SexHerald.com - XML News, Forum, Documents, RSS/RDF Feed http://www.sexherald.com/news/news.rss The oldest known penis-like structure has been discovered in a 400 million year old fossilized fish by a team of scientists led by paleontologist Doctor John Long. The clasper, as it is called, was actually discovered in Western Australia in 2001, but was thought to be part of the pelvic girdle, partly because it was thought that ancient fish fertilized their eggs outside of the female. But when two fossilized female fish were found carrying embryos earlier this year, the pelvic girdle was re-examined, and discovered to be a penis. “It's a pretty big find because placaderms were the dominant fish for 70 million years, but we knew nothing about their reproduction,” says Long. Sperm funnels through the clasper, made of actual bone, while the male placoderm uses an extra fin to grip onto the female. This is similar to how modern sharks copulate, suggesting the placoderms had very advanced reproductive systems. Study author and paleontologist Kate Trinajstic added that scientists could now identify the sex of ancient fish, something they could not do before. Regarding the clasper itself, “We were surprised because it's so big," says Trinajstic. "We were expecting something smaller.” http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2009/07/14/2621203.htm http://www.manolith.com/2009/07/15/john-longs-ancient-fish-penis/ http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/07/14/oldest-male-organ.html http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/newshome/5724099 http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/02/25/fish-sex-evolution.html http://www.sexherald.com/adult-news/old_fish_penis__01,07,10.html 2010-01-07 For at least the next three months, the Video Recordings Act of 1984 (VRA) will not exist. Twenty-five years after the Thatcher government made the act law, it was discovered that they did not notify the European Commission. The Digital Britain project, promoting technology in the UK, found the mistake. The law had forbidden sales of violent video games to minors, and required most adult films to be sold only in licensed sex shops. The act’s removal means that until it is up for a vote again in three months’ time, no prosecutions may take place under the VRA. Current prosecutions have been dropped. According to BBC News, however, a government spokeswoman warned, “Our legal advice is that those previously prosecuted will be unable to overturn their prosecution or receive financial recompense.” BBC also reports that 87 people have been convicted under the act as of 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8219438.stm?lsf http://www.slashgear.com/game-dvd-age-restrictions-undermined-after-uk-legal-blunder-2553617/ http://www.xbiz.com/news/112049 http://www.sexherald.com/adult-news/uk_age_rates_&_sex_specific_sales_invalidated__01,07,10.html 2010-01-07 Acrux’s new AXIRON, a testosterone spray applied under the armpits, has exceeded all standards set by the Food and Drug Administration for hormone treatment, with side effects no more serious than mild and occasional skin reaction. The Phase 3 trial treated 155 men with below normal testosterone levels in six countries. During the four month study, they were allowed to use deodorants and antiperspirants as they had before. After just two weeks, 76 percent of the men were within normal range of testosterone levels (300-1,050ng/dl). After four months, average baseline testosterone levels jumped from 190 ng/dl to 504 ng/dl. Mood and sexual desire, activity, and performance all correspondingly improved. Testosterone treatment for hypogonadism, now a billion dollar industry, attempts to help patients with resulting lethargy, depression, reduced libido, and decrease in muscle mass and bone density. AXIRON proves far more effective in avoiding transference to others. Market entry is predicted to be 2011. For more information, please visit Acrux. http://www.acrux.com.au/IRM/content/products/default_frame.html http://www.acrux.com.au/IRM/content/default.html http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/165776.php http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:J6qljvXnBdsJ:www.acrux.com.au/IRM/Company/ShowPage.aspx%3FCPID%3D1417+acrux+axiron&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&client=firefox-a http://www.sexherald.com/adult-news/testosterone_spray__01,07,10.html 2010-01-07 After United Nations conference “Giving Voice to Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking” called for more attention and stronger enforcement, Special Rapporteur Juan Miguel Petit has issued a statement on Albania’s new government and their progress in fighting human and sex trafficking. He first thanks the government for the invitation to review the country, and sees it as a sign of openness and commitment to the issue, especially “considering how new this government is.” After visiting three cities, 40 meetings, and over 100 people in a week’s time, Petit has noted the country’s progress in developing its framework, including greater awareness, better trained police, and tighter border control. He does, however, note that these treat only the symptoms of the diseases of “poverty, families without opportunities for development, communities lacking social services, stigmatised minorities, persistent discriminatory practices against women, an educational system inadequate for today's challenges,” which all lend their hand in creating the market for human and sex trafficking. Petit therefore recommends treating the disease itself and focusing on prevention, via firm investment in education and social services, where Non-Government Organizations have been bearing most of the work. The International Labor Organization estimates at least 12.3 million work in forced labor, bonded labor, and commercial sexual servitude, which constitutes 11.3% of the victims (1.39 million). Half of all the forced workers are women and girls. At the conference, High Commissioner Navanethem Pillay stressed the urgent degree of attention this fight requires, “A human rights approach demands that we listen to survivors of human trafficking to craft better responses.” Rachel Lloyd, victim of sex trafficking in Germany, told her story of escaping and running to the police, only to be dismissed. They suggested she ask her trafficker for a ride back to England. http://www.unausa.org/Page.aspx?pid=1674&srctid=1&erid=890812 http://www.unausa.org/Page.aspx?pid=1623 http://www.unausa.org/Page.aspx?pid=1273 http://www.unausa.org/Page.aspx?pid=860#S.6 http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=16480&Cr=UNICEF&Cr1=albania http://www.unicef.org/protection/index_exploitation.html http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/856E09630FF55AB2C12570B3003E2BFF?opendocument http://www.sexherald.com/adult-news/united_nations_on_human_trafficking__01,07,10.html 2010-01-07 The New York Police Department is accused of entrapping and falsely arresting innocent gay and bisexual men found at adult video stores to create a case for shutting down the stores. According to AVN, they have already forced one store to close: the building sold for $12.3 million, and the property is under redevelopment. The lawsuit was filed by Robert Pinter, a gay man who was arrested when visiting adult video store Blue Door. Pinter says a young Asian-American male confronted him outside of the store. The man, an undercover officer, offered to provide oral sex in his car on the corner. Pinter, 53, agreed, but on their way out, the young man mentioned he wanted to pay Pinter $50. Pinter says he ignored it, but when they got outside, he was pushed against a wall without being shown identification, and arrested for prostitution. Pinter, who took a guilty plea for disorderly conduct and served a light sentence, eventually fought the conviction with others who complained of the same treatment. His charges were dropped. According to The Villager, Pinter is one of 30 men arrested for prostitution outside six adult video stores. The video stores often do not know what is happening until they receive notice to shut down. Now Pinter is fighting back, heading a lawsuit and a group called the Coalition to Stop the Arrests. The lawsuit names as defendants Mayor Michael Bloomberg; Police Commissioner Ray Kelly; Shari Hyman, director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement; other senior uniformed police officials; and the undercover arresting officer, identified only as badge number 31107. Deputy Commissioner for Public Information Paul Browne says department members are meeting with community representatives to discuss specific arrests, and the talks have been going well, “The police activity was in response to community complaints of prostitution and other problems at a few locations,” [Gay Lesbian Times]. Browne maintains that the NYPD is not targeting the gay community. There were 242 closings or stipulations in 2008 in Manhattan under “nuisance abatement,” 100 involving prostitution. Three were gay, X-rated DVD stores at which prostitution occurred, according to complaints. Citywide, 17 percent of men arrested for prostitution are over 40, but they make up 66 percent of the 12 arrests in front of Blue Door. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn is working with the Mayor’s office, the NYPD, and gay activist groups, “We need to have the arrest policy stopped and to figure out how it started. This egregious targeting of gay men is not even entrapment. These are false arrests.” http://business.avn.com/articles/36526.html?utm_source=avndaily&utm_medium=email&utm_content=more&utm_term=gay&utm_campaign=top_story_5 http://www.urbanjustice.org/pdf/press/gaycitynews_16jan09.pdf http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/fea/20090202/202/2813 http://yourvoicenow.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/fake-prostitution-sting-in-new-york/ http://www.gaylesbiantimes.com/?id=14061 http://gaycitynews.com/articles/2009/11/27/news/doc4acfa0a33a395386590642.txt http://www.advocate.com/article.aspx?id=43196 http://www.thevillager.com/villager_335/victimoffalse.html http://www.gayagenda.com/tag/gay-sex-sting/ http://www.feministing.com/archives/013987.html http://gaytravel.about.com/od/gaydestinationgalleries/ig/Photos-of-Gay-Chelsea--NYC-/Blue-Store.htm http://www.sexherald.com/adult-news/new_york_targeting_innocent_gay_men__01,07,10.html 2010-01-07 The University of Minnesota and researchers from Project EAT (Eating Among Teens) has found no difference in psychological wellbeing between those who engage in casual sex and those in committed relationships. Doctor Marla Eisenberg and her researching team reviewed information from 1,311 people aged 18-24 (average age: 20.5) about their most recent sexual encounters and their psychological health. 574 were male; 737 were female. The information was collected from 2003-2004. 55 percent reported their last sexual encounter to be with an exclusive partner, and 25 percent with a life partner. 12 percent reported a close, non-exclusive partner, and 8 percent reported a casual partner. Men were twice as likely to report a non-exclusive or casual partner. Dr. Eisenberg reports, "When we looked at the emotional wellbeing across these groups we really found no differences, in things like body satisfaction, in self-esteem and depressive symptoms." She also notes that the study does not downplay the physical health risks, “It’s things like STD prevention and pregnancy prevention and we really need to focus on those when we're doing health education programming with young adults." The study was funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Service Administration, and the US Department of Health and Human Services. It is published in the December issue of the academic journal Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. http://www1.umn.edu/news/todays-news/2009/UR_CONTENT_159438.html http://wcco.com/local/study.measures.casual.2.1357928.html http://www.ahc.umn.edu/news/releases/AHC_CONTENT_159312.html http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,579898,00.html http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2009/12/11/casual-sex-doesnt-cause-emotional-damage-study.html http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/emotional_ok_on_casual_sex_7DqnPXDMIxpoT9cmMzOviI http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/12/09/is-casual-sex-harmful/10071.html http://www.health24.com/news/Sexuality/1-944,53895.asp http://www.sexherald.com/adult-news/umn_studies_non-exclusive_sex_and_psychology__01,07,10.html 2010-01-07 In Uganda, where homosexuality is already outlawed, the government is trying to pass a bill that would execute repeat offenders, or those homosexuals who have sex with minors or are HIV positive. Homosexuality, now punishable by a 14-year sentence, would receive lifetime imprisonment. If the bill is passed, arguing for the rights of the LGBT community will be punishable by up to seven years. Click here to protest the measure. Those aware of LGBT people, or even those who support their rights, but do not report to the police within 24 hours, may receive a three-year prison sentence. Some say this will create a witchhunt. Many believe this has come in part from the US evangelists’ influence, pushing their anti-gay agenda throughout Africa. While most evangelicals clarify they were not pushing for the death penalty, but rather more ‘curative’ approaches, they were pushing for tougher laws. A seminar on homosexuality in March featured US evangelists Don Schmierer (writer), Caleb Lee Brundidge (sexual reorientation coach), and Scott Lively (Defend the Family International, writer of The Pink Swastika). Lively claims otherwise, that the harsh bill is Uganda’s reaction to international pressure to normalize homosexuality. The Ugandan pastor organizing the event petitioned against the gays who were ‘recruiting school children.’ George ‘Georgina’ Oundo confessed to such activity at the seminar, claiming he is now a cured heterosexual. Others claim he is pawning himself to the highest bidder, having been an advocate for homosexuality for years until he decided he was not being given enough money. Oundo was arrested in September 2008 for recruitment, but released with pressure from human rights groups. Afterward, he had no one to provide for him. Now, however, he claims the gay recruitment groups grant ‘much money’, training abroad, and targeting needy children. Eight others have followed Oundo and confessed to recruiting as well, all of whom Oundo says were spurned by the LGBT community. HIV campaigns have noted how hard this will make it to help control AIDS within the LGBT community. The evangelical influence already panders more toward abstinence, which the scientific community finds hazardous. With homosexuality already outlawed, the campaigns do not bother reaching out; many gay men accordingly do not understand HIV’s danger, and under the bill would have no incentive to be checked. Prescribing the death penalty for HIV positive homosexuals will only worsen the epidemic. Homosexuality is condemned throughout Africa. Burundi, though they abolished the death penalty, recently criminalized homosexuality, while Nigeria and Sudan have reportedly considered execution for it. Reports have surfaced of Rwanda attempting to pass a similar measure, but Rwandan officials have said no such bill was discussed. Similar to the virgin-AIDS myth, it is popularly believed that raping a lesbian will ‘cure’ her, a practice known as corrective rape. When she turns to the police, she is often rebuked for her sexuality. Numerous international leaders have condemned the bill, and Sweden has said they will rethink their $50 million annual aid. Religious leaders as well, including the Vatican, have spoken against it, though many figureheads in Africa view this as an opportunity to stand in solidarity, proving their morality to the world. David Bahati, the Member of Parliament who introduced the bill, has expressed most of Africa’s view toward LGBT behavior, “We do not recognize homosexuality as a human right… We recognize it as a learned behavior which can be unlearned.” Though the bill refers to homosexuality of all kind, Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity James Nsaba Buturo addresses male homosexuality, “"We used to say Mr and Mrs, but now it is Mr and Mr. What is that now? .... We are talking about anal sex. Not even animals do that." This has been shown to be wrong. Martin Ssempa, Pastor and AIDS activist under PEPFAR, in defending the bill, addresses the children, “Indeed the headlines that say Ugandan law to kill gays, is deliberately misleading. It should really say, Uganda law proposes capital sentence for Men with HIV who rape boys and infect them with HIV/AIDS just as it is for  heterosexuals who rape girls.” The text of the bill differs with his sentiment. And while President Yoweri Museveni’s officials have promised he will veto the bill should it come to his desk, there are ways around the president, just as in US law, and many are worried of the political pressure to support the bill. Lawmakers wanted to pass the law before this year’s end, but recent reports indicate a wait until the February session to debate the bill. The International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission has organized an action alert to e-mail and/or write political leaders in protest. Click here to notify up to nine Ugandan officials and others. http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2009/10/15/15609 http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/29/uganda-death-sentence-gay-sex http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/10/15/uganda-anti-homosexuality-bill-threatens-liberties-and-human-rights-defenders http://www.guardian.co.uk/katine/2009/nov/20/homosexuality-bill http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2009/12/19/martin-ssempa-responds-rick-warren-ugandas-homosexuality-bill http://thecitizen.co.tz/newe.php?id=15586 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/19/world/africa/19briefs-HOMOSEXUALIT_BRF.html http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2009/10/21/gay-ugandans-could-face-death-penalty http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/news/2009/10/091016_uganda_aggravated_homosexuality_wt_sl.shtml http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/news/2009/12/091218_gay_uganda_law_wt_sl.shtml http://blogs.abcnews.com/theworldnewser/2009/12/africas-culture-war-the-fight-over-ugandas-antigay-bill.html http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/special/pdf/1217ssempaletter.pdf http://www.iglhrc.org/cgi-bin/iowa/article/takeaction/globalactionalerts/989.html http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=2C3BF485-E7F2-99DF-3649AA5BD1C08F8E http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8427066.stm http://dcagenda.com/2009/12/19/ugandan-president-committed-to-blocking-anti-gay-bill-officials/ http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/12/08/uganda.anti.gay.bill/index.html http://genocide.change.org/blog/view/deja_vu_comparing_ugandan_homophobia_with_nazi_rhetoric http://en.afrik.com/article16669.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/news/2009/12/091218_gay_uganda_law_wt_sl.shtml http://www.gayrightsuganda.org/ http://usqueers.com/str2/2009/03/24/after-international-rescue-ugandas-now-ex-drag-queen-georgina-claims-to-be-former-recruiter-of-school-children-for-homosexuality/ http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2009/03/31/10273 http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/675619 http://www.mask.org.za/article.php?cat=uganda&id=2081 http://www.defendthefamily.com/pfrc/books/pinkswastika/html/the_pinkswastika_4th_edition_-_final.htm http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/btb/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/10-02-08-red-pepper-001.jpg http://www.sdgln.com/news/2009/12/14/un-vatican-come-out-against-uganda-s-proposed-anti-homosexuality-bill http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/dec/09121607.html http://allafrica.com/stories/200912190017.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/focus-aids-the-myth-that-sex-with-a-virgin-can-cure-hiv-1116662.html http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=139&art_id=ct20031107212728265P430805&set_id=1 http://www.sexherald.com/adult-news/uganda_against_homosexuality__01,07,10.html 2010-01-07 Ten members of congress are asking the Food and Drug Administration to allow Men who have Sex with Men to donate blood. The representatives see hope in the new FDA commissioner Doctor Margaret Hamburg’s progressive views, opposing abstinence-only education and supporting needle-exchange programs. Currently, MSM are barred from donating blood, unless their sexual encounters occurred before 1977. Intravenous drug users, those paid to have sex, and those who have spent time in particular countries also may not give blood, as these groups are all at an increased risk of having HIV. It is easier to receive HIV through anal sex than through vaginal, and MSM may play both parts in sexual intercourse. Gay men are the only risk-group in which new HIV cases are increasing, especially young gay men. 2005 saw an 11% increase from 2001 in new HIV infections among MSM, but it is unknown how much that figure is affected by more accurate diagnoses. Though it may be impossible to say exactly what percentage of MSM have HIV, ScienceDaily claims up to 25% of gay men living in cities may be HIV positive, as of 2005. Still, critics point out that a straight person with an HIV+ partner may donate blood after a year. Tests now detect the virus within ten days of infection, and all blood is screened regardless of a donor’s answers to the questionnaire. Some men lie to donate blood. They may do so out of conviction in doing the right thing, but other men, in denial of their sexuality, are more likely to practice unsafe sex. Homosexual men who are ‘always on top,’ do not like to lie, and in healthy, monogamous relationships may not donate; promiscuous women may donate the day after a one night stand, as long as she does not believe the man has had sex with another man. After having sex with an MSM, the woman must wait a year. Nearly two thirds of men with HIV received the virus from male-to-male sexual contact, while only 5-7% of men in the US have reported having intercourse with another man. In 2007, the black community accounted for half of all new HIV infections, while they only represent about 12% of the US population. But a ban the black community’s right to donate blood would surely meet rejection. Many argue the policy only promotes prejudice, shame, and a misunderstanding of the virus. Some even say bans on gay marriage contribute to higher HIV rates. The letter, drafted by Mike Quigley (D-Illinois), calls the ban “antiquated [and] discriminatory.” Some colleges have boycotted on-campus blood drives because of the policy. Other countries have given slack to their previous lifetime bans. Still more are reviewing their policies, even while plasma from gay men may not go to market in the European Union. The FDA argues that the most important part of keeping blood safe is the questionnaire process. The HIV rate throughout the US is about one in three-to-five hundred, while the rate in those who pass the questionnaire is one in ten thousand. Opponents of the policy suggest changing the question, "Have you had sex with another man, even once, since 1977?" which applies to only men, to more universal questions like, “How many unprotected sexual partners have you had in the past year?” They argue this will allow for more blood, and make the collection safer at the same time. Currently, less than 38% of the US population is eligible to give blood. 16 million donations are collected every year, and about 14 million are needed. However, based on locations and different blood types, there are still shortages. Type O-negative red cells and Type AB-positive plasma, both of which can be transfused universally, are in constant demand. These are needed when other supplies are depleted, and when an emergency prevents doctors from determining the blood type of a patient in a short enough time. Only seven percent of the population has O-negative blood, which is more frequently found in Hispanics and the black community. Only three percent of the population has AB-positive blood. One donation of blood may save up to three lives. To sign a petition asking the FDA to review its policy, click here. http://www.infectiousdiseasefacts.com/article/Reps%20Renew%20Push%20To%20End%20Ban%20On%20Gay%20Blood%20Donation/?k=j83s12y12h94s27k02 http://www.advocate.com/Health_and_Fitness/Health_and_Treatments/HIV/Blood,_Sex,_and_the_FDA/ http://www.cdc.gov/NCHHSTP/newsroom/docs/FastFacts-MSM-FINAL508COMP.pdf http://www.thelocal.se/23590/20091201/ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article6891256.ece http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2008/03/07/blood-gay.html http://www.alligator.org/opinion/editorials/article_e517d342-dd75-11de-b0c2-001cc4c03286.html http://torontoist.com/2009/12/polling_booth_blood_donation_by_gay_men.php http://awearnessblog.com/2009/09/gay-no-blood-from-you-please.php http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:K6QTTQA7h_YJ:www.cbbsweb.org/enf/attachments/fdadeferralmsm_abc_june09.pdf+fda+gay+blood+congress&hl=en&gl=us&sig=AHIEtbQ24BmyGtFftUmSRv6srLQnKA29fg http://ww2.aegis.com/news/wb/2006/WB060304.html http://www.avert.org/usa-transmission-gender.htm http://www.thebody.com/content/art42384.html http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070913132930.htm http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/14/opinion/14mon2.html http://www.realjock.com/article/1442/ http://www.chicagofreepress.com/node/600 http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/msm/index.htm http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:fzj7NjhbgqsJ:www.cdc.gov/NCHHSTP/newsroom/docs/FastFacts-MSM-FINAL508COMP.pdf+hiv+rates+gay+men&hl=en&gl=us&sig=AHIEtbTqgungsHa4NYaqqrRefwABWXKzLg http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/26/AR2008062603521.html http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/basic.htm#hivest http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/us.htm http://www.onlinedatingmagazine.com/STDs/aidshivstats.html http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_percentage_of_American_homosexuals_are_HIV_positive http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/aa/resources/factsheets/aa.htm#3 http://www.redcrossblood.org/learn-about-blood/blood-facts-and-statistics http://www.petitiononline.com/gdonors/petition.html http://www.sexherald.com/adult-news/reps_push_for_gay_blood_donors__01,07,10.html 2010-01-07 The University of Minnesota and researchers from Project EAT (Eating Among Teens) has found there to be no difference in psychological well-being between those who engage in casual sex and those in monogamous relationships. http://www.sexherald.com/adult-news/umn_studies_non-exclusive_sex_and_psychology__12,18,09.html 2009-12-18 The New York Police Department has been accused of entrapping and falsely arresting innocent homosexual men at adult video stores, in an attempt to create a case for shutting down the stores. According to AVN, the NYPD has already forced one store to close. http://www.sexherald.com/adult-news/new_york_targeting_innocent_gay_men__12,15,09.html 2009-12-15