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

France: Subway shop limits Valentine’s Day offer to straight couples only

in: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/02/17/france-subway-franchise-limits-valentines-day-offer-to-straight-couples-only/




Images of the leaflet , which read 'for heterosexual couples' appeared online (Image: Twitter)

The owner of a Subway franchise in the French city of Angers has received heavy criticism for refusing to offer a Valentine’s Day special offer to gay couples.

Referring to current French legislation hoping to legalise equal marriage, but which has not yet become law, the owner defended his decision not to offer the sandwich deal to gay couples.

Earlier this week, the French “Marriage for All” bill was adopted 329 votes to 229, at the National Assembly. The bill will now go to France’s Sénat on 2 April. The bill is expected to pass at the Sénat, which houses a Socialist majority.

The shop’s owner said: ”Discrimination: No, the marriage for all law has advanced, but has yet to be ratified by the Senate. Until then, I’ll use my freedom of expression.”

Leaflets containing details of the offer stated specifically that only straight couples were eligible.

French newspaper, the Liberation, reported that Subway’s corporate offices had intervened following pictures of the offer being circulated widely using social media, and the Subway franchise was closed on Friday.

Subway France also apologised for the incident, and noted that management at each branch work independently, as the company operates as a franchise.

The company also took to its Facebook page on Saturday morning, following an influx of negative comments.

It wrote: “The SUBWAY brand is strongly committed to maintaining the values ​​of diversity and inclusiveness in its restaurants around the world and does not endorse in any discrimination of any kind.

“We apologize to all those people who felt offended by the individual promotional initiative for Valentine’s Day of a restaurant in Angers, France.”

A second Subway franchise in the city felt the effects of the controversy, as it received many negative comments. It was forced to close its Facebook page, and issued a press release registering that it had no association with the Subway which made the straight couples exclusive offer.

Polls show a majority of French voters support marriage equality, but it has divided the country’s left and right, with lawmakers from the conservative UMP denouncing the measure.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/02/17/france-subway-franchise-limits-valentines-day-offer-to-straight-couples-only/

France: Cartoon characters share gay kisses at equal marriage rally

in: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/01/28/france-cartoon-characters-share-gay-kisses-at-equal-marriage-rally/


The banner featuring the images was featured at an equal marriage rally in south west France (Image: Tumblr)

 

Famous cartoon characters were paired up in same-sex couples in a display as part of a rally for equal marriage in France.

Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck, Tintin and Captain Haddock, Asterix and Obelisk and Smurfette, and her un-named female friend, among others, were featured on a banner as part of demonstrations in support of equal marriage in Angouleme, southwestern France.

Cinabre, who posted images of the banners online, encouraged people to join the rally in the town, and explained where the images came from.

She wrote: “March for LGBT rights today in Angouleme, France… Angouleme is famous for the International Comics festival (FIBD), which starts in less than 2 weeks. So of course, here is the truck used in the march! In the background it’s (sic) the town hall.”

She goes on to say: “Notice the [wedding] rings on the hands of the characters.”

As many as a quarter of a million people gathered in the French cities of Paris and Lyon yesterday to support plans to introduce same-sex marriage equality.

Cinabre went on to say that she had a favourite out of the same-sex cartoon couples featured.

She wrote: “I think the best one is the one with the smurfette, because it mocks the fact that the smurfette is the only female in the smurfs world. She’s not alone anymore.”

On 7 November 2012, French President Francois Hollande’s government approved a bill to legalise equal marriage and allow gay couples to adopt.

When he approved the bill, the same day that three US states - Maine, Maryland and Washington - legalised equal marriage, President Hollande told his cabinet that it would mean “progress not only for individuals but for the whole of society”.

Polls show a majority of French voters support marriage equality, but it has divided the country’s left and right, with lawmakers from the conservative UMP denouncing the measure.

The President had previously conceded that the religious opponents of his equal marriage plans were proving to be “tough” to deal with.

In November, thousands of pro-equality demonstrators turned up to rally at the National Assembly in Paris, to show support for equal marriage and adoption rights for same-sex couples.

Last August, a Guernsey artist caused a storm of debate by displaying a collection of artwork showing popular Disney characters engaged in same-sex kisses.




http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/01/28/france-cartoon-characters-share-gay-kisses-at-equal-marriage-rally/

Gay friendly mosque to open in Paris, France

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/gay-friendly-mosque-open-paris-france211112

Europe's first inclusive mosque which will welcome LGBT people and women on an equal footing to open in Paris, France

 

The association of Gay Muslims in France (HM2F) announced it will open an inclusive and progressive mosque which will be open for gays and women on an equal footing.

The new mosque which will be open on 30 November will enable women and men to perform their prayers together in the same space, not separately as is customary in traditional mosques settings.

Speaking with the daily Hurriyet, Ludovic Lütfi Zahed founder of HM2F explained why there is a need for such an inclusive mosque: ‘In normal mosques, women have to sit in the back seats and wear a headscarf and gay men are afraid of both verbal and physical aggression’.

Zahed also stated that he became convinced that such a mosque is needed after he and a group of progressive Muslims from around the world went on a pilgrimage (Hajj) to Mecca earlier this year.

‘Over 20 Inclusive mosques already exist in the United States’, he said.

Zahed explained to GSN that many Muslims feel frustrated with the conservative and intolerant views expressed in mosques towards women, marriage issues, or homophobic abuse.

He added that: ‘Many Muslims simply and feel they can’t have an open dialogue let alone consulting the imam without fearing condemnation.

‘This is why such mosques, which have been already set up by Muslims for Progressive Values, are increasingly in demand in North America and why I believe this will be the case in France’.

On a more personal note, Zahed is originally from Algeria and was married earlier this year to Qiyaam in a Muslim marriage.

He recounted to Hurriyet: ‘When I was 12 years old, I started exploring Islam and performing prayers. At first, I was impressed by the Salafists in Algeria, afterwards I became distant from them because of the terrorist attacks they performed.

'After my first night with a man, I realised that I was gay. I have found out that I had been pushing down my feelings with the help of Islam.’

The mosque will initially operate in a Buddhist temple from 30 November and will hold Friday prayers (Jumu'ah) as well as bless same-sex marriages.

According to Zahed the mosque could accommodate 300 worshipers, while three imams are currently in training to support the official imam of HM2F.

Zahed is also convinced that the mosque will help to fight against homophobia in Islam and Islamophobia within the LGBT community in France.

HM2F has already over 320 members.

HM2F organized an international conference of progressive Muslims and LGBT Muslims from around the world this weekend in Paris.

During the conference Zahed stated that the mosque will be inspired by the work of Muslims for Progressive Values in North America.

The attendants at the conference expressed their support for the creation of the mosque and hope that many others will follow throughout the world.

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/gay-friendly-mosque-open-paris-france211112

Thousands protest in France against gay marriage bill

in: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/11/19/news/foreign/thousands-protest-in-france-against-gay-marriage-bill/

Tens of thousands of people have protested in France against plans to legalise same-sex marriage and allow gay couples to adopt.

Police said at least 70,000 took to the streets in Paris; there were other demonstrations in the cities of Lyon, Toulouse and Marseille.

They included Catholic groups and other backers of traditional family rights.

President Francois Hollande has promised to change French law so that gay and lesbian couples can marry.
Despite opposition from more than 1,000 mayors and the Catholic Church, his socialist government approved a bill on the issue earlier this month which will be debated by parliament in January.

France already allows civil unions between same-sex couples, but extending their rights was a campaign pledge of Hollande before he was elected in May.

PINK: Protesters in Paris wore pink T-shirts and scarves and carried pink balloons emblazoned with images of a man and woman holding two children’s hands.

“A child needs a father and a mother, he needs the paternal and the maternal side and with this bill that might not be possible any more,” said one protestor, Marthe Vignault. “That’s the way it is and we can’t go against nature.”

Saturday also saw counter-rallies in support of same-sex marriage.

The issue is one of the most divisive Mr Hollande has faced, correspondents say. The head of the French Council of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois, recently described gay marriage as “the ultimate deceit”.

At present only married couples - not civil union partners - can adopt in France.

A number of European nations, including Germany, Sweden and the UK, already allow gay adoption.

http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/11/19/news/foreign/thousands-protest-in-france-against-gay-marriage-bill/

Paris Gay Pride Celebrates Marriage Equality Announcement

in: http://www.gayapolis.com/



Always colourful and raucous, the annual Gay Pride parade in Paris on Saturday was further buoyed by the promise of France's new Socialist government to legalise gay marriage and adoption rights.

"This is a special parade because it is the first time we have a government, a president, a parliament who are in favour of progress," said Nicolas Gougain, spokesman for the the gay rights group Inter-LGBT.

Organisers were expecting record levels of attendance from the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual) community at the parade heading from Montparnasse to the iconic Place de la Bastille.

Full Story from AFP


http://www.gayapolis.com/

Milhares de homossexuais saem à rua contra a homofobia

http://www.tvi24.iol.pt/internacional/gay-homossexuais-homossexual-pride-parade-tvi24/1262668-4073.html

Em Berlim, o mote para a manifestação foi «Fairplay pela Diversidade» e diversidade foi o que não faltou

Milhares de pessoas saíram à rua, em Berlim, na Alemanha, para comemorar o Christopher Street Day. Vieram de vários pontos da Alemanha pedir mais tolerância. O mote do 33º Christopher Street Day foi «Fairplay pela Diversidade».

A iniciativa comemora a revolta dos homossexuais contra a violência policial, em 1969, em Nova Iorque. Coincidentemente, no dia em que se celebra o Christopher Street Day, este ano, o Estado de Nova Iorque aprovou o casamento civil entre pessoas do mesmo sexo.

Mas não foi só em Berlim que se pediu o fim da homofobia. Em Paris, na França, centenas de pessoas participaram na Gay Pride Parade, que tem lugar todos os anos. A manifestação de lésbicas, gays, bissexuais e transexuais é tida como uma oportunidade de ouro para alertar contra a discriminação e a violência contra os homossexuais.

As intenções foram as mesmas em Itália. Em Nápoles, centenas de pessoas pediram também mais tolerância.

http://www.tvi24.iol.pt/internacional/gay-homossexuais-homossexual-pride-parade-tvi24/1262668-4073.html

Milhares de pessoas participam do desfile do "orgulho gay" em Paris

http://noticias.terra.com.br/mundo/noticias/0,,OI5205962-EI294,00-Milhares+de+pessoas+participam+do+desfile+do+orgulho+gay+em+Paris.html

Dezenas de milhares de pessoas (mais de meio milhão, segundo os organizadores, e 36 mil, de acordo com a Polícia) participaram neste sábado em Paris de uma marcha para reivindicar "igualdade real" para homossexuais, lésbicas, bissexuais e transexuais, com a vista às eleições de 2012.

O desfile, que começou na praça de Montparnasse e terminou na da Bastilha, teve um forte caráter político, com cartazes com palavras de ordem como "pela igualdade, em 2011 me manifesto, em 2012 eu voto".

A passeata foi organizada, como todo ano, por um grupo de lésbicas, gays, bissexuais e transexuais (LGBT), que engloba 62 organizações, e reuniu 86 associações, que reivindicaram às autoridades um maior compromisso na defesa de seus direitos.

A manifestação aconteceu há apenas 11 dias após a maioria conservadora da Assembleia Nacional francesa ter rejeitado a proposta de lei apresentada pela oposição socialista para legalizar o casamento homossexual no país.

Embora a lei não tenha sido aprovada, por 293 votos contra frente a 222 a favor, a repercussão dos debates já deixou claro que o casamento homossexual será um dos temas de campanha para as eleições presidenciais francesas de 2012.

http://noticias.terra.com.br/mundo/noticias/0,,OI5205962-EI294,00-Milhares+de+pessoas+participam+do+desfile+do+orgulho+gay+em+Paris.html

Parlamento francês rejeita casamento entre homossexuais

http://www.publico.pt/Mundo/parlamento-frances-rejeita-casamento-entre-homossexuais_1498711

O Parlamento francês rejeitou nesta terça-feira, por 293 votos contra 222, uma proposta do Partido Socialista para permitir o casamento entre homossexuais.

A proposta foi debatida ao longo da semana passada e contou com uma forte oposição da direita, nomeadamente da União para um Movimento Popular (UMP) do Presidente Nicolas Sarkozy.

“Nós somos contra a homofobia, mas não pretendemos alterar no inconsciente colectivo a imagem e a função do casamento”, defendeu o deputado da UMP Michel Diefenbacher, para quem o casamento é “uma instituição” encarregue “da protecção dos mais fracos, a começar pela mulher”.

Um dos autores da proposta, o socialista Patrick Bloche, rejeitou as críticas ao texto e defendeu-o ao dizer que se trata “antes de mais, de acabar com uma discriminação” e sublinhar que apenas se está a tratar de casamento entre pessoas do mesmo sexo, e não de parentalidade.

Bloche já tinha sido um dos apoiantes do Pacto Civil de Solidariedade criado pelo antigo primeiro-ministro Lionel Jospin em 1999, e que prevê a realização de um contrato entre dois adultos, de sexo diferente ou do mesmo sexo, para organizar a sua vida em comum.

Ao defender a proposta reprovada sublinhou que sete Estados da Europa já aprovaram o casamento entre homossexuais (Portugal, Holanda, Bélgica, Espanha, Noruega, Islândia e Suécia), “tendo alguns uma cultura católica bastante marcada”.

O Partido Socialista francês manifestou o seu apoio ao casamento entre homossexuais e salientou que, caso chegue ao poder nas eleições do próximo ano, essa será uma das reformas prioritárias.

http://www.publico.pt/Mundo/parlamento-frances-rejeita-casamento-entre-homossexuais_1498711

3º Festival Internacional de Animação LGBT 2011

http://www.deoos.tv/2011/04/3-festival-internacional-de-animacao.html#more

Acontecerá nos dias 6 e 13 de maio o 3º Festival Internacional de Animação LGBT (Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais e Transgêneros). O festival reúne diversas animações com temas do universo gay.

Tales From The Powder Room - Curta que será exibido no evento

Idealizado por Alexander Mello e Leandro Morais, o evento será sediado no mesmo espaço das outras edições, no Cine Cultural Justiça Federal, no Rio de Janeiro.

A proposta dos organizadores não será apenas entreter o público, e sim mostrar também filmes de animação que divulguem a cultura e o estilo de vida dos gays de diversos países, mostrando o significado real deste universo com o objetivo de educar e derrubar tabus.

Nesta edição, o festival apresenta 45 filmes do mundo todo, sendo 23 títulos competindo na categoria curta-metragem, 12 episódios de animação para o Especial J.J. Sedelmaier e outras 10 para a Retrospectiva de 2010. Entre alguns países que exibirão suas obras será o Canadá, França, Japão, Polônia, Alemanha, Brasil, Reino Unido e outros.

O ESPECIAL J.J.SEDELMAIER traz 11 episódios dos super-heróis gays Ace e Gary de “Ambiguously Gay Duo” .O especial é uma parceria do festival com o estúdio de animação norte-americano J.J. Seldelmaier Studios

O Júri Popular será formado pelas pessoas presentes em cada sessão. O animador e designer Alan Nóbrega, e o professor e pesquisador Sérgio Motta compõem o Júri Técnico. Já o Júri do Festival é formado pelos diretores do evento, Alexander Mello e Leandro Morais. Infelizmente o evento não tem apoio para realização em São Paulo.

Vamos aguardar para que nas próximas edições isso venha a acontecer. Afinal, diante de tantas barbaridades que estão acontecendo na cidade de São Paulo em relação ao preconceito, essa ação do festival seria uma grande iniciativa pacífica em mostrar que todas as pessoas poderão ser felizes, sem precisar lutar por algo que deveria ser de direito. Direito de poder ser quem é.

Veja a vinheta oficial do evento

http://www.deoos.tv/2011/04/3-festival-internacional-de-animacao.html#more

Casal homossexual franco-português casado em Montpellier

in: Diário Digital

A união de um casal franco-português foi hoje simbolicamente celebrada em Montpellier pela presidente da câmara municipal desta cidade.

O português Tito Lívio Mota e o francês Florent Robin foram simbolicamente casados numa cerimónia realizada com a presidente câmara de Montpellier, Hélène Mandroux.

A autarca aceitou celebrar o casamento depois de o consulado-geral de Portugal em Marselha adiar 'sine die' a cerimónia que estava prevista para o final de janeiro.

Diário Digital / Lusa