The rate has increased by 22 percent, says CDC. Find out how to get tested today.
 Photo by Think Stock Really bad news, guys. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released the results of a new study on HIV and AIDS that shows a 22 percent increase in new infections among young men who have sex with other men. While the rate of infection has pretty much stayed the same in the U.S. for most other groups, according to the report, gay and bisexual men now account for 66 percent of all new infections.
To put it into perspective, while gay and bisexual men account for an estimated four percent of the population in this country, male-to-male sex accounts for more than three-fourths of all new HIV infections.
Staggering.
Worse is that younger gay and bisexual men are also testing positive at alarming rates. Among men ages 13 to 24, HIV infections have increased by 22 percent. And young black men now account for more than half of all new HIV infections.
Don’t be another statistic. Give yourself the ultimate gift this holiday season and get tested. Click here to find out how you can be tested for free in Philly today.
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LGBT Philadelphians share their personal experiences with health care
“The mere existence of it validates who we are.” That’s just one of the testimonials featured in a new video about the Mazzoni Center, one of the nation’s largest LGBT health centers. We recognize a lot of familiar Philly faces – everyone from employees of the center, volunteers and even patients who stepped up to tell their stories. Find out more about important LGBT health-related issues, as well as how to come out to your doctor, by clicking here.
And check out the new video:
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What are the implications?
 Photo by Think Stock In a big step for transgender rights, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has removed being transgender as a mental illness. Rather than being labeled as mentally unfit, transgender individuals will now be diagnosed with something called gender dysphoria – which suggests emotional stress when it comes to gender identity. This is a major change from when gender identity disorder was listed as a mental disorder 20 years ago.
In an interview with The Advocate, APA’s Jack Drescher said, “All psychiatric diagnoses occur within a cultural context. We know there is a whole community of people out there who are not seeking medical attention and live between the two binary categories. We wanted to send the message that the therapist’s job isn’t to pathologize.”
So rather than to suggest that somehow gender identity can be treated, if not cured, the new classification will ideally bring more acceptance. In the legal world, it could also have positive implications as many transgender individuals risk losing their jobs and children when the case is made for mental incompetence.
Keep in mind that homosexuality was also considered a mental illness up until 1973.
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Grab your kicks and get moving
 Courtesy of Philly Frontrunners ‘Tis the city for overeating, drinking, you name it. That’s why we wanted to remind you about Frontrunners International, an LGBT running network with more than 1,000 clubs around the world. Philly’s own chapter has been going strong since (get this) 1983, and meets every Saturday morning (9:30 a.m.) in front of Lloyd Hall at the southern end of Boathouse Row.
While most of the members run about five miles on average, still others walk and run shorter distances. New members, novices and longtime runners are always welcome – it’s a great way to get fit, make new friends and enjoy weekend brunch at a nearby restaurant each weekend.
Want to sign up? Visit the William Way on Monday (6:45 p.m.) to arrange for a weekly run. Or email philadelphiafrontrunners@gmail.com for details.
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Poll: 55 percent of gays will come out to their families during dinner this week
 Mom, I'm gay - now pass the turkey (photo by Think Stock). For many in the LGBT community, heading home for Thanksgiving means a lot more than turkey and all the fixings. As many as 55 percent of those polled by GayDating.com say they’ll also come out to their families – at the dinner table on Thursday. Among singles, 68 percent say they are also planning on telling their families they are gay; 35 percent more are hoping to find the perfect moment to let the cat out of the bag; and 10 percent say they will surprise their families by bringing home a same-sex dinner guest.
“For many gay men still in the closet, Thanksgiving and other family holidays can be very lonely,” says Josh Mirmelli, Gaydating.com’s relationship advisor.
Dr. Lori Eickleberry, a licensed psychologist, agrees, explaining, “The family atmosphere at Thanksgiving is very warm and loving, and many closeted gay singles feel left out because they cannot be themselves, or share the holiday with their partners or boyfriends. But, while Thanksgiving might seem like a good time to share the news with family and close friends, gay singles should be prepared in case the news isn’t well received.”
Here are some tips for coming out:
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Trends, prevention and how to come out to your doctor
 Photo by Think Stock “LGBT health issues are not all that different from the average patient’s. Lack of access to affordable health care is a major factor,” says Dr. Seth Kaufer of Hahnemann University Hospital in Center City. The out doc shares some serious facts about LGBT health issues and how patients can be better informed about everything from home HIV tests to coming out to your doctor.
Truth vs. Fiction
Not only do docs take oaths to treat everyone, but an open and honest doctor-patient relationship can help everyone make smarter, more informed health-care decisions. “In my experience,” says Kaufer, “the overwhelming majority of physicians have no bias whatsoever when treating patients. Having said that, though, since I have been featured in publications as an openly gay doctor, I have had a surge of LGBT patients making appointments who have confided that they feared discrimination. Obviously this disconnect serves as a huge barrier to LGBT health care.”
3 Biggest Health Issues
HIV treatments: Meds allow people to live longer, healthier lives. And testing can be done in a few minutes—there’s even a new HIV home test.
Barriers to care: People who face discrimination can be estranged from their families and health-care options. LGBT patients also face the added stress of coming out.
Transgender realities: As men and women make transitions, more is being learned about how the process affects long-term physical and mental health.
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Grow a beard for men's health
 Photo by Think Stock Have you heard about Movember? This month thousands of men around the country are growing a ‘mo (that’s short for moustache) to raise awareness for prostate and testicular cancer programs. You can catch these “Mo Bros” all over town. Even Austin at Woody’s has started cultivating quite the facial hair.
And this year at the Mazzoni Center, Medical Director Dr. Robert Winn has signed on as an official spokesperson for the Movember movement. “It’s certainly a cause that I feel strongly about,” says Winn. “And as a health care provider, I have the opportunity to raise awareness and start conversations with people about these important issues every day.”
Anyone interested in joining these guys can register here.
Just last year, more than 854,000 Mo Bros got on board, raising $126.3 million, not to mention some important attention for early detection and screenings.
So put down the razor, fellas, and get in touch with your inner bear.
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The goal - to educate those who are incarcerated about HIV/AIDS
ActionAIDS has been awarded funding for a new effort, the Prison Linkage Program, which provides case management services to clients with HIV/AIDS while incarcerated and through release from the Philadelphia county prison system. The organization has been working with the Philadelphia county jails to help people with HIV/AIDS access medical care, social services and support both while incarcerated and after release.
This funding comes from the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative, which seeks to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health by targeting beneficial educational services to persons with HIV/AIDS from racial and ethnic minority groups. The funds were awarded by an independent Procurement Panelconvened by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
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The issues that matter most to me today. By Robert Drake
 WXPN's Robert Drake As a member of media, I try my best (publicly at least) to remain impartial in regards to politics. Those who know me, know me. So, as we count down the hours to America’s next Election Day – all I can say is that when I enter that voting booth today, I won’t be alone.
With me is the love of my partner that I have had for several years, a love that is as pure and sincere as two people can have, regardless of sexual orientation. With me is the hope that someday we can be recognized as a couple just as easily as my straight friends.
With me is the thankfulness that my partner and several of my close friends – all with various pre-existing health conditions – may finally have a chance to receive healthcare without incurring a massive debt.
With me is the personal passion that so many of my friends have when it comes to simply accepting another without judgement – and the hope that our leaders, and our country, will follow suit in the years ahead.
Finally, with me are the hundreds of friends that I’ve lost in the past three decades to AIDS – from casual friends to a lover. Those men never got the chance to see how far America has grown in understanding and acceptance – I keep them in my thoughts every time I cast a vote.
Be sure to vote. If not for you, for those you love.
Robert Drake works at WXPN and regularly DJs at events around town, including Bottoms Up at the Bike Stop every Friday and the monthly Sex Dwarf at Fluid Nightclub.
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What one AIDS organization is worried about
 Photo courtesy of OraSure Finding new ways to encourage people to get tested is on the minds of many HIV and AIDS organizations – both in Philly and around the country. But as more individuals decide to explore the new in-home HIV test from OraSure called OraQuick, the AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (ACRIA), an HIV/AIDS research, prevention and advocacy organization, has some concerns.
It’s estimated that half of all new infections in the U.S. result from those who are unaware they are positive. And while in-home testing will surely increase the number of people who know their status (a great thing), ACRIA says there can be a few drawbacks, including lack of counseling and referral to care, misinterpretation of test results, testing for partner screening purposes, and the psychological impact a positive result can have in certain situations.
In fairness, OraSure has established a hotline to address these issues. But Dr. Daniel Tietz, ACRIA’s executive director, says it may not be enough.
“First and foremost is the lack of counseling tied to the test,” he says. “For this very reason, the FDA had been reluctant to approve home HIV tests that provide immediate results. HIV remains life-threatening and continues to be associated with enormous stigma. A home user that receives a reactive result, which must be confirmed but which will be taken as positive by many users, with no counselor present for emotional support or to answer questions might be devastated.”
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