India gets first 24 hour LGBT phone counseling service

The Saahay Project aims to provide 24/7 support for Indian gay and bisexual men and transgender women in need of health information and counseling

25 SEPTEMBER 2013 | BY ANDREW POTTS

Photo by Michael Garten

India has its first 24 hour, 7 days a week counseling service for men who have sex with men and transgender women thanks to international human development NGO FHI360.

The Saahay Project help line will provide support counseling and sexual health information to gay and bisexual men and transgender women who dial the toll-free number 1800-2000-113
across the Indian states of Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Maharashtr.

While India’s LGBT community is increasingly visible in large cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, New Delhi and Kolkata, the Saahay Project hopes to be able to reach those LGBTs who live in smaller urban centers and towns where there may not be established LGBT networks to reach people by.

The Saahay Project was launched at the beginning of September by FHI360 as part of an research study to determine the effectiveness of using a telephone help line in reaching out to men who have sex with men and promoting safe sex.

‘With this help line in place it would help to reach out to more and more of the community members who need health services especially HIV/AIDS and yet are afraid to seek them due to social stigma,’ FHI360 country director Dr Bitra George said.

‘The Saahay help line has many unique features,’ Saahay Project director Dr Ashok Agarwal said.

‘It has been customized into the help line to ensure caller confidentiality and identity, a prime concern among the hard to reach population which the help line aims to reach out to. These features include non-recording of call and non-identification of caller number to preserve the identity of the caller at all times. The caller is also not asked personal identifiers like name, address and telephone number.’

People who call the number can receive information and counseling by speaking to a counselor, or hear recorded messages via interactive voice response (IVR), or receive health messages through automated SMS.

FHI360 hope the help line will be especially useful for men who have sex with men and transgender women who have not come out or who do not want to access services from government targeted intervention projects for whatever reasons.

The study is being conducted by FHI360 with approval from the Indian Government’s Department of AIDS Control and is technically and financially supported by international health NGO PATH and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

The project is being carried out in collaboration with LGBT rights foundation The Humsafar Trust and several other LGBT rights groups in the states of Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Maharashtra.

‘The Humsafar Trust and FHI360 have partnered on various initiatives in the past and have joined hands once again with an aim to reach out to men who have sex with men and transgenders who continue to remain invisible and fear accessing health services,’ Humsafar Trust CEO Vivek Anand said.

‘The Saahay help line aims to bridge that gap and strengthen the National Program with MSM and Transgender community in India.’

If the helpline is found useful, Saahay Project will advocate with India’s Department of AIDS Control to roll the project out across the country.

The Saahay Project is also reaching out to people using social media and has a Facebook page.

- See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/india-gets-first-24-hour-lgbt-phone-counseling-service250913#sthash.iIbOF7Ko.dpuf

Bruno Mars to open intimate new venue, The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas with New Year’s Eve shows; Tix on sale 9/27

BRUNO MARS TO OPEN INTIMATE NEW VENUE, THE CHELSEA
AT THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS WITH NEW YEAR’S EVE SHOWS 

Bruno Mars will ring in the New Year with two shows, Dec. 29 and Dec. 31 inside
The Chelsea, followed by six exclusive engagements throughout 2014

Tickets for all shows will go on sale Friday, Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. PDT

The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas once again sets the standard for unforgettable performances with two intimate New Year’s Eve shows by Grammy Award-winning recording artist and critically-acclaimed performer Bruno Mars. Mars will perform in the resort’s new performance venue and event space, The Chelsea, on Dec. 29 and Dec. 31. These shows will inaugurate the new venue and offer a peek at what’s to come for a series of exclusive Bruno Mars concert dates at The Chelsea in 2014.

The Cosmopolitan has a strong reputation of bringing world-class performers to intimate venues that stand out from the arenas where artists of this caliber typically perform.

“Bruno Mars is a perfect fit for The Cosmopolitan as he has a natural affinity for Las Vegas and is a true performer,” said John Unwin, CEO of The Cosmopolitan.

“Get ready, Vegas,” said singer, songwriter, producer and musician, Bruno Mars. “Me and the Hooligans are bringin’ live music to The Cosmopolitan’s Chelsea on New Year’s Eve. It’ll be our first time, but not our last.”

Mars will return to The Chelsea Feb. 15 and 16, May 23 and 24 and Aug. 22 and 23. Tickets for all shows will go on sale Friday, Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. PDT.

The Chelsea will offer guests a more avant-garde approach to entertainment than currently exists in Las Vegas.  The 50,000 square-foot venue will feature cast glass chandeliers, a vintage lobby bar, private VIP opera boxes and a decorative grand staircase.  In addition, remnant brick tiling, an eclectic collection of stage production props and the latest technology seamlessly woven throughout will come together to create a brilliant backdrop for concert-goers.  The Chelsea can accommodate 3,000 guests, presenting Mars’ talent in an exciting up-close setting.

The New Year’s festivities commence with two shows by Bruno Mars on Dec. 29 and 31. Each celebration will begin at 9 p.m. inside The Chelsea, offering revelers the opportunity to soak in the unique atmosphere of the new space.  For the Dec. 31 performance, Mars will not only take the stage, but will count down and commemorate the midnight hour, officially marking what is sure to be a groundbreaking year of entertainment in the new venue. Tickets for Dec. 29 and New Year’s Eve shows start at $150 while tickets for 2014 shows start at $95. Tickets for all shows will be released for sale Friday, Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. PDT, available online atwww.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or through Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000.

New Year’s Eve packages are also available, including a two-night stay, two concert tickets, VIP check in, late checkout, $100 resort credit, ice skating for two and welcome reception, starting at $1,800 for a City Room. Packages are available at www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com or by calling 702.698.7000.

About BRUNO MARS
Bruno Mars is a critically acclaimed singer, songwriter, producer and musician. The 14-time Grammy Award nominee and Grammy winner has sold over 115 million singles worldwide. His current album Unorthodox Jukebox and his debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans have a combined certification total of 60x platinum worldwide. According to Billboard, Mars scored his first five “Hot 100” No. 1s faster than any male since Elvis Presley. As a singer, songwriter and producer, Mars has an impressive catalog of 22 “Hot 100” hits. Bruno Mars and his eight-piece band The Hooligans are on a sold-out, 91-city world arena tour and will perform at the Pepsi Superbowl XLVIII Halftime Show on Sunday, February 2, 2014.

About The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is the city’s newest luxury resort offering a decidedly different perspective. Located at the heart of The Strip, the resort’s uniquely vertical multi-tower design offers spectacular views of the vibrant city. The new 2,995-room resort features oversized residential-style living spaces with expansive, one-of-a-kind private terraces. The Cosmopolitan’s luxurious resort amenities include a 100,000 square foot casino; Sahra Spa & Hammam and Violet Hour Hair Nails Beauty; three unique pool experiences; Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub, a multi-level integrated indoor/outdoor nightclub and 150,000 square feet of state-of-the-art convention and meeting space. An eclectic line-up of new-to-market retailers include:  AllSaints Spitalfields, Beckley, CRSVR Sneaker Boutique, DNA2050, EATDRINK, Jason of Beverly Hills, Kidrobot, Molly Brown’s Swimwear, Retrospecs & Co, Skins 62 Cosmetics, Stitched and Utique. Signature restaurants include: Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill by restaurateurs Bruce and Eric Bromberg; Comme Ça by Los Angeles Chef David Myers; Estiatorio Milos, by international restaurateur Costas Spiliadis; Holsteins from Block 16 Hospitality; Jaleo and China Poblano restaurants by acclaimed Chef José Andrés; Scarpetta and D.O.C.G. by award-winning Chef Scott Conant; and popular steakhouse STK from The ONE Group; bustling culinary food hall The Wicked Spoon; and The Henry, an all-day dining concept.

For more information visit: www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
Follow us on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/cosmopolitan_lv
Find us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/thecosmopolitan

- See more at: http://www.vegas24seven.com/?p=25484#sthash.DpcAgq7R.dpuf

FRIDAY September 20th, 2013 Gay Vegas Weekend Events

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

Click here to see the ENTIRE WEEKEND Events

Saturday September 21st, 2013 Gay Vegas Weekend Events

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What Real Men Look Like In Underwear Ads

You know how incredibly sexy David Beckham looks in those underwear ads? Well, the Sun flips those images on its head with a photo shoot of real men posing in the similar set ups. The question is, are you just as sold (or turned on) by these men as you are by the models they replaced? Check out the four shots below and let us know what you prefer: John Doe or David Gandy.

H&M, John Doe vs. David Beckham

Dolce & Gabbana, John Doe vs. David Gandy

Calvin Klein, John Doe vs. Freddie Ljungberg

Armani, John Doe vs. Cristiano Ronaldo

It’s not the first time the paper had fun with body image, take a look at the guys they found to pose in the buff.

Full story here: http://www.queerty.com/what-real-men-look-like-in-underwear-ads-20130919/#ixzz2fRvgOxg6

Study shows one-third of students still oppose LGBT civil rights

Study shows one-third of students still oppose LGBT civil rights

Although popular culture may cultivate the perception that all young people everywhere are in support of gay rights, a recent University of Michigan study shows that one-third still do not. While I’d like to focus on the uplifting seventy-five percent that support LGBT civil rights, one-third is still far too large a fraction—especially among our population’s future leaders. 

The findings of the study, which appear in the current issue of the Journal of Community Practice, came from a sample of 2,568 heterosexual-identified sophomores, juniors, and graduate students. Participants were asked to provide their views on contemporary LGBT civil rights issues including marriage laws and employment protection rights. 

Michael Woodford, a University of Michigan assistant professor of social work and the study’s lead author, says that many of our social policies are to blame for this “heterosexism.” Laws against marriage equality, as well as failing to provide transgender employees with laws that protect their right of gender expression, aid in perpetuating a cycle of discrimination. 

“Heterosexism can negatively impact the well-being of LGBT people and their families in many ways,” said Woodford. “Though important advances have occurred in LGBT rights, especially this past year with the Supreme Court’s ruling recognizing same-sex marriage federally, LGBT people throughout the country do not necessarily have the same rights as their heterosexual neighbors and friends.” 

According to Woodford, gay couples in Michigan cannot legally marry, and sexual orientation and gender expression are not included in the state’s employment protection laws. 

“Understanding citizens’ views about these issues are important as groups continue to work toward LGBT equality,” he added. 

Despite the unfortunately significant number of students in opposition, the grand majority of students did side in favor of LGBT rights. Seventy-eight percent of students in the study support employment protections, seventy-one percent support civil unions, and sixty-eight percent support marriage equality. 

Students who identified as liberal or progressive were more likely to show support of LGBT civil rights than those who identified as conservative. Furthermore, those who with an LGBT relative were more likely to support LGBT civil rights, while those who attend religious services regularly were not. 

According to Woodford, highlighting the courage that out LGBT people face encourages students to support their civil rights. 

“In other words, they have some insights into heterosexism and the risks that LGBT people often overcome when they come out,” said Woodford. “Therefore, by educating students and the public about everyday heterosexism and its consequences, groups advocating for LGBT rights might help to sway some people to support LGBT equality.” 

Written By Erin Higgins
Source: http://dot429.com/articles/3050-study-shows-one-third-of-students-still-oppose-lgbt-civil-rights