Up to date on Wednesday 22 May 2013

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The Gay marriage Bill for England and Wales was passed by 366 to 161, a majority of 205 on Tuesday night. Twelve senior ministers including David Jones and Owen Paterson were among the 133 Conservative MPs who voted against the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill. The Bill will now pass to the House of Lords, where some peers are planning further attempts to prevent it passing into law.

British Conservative MP David Davies addresses a group of anti-gay marriage demonstrators in London May 21, 2013. Photo: Adrian Dennis/Agence France Press

Three more gay men have been attacked in Manhattan just hours after thousands of demonstrators held a rally to protest against the killing of a young man who was murdered over the weekend because he was gay.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said that a gay couple, Steven Dixon and Michael Coleman, were walking in SoHo at around 5am Tuesday when two men started hurling anti-gay slurs at them in both English and Spanish as they made their way down Broadway between Prince and Houston streets. The suspects punched 42-year-old Dixon, causing injuries to his right eye. His 41-year-old boyfriend was also beaten.

Google Maps

Nigel Farage, the leader of the UK Independence Party, has said he will not expel members for voicing “old-fashioned” views about homosexuality, including those who describe it as “disgusting”.

You know who not to vote for.

A Moroccan court convicted two men of homosexuality and public indecency, and sentenced each to four months in prison. Prosecutors at the Temara court near Rabat, the capital, said at Monday’s trial that the men, aged 28 and 19, were caught having sex in a car and arrested. The men denied the charges. “If we thought our clients were homosexuals, we would refuse to defend them,” one of the lawyers said to the judge in court. He refused to identify himself to reporters.

Moroccan law outlaws homosexuality and gives a penalty of six months to three years in prison and a fine. According to the latest figures available from the Ministry of Justice, in 2011 81 trials involving accusations of homosexuality were held. The daily newspaper al-Akhbar reported on May 9 that three Moroccans from the northern town of Souq al-Arbaa recently received three-year sentences for homosexuality.

SP

Up to date on Monday 20 May 2013

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Much of the news media today is concerned with the shenanigans in the House of Commons over the Gay Marriage Bill (England and Wales). The votes are expected later tonight.

Human Rights Watch today told Zambian authorities to dismiss all charges and release James Mwansa and Phillip Mubiana who were arrested for engaging in homosexual acts when a neighbour tipped off the police. The police should immediately cease forensic anal examinations, which are intrusive, invasive and constitute cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment in violation of international law, said HRW. Both men were subjected to anal examinations without their consent by forensic doctors at the Kapiri Mposhi District Hospital, as part of the police investigation.

The arrest, detention, and prosecution of men suspected of homosexual acts is only one aspect of a looming human rights crisis for LGBT people in Zambia. Since April, politicians, religious, and community leaders have been carrying out vicious campaigns to vilify LGBT people, Human Rights Watch said.

Juliet Mphande, director of Lusaka-based LGBT organization Friends of Rainka, told Human Rights Watch that Mwansa and Mubiana, both 21, were coerced to confess to the allegations and have been deprived of adequate food and water while in detention.

James Mwape covered himself in a head sock while Philip Mubiana covered himself in a blank coat after appearing in court: Photo: Lusaka Times

Gay activists and supporters in New York will rally this evening to “demand an end to hate crimes against our community”. The LGBT Community Center announced a 5:30 p.m. rally on 13th Street, followed by a march to West Eighth Street and Sixth Avenue, where Mark Carson was shot and killed after his alleged assailant hurled anti-gay slurs.

Earlier this month, a gay couple was attacked on West 32nd Street and beaten so severely that one of the men needed eye surgery. Days before that, another gay couple was assaulted by a group of men in the same area, near Madison Square Garden. “New York is our city, and we aren’t going backward,” said Glennda Testone, executive director of the group organizing the rally.

A 33-year-old man is charged with murder as a hate crime in the Friday shooting death of Mark Carson. Two men were arrested in one of the other attacks.

NBC

Gay Activist is sad to learn of the recent violent attack on Christopher Bryant and his partner Damon. Mr Bryant is the editor of the online gay magazine Polari.

They were walking home through South London’s Betts Park when they were intercepted by a group of six men, who started speeding up and following them. The men started running and first caught his partner Damon. Mr Bryant doubled-back to get the attackers off his partner, but the attackers beat him to the ground, kicking his face and saying ‘stay down faggot’.

Gay Activist wishes Christopher and Damon a speedy recovery from their attack and ordeal and hope for justice.

Gay Star News

SP

Up to date on Thursday 9 May 2013

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James Mwape and Philip Mubiana, both 22, of Zambia, have been charged with four counts of committing “unnatural” sexual acts. They have pleaded not guilty during a court appearance in the small central town of Kapiri Mposhi. Last month, Paul Kasonkomona pleaded not guilty to charges of promoting homosexuality, after appearing live on Zambian television (pictured).

AFP

SP

Uganda – Get busy, American gays

Yesterday Gay Activist received the following comment:

Thx 4 the great work u do 4 gay. Pliz can u extend that work here in uganda. Personally i’ve been mistreated, tortured b’se am gay i almost ve no biznes right now pliz help us we attain our freedom am tired of hiding. From L. NATHAN

Your activist replied:

“Nathan, in Europe we are doing everything we can to bring pressure on your government to change its policies but, ultimately, it is your struggle and you must all organise and fight for your rights.”

In Europe, we are. Most (but not all) of the organisations causing difficulties for gay men and lesbians in Africa, especially Uganda, are based in, and funded by people who live in, the United States of America.

These fundamentalist religious “missions” and “ministries” behave in Africa in ways which would not be tolerated at home. It is time that the gay community in America shone a light on the activities of these Christian Terrorists, exposed their deeds, affected their operations and hit their funding. These Terrorists really are Terrorists – people end up dead because of them.

Gay Activist challenges all readers in the US to join in the support of gay and lesbian people in Africa. Before it is too late.

Guardian – Love on the run in Uganda |

Mathias Christensen/Guardian

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Up to date on Saturday 20 April 2013

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The Boy Scouts of America decided to end its’ long-standing ban on openly gay members, but the organization’s board must still vote in May on whether to ratify the resolution. If approved, “no youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone,” Deron Smith, the organization’s spokesman, told Reuters.

“This is a historic change for the Boy Scouts,” said Patrick Boyle, whose book Scout’s Honor examined sexual abuse in the Boy Scouts of America. “You have a more than hundred-year-old organization changing what it considered a fundamental belief just a decade ago. That says a lot about the Scouts and a lot about how far the gay rights movement has come in the United States.”

Linda Nylind/Guardian

“Welcome to Zambia, the landlocked southern African nation slightly larger than Texas. Zambia boasts vast mineral wealth but remains “one of thepoorest and least developed nations on earth.”Human rights are also a significant problem. Zambia is one of at least 37 of 54 African nations that prohibit same-sex relations — and it “is among the more hostile political climates,” adds The Guardian. All consensual adult same-sex acts are criminalized, and convictions are harsh — a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. Zambia does not permit the advocacy of rights for its besieged lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. South Africa is the only African nation that offers legal protections for gays and same-sex marriage,” writes Rod Mccullom in The Atlantic.

There has been ” a frightening increase in violations of LGBT people’s rights ” in Zambia, says a human rights group. An openly gay and HIV positive activist says police denied him access to “his tuberculosis and antiretroviral drugs and put his life at risk.

Zambia in particular has the misfortune of being home to ” one of the world’s most devastating HIV and AIDS epidemics,” reports the advocacy group AVERT: “More than one in every seven adults in the country is living with HIVand life expectancy at birth has fallen to just 49 years. … Overall HIV prevalence was 13.5 percent [and] has been reported as high as 25 percent in some urban areas. … Unlike in some countries, HIV in Zambia does not primarily affect the most underprivileged. Infection rates are very high among wealthier people and the better educated.”

The article contends that Zambia’s anti-gay policies are making the HIV epidemic there, far worse.

Darrin Zammit Lupi/Reuters

What is gay culture? asks Paul Burston in The Guardian. Well if he doesn’t know, who does?

“For many people, gay culture begins and ends with the gay scene. There are gay magazines devoted to it, and gay people who devote their lives to it. And compared to many countries, we have a gay scene we can be proud of. But all is not well in this rosy pink world. The impact of drugs like GHB has led to numerous deaths on the London gay scene. Next month, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in the capital is hosting a panel discussion to address the problem. The fact that it’s presented by someone called Sleazy Michael gives some idea of the target audience.”

Oh. Mr Burston takes a look at the portrayal of gays on television. (Your Activist has managed without one of those things for fifteen years now.)

"From this vantage point, it's easier to see things from a wider perspective. And with greater legislative freedoms, we have an opportunity to take a broader view of gay politics, and redefine what we mean by gay culture."

It would appear that Mr Burston and "Guardian writer Julie Bindel decided to launch a new online magazine called Gaze – A Modern Review."

In view of all the closures of gay media in recent times, any new development has to be welcomed.

2009 photo of Paul Burston by Polari

And finally, our French Parliamentary Correspondent reports: “Scuffles broke out in the French Parliament yesterday as right wing opponents of gay marriage got hot under the collar. Centre-right politicians surrounded the Justice Minister and tried to shove ushers aside when a government official “impersonated” a speech by one of their colleagues. Then the scuffling broke out in the main lobby.”

Oooh la la! Mesdames, s’il vous plaît! Vous vous comportez comme des citoyens.

SP

Up to date on Friday 12 April 2013

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France’s upper house of parliament has voted to legalise gay marriage. The gay marriage bill was approved with only minor amendments and will become law after a final vote in the lower house, expected in May. Thousands of people demonstrated against gay marriage outside the French Parliament.

Around 55-60% of French people support gay marriage, but only about 50% approve of gay adoption, according to local opinion polls.

Unfortunately the debates over gay marriage have made things worse, in the short term at least, for the gay community. Gay rights organisations say homosexuals are being increasingly targeted amid opposition to government plans to give gay couples in France the right to marry and adopt children.

AFP

Paul Kasonkomona has been granted bail in Zambia after he was arrested for appearing on a live television calling for homosexual relationships to be decriminalised. He pleaded not guilty at the Lusaka magistrate’s court to being “idle and disorderly in a public place.” Mr Kasonkomona could face one month in prison or a fine if he is found guilty. He faces trial on 15 May.

African Seer

Gay Activist gets loads and loads of spam messages. One today had your Activist falling off the stool in helpless laughter. What has this got to do with “gay families”?

“We offer our regular and frequent Deluxe Buses and Volvos both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned for traveling in Whole Jaipur as well as the buyers 1st payment. The traditional ‘pisto’ definitely takes advantage of a Paphos Car Hire company. Congratulations to them all to be show.”

So far not a single spam message has got through the system. Please stop trying. Spam is VERY TEDIOUS.

SP

Up to date on Tuesday 9 April 2013

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Paul Kasonkomona has been arrested in Zambia after appearing on a live television calling for same-sex relations to be decriminalised, and has been charged with “inciting the public to take part in indecent activities”.

Zambia is one of the countries of the British Commonwealth in which homosexuality remains against the law.

Paul Kansonkomona: Mwebantu

A gay couple were badly beaten up in Paris on 6 April, in what appears to be homophobic violence. Wilfred de Bruijn and his partner Olivier posted a picture of what happened after they were attacked by several men in the 19th district of Paris. Describing it as the ‘face of homophobia’, De Bruijn said: ‘Olivier and I were badly beaten up just for walking arm in arm. I woke up in an ambulance covered in blood, missing tooth and broken bones around the eye. I’m home now. Very sad. Olivier takes care of me. Forbidden to work for at least 10 days.’

A French Government official commented: “The hatred and homophobic remarks have no place in our country and are punishable by law. The government strongly condemns these acts. These outbursts are unacceptable. When the most basic civil rights of our citizens are attacked, the authority of the state is at stake.”

Wilfred de Bruijn

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Up to date on Monday 8 April 2013

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Manchester’s Gay Village must be made safer to stop it being closed down, say Manchester Police. Though crime across Manchester City Centre has fallen, binge-drinking, drunken disorder and violence have persisted in the Gay Village. The problems have got steadily worse for the last five years, made worse by congestion from taxis, bars and clubs opening late and increasing numbers of takeaways.

Mancunian Matters

Tshepo Cameron Modisane and Thoba Calvin Sithole, both 27, have married in a wedding ceremony uniting Zulu and Tswana traditions, which they hope will send a message to others that “Being gay is as African as being black.” After three years as boyfriends Mr Modisane proposed in June 2012.

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Baroness Thatcher, the former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, died of a stroke this morning. Although she supported the legalisation of homosexuality in the 1960s and afterwards, Peter Tatchell reminds us: “In 1988, the Thatcher government legislated Britain’s first new anti-gay law in 100 years: Section 28. At the 1987 Conservative party conference she mocked people who defended the right to be gay, insinuating that there was no such right. During her rule, arrests and convictions for consenting same-sex behaviour rocketed, as did queer bashing violence and murder. Gay men were widely demonised and scapegoated for the AIDS pandemic and Thatcher did nothing to challenge this vilification.”

SP

Up to date on Thursday 4 April 2013

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An Italian scientist says vaccines are what makes people gay.

70-year-old Italian scientist Gian Paolo Vanoli said that as a child grows up and tries to “find its own personality,” if he or she has mercury or other substances in their system that linger from vaccinations, “the child becomes gay…. The problem will especially be present in the next generations, because when gays have children, the children will carry along with them the DNA of their parent’s illness. Because homosexuality is a disease, even though the World Health Organization has decided that it is not.” Your activist thinks we have just heard another cuckoo.

The Advocate

The Uganda Observer reports that a US gay rights lobby that sought to pressure politicians in Uganda to be more accepting of same-sex relationships left last week having completely failed in its objectives. The delegation from the Robert F. Kennedy Centre for Justice and Human Rights held meetings with President Museveni, the First Lady Janet Museveni, and Ugandan MPs. The group told the Ugandans that the Ugandan draft legislation doesn’t meet the benchmarks of international human rights and contravenes international human rights charters that Uganda has ratified.

President Museveni (6thL) with the American pro-gay group in his Rwakitura home last month; Photo: Ugandan Observer

A sitcom portraying the lives and loves of a group of young gays and lesbians has become an unlikely nationwide hit in conservative, communist-run Vietnam. Dang Khoa, a 21-year-old gay student, wrote and created the series. In August last year, the first-ever Vietnamese gay pride parade took place in the capital Hanoi. Despite being unauthorised, the authorities permitted the march to go ahead. Now, the success of “My Best Gay Friends”, which began showing last year and is largely performed by volunteer gay and lesbian actors, is the surest sign yet that attitudes towards homosexuality are changing. “I see my life as very normal,” said Mr Khoa. That’s why I want to bring true images of homosexuals to everyone, to change their perspective on us.”

SP

Up to date on Wednesday 3 April 2013

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A pair of gay restaurateurs is closing up shop in Morris, Manitoba, Canada saying they are sick of being the target of anti-gay slurs. Pots N Hands, which advertises “home cooked meals,” opened in the community of 1,700 70 kilometres south of Winnipeg just four months ago. Ever since, alleges owner Dave Claringbould, pictured, he and his partner have been assailed by homophobic slurs, such as a customer asking if his plate of food was diseased.

Trevor Hagan / The Canadian Press

Men having sex with men (MSM) are at risk of infection from human papillomavirus (HPV) and should have regular anal pap smears, a medical expert advised on Wednesday. A study by the Thai Red Cross Aids Research Centre shows that, among men, anal HPV infection which can lead to anal cancer is a high risk, compared with men having sex with women, reports the Bangkok Post.

Tanakorn Sittiamthong, right, and Nonthawat Charoengaysornsin kiss during a contest to break the Guinness World Record for longest continuous kiss as part of Valentine’s Day celebrations at Pattaya last year. Photo: EPA

The Triangle Project of South Africa says it hopes its school campaign will educate teachers and principals of the emotional needs of gay pupils. Many learners were victimised by class mates, teachers and principals. “In light of all of this, we are going to be rolling out a booklet targeted at teachers around the problem of bullying.”

SP