I'm lobbying, there are certain legislators I don't even bother talking to, it doesn't matter what you say to them.... THEY DON'T GET IT!!

The anti-abortion protesters were there as well. They were right out side the convention center with  giant eight foot billboards, holding pictures of dead babies. I won't post any pics of them. They were vile.

My friend Ana said she was walking by them and shook her head in disgust.  The protester said "What? Don't like looking at dead babies?" Ana said, "No, I don't like looking at your face!" Protester responds, "Oh, that's right your a Democrat, you like looking at dead babies!"  Ana say's "Ya, I had one for breakfast."

Give me a break! No one like abortions!! My legislative friend Ken said, "When I get asked about it I explain it this way. Suppose you have that gut wrenching discussion with your 15 or 16 year old daughter and you sit down at the dinner table to make some very serious decisions.... who do you want making that decision? Me as a lawmaker? Or you as a family?"

So that's my DNC experience! I hope you enjoyed sharing my journey!  A few more pics from my friends Matt Baker, Billy Montgomery, Kate Wright and Kit Young.

Me and the WY Delegation with Cecile Richards

Kate, Kit, me and Matt with Barney Frank at the Stonewall Democrats Reception.

LGBT Caucuses

The cool table at the Stonewall Democrats Reception

me sitting on the arena floor 

Ken, Kate, and I at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Reception and John Legend Concert.

Ken, Kit, and I Fired Up!!

LGBT at the DNC

Whoa! That's a ton of letters! So what was it like to be a gay man at the DNC? Nothing short of phenomenal!

First this convention was historic.  There were 486 openly gay delegates in attendance or roughly 8% of the entire delegation.  Every state in the union had at least one LGBT delegate. (Wyoming had three.)  As Jerame Davis of National Stonewall Democrats said "We've been an underrepresented demographic in politics for a long time.  Finally seeing us appropriately represented is just a thrill."

This is me and Ana with Colorado Governor Hickenlooper.  I told him that I live in WY and my partner lived in CO and we were both crushed when the civil unions bill died in CO this year.  He grabbed my hand, looked me in the eye and said, "Oh don't you worry! I promise we will get that taken care of next year!"  Wow!! What a moment!

One of the biggest highlights for me was the LGBT caucuses.  These were meetings/strategy sessions/ motivational type get togethers that were held on Tuesday and Thursday from 12-2 p.m. So who did they get to address this group you ask?  Well here are a handful of the fine politicians that spoke to us;

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius.  Talked about how the OFA will impact the LGBT community with no lifetime caps of coverage, no pre-existing condition clauses, premiums going to actual health care rather than insurance company profits, and many other benefits.

Wisconsin Senate Candidate Tammy Baldwin.  Who if elected will be the first openly gay United States Senator

 Newark, New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker.  Who said all the politicians should be in the audience and the audience should be on stage teaching the politicians.  Kit and I had a chance to visit with him at the arena where he thanked us for all we do and encouraged us to be louder, stronger, and more persistent than ever before.

 Sorry for the blurry picture but this is Dr. Jill Biden as in the Second Lady.  Who also talked about education in the LGBT community and passing anti-bullying laws to protect students.

Minnesota Senator Al Franken. Who spent most of his time talking about the repeal of Don't Ask Dont Tell and reminisced about his days as an entertainer. Traveling the Middle East back when people could be kicked out the military for something as trivial as their sexual orientation.

Massachusetts Senator Barney Frank who said, even though the tide is turning and we are seeing victories, we must not give up. "The time to step up the attack is when the enemy is weak."  Let me tell you this is one intense, serious, smart, and grouchy dude!

 Senior Advisor to President Obama Valerie Jarrett talked about how much Obama has done for the LGBT community including repealing DADT, refusal to defend DOMA, expanding hate crimes laws to include sexual orientation and gender, and came out in support of marriage equality.







So this is just a handful of the celebrity power we had at our caucus! I went through the full gamut of emotions. I laughed, I cried, I was angry, I was proud. My main take away.... don't stop fighting!! These fine politicians have our back but the real work is done on the grass roots level!

And the icing on the cake?? Wednesday I went to an HRC / Victory Fund luncheon and the key note speech was delivered by.... wait for it.... Michelle Obama!!

She is an amazing, caring, kind, compassionate woman who laid out what was at stake in this election.  "If you don't live in a battle ground state... get to one!" She pointed out how a Romeny/Ryan ticket would roll the clock back at least 20 years on the progress that has been made over the last four years.

DADT will be back, DOMA will once again be defended in federal courts, and marriage equality.. forget about it!  (that's me paraphrasing but you get the idea.) She very effectively conveyed the importance of this election!

This is me with HRC President Chad Griffin

Overall I couldn't be happier with the results of this convention, and what it means to me as a gay man to have The President and First Lady mention multiple times in their keynote speeches how they firmly stand behind people being allowed to "marry who they love!"  The Democratic Platform is now complete with a full marriage equality plank and I have never been more FIRED UP and READY TO ROLL than I am right now!!

Jeran

The DNC... Oh the DNC!

I've just returned for Charlotte, NC where I was fortunate enough to represent Wyoming as a delegate for the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

So what was it like? What were my takeaways? Did I learn anything? How was the LGBT community represented? Highlights? Concerns?  Over this next week I will post a series of blog posts covering all of these experiences.

First, I will let you know that I am fired up!! Wow! This was truly a life changing experience. I expected to have fun. I knew I would be busy but I didn't know what an impact it would have on my life and drive home just how important this election is.

So here's how the convention worked. Events started at 8 a.m. most days and wrapped up at 2 a.m. That's a long day! I found I was averaging four or five hours of sleep per night. We were given a welcome/gift bag when we arrived. One of the gifts was a pedometer. I wore mine Wednesday and took a little over 30,000 steps. That equates to walking almost 15 miles!

The events and meetings were held all over the metro are of Charlotte. Most receptions were at uptown restaurants, pubs, or hotels. The caucuses and workshops were held at the convention center and the main platform stage, where all the big speeches were given, was at the AOL Time Warner Arena.

We arrived on Sunday and I thought this was going to a quiet night to relax, plan, and gear up for the convention. Wrong! Upon arrival we were whisked of to a reception at the Renaissance Hotel for a pre-convention reception with a handful of other states.  The highlight.... I got this picture

This is me and WY delegates Kate Wright and Kit Young with the Chair of the National Democratic Party, Debbie Wasserman Schultz.  She is an amazing woman! She can frequently be seen making the rounds on the Sunday morning political shows; pleading the Democrats case on most issues with smart, articulate, and actual fact based opinions on how to move this country forward.

I think Charlotte knocked the cover off the ball. Their city is beautiful! Their airport is clean, bright, efficient, and cheerful. The uptown area is clean, plush, and full off beautiful flowers, trees, and shrubs. I would not hesitate to visit Charlotte again as a tourist.

I could not have attended this convention with a better group of folks that was the Wyoming delegation. They were a blast!! Such a smart and diverse group! I'm proud to have been part of a delegation that included African Americans, Latino Americans, Gay Americans, and equal representation between men and women! I was honored to be included with such a fine group of Wyoming citizens!

Tomorrow we'll dig into the convention. I want to talk about what it meant to be a gay man at this historic convention.

Jeran

Britstol Palin's expertise on morality.

Just when I think I've about seen it all, Bristol Palin comes out in her blog and criticizes Obama for having a conversation with his daughters about same sex couples???

Are you serious? Of all people to give moral advice about what's right and wrong... Wow... just Wow!

When people like Bristol Palin and Rush Limbaugh (Rush has been married four times btw) talk about the war on marriage, I have to call them out on their incredible hypocrisy!

Do they really think we're stupid? Are these the best faces the bigots can put forward?

Jeran

Playing politics....

So, yesterday I was blogging about having a rough day and of course the day ended up being not only good, but great! You might even say super duper amazing!

You probably weren't on this planet if you missed the president's announcement that he has evolved into fully supporting marriage equality. This is wonderful news and the timing couldn't have been better.

What really amazes me is how many people are trying to spin this negatively! I've had comments on my FB page saying, "he's just trying to buy votes," and "what a politician, he should have done this his first term," Fox news called him a "flip flopper!"

Wow.... really? Folks, this is progress!!! Of course many of us wanted this much sooner, but now calling him names?? Why do we have to play politics with this?

I think we all know where this is headed and I truly believe we will see marriage equality in all 50 states within our lifetime! To win this war we need Republican and Democrats to come together.  When I lobby I have to check my own political beliefs at the door because we have Republican and Democratic supporters and friends.

Can we please stop calling this a partisan issue and view it as RIGHT VS. WRONG!!

I don't care if you like or dislike Obama, he is correct is his stance on marriage equality and Mitt Romney is wrong!  Where will you stand?  History is being rewritten even as we speak!  Will you be apologizing to your grand kids some day??

Jeran

Rough day!

Waking up to a bunch of negative headlines in the fight for equality is not fun!

North Carolina passes a constitutional amendment not only banning gay marriage, but also banning the future passage or possibility of civil unions; and it looks like the speaker of the house in Colorado has decided not to introduce the civil unions bill on the floor thus ensuring it's demise in this legislative session.

I would imagine the bigots, haters, WyWatcher's, religious freaks, and many Tea Party members are having a field day with this!

Well let me tell you what this does for me; I get fired up more than ever! I want my voice to be louder than ever! I want to make phone calls, recruit progressive candidates, support ally legislators, and share my personal story with more people than ever before!

My love for my partner Mike, is not superficial! It's not unholy! It's not dirty or perverse! It is beautiful, healthy, and natural! I have pride in myself and love for my partner that no one can take away or diminish.... NO MATTER WHAT!! We don't want special rights, we want equal rights!

What I've seen this morning is friends, that have never been political before, posting things like "time to get involved!"  and "we're not going to be silent any more and trust that the system will look out for us!"

As I always say, We may have lost a battle but we will win the war!

The time is now for the LGTB community and our allies to speak up! Share your stories, tell your friends what's going on, don't sit by expect your government to have your best interests in mind! Ask your legislators where they stand on this issue; and if they don't support us, get rid of em!  Back the states, countries, and companies that are supportive of Equality!

Let your voice, your dollar, and your vote speak louder than ever before!

Jeran

Exciting news!!

I'm very excited to announce that Wyoming Equality is partnering with Zach Wahls (watch his video here) and his new program "Out to Dinner."

I just got the email from Zach stating we are okay to start talking about the event; so here is the introduction and much much more to follow;

Out to Dinner Statement

            This week marks the soft launch of the Out to Dinner project, an initiative aiming to bridge the gap between LGBT Americans and those still on the fence when it comes to matters of LGBT rights by bringing them together to share a meal.

            “There’s a lot of misunderstanding about what it means to be a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person or to have an LGBT parent or parents,” said Zach Wahls, the twenty-year-old son of an Iowa lesbian couple and founder of the project. “By bringing people together to just break bread and get to know each other, I think we can dispel some misconceptions.”

            Out to Dinner asks straight ally couples all across the country to host a dinner on the evening of Friday, June 22 to which the ally/host couple will invite a same-sex couple and some folks who are still conflicted when it comes to LGBT rights. In a break with previous “house party” initiatives, though, Out to Dinner does not ask participants to have “the talk,” so to speak, instead encouraging guests to simply get to know each other and avoiding the topics of politics or religion altogether.

            Further, organizers hope by taking a focus on couples and families, LGBT people will be able to highlight the similarities that their families share with “straight” families.

            “The Family Equality Council is proud to support the Out to Dinner initiative because it speaks to our core mission of creating a world where all families feel valued for their commitment to each other,” said Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director of the Family Equality Council, a family-focused LGBT advocacy group.

“As an organization that supports and represents the 1 million LGBT families in this country, this initiative represents a unique opportunity for us to demonstrate that we want the same things for our children that all parents do - respect, protection and a bright future,” said Chrisler.  

            "We know that nothing is more important in helping non-gay people get to a place of understanding, and ultimately support, for the freedom to marry than building relationships and having honest conversations about our families and our lives. Through that experience, gay and non-gay people alike come to recognize that their similarities are much greater than their differences,” said Evan Wolfson, founder and President of Freedom to Marry. “Freedom to Marry is very pleased to be partnering in this effort.”

            A coalition of state and national groups has coalesced around the project, which counts Freedom to Marry, the Family Equality Council, the Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal GLAAD, the Equality Federation, Marriage Equality USA and among its major partners, in addition to numerous groups at the state level.

            “We know that nothing is a more powerful influence on opinion of equality issues than familiarity with LGBT people,” said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign. “This night is an opportunity for us as a movement to all work together and foster more of these positive relationships.” The Human Rights Campaign is the largest LGBT advocacy group and lobbying organization in the United States.

             A more formal announcement is expected in early May. Wahls says that plans are in the works to involve celebrity chefs, high-profile ally couples and even more national, state and local groups ahead of the project’s June date. 

This is very exciting!!

Jeran

Mental Growing Pains

I have to admit when I was in high school, "Growing Pains" was one of my favorite TV shows. Namely because of Kirk Cameron. I had quite the crush on him!

It's funny how the minute some people open their mouths they become extremely unattractive and undesirable. This is what has happened to Kirk Cameron for me.

Check out the comments this wonderful, loving, caring Christian has made on the Piers Morgan Show. Did you catch the part where he called us homosexuals "unnatural, detrimental, and destructive?"  Again, probably something you would hear Jesus saying had he been sitting in the same seat as Cameron. Right??

Who do you think you are to tell the rest of civilization what's "natural?"  For me being with another man feels natural, healthy, and right. I've been in a heterosexual marriage and for me it felt extremely unnatural, unhealthy, and was painfully uncomfortable. I can't summarize it in any other way!

So you don't believe in gay marriage.. THEN DON'T GET ONE!  But you need to accept the fact that my brain and DNA are wired completely differently than yours! It's called diversity and it makes this planet unique! I'm grateful to live in a place where not everyone has to believe and act in one particular way.

I'm extremely happy! I have a wonderful relationship with a man that makes me smile every time I think about him. So don't you dare tell me that this relationship is not natural! I'm flourishing, my daughter is flourishing, and I can't speak for my boyfriend, but he seems quite happy as well! None of my friends would consider our relationship destructive or detrimental to anyone or anything.

Mr. Cameron your rhetoric is detrimental and destructive to those of us who know better, and especially to those who have not yet found their courage or voice to live a life that feels healthy and natural!

So many headlines!

So much to talk about; I really am going to make a solid effort to blog a bit more! I've missed my ranting and raving in this forum. Let's get to it!

I saw this on CNN this morning and I think I'm in Love!  "Gay Texas judge refuses to wed straight couples"  What a great idea for an activist!

Also saw that the Tyler Clementi bullying trial begins today. This, of course, has become one of the most publicized bullying/suicide incidents in recent years. I really look forward to the day sexual orientation for teens, and everyone for that matter, is not a reason for being bullied or ridiculed. I don't suppose I will see that day in my lifetime; however there is some wonderful news on the marriage equality front....

Maryland has (or is about to) become the eight state that allows for full marriage equality. Yay!! So far this year we've seen marriage equality arrive in Washington State, now Maryland, and of course we could have seen this in New Jersey as well, but a self righteous, bigoted governor has stood in the way! Like I always say, he might have won the battle, but we will win the war!

I put up this last picture in memory of Tyler and everyone else that has been bullied, teased, tormented, and ridiculed for living a life that feels natural, healthy, comfortable, and right. I hope today we will all reach out to our LGTB friends and let them know that they are loved and appreciated.

Jeran

Wyoming Residents Legislative Action Alert!

I'm sharing an action alert from Wyoming Equality's Joe Corrigan. Please contact your legislators today! A huge thank you to my friends Will and Patrick who first turned us on to this error, and everyone who contributed talking points.

Find your Representative here, and find your Senator here. For a complete list of all Senators and Representatives visit the LSO Website.

"Dear Friends,

Yesterday we learned of a mistake in the Wyoming Health Department Budget regarding funding for HIV/AIDS Treatment.  The error cuts treatment funds by $400,000.00.  If not corrected it could cost the state matching funds from the Ryan White Care Act Part B.  I am asking you to please take the time today to email your Senator and Representative and ask them to restore these funds.  Please prepare your own original email.  You can send your email to as many Senators and Representatives as you like.  Please be as polite as possible.   Your letter may make all the difference in the world for the 135 currently people being helped by this program as well as future recipients.  Talking points are listed below.  Shorter letters are appreciated by our elected officials.

Talking Points:

100% of the money in this program goes to treatment and over 90% of that goes to very expensive antiretroviral medication.  While the average cost to treat a person with HIV medication therapy is over $25,000.00 annually, the cost of hospitalization due to untreated AIDS can be at least 30 times that.

The Wyoming HIV Services Program serves over 150 adults and children living with HIV.  135 are eligible for assistance.  Wyoming residents who do not qualify for any other insurance coverage are eligible for the WY RWCA A/B and the guidelines are income restricted.  Funding is not available to Wyomingites with gross income above $35,955. If you do the math; and subtracting $25,000 for medical treatment leaves less than $11,000 per year for other living expenses.

The counties with the highest rate of HIV/AIDS are Laramie and Natrona Counties.  However, as of 2007 the Wyoming Department of Health HIV/AIDS Surveillance Program has reported incidence of HIV/AIDS in every county.

This supplemental funding was added to the WDH Budget in 2003 when it was discovered Wyoming was the only state that did not contribute to the care of its HIV/AIDS patients thus rendering the state ineligible for any federal funding matches.  AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) funding comes from federal funding.  State matching funds are required.  The legislation was sponsored by former Representative Jerry Ickel, (R. Sheridan CO.) and former Senator Mike Massey (D. Albany Co.)

The $400,000 cut may be replaced by rebate funds from Pharmaceutical Companies.  However, these rebates occur after a prescription is filled.  If money is not available for the purchase, the rebate would not be available.  These Pharmaceutical rebate funds are not a guaranteed funding source.

At one time last year the waiting list nationwide for Ryan White Part B Funds included approx. 9,000 people.  Relying on Pharmaceutical Rebate Funds to make up a budget cut would be very risky as almost every state will be using the same plan.  Rebate funds could easily be exhausted.

Most Wyoming Agency Budgets were cut by 8 to 12%.  If we don’t restore this $400,000.00 error it would result in a 54% cut for HIV/AIDS Treatment Funds.

If funding is not restored it could also mean funds will be exhausted and no treatment dollars will remain to purchase medications for the last four months of the year.

If lack of funding results in a discontinuance of treatment for persons with HIV/AIDS, the resumption of treatment is often a failure.

We need to keep our current Maintenance of Effort Service Levels to prevent the risk of losing our current funding level of Ryan White Care Act Funding in future years.  (Maintenance of Effort requires that all Ryan White Part B grantees contribute at least the same amount of state fund for HIV-related activities as the previous fiscal year.)

This cut, $400,000, is not a large portion of the Wyoming Budget.  For purposes of comparison only, it is less than the cost of maintaining the household staff at the Governor’s Mansion.

Increasing drug costs, more infections, and less people with insurance have put steady upward pressure on HIV treatment costs, and Wyoming is no exception.

Help ensure that Wyoming residents will continue to have access to medications for HIV/AIDS treatment that they otherwise would not be able to afford.

Senators and Representatives are listed below with their email address for your convenience.  Thank you for your help.

 Joe Corrigan"

Major thanks to Joe for putting this together! Remember this is urgent and our lawmakers need to hear from us this morning!

Jeran