Can A Feature Film Promote Social Change? The Kids Are All Right

Can a feature film promote social change?  Maybe – it can certainly spark conversations about the social issue it is addressing  and those conversations using social media can drive change.  The under representation and misrepresentation of gay marriage and families of same-sex couples in the media has contributed to discrimination of the LGBT community and myths about their lives. The Kids Are All Right,  a new feature film, opens the door and invites us into the home of a family with two parents of the same sex raising two teenagers and connects to the audience emotionally on one if not more of the many issues each member is facing, either individually or as a family unit, whether you are gay or straight.  For a great review of The Kids Are All Right check out   Melissa Silverstein, founder and editor of Women & Hollywood.

Maybe you can do your part to move this conversation on gay rights go viral and support the legalization of gay marriage.

Can a feature film promote social change? 

New hope fo HIV/AIDS vaccine

Scientists may have developed a new breakthrough HIV/AIDS treatment in three antibodies that suppress HIV strains, according to new report published in the journal Science.

Discovered in the cells of a 60-year-old African-American man whose body produced them naturally, the antibodies may activate the body’s ability to develop similar antibodies that would ward off HIV. One antibody suppresses a record 91 percent of HIV strains and another is radically different from previous antibodies.

Longtime HIV-positive people could benefit from the antibodies, too, as they might make other treatments more effective.

In more good news for HIV/AIDs patients, the Health and Human Services Department has approved $25 million to help states buy more medicine for those who can’t afford them and have been suffering while on waiting lists to obtain them. According to the Kaiser News Netowk, as of July 1, about 2,100 people were on waiting lists for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program in 11 states.

Scientists may have developed a new breakthrough

DNR BILL PASSES! NURSE PRACTITIONER SCOPE OF PRACTICE EXPANSION:

On June 24, 2010, the Do-Not- Resuscitate bill authorizing  Nurse Practitioners to execute orders not to resuscitate passed the New York State Senate in an overwhelming bipartisan vote. The bill will be next sent to the Governor’s office for his signature into law. Our attention needs to now turn to the Governor’s office as our work is not finished until this bill is signed into law by Governor Paterson. Once on the Governor’s desk he will have 10 days to act on it.

This is very exciting news and another step forward in broadening our scope of practice for all Nurse Practitioners as well as a means of enhancing the quality of care that we provide to our patients, families and community.

To help move this bill into law please sent your letters of support to the Governor’s office at; David A. Paterson, State Capital, Albany, N.Y. 12224.

Anna M. Acee, EdD, ANP-BC, PMHNP

On June 24, 2010, the Do-Not- Resuscitate