Activists paint rainbow crosswalk at Russian embassy in Sweden

in: http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2013/08/activists-paint-rainbow-crosswalk-at-russian-embassy-in-sweden.html

Övergångsstället vid ryska ambassaden är nymålat. #gilla

LGBT activists in Sweden are letting the Russian government know exactly how they feel about Vladmir Putin's controversial new anti "gay propaganda" legislation in a way that is simple and peaceful but vibrantly proud.

Swedish newspaper The Local reports that protesters gathered outside of the Russian embassy in Stockholm this weekend to paint over a traditional black and white "zebra" crosswalk with a rainbow of colours.

Utanför ryska ambassaden.
 pic.twitter.com/x3PmchzywX

On Saturday, a group of naked men are reported to have marched back and forth across the rainbow crossing outside the embassy while supporters called on others to boycott the World Athletics Championships which began this weekend in Moscow.

 

“We have no case file on it but it will probably be classified as vandalism or a violation of traffic regulations,” said Ulf Lindgren of the Stockholm Police to Swedish language paper Dagens Nyheter.

 "There's a risk it can create danger for those using the crossing as they should look a certain way. It's confusing if they are different," added Lundgren.

He noted that it is not the police department's responsibility to restore the sidewalk to its regular pattern, but as of Tuesday morning it appears as though someone had arranged for this to be done.

  

Nu tvättas regnbågen bort från övergångsstället vid ryska ambassaden. pic.twitter.com/IN5CH85s3Y

 Nu tvättar de bort regnbågsövergångsstället utanför ryska ambassaden :( foto @UlrikaBy instagram.com/p/c8seB2mjtb/



The colourful crosswalk may have been short lived, but it served as a powerful symbol for Stockholm's LGBT community, which celebrated its annual Pride festival earlier this month.

 Spreading some #gay propaganda outside of the #Russian embassy in Stockholm. http://pic.twitter.com/lQPbv0f4WL



Russia's announcement of a new law cracking down on gay rights activism during the 2014 Olympics in Sochi has sparked international debate over participation in the forthcoming games.

In the wake of this intended crackdown, the Russian embassy in Stockholm has been the target of a series of pro-LGBT rights demonstrations.




Outside Russian embassy, #stockholm demonstration in support of #LGBT rights #sthlmpride2013 #russia http://pic.twitter.com/umkMArWFlO

Standing up against the Putins so called morals. Outside the russian Embassy in Stockholm! #russia #gay #LGBT http://pic.twitter.com/QsyeHVgS1G

Gay pride rally outside of Russian Embassy in Stockholm this morning http://pic.twitter.com/wELTFzCUaV via @claesnyberg #sthlmpride

Before it could be washed away, passersby took photos of the rainbow crosswalk to voice their support on Instagram and Twitter.

Rainbow crosswalk outside the #Russian Embassy in #Stockholm. #Equalrights for all

Snyggt övergångställe utanför #Ryska #Ambassaden

 "Neat crosswalk outside the Russian Embassy," reads the caption above, and below "Hey Russian Ambassador, what has anybody done to you?"




Hej ryska ambassaden vad fint någon gjort hos er ❤️




Civil olydnad får tumme upp. Övergångsstället utanför ryska ambassaden.

 "Thumbs up for Civil disobedience. Crosswalk outside Russian Embassy." reads the caption above. Below, "Outside the Russian embassy right now. Apparently they made this last night."


 
Utanför ryska ambassaden just nu. Applåderar de som gjorde detta inatt #hbtq #lgbt #pride #antigayolympics



 And while the rainbow crosswalk in Stockholm wasn't the first of its kind, it won't be the last either.

Australian LGBT protesters also took to sidewalks outside of the Russian embassy in Sydney this weekend with colourful chalk in a similar fashion.


A beautiful day for chalking! The @DIYrainbows crew outside the Russian Embassy in Woollahra today: http://pic.twitter.com/7Y9M3xh5cc


The #DIYRainbow movement spread beyond Sydney through much of Australia.


And a similar work was spotted in Utrecht, Holland, where this photo was taken, and later posted in response to a photo of the Swedish crosswalk on Street Art Utopia's Facebook page.
 
Cobuz Okhuijsen's Photos | Facebook



 Others are protesting Russia's law in more traditional ways at embassies in Chile...
 
Chile: Volunteers from LGBT-rights org. @IgualesChile decry Russian homophobia outside Russian embassy http://pic.twitter.com/1q7HZtn3Nj via @ahsoffia


Turkey...


Pride march attacked in Russia, sign in Istanbul at the Russian embassy: "Don't worry, homophobia can be cured." http://pic.twitter.com/EPu5u0eLqn



 Scotland...
 
Wee @LGBTScotland afternoon protest for LGBT equality at the Russian Embassy @alchemister @FireCrow69 http://pic.twitter.com/VM2F2Tmi7i

Israel...

"Berlin36 Moscow13" #TelAviv activists protest homophobia in front of Embassy of #Russia #LGBT 972mag.com/tel-aviv-activ… http://pic.twitter.com/QDUCm8OvaJ

And of course, in Canada, where permanent rainbow-coloured crosswalks were installed in downtown Vancouver's west end during the city's Pride Week celebrations earlier this summer.

Rainbow crosswalks show off Vancouver's pride

http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2013/08/activists-paint-rainbow-crosswalk-at-russian-embassy-in-sweden.html

Chile: Motel fined for discriminating against lesbian couple

in: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/12/08/chile-motel-fined-for-discriminating-against-lesbian-couple/

 

In the first ruling under a new anti-discrimination law, a Chilean judge has fined a motel for refusing entry to a same-sex couple, and ordered that it can’t refuse entry in future.

The motel was ordered to pay a $4000 (£2500) fine to the lesbian couple, and were ordered to never forbid anyone from renting a room at the establishment based on sexual orientation, reported the Associated Press.

The leading Chilean equal rights group, Movilh, called today’s ruling a victory. It had filed the lawsuit against the motel after new anti-discrimination legislation came into play back in July.

On 12 July, Chile’s president Sebastian Pinera signed anti-discrimination legislation into law. The move comes after the Neo-Nazi killing of a gay man, Daniel Zamudio, in March.

Mr Zamudio’s killing shocked Chile and sparked a national debate on hate crime. He suffered severe head injuries and his body was found in a city park with cigarette burns and swastikas carved in his skin.

Back in March, a gay judge won a custody case against the Chilean courts which had taken away her three daughters in 2004 believing her sexuality to put their development ‘at risk’.

A legal case is already underway to legalise equal marriage in Chile. Three Chilean couples have already begun a case to remove the ban on equal marriage there.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/12/08/chile-motel-fined-for-discriminating-against-lesbian-couple/

Chile aprova lei contra discriminação após morte de jovem gay

in: http://g1.globo.com/

A Câmara dos Deputados do Chile aprovou nesta quarta-feira (4) a maioria dos artigos de uma lei que pune a discriminação por orientação sexual ou religiosa, após a morte, na semana passada, de um jovem homossexual atacado por neonazistas.

A lei, que tramitava no Congresso desde 2005, foi votada após a morte de Daniel Zamudio, um homossexual de 24 anos que agonizou por três semanas após ser espancado por um grupo de neonazistas.

Duas meninas observam cartaz com foto de Daniel Samudio no portão do hospital em que ele morreu, em Santiago, após ataque de neonazistas que o deixou 25 dias em coma (Foto: Claudio Santana / AFP)

O texto assinala que "se entende por discriminação arbitrária toda distinção, exclusão ou restrição sem justificativa razoável efetuada por agentes do Estado ou particulares que cause privação, perturbação ou ameaça ao exercício legítimo dos direitos fundamentais".

A lei cita discriminação por "motivos de raça ou etnia, nacionalidade, situação socioeconômica, idioma, ideologia ou orientação política, religião ou credo, participação em organizações gremiais, sexo, orientação sexual, identidade de gênero, estado civil, idade, filiação, aparência pessoal e doença ou incapacidade".

A Constituição chilena consagra o princípio de igualdade, mas não estabelecia sanções específicas contra atos de discriminação.

http://g1.globo.com/

International Day Against Homophobia events announced

http://madikazemi.blogspot.com/

The Intentional Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) has announced more events to take place on or around May17.

Fighting so-called 'reparative' therapies, aiming at "curing" sexual and gender diversity, is emerging as a theme.

A coalition of groups from Latin America and the Caribbean has launched a campaign called "Cures that kill". First signatories include the Brazilian Federal Council of Psychology, Mariela Castro and the Mayor of Lima.

• Read the full appeal and sign the petition

In Peru a week long programme in Lima includes a national seminar on 'reparative' therapies.

In Italy, Catholics will hold a Vigil of Prayer for the victims of homophobia.

The Latin Americans are seeking support from the international community and the wider public.

The IDAHO Committee has an online "As I Am" campaign which aims to "celebrate our individualities and to honor the collective spirit that binds us all, connecting us to universal, inalienable and interconnected human rights that all people share". It has invited submissions of creative videos, artwork, or written statements "about respecting a person for ALL of who they are".

May 17, the 20 national editions of the free daily METRO, read by 17 million people, will be edited by Lady Gaga. There is a contest for Gaga assistants.

Turkish LGBT group KAOS GL will launch a regional network against homophobia, as part of the sixth international IDAHO conference in Ankara. They said:

"The Conference for Middle East and Balkan Countries’ Homosexuals was a dream when we declared our foundation 16 years ago and shaped our liberation perspective. Liberation and survival struggles of LGBT in our region has always been a constant consideration for Kaos GL, one of the first LGBT organisations in Turkey. The reflections of all ethnic, religious and cultural diversity seen in the Middle Eastern, Caucasus and Balkan countries exist in Turkey’s society. Kaos GL has strived for this diversity to represent and express itself in the LGBT movement since its foundation."

"Homophobia is institutionalised in civil society and the public area by blending racism and nationalism in the countries of this region, including Turkey. Institutionalised homophobia integrates into historical animosities between the countries of our region and increases existing alienation between peoples. It is the LGBT organisations and the regional network between these organisations that will have to resist homophobic and sexist reflections of racist and nationalist policies in our region."

In Rwanda, LGBT organisation HOCA will hold a large-scale media conference to increase awareness of the situation of sexual and gender minorities in the country.

The international photo project 'Walk with Pride' that documents gay pride parades around the globe will be shown simultaneously in more than 20 locations around the world, including at the European Parliament, and on the IDAHO Committee's website.

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission will release 'Courage Unfolds', a film highlighting the issues faced by LGBT people in Asia and encouraging the use of the Yogyakarta Principles as a tool to promote LGBT human rights, May 17.

The Courage Unfolds Campaign calls for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to be protected by law, respected by society, and accepted by family.

• Watch the trailer

In Russia, the second "Rainbow Flashmob" will happen, with Hamburg joining in again this year with other cities expected to follow suit.

In Israel, the IDAHO team will announce the winner of the 'academic papers regarding homophobia' contest, which has the support of Shimon Peres. In the city of Nethanya, 120 school counselors will participate in a seminar adressing homo/transphobic bullying in schools.

In Australia, a 'heroes in our communities' event will launch a year-long campaign calling upon government bodies to sign and ratify the joint statement of the 2011 Asia Pacific Outgames Human Rights Conference.

In Chile, a march will close a one-day program about public campaigning and political advocacy.

http://madikazemi.blogspot.com/