Diversity at the Knesset - Israel

Nitzan Horowitz became the second openly gay lawmaker in history to enter the Knesset, the legislature of Israel. The former television journalist, Horowitz is a member of the left-of-center Meretz Party, and was among 120 Members of the Knesset (MKs) sworn in by President Shimon Peres earlier this week.

The first openly gay member of the legislature was Uzi Even, also from the Meretz party, who in 1993 told the Knesset that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), where he served as a Lieutenant Colonel, had fired him and removed his security clearance after they discovered he was gay. His testimony led to Yitzhak Rabin's government changing the law to allow homosexuals to serve in the army. In 1995, Even successfully challenged his employer, Tel Aviv University, for spousal rights for his partner. Even was an MK in 2002-2003.

Israel is by far the most gay friendly nation in the Middle East.

Read more.

Censorship of Dustin Lance Black and Sean Penn in Asia

The Pan-Asian satellite TV network STAR is in a bit of trouble this week after censoring the words "gay" and "lesbian" from its repeat telecasts of this year's Oscar acceptance speeches of Dustin Lance Black and Sean Penn, the screenwriter and lead actor of Milk, respectively. While the network showed this weekend's live ceremony in full, subsequent repeat broadcasts have periods where the sound disappears during the two acceptance speeches, a move justified by the network as taking the "sensitivities and guidelines" of all their markets into consideration.

Well, this is one of those "Thank goodness there is the Internet!" moments, where through sites like this blog and YouTube, people in Asia can actually see the uncensored acceptance speeches. So take that, STAR network! You can view Dustin Lance Black's speech here, and Sean Penn's speech here.

One little additional thing though. The CBC's online article on the subject is titled "Gay Asian Oscar viewers outraged at telecast censorship," but I doubt that "gay Asians" are the only people upset about this issue. This concerns anyone who believes that censorship should not be imposed upon messages that address the civil rights of humanity.

Sleep With The Right People, UNITE HERE

Two powerful North American groups, UNITE HERE, the union representing more than 450,000 hotel, restaurant, gaming, laundry, and food service workers, and the LGBT community have joined forces to create an alliance called Sleep With The Right People to address common struggles in their quest for fair and equal treatment of all individuals.

The alliance works in such a way that UNITE HERE actively protects the rights of LGBT workers (with every union contract including workplace non-discrimination clauses protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered individuals) while the LGBT community through, Sleep With The Right People, can keep abreast of and honor hotel worker strikes, stoppages, and boycotts.

The Sleep With The Right People website has a link to the list of the hotels where UNITE HERE members are employed as well as a list of the hotels that are currently under boycott, one of which is the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego, California. The property is owned by hotelier Doug Manchester, one of the leading funders (USD $125,000) of Proposition 8, that nasty California ballot initiative that flagrantly discriminated against LGBT couples and made the world a less fair place in which to live.

It's all about uniting on common ground and striving for justice. Spread the word, and check out the patronize and boycott lists to make sure you pick the right hotel the next time you travel in North America.

Change is happening. It really is.

Sean Penn wins Best Actor Oscar for Milk

Yes!



"I think it's a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect on their great shame and their shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that support. We've got to have equal rights for everyone."

Congratulations Sean Penn, and thank you, Harvey Milk, for giving us hope.

Dustin Lance Black wins Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Milk

This is one remarkable acceptance speech.

"If Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he'd want me to say to all the gay and lesbian kids out there that have been told that they are less than by their churches, by their government or by their families that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you and that very soon I promise you, you will have equal rights, federally, across this great nation of ours."

Congratulations, and thank you, Lance!

Burundi protects rights of gay men

Thanks in part to human rights groups and activists, a Senate decision in Burundi has overwhelmingly rejected a bill that sought to outlaw homosexuality. The nation's lawmakers voted against a penal code amendment proposed by the lower chamber of parliament late last year, which would have included provisions for the imprisonment of people involved in gay and lesbian sexual relationships.

From Pinknews:

"Human rights groups had brought pressure on the government and highlighted the issue internationally. Activists wrote to the African nation's President and the Senate pointing out that the provision would violate the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Burundi is a party."

See? You can make a difference! You really can.

Read more.

Are You Straight?!

This video by someone named "JohnnyDurham19" has been making its way through Facebook and YouTube. I think it brilliantly mocks some of the silly questions that straight people sometimes ask gay people. Enjoy!

Gay Educators, Scientists, and Engineers exist too! Virginia Uribe, James Nowick, Anthony Gingiss

The American National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals (NOGLSTP) hosted its 6th annual award reception last weekend to recognize LGBT scientists and engineers at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Chicago.

The Award Recipients

2009 NOGLSTP Educator of the Year: Virginia Uribe, PhD, retired high school science teacher, counselor, and founder of Project 10. Project 10, launched in 1984 by Dr. Uribe, is a support system for LGBT students that has been institutionalized in the Los Angeles Unified School District and serves as a model for similar programs in other school districts throughout the United States.

2009 NOGLSTP Scientist of the Year: James Nowick, PhD, Professor of Chemistry at UC Irvine (UCI). Dr. Nowick’s research focuses on peptidomimetic chemistry, molecular recognition, and supramolecular chemistry. An activist for LGBT issues, Nowick teaches a course called Queer Scientists, Queer Science, mobilizes UCI faculty members in the fight against California’s Proposition 8, mentors LGBT students, and networks with and advises LGBT colleagues throughout North America.

2009 NOGLSTP Engineer of the Year: Anthony J. Gingiss, MS, Systems Engineering Integration and Test Manager for the GPS IIF Program at Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems in El Segundo, California. In addition to being president of the El Segundo California chapter of the Boeing Employee Association of Gays, Lesbians, and Friends (BEAGLES), Gingiss works directly with the US Air Force to advance the global positioning system (GPS) into the next phase, GPS IIF.

The NOGLSTP Recognition Awards were established as a means of identifying, honoring, and documenting the contributions of outstanding LGBT science, engineering and technology professionals, as well as corporations, academic institutions, and businesses that support LGBT professionals in the fields of science and technology.

Congratulations role models!

Read more.

All My Children - Bianca, Reese, America's first lesbian wedding on daytime

It happened! All My Children's Bianca Montgomery (Eden Riegel) and Reese Williams (Tamara Braun) were united in American daytime's first lesbian wedding. Monday's ceremony, like any other in daytime, featured designer dresses, abundant flora, and trickling tears as Bianca and Resse exchanged their vows of forever. Here's a clip.



Sniff.

Created by Agnes Nixon in 1970, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a small, fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The uniting of Bianca and Reese to establish a new family marks a celebration of a sacred act, one that is blessed by all who witness it, at least on television, and for most in the world, television is as close as they'll get to ever seeing a gay wedding.

Guyana - Seven men arrested for wearing women's clothing

Beware of what you wear in Guyana, which has become a nation of controversy for the recent conviction and fine of seven Guyanese men for wearing women's clothing. Yes, you read correctly. The charge and fine stem from, British colonial era laws (what a surprise) and in particular, section 153 (1) (xlvii) of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act Chapter 8:02 which makes an offence of "being a man, in any public way or public place, for any improper purpose, appears in female attire, or being a woman, in any public way or public place, for any improper purpose, appears in male attire…"

Selective discrimination anyone? All women in pants to jail!

From a letter to the Editor of Starbroek News:

"Such archaic, colonial-era laws, which have no victims other than those who are convicted of them, remain on Guyana’s 21st century law books, along with others, such as section 153 (1) (xi) of the said act which renders it illegal to, "in any public way or public place in any town, beats or shakes any mat between six o’clock in the morning or six o’clock in the afternoon" and section 169 which deals with "dancing in town after midnight." It is past time for our government to rid the law books of such outdated, victimless offences. Keeping on the books statutes that find illegality in practices where no reasonable or right-thinking person would find any, undermines the very rule of law itself and public respect for its authority."

Guyana is also the only country in South America where homosexual acts are still illegal.

Read more.

Spain - Homophobic chants and transgender soldiers

Yet again, Spanish soccer fans have shown their bigotry, this time at the expense of English soccer star David Beckham, during a match last week in Seville in which the crowd chanted "Beckham maricón," which means "Beckham faggot."

England's black players have previously been targeted by racist Spanish fans, and as some of you might recall, Spain's basketball team at the 2008 Beijing Olympic games got into some trouble by posing in a publicity photo in which they used their fingers to make their eyes look more Chinese. Nice.

But, there is some good news from the Iberian nation of contradictions. The Spanish ministry of defence has said it will reform legislation to allow transgender people to serve in the armed forces. The move follows a publicized battle by 28-year-old male, Aitor G.R., who was born female but underwent a mastectomy and hormone treatment several years ago in the first step of transitioning. Wanting to enter the armed forces, however, he had been declared medically unfit by recruiters because of his lack of male genitalia. Under the new guidelines, the lack of a penis will no longer be sufficient reason for excluding male army candidates.

Read more about Davy Beckham here and Aitor G.R. here.

Gay Valentine's Day Around the World

Some links from events taking place around the world for Valentine's Day.

Canada
Move over Valentine's Day! Feb 14 is Pink Triangle Day, from xtra.ca.

China
Chinese gay and lesbian activists take to the streets, from Welt Online.

India
Gay Hindus Celebrate Valentine’s Day in India, from Edge, Boston.

Ireland
Irish gay marriage activists plan Valentines Day carnival, from Pinknews.

Italy
In Italy, gay rights group Arcigay has called on same-sex couples to kiss while waiting for the lights to change in a bid to ''give visibility to all kinds of love'', from ANSA.it.

London, UK
LGBT Muslim support group screen 'A Jihad for Love', from The Lesbian and Gay Foundation.

Los Angeles, USA
Activists Plan Valentine's Day Kiss-In at City Hall, from blogdowntown.com.

Nepal
Valentine Day turns pink in Nepal, from The Times of India.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Prince Harry, Diversity Training

Prince Harry will be going back to an equality awareness course after he was caught on camera using the word "Paki" at the Sandhurst military academy in 2006, the year after he was forced to publicly apologize for wearing a Nazi swastika at a costume party.

Like all rookies, the Prince went on an equality course when he first joined the army, but army chiefs deemed it appropriate that he return for a refresher session to understand why his language was offensive. The pejorative term "Paki" refers to a Pakistani, or, more generally and incorrectly, a person who is perceived to be of South Asian or Indian Subcontinental origin.

I will never forget when someone called me a "Paki" in my high school adolescence. While my ethnicity was not associated with the term, it was at that moment that it became even more clear to me that I was a target.

So, I'm happy that Prince Harry is going back to diversity training. Words can sting like anything...

Read more.

Roberto Alomar sued by ex-girlfriend claiming he has HIV/AIDS

Not a good week for baseball. Aside from steroid confessionals by Alex Rodriguez and Miguel Tejada, the New York Post is reporting that former Toronto Blue Jay all-star second baseman Roberto Alomar was sued by ex-girlfriend Ilya Dall for allegedly having unprotected sexual intercourse with her while he knew that he might be infected with HIV/AIDS.

From the New York Post:

"Her suit does not claim that he knew he had AIDS when they were having unprotected sex - but he had reason to think he might because his doctors kept advising him to be tested. He procrastinated and told her he was disease free, the suit says. In 2004, she said, she noticed he had cold sores. The following year he was diagnosed with a blood disorder that's linked to AIDS, the suit says...In January 2006, the suit alleges, he finally got tested and it was positive. Nine days later, doctors discovered a mass in his chest, and a spinal tap revealed that he had full blown AIDS. "

Considered by many to be the best second baseman in history, Alomar played for the San Diego Padres (1988-1990), Toronto Blue Jays (1991-1995), Baltimore Orioles (1996-1998), Cleveland Indians (1999-2001), New York Mets (2002-2003), Chicago White Sox (2003, 2004), and Arizona Diamondbacks (2004). He retired from baseball in 2005.

Sad news all around.

Read more.

Renault Twingo Sport

I came across this 2008 ad from France's Publicis Conseil for the Renault Twingo Sport. Check it out.

Pub Gay Twingo
Uploaded by GayClic

English Translation:

Dad? Hey Dad! Can you get us in?
Comfortable in his era, comfortable in his Twingo.

Cute.

For Diversity. Against Discrimination - French and Danish journalists share first prize

In Prague last week, the European Union's 'For Diversity. Against Discrimination' Journalist Award First Prize was given to two recipients - a French journalist for her article about a gay football player in France, and a Danish journalist for his piece about Danish women who convert to Islam.

Pascale Krémer's "Homophobie et football: la leçon de Chooz" (Homophobia and football – The lesson of Chooz) features the story of Yoann Lemaire, an openly gay football player on a soccer team in the small French town of Chooz and shows how marketing in the world of European football has helped perpetuate discrimination against gays and lesbians.

Danish journalist Ole Hall's "Danske muslimer udsat for chikane" (Danish Muslims are subject to harassment) reveals how Danish women who convert to Islam suddenly become visible minorities in their home country, and as such, face the same prejudices and hostility from society as Muslims of foreign parentage.

The Journalist Award honours print and online journalists who address the prejudice, exclusion and discrimination experienced by people of a certain origin, religion, age, gender, handicap, or sexual orientation. Over 500 articles were entered into last year's competition.

Congratulations to all for tackling injustice in the world!

Read more.

Mr. Gay World 2009 - Max Krzyzanowski

In front of a sold out audience in Whistler, British Columbia, home of the 2010 Winter Olympic & Paralympic Games, Mr. Gay Ireland, Max Krzyzanowski, was crowned as the first ever Mr. Gay World.

The 37 year old of Polish descent works as both a security guard and Thai kickboxing instructor in Dublin. The oldest of 24 delegates in the contest, he emerged victorious in competition challenges including surviving in the wilderness, preparing dinner, creating a fashion show, and modelling for photo shoots. As part of his new role, Max is expected to travel the world as an ambassador for the gay community promoting gay rights.

When I first read this news, I thought, "How tacky!" But, upon deeper reflection and closer inspection, I thought "Why not?" This pageant didn't seem to perpetuate too many gay stereotypes. I mean, he is 37 years old, and he did have to survive in the wilderness...

Here is his statement from the competition website:

I want to take part because it is a unique opportunity to see and experience the Gay community working on an international stage to further the cause of equality.

I hope that I might be considered suitable for the role of Mr Gay World, in part, for the experience I bring to the position.

In my professional life, the qualities of patience, respect and steadfastness under pressure have become my ethos, and I hope these traits are sought-after qualities for Mr Gay World.

Honorable pursuits indeed. So here's to you Max Krzyzanowski, Mr. Gay Ireland, Mr. Gay World. Best of luck in the coming year!

Click here for pictures and details.

Posting resumes 9 February 2009

Hey all,
Been sick in bed. New posting will resume on Monday 9 February.

In the meantime, check out this post I originally published on 30 November 2006.

Cheers.

Without Homophobia, Would Homos Exist?

No, according to human rights campaigner, Peter Tatchell, who believes that in a world free of homophobia, identifying oneself as a homosexual or a heterosexual will be an idea of the past. Tatchell's viewpoint is premised on the notion that while same-sex behavior has existed since the beginning of human evolution, defining oneself as gay or homosexual is a relatively modern invention that will eventually grow obsolete.

In explaining that current western expressions of gay culture began emerging only three centuries ago in Amsterdam, London, Florence, and Paris, Tatchell writes:

This would seem to suggest that just as the contemporary configurations of gay identity came into being at a certain moment in social development, one day, if social conditions change, they will also fade away. So will heterosexual identity, as we currently understand it.

In Tatchell's estimation, a more enlightened future will consist of societies in which most people will stop defining themselves as straight or gay and where the gender of an intimate partner will cease to determine the social validity of a relationship. He writes:

This dissolution of rigid hetero and homo orientations and identities is thus both the precondition for, and the proof of, queer emancipation - for without differentiation and polarity, there can be no conflict and prejudice.

Tatchell's vision of a new epoch is optimistic, and slowly, I think we can get there. Read more.

"Boys Life" at the Sydney Mardi Gras, Gay Japan

The exhibition "Boys Life" running from 24 February to 8 March at the Tap Gallery in Sydney, Australia, as part of the city's 2009 Mardi Gras festival, features the work of over 30 gay Japanese artists among whom include Gengoroh Tagame, a widely published gay erotic artist, and Kenya Shimizu, who in 2001 received the second and third prizes at the Emerging Erotic Artist Contest of the Tom of Finland Foundation.

From The Sydney Star Observer:

"From manga to erotica, pop to hardcore, each artwork depicts Japanese gay life from the Edo period to the pop culture of the Shinjuku streets, and features the work of gay manga illustrators, magazine photographers and ‘Kawaii’ erotic sculptors...This type of group exhibition rarely, if ever, occurs in Japan, where gay culture is largely underground."

As a predominantly Shinto and Buddhist nation, Japan does not have the fervent religious opposition to gay rights as do other Christian or Islamic states. Japan has no explicit laws against homosexuality, but same-sex couples cannot legally marry and are not under protection of the country’s spousal abuse law. LGBT rights are slowly emerging, however, despite little expressed support from major political parties. Kanako Otsuji, a former member of the Osaka Prefectural Assembly, made headlines in 2005 for coming out as a lesbian with the publication of her autobiography Coming Out: A Journey to Find My True Self. In 2007, she failed in her attempt to become the first openly gay member of the Diet (Japan's bicameral legislature) losing in the Upper House election.

Read more.

Ron MacLean, Mike Milbury, "Pansification"

Check out this CBC article about hockey commentator Ron MacLean facing off against Helen Kennedy, executive director of LGBT rights group Egale Canada, over the use of the word "pansification" by commentator Mike Milbury during the 17 January broadcast of Hockey Night in Canada. Milbury coined the expression to describe how the NHL would lose its edge and go soft if the league heeded calls to ban fighting.

What amazes me about this piece is not only MacLean's defense of the term, but also the comments on the article, most of which attempt to communicate the idea that using the word "pansification" is neither homophobic nor harmful, this despite the fact that Egale Canada received numerous emails and phone calls by people who were offended by the remark.

Nice song and dance MacLean, Milbury, and those homophobes who commented on the CBC article, but if people are offended by words you use, don't you think the right thing to do is simply say, "I'm sorry."

In the best case scenario, let's say the word "pansification" was spoken innocently and without intent to hurt from the mouth of Milbury. If this is the case, it's kind of like running into someone on the street accidentally. And, what are most of us taught at a very young age to say to another human being when something like this happens? "I'm sorry."

That said, it's inevitable that there are those who will blame the person they bumped into for not watching where they were going, but I guess they are still just children who enjoy using a big five syllable word like "pansification."

"Remorse" has only two syllables, you know.

Read more.

One out of five gay people have attempted suicide - Ireland

Almost 20% of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in Ireland have attempted suicide according to research published this week.

The study entitled, Supporting LGBT Lives: A Study of the Mental Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People, was carried out by the Children’s Research Centre in Trinity College and the School of Education at University College Dublin.

From The Irish Times:

"Looking at the experience of school, more than half had been called abusive names related to their sexual orientation by fellow students, 40 per cent had been threatened by fellow students, 20 per cent had missed or skipped school because they felt threatened or were afraid of getting hurt and 34 per cent reported homophobic comments by teachers or other members of staff."

Read more.

Catholics and Protestants in Ethiopia call for constitutional ban on homosexuality

Pinknews is reporting that the leaders of the Roman Catholic, Ethiopian Orthodox, and Protestant churches have called on the government of Ethiopia for a constitutional ban on homosexuality.

Of Ethiopia's population, Christians make up about 63% of which 43% are Ethiopian Orthodox. Male homosexual behaviour is illegal and carries a penalty of up to five years imprisonment. It is widely believed that this law applies to lesbians as well.

Yet another religious embrace of discrimination!

Read more.

IN THE LIFE - Mobilizing Hope

The February 2009 episode of IN THE LIFE celebrates Black History Month in America by delving into discrimination and marriage equality with New York Governor David Paterson, HIV prevention in the ballroom with New Jersey community activist Bernie McAlister, and life “on the down-low” with filmmaker Abigail Child.

Allies, activism, and hope this February at IN THE LIFE, the longest running television show documenting the gay experience.