Metroglobal

Analysing anti-Black racism in modern China (Essay)

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 18:36:00 +0000

Studying in Beijing for the second year of my BA Chinese studies, I did a research project on racism in China. Before that, I thought that any foreigner like me would be adored by the Chinese who are desperate to get their hands on anything foreign. The truth is, what Chinese people adore are white people and their perceived superior looks and 'status'. If you are of dark complexion, you will not enjoy the same treatment as white people in China and don't even think of getting a job as an English teacher (even if your mother tongue is English, they will prefer the broken English of any blond Russian girl). The racist world image of China is that whites are superior to anyone and only Asians come close to them. One would think that nowadays, with so much exposure and exchange with the outer world (Beijing Olympics, Shanghai Expo, MTV, internet...) that Chinese would understand that a black person is just the same as any other human, but the majority is far from that. See below one chapter of my essay followed by a link to the complete work:

In his work “Anti-Black Racism in Post-Mao China” Berry Sautman provides a detailed historical account of Africans coming to the People’s Republic. I will not reproduce every incident that yet successfully brings the vile attitudes of contempt towards Blacks to the light, but try to highlight details that might help to look for reasons for the racial contempt of the Chinese at that time.
While these cultural exchange-students in the 1960s were unhappy with China, it was dissatisfaction with living standards, rather than racism, that the students from mostly elite-backgrounds complained about. At that time, Maoist China was supportive off third-world nations and sought to find diplomatic allies particularly in Africa. The first major race riots start only a few years after Mao’s death.
The pattern of the 1979 race riot in Shanghai was to be repeated in the decades after: Either African or Chinese students complained about each other’s behaviour, Africans would become angry about the lack of help or even mistreatment from authorities and confrontations would end violently. While reading the account of these confrontations, it seems unusual to me that police reportedly would not intervene in some cases, stand by attacks or come hours after the assaults started.
“Africans were stoned and the foreign student hall of residence besieged by Chinese hurling bricks. African students called the police, but officers did not arrive for several hours and failed to intervene as fighting continued throughout the day.”
From my experience it takes second nowadays for the police to vigorously respond to any minor scuffle.
In the 1980s, African students (sometimes along with Arabs and South Asians) staged several protests over the mistreatment and continuous racial taunting: 1980 in Nanjing, 1983, 1985 and 1987 in Beijing and 1986 in Tianjin along with minor incidents in Nanjing, Shenyang and Xi’an that year, 1988 in Hangzhou and Wuhan.
A factor in some universities was that Chinese complained Africans would “pollute Chinese society by having relations with Chinese women”. Africans were also accused of being AIDS-carriers.
From analysing historical backgrounds, a change in attitudes towards Africa is evident. During the Mao era and national emphasis on belonging to the oppressed people, racial stereotypes played minor factors that Africans experienced in China. After the reform era in the late 1970s, morality changed and no longer was the third-world propagandised as the main friend, but the European and American lifestyle as the better, richer, more promising and sophisticated example that is to be striven for.

Read in full: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0Bxo5GOrLIWg5ZTM1MzM1N2ItY2VjNi00YTUzLTlhY2EtMTBhMzU3YzJkMTJl&hl=en_GB

UK: Pessimism as anti-gay MP becomes Equality Minister

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Thu, 13 May 2010 13:11:00 +0000

Theresa May has been chosen to act as Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equality by the new Cameron-led government in Great Britain. Her suitability for the position has been questioned by people who highlighted her voting record (see below for details): Except for the Civil Partnership Act, she has constantly either voted against bills that made LGBTs more equal and been (purposely?) absent from parliament when many of them were discussed. Pinknews quotes David Henry of gay rights group OutRage! saying: “Mrs May is the wrong person for the job", “She's always been against gay rights since I can remember. I'm pretty sure she's opposed almost every gay rights measure”.

Commentator called her “a notorious homophobe”, “an insane appointment”, and opined: “She voted against equal age of consent. She voted against adoption equality. She wanted to maintain the fascist section 28. There are no ifs and no buts about it. Theresa May is a homophobe”. Another commentator said “May is my MP and I've actually met her. (…) The woman rejects anything that doesn't fit in her narrow-minded view of the world.”

Many asked for her to be interviewed by the gay media about her commitment to equality and if there has been a change of mind since the last few years. If one wants to take the initiative, she can be reached at mayt @parliament.uk or via her website’s contact form

Her voting record (source):

1998: Reduce age of consent for homosexual acts to 16 (equalise with straight sex): NO

1999: Reduce legal age for anal intercourse (straight or gay): NO (twice that year)

2000: Prohibit promotion of homosexuality in schools: YES

2001: Allow same-sex couples to adopt: NO (again in 2002)

2002: Allow unmarried gay or straight couples to adopt: NO

2008: Fertility treatment for same-sex couples: NO (twice)

Cameron gives a damn about gay Britons

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Wed, 12 May 2010 06:08:00 +0000

David Cameron has been elected the new Prime Minister for Britain. What that means for LGBT people is anything but certain. During the election campaign, it felt like Cameron had a hard job trying to woo some gay voters since nowadays, no major party can afford not to be somewhat for gay rights. His attempts, however, surfaced hypocrisies.

He pledged to “consider” allowing gay marriage in interviews with pink papers, then later said on TV that he is “not planning” on renaming civil partnerships. http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/05/04/david-cameron-not-planning-to-legalise-gay-marriage/

Let’s face it, we do not live in a fairy tale world. Of course we know that there are homophobes out there. One of them is Conservative candidate Philippa Stroud, who founded a church that seeks to ‘heal’ gays and ‘free them’ from demons. After the press got to wind of that, Cameron was quick to defend her as “not homophobic” and said “she believes in gay equality”. How idiotic is he? Does Cameron think we are that stupid? Maybe she believes in equality for gays as long as they turn straight, ex-gay equality.

The following incident, however, shows most obviously how Cameron firstly, FEIGNS support to gays, thirdly HAS NO IDEA about gay concerns and thirdly, DOESN’T REALLY CARE EITHER. During the following interview when questioned about gay rights, he seemed clueless until he finally asked the camera to be switched off!

Watch the video “David Cameron stumbles through interview on gay rights” on guardian.co.uk.

David Cameron’s voting record shows he voted to restrict marriage and adoption to straight couples (2002) and voted against repealing Section 28 which forbade “promotion of homosexuality” (2003). he now suddenly believes in the right to adopt for same-sex couples.

Would protecting sexual minorities hinder integration of Muslims?

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 02:12:00 +0000

Germany’s constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex & gender, race, mother tongue, country or culture of origin, disability, religion and religious or political opinion. Since a few years, activist tried to add “sexual identity” to the list to further combat discrimination of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people in Germany. After several high-ranking politicians and even a few states supported the measure, the parliament took up the debate and asked nine experts to present their findings on possible implications of the proposed law.

The voiced concerns were altogether opposing and are furthermore nothing short of the ridiculousness we are used to hear from right-wing conservatives in the US:

Winfried Kluth from the University Halle-Wittenberg argued that protecting LGBTs “would prevent Muslim immigrants from accepting our constitution”. Neutralising involved declaring that one believes in the German constitution. Mr Kluths argument implies demanding the acceptance of gender equality from German Muslims is ok, but to not discriminate gays would be too much to ask for. It would be more important to make it easy for new German citizens to identify with the constitution than promoting acceptance of LGBTs.

Professor Bernd Grzeszick form the University of Heidelberg said the proposed addition to the constitution would lead to the legalisation of polygamy because protecting “bisexuality and other forms of multiple-partner unions” could imply the legalisation of bigamy in the least.

In the parliamentary hearing, several of the appointed experts seemed to warn of the dangers of paedophilia approaching Germany. Klaus Gärditz of University of Bonn argued that “paedophilia, sodomy and sadomasochism” could be interpreted as one of these sexual identities.

The measure was proposed by the socialist party (SPD), the Greens and Leftist Coalition (Linkspartei). Germany’s most outspoken gay politician, Volker Beck (Greens) said: “The current government wants to continue to discriminate and treat LGBTs as second-class citizens. Our constitution protects minorities from arbitrary decisions of a majority and gays and lesbians should have this protection as well.”

At the current situation it seems unlikely that the change will happen. Both coalition parties, Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Liberal Democrats (FDP) that make up the current government reject the measure. A two-third majority is needed in the parliament to change the constitution.

The Liberals usually claim to be gay-friendly, but are known to put their business-emphasis first as they opposed many regulations, including non-discrimination acts, to be “forced upon the economy”. Although Germany’s current foreign minister Guido Westerwelle is confidently out gay (See Germany: New government, new hope?), his party is yet to prove their true commitment to gay rights.

UK: The fear of gay weddings

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:24:00 +0000

The difference
Some would think Britain is one of the most progressive countries when it comes to civil rights. Yet, gays and lesbians were until now not able to get hitched in a church or religious building and any religious language or even music was banned from the civil registry office where these strictly “civil partnerships” are made.
Fortunately, this ban is now as good as lifted with the House of Lords agreeing on an amendment to the Equality Bill which would make it possible for religious organisations to host civil partnership ceremonies. Among these that are ready to do that are Unitarians, Quakers (See “Quakers welcome debate on equality”), Metropolitan Community Churches, Liberal Jewish synagogues and some Anglican churches might follow in near future.

Why no marriage?
In my understanding, this is a good step, but a better step would have been allowing same-sex marriage altogether. Yet this is exactly what some forces fight against and are scared of in the United Kingdom.

It’s not the same!
The Bishop of Bradford warned that the change risked equating civil partnerships with marriage:
"The fundamental difficulty (…) is that we (…) have been quite clear ever since civil partnerships were introduced that they are not the same as marriage.”
Thanks you for proving us a point, Mr Bishop, in the debate of why the government should change the unequal and discriminatory institution of civil partnerships. (See also: “Marriage Equality for the UK”)

So far, opponents of this have argued that civil partnerships are adequate enough and marriage should be preserved for union between a man and a women only.

Homophobes are scared
Christian Today had a headline entitles “Fears for churches and status of marriage”

The Religion Correspondent of The Times, Ms Gledhill wrote a comment entitled “Bishop of Winchester slams gay marriage in church ‘fudge’” and quotes someone saying:

“I believe it does further fudge the line between civil partnerships and marriage. That is shown by some newspapers which simply speak of gay marriages in church.”

Face the reality!
So newspapers already speak of "gay marriages"? Oh my!
Yes, Ms Gledhill or whoever made that comment, here is a bit of a reality dose for you: Do you really think people in civil partnerships refer to their love as "civil partner" among their colleagues? Do you think they tell people that they are "civilly partnered"? Do you think their personal banker, the call-agent from BT or anyone makes a fuss to refer them as "civil partners"?
No! It's a formality being upheld only in the books to not upset religious nuts like you. The majority of the population (61% support gay marriage) has long understood that there is no difference between gay or straight relationships and the apartheid system of civil partnerships is a farce and a mockery of civil rights that is hopefully soon to end.

Several newspaper articles today again showed that so many religious leaders are simply all through homophobic in the sense that they literally FEAR gays and lesbians and they want to fight for their right to discriminate. Hopefully, this injustice will end soon. May God help them to learn to love all of his children.

Ugandan gay man flees to the UK

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:36:00 +0000

John Bosco told his story at the LGBT Rights in Africa event at SOAS. He realised he is “gay” by the age of 18. He only knew what “gay” meant from the taunts of fellow pupils. He didn’t come out in fear of arrest, but he couldn’t control the feelings that he felt.

“Nobody wants to be gay in Uganda but you are what you are.”

A gay bar he visited was raided in 2001. He escaped police, yet people tracked his home down where his brother was taken and questioned about John, who wasn’t there. His brother didn’t know of his whereabouts and was beaten and ultimately killed.

Bosco then sought asylum in the UK in September that year and went through immigration hell in inhumane detention centres. Freed later, he had to report to the police daily. After his asylum appeal was rejected several times over the next years he returned to a detention centre and was then forcefully put on a flight back to Uganda in 2008. He told the immigration officers that he would be killed but they said “We told the Ugandan officials nothing”, suggesting that if he keeps quiet, he will be fine.

Yet nothing was fine as the police in Uganda was aware of his identify from the bar raid seven years ago. Since being gay is illegal, he had to bribe his way to freedom coming out of the airport with 500£. People said, he would want to be gay so he could come to the UK and this shows how homosexuality is perceived as something foreign that doesn’t naturally happen in Africa.
He flew back to the UK and but was held in the detention centre again until finally his asylum was granted in May 2009.

Bosco said even the Home Office in Britain treats you differently as a gay. He was asked for example to prove that he would be gay while applying for asylum. He was told if they allowed him in, “all gays from Uganda would come”. “Many solicitors on top are also reluctant to take up cases of gay refugees”, he said.

More on John’s case on Gays Without Borders

LGBT Rights in Africa

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:03:00 +0000

Last week, my University (SOAS, University of London) held a discussion about LGBT rights in Africa. Invited were SOAS lecturer Marica Moscati (preparing her PhD on same-sex marriage), a spokesperson for Amnesty International, John Bosco (a Ugandan refugee) and a Skye (Zimbabwean gay rights activist).

One against the stream
Moscati gave a quick picture of what gay rights in Africa looked like and showed a diverse picture from several nations punishing homosexuality with the death penalty or prison to one extreme opposite, South Africa. It prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation since 1996 and legalised same-sex marriages ten years after that . Seen in many western nations as one of the last legal steps to full equality, same-sex marriage was a very early change for better in South Africa. The equal marriage law “serves as a strong example for equality” and as an orientation point for South African society that largely still is as homophobic as it’s neighbours.

South Africa learnt from it’s divisive past and so did Rwanda that decided not to criminalise homosexuality in 2009. Rwanda experienced similar race relation problems as South Africa did. Today, 56.3% of parliamentarians are women, Zimbabwean gay rights activist Skye Chirape pointed out and argued it would have been a major factor for this decision as women are “more compassionate”. “If women were to seize their rightful share of governance, gays will be better off, too”.

Homosexuality – a Western import?
A member from the audience tried to contravene with an often heard statement: “Homosexuality is against African values” and the West would be pushing their ideas onto the continent. He was swiftly dismissed by the panellists: “What is African culture?” Moscati asked back and waited for a reply. “What is African culture?” she repeated after a few seconds of silence and then went on:

“Culture is not something fixed or written somewhere on a pillar. It’s something changeable. We can improve culture! We shouldn’t avoid reality just because it has mostly been done that way in the past.”

In fact, this accusation is quite ironic as it were the European colonialists who brought the anti-sodomy laws to the rest of the world in the first place. “There were lesbian relationships with legal implications in some ancient African tribal communities” said Moscati. Of course Africa also knew discrimination and resentments. Amplified homophobia yet is a Western import.

No coming out, no rights
As for nowadays, Skye mentioned that in Zimbabwe, the punishment for homosexuality is 10 years in prison “… if you’re lucky to come out alive”. She also emphasised that there are as many LGBTs in Africa as elsewhere, but “reports are oppressed by governments“ and almost all gays and lesbians are “too scared to come out”.
This, however, is crucial to be able to fight fully for rights. Some say, gays and lesbians should be careful and see how change comes along before risking their lives. Yet how can people be treated equally if Africa is unaware of their existence? How can they achieve justice if the handful of gay activists are branded as tainted by Western influence? It requires courage and may be daring, but otherwise the lives of gays in Africa will continue to be made miserable.

See my next post for Ugandan John Bosco’s story

To gay marriage opponents, it’s not about marriage

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 13:05:00 +0000

A bill is being considered again by Hawaiian legislators to provide same-sex couples with a possibility to form civil unions.
A civil union, like the name suggests, are basically modelled after marriages yet aim to keep out religion, making it purely ‘civil’. That’s because marriage used to be a religious affair, like it’s still in Israel for example, where only religious bodies can marry people. And since religion is having a hard time accepting same-sex couples, many Christians feel they need to ‘preserve’ marriage for man and women. The civil unions concept was created as a compromise for equal treatment-seeking gay & lesbian couples to provide them with the now larger set of political rights.

It’s not about marriage
This very bill is being protested against by thousands of Christians now, holding up signs like “No Unions – No Marriage”, “1 Man + 1 Woman”. See the video here

In the past, conservatives protested when gays sought the access to marriage, claiming they would “redefine” and “attack” a tradition. Now, civil unions never existed before, but these people are still against it. This shows that gay marriage opponents do not simply care about how marriage is preserved for them only, but that they are bothered and disgusted by gay people living together at all.

Why secularism is important
The bill has been defeated several times before which was seen as a succeeding of strong protest previously. These protesters are a group of people that seek to impose their view onto others. If anti-gays form exclusive groups in the form of a church, that is legally indisputable. Secularism – separation of church and state – fails when a religious group succeeds in taking away government recognition of certain people outside their church and religiously formed ideas.
I am a Christian myself. I have strong beliefs, but I do not turn to the government to impose these beliefs onto others. If there was secularism in Islamic states, Christians wouldn’t have to complain about persecution and mistreatment in these countries. Yet the same happens there. The Muslim majority imposes their views via laws onto differently believing people.

Marriage Equality for the UK

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 02:02:00 +0000

Currently, eight countries and several jurisdictions in the world allow same-sex marriage. These are Belgium, Canada, The Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, a handful of US States and Mexico City.

As I wrote earlier, there is also a campaign to bring gay marriage finally to the UK, but mostly it’s focused in Scotland. www.equalmarriage.org.uk started a campaign in Scotland March 2009.

Currently ‘Civil Partnerships’ are said to provide all the rights of marriage but the name to gay and lesbian couples. However, the freedom to ‘marry’ in a church or another house of worship is also not granted as there is a ban in place on this, even if the religious institution wants to. The Quakers called to end this injustice in July last year. (See also: “Why Christians should support same-sex marriage”)

Secondly, it is the concept of a separate but (yet actually not fully) equal law. One set of laws for straight couples, one for gays & lesbians. Just like there used to be different set of laws for blacks and whites in South Africa or the US. Separate but equal is not equal and this is why we have to stand up for equal treatment now more than ever as the parliament discusses the Equality Bill.

For all UK residents, please write to your local MP about this injustice or copy & paste the following into an email from on findyourmp.parliament.uk :

Dear MP,

I note that Lord Alli has tabled an amendment to the Equality Bill on
allowing religious civil partnerships, and I write on this matter.

Although this would correct a major problem in the Civil Partnership
act, that it ignored religious same-sex couples, if this were to go
through, it still leaves a major problem with the system of
relationship registration in Britain.

There exists one relationship registration system for same-sex couples,
and another for opposite sex couples. These systems, though designed to
look alike, are different, and therefore I believe they are unequal and
discriminatory.

Using another word may seem like an easy answer to equality, but it
deprives same-sex couples of the terminology of love, refuses them the
fullest blessing from the state of their relationship and denies them
the respect from society and the community that marriage automatically
confers.

Even if my partner and I were to go abroad to a nation that did
recognise same-sex marriages and marry there, as soon as we got back to
Britain it is relegated to a civil partnership.

I would like to see an amendment tabled that allowed same-sex couples
to have a civil marriage, or a religious marriage if that particular
religion allowed it (such as Quakers, Liberal Jews, or the Metropolitan
Community Church). Equal rights, I believe, must mean that straight and
gay are treated the same, ruled over the same laws, and judged by the
same standard.

Civil Partnerships were of course a significant step forward, but
rather than making a separate system more like the thing it is trying
to emulate through this amendment, same-sex couples in Britain should
simply be allowed the same marriage rights as all other couples in
Britain.

Yours sincerely,

Your constituent.

Thanks to LGBTNetwork for this (http://www.lgbtnetwork.eu/?p=4009)

Austria: Same-sex partners “are not family”

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:08:00 +0000

The following case shows how much mistreatment, injustice and even disgust same-sex couples experience in many modern societies and are treated as second-class citizens.

Austria today approved a partnership law for gays and lesbians after weeks of debate. On the European map displaying countries’ recognition of same-sex partnerships, Austria long sticked out as a gray spot with almost no provision among it’s Western neighbours. Finally, the government decided to create a civil union law. However, it is one of the most half-heartedly I’ve ever seen:

While the bill lacks behind marriage in 37 points (edit: there are actually 73), it denies adoption, a common name and even the possibility of having a ceremony in the same localities where straight marriages are usually held. A whole different office will be responsible to hold ceremonies to make sure that ‘evil is separated from good’. Also, a gay non-biological parent is explicitly not allowed to take time off from work when the biological parent falls sick and can’t take care of a child temporarily.

Yet, conservative members of the opposition dismissed the new bill as “a dangerous step towards marriage” and criticised allowing ceremonies that are “de-facto marriage-like”.

The most outrageous and insulting part of this is that the oppositional People’s Party tried everything during the drafting of the bill to make sure same-sex couples are not seen as a “family”; In German language, a surname is mostly called Familienname (“family name”), and this term is used on any form and document where a identification is important. But as soon as an Austrian couple commits to a same-sex partnership, they are not to be regarded as a part of a family anymore and therefore, their surname will be called “Nachname” (literally “surname”). All this despite gay couples having to each keep their own surname. Now, all hotel e.g. will have to print new registration forms.

I know Austria is a pretty conservative country and I heard many stories of racism but its statutory homophobia is just as vile and disgusting,

With information from http://www.ggg.at/index.php?id=62&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=2653&cHash=1f64bb52c9 and http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/1118/1224259040662.html

Evangelicals slowly change perspective on homosexuality

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:44:00 +0000

About a week ago, the report of a Australian Pentecostal pastor giving a sermon asking for acceptance of LGBT people was a refreshing change from the usual hatred directed at us from a whole range of Christians from Catholics to Protestants.

In the US and Australia, those who condemn homosexuality are especially Evangelicals such as conservative Pentecostals who apply Bible teachings literally to many aspects of modern-day life and refuse to consolidate it with science or change of culture.

Pastor of Pentecostal Bayside Church in Melbourne, Rob Buckinham said in his Sunday sermon that in a survey, the most cited point of criticism from young Americans is that they view churches as being too judgemental, insensitive and hypocritical. He also brought up the following study:

“Today, the most common perception is that present-day Christianity is "anti-homosexual." Overall, 91% of young non-Christians and 80% of young churchgoers say this phrase describes Christianity. (…) they believe that Christians show excessive contempt and unloving attitudes towards gays and lesbians. One of the most frequent criticisms of young Christians was that they believe the church has made homosexuality a "bigger sin" than anything else.” (from: The Barna Group)

As I wrote in my previous post, this of course alienates young people from the church. As our increasingly enlightened society changes, sexist, racist and homophobic views are fading. However, deep-rooted ignorance backed by stubborn Christian belief however seems like an unshakable bastion that keeps society from progressing, when e.g. same-sex marriage laws get rejected.

Christians coming out

In Australia, Pentecostals are numbered at around 200.000 with many attendants in urban areas (see “Mega churches”). However, there a more and more gay Pentecostals coming out, such as 21-year old blogger Ben Gresham from the Hillsong Church in Sydney (I often go to their sister church in London), and even support groups are established such as Freedom 2 B[e] (freedom2b.org) for Pentecostal gays and lesbians striving to hold on to their faith despite rejection.

Now, even church leaders begin to open their eyes and challenge believes.

The Sin of Sodom

Pastor Buckingham took upon often cited bible verses that supposedly condemn homosexuality.

The story of Sodom & Gomorrah in Genesis 19 is one of them. God does not condemn Sodom for being a city full of homosexuals (that’d be a phenomenon even unseen till today). In fact, Lot, responding to the man outside his house, offered his two daughters to be gang-raped instead. If these men were all homosexuals, what use would it have to offer one’s daughters? Buckingham goes on to read Ezekiel 16:49 where the sin of Sodom is explained: Greediness. Or unwillingness to help the poor despite being loaded with riches. He rightfully drew a comparison to the modern Western world. Look at us, we know about starving in Africa. Looks like most of us are the real “sodomites”.

Christians and GLBTs

He went on to say Jesus also died for GLBT people and actually had most compassion for people from the edges of society. He specifically asked followers to invite their gay colleagues and friends to church, where they’d be welcome. He said “homosexuals are not the enemy of the church” and blamed Christian homophobia and derogatory remarks for keeping gays from church or even driving them into suicide during teen years.

Buckingham warned: ”Our job is to love and accept people, not judge or try to change them” (John 16:08).

At several points, he gave hope. As soon as people get to know gays, lesbians or transgender, compassion will fill your heart and you will learn to accept them.

The full sermon entitled “Real Christianity is accepting” is available as podcast here.

“Lord God I pray, forgive us and forgive the Christian church for giving this world the notion that You are anti-homosexual”.

Reading on:

GayPentecostal.com
Whosoever.org Online Magazin for GLBT Christians
"Bible-Based and Pro-Gay” Beliefnet.com
“Gay Pentecostals find a place to worship” St. Petersburg Times

American churches heat up civil rights war

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:34:00 +0000

Yesterday, voters in the US state of Maine were asked at the ballot whether they want to accept a gay marriage law enacted by legislation earlier this year. 53% percent of voters decided to reject it.

This is the second time that an already passed law to open marriage for gays and lesbians has been brought to a public vote: Exactly one year ago, Californians struck down gay marriage with the successful referendum called Proposition 8.

Majority vs. Minority

In Maine and California, campaigns were heavy on both sides of the issue, trying to win over voters (see my post about Prop 8 last year). However, gay marriage supporters only seem to question the legitimacy of a public vote on minority rights after the loss at the ballot. Why is the majority allowed to vote on a minority right in the first place? Today, I saw the same outcry on Twitter that I saw last year in November: “if you put it up to a vote of the people, we'd have slavery again".

So, is the pure egoism of humans that hinders equality? Do people only think about their own right and reject political measures that help strangers? I reckon a big part is being lead there…

Churches playing politics

Where did we see this last time? Ah yes, the medieval ages in Europe and forced conversions to Christianity under death threat are one example of an organised majority oppressing a minority. Or in South Africa were the Dutch Reformed Church declared their members “the chosen” race. All those are examples of a group of people organising themselves to oppress others, backed by pseudo-religious reasons. The same thing is happening in America today, where churches claim to have a monopoly over marriage and its definition.

Among others, the Mormon church was a heavy campaigner against gay marriage, although Mormons just make up 2% of the Californian population they were successful. In Maine, Catholic churches (especially Portland’s diocese) manipulate people into thinking that it’s OK to take away rights from same-sex couples (with campaigns that draw their money from the offertory)

American Christians have got to understand that forcing your own beliefs on others will only damage them. I myself am an active Christian, but I am ashamed of what so-called Christians are doing onto others. They take away basic rights, topple gay families even with children, they forget their every ethic and compassion out of pure egoism and ignorance.

Dividing society

Gay rights activist Cleve Jones rightly pointed out that this is a struggle for equality under the law for gay people. Blaming churches for forgetting how important equality is, Jones said:

This is a pluralistic society. We have one constitution, one Bill of Rights, and we have only one class of citizenship.

Churches fighting against this are juggling with the harmony of a diverse society. They are attacking other segments of society and draw anger at them. These churches are hurting the reputation of religion:
Various studies show that more and more young people turn their back to religion because of the churches’ hard-line politics (see Putnam/Campbell’s “American Grace”)

Coming Out Day is October 11/12

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:08:00 +0000

"Today is National Coming Out Day. This doesn't mean that today you have to come out to all of your friends and family. This doesn't mean that today, if you are already out that you should forget about the people who are still in. This doesn't mean that today is only important for the LGBT community. Today, is about being YOU! Today is about bringing awareness to the world why we are who

we are. "I'm gay!" - but not because I need or want attention. I'm gay - but it's not because I was abused in a past straight relationship. I'm gay - but not because I didn't have a father when I was growing up. Yes, I am a lesbian, but it's not because I couldn't get a man. I'm gay, but it's not because I have low self-esteem and think girls won't like me, or I want to get back at my parents. We are gay - but it's not because something dramatic happened to us in the past, and it's not because we're going through a phase.

The one and only reason that we are gay is because this is the way we were born! This is who we are. We don't choose to be gay. We choose to be happy with who we are.

Today, we are choosing to show this to the world. Today, even if it's just for today, be proud of who you love!"

National Coming Out Day is celebrated by communities in many countries including the US, Canada, Croatia, Germany, Austria and Switzerland on the 11th of October. The UK's Coming Out Day takes place on the 12th this month.

In difference to big metropolitan Pride marches, this day should be taken to put the focus onto your close surroundings, your community as it is about you. The Internet is taken by many that are already out to friends and family to spread awareness.

Quotes taken from YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llskoZYUTXA

P.S.: A little clip art (can be used as iPhone wallpaper) in Chinese since I'm in China at the moment

Campaigning for same-sex marriage in the UK, Ireland

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:00:00 +0000

Britons, including many gays, would like to think that almost everything that defines equality for same-sex couples and gays has been achieved in the United Kingdom. Civil Partnerships are legal since 2004 and in law, have little difference to traditonal marriage. But the concept in itself is discriminatory. Why have a seperate, but equal law for gay and lesbian partners? Isn't it like racial segregation that was common in many countries just decades ago? Seperate schooling or bus seats? It is. "When I grow up, I wanna... 'civil partner' a prince?"

While heterosexual couples can refer to each other as husband and wife, me and others would have to refer to our loved ones as "my partner". People might think we are in a business relationship. Yet more often, it simply leads to awkwardness or confusion, since many still don't know what civil partners are. Until they are not "married" persons, it will never feel just the same.

The biggest single inequality yet is, that civil partnerships can NOT be formed religiously, like marriages can. Even if religious institution want to, they are legally not allowed to bless same-sex couples wishing to... (well, at least) be 'civil partnered'. A Scottish bishop recently pointed out that he would be breaking the law, if a civil partnership ceremony would be celebrated in his church.

The following projects are currently underway to fight for marriage equality on the Isles:

United Kingdom

A simple online petition recenlty launched is to be handed to the Prime Minister to call for marriage equality in the UK. A simple signature and email confirmation will do. You have to be a resident address in Britain (you don't have to be a British citizens!) http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Gay-Marriage/

Another private project can be viewed here: www.equalmarriagerights.org

Scotland

Since March 2009 there is an internet campaign that was

launched with help of student groups try to lobby the Scottish Parliament to lift the ban on both, same-sex marriages and opposite-sex civil partnerships. If you live in Scottland, please support and share the campaign on www.equalmarriage.org.uk

Republic of Ireland

Ireland's government is drafting a civil partnership law, simular to the one in the UK, but with lesser rights. An unexpected support from straight friends and family members is trying to persuade the government, that this is not enough! http://www.marriagequality.ie/

In polls, 81% of the public said different sexualities should be treated equaly.

California rejects minority's rights

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:15:00 +0000

A re-cap: Same-sex marriage in California has been a long back and forth game. Twice, in 2005 and 2007, the bill was approved by the legislation and then vetoed by the Governor Schwarzenegger.

In summer 2008, California became the second US-State to allow citizens to marry whatever gender they loved. In November, a voter referendum, called Proposition 8 (Prop 8), passed by a 2% margin, annuled the rights of gays and lesbians to marry yet again.

For weeks and months after the ruling, a weapon-less civil war broke out with protests not only in California but the whole of the US.

The second American civil war began with thousands of protesters demanding equal rights under the law as gay and lesbian couples. Nowhere else has the fight for marriage been fought with more media attention, YouTube videos, Facebook groups and TV appearances with people throwing arguments about civil liberties or religious doctrines at each other.

For months, the legal outcome was unclear until the Supreme Court of California announced it would make a decision weather the Proposition 8 was valid and thus same-sex marriages invalid or if it would protect the rights of a minority that a majority-vote couldn't turn over.

Since November 2008, two countries and three US-states introduced same-sex marriages: Sweden (36m inhabitants), Norway (4,8m), Iowa (3m), Maine (1,3m), Vermont (0,6m). None of those had, however, such a big cultural impact as the battle for marriage in the 37-million-strong California with countless of world-famous actors, TV stars and thousands of bloggers jumping into the debate with strong feelings on both sides.

The ruling today did not re-instate California's reputation for a state where everyone is supposedly equal. It was one of the first states to repeal a ban on interracial marriages in the 70s but decades after blacks got their civil rights, gays and lesbians remain second class citizens. If there would have been a popular vote about the civil rights in the 70s, there'd probably be still no black US president today.

The court needs to understand it has to protect equality for everyone. History thought us what happens if a majority denies the rights to a minority group: Women, Jews and Blacks are the ones that learnt already how important universal rights are. Unfortunately, many of the once discriminated discriminate others again.

Link: Calif. High Court Uphold Prop. 8

5th International Day against Homophobia & Transphobia

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Sun, 17 May 2009 21:19:00 +0000

Today is the 5th International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (Idaho). To me, this day is more meaningful than any Gay Pride days in the many cities of the world, since especially the Western ones are losing their political spirit to fight for equality that is not yet achieved. Homophobia, as an irrational of fear of different sexualities is the root of all unequal treatment, ignorance and hatred. Just like simple racism has stricken lives of so many, it is an unjustifiable human fear of the unknown and 'unusual' that leads people to do horrendous things.

Different events and online activism worldwide tried to create awareness today and call for dialog to discuss what can be done to challenge homophobia and transphobia.

Singapore, an otherwise thriving and modern city has laws punishing same-sex encounters and never saw any open gay events until yesterday. Activists called, trying to avoid to brand their project as "gay" (which would attract official intervention), called for people who believe in equal love for everyone to dress in pink and gather for visibility. The result is an heart- and groundbreaking progress for a beautifully diverse melting pot:

Moscow consecutively banned Gay Pride marches in the last years, taking away the right of free assembly or speech. The Russian capital hosted this year's Eurovision Song Contest, the world's biggest music competition whose often flamboyant, extravagant and glittery performances attract many gay fans. Despite this, only a handful of gathers dared to ignore the officials warning, that any unlawful assembly would be hardly dealt with. 40 people, many international politicans, were rapidly arrested after just 5 minutes. Only the concurrent anti-gay protests of right wings and orthodox Christians had the blessings of the Mayor.

Many online websites, such as gays.com who created a huge video project for the day and gayrussia.net, the main source of information of activists gathering in Moscow were attacked by viruses.

Web 2.0 (the interactive cyberspace) plays an increasing role in activism:

A London-based project, "A Day In Hand" calls on same-sex couples to hold hands in public to increase visibility. Pictures from couples worldwide are collected on their website adayinhand.com

Gays.com called upon the internet community to create the following video, showcasing this year's motto: Homosexuality knows no borders. Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transexuals exists everywhere. Homosexuality is no desease spread from the West or the 'immoral':

From sexism & racism to homophobia in church

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Tue, 05 May 2009 21:07:00 +0000

I grew up with a religious family, religious by faith, not out of tradition. Like my parents, I would describe myself as a charismatic or pentecostal Christian like you mostly find it in America and in young, rock-music playing mega-churches. Most of those churches, despite their modern look, unfortunately have a problem with homosexuality and are even in the extreme founders of the so-called "ex-gay" movement that, against all scientific evidence, seek to "repair" individuals with "unwanted same-sex attractions" (which largely results in living life in denial, self-harm and even suicide).

I go to the Australian Hillsong church's offshoot in London. I like the young, ethnically-diverse people, energetic and joyous atmosphere, the uplifting music and the general feeling that you come because you like it, not because you feel obliged to. I've heard that the Australian mother church is somewhat-linked through it's pastors to ex-gay activities, but just because of one disagreement with my church's doctrine, I won't leave.

This Sunday, however, I had quite a stirring experience that made me reflect and pray a lot. Christine Caine, from Sydney was giving the four o'clock afternoon sermon.

One aspect that might be remarkable to you if you come from another denomination or religion is that yes, women are fairly equalised and allowed to preach within protestant churches. I am proud that my church overcame the century-long tradition of oppressing women that still affects today's religious practises. The Catholic, Mormon and Orthodox church don't ordain women, or in Islam, women sometimes aren't even allowed into the mosque, or are kept from the men-only main rooms.

This Sunday, Chris Caine was talking about devotion of one's personal life to God's cause (in her case, fighting prostitution and evangelism). Being an orphan, she said she had a difficult childhood, that she grew up in "a culture that demeaned females" but that she eventually broke out the oppressing culture with the help of Jesus to realise her aspirations. Christine went on:

"[I was] abused by four men for twelve years almost weekly. (...) People with my kind of background don't normally end up doing what I am doing, they end up with the drug-dependant or alcohol-dependent or two or three different kids to two or three different fathers, or gay or at the VERY least confused about their gender identity. That's what normally happens" (get the mp3 here)

Drug and alcohol addiction are negative, OK. Divorce and several husbands is what least women desire but she adds two more things to the list: "gays" and (as I understand it what she thinks is even worse) people that are "confused about their gender identity", by which she might also refer to gays and/or transsexuals.

The message to the thousands of church-attendants is that homosexuality and transsexuality are:

undesirable
comparable to drug-addiction and
the result of an unfortunate past.

With just one sentence, Chris Caine reinforces negative stereotypes in listeners, teaches that non-heterosexuals have something like a sickness and leaves the attendants with the thought that gay people are damaged inside. She continues the religious tradition of teaching other people are inferior and is another proof that humans forget history and repeat the same pattern of oppression again. This is severe because by this, the killing of Matthew Shephard or more recently the suicide of 11-year-old Carl Walker-Hoover are caused. What she and many others don't understand is that sexual orientation is nothing chosen, just like nobody chooses to be born black, green-eyed or as a woman.

It makes me sad to see the oppressed oppressing others themselves. What happened to blacks in the US didn't stop them from protesting passionately against gay-marriage a week ago in Washington (the video of it here that will sadden you).

The century-old oppression of women that even held on to affect Christine Caine's life in the late 20th century didn't teach her to respect differences and finally understand that God's creation is so big and diverse. Just like we delight in the many differently-coloured flowers of God's nature, we should cherish God's richly diverse array of humankind in which none is inferior to another.

Iran, Nigeria, Jamaica and 67 more

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:01:00 +0000

Living in the UK is great. I mean sure, it rains a lot, the food is rubbish and it's horrendously expensive but what I want to point at is that we have so many rights here and freedom we take for granted. I was shocked when I went to China three years ago and found out that there are hotels (mostly low-budget) that are legally not allowed to accommodate foreigners. I felt discriminated but I (or better my wallet) was happily welcomed in millions of other places. Still I started to realise what difference the feeling of not being treated equally means.

So I'm going to talk about equality. There is something I'd like to set as a base of understanding before I continue: All are born equal! Nobody chooses their sex, skin-colour, height, sexual orientation or eye-shape after birth. So there is no reason to be treated differently!

We did tho until recently: Women had significantly fewer rights than men a hundred years ago and black or 'coloured' people were treated like second-class citizens in South Africa just 15 years ago.

Let's go a bite more into extremes: When were people jailed and killed for what they are? The Jewish people in Europe in the 1940s. Or gays and lesbians in several countries in 2009.

As you are reading, people have to fear for their live and don't have the choice to go to another places. I want to look at some of the 70 countries worldwide where being gay is a crime.

Most countries that enforce a set of Islamic penalty code (Sharia) officially sentence homosexuals to death. Iran is one of the worst offenders. While common practise since 1979, the case of two teen boys in 2005 sparked international outrage. While President Ahmadinejad denied Iran had any gays at all, other officials openly defend the executions. While enforced rarely, the same law is still in use in the UAE, including Dubai.

The most populous country in Africa, Nigeria also enforces sharia law in the mostly-Islamic states in the north, but Christian and tribal societies in the south are just as hostile.

Jamaica was recently named the most homophobic place on earth. The state does not impose the death penalty, but the hatred is so common in the population that violent mobs regularly 'go gay-hunting' and individuals do not receive protection form the police.

I made a YouTube video to highlight these horrible circumstances and spread awareness.

(there is a great article with the complete list of countries on Wikipedia, which I was helped setting up: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lgbt_rights_by_country).

Queer for Israel

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 15:01:00 +0000

Most of you know that I took a stongly-voiced position on the Israeli side during the last months of the media war thagt was fought between Gaza and Israel-sympathisers.

Putting that aside, I now want to put a 'pink' spotlight onto Israel and highlight some astonishing facts about a country wedged in between Arab nations.

Most are probably aware that queer boys and girls in Iraq, Syria, Egypt or Iran don't live a very "gay" life. In fact, homosexuality is even forbidden in every Middle Eastern country but Jordan, Turkey and Israel; Flogging, hanging, prison or at least social persecution are what waving the rainbow flag means in the rest.

In Israel, however, gay marriages are recognised, thus putting the Jewish state ahead of even most European countries or US states. (Yet, you can't technically gay marry there since the state doesn't perform civil weddings, it only recognised those declared by religious institutions. It does recognise marriages performed abroad but it would be up to the religions to allow them within Israel.)
Foreign partners of gay Israelis are granted citizen status and joint Adoption is possible since 2009 (a right, we partners don't even have in Germany).

Also, Tel Aviv hosts the only annual Gay Pride event in the Middle East and if you watch this video of it, you will witness it is not even a small even hidden in some back allies.

Many other aspects speak for Israel's progressiveness such as equal age of consent and anti-discrimination laws in employment since 1992.

Since 1993 the military allows proud lesbians and gays (like a very dear friend of mine) to serve their country or alternatively volunteer in the national services, such as the Association of GLBTs in Israel (Agudah). This makes Israel mroe advanced than the US who are - even under a black president - still now able to eliminate exclusion and state-operated discrimination.

Many gay-themed films aimed at the mainstream market such as "Yossi & Jagger" (2002), "Walk on Water" (2004), "The Bubble" (2006) and TV series like "Florentin" were produced in Israel.

My personal favourite of Israeli LGBT exports is the trans-singer Dana International, who in fact won the biggest music competition in the world, the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998. A recent music video of hers together with camp singer Idan Yaniv brought me to write this very article. Enjoy.

Sources: Wikipedia's LGBT rights in Israel and LGBT rights by country or territory

Gay culture has to de-sexify

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:09:00 +0000

or: An open letter to the ones fighting for marriage equality

The gay movies I saw as a teenager at my first Gay Film Festival in Hamburg around 5 years ago were all about one topic: sex. If it's about first sexual experiences, sexual relationships or the gay clubbing world with lots of random encounters (think Queer as Folk).
My university (the School of African and Oriental Studies, London) recently hosted a lecture about the rising gay culture in Bangkok and all the gay-themed Thai movies that are becoming so popular are somehow telling a story that just cannot be without the display of sex.
The lecturer was also showing us the variety of gay print publications (he said there are somewhat close to 50 magazines in Thailand alone I believe), 90% with shirtless men on the cover from my judgement.

So gays are becoming more visible. Good isn't it? I say no, because there is something that bother me a lot: All the sex!
To be fair, on the first look, a homoSEXual differs from the rest by definition for that he doesn't have sex with the opposite gender but rather the same. So is it mainly about sex? I dare to believe our same-sex relationships are not just that but like anyone elses including zoo-visits, jealousy dramas, self-cooked dinners together and romantic text-messaging.

What annoys is that through that sex-image we like to display in our (sub-)culture a major part of society associates gays with sex (and thus fun, joy, promiscuity, anti-conservative, family-unfriendly). And this the reason why conservatives fight politically against our right to marry for example. It is because gay relationship seem to be about self-centred, physical and shameless enjoyment that families feel they need to protect marriage and children.

And that is a fatal misconception! Studies show that same-sex couples want to have a family home in stable relationships (in some countries the willingness to marry is higher than among straights) and many want to adopt. But these rights (marrying & adopting) are denied in most of the world's countries (only six out of 195 countries have gender-neutral marriage laws). Opposition in the rest of the world has strong feelings against the rights of same-sex couples as the case of Proposition 8 (a referendum in California weather to allow gay marrriage) showed. It was the most expensively fought civil right issue in the history of the US with millions spend on campaigns on both sides.
However, I begin to think that gays are partly to blame for that strong oppostion. We need to show ourselves as we are, like holding hands with the loved-one on the street, cuddling to a romantic movie in cinema and anywhere and anytime, not just walking around half-naked and snogging at Gay Pride and Mardi Gras. That is the wrong showing-off.

It is also up to us gays themselves to change society's negative perception . And once gays understand that, I will look forward to the day when homosexual couples are not only displayed in sex-themed gay films or as comic contribution in main-stream media but also in secondary roles as normal couples just like there are pictures of opposite-sex couples every minute on TV without a funny side to it.

都是华人

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 04:54:00 +0000

我不知道为什么有这么多不同的国家的亚洲饭店，但是服务员都是华人。我有天以前跟我新马来西亚朋友《小明》和《慧敏》去寿司餐馆。他们和服务员都认识的，所以他们一起说广东话。他们为什么不在香港餐馆工作？我也去过泰国餐馆在伦敦，我进的时候说：‘Sawadeekrap!’ 她也说：‘Sawadeeka。。。但是我不是泰国的。。我是中国人。’

I told you so!

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 05:08:00 +0000

See, here we go. Tecktonik came to London ^^

The lastest from Paris: Tecktonik

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 05:04:00 +0000

There is a new hype in France... spreading quickler than hardly any other fashion so far through the streets and via the internet. It started in the night club Metropolis in France, where clubbers developed a choreography to the night venue's hard stlye electro music. It's a mix of hip hop, rave and breakdance. The style quickly spread in France via the internet on youtube, dailymotion and other video sites. If you type in the term TECKTONIK, you will get tons of results... but all in French. The video of a dancer calling himself Jey-Jey has been viewed over 2 Million times so far and is therefor one of the most viewed video in France ever on youtube, also most discussed and most linked.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkGum1YYkGk)

All over the places in front of the Eifel Tower, the Arc de Triumph.... everywhere do youngsters get out who copy what they saw on the internet and perform outdoor. They usually are highly fashionable, wearing skinny jeans and tight tops... having simmularities with the new-rave scene in London.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u83Duzd9rwY)

Just five days ago, the Paris Techno Parade went through the streets of Paris and groups of teenager were overheard chanting "Tevcktonik!!!" as dance-offs took place in the streets and the evening news where full of pictures from the new craze.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOEYtvCrjD4)

Just before Reggaeton became popular around a year ago in Europe and the US, when Shakira made the "La Tortura" song, I saw it online and KNEW it was gonna be so big soon. Nobody knew about it, not even my latino friend. It took half a year and the clubs around Europe were full with Reggaeton.And now I foresee again, that this is gonna be big. It will take some time to come to London and then spread over all Europe. But its happening fast. Most of what you find about Tecktonik on the net is a few weeks old only, even just days. The internet spreads thing fast, its amazing to see how fast if you track whats happening in Paris. Once its gonna be big, I will be able to say: I knew it way before any of you ever saw it!

Travelling Moscow/In Moskau (14th - 17th Jun-07)

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 04:57:00 +0000

[EN]

Rich city

The weekend in Moscow was very interested. Before going, I and almost all people I talked about Moscow with had the impression that Russia is a rather poor, dirty and unsecure city. But nowhere else than in Moscow have I seen that many limousines in the streets. Nowhere else have I seen that many Jaguars and other luxery cars. Nowhere else have I seen that many Prada, Polo and Louis Vuitton botiques and ads spread all over the city. It seems that those millionaires Russia have, they all live in Moscow. It's a really big city and 7% of the population of Russia lives there, that make 10,5 Million inhabitants.

I also went out for one night in a selective club with very expensive drinks. And I don't know if those young teen and twenty-agers' D&G belts were all fake or real. They looked pritty genuine.

Capitalism defeats Communism

The funny thing is that all signs of communism are still present. In the metro there are communistic drawings and statues everywhere. On old buildings there is the communist star. The Red Square is full of those. But also at the red square: one of the biggest, most expensive and excluse brand mall there is: GUM. Gucci and Louis Vuitton right next to the Kremlin.

Metro: Palaces underground

I've been to London, Hamburg, Shanghai, Beijing, Berlin, Copenhagen... but nowhere have I seen an underground system that beautiful, that clean, that secure and that well-working. The trains seem to come every minute and althou its serving a city bigger than London, there is no chaos at all, everything is working, no problems at the escalators, no late trains, a full system and its the cheapest in the world. One trip is 0,30€ and gets you everywhere. The London tube is a shameful disaster: dirty, not working, late and expensive! Those Londoners should learn from Moscow.

Church of Christ the savior

I also saw the biggest Orthodox church there is. It's a beautiful white one in the heart of Moscow at the Moskva river. All those days I saw it, there were always masses of mainly middle to old-aged women queuing more than 1km around that church. They held little prayer books and waited to get into the church. In western Europe, you don't see that much religiousness and deep faith in the main traditional churches. I think it's because that tradition has been suppressed for so long and now that the UDSSR fell, the people re-discover their old religion.

----------------------------------

First entry: The second day

Yes, I'm in Moscow right now!!! I wanted to go 3 months ago already but since I wanted to visit a friend but he was not there, I postponed this trip to now. But guess what? That "friend", Weihao whom I know from Xi'an/China, didnt show up! Im very dissapointed in him and now I have to fight myself thru Moscow on my own.

A friendly german-ukrainian girl, Lena, who I talked to on the plane took me in her friends car from the airport to the nearest metro station. Then I bought a really cheap 10-times ticket for like 5 Euros and made my way to the downtown where I sortet out a youth hostel before in the internet. The metro system here is actually just like in Hamburg and London, too, so I made it but its quite difficult since everything is only in Cyrillics, the russian alphabet. Well I made it downtown and had to look for that hostel. After running around a block for like half an hour, and asking people who dont know even any work in English, I found my hostel, very hidden without any signs in the backyard of some grey building. Well actually all the buildings here are grey, but they are covered with blinking and colorful billboards.

The look of the streets reminds me about China. Huge, wide grey streets, grey tall, dirty buildings and huge billboards. Free market besieged communism! :) The city is really really big and there are so many people! All russians tho, there are hardly any foreigners, if yes, they are east asians but they speak Russian.

The people here, as young as they might be speak NO english! Thats kinda frustrating... but they are attentive and mostly willing to help. So far I only met two schoolgirls(like 17y/o) who helped me ordering something at the fast food restaurant.

Well, in the hostel, the internet is broken down and I dont know if you guys receive my text messages, cos noone replies them. I think there is this problem with the russian net, so my only way communicating with you is here, the minutes when I am able to find an internet cafe.

The Kreminlin and the St Basil chruch are very impressive! I took loads of pictures, but I cant upload them here yet, I ll later.

Well, so far.. Ill stay here till Sunday.

My own favourite quote

noreply@blogger.com (Vince Ahuv) — Sat, 26 May 2007 05:02:00 +0000

Translate this into other languages if you like!

[EN] I’m a language freak!
I think, in the age of globalization, we all in this world should try to get to know each other a bit more. The key to intercultural understanding are languages. Not everyone can learn several languages. But we can try to gather just a bit more knowledge. I consider this to be the duty of a real world citizen. ~LiangHH

[DE] Ich bin ein Sprachen-Fan!
Ich denke, man sollte im Zeitalter der Globalisierung die Völker der Welt besser verstehen lernen. Der Schlüssel zum interkulturellen Dialog sind die Sprachen. Nicht jeder kann mehrere Sprachen lernen. Wir können uns aber bemühen, zumindest ein bisschen mehr Ahnung zu haben. Das sehe ich als Pflicht eines Weltenbürgers an. ~LiangHH

[ZH] 我是一个语言迷!
我想，在全球化的今天，人们应该更好的去了解世界人民。语言正好是不同文化间对话的钥匙。并不是每个人都能学很多语言。但是至少我们能够尽量的获取一些知识。我认为这是世界公民的义务。（谢谢xyzx124翻译） ~柯俊杰

[ES] Me gustan las idiomas!
Pienso que en el siglo de la globalización tenemos que intentar a conocernos un poco más. La llave a la aproximación intercultural son los idiomas. No podemos aprender todos los lenguajes del mundo pero podemos procurar saber un poco mas sobre ellos. Considero esto como la obligación de un ciudadano del mundo. ~LiangHH

[RU] Привет всем! Я очень люблю иностранные языки!
Мне кажется, в век глобализации, все мы должны попытаться узнать друг друга лучше, а ключом к межкультурному пониманию являются языки.
Не каждый может выучить несколько языков. Но мы можем постараться собрать больше знаний. И я полагаю, что это должно быть обязанностью каждого жителя нашей планеты. (Спасибо, Антон) ~Винс

[PT] Gosto dos idiomas!
Penso que o sentido da globalisação consiste em tentar nos conhecermos um pouco mais. A aproximação intercultural são idiomas. Não podemos aprender todas as linguas (idiomas) do mundo mas podemos procurar saber um pouco mais. Isto considero como a obrigação de um cidadão do mundo. (translated by Pedro Henriques) ~LiangHH

[FR] J´aime les langues
Je pense que de nos jours, on devrait apprendre à mieux comprendre les peuples de ce monde. Les langues sont les clefs du dialogue interculturel. Aucun de nous ne peut parler beaucoup de langues. On pourrait faire des efforts, du moins en avoir la volonté. En cela je vois notre devoir envers les citoyens du monde. (Merci beaucoup, Marcel) ~LiangHH

[JP] 私は、言語狂です！
グローバリゼーションの時代に、この世のみんながもう少し、互いを知ろうとしなければならないと思います。異文化間の理解に重要なのは、言語です。誰でも皆が、複数の言語を学ぶことができるというわけでありません。しかし、我々はもう少し知識を得ようとすることができます。私は、これが本当の世界市民の義務であると考えます。 (by Maa) ~ヴィンチ

[IT] Sono uno straappassionato di lingue
Penso, in quest'era di globalizzazione, che tutti in questo mondo dobbiamo provare a conoscerci a vicenda un pò di più. La chiave delle comprensione tra culture diverse è nelle lingue. Non tutti sono in grado di imparare diverse lingue. Tuttavia possiamo provare a raccogliere un pò più di conoscenza. Considero questo il dovere di un di un vero cittadino del mondo. (Grazie, Allan) ~LiangHH

[TR] Ben bir yabancı-dil manyagıyım!
Günümüzün globalizleşen dünyasında, herkes birbirini daha iyi tanımaya çalışmalıdır bence. Entellektüel dünyanın en önemli anahtarı dillerdir. Elbette hiç kimse bir sürü dil bilemez. Fakat azacık da olsa, daha fazla bilgi edinmek için çabalayabiliriz. Ben bunu her dünya insanının görevi olarak görüyorum. (Tesekkurler, Kaan) ~LiangHH

[PL] Jestem fanem języków!
Myślę, że w dobie globalizacji wszyscy powinniśmy poznać się nieco bliżej. Kluczem do międzykulturalnego zrozumienia są języki. Nie każdy może nauczyć się kilku języków, ale może przynajmniej poświęcić im trochę uwagi. Uważam to za obowiązek prawdziwego "obywatela świata" (Dziekuje, Michal) ~LiangHH

[HE] אני מטורף על שפות!
לדעתי בעידן כזה של גלובליזציה אנחנו צריכים לנסות להכיר האחד את השני בצורה טובה יותר. המפתח להבנה רב תרבותית היא שפות שונות וידיעתן. לא כולם יכולים ללמוד שפות רבות אבל אנחנו יכולים לנסות לאסוף יותר מידע אל האחר, זוהי חובתו של אזרח אמיתי של העולם. (תודה לרון)

[NL] Ik ben een talenfreak!
Ik ben een talenfreak! In tijden van globalisatie denk ik dat we moeten proberen om elkaar wat beter te leren kennen. Talen zijn de sleutel naar intercultureel begrip. Niet iedereen kan verschillende talen leren. Maar we kunnen proberen wat meer kennis te vergaren. Ik beschouw dit als de plicht van een echte wereldburger. (Dankje Roel) ~LiangHH

[SR] Ја сам луд за језицима!
Мислим да у доба глобализације сви на свијету можемо покушати да упознамо једни друге мало боље. Кључ мултикултуралног разумевања су језици. Не може баш свако да научи више језика, али сви можемо да пробамо да сакупимо бар мало више знања о њима. По мени је то обавеза правог, светског човека. (translated by unknown) ~LiangHH

[BS] Ja sam lud za jezicima!
Mislim da, u doba globalizacije svi u ovom svijetu trebamo pokušati upoznati jedni druge malo bolje. Ključ multikulturalnog razumijevanja su jezici. Ne može svako naučiti više jezika, ali svi možemo pokušati skupiti bar malo više znanja. Po meni je to obaveza pravog svjetskog građanina. (translated by unknown) ~LiangHH

[SL] Sem oboževalec jezikov
Mislim, da bi se vsi mi v dobi globalizacije morali bolje spoznati. Ključ do medkuLturnega spoznavanja so jeziki. Vsi se ne morejo učiti večih jezikov. Vendar se lahko potrudimo zbrati vsaj malo več vedenja o njih. To vidim kot dolžnost vsakega državljana sveta. (translated by Matic) ~LiangHH