Marin Probationers Arrest May have Saved lives

Public safety workers and the friends and family members of those at risk for overdose are being encouraged to carry naloxone. San Rafael, CA – Two probationers who have histories of being hospitalized for opiate abuse were booked into Marin County Jail following arrests that Marin County Probation Department officials said might have saved their … More Marin Probationers Arrest May have Saved lives

Time to Purge that Medicine Cabinet for Safety’s Sake

Prevent misuse and abuse on Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 28 San Rafael, CA – The opioid abuse crisis is a national phenomenon these days – there’s even a White House webpage devoted to it – but it’s been lingering in Marin County for decades. One in four Marin adults needs help for substance … More Time to Purge that Medicine Cabinet for Safety’s Sake

Marin Forum Focused on Treating Pain Without Opioids

RxSafe Marin luncheon April 12 in San Rafael is free and open to all San Rafael, CA – Now that the opioid crisis is getting more national attention, Marin’s grassroots initiative called RxSafe Marin is convening experts for a community forum to talk about healthy options for managing pain on April 12. The four-year-old RxSafe … More Marin Forum Focused on Treating Pain Without Opioids

Mark Leno Candidate for San Francisco Mayor Promises to End Street Homelessness

Former State Senator, Mark Leno, a favorite in the highly competitive and formidable race for San Francisco Mayor, is promising to end San Francisco’s critical street homeless crisis by 2020. As San Francisco Chronicle opinion writer Heather Knight noted back in January: “You have just 20 weeks to decide who should lead our economic powerhouse of a … More Mark Leno Candidate for San Francisco Mayor Promises to End Street Homelessness

Marin Ranks as Healthiest County in California Amidst Glaring Disparities

Marin Regains Ranking as Healthiest County in State – As Work remains for local officials to address health disparities and substance misuse San Rafael, CA – For the eighth time, Marin has been ranked the healthiest county in California by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The 2018 County Health Rankingssurveys more than 3,000 counties to measure … More Marin Ranks as Healthiest County in California Amidst Glaring Disparities

Person Hospitalized with Shellfish Poisoning in Marin

High levels of naturally occurring poison detected in waters off Marin coast San Rafael, CA – Marin County Public Health has confirmed a case of paralytic shellfish poison (PSP), a naturally occurring toxin found in bivalves such as mussels, clams and oysters that are harvested in uncontrolled conditions. One person, an adult who will not … More Person Hospitalized with Shellfish Poisoning in Marin

The First Report to Look at HIV Criminalization in Georgia

With thanks to the The Williams Institute (UCLA School of Law) : Georgia, USA, laws that criminalize people living with HIV have resulted in 571 arrests from 1988 to September 2017, according to state-level criminal history record information analyzed by the Williams Institute. Findings show some disparities in enforcement of the laws based on race, … More The First Report to Look at HIV Criminalization in Georgia

Marin County BOS to Consider Licensing for Medicinal Cannabis

New delivery-only retail ordinance goes before Supervisors November 14 San Rafael, CA – More than two months after the County of Marin introduced a revised draft ordinance for delivery-only medical cannabis licensing for public review, the time for a formal vote is approaching. First, the Marin County Board of Supervisors would need to approve the … More Marin County BOS to Consider Licensing for Medicinal Cannabis

Information on Marin County Wildfire Relief Coordination

Marin Exhibit Hall Center shelter remains open; donations still not needed San Rafael, CA (2:45 PM)–  The Marin County Office of Emergency Services and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) continue to operate a temporary shelter for North Bay wildfire evacuees at Marin Center Exhibit Hall at 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. … More Information on Marin County Wildfire Relief Coordination

Callen-Lorde Community Health Center Sending Emergency Medical Team to Aid in Relief Efforts in Puerto Rico

New York, NY- Callen-Lorde Community Health Center announced that it is sending an emergency medical response team to provide medical relief to Puerto Rico as part of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort. The team is comprised of Spanish-speaking medical providers and nurses with experience in emergency response, and will be … More Callen-Lorde Community Health Center Sending Emergency Medical Team to Aid in Relief Efforts in Puerto Rico

Reported Ban on Transgender Military Health Care and Deployment Condemned

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund Condemns Reported Ban on Transgender Military Health Care and Deployment New York, NY – Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund today responded to reports that the White House is forwarding guidance to military officials that directs Defense Secretary James Mattis to implement policy within six months to cease all … More Reported Ban on Transgender Military Health Care and Deployment Condemned

interACT: Calls on the Society for Pediatric Urology to Condemn Nonconsensual Medically Unnecessary Surgeries

On Intersex Infants, Including Clitoral Reductions and Vaginoplasties  | Advocates for Intersex Youth  Children born with intersex traits—variations that cause their bodies to transcend typical notions of male and female—continue to suffer brutalizing and traumatic surgeries performed without their consent, often before they are even old enough to speak. Today, May 12th, 2017, marks the opening of … More interACT: Calls on the Society for Pediatric Urology to Condemn Nonconsensual Medically Unnecessary Surgeries

Coalition of Orgs Sends Summit on Black Lives Policy Demands to Trump Admin and Congres

WASHINGTON, DC – In a comprehensive public policy letter sent to the Trump Administration and Congress, a broad coalition of 44 civil rights and health advocacy organizations urged the federal government to center the lives of African Americans in the nation’s fight to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The letter was born out of the Summit … More Coalition of Orgs Sends Summit on Black Lives Policy Demands to Trump Admin and Congres

European Court Ends Forced Sterilizations of Transgender People

The European Court of Human Rights today found that the sterilization requirement in legal gender recognition violates human rights. Setting the legal precedent for Europe, this decision will force the remaining 22 countries using the infertility requirement to change their laws. This historic decision is delivered in three joined cases against France about the lack … More European Court Ends Forced Sterilizations of Transgender People

2nd Circuit Panel Urges Full Appellate Court to Reconsider Anti-Gay Discrimination Claims

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A three-judge panel on the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals has issued an opinion in Christansen v. Omnicon, the case of Matthew Christiansen, an HIV-positive gay man who faced extreme harassment and discrimination in his workplace by his supervisor.The panel determined that Christiansen made a successful Title VII claim with regard to gender stereotyping, but that the … More 2nd Circuit Panel Urges Full Appellate Court to Reconsider Anti-Gay Discrimination Claims

Marin Second Healthiest County in California – While Worse than State Average for Income Inequality

County and community collaborating on addressing challenges –  San Rafael, CA – Marin County’s track record of being one of the healthiest counties in California is intact, according to new statistics, but several significant issues remain for those who deliver health care and other wellness services. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released its annual rankings … More Marin Second Healthiest County in California – While Worse than State Average for Income Inequality

New HHS Appointment Severino is Anti Planned Parenthood And Anti Choice

Appointment of Roger Severino  yields an Anti Reproductive Rights Director to Lead Office for Civil Rights At Department of Health and Human Services WASHINGTON, DC, March 24, 2017 –Today, Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law issued the following statement in response to the appointment of Roger Severino … More New HHS Appointment Severino is Anti Planned Parenthood And Anti Choice

Trump Admin Selects Anti-Transgender Activist to Lead HHS Civil Rights Office

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week President Trump’s administration quietly appointed Roger Severino, a longtime opponent of transgender equality, as the head of the Office of Civil Rights in the Department of Health and Human Services. Severino formerly ran the DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society at the Heritage Foundation, an anti-LGBT think tank and lobbying … More Trump Admin Selects Anti-Transgender Activist to Lead HHS Civil Rights Office

Marin Youth Still Targeted by Tobacco, Alcohol Ads

Statewide survey shows addictive products edge out healthy alternatives San Rafael, CA – A statewide review of tobacco, alcohol and food products in community stores shows unhealthy products edge out healthier ones, and Marin retailers near schools sell addictive products aimed at youths. “Healthy retail is an important part of community health,” said Dr. Matt … More Marin Youth Still Targeted by Tobacco, Alcohol Ads

Marin Supervisors Ban Recreational Cannabis

Board of Supervisors opts for local control on business activities –  San Rafael, CA – The Marin County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on February 7 to ban non-medical cannabis business activities in unincorporated areas. “Our primary focus is to consider medical cannabis dispensaries over the next few months,” said Board President Judy Arnold. “Banning nonmedical cannabis … More Marin Supervisors Ban Recreational Cannabis

Influenza Widespread in Marin, Bay Area

Public Health Officer says it’s not too late to get a flu shot San Rafael, CA – County public health departments around the Bay Area are announcing that influenza activity is increasing and has reached “widespread” levels. Areas with the most influenza activity in the state include the Bay Area. Flu transmission in Marin County … More Influenza Widespread in Marin, Bay Area

World AIDS Day NBJC Lauds President Obama and What You Can do

* Leadership * Commitment * Impact * NBJC World AIDS Day Statement: December 1, 2016 marks the 28th Anniversary of World AIDS Day. The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), the nation’s leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS, joins … More World AIDS Day NBJC Lauds President Obama and What You Can do

Ugandan Human Rights Defenders Win Constitutional Court Battle

In Uganda, the Constitutional Court handed down its favorable judgment in the case Juuko Adrian v Attorney General, Constitutional Petition No. 1 of 2009 , which challenged Section 15(6)(d) of the Equal Opportunities Commission Act. The provision barred the Commission from investigating “any matter involving behavior which is considered to be immoral and socially harmful, or … More Ugandan Human Rights Defenders Win Constitutional Court Battle

Callen-Lorde and Edie Windsor to Dedicate the Thea Spyer Center in Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Callen-Lorde and Marriage Equality Champion Edie Windsor to Dedicate the Thea Spyer Center in Ribbon Cutting Ceremony; Facility Housing Callen-Lorde’s Mental Health Program Named in Honor of Late Pioneering Psychologist’s Work Thursday, November 3, 9 AM, Ground-level entrance to the Thea Spyer Center at Callen-Lorde 230 W 17th Street (between 7th and 8th Aves) New … More Callen-Lorde and Edie Windsor to Dedicate the Thea Spyer Center in Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Shortage of Injectable Estrogen as Public Health Risk

ESTROGEN IN PATCH AND TABLET FORMS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE New York, NY- Callen-Lorde Community Health Center warns of potential public health risk for transgender women and transfeminine people due to a nationwide shortage of some generic and brand name injectable estrogen.  Makers of the drugs have reported manufacturing delays in getting the medications to the market. “During times like these, we want … More Shortage of Injectable Estrogen as Public Health Risk

Callen-Lorde Board Elects First Trans Chair

New York, NY- Callen-Lorde Community Health Center’s Board of Directors has elected Laura A. Jacobs Chair of the Board, the organization’s first trans and genderqueer-identified Board Chair in the organization’s history. Jacobs is a psychotherapist in New York City, New Jersey and Westchester, who works with transgender and gender-nonconforming, LGBTQ, and sexual/gender minority populations. Jacobs … More Callen-Lorde Board Elects First Trans Chair

Marin County Confirms Case of Zika Virus

 San Rafael, CA – Today, the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed Marin’s first Zika virus infection. The disease was contracted by an individual who was in Central America recently. The spread of the Zika virus occurs primarily through infected Aedes mosquitoes, which have not been detected in Marin. Due to … More Marin County Confirms Case of Zika Virus

ACT UP AIDS Activist’s Letter To Hillary Clinton

” I have been fighting for my life since Reagan was in office. I remember the conversation about AIDS Nancy Reagan started–I remember the dark black wind of nothingness,” Matt Ebert Democratic candidate for the United States presidency, former First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton praised Nancy Reagan for “starting the conversation … More ACT UP AIDS Activist’s Letter To Hillary Clinton