LIFESTYLES

5 THINGS TO KNOW

It’s not always smooth sailing for the LGBT travelers.

August 25, 2017 compassq Comments Off on It’s not always smooth sailing for the LGBT travelers.

For the LGBT community, the path to full equality has always been filled with roadblocks and barriers. For every step we take forward — the right to marry the person we love, for example – it seems we take a few steps back. Make no mistake: progress has been made, especially among American businesses. From enthusiastically supporting marriage equality to standing against so-called religious liberty bills that discriminate against the LGBT community, American companies are on the front lines of our fight.

HEROES

How did Pride Nights at ever happen at MLB games?

August 25, 2017 compassq Comments Off on How did Pride Nights at ever happen at MLB games?

Brent Minor, executive director of Team DC—an organization that promotes LGBT sports participation in the Washington area—remembers feeling pessimistic about the first-ever Washington Nationals Night Out. It was 2005, and his organization “totally emptied [its] treasury” to buy 200 tickets for LGBT fans. “We thought, ‘Okay, we’re going to lose our shirts,’” Minor says.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Syphilis cases for gay and bisexual men spike in Scotland.

August 25, 2017 compassq Comments Off on Syphilis cases for gay and bisexual men spike in Scotland.

Scotland has had a shocking rise in the number of syphilis cases among gay and bisexual men. The rate of infection is now at 90% among men. New syphilis diagnoses rose 13% in 2016 with 356. This is the highest number Scotland has seen since 1952. The number doubled between 2014 and 2015, from 159 to 316.

5 THINGS TO KNOW

Is this the end of LGBT churches?

August 25, 2017 compassq Comments Off on Is this the end of LGBT churches?

As the worship service came to a close at the Metropolitan Community Church of Corpus Christi, Texas, July 30, so too did the official presence of the longest running LGBT-accepting Christian church in the city. Some 35 years after the church opened its doors in this conservative community and offered a haven to queer people, leaders earlier this month announced the doors here would close, that the congregation would disband, and worship materials from altar candles to clerical robes would be made available to other MCC locations.

GayARP

Studies show the health of LGBT seniors is worse than heterosexual counterparts.

August 24, 2017 compassq Comments Off on Studies show the health of LGBT seniors is worse than heterosexual counterparts.

Lesbian and bisexual older women are more likely than heterosexual older women to suffer chronic health conditions, experience sleep problems and drink excessively, a new University of Washington study finds. In general, lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) older adults were found to be in poorer health than heterosexuals, specifically in terms of higher rates of cardiovascular disease, weakened immune system and low back or neck pain. They also were at greater risk of some adverse health behaviors such as smoking and excessive drinking.

BUSINESS

Financial planning for the LGBT community.

August 24, 2017 compassq Comments Off on Financial planning for the LGBT community.

We’re getting a lot of emails from readers concerned about the prospects of their financial security and same-sex marriages under the Trump Administration. As Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Brian Thompson of BT Financial, says, “With so much uncertainty as to what the future holds for our marriage and civil rights, you need a comprehensive financial plan.”

PRIDE

Pride in Santa Barbara, California

August 24, 2017 compassq Comments Off on Pride in Santa Barbara, California

For the first time in Pacific Pride’s 41-year history, it will be kicking off this year’s gay pride celebration, starting Saturday morning at 10 a.m., with a march down State Street from De la Guerra Plaza to Chase Palm Park.