The Gay "Marry Me" - Eurovision 2013 Parody for Marriage Equality (Finland Euvovision Entry 2013)

Shooting death of gay man rocks New York community

in: http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2013/05/19/20834261.html

Greenwich Village, the birthplace of the U.S. gay rights movement, remained in shock on Sunday over the shooting death of a gay man by a gunman who police said uttered anti-gay slurs before targeting the victim.

Mark Carson, 32, was shot dead in Greenwich Village around midnight on Friday in what police are calling a hate crime. Others say it could be a backlash against the recent advance of gay marriage laws across the United States.

The Manhattan neighborhood has long been a haven for bohemians and artists, and its Stonewall Inn has been a landmark for gay rights since a 1969 clash when patrons of the gay bar resisted a police raid.

Sympathizers built a shrine to Carson on Sunday, leaving cards, candles and flowers at the spot where he was killed, on Sixth Avenue at Eighth Street.

“This is supposed to be like the world’s capital where it’s OK to be gay,” said Josh Steinman, 42, who paused for a moment in front of the memorial.

The attack marked the 22nd anti-gay hate crime in New York City this year, compared to 13 incidents at this time last year, New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said.

“It’s clear that victim here was killed only because, and just because, he was thought to be gay,” Kelly told reporters on Sunday. “There’s no question about that. There were derogatory remarks. This victim did nothing to antagonize or instigate the shooter. It was only because the shooter believed him to be gay.”

A suspect identified as Elliot Morales, 33, was arrested on a charge of second degree murder as a hate crime shortly after the shooting. He is being held without bail and two of his companions are cooperating with police, Kelly said.

“I can’t believe that something like that happened in the Village,” said Carmine Tzavis, 40, a bartender at Stonewall Inn.

The police commissioner stopped short of confirming an increase in anti-gay attacks because, he said, hate crimes are typically underreported, so the data are skewed.

People in the Village said they were alarmed and feared the violence may have been sparked by the rapid passage of gay marriage laws.

On Tuesday, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill making his state the 12th to allow same-sex couples to marry.

“I seem to think it’s an overreaction to the marriage equality stuff,” said Brian Kennedy, 56, who came to the crime scene on Sunday to pay his respects.

Kennedy, who is gay, said he moved to New York from Atlanta in 1991 because he believed the city would be more accepting. Now he has his doubts.

“Getting beat up is one thing. Getting shot point-blank in the face is another,” Kennedy said.

The Anti-Violence Project has organized a march and vigil at the crime scene on Monday.

A spokesman for the anti-defamation group GLAAD called the killing “a stark and sobering reminder of the rife homophobia that still exists in our culture.”

“Until we rid our society of the discrimination that allows us to be seen as inferior and less than human, we will never truly be safe, even in one of the most accepting cities in the world,” spokesman Wilson Cruz said in a statement.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2013/05/19/20834261.html

France's Hollande's signs gay marriage bill into law

in: http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2013/05/18/20832091.html

French President Francois Hollande has signed into law a bill allowing same-sex marriage, making France the 14th country to legalize gay weddings.

France’s official journal announced on Saturday that the bill had become law after the Constitutional Council gave the go-ahead on Friday.

The bill, a campaign pledge by the Socialist president, has been hotly contested in France where allowing gay marriage is one of the biggest social reforms since abolition of the death penalty in 1981.

Opponents have staged huge and often violent demonstrations against the bill and have called yet another protest on May 26. The first marriage under the law is due to be held in Montpellier in southern France on May 29.

France, a predominantly Catholic country, follows 13 others including Canada, Denmark, Sweden and most recently Uruguay and New Zealand in allowing gay and lesbian couples to wed. In the United States, Washington D.C. and 12 states have legalized same-sex marriage.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2013/05/18/20832091.html

ILGA-Europe releases 2013 European LGBT rights map

in: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/05/16/ilga-europe-releases-2013-european-lgbt-rights-map/

LGBT campaign group ILGA-Europe has unveiled its European LGBT rights map for this year.

The 2013 review of the human rights situation of LGBT people by the Brussels-based NGO found that “degrading, offensive and defamatory language” is one of the “most common trends” across the continent.

Among the EU member states causing major concern are Hungary and Greece.

The report notes that the economic crisis in Greece has given a platform to extremist groups, such as the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party, who target minority groups including LGBT activists.

North Cyprus continues to be the only place on the continent of Europe where homosexuality is a criminal act, while expressions of “overt homophobia and transphobia” by government, religious leaders and extremist groups were “common” in Bulgaria.

Italy is not taking any legislative initiatives despite having a “relatively high level” of violent homophobia and transphobia.

Meanwhile in France, despite the recent passing of the country’s same-sex marriage bill, 1,397 cases of hate crime, hate speech and discrimination incidents against sexual minorities were documented last year.

Gabi Calleja, co-chair of ILGA-Europe’s Executive Board, said: “The Annual Review 2013 uncovers the real situation of LGBTI people beyond laws and gives us the whole picture of what it is like to be an LGBTI person in Europe today. The picture is far from satisfactory.

“While some countries are scoring high on the Rainbow Map because they have good laws, the situation on the ground often is very different. Even in countries with the most advanced laws and policies, there is a surprisingly high percentage of LGBTI people who are adjusting their behaviours on a daily basis because they fear violence and harassment when in public.”

Nils Muižnieks, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, added: “Advocacy based on solid facts is what we need for advancing the human rights of LGBTI people. ILGA-Europe and its national member organisations have first-hand knowledge of what is going on and share their insights and concerns through the Annual Review and the Rainbow Map.”

“In addition to holding countries accountable for their actions, the Annual Review also gives a critical account of the steps taken by international organisations. It is a valuable tool for a serious debate about the human rights situation of LGBTI persons across Europe.”

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/05/16/ilga-europe-releases-2013-european-lgbt-rights-map/

Same-sex couples win adoption rights for partners' children in Portugal

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/same-sex-couples-win-adoption-rights-partners-children-portugal170513

 

Portugal’s Parliament has voted in favour of limited gay and lesbian adoption.

The new law will allow those in same-sex couples to adopt their partner’s biological or adopted child.

Ruling Social Democratic Party (SDP) supported the bill along with the Socialist Party (SP). It won with 99 votes in favour to 94 against with nine absentees.

Although same-sex marriage has been legal in Portugal since 2010 the new law will not allow same-sex married couples to adopt a child together.

In the vote 104 were against fully equal same-sex adoption rights while 77 voted in favor with 21 absentees.

Portugal was one of the first 10 countries to legalize same-sex marriage and is one of a few to put rulings on sexuality into its constitution.

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/same-sex-couples-win-adoption-rights-partners-children-portugal170513

Nintendo acusada de homofobia

in: http://www.jn.pt/PaginaInicial/Tecnologia/Interior.aspx?content_id=3224080



A empresa japonesa fabricante de videojogos está a ser acusada de homofobia por ter corrigido um "erro de software" que permitia o casamento homossexual num dos seus jogos.

A Nintendo classificou a possibilidade de matrimónio como "imprópria" e "estranha", o que levou à indignação nas redes sociais.

O jogo "Tomodachi Collection: New Life", lançado recentemente para a consola 3DS, é um simulador social que permite o relacionamento e posterior casamento entre dois avatares (os Miis) do sexo masculino.

Mal soube desta possibilidade, a Nintendo não tardou em classificar como "bug" (erro) esta funcionalidade, entretanto já removida pela empresa japonesa.

Numa nota lançada com a atualização do jogo, a Nintendo pediu aos jogadores que tivessem dificuldades em iniciar o jogo, mensagens de erro, a impossibilidade de gravar o jogo e "relações humanas que se tornavam estranhas", que atualizassem o jogo para eliminar estes "bugs".

Curiosamente, o "Tomodachi Collection: New Life" só permitia o casamento homosexual entre avatares masculinos. O sexo feminino ficou excluído desta opção.

A decisão da Nintendo está a causar indignação nas redes sociais e já desencadeou uma onda de protestos. A atitude da fabricante de videojogos está a ser classificada como homofóbica, no Twitter e no Facebook.

http://www.jn.pt/PaginaInicial/Tecnologia/Interior.aspx?content_id=3224080

New Zealand B and B refuses to let lesbian couple share a bed

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/new-zealand-b-and-b-refuses-let-lesbian-couple-share-bed110513

A bed and breakfast travel lodge in New Zealand is facing a backlash after it turned away a lesbian couple for wanting to share a bed.

The Pilgrim Planet Lodge in Whangarei turned away Jane Collison, 30, and Paula Knight, 45, on Tuesday after telling them that only a room with single beds was available despite their having booked a room with a king-sized bed.

The couple offered to take the room but wanted to push the beds together but was told they would not be allowed to do that either.

When the couple realized that it was the owners’ religious objection to their relationship that was the issue they decided to stay elsewhere and had to drive 30 miles before they could find alternative accommodation.

‘I got very confused, but started to click about what the issue may be and said, 'Are we offending your religious beliefs', and she said “Yes and you might have to find accommodation elsewhere.”’ Collison told the New Zealand Herald on Saturday.

‘We sleep in double beds wherever we go, and she was taking that right away from me and asking us to pay to sleep in separate beds.’

Owners Michael and Karen Ruskin believe they are in their rights to force gay couples to sleep in separate beds as they believe their three story, five guest room lodge is not covered by New Zealand’s anti-discrimination laws as they live in the building and share some living spaces with their paying guests.

‘We are entitled under current legislation to discriminate on the basis of sex in shared accommodation,’ Michael Ruskin told the Herald, ‘It's my own personal integrity to say I don't want same-sex sex in my house.’

‘The Government can legislate for same-sex marriage but it can't legislate that I allow them to have their honeymoon in my home.’

Michael Ruskin said that he had allowed homosexuals to stay at the lodge in the past but only in separate beds. He did not say whether he required the same thing of unwed heterosexual couples.

However openly gay Green Party MP Kevin Hague told the Herald that the lodge was not exempt from the law as it only exempted flatmates and people living in boarding houses, not businesses being run out of people’s homes.

‘To find someone still doing it is surprising to me, and will be appalling for this couple,’ Hague said.

The couple now plan to lodge a complaint under the country’s Human Rights Act and the Ruskins have closed down the lodge’s Facebook page after it received a barrage of comments in support of the couple.

New Zealand legalized same-sex marriage in April this year and couples will begin marrying in August when the law goes into effect.

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/new-zealand-b-and-b-refuses-let-lesbian-couple-share-bed110513

Delaware becomes eleventh state to approve same-sex marriage

in: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/05/07/delaware-to-become-eleventh-state-to-approve-same-sex-marraige/?hpt=hp_t2


Delaware became the eleventh state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage Tuesday after the State Senate approved the measure and the state's governor signed it into law. Gov. Jack Markell, a Democrat, signed the bill following a 12-9 vote in the State Senate passing the measure. The State House approved the bill in April.

While the state had an existing civil unions law, the new measure allows gay and lesbian couples to legally marry. Rhode Island, Iowa, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Washington and the District of Columbia all allow same-sex marriage.

"Today, we wrote a new chapter in our history and proved, once again, justice and equality continue to move forward in Delaware," Markell wrote in a statement following the bill's signing.

His approval was echoed by Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, the son of Vice President Joe Biden.

"This is a historic day for Delaware," Attorney General Biden wrote. "Because of today's vote, all Delawareans will be equal under the law and free to choose whom to love and whom to spend their lives with."

In March, a divided United States Supreme Court heard arguments over the legality of two marriage laws – the federal Defense of Marriage act, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman, and California's Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage.

The nine justices hinted at disparate views on the hot-button issue, though it was far from clear how they will rule. A decision is expected in June.

Opponents of same-sex marriage include some religious and socially conservative groups. Brian Brown, the president of the National Organization for Marriage, wrote the new Delaware law "redefines marriage for everyone" in the state.

"Every marriage will now be genderless," Brown continued in a statement. "That means that anyone who cannot accept this radical and flawed change to marriage is going to be subjected to punishment."

But gay rights activists hailed the law's passage, saying it represents momentum for supporters of marriage equality laws across the nation.

"As America waits for rulings from the Supreme Court on two historic marriage cases, Delaware today took decisive action and guaranteed equality for the thousands of gay and lesbian couples of that great state," said Chad Griffin, the president of the gay rights group Human Rights Campaign. "Thanks to principled impatience from state leaders in Dover, the momentum for LGBT equality continues unabated."

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/05/07/delaware-to-become-eleventh-state-to-approve-same-sex-marraige/?hpt=hp_t2

Canada: Property agent fired for distributing homophobic leaflets

in: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/05/05/canada-property-agent-fired-for-distributing-homophobic-leaflets/

A Canadian property agent has been fired for distributing leaflets that attack same-sex marriage and gay parents.

Andrew Ciastek, a sales representative for RE/MAX in Mississauga, Southern Ontario, caused anger last week by distributing a flyer which argued “Traditional family is the best for the future of the kids.”

The flyer drew on evidence from the Regnerus study on parenting, which has been criticised for using unfair research methods biased against same-sex parents.

Local resident Jon McDonald said he was furious when he discovered the flyer in his newspaper. It had been dispatched to hundreds of homes in the Port Credit and Lorne Park neighbourhoods.

He said: “My blood pressure went up 100%. I read it and thought, ‘What does this have to do with selling houses?’”

Christine Martysiewicz, RE/MAX’s director for internal and public relations in the area, said on Friday that Mr Ciastek had been fired for “poor judgment on his personal marketing”.

“We assure the general public that his actions in no way reflect RE/MAX or our associates. We’re offended by the insensitivity shown here just as much as the community is. We take pride in the diversity of our workforce and our clients,” she added.

After reading the material, Mr McDonald complained to RE/MAX, the Ontario Human Rights Commission and the Peel police diversity unit.

Mr Ciastek denies accusations of homophobia. The Star reports he said: “I didn’t want to offend anybody… I didn’t have bad intentions.”

He is slated to make an apology for the fliers, and RE/MAX have said they will make a donation to the local Peel LGBT Pride.

 

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/05/05/canada-property-agent-fired-for-distributing-homophobic-leaflets/

RI becomes 10th state to allow gay marriage; hundreds cheer as gov signs bill into law

in: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/life/becomes+10th+state+allow+marriage+hundreds+cheer+signs+bill/8332530/story.html

Lise Iwon, right, Julie Smith celebrate after a gay marriage bill passed a vote in the Rhode Island House at the State House in Providence, R.I., Thursday, May 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

 

 

Rhode Island has become the nation's 10th state to allow gay and lesbian couples to wed, after a 16-year effort to extend marriage rights in this heavily Roman Catholic state.

Gays, lesbians, their friends and families erupted into cheers Thursday following a final 56-15 vote in the Rhode Island House, and then again an hour later when Gov. Lincoln Chafee signed the bill into law on the Statehouse steps.

"Democracy feels good, doesn't it?" said House Speaker Gordon Fox, D-Providence, who is gay. Fox struggled to keep his composure as he addressed the crowd at the Statehouse, looking over at his longtime partner, Marcus LaFond. "This tells me our relationship does matter. It means that we mean something."

The first marriages will take place Aug. 1, when the new law takes effect.

The day was bittersweet for Deborah Tevyaw, whose wife, state corrections officer Pat Baker, succumbed to lung cancer two years ago. Months before she died, Baker, relying on an oxygen tank, angrily told lawmakers that it was unfair that Tevyaw wasn't considered her wife in Rhode Island despite their marriage in Massachusetts.

"I'm ecstatic, but sad she's not here to see this," Tevyaw said. "I'm sure she's watching, but she's not here next to me. Before she died, she told me, 'I started this, and now I'm leaving it in your hands.' We worked hard for this. There were petitions, door knocking, phone calls. I think people decided, 'just let people be happy.'"

Once consigned to the political fringe, gay marriage advocates succeeded this year thanks to a sprawling lobbying effort that included support from organized labour leaders, religious clergy, leaders including Chafee and Providence Mayor Angel Taveras and hundreds of volunteers. Their efforts overcame the opposition of the Roman Catholic Church and lawmakers including Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed, who voted no but allowed the issue to come to a vote anyway.

Supporters framed the issue as one of civil rights, arguing in daylong legislative hearings that gay and lesbian couples deserve the same rights and protections given to opposite-sex married couples. The Catholic Church was the most significant opponent, with Bishop Thomas Tobin urging lawmakers to defeat what he called an "immoral and unnecessary" change to traditional marriage law.

On Thursday, Tobin repeated his opposition, writing in a letter to the state's Catholics that "homosexual acts are... always sinful."

"Catholics should examine their consciences very carefully before deciding whether or not to endorse same-sex relationships or attend same-sex ceremonies," Tobin wrote. "To do so might harm their relationship with God."

The Rhode Island legislation states that religious institutions may set their own rules regarding who is eligible to marry within the faith and specifies that no religious leader is obligated to officiate at any marriage ceremony and no religious group is required to provide facilities or services related to a gay marriage.

While ministers already cannot be forced to marry anyone, the exemption helped assuage concerns from some lawmakers that clergy could face lawsuits for abiding by their religious convictions.

Under the new law, civil unions will no longer be available to same-sex couples as of Aug. 1, though the state would continue to recognize existing civil unions. Lawmakers approved civil unions two years ago, though few couples have sought them.

The first marriages will take place Aug. 1, when the new law takes effect. Raymond Beausejour, 66, used to photograph weddings, but the gay North Providence man never expected he would have one himself.

"I've been waiting 32 years for this day, and I never thought it would come in my lifetime," said Beausejour, who has been with his partner for 32 years. "For the first time in my life, I feel welcome in my own state."

Delaware could be the next state to approve gay marriage. Legislation legalizing same-sex marriage has narrowly passed the Delaware House and now awaits a vote in the state Senate.

Advocates in Rhode Island say that while they're proud the state is the 10th to legalize gay marriage, they expect other states to quickly follow as support for gay marriage grows around the country. According to polling experts at Gallup, 53 per cent of Americans support giving gay and lesbian couples the right to marry, up from 27 per cent in 1996.

Rep. Frank Ferri, D-Warwick, who lobbied for gay marriage before becoming a lawmaker himself, recalled that years ago he asked a sitting lawmaker if he would consider supporting same-sex marriage. "He said 'I'll pour gasoline on my head and light myself on fire before that bill passes,'" Ferri recalled.

That has changed, said Ferri, who is gay. Ferri said he hopes Fox can marry him and his partner on Aug. 1, which also happens to be the couple's 32nd anniversary.

"Today a dream has come true," he said. "No more hiding in the shadows. No more being ashamed of who we are."

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/life/becomes+10th+state+allow+marriage+hundreds+cheer+signs+bill/8332530/story.html

Orlando Cruz on Jason Collins: ‘Coming out as gay doesn’t make you less of a man’

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/orlando-cruz-jason-collins-%E2%80%98coming-out-gay-doesn%E2%80%99t-make-you-less-man%E2%80%99020513

The first professional boxer to come out as gay has sounded off on the recent coming out of Jason Collins, the NBA star that came out this week.

Orlando Cruz, who revealed his sexuality last year, said the two of them are showing being gay does not make them any less than straight men.

‘Coming out does not make him less of a man because he is a great athlete,’ Cruz told NBC Latino.

‘[Collins] is living the dream of every high school kid who wants to play basketball. He should always keep his self-esteem up because he has the right to be where he is like any other athlete.’

When Cruz came out, he says all he wanted was respect for who he is as an athlete. The Puerto Rican is currently ranked as the number four featherweight boxer in the world.

‘We are two individuals that are making history,’ Cruz said. ‘He is the first active gay basketball player. But I was the first in boxing. I feel very happy that I’m inspiring other athletes to gain the courage to do the same.’

The 31-year-old said he understood the physical and mental preparation that Collins went through to make the announcement, who spent two years in counseling in order to prepare to come out to the world.

Losing only two fights in his professional career, Cruz is now hoping to become the first openly gay world champion in a sport.

When asked what will happen when he faces a homophobic opponent, Cruz said last year he knows he has some ‘tough days’ ahead of him.

He said: ‘Someone will come along who calls me a faggot or a fairy. I’ll say: “What? You call me a faggot?

‘But you’d better watch out, because I’m the faggot who’s going to kick your ass”.’

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/orlando-cruz-jason-collins-%E2%80%98coming-out-gay-doesn%E2%80%99t-make-you-less-man%E2%80%99020513