Majority of LGBTs oppose Arizona immigration law

An overwhelming majority of LGBT people oppose the controversial immigration statute set to take effect in late July in Arizona.

A survey from Harris Interactive found 63 percent of LGBT people polled oppose the Arizona legislation compared with other polls showing six out of 10 heterosexuals support the measure.

And a recent joint statement indicates that more than 20 LGBT groups are in-step with the LGBT population. The statement denounced Arizona Senate Bill 1070, signed into law by Gov. Jan Brewer, as racially divisive, discriminatory and extremist.

“S.B. 1070 essentially declares an entire class of people to be inherently criminal on the basis of their race and appearance,” read a statement from a coalition that includes National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Human Rights Campaign, National Black Justice Coalition, National Minority AIDS Council, Lambda Legal, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and others. “The consequences of S.B. 1070 are grave and troubling: the inevitability of racial profiling and infringement of civil liberties; the strong probability of violence and harassment against individuals and their families; and the reversal of progress toward creating a more inclusive society.”

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Judge trashes bioterrorism charge in bite case

A Michigan judge has thrown out a felony charge under Michigan’s bioterrorism law against an HIV-positive Detroit-area man accused of biting his neighbor on the lip.

Judge Peter Maceroni issued the decision in early June in Macomb County Circuit Court in Mount Clemens, Mich. It came at a hearing for 44-year-old Daniel Allen of Clinton Township.

Police say Allen bit Winfred Fernandis in October 2009 during an argument over a football that was thrown into Allen’s yard. Prosecutors say Allen used HIV as a weapon.

Maceroni dismissed the bioterrorism charge, leaving Allen to face two felony assault charges. His next hearing is June 24.

Riding for AIDS in Calif.

Hundreds of bicyclists joined the 545-mile, week-long ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles for the ninth annual AIDS/Lifecycle ride.

More than 1,900 riders participated in this year’s trek to raise money for treatment and awareness of HIV/AIDS. They’re expected to raise more than $10 million for the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Both groups provide HIV/AIDS services

San Francisco AIDS Foundation spokeswoman Debra Holtz says the ride attracted about 300 fewer riders this year, but each rider is raising about $5,000, compared to about $4,000 last year.

Marijuana tax could make $400K for DC over 5 years

A tax on medical marijuana could generate some $400,000 for Washington, D.C., over the next five years, according to an estimate from the city’s top financial official.

Washington’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer provided the estimate to the D.C. Council, which has proposed taxing marijuana as part of budget negotiations.

The council passed legislation earlier this year that permits residents with certain medical conditions such as HIV, AIDS, glaucoma, cancer and multiple sclerosis to purchase marijuana to help with their illnesses.

The budget council members are expected to vote June 15 on a provision that would impose the city’s 6 percent sales tax on medical marijuana sold in the city.