The Rainbow Post

Walgreens Prescription Savings Club

2012-01-26T03:00:00.001Z

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Guilty of gay hate.

2012-01-20T20:43:00.001Z

Three Muslim men have been found guilty of stirring up hatred by handing out leaflets that said Islam "punished" homosexuals with the death penalty.

Ihjaz Ali, Kabir Ahmed and Razwan Javed handed out the pamphlet, called The Death Penalty?, which showed an image of a mannequin hanging from a noose and quoted Islamic texts that said capital punishment was the only way to rid society of homosexuality.

They were convicted at Derby Crown Court of distributing threatening written material intending to stir up hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation.

It is the first prosecution of its kind since legislation came into force in March 2010.

Mehboob Hussain and Umar Javed, who were also charged with the same offence, were found not guilty by the jury.

The leaflets were given to people outside a mosque and posted through letterboxes in the Normanton area of Derby.

Razwan Javed, Kabir Ahmed, Ihjaz Ali will be sentenced next month

The men admitted distributing the flyers but denied they were "threatening" or designed to cause trouble for homosexuals.

Bobbie Cheema, prosecuting, said that "many people" had complained to police about receiving the leaflets, which were distributed in the run-up to a gay pride event in the city in July 2010.

Gay people who received the leaflets were horrified. One man, who didn't want to be named, told Sky News: "They incite violence and I would even say it's incitement to murder. It lists various methods of executing homosexuals from burning alive, stoning, hanging or being thrown from a tall buidling and I felt that was directed at me.

"My initial thoughts were that I was actually being targeted by an individual, it really was quite frightening, it's a very very scary image, especially when you realise what the message is," he said.

During the trial the court heard that one gay man was so frightened by the leaflets that he left his home for a week.

Another man, who wished to remain anonymous, told Sky News: "I'm still looking when I'm walking down the street to see if someone is following me or when I go to bed I think, 'is someone going to do something to my letterbox?' It's just a nightmare. You can't sleep at night, it's a big worry."

Taxi driver Ali, of Fairfax Road, who the prosecution said was believed to be the main organiser and supplier of the leaflets, was found guilty of four counts of distribution on July 2 and July 4.

Ahmed, who is married with a nine-month-old daughter and lives in Madeley Street, and Razwan Javed, of Wilfred Street, were convicted of distribution in the area of the mosque on July 2.

Judge John Burgess, Honorary Recorder of Derby, adjourned sentencing until February 10.

Gay Movies

2012-01-10T13:19:00.002Z

Gay movies, we’ve all heard of them, seen them, enjoyed or hated them. Some are great, some good, some fun, some not so good or fun or even that interesting. Like any genre so broad as this, there are genres within genres within genres, horror, historic, recreations, love stories, coming of age and rite of passage battles, the list probably as endless as we are different. Yet, some of these gay movies are better than others, some more popular, well known, enjoyable, worthy or just plain silly, but all have some are level of influence, be it tiny or great. Take Philadelphia and Brokeback Mountain for example, both I’m sure you’ll agree had a fair level of influence on audiences, both mainstream and gay as well as the media and the movie industry as a whole, but that’s only my thoughts, what are yours, what do you think have been the most influential gay movies over the last 50 years? Surly you have a view, perhaps you’re a gay movie fan, or connoisseur or maybe you like most are just a casual watcher, you may be bi, straight or gay, it doesn’t matter, I want to hear your views, what you think are the most influential gay movies of the last 50 years.

Please leave me a comment in the comment section below, or email gaymovies@seafrontdiary.com or if you prefer, text 075 123 76995

ING Direct

2011-12-16T22:00:00.001Z

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of ING Direct for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Gay rights in Israel

2011-11-23T19:06:00.001Z

Israelis are justifiably proud of their country's record on gay rights, especially when that record is compared to that of its neighbors. This Israeli pride is too much for anti-Israel activists to bear, including one who on the Times op-ed page today accuses Israel of "pinkwashing" its real human rights record.

My in-box is filled with outraged responses from gays and lesbians (most, though not all, Jewish). Here is one response from a person who has been active in the gay rights movement who is an acquaintance of mine:

It's astonishing that someone would reduce the very visible presence of gay men and women in Israel, and their enfranchisement as members of the community in good standing as a mere public relations ploy. And not least because Jews have played an instrumental role in the struggle to secure those rights, in the U.S. and in Israel. It is part of Jewish culture's DNA to champion the cause of minorities, not a stratagem cooked up by some PR firm, as Israel's inveterate adversaries on the Left would have people believe. History shows as much, and certainly with respect to homosexuality.

Moreover, for someone putatively on the Left, the writer is doing harm to her own professed interests. Is she suggesting that a country shouldn't be proud of its record of championing a progressive cause, or cite it as evidence of the enlightened nature of its politics? And is she really unwilling to affirm those achievements? Does she begrudge Israel any praise for establishing a haven for those rights in a region not widely recognized for its hospitality to minorities?

She describes gay rights in Israel as an incomplete picture of civil rights in the country, which is fair enough, though as usual, it doesn't acknowledge the arduous efforts of Netanyahu's recent predecessors to grant the Palestinians almost all of what they purport to want. But its not in the nature of politics to be perfect, especially with regard to minority rights. It is always a struggle to build something inherently fragile in the face of a constant war of attrition against an often unyielding majority. If the Left is not willing acknowledge the tangible differences between Israel's treatment of its gay citizens and the persecution gay and lesbians face in many of the neighboring countries, and to throw its support to Israel, then it is risking seeing those hard-won gains evaporate.

She should be careful what she wishes for.

Gay Student's Flamboyant Behavior Blamed For His Murder

2011-11-23T18:59:00.001Z

Gay Student's Flamboyant Behavior Blamed For His Murder

Only a few hours had passed after 17-year-old Brandon McInerney had pled guilty to the fatal shooting of 15-year-old Lawrence "Larry" King at E.O. Green Junior High School when the media started pointing fingers.

The Los Angeles Times ran a story the same day, November 21, which said that the assistant principal at the school, who is openly gay, had been criticized for being "more intent on protecting King's civil rights" than "acknowledging that his dress and behavior were causing problems."

In a separate piece, also published Monday, the LA Times reported that the murdered teen's mother, Dawn King, had sought the help of school officials in "toning down her son's behavior" just a few days before the shooting. But she was allegedly told by the administration that King had "a civil right to explore his sexual identity."

During his live radio show on November 22, Rush Limbaugh claimed the school's progressive attitude was at fault for King's murder. "He was showing up in school dressed as a woman," Limbaugh said. "So now a confused 17-year-old is dead because the school [said] 'Ah, there's nothing we can do.'"

But Limbaugh had his facts wrong, according to Superintendent Jerry Dannenberg, who told The Huffington Post over the phone on Tuesday that King had not broken the rules of the middle school's dress code, which forbid a male student to wear dresses to school. It's true that Larry King wore heels, makeup, and jewelry to class. But none of these things were against the school's dress policy, said Dannenberg.

Read the full report at Huff Post

Australia's Mardi Gras Returns to Gay Roots?

2011-11-21T11:34:00.001Z

After nearly a decade branded as the New Mardi Gras, organisers have announced Mardi Gras 2012will return to its roots by going back to its old name of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

The lycra and glitter-filled parade, to be held in March, was relaunched last Thursday after organisers were told they were losing their way.

Organisers say participants next year are likely to be calling for the right to be married.

“I would absolutely say that marriage equality will be right up there,’’ Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Graschairman Pete Urmson said.

“We would like to think we might be celebrating.’

While Urmson is hopeful the GLBT community will be celebrating the legalisation of gay marriage in Australia by February 2012, he’s not so confident.

``With (Prime Minister) Julia’s letter to The Age this week, we think the festival will be more of a demonstration than a celebration,’’ he said.

While Labor fights over the proposal for a conscience vote in Parliament on gay marriage, Gillard’s stance has been clear from the onset.

“I think that there are some important things from our past that need to continue to be part of our present and part of our future,” the Prime Minister told the Daily Telegraph earlier this year:

“If I was in a different walk of life, if I’d continued in the law and was partner of a law firm now, I would express the same view, that I think for our culture, for our heritage, the Marriage Act and marriage being between a man and a woman has a special status.

“Now, I know people might look at me and think that’s something that they wouldn’t necessarily expect me to say, but that is what I believe.

“I’m on the record as saying things like I think it’s important for people to understand their Bible stories, not because I’m an advocate of religion - clearly, I’m not - but once again, what comes from the Bible has formed such an important part of our culture.”

According to Urmson, Marriage equality, youth suicide and bullying in aged care facilities will be the key issues at the 2012 Mardi Gras.

A ``gayed-up Disneyland’’ will be set up in the Entertainment Quarter of Moore Park for the Mardi Gras party, with performers including RuPaul, Jonather Hellyer, D.E Experience, Sneaky Sound System, Deee-Liteand Horse Meat Disco booked for the festivities.

“The Sydney Mardi Gras will always have its thumping gay heart that celebrates the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer communities, but Mardi Gras is now inviting those who share our positive message about the power and beauty of diversity to be part of our celebration,” said Urmson.

“We would love to see people who share our values, but who never thought they would be in the Parade to approach us and share their ideas. There will always be room for a great float which will both entertain and bring people together.”

“Our hope with this change is to turn Sydney Mardi Gras into an even bigger civic event – right up there with Rio and the world’s other great carnivals – to be enjoyed by everyone, but always remembered as being a gift to the city from its gay & lesbian community and a demonstration of our pride.

They also unveiled the parade’s new logo - two hearts, on their sides, attached at the points.

——————————————————————————————————————————

“The logo is a universal symbol that connects with everyone in a different way,” creative director of the advertising agency Moon, Greg Logan said.

“It symbolises all types of genders coming together and does not discriminate. Its symmetry indicates equality and people coming together to celebrate love.

“Some people see lips, some people see arses, some people see tits, some people see butterflies. I think that’s the power of it: it’s all embracing.’‘

“If you love, you fall under that symbol.’‘

The new logo has resonated so strongly with the organisation’s Communications Director, Damien Eames, that he decided to get it tattooed on his shoulder.

“It’s my first tattoo,’’ the 42-year-old said.

“The second I saw it I knew I wanted to get it.’‘

Mardi Gras Communications Director Damien Eames sporting his new tatts. Pics: John Appleyard.

The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras is a unique Australian story, with a journey from being a Parade that was met with police brutality to being a Parade in which the NSW Police march alongside the LGBTQI community.

It has become Australia’s most iconic street carnival in Australia and a must-see for global travellers, gay or straight. Up to $30m a year is generated for the NSW economy and approximately 20,0000 visitors fly in each and every year to take part.

Older gays are not as healthy as straights!

2011-11-17T20:03:00.000Z

A recent study released by the University of Washington's School of Social Work is turning attention toward a group of seniors who face unique (and ignored) needs; a group whose numbers are expected to be more than 4 million by 2030--lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) boomers.

Researchers surveyed 2,560 LGBT adults aged 50-95 across the United States, to find that they had greater rates of disability, depression, loneliness and distress compared with heterosexuals of similar ages. Further highlighted by the study were the unique needs of this aging group, such as fear of discrimination, the lack of children to depend on as caregivers and less social support and financial security with age, as older LGBT adults are less likely to be partnered or married than heterosexuals.

Presenting some of the study's key findings during a congressional briefing last week, Karen Fredriksen-Goldsen, the study's lead author, told HealthCanal:

"The health disparities reflect the historical and social context of their lives, and the serious adversity they have encountered can jeopardize their health and willingness to seek services in old age."

Thus, Fredriksen-Goldsen calls for for senior housing, transportation, legal services and social events for LGBT seniors.

Full report in Huff Post

Lesbian News Reader Jane Hill To Marry

2011-11-17T18:00:00.000Z

Popular BBC Newsreader Jane Hill has confirmed on Twitter that she will enter into a civil partnership with her partner, Sara.

Hill, 42, who came out publicly in 2009, has worked as a newsreader on the BBC’s 24-hour channel for 14 years and also continues to present broadcasts on BBC One

She wrote on Twitter: “Yes, Sara & I are getting hitched.”

She added: “Still a bit shocked I think! (and hungover).”

The Telegraph drew consternation from some quarters by including quotation marks in its headline “BBC newsreader Jane Hill is to ‘marry’ a woman cameraman”.

The paper’s celebrity news section said: “Having “outed” herself as homosexual in the BBC’s staff magazine, Jane Hill has now accepted a “marriage” proposal.

“The newsreader is to enter into a civil partnership with her girlfriend, Sara, a television cameraman.” Jane Hill has received a large number of positive messages, some have questioned the Telegraph’s use of punctuation in its story.

One Twitter user claimed the Telegraph was bigoted, Hill said: “A number of us thought that about the inverted commas”.

To another message, she replied: “Let’s just say you are far from the only person who has responded that way, so we should take heart from that.”

On the subject of generally referring to civil partnerships as marriages, Peter Tatchell said: “Civil partnerships are not marriages and they are not equality. They were set up, in part, to thwart the campaign for the legalisation of same-sex marriage.

“They are not recognised as marriages in UK law, nor in any other country. While we wish civil partners every happiness, it is not appropriate to misname civil partnerships as marriages.”

Whilst we respect Veteran campaigner Peter Tatchell's right to hold that view, we think he does a great disservice to the whole gay community in rubbishing civil partnerships in this way. He is basically telling the thousands of couples who have enjoyed civil partnerships that it's ridiculous and worthless, it is both insulting and smacks of snobbery. To almost all those that have entered into a civil partnership they have classed it as a marriage, for it is exactly the same in almost all respects other than name. We congratulate Jane and her partner and which them a very happy married life together!

We do support the fight for equality, for allowing same sex marriage as law, yet in no way would we trash and insult those who have taken advantage of the civil partnership law.

Benetton gay kiss ad....

2011-11-17T16:52:00.001Z

Italian clothing giant United Colors of Benetton has unveiled its new campaign, featuring unlikely men kissing.

Three advertisement banners were revealed in Italy yesterday as part of the company’s UNHATE campaign.

Two were unveiled in Milan, one featuring Barrack Obama and Chinese leader Hu Jintao sharing a kiss, and another with French president Nicolas Sarkozy and German chancellor Angela Merkel.
The third was revealed in Rome and featured Pope Benedict kissing Egyptian imam Mohamed Ahmed el-Tayeb.

According to their website, Benetton’s UNHATE campaign seeks to “contribute to the creation of a new culture of tolerance”.
An official press statement on their website said: “The central theme is the kiss, the most universal symbol of love, between world political and religious leaders...

“...These are symbolic images of reconciliation - with a touch of ironic hope and constructive provocation - to stimulate reflection on how politics, faith and ideas, even when they are divergent and mutually opposed, must still lead to dialogue and mediation.”

The retailer has previously released advertisements that featured a man dying of AIDS and a nun kissing a priest.

Image courtesy of United Colors of Benetton.

Source pinkpaper

Fine for soccer player's anti-gay tweet.

2011-11-17T15:11:00.001Z

The UK Football Association has fined a Crawley Town Footballer over a homophobic comment on his Twitter...

A Crawley Town FC midfielder posted a tweet on his twitter account last month reading: “Gays all over the tele what’s wrong with Britain! Sorry I’m #FullyHomophobic.”

This week, Hope Akpan was fined £1,200 after admitting the FA misconduct charge.

The 20 year old player who has made 14 appearances for the club and scored two goals claims that someone in his family posted the comment without his knowledge, which was subsequently deleted a while later.

Akpan has admitted “acting in a manner which was improper and/or bringing the game into disrepute” but denies sending the tweet himself.

Mr Akpan said: “This is a very harsh lesson for me but given the circumstances I had no option but to plead guilty. It is clear that the person I thought would stand up for his actions did not and it has come with a heavy price to myself. In relation to what was reported on my Twitter account I can only once again apologise. I did not write those words and they are certainly not my views.”

Crawley Town manager Steve Evans said: “I really feel sorry for young Hope. Another person should be ashamed of themselves and all they have done is create a difficult situation for the most honest and genuine lad anyone could wish to meet.The Football Association have acted and the matter is now closed. The young man can now get on with his football. I know he was deeply upset by it but, as I told him, he must learn from this.”

Mr Evans said the club does not “for one minute believe that he made that inappropriate comment.”

However, if they don't think for one minute that Akpan made the comment, then what does Evans expected he 'must' learn. Akpan has refused to speak to a gay fan in the past at the Crawley Town ground in Broadfield. "He just spat at me and pushed passed" claims Tom a lifelong Crawley Town fan from Langley Green.

California Court Pivotal Vote On Same Sex Marriage

2011-11-17T15:08:00.001Z

The California Supreme Court is poised to release a decision that could prove pivotal to the future of the state's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage.

The court says it will file a written opinion Thursday morning clarifying whether the sponsors of ballot initiatives can defend their measures from legal challenges without the cooperation of the governor and attorney general.

A federal appeals court considering the constitutionality of the 2008 ban, known as Proposition 8, asked the state high court to weigh in on that question before it gets to the merits of the case.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has expressed doubts about the ability of Proposition 8's sponsors alone to challenge a lower court ruling that overturned the initiative. California's previous governor and attorney general both refused to appeal the decision

30 per cent off GAP

2011-11-17T11:49:00.001Z


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Bahamas Bishop Urges Gays To Get Help!

2011-11-16T09:30:00.000Z

A senior Bishop at the New Covenant Baptist Church in the Bahamas, Simeon Hall, is calling for all homosexuals to "seek help" and turn away from "deadly, abnormal sexual practices".

The religious man, who claims not to be homophobic use a local newspapers statistics as the basis for yet another attack on gay people. Bishop Hall says that in the Bahamas the number of men contracting AIDS because of homosexual practices has doubled in the past few years.

"According to Dr. Perry Gomez, director of the National HIV/AIDS programme, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the Bahamas with men is near 14 per cent, nearly double the 8 per cent documented in 2008 in the Joint United National programme on HIV/AIDS," he said. "Homosexuality, like lesbianism, is anti-family and it goes against what God has ordained. This sexual practice cannot produce anything and now we are seeing that, according to statistics, it is deadly."

Bishop Hall said he is not trying to demonise homosexuals, but rather help them to seek help, "I wish to affirm that homosexuals and lesbians are human beings just like everyone else. I do not demonise them, but I hurriedly urge them to seek help and turn away from this non-productive deadly practice."

He has told many church goers in the past that he doesn't want any gays or lesbians in The Bahamas or in his churches.

Erin Green, a spokesperson for the local Gay Lesbian Bi-sexual and Transgender community told local newspapers the bishop is ignorant if he thinks that homosexuality is the only cause of the HIV/AIDS increase in the Bahamas. "I invite Bishop Hall to attend the Caribbean HIV conference this weekend, where he, along with other Bahamians, can engage in activities and expel these myths that are so prevalent in Bahamian society," she told the paper.

"It is dangerous to believe homosexuality equals AIDS. As a country we need to educate ourselves, not only AIDS/HIV, but also homosexuality."

In the latest released research, The Bahamas has the highest prevalence of HIV in adults anywhere in the Caribbean, roughly 3.3 per cent. AIDS is still a leading cause of death among Bahamian men and women, aged 15-44. However, according to this research HIV infection occurs primarily among heterosexuals - approximately 87 per cent

Mr Gay UK back!

2011-11-15T19:36:00.001Z

Finalists Sam Kneen from Cardiff, Nik Chapman from Newcastle and Greg Lumley from Middlesbrough. Read their manifestos below.

Leeds has got used to the notion of a close connection with coronations, what with our Kate Middleton's elevation to Royal status, but the next on our civic agenda has nothing to do with the House of Windsor.

It's the crowning of Mr Gay UK, a post which has seen an interregnum for three years, but is now back with finalists from local heats who will be sorted into winner and runners-up next month, reports Martin Wainwright on the UK's Guardian newspaper's Northerner Blog.

I'm not quite sure what the Guardian's attitude, or that of its readers, is tobeauty contests but that's what the Comments thread is for, so please fire away. Certainly, this particular competition has a history which is every bit as colourful as Miss World's if not more so. I know you need to treat Wikipedia with caution, but its entry on Mr Gay UK is awash with curiosity-tempting links.

Anyway, no one can fault the organisers' historiography which makes this celebrity-rich point:

Many star names have also been associated with the contest: Lily Savage, Jason Donovan, Phil Olivier, Graham Norton, Sonya, Jane McDonald, Tim Vincent, Rhona Cameron, the late Paula Yates and Michelle Heaton are just some of the names who have hosted the final. Sir Ian McKellen, Richard Wilson, Jean Paul Gaultier, Denise Van Outen, Antony Cotton, Danny La Rue, Justin Fashanu, Anita Dobson, Sue Pollard and a host of TV and soap stars are just a few of the fabulous people who have acted as celebrity judges.

The event runs regional heats in nightclubs to sort out the final contenders. Originally known as Mr Hardware, it reached the heights of a broadcast on Channel 5 in 1998 and 1999 and was part of the Channel 4 series Passengers in 1994.

Leeds own regional finalists. You can see what the city's own champion John Wheeldon thinks, right and below.

The Leeds coronation and final judging at the Mission on 10 December will follow online voting via all the usual outlets which is explained here. Apart from the fun and razzamatazz, there are prizes including a professional photo-shoot in Morocco, the chance to enter Mr. Gay Europe and £2000 in cash.

Here's what the pictured finalists have to say, starting with Leeds' John Wheeldon, who's 28 and works in sales accounts:

What made you enter Mr Gay UK this year?:

I've wanted to do it since I first came out a few years ago, and it's the first time I've been single and been ready – and I thought at 28 it's now or never really.

How did you feel when you won the heat?

I didn't really believe it at first. I thought they were joking; I think the nerves got the better of me. Then they gave me this bunch of flowers and I was just really happy.

How do you feel about the final?

It's just really nerve wracking isn't it. I'm looking forward to getting all my family and friends and hopefully all of Leeds together. I like competition.

What will you do with the money if you win

Well, I need to buy a new boiler first off. Then I'll treat myself; I want to travel the world, so I might go away somewhere. I've always wanted to got to Thailand

Same questions to Samuel Kneen of Cardiff who's 22 and a hairdresser:

My friends persuaded me, and I thought it might help with my confidence. I've been going to the gym a lot for the past year.

Ecstatic, I couldn't believe it! It was a huge surge to my confidence, which I've had a bit of trouble with in the past

Very nervous. I hope people will vote for me. If they do I'll be so appreciative. I just hope they can see my potential, and if I win I'll do my best to work hard for them

Well I'll pay off some of my debts, and give some to my dad, who's helped me out a lot when I've had money troubles. My firend Craig works for Terrence Higgins Trust, so I think I'll give them some money, and the rest I'll put on a bond for a new flat I think. I would have maybe gone on holiday, but I suppose I've got the trip to Morocco if I win anyway. Oh I'll take all my friends for a night out

And to Newcastle's Nik Chapman who's 25 and a bar manager:

It was a challenge, I heard about it a couple of weeks before and I thought it was a good challenge to get myself into shape

It might sound a bit cheesy, but I was a bit overwhelmed. It was done by cheering and having all those people cheering for me was really overwhelming, I was really happy.

I'm a bit nervous, I'd love to get into the final three

It's really boring but my car's in negative equity, so I'd really like to pay it off – it's a nice car though, BMW

And Greg Lumley, Middlesbrough's champion, a 27-year-old graphic designer:

Well actually, I wasn't going to, because I wasn't really confident enough to do it. But when I got there I just thought why not? You only live once!"

Amazing, I really didn't think I'd win. I thought the other guys cheers were louder than mine. I was more than chuffed"

Excited, but after seeing some of the other finalists I don't feel too confident"

It might sound boring, but I'd put it towards a deposit for a flat

You can check out more, and on the other contestants, on the competition website which also explains how to vote.

St. Petersburg latest Russian region to want anti-gay law

2011-11-15T19:26:00.001Z

St. PETERSBURG, Russia — Two regions of Russia – Arkhangelsk and Ryazan – have passed laws banning what they call gay “propoganda.” The laws have been deemed constitutional by Russian courts despite the chilling of free speech and the attack on LGBT organizing and ability to protest that they represent,

Now the St. Petersburg region wants to introduce a similar law.

Reports Paul Canning.

The proposed law, introduced 11 November in the legal committee of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly prohibits so-called propaganda of ‘sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderism, and pedophilia to minors’. The bill was introduced by Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party

Says Polina Savchenko, General manager of LGBT organization Coming Out, Russia:

“By combining homosexuality, bisexuality, and transsexuality into one law with sexual crimes against minors (pedophilia), members of the Legislative Assembly indulge in gross manipulations of public opinion. Their goal – to pass an anti-democratic law, directed at severely limiting human rights in St. Petersburg.”

“In the name of “public interest”, members of the Legislative Assembly decided to ignore the Federal law, the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the European Convention for Human Rights, Council of Europe Recommendations and other decrees by international organizations, of which Russia is a member. However, no public discussions were held.”

“It is also obvious that adoption of this law violates interests and rights of minors. Russia leads the world in the number of teenage suicides, and ignoring the issues of sexual orientation and gender identity can lead to tragic consequences.”

“This bill is absurd, both in terms of legal logic, and in terms of plain common sense. So what is the real goal? It is clear that adoption of this law would impose significant limitations on the activities of LGBT organizations. Organizers of public events cannot restrict access of minors to any open area; people under 18 can be there just by chance. Consequently, it makes any public campaigns aimed at reducing xenophobia and hate crime prevention impossible.”

St. Petersburg is home to numerous groups: The only interregional LGBT organization “Russian LGBT Network“; the largest grassroots LGBT organizationComing Out; the LGBT festival Side by Side; and other LGBT groups.

Savchenko believes that the LGBT movement in Russia has become now become so noticeable that “the homophobic government can no longer ignore its existence. The state attempts to destroy LGBT organizations using legal framework and to discredit them in the minds of the people.”

She suggests that there is a real possibility that such a law will follow on the Federal level.

Lithuania in 2009 pass a law to ‘protect minors’ banning “propaganda of homosexual, bisexual or polygamous relations”. After an outcry from its fellow European Union members this was amended to a “ban to spread information that would promote sexual relations or other conceptions of concluding a marriage or creating a family other than established in the Constitution or the Civil Code” and a ban on information that “profanes family values”. The Lithuanian government claimed it wasn’t discriminatory but since coming into effect the law has only been used once and that is to try to ban the Vilnius Gay Pride in 2010.

The Ukrainian Parliament is proposing establishing a criminal liability for “propaganda of homosexualism”.

Meanwhile, the website GayRussia is polling readers on whether on not to ‘out’ closeted but anti-gay Russian public figures.

The former mayor of Arkhangelsk recently alleged that politicians in the region use transgender prostitutes and that some members of the regional assembly, which has banned ‘gay propoganda’, are gay.

Paul Canning is a gay rights campaigner, Editor of LGBT Asylum News, and writer for The Guardian newspaper group in the United Kingdom.

Liverpool's Gay Streets!

2011-11-15T19:17:00.001Z

Liverpool has become the first city in Britain to have street signs emblazoned with the rainbow arch, the first of which was unveiled on Stanley Street at the heart of the city’s new gay quarter on Friday.

The signs, which appear along Stanley Street, Cumberland Street, Temple Lane, Eberle Street and Temple Street, have been introduced following the decision by the city’s council to officially recognise the Stanley Street Quarter as a gay area in August. The signage is one of the first visible initiatives to be implemented following this recognition.

Adam Simpson from Liverpool LGB&T said the move is the first step towards making the neighbourhood a prime destination, reports the UK's Pink paper.

“The Liverpool LGB&T Network are proud to see such a visible indication of the joint work between the community, business and Liverpool City Council,” Simpson told Seen Magazine. “We will continue to work together with the City Council to develop the Stanley Street Quarter into a first rate destination for residents and visitors,” he added.

The first sign was unveiled by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Liverpool and Councillor Sharon Sullivan on Friday afternoon in a ceremony attended by a number of residents and owners of local businesses.

Candice Fonseca, owner of Delifonseca delicatessen, said the signs and the recognition of the quarter would benefit local businesses.

“As a local business, we are delighted with the new signage which is the first tangible mark of real change to come. By showing visitors to our city where and what the Stanley Street Quarter is, businesses like ours will be able to benefit,” she said.

Ohio teen attack at school talks.

2011-11-15T19:11:00.001Z

It was a horrible video of a young teenager attacked at school just for being gay that shocked many.

The attacker waited for his victim, filmed by his cousin, then his victim walked in and was viciously attacked and beaten up.

I can still recall the video, it shocked me not least because nobody intervened. See the following of the horrific beating at Unioto-Scioto High School in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Now Zachary Huston, who was the gay student that was cruelly targeted in that beating has found his voice, and is speaking out. The American Civil Liberties Union is standing behind and supporting him, threatening Union-Scioto with a lawsuit unless the school district meets with them about putting and end to bullying and harassment.

Watch Zach's interview, AFTER THE JUMP...

The Lancaster Eagle Gazette reports:

The ACLU's letter alleges the school district was "derelict in its responsibility to provide a safe learning environment" for Zach. (James Hardiman, legal director for the ACLU of Ohio) said Monday "it's not enough to recognize or know a student was bullied. It must go further than that."

Hardiman said he does not take issue with the district's anti-bullying policy itself but rather the failure to enforce it. "It's not enough to have a policy on paper. The policy must have meaning -- it must have teeth," he said. "... Having a policy in place and not enforcing it is tantamount to not having a policy at all."

That sentiment was echoed by Zach, who said the school did "little to nothing at all," and his mother, Rebecca Collins, who said the bullying was ongoing despite her many complaints to administrators. Zach since has returned to Unioto, where Hardiman said, he has faced taunts from other students and some indifference on the part of certain educators.

Zach's attacker hasn't been back to the school and has pleaded guilty to an assault charge last week.

Over 1000 attend Stuart Walker's funeral.

2011-11-15T18:47:00.001Z

More than 1000 people attended the funeral of the murdered barman Stuart Walker last week.

It was a crime that attracted worldwide headlines due to the horrific way in which Mr Walker died. The young gay man was found “horrible” injuries at a lampost near an industrial estate in the Scottish town of Cumnock last month. Not only had he been savagely beaten he had also been set on fire.

Many of the Cumnock's 9000 inhabitants attended the funeral service for the man that was the “life and soul of our family” according to his sister. She also said: “You were our ray of sunshine when you were here. And now you will forever be our brightest star, watching over us.”

The day of Stuart’s death, 22 October, was described as “one of the darkest in Cumnock’s recent history” by the vicar, Reverend Patterson. A Leona Lewis track was played as around 600 mourners following the hearse to the town cemetery.

Earlier this month an 18-year-old who was arrested and has now been charged with murder, theft and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Ryan Esquierdo, also from Cumnock, remains in police custody, however as yet there are no answer to question the family and the community most desperately seek, why he had taken the life is this friendly and popular man.

Homophobic racist attack in Gosport.

2011-11-15T18:29:00.001Z

Hampshire Police are asking for help after an attack in Gosport. They need to hear from anyone who witnessed the attack, in which a 28-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman were followed by three men along Gordon Road in Gosport at around 1.30 on the morning of 5th November.

It was when they got to the junction at Bury Road, the three men made homophobic comments to the 28 year-old man before two of them knocked him to the ground. He was kicked and punched. The 19-year-old was racially abused before they managed to escape.

The attackers are now being hunted by the police, and are described as one of the men was white, about 21, with short ginger hair which was shaved at the side and spiked on top. He had blond eyelashes and eyebrows and wore a white tracksuit with blue reflective strips down the arms and legs.

The second man was white, around 19 years old, with short, dark hair in a bobbed style. He wore dark jeans and a buttoned-up shirt.

The third man was between 17 and 20 years old, with long, dark hair, who wore a green and black checked shirt with the sleeves rolled up.

Anyone with information should call PC Tina Abrams Fareham CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Liverpool church linked to “home exorcisms” to cure gays

2011-11-15T18:13:00.001Z

The Frontline Church, Liverpool, which runs courses “helping Christian men and women out of homosexuality” has been described as being part of the “Dark Ages”.

The church’s courses are connected to the American LIFE Ministry, whose website instructs gay readers on home “exorcism”.

A document published on the Liverpool church’s website claimed people became gay as a result of “pain in childhood”.

The Homosexuality Fact Sheet, now removed from its website, included instructions on spotting people “struggling with homosexuality”.

The church said women “women may appear and dress in a more masculine way” and “men may appear somewhat effeminate, although this is not always the case”. Reports the UK's Pink News.

Church bosses today conceded the statements were “simplistic”, but denied homophobia.

They added they believed “the ways a person chooses to express their sexuality can change”.

The church claimed to have had success with some congregation members.

Prime Minister David Cameron and Nick Clegg have both “met staff to discuss grass roots issues in Liverpool”, according to the Frontline Trust’s accounts.

The national Lesbian and Gay Foundation’s Andrew Gilliver said: “The issues about ‘childhood pain’ are nonsense. The pain is often caused by people who don’t understand what they’re going through.

“We are born gay, but we learn prejudice. This is Dark Ages stuff.”

In a statement, the church said: “None of our services (church and projects) discriminate against anyone on any basis and we are unconditional in offering support to all service users.

“We respect everyone’s right to hold their own views and don’t ask service users to adhere to our Christian values or even ask project users what their views are.

“All are welcome to our Sunday services whoever they are.

“We agree that the fact sheet is somewhat simplistic and could lead to prejudicial stereotyping if taken wrongly, and that is the last thing we want.

“That is why the fact sheet has not been on our website for some time and we took it down because we did not feel it was a constructive reflection of such a complex issue.

“The Fact Sheet was written under the auspices of a staff member some years ago and he has subsequently left.”

“Liverpool LIFE Ministry is an internal pastoral support group for Frontline Church members who have requested extra support around their own sexuality.’

Conversion therapy has been criticised by the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Psychiatry and the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.

The Royal College of Psychiatry has said: “There is no sound scientific evidence that sexual orientation can be changed.”

The church’s “extra support” LIFE Ministry programme is connected to the LIFE Ministry of New York City, whose website offers instructions on home “exorcisms”.

It suggests: “Have someone pray over you to break the demonic oppression that keeps you from getting in touch with your emotions and which seems to make resisting [homosexual] sin impossible.

“As you renounce the homosexual sin that you are practising as evil, the other person can command the demons to leave you so that you can choose a godly response to temptation.”

Joanne Highley, the Ministry’s founder, once asked in an interview “Why wouldn’t it be reasonable that if people crawl around on the floor of bars and have homosexual sex, that they would pick up demonic power?”

She claimed her ministry exorcised the orifices of those men and women who had engaged with the “demonic powers of lust, lasciviousness, of all sorts of filth”.

In an investigation by the Guardian earlier this year, the Frontline church said they had a “positive, ongoing friendship” with the LIFE Ministry organisation.

They adapt American LIFE materials in order to teach according to Highley’s method, which is a combination of “psychological therapy and prayer”.

Peter Burton Dies.

2011-11-10T19:00:00.000Z

One of gay journalism's most prominent early figures, Peter Burton, has died at the age of 66, reports the UK's PinkPaper.com can report.

The acclaimed writer and publisher is thought to have died from a heart attack.

Born in London's Hackney in 1945, he began to write for gay travel guide Spartacus in the late 1960s while running a separate magazine from a guesthouse in Brighton.

In 1973, he began writing for the broadsheet title Gay News and, by 1976, he was acting as PA to the editor Denis Lemon and serving as the paper's literary editor.

That year, Mary Whitehouse of the National Viewers' and Listeners' Association brought a private prosecution of blasphemous libel against Lemon and Gay News after it published James Kirkup's poem The Love That Dares to Speak its Name, about a Roman centurion who sodomises the body of Christ after its removal from the cross.

The jury found in Whitehouse's favour; Lemon was fined and received a suspended prison sentence. Lemon later dubbed Peter the "Godfather of Gay Journalism", a term its recipient ultimately found flattering.

When Gay News closed in 1983, Peter became the literary and features editor of Gay Times, a position he held until 2003.

He was also the last publisher of the merged Millivres Books imprint, where he went out of his way to champion emerging and underrated voices. Peter wrote or contributed to some 30 books in total, including six anthologies, three of which were nominated for Lambda literary awards.

Chris Graham-Bell, Chief Executive of Millivres Prowler Group – owners of GT, DIVA and the Prowler stores – expressed his sympathy at the news of Burton's death. He told PinkPaper.com: "I am very sad to hear the news of the death of my old colleague Peter Burton. A delightful man and much loved person, who will be greatly missed.

"I knew Peter during his time with Gay News in the late 1970s and then he came to join Millivres Limited in 1984 where he eventually became one of the first Editors of Gay Times.

"We were talking warmly of Peter at the GT400 party on Monday night and his contribution to the magazine over many years – I hope he could sense our thoughts.
He will be long remembered."

Peter is survived by his sister Pamela. His partner Ian predeceased him.

US Democrats back repeal of DOMA!

2011-11-10T16:00:00.000Z

Senate Democrats who back gay marriage have decided now is the time to repeal a federal law defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman.

The Democrats may satisfy their gay marriage supporters, but the bill won't get very far.

The repeal could be approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, but the next stop — the full Senate — could be a long way off. The bill's chief sponsor, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., says she doesn't have the votes for Senate passage, and the bill would have no chance in a House controlled by Republican conservatives.

The chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., defended the timing of the panel's likely vote on the Defense of Marriage Act. "It is never the wrong time to right an injustice," he said.

Feinstein's bill has 31 Senate sponsors, all Democrats. Most Republicans fiercely oppose the repeal.

"Traditional marriage between a man and a woman has been the foundation of our society for 6,000 years," said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, the ranking Republican on the Judiciary panel. "The Defense of Marriage Act protects this sacred institution, which I believe in, and attempts to dismantle this law are likely to be met with a great deal of resistance."

Lacking enough votes in the House or Senate, Grassley said the Democratic effort in the Judiciary Committee "makes it no more than a cynical political gesture to the Democrats' base."

It is likely that the issue will be debated right up to the 2012 elections, while challenges to the law take place in several federal appeals courts. Conservatives vowed to make it a front-burner issue after President Barack Obama decided in February his administration no longer would defend the law.

Much has changed since President Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. The District of Columbia and six states now recognize gay marriage: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire.

The federal law has a huge negative economic impact on all gay couples through the denial of federal government benefits.

The couples cannot file joint federal income tax returns and take deductions available in traditional marriages. There are no spousal Social Security benefits. They can't take advantage of the Family and Medical Leave law that protects one's job and health insurance during emergency absences. Surviving gay spouses have no protection from estate taxes.

Leahy voted for the law in 1996 but has since changed his mind.

"I voted for DOMA as a way to allow states to maintain their independence and define marriage as each state saw fit," Leahy said.

Leahy said he now believes the law undermines protections in the states that allow gay marriage. He said the law "created a tier of second-class families who are not treated equally under the law."

The repeal would not obligate any person, state or locality to perform same-sex marriages.

Feinstein, who voted against the current law, said, "It has been firmly established over decades that marriage is a legal preserve of the states.

"DOMA was wrong when it was passed and should be repealed. And this bill will do that. It will strike DOMA from federal law and restore the role of states in determining who may marry in this country. I believe the time has come."

Obama said recently he is "still working" on his views of gay marriage. He supports civil unions but has thus far not backed same-sex marriage.

Numerous recent polls suggest a slight majority of Americans favor giving same-sex couples the right to marry.

Thirty-seven states currently have statutory Defense of Marriage acts. Three of those states have laws that predate the federal act.

David Kato's Murderer Sentenced.

2011-11-10T15:30:00.000Z

Sidney Nsubuga Enoch (L) the man suspected to have murdered Ugandan gay rights activist David Kato has been sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for the crime. Photo by Johnson Mayamba

Mukono High Court has on Thursday sentenced Sidney Nsubuga Enoch, 22, the man suspected to have murdered a gay rights activist in January this year, to 30 years in prison.

The 30 year sentence was passed by Justice Joseph Mulangira after Nsubuga admitted to have murdered David Kato 46, on 26th January 2011. This verdict was passed based on the evidence produced in court by the lead state prosecutor, Ms. Loe Karungi.

Prosecution led by Ms Karungi alleges that on 26th January, 2011, at around 8:30am, while the duo was taking tea, the deceased demanded for sex from Nsubuga. "The deceased started kissing Nsubuga and tickling him but in the process, a one Kizza Akram knocked at the door and the deceased stopped what he was doing," Ms. Karungi told court.

After breakfast, Kizza went away to the farm where the accused followed. They both uprooted cassava and Nsubuga came back leaving Kizza in the garden. "Nsubuga prepared lunch for Kizza and the deceased. After lunch the deceased locked the house and informed Nsubuga that it was time for sex," Ms. Karungi said.

This is the time Nsubuga told the deceased that he wanted to ease himself in the bathroom after which he would come back and have sex. "While in the bathroom, Nsubuga picked up a hammer, came back to the living room and hit the deceased on the back of the head twice," Ms.Karungi narrated.

Ms Karungi says that Nsubuga then dragged the deceased to the bedroom where he started picking items from the deceased's bag. The items picked included a camera, keyboard for a computer, T.shirts, shoes and a mobile phone. He opened the door, got out, and locked the door from outside. He then threw the keys in the gumboots that were outside.

It is also said that at 2:00 PM on that fateful day, Kizza came back from the farm and found the door locked and the music was playing loud from the house. After waiting for a while, Kizza inquired from the neighbors where Kato was and they told him that they did not know. They however informed Kizza that they had seen Nsubuga leaving the house dressed in the deceased's clothes.

This prompted Kizza and the neighbors to peep in the deceased's house where they saw fresh blood stains on the living room floor that prompted them to search for the house keys. Upon entering the house, they saw blood stains leading to the bedroom, where the deceased was discovered lying unconscious on the bed in a pool blood.

"They rushed him to Kyetume Health Center, from where they were referred to Mulago Hospital but the deceased passed away before this could happen. David Kato's body was then takento Kawolo Hospital for postmortem where they discovered that the deceased had been seriously hit at the back of the head," Ms Karungi noted.

The hunt for Nsubuga culminated in his arrest when he was spotted by Nakabago residents in Mukono district, who alerted the police. He was arrested and taken to Mukono Police Station where he admitted to the murder charges brought against him. Ms. Karungi then told court that the case against the Nsubuga was very serious and she asked court for a maximum penalty basing on the evidence that had been presented and that basing on the fact that the accused had admitted to the crime.

Efforts to reach leaders of gay community, Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) were futile as they are said to be out of the country to receive an award at Rafto Prize Ceremony at Den Nationale Scene recognizing them for their struggle in the fight for gay rights in Uganda.

Kato’s death was condemned by both local and international human rights bodies including United States President Barack Obama, saying it was an abuse of fundamental human rights.

They called upon the government to investigate the cause of his death and speak out against homophobia towards the gay community in the country. The police issued a statement to the effect that Kato’s killing was no way related to his campaign for gay rights.

Ugandan gay activist wins RFK Human Rights Award

2011-11-10T14:24:00.000Z

A gay rights activist in Uganda, where a bill that would punish gays with prison or death has stirred worldwide outrage, is poised to receive the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award in Washington on Thursday.

Ethel Kennedy, the widow of the former U.S. attorney general, is to be joined by Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry in presenting the award to Frank Mugisha at a ceremony on Capitol Hill. It is the first time the award is being bestowed on an activist working for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights.

"It gives me more courage to continue doing the work I'm doing," Mugisha told The Associated Press ahead of the award. "It sends out a message, not only to my country but to other countries that criminalize homosexuality."

The 29-year-old Mugisha leads an underground group whose members routinely shift locations in Uganda for their safety. Uganda, a conservative East African nation, is one of more than 70 nations that have imposed laws against being gay.

Mugisha blames U.S. evangelical activists in particular for stoking fears and promoting homophobia with a 2009 visit and conference on "rehabilitation" for gays in Uganda. Since then, violence against gays has increased, he said.

After the visit, debate began over a Ugandan bill that would punish gay people with prison or death and would threaten jail time for those who don't report suspected gays to authorities. The bill was recently revived in Uganda's parliament.

"I think they are responsible for the bill," Mugisha said of the evangelical activists. "They held a seminar and openly told Ugandans that they needed to tighten their laws on homosexuality and told Ugandans that homosexuals can be healed."

Scott Lively, a preacher who leads a group called Abiding Truth Ministries now based in Springfield, Mass., introduced ideas from the "ex-gay" movement to Ugandans and the idea that gays are "recruited," Mugisha said.

In a telephone interview Wednesday, Lively did not oppose criminalization of homosexuality but said he thinks imprisonment and the death penalty are too harsh. He said many criminal sanctions in African countries are harsh but aren't enforced.

"I advised the Ugandan parliament to focus on rehabilitation and not punishment, which they went the other way on that," Lively said. "But the law that they did draft is consistent with existing law on their books dealing with heterosexual sex crimes, and no one made a peep about that."

Uganda's anti-gay bill -- and its connection to U.S. evangelicals -- prompted international headlines, editorials and attention from the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. Its award comes with a $30,000 stipend and a six-year partnership to support Mugisha's work with advocacy and fundraising.

She said progressive churches, human rights groups, the U.S. government and the United Nations should take a stronger stand to counter the impact of "right-wing evangelicals" in Uganda

"What we see here in Uganda is the U.S. exporting our so-called family values," she told the AP. "We bear responsibility for that as a country. We need to set the record straight about what true U.S. values are."

Kennedy said the pursuit of gay rights is consistent with everything her father, the brother of President John F. Kennedy, had stood for.

"I grew up in a family where we believed the United States should stand for something and that it was important to export the U.S. vision of a more just and peaceful world," she said. "That's why Robert Kennedy traveled to South Africa in 1966 when most Americans had never heard of apartheid."

Mugisha said he hopes to persuade other human rights groups to join in the struggle for gay rights.

As a young gay activist, Mugisha said he has been beaten and harassed for speaking out. He said that began around the age of 14 in the Catholic school he attended.

Mugisha said he's not afraid of his government but rather people on the street who want to eliminate gays.

In January, his colleague David Kato was bludgeoned to death. That killing came shortly after a tabloid newspaper published names and photos of men it alleged were gay. The cover included the words, "Hang Them." Authorities contend Kato's sexual orientation had nothing to do with the killing.

The Kennedy award may provide some protection for Mugisha, though, by raising his profile, he said.

The biggest motivation to continue his work, despite death threats, is his daily interactions with Ugandan gays and lesbians, Mugisha said.

"They just look at you when you talk to them, and they feel there's hope," he said. "They feel there's a voice out there speaking for them."

Kennedy said Mugisha's work shows the rarest kind of courage.