Todd Heywood
Gaylord Struggles With 'Monstrous Stigma' Of HIV
In the quiet week between Christmas and New Year's Eve, the city of Gaylord, Michigan reached out to the local newspaper with a public health issue of concern. As a result of an early investigation into allegations of "multiple prostitution rings" [...]
Is The Michigan Tea Party Movement About To Erupt In A Civil War?
Well if the posts on social media are any indication, the long simmering battle for control of the movement being waged by social conservatives and economic conservatives may very well be erupting into a full-fledged and public not-so-civil war of [...]
U.S. Syphilis Rates Increased By 10 Percent In 2013
The final numbers for syphilis infections in the U.S. during 2013 were released in December 2014, and they aren't good news — particularly for men who have sex with men. Just over 17,000 people were diagnosed with primary or secondary syphilis in [...]
Michigan 'Religious Freedom' Bill Returns
It's Baaaaaaack! Michigan State Senator Mike Shirkey (R-Clark Lake) has re-introduced the Michigan Religious Freedom Restoration Act (MiRFRA). That's legislation lovingly dubbed "license to discriminate" by activists because it justifies nearly all [...]
2014: HIV Year In Review
Nick Rhoades, a gay man convicted of criminal transmission of HIV in Iowa and sentenced to 25 years in prison, despite the virus not being transmitted, talks to activists at the national HIV is Not a Crime Conference held in Grinnell, Iowa in June. [...]
Michigan: 2014 In Review
Jeremy Moss (Left) and Jon Hoadley (Right). Elliott-Larsen Amendment This was almost the year that the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act was amended to include the LGBT community. Almost. A broad coalition of business leaders formed in the spring to [...]
Study: Only 16 Percent Of Men Who Have Sex With Men Report Using Condoms 'Always'
A new study by CDC researcher Dawn Smith has found that only 16 percent of men who have sex with men reported consistent condom use during the study period. That same study was used to estimate the efficacy of condoms in preventing HIV transmission [...]
GALLERY: 200 Rally In Rain, Fog To Oppose 'Religious Freedom' Bill In Michigan Legislature
LANSING – Approximately 200 people gathered Tuesday in a light rain and heavy fog to protest against legislation waiting for a possible vote in the Michigan Senate in the last days of the current legislative session. The rally was in [...]
PrEP Debate Continues As Advocates Hold Conversations In State
Jesse Anguiano only wanted an extra layer of protection during sex. The 31-year-old gay man had been hearing about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for some time from HIV test counselors at the Lansing Area AIDS Network, but when he sought out the [...]
State Civil Rights Amendment Dead, Says Speaker
Updated at 10:20 a.m. Dec. 5, 2014 At the end of the day Dec. 4, the Michigan House passed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act with a vote of 59-50, falling directly on party lines. The bill now moves to the state Senate for approval. LANSING [...]
A Doctor's Journey Working With HIV/AIDS
Lansing Councilmember Wood looks on as Dr. Peter Gulick addresses the audience after a resolution declared Dec. 1 "Dr. Peter G. Gulick Appreciation Day" in the city. BTL photo Todd Heywood. LANSING — Dr. Peter Gulick was extremely uncomfortable as [...]
Study Finds Significant Racial Disparities For HIV Infection Among Black And White MSM
A study published in the journal The Lancet HIV reports that there is a significant disparity in HIV prevalence between black and white men who have sex with men. The study was published on Nov. 18 and found a startling 32 percent prevalence rate [...]