Towleroad Writes:

A new report reveals the effect that social taboos are having on a growing HIV/AIDS epidemic in Pakistan as men are forced underground due to stigmas about homosexuality:

"The report, authored by Syed Ali and colleagues from Aga Khan University, Karachi, said 'in Pakistan, seven times more men are reported to be infected with HIV than women. If unconfirmed reports are to be believed, the prevalence of HIV among homosexual and bisexual Pakistani men is reaching alarming proportions.' ... Under Islamic tenets, sex of any kind, other that between husband and wife is strictly forbidden. Homosexual behaviour can lead to stigmatisation, discrimination and ostracisation from family and friends, and even prosecution. The authors noted 'most Pakistanis tend to believe that HIV transmission through illicit sexual activity cannot be a problem in the Muslim world.'"

Say the report's authors: "One would suppose that the fear of God in itself would be enough to discourage illicit sex among men who have sex with men (MSM)...Unfortunately, the moral approach only serves to drive the behaviour underground."

Towleroad Writes:

Focus on the Family leader James Dobson, who has said that he cannot endorse John McCain because of McCain's positions on embryonic stem cell research and opposition to a federal amendment banning same-sex marriage, may yet endorse him, he told the AP:

"There's nothing dishonorable in a person rethinking his or her positions, especially in a constantly changing political context. Barack Obama contradicts and threatens everything I believe about the institution of the family and what is best for the nation. His radical positions on life, marriage and national security force me to reevaluate the candidacy of our only other choice, John McCain."

Why is he changing his mind? There's no one else to choose from. Dobson also has concerns about McCain's temper and foul mouth.

In June, Dobson slammed Obama for what he called the candidate's "fruitcake interpretation" of the Constitution.

Towleroad Writes:

He also says he doesn't care if he knows how to spell.

Oklahoma County Commissioner Brent Rinehart, who created a 16-page anti-gay comic book to send to voters as propaganda in his reelection campaign, was asked on CNN's American Morning if he is homophobic.

Said Rinehart: "Well, I'm not even sure as to what homophobic means, but let's just keep in mind that we are in a cultural war. Not just here in the state of Oklahoma, but nationwide. And I have seen pictures and I have seen viewings of gay pride parades around the nation here and the state of Oklahoma, and that's the very same attire and the very same billboards that you see in these parades. So, the thing about it is, when you're putting out a message it lands on particular people's feet and they don't necessarily like the message, that doesn't mean that the message isn't true."

Towleroad Writes:

With Congressional hearings on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" set to begin this coming Wednesday, a new poll reveals Americans approve in greater numbers than ever before of gays and lesbians serving openly in the military. The number is up from 62% in early 2001 and 44% in 1993, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll:

"Shortly after he took office in 1993, Clinton faced strong resistance to his campaign pledge to lift the military's ban on allowing gay people to enlist. At that time, 67 percent of Republicans and 75 percent of conservatives opposed the idea. A majority of independents, 56 percent, and 45 percent of Democrats also opposed changing the policy. Today, Americans have become more supportive of allowing openly gay men and women to serve in the armed forces. Support from Republicans has doubled over the past 15 years, from 32 to 64 percent. More than eight in 10 Democrats and more than three-quarters of independents now support the idea, as did nearly two-thirds of self-described conservatives."

Openness about sexuality makes a big difference for veterans:

"While 71 percent of veterans said gay people who do not declare themselves as such should be allowed to serve, that number drops sharply, to 50 percent, for those who are open about their sexuality. Non-veterans, by contrast, are as likely to support those who 'tell' as those who do not."

And the religious vote:

"Fifty-seven percent of white evangelical Protestants now support allowing openly gay service members in the military, compared with 82 percent of white Catholics and 80 percent of those with no declared religious affiliation. Three-quarters of both married and single people support the idea, both significantly higher than in 1993."