tagged w/ Gay Equality
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A strongly worded opinion from the Kentucky court of appeals has barred judges from granting same-sex partners the right to adopt children as stepparents.
The 3-0 ruling decreed that stepparent adoptions are permitted only when the second parent is legally married to the biological mother or father of the child. Since same-sex couples are not allowed to marry in Kentucky, the court of appeals said a family court judge and lawyers for a lesbian couple had ignored that law in allowing a stepparent adoption for a member of that couple in 2005.
"It is not this or any court's role to judge whether the legislature's prohibition of same-sex marriage ... is morally defensible or socially enlightened," Judge Glenn Acree of Lexington wrote, according to the Courier-Journal. "Nor is it this or any court's role ... to craft any means by which the legal consequences of such a prohibition may be negated or avoided."
A strongly worded opinion from the Kentucky court of appeals has barred judges from... more
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An academic conference organised by a group that works to fight homophobic bullying in British schools has been attacked by fundamentalist Christians, who "exposed" the event.
The Christian Institute is a small but vocal group who have made a name for themselves with high profile campaigns against equality for gay people. The recent story was picked up by the Daily Mail under the headline "Teach the 'pleasure of gay sex' to children as young as five, say researchers." The Christian Institute’s Simon Calvert said: "When an adult who is working in a primary school suggests that children should explore their sexuality, that should result in a complaint to the police." Patricia Morgan, a sociologist and author of books supporting the "traditional" family structures, is quoted in the Christian Institute story. "The proposal is that primary school classrooms should be turned into gay saunas," she claimed. “This is about homosexual practice in junior schools. The idiots who repealed Section 28 should consider that this is where it has got them.”
In reality the seminar at Exeter University, entitled Queering the Body; Queering Primary Education, has no connection with sex education whatsoever. It is being run by No Outsiders, who work in 14 primary schools and receive £600,000 of state funding from the Economic and Social Research Council. The group, made up of academics from Sunderland University, give schools, local authorities and teacher-training institutions sexualities equality training and resources, including a wide range of children's literature.
Dr Elizabeth Atkinson from No Outsiders told the Daily Telegraph: "The seminar is part of a long-standing academic debate and has nothing to do with schools."
An academic conference organised by a group that works to fight homophobic bullying in... more
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A group of prominent celebrities have joined forces with Stonewall to support its campaign against homophobic bullying in Britain’s schools.
In September’s issue of UK's Attitude magazine, Hollyoaks actor James Sutton, screen icon Sir Ian McKellen, singer Danni Minogue, comedian Alan Carr, Westlife’s Mark Feehily, and The Feeling’s frontman Dan Gillespie Sells have been photographed wearing t-shirts which depict the campaign slogan: ‘Some people are gay. Get over it!’
Chris Gibbons, Stonewall’s senior education officer, said: "As pupils return to school, it’s fitting that Stonewall’s campaign to tackle homophobic bullying has been given such a boost. Celebrity support is a way of getting the message out – especially to younger people – that homophobic bullying is unacceptable."
Matthew Todd, editor of Attitude, told PinkNews.co.uk: "I don’t consider this a 'gay issue.' Most gay people will not have kids. These are the children of straight people. We are the children of straight people, mostly. I think that’s something that’s always fallen out of the debate about homosexuality in the past. It’s not a them and us issue, were all in this together."
The ‘Some people are gay. Get over it!’ design started life as posters, postcards and stickers which are sent out to schools who want to support the campaign.
Earlier this year, the slogan also ran as a billboard campaign in 600 locations across the country. Most recently, it featured on panels in London’s tube trains as part of Stonewall’s ‘back to school’ campaign.
During the campaign for Mayor of London all the main candidates also gave their backing to the fight against homophobic bullying in schools. Mayor Boris Johnson announced last month that a £10,000 grant to Soho Pride will instead be re-invested to help facilitate a London campaign against homophobic bullying in schools.A group of prominent celebrities have joined forces with Stonewall to support its... more
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The leaders of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland have attacked the government over a legislation proposal advising adoption agencies not to reject applications from gay and lesbian couples.
The bishops stated: "Catholic adoption agencies are now to be indifferent as to whether a child is to be placed with a married couple of a homosexual cohabiting couple; this is gravely wrong. Policies must help encourage family stability. We highlight the importance of the human family as the building block of society. Centuries of experience and learning testify to the importance of supporting family life for the well-being of society."
They called on the government to "rethink" the forthcoming Equality Bill, which they claim imposes the "ideology" that gay people should be treated equally and impinges on religious freedom.
If anything, the strongly-worded statement from the Scottish Bishops seems to reflect their lack of political agency: despite their constant attacks on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, it passed the House of Commons with ease.
Jim Devine, Bishop of Motherwell, also attempted to interfere in the democratic process during last year's elections for the Scottish parliament by publicly withdrawing his backing from the Labour party.
In March he claimed that the "gay lobby" attends Holocaust memorials "to create for themselves the image of a group of people under persecution." The bishop said there is a "giant conspiracy" going on and claimed he is taking on the forces of secularism.The leaders of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland have attacked the government over... more
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In a surprise move, US Republican Presidential candidate John McCain has announced that Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska will be his running mate.
Interestingly, Palin - a former beauty pageant queen and mother of five - has a mixed record of views on LGBT issues. In line with her strong social conservative views including her support of gun rights and her anti-abortion stance, Palin opposes same-sex marriage. On the other hand, however, she has often sympathised with the concerns of gay community about discrimination and has implemented legislation ensuring equal benefits for same-sex couples.
Gay bloggers, many of them Democrats and fans of Barack Obama, have already voiced doubts about the "beauty-queen soccer-mom". Other than comparing her to Karen from hit TV show Will & Grace, they are calling the running-mate choice "a cynical attempt to steal women voters who wanted Hillary".
What do you make of Palin? Do you think she can change McCain's stance when it comes to LGBT issues?In a surprise move, US Republican Presidential candidate John McCain has announced... more
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Over 60% of American voters would elect an openly-gay president, and even more would support an openly gay cabinet secretary, a poll conducted by Zogby International showed.
Zogby International surveyed 1,089 American adults from 13-15th August on behalf of the Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute (GLLI)
Chuck Wolfe, president of GLLI, said: "These results prove that most Americans want to be fair to gay people. This marks tremendous progress for our community and for the voting public.”
The poll revealed particular support for idea of a gay presidential candidate, provided they were suited to the job, amongst people between the ages of 18 and 24, people living in the east of the US, Democratic voters, Asian-Americans, and Jewish voters. Similar levels of support was recorded for openly gay candidates for other government positions.
Would you vote for a gay president? Are you surprised by these results? Over 60% of American voters would elect an openly-gay president, and even more would... more
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Tasmania's blood supply agency is clinging to AIDS myths dispelled more than two decades ago to defend its blood ban in the anti-discrimination case brought by 25-year-old gay man Michael Cain.
Kissing or nibbling another man's ear is enough to ban gay men from donating blood for life, a Red Cross expert has told the Tasmanian Anti Discrimination Tribunal.
US professor Dr Paul Holland, a former blood source executive testifying for the Red Cross, claimed even digital penetration of the nose or ear would justify the lifetime ban imposed on gay men.
"That would usually be sufficient to exchange fluid and qualify as sex," Dr Holland told the Tribunal. When asked if that included gay men who had done nothing more than kissing, Holland replied, "Yes, sir, because they increase their chance of transmitting an infection such as HIV."
The Red Cross' lawyer also used anti-gay Christian strategies stating gay male monogamy was a myth. The Tribunal heard a flurry of statistics from the Red Cross based on a New Zealand focus group of 11 couples that appeared to show gay men have 10 times as many partners as heterosexual men.
"It's justifying its current gay blood ban policy using some of the grossest and most offensive myths and stereotypes around," long-time gay equality activist Rodney Croome stated.
Tasmania's blood supply agency is clinging to AIDS myths dispelled more than two... more
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Gay activists have called on the British Government to apologise for introducing anti-sodomy laws that still make homosexuality illegal in India today.
Thousands of protesters gathered in the same park in Mumbai where Mahatma Gandhi ordered the British to leave India sixty-six years ago in order to voice their complaint. The demonstration was held during the first gay pride march in Mumbai for three years and is part of a wider campaign to abolish Section 377 of the Indian penal code which outlaws "unnatural sexual offences" and theoretically punishes anal or oral sex with up to 10 years in prison.
In practice no one has been prosecuted under the law in the past two decades, but it has been used by officials to counter the work of HIV activists in some Indian states.
A draft copy of the statement seen by The Independent accuses Britain of exporting homophobia during the 19th century when colonial administrators began enforcing Victorian laws and morals on their Indian subjects.Gay activists have called on the British Government to apologise for introducing... more
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The UK security service, MI5, is looking to recruit more gay staff and has hired Stonewall, the gay lobby group, to advise them on how to attract more gay applicants for posts., Furthermore, spies that are already working with MI5 will be encouraged to be more open about their sexuality.
The shift in attitude marks a significant change in stance by MI5. Gay men and women were barred from working in sensitive posts in the diplomatic or security services until the early 1990s. The ostensible rationale was concern that gay spies could be vulnerable to blackmail, while gay ambassadors could create tensions between the UK and countries that still criminalise homosexuality.
The decision is part of a broader cultural shift by the service to a more open recruitment of people from across society. The change is driven partly by necessity - MI5 has been rapidly recruiting hundreds more staff since the July 7 2005 bombings.
Ben Summerskill, Stonewall's current chief executive, said yesterday that MI5 faced the same dilemma as other employers who have traditionally recruited from a relatively narrow base. Stonewall has been working with investment banks in the past to try to help them reach employees who do not conform to certain stereotypes.The UK security service, MI5, is looking to recruit more gay staff and has hired... more
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The Advocate has started a new online poll asking readers to guess when America will be ready to elect a gay president. The choices are 2016, 2024 and 2032 or 'not in my lifetime'!
Follow the link to leave your vote and then come back here to let us know what you think about the possibility of an openly gay president to be elected in the States? Do you think a lesbian woman would have better chances? And what about a gay or lesbian PM for the UK?The Advocate has started a new online poll asking readers to guess when America will... more
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The UK government has responded to a petition signed by members of the public offended by Iris Robinson's homophobic comments.
The petition asked the Prime Minister to reprimand the Ulster Democratic Unionist Party MP, who caused outrage by promoting the idea that homosexuality could - and should - be 'cured' and comparing it to child abuse.
In response to the petition, the government issued the following official response: "There is no constitutional role for the Prime Minister to reprimand individual Members of Parliament who are accountable to their electorate for their own comments."
"The Government is committed to strong equality legislation in Northern Ireland and citizens in Northern Ireland are protected against discrimination on grounds of race, religious belief or political opinion, gender, sexual orientation, age or because of a disability.
'If anyone in Northern Ireland believes that they have been discriminated against on any of these grounds they may be able to bring a complaint to a tribunal or to a county court."
Is the government's response appropriate or should they have taken stronger action against Iris Robinson? Would the reaction have been the same if we were dealing with racist comments? The UK government has responded to a petition signed by members of the public offended... more
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Gay-rights activists are lobbying for the repeal of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, a Victorian-era law banning homosexuality. As several high courts in a number of states and cities in India are currently reviewing the law, it looks like their efforts might be successful!
Arvind Narrain, an attorney for the Alternative Law Forum, a Bangalore-based human rights group, explains how 377 affects the lives of gay, lesbian and transgender Indians: "What that translates to, from 'legalese,' is that any forms of sex that are non-procreative in nature is a criminal offense. What it translates to on a ground level is it is basically used and enforced against people who are not heterosexual. So it is used very much against gay men, lesbians and transgender people in a big way to extort, blackmail and harass."
Under 377, LGBT individuals can face large fines and up to 10 years in prison and criminal gangs often threaten individuals to 'out' them unless they receive large sums of money. In addition, disapproving parents of gays and lesbians who live together sometimes charge their children with other unrelated crimes, such as kidnapping, in order to break up the union.
"We have gone to court many times where we actively cover up the nature of the relationship between two women because we do not want to complicate the case. You just want to get rid of the kidnapping charge so they can go on and live their lives. And that is because of a law like Section 377. If we were not actively criminalized by such a law, then we would be able to go to court and say, 'They are lovers. They are adults. And they have the right to live with each other,'" said Arasu.
India's health minister, Anbumani Ramadoss, has proven to be significant ally for gay activists. Speaking at an international AIDS conference this past week in Mexico City, Ramadoss called for a repeal of 377. He said the law tends to drive gays and lesbians under ground, hindering the country's efforts to prevent the spread of HIV and treat those with HIV/AIDS.
However, there is also considerable opposition to the Indian gay-rights movement. Prakash Jawadekar, a spokesperson of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, for instance, downplayed the significance of gay rights and stressed that there are more pressing problems facing India: "Basically these issues of gay marriages and gay rights are not very important issues in this country. We have various other issues for which we are fighting. We are the party of spreading more Indianness amid families and with regular marriages, male-female marriages. That is what the order of the day is."
A decision regarding the possible repeal of 377 is expected later this year. Gay-rights activists are lobbying for the repeal of Section 377 of the Indian Penal... more
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A Mormon gay support group called 'Leaders of Affirmation' is appealing to the Latter-Day Saints (Mormon) hierarchy in order to teach families to respect and love gay people.
The Mormon gay activists want to encourage Mormon families to teach their children that homosexuality and lesbianism are not a sin or a disease. Furthermore, the group wants the Mormon Church to recognize the fact that a person can be gay and still serve the church in leadership capacities.
Dave Melson, assistant executive director of The Leaders of Affirmation, stated recently that many gay Mormons are ostracized from their families and end up committing suicide. In order to improve their situation and to allow them to feel safe at church, the group tried to set up a meeting with the leader of the Mormon church, Thomas S. Monson. Even though church officials decided to cancel the first scheduled meeting, Melson is hopeful that an actual meeting with Monson will occur in the future.
A Mormon gay support group called 'Leaders of Affirmation' is appealing to... more
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According to Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, gay relationships can "reflect the love of God" and can therefore be compared to marriage.
In letters written between 2000 and 2001, Williams argues that scriptural prohibitions against homosexuality, such as those in Leviticus, were addressed "to heterosexuals looking for sexual variety in their experience". Such passages criticising homosexual activity were not aimed at people who were gay by nature, he states.
"An active sexual relationship between two people of the same sex might therefore reflect the love of God in a way comparable to marriage, if and only if it had about it the same character of absolute covenanted faithfulness."
He also expressed his optimism that the church might change its stance on homosexuality: "The church has shifted its stance on several matters, notably the rightness of lending money at interest and the moral admissibility of contraception, so I am bound to ask if this is another such issue."According to Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, gay relationships can... more
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