Utah Sees Drop in HIV Infections

Good news on the HIV Prevention front here in Utah. According to the latest stats from the Utah Department of Health, our state has seen a 12% drop in new HIV infections in the last year and the number of people with HIV whose illness progressed to AIDS has dropped 22%.

So who is getting infected in Utah? Men who have sex with men (62%), Injecting drug users (16%), Men who have sex with men and inject drugs (10%), and heterosexuals (6%). The numbers speak pretty plainly that if you are having unprotected sex with other men or injecting drugs, your risk of getting HIV is exponentially higher. Click here to check out UDOH's other statistics.

Winter Picturepalooza!

With WinterPride, Ski and Swim, and the Oscar Night Gala, Utah's gay scene has been hopping, and we've got the pics to prove it! As always, a huge thanks to photographer and volunteer extraordinaire David Daniels for his amazing pics.
Click on the links to see the full album..

Utah AIDS Foundation Oscar Night Gala

WinterPride/Ski and Swim Ice Skating

WinterPride/Ski and Swim Opening Social

WinterPride/Ski and Swim Interfaith

WinterPride/Ski and Swim Ski Day

Ski and Swim Water Polo and Swim Meet

Ski and Swim Dessert Parties

Love Makes a Family Exhibit

Closing Social

Buttars vs. Black Babies

Much has been made of anti-gay Senator Chris Buttar's racist remarks made on the senate floor last week, with the NAACP calling for his resignation and even Republican Governor Huntsman saying that Buttars should listen to his constituents if they ask for him to step down. 

Now several prominent political columnists are taking a critical look at Buttars' anti-gay voting record and painting an unflattering portrait.

Here's Paul Rolly from the Trib:

"Sen. Chris Buttars and similar homophobes lurking through the Capitol's halls and meeting rooms could, if ultimately successful, cause considerable damage to numerous classes of people in Utah, all in the name of protecting us from their own imagined boogeyman...Buttars has said he fears a "homosexual agenda" and will stamp out any effort that he believes would be a step toward equal rights for that class of people."

Bob Bernick Jr. from the Deseret News:

"But Buttars should think long and hard before he files for re-election in March. In fighting for what he believes is right, there is little doubt that Buttars has also hurt any number of Utahns with his words. Language can be a weapon that can harm the soul and heart — whether it is meant to or not."

Your thoughts?