Insemination for lesbians is not on same terms as heterosexuals

Suzanne Wikström writes on QX.se about insemination for lesbians in Sweden.

Apparently insemination is on different terms if you're a lesbian couple as opposed to a heterosexual couple. As a lesbian couple you have to pay more or you don't get offered as many tries.

In Östergötland a lesbian couple is offered two tries at 3,000 SEK a pop. A heterosexual couple only pay 250 SEK a pop and there is no limitation to how many times they can try it.

Lesbian couples in Västernorrland, Västerbotten and Jämtland first have to pay out of pocket for three attempts at a private practice - about 8,000 SEK a pop. If those fail, then they can get help from our socialized medical programs with IVF.

These rules and regulations that the government has in place for who gets what kind of treatments based on sexuality is nothing but discrimination. The rules are made by heterosexuals in a heteronormative society. What about the people who don't fit into that mold? We have to be richer and more patient than the heterosexual couple next door?

Bullshit.

What is up with Amazon?

An author by the name of Mark Probst sells his books via Amazon.com. A few days ago he noticed that the sales ranking disappeared from newly released high-profile gay romance books. The day after that hundreds of gay/lesbian books lost their sales ranking - including his own book. Nobody could understand what was happening. Was there a glitch in the system? Or was Amazon doing this on purpose? Were they trying to control the visibility of gay/lesbian literature?

Mark decided to contact Amazon. Since he is also a publisher, it was easier for him to get a reply from the site. This is the answer he received:

"In consideration of our entire customer base, we exclude "adult" material from appearing in some searches and best seller lists. Since these lists are generated using sales ranks, adult materials must also be excluded from that feature.

Hence, if you have further questions, kindly write back to us.

Best regards,

Ashlyn D

Member Services

Amazon.com Advantage"

So Amazon admitted they were stripping sales ranking indicators for what they decided is "adult" material. Strangely enough, other "adult" literature is still being ranked... They are purposely targeting gay/lesbian books.

Books like "Playboy: The Complete Centerfolds" still have a ranking but not "Brokeback Mountain" by Annie Prolux? Blatant discrimination, I say.

Shame on you, Amazon!!