Research indicates that the social stigma that surrounds lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) teens leads to a variety of health risks such as substance use, risky sexual behaviors, eating disorders, suicidal ideation, and victimization. An editorial in the September issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health calls on clinicians and health researchers to lead the charge in improving the health and well-being of U.S. LGBT teens. Clinicians can start by providing LGBT teens with high-quality, preventive care in a regular, private, and confidential environment. Health researchers can start by including information on sexual orientation and gender identity in health surveys and assessments.

Mental health officials are being advised not to tell homosexual clients they can become straight by undergoing therapy.

The advice from the American Psychological Association (APA), rejects so-called “reparative therapy,” which suggests homosexuals can change their sexual behavior through therapy or other treatments.

For those singles unhappy with their relationship status, Valentine’s Day can represent a sense of foreboding and dread as it highlights all the things they wish they had in their lives. Everywhere they look it seems like there is a happy couple on every street corner, and it seems inescapable to walk into a store without some image or product associated with the holiday being shoved in one’s face to reinforce the value of love and relationships.

However, I am here to tell you to stop the madness! Don’t let this particular day dampen your spirits or cause you to feel depressed! As you know, Valentine’s Day has become very commercialized and contributes to the stigmatization of being single—if you let it! Never forget that being single is an opportunity and an outright valid choice by many. Our society puts considerable pressure on us to become partnered and can cause one to feel minimized, left out, and “less than”. Not true! Recognize the power and growth potential that the single lifestyle affords you and embrace the fact that Valentine’s Day is just that—a day like any other day that’s intended for you to live it to the maximum and keep striving toward your dreams and goals.

But at the same time, it does seem near impossible to shield oneself from the hoopla that the media places on Valentine’s Day. And if you are struggling with trying to reconcile with your single status, it can be a difficult day if you allow it to define how you feel. So what follows is a list of tips and activities that you can try on for size to help you overcome “The Valentine’s Day Blues”. They’re not earth-shattering ideas, particularly if you don’t feel that there would be any viable substitute for having a hot guy on your arm for the evening, but they just might be a catalyst to help you take some positive actions that might help you achieve a renewed sense of spirit and perspective.

New vaccine guards against HPV
By Jennifer Medvin, RN

In June 2006, the FDA announced its approval of Gardasil®, a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, manufactured by Merck. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States.  This virus can cause genital warts and abnormal changes on the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, and anus tfhat can lead to cancer if it is not treated.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 6.2 million Americans become infected with genital HPV each year and that over half of all sexually active men and women become infected at some time in their lives.