Steven Monjeza continues to behave in an erratic, troubling manner, telling the Associated Press that he met Tiwonge Chimbalanga a week before Christmas at a bar, and that Chimbalanga promised him money to participate in an engagement ceremony days after Christmas. He refused to say why he would not reveal these details in his defence during a trial after the two were arrested days after the traditional engagement ceremony and charged with unnatural acts and gross indecency. The gay couple were convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison with hard labour, a sentence ultimately fully pardoned by the Malawi’s president after international condemnation.
Thursday, the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability begins a two day hearing on a donor policy that prohibits any man who ever had sex with another man even once since 1977 from ever giving blood. The policy was created at the height of the HIV/AIDS hysteria using science that has long since changed. Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, a Democrat, lead a group of senators who this past March asked that the Food and Drug Administration revisit the policy, Kerry writing that there was “a clear and unscientific double standard” in the current policy because behaviour that places heterosexuals at higher risk for HIV – like unprotected sex with an intravenous drug user, a person with HIV or a prostitute – demands only a one-year deferral from donating blood.
The United States State Department announced new, more generous passport regulations for transgender individuals, and ended a previous requirement that reassignment surgery precede a passport gender change. According to a statement, beginning June 10th, “when a passport applicant presents a certification from an attending medical physician that the applicant has undergone appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition, the passport will reflect the new gender.” The policy and procedures are based on standards and recommendation of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. The announcement also coincides with President Obama’s proclamation of last week that June is Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Month.
In Hudson, New York Saturday history was made, the Hudson High School prom naming two gay best friends prom king and queen. Seniors Charlie Ferrusi and Timmy Howard earned the respective crown and tiara in a landslide, and said the support they have received from both students and administration has been humbling. Howard said that “it’s a really big step for Hudson but also for the gay community in general. To have this happen in our city is pretty exciting.” More exciting, the two have been asked to participate in the Hudson Pride Parade scheduled for Sunday, June 20th.
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