President Obama Appoints Out Lesbian to the D.C. Superior Court

Shewired.comr is reporting that Prez. Obama has appointed an out lesbian to D.C. Superior Court. Marisa Demeo, who currently serves as a Magistrate Judge, demonstrated understanding and unwavering commitment to civil rights.

The White House Press Office announced President Obama is, ”pleased to put forward two nominees who have served the people of the District of Columbia with such distinction. Marisa Demeo and Florence Pan have dedicated their careers to serving the public good and they will be esteemed and eminent additions to the DC Superior Court.”

The appointment of Demeo, who currently serves as a Magistrate Judge, pleased the Human Rights Campaign.

The HRC applauded the choice noting, “Demeo has a demonstrated understanding and unwavering commitment to civil rights. She has more than 15 years of experience working with LGBT, community, Latino, and civil rights groups such as DOJ Pride and GAYLAW. Judge Demeo is also a former co-chair of GELAAM where she conducted HIV and breast cancer outreach and education to the local Latino community. Demeo clearly possesses the intellectual rigor and experience required of an Associate Judge and we are confident her knowledge and expertise will serve our community well.”

You can read the article after the jump...

Human Rights Campaign Recognizes Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

More than 26 years after its discovery, HIV/AIDS continues to change the face of human health like no other modern illness. Today we know that women and female adolescents account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses - and the infection rates among women of color are even more alarming. In 2004, the CDC reported these shocking statistics (.PDF) about HIV/AIDS:

• is the leading cause of death for black women (including African American women) aged 25–34 years.
• the 3rd leading cause of death for black women aged 35–44 years.
• the 4th leading cause of death for Hispanic women aged 35–44 years.

That same year, HIV infection was named the 5th leading cause of death among all women aged 35–44 years and the 6th leading cause of death among all women aged 25–34 years. Only cancer and heart disease caused more deaths among women.

Khadijah Tribble, Executive Director of Pediatic HIV/AIDS Care and member of the HRC Diversity and Inclusion Council, writes about the significance of the day and what it means to all of us working for equality and justice.

Find the article after the jump...