Frances Continues Criticism of DSM-5
Allen Frances, head of the DSM-IV task force, continues his criticism of the DSM-5 in a recent Wired column. He has been one of the most vocal critics of the new edition of the psychiatric Bible. The newest recent criticism echoes a complaint made by the British Psychological Society. Frances believes the new edition of the book is exactly what the pharmaceutical companies wanted it to be. Decreased diagnostic criteria for certain illnesses are likely to increase the number of people on prescription psychotropic medications. Frances levied a criticism alternative medical practitioners have made against standard medical doctors for years.
Boehringer Drops Out of HSDD Drug Race
One competitor dropped out of the race for the female Viagra. Many pharmaceutical companies want to capitalize on this market that could be worth a billion dollars. Boehringer International announced an end to its trials after its female viagra failed in early trials.
Girosa, like many of its competitors, did not target the post-menopausal women. Unlike Biosante's Libigel, Girosa did not attempt to correct the normal drop off in testosterone that occurs when women get older. Testosterone, which is normally considered to be the male sex hormone, controls the sex drive in both men and women.
The Food and Drug Administration recommended the company continue the trials on post-menopausal women, but the company decided to pull out. A spokesperson for the company said that they prefered to find out that the drug had failed early in the trials. Pharmaceutical companies spend much more money if they continue the research into later trials.
Asexuals are worried about the inclusion of Hyperactive Sexual Desire Disorder in the DSM. The DSM 5 splits the disorder into two conditions, one male and one female. Time Magazine and other sources have questioned the legitimacy of the decision to make a different diagnosis for women.
Boeheringer researchers originally intend the drug to work as an antidepressant. The drug failed its first test, but people taking the drug reported that it increased sex drive. Company marketers decided to enter the drug in the race for female Viagra.
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What Does Plan B Have to Do With Asexuality?
America may be hypersexualized, but this seems to have nothing to do with the availability of the Plan B contraception pill. Both sides of the issue seem to miss an important point when it comes to such medication. While there may be a need for emergency contraception, especially in cases of rape or molestation, no one seems to be asking if the drug is safe enough to be made available over the counter.
Local municipalities have already placed limitations on certain over-the-counter medications that are too dangerous to be made available without restrictions. Sudafed and the generic decongestants are often sold behind the counter in an attempt to limit the production of methamphetamines. The Plan B pill, which Pro-Life groups call an abortion pill, prevents conception if taken within a certain amount of time after intercourse.
French AVENites Declare Asexuality Day
The Asexual and Visibility Education Network in France celebrated Asexuality Day in April. Like many of AVEN's projects, the day is designed to raise awareness of the one percent of the population who does not experience sexual attraction, according to the Digital Journal.
French AVENites choose the day. Similar days occur in other countries, including the Asexual Visibility and Education Day, which takes place on October 12 in the United States, Canada, England, New Zealand, and Australia.
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The Reason for the Month-long Vacation
Asexual News did not plan to take nearly a month off in April. Lara's netbook was on the fritz, and her desktop PC, which was nearly twelve years old, made writing pieces difficult. Her tablet, while speedy, did not provide the ideal environment for writing. She resolved this problem with a purchase of a new computer.
The staff apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Youth: Gay, Straight, or Other? Maybe Asexual?
CNN columnist and sexuality educator Ian Kerner asked if younger people are more likely to identify as asexual, although he included the group as an afterthought. The article quotes Anthony F. Bogaert's one percent statistic.
Kerner quotes several sex educators who feel that LGBT does not reflect the current reality of the number of people who identify as non-heteronormative.
Campus Pride to Host Asexual Allyship Webinar
Campus Pride plans to hold an Asexual allyship webinar on April 23rd. Sara Beth Brooks, the founder of Asexual Awareness Week, will host the event. Brooks made the announcement during the first week of April.
Asexuals are Part of the LGBT Community, Whether We Like It Or Not
Ciara McGatten asked why the LGBT acronym keeps expanding in a recent article she wrote for Gay Community News in March. McGratten commented on asexuals in her recent rant, and she also excluded the Bisexual and Transgender communities from her description of the Gay community.
McGratten joined Dan Savage and other commentators who shared similar opinions, but people recommending separation are becoming a vocal minority. Even though not every Aexual believes that aAes should join forces with the LGBT community, most Aces already believe they do fall under the umbrella. Ace advocates point to the problem Asexuals have with HSDD in the DSM. Homosexuality was listed as a disorder in the DSM until the 1980s.
McGrattan's column did not go unanswered. Lesbilicious, a Lesbian blog in the United Kingdom, published a response. The Irish publication also published a response. Perhaps the acronym will fall into disuse because it becomes unwieldy, gender and sexual minorities is much simpler to say.
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What Constitutional Arguments Will the Supreme Court use?
The United States supreme court heard arguments about same-sex marriage this week. Justices will determine the fate of one federal act and the fate California's Proposition 8. Because the Constitution mentions marriage as often as the Bible mentions the Internet, the arguments center on two amendments, the Xth and the XIVth. The tenth amendment guarantees powers denied to the Federal government to the states and individuals, and the fourteenth amendment guarantees equal protection under the law.
The judges may make their decision based on personal and political beliefs, but this is not their job. However, there is a valid constitutional argument against the Defense of Marriage Act. It even comes from a strict interpretation of the constitution. Because the Constitution does not mention marriage, the power to regulate marriage is a power denied to the Federal Government. Unfortunately, this logic has dangerous implications for the other marriage case before the Supreme Court.
Read more: What Constitutional Arguments Will the Supreme Court use?