Irish LGBT group launches PSA against homophobic bullying
Irish organization BeLonG To Youth Services just launched an anti-homophobic bullying advertisement as part of their annual “Stand Up!” LGBT Awareness Week. The campaign promotes standing up against homophobic bullying, positive awareness of LGBT people and their supportive families and friends.
For more information on the campaign, visit belongto.org/campaign.aspx
(via Rinsaikeru)
Pope visits Spain, greeted by gay kissing flash mob
The Pope visited Barcelona, Spain on Sunday, and was greeted by gay kissing flash mob. Participants were protesting the Pope’s condemnation of gay marriage laws in Spain.
The flash mob, which was organized on Facebook, attracted around 200 participants, according to the New York Times.
“Many gay Spaniards don’t see why they should pay for the Pope’s visits, only to have their way of life criticized”
During the Pope’s homily on Sunday, he defended traditional families and denounced Spanish laws allowing gay marriage.
The protest gained more media attention last week, when Facebook shut down the event’s page, but was later reinstated. A Facebook official stated that the event was created by a fake account, which violates Facebook’s policies.
Gay marriage has been legal in Spain since 2005. A 2007 Pew Research study showed that 82% of Spain supported homosexuality and 9% did not (9% were unsure).
WATCH: Katy Perry’s new “Firework” video, dedicated to the “It Gets Better” Project
Katy Perry just released a music video for her song “Firework,” which she dedicated to the It Gets Better Project.
On October 28, she posted on her Twitter account:
I am officially dedicating my new video to #itgetsbetter, because everyone has the spark to be a FIREWORK.
Dave Meyers, the director of the video, wanted it to be “100% real,” so they moved away from the Hollywood feel and found real people rather than actors.
“Finding two gay guys in Budapest was a challenge, because it’s not as accepted there as it is in West Hollywood. I found an actual, real couple.” Meyers said in an interview with MTV.
Recently, Pink told indemand.fm that her "Raise Your Glass" video will celebrate gay rights by featuring a gay wedding.
Gay couple save life of homophobe who abused them for three years
A married gay couple in Birmingham, England saved their homophobic neighbor in a house fire, after years of verbal abuse.
Bryn and James Tudor experienced years of verbal abuse from their neighbor, Baljit Koonar, according to Sunday Mercury. Even after Baljit Koonar was forced to sign a “Good Neighbour Agreement” in 2008, the abuse continued.
Last week, Koonar received a 18-month supervision order and was forced to pay the couple £150 as compensation.
Just a few weeks before that, Koonar and his family were trapped in a deadly fire.
“I was sleeping when something woke me up at around 5am. I could taste smoke in the back of my mouth,“ James explains.
“I couldn’t see anything out of the front window, but when I went to the back there was smoke billowing out of next door and the family were on the roof.”
Koonar, his wife, their two children, and the children’s grandmother were stranded on the roof.
After rushing to get a ladder, the couple helped the family down to safety and brought them into his home. They offered them water and and chocolate to calm them.
“Our thoughts weren’t about him. We wanted to get the kids down as soon as we could. You don’t think about anything that person has done, it’s just about the value of human life.“
James hopes that they can now be "proper neighbours,” if not, friends.
(Photo: Todd Klassy)
Funny Renault commercial: “We live in modern times”
French automaker Renault ran commercials that promoted “living in modern times.” They hit YouTube earlier this year, and this particular one promotes accepting alternative lifestyles.
A few months ago, McDonald’s France released a gay ad campaign. Earlier this year, France de-listed transgenderism as a mental illness.
Update: Some people have pointed out that it is unclear what the son says in the ad. He says “Can you get us in?”
French public opinion on homosexuality
According to PEW Research’s Global Attitudes Project (2007), 83% of the French public believe that “homosexuality should be accepted by society.” This percentage is one of the highest among countries surveyed. This month, a Crédoc survey (July, 2010) showed that 61% of respondents support gay marriage while 41% support same-sex adoption. Over the past 3 years, these statistics have increased 6% and 8%, respectively.
Irish Parliament approves ‘gay marriage’ bill
The Dail in the Irish Republic has passed a bill recognizing civil partnerships between same-sex couples, reports BBC News.
The bill was opposed by Catholic bishops and a protest was held outside.
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said it was “one of the most important human rights pieces of legislation the House had dealt with”.
It is expected to become law in the autumn, 17 years after homosexuality was fully decriminalised in the Irish Republic.
British rugby club fined £40,000 for homophobic chants by fans
Castleford Rugby Club have been fined £40,000 by the Rugby Football League after fans aimed homophobic abuse at Crusaders winger Gareth Thomas, reports BBC News.
Thomas, 35, announced in December 2009 that he was gay.
“The RFL finds homosexual abuse unacceptable, which is reflected in the size of the fine,” RFL spokesman John Ledger told BBC Sport.
Castleford chief executive Richard Wright said he was “shocked” by the decision, adding the club will appeal.
Lesbian teacher wins £15000 in discrimination case
A special needs teacher in Ireland who claimed she was discriminated against for being a lesbian was given a £15,000 payout, reports The Belfast Telegraph.
Jill Young, 37, began working at the Dundonald school in September 2003. She blamed the principal for bullying and harassment and accused him of suggesting she should leave. She left after three years.
The South Eastern Education and Library Board agreed to pay the money without admitting liability.
Lesbian activist named in Queen’s honours list
A leading gay campaigner has been included in the Queen’s birthday honours list, this month, reports The Pink Paper.
International Pride activist Clare Dimyon is to awarded an MBE - a Member of the British Empire - for promoting the rights of lesbian and gay people in central and eastern Europe.
Dimyon made history in 2008 by persuading British embassies across Europe to fly the rainbow flag in order to raise awareness in former soviet republic countries that do not have gay rights enshrined in their law.
She later embarked on a 10,000-mile Pride solidarity Tour of central and eastern Europe, “Pride-hopping” her way around cities.
Dimyon, 45, now hopes her MBE will help draw more attention to the gay communities of central and eastern Europe.
Iceland passes gay marriage law in unanimous vote (49-0)
In a unanimous vote, Iceland passed a law on Friday allowing same-sex couples to marry. In 2009, Iceland became the first country to elect an openly gay head of state.
fuckyeahlgbt reports:
Great news coming out of Iceland this month, as it became the ninth country in the world to offer full marriage equality to all its citizens! The parliamentary vote passed unanimously, 49 to 0, making Iceland join the ranks of Canada, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and Sweden in legalizing same-sex marriage.
This is fantastic news, although I’m a little surprised it didn’t happen earlier. I mean, what with Björk and all.
Iceland also made international news in 2009 after electing Johanna Sigurdardottir, the world’s first gay leader.
(Image: Slap Upside The Head)
