Smithsonian: Gay/Straight Alliances at Schools Reduce Suicide Rates for All

Friendships between gay and straight students benefits everyone, according to a study from the University of British Columbia.

In Canadian schools with gay-straight alliances, students were less likely to be discriminated against, had lower odds of suicidal thoughts and had fewer suicide attempts—regardless of whether they were gay or straight.

“We know that LGBTQ students are at higher risk for suicide, in part because they are more often targeted for bullying and discrimination,” Elizabeth Saewyc, lead author of the study and professor with the UBC School of Nursing. “But heterosexual students can also be the target of homophobic bullying. When policies and supportive programs like GSAs are in place long enough to change the environment of the school, it’s better for students’ mental health, no matter what their orientation.”

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/simply-having-gay-straight-alliance-reduces-suicide-risk-all-students-180949462/?fbclid=IwAR3ZxkP5yuV2fHA4AEUWscjPZflQIF8ol6tTSKS_XS6_f8syFOLRfnD5nPM

ABA President Carlson Condemns Child Detention Centers

The American Bar Association (ABA) has joined a growing list of organizations condemning  conditions at detention centers holding immigrant children, calling them violation of law and "common decency."

"The American Bar Association is appalled by credible reports of hundreds of children being held in unsafe and unhealthy conditions in violation of federal and state law, court settlements and common decency," ABA president Bob Carlson said in a statement issued two days ago. Carlson said that the conditions directly violate the law that requires children be released to Health and Human Services within 72 hours.

https://thehill.com/latino/450308-american-bar-association-condemns-conditions-at-migrant-child-detention-centers-as-a?fbclid=IwAR1OCS7m9WEIMiUHTRn9a9cz1L6MDh1_Te6MwWgHFNfg5iY_4R5z-uJc1zI

NIH Director Will No Longer Participate in All-Male Panels

The director of the National Institutes of Health will no longer participate in all-male panels,
Francis Collins said  "it is time to end the tradition in science of all-male speaking panels."

A report by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine identified a key role for scientific leaders to play in combating gender harassment and disparities in women's visibility in science.

"Too often, women and members of other groups underrepresented in science are conspicuously missing in the marquee speaking slots at scientific meetings and other high-level conferences," Collins said in a statement.

"Starting now, when I consider speaking invitations, I will expect a level playing field, where scientists of all backgrounds are evaluated fairly for speaking opportunities. If that attention to inclusiveness is not evident in the agenda, I will decline to take part."
Collins challenged other scientific leaders to take a similar pledge.

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/448152-nih-director-will-no-longer-participate-in-all-male-panels?fbclid=IwAR2dvtqyxMeWVaZ8DwuxnZUrd7W0u678OqW6iNt5ASgm_m-Kh8eTUnQeE2c

NASA Names Street in Front of Washington D.C. Headquarters - "Hidden Figures Way"

NASA honored the women of "Hidden Figures" this week by renaming the street in front the space agency's Washington headquarters Hidden Figures Way! The "Hidden Figures" book and film tells the story of Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan, three members of NASA's "human computers," a group of female mathematicians who provided the reams of hand calculations that NASA needed to design satellites and spacecraft and plan launches before the computer age.

The new street name was unveiled at a dedication ceremony attended by the families of Johnson, Vaughan, and Jackson, as well as Margot Lee Shetterly, the author whose book "Hidden Figures" brought the stories of these pioneering African American mathematicians to light.

Michigan Flies Pride Flag for First Time

Even though Republicans and their leader Trump are trying hard to deny and denounce Pride in LGBTQ citizens, Michigan has flown Pride flags outside the George W. Romney building, the main office of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), for the first time in history.


https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/448754-pride-flags-fly-outside-michigan-state-build-in-historic-first?fbclid=IwAR2a6LhVntNxo8E7PyDZX0N8WEYp5HxeIbeiUjwBOmwB34geg7Mxf_Oeb7A

Hold Gun Industry Accountable for Their Products

Talking about holding a group accountable who has been shielded by the top of the hierarchy - white men building hierarchies using guns!!

House and Senate Democrats introduced legislation this week they say will allow victims of gun violence to sue gun manufacturers.
 
The Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act aims to repeal federal protections blocking firearm and ammunition manufacturers, dealers and trade groups from most civil lawsuits when a firearm is used unlawfully or in a crime.

https://www.npr.org/2019/06/11/731650947/democrats-introduce-bill-allowing-shooting-victims-to-sue-gun-industry?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR3cFFs_MxJOy1km8kAhnWamm_PdtZ_bKQ1cTE98sdP2EFDkZumpDkZY0F8