Cartoon credit: Dave Grunland
Found this nifty cartoon slideshow that you might be interested in.
Global
30
Jun 11
BRAZIL’S FIRST GAY MARRIAGE APPROVED
A Brazilian state (in Sao Paulo) Monday approved what the court said is the nation’s first gay marriage.
THIS IS HUGE … If it stands the global population of people with access to equality will nearly double overnight. Brazil’s 200m people make it a world power that is going from strength to strength. What an example to set!
This comes out of nowhere as far as I can tell … Will be interesting to see if the Brazilia Government is grateful to have the issue “off their hands” or whether we will now see Prop 8 style court appeals for the next decade over whether this stands as a national precedent.
19
Feb 11
FACEBOOK GETS GAY-FRIENDLIER
Good news I guess – Facebook now lets you list yourself as being in a ‘civil union’ or a ‘domestic partnership.’ But it really does beg two questions: why would anyone would actively seek to embrace the phrases? and why did it take so long?
Maybe I am just a whinger, but if I was in a gay couple in a civil union, I’d just list myself as married. Maybe straights would benefit from the new choice, but that’s not really the greater injustice of the two. And if you’re gay and insist on listing yourself as being in a ‘registered partnership’ then I wouldn’t want to be your friend on Facebook anyway! It’s like walking around with a ‘second-class’ sign on your back. You get a registered partnership to protect some rights, not to be proud.
And given that Facebook is meant to be a new-fangled no red-tape, just connecting the kids sort of place (co-founded by a really prominent gay guy who wants to get married – Chris Hughes – it’s surprising that it took this long. That’s doesn’t mean it’s not welcome, but I certainly won’t be leading a chain of applause for something so obvious.
14
Feb 11
BRILLIANT TWINS’ VIDEO FROM AUSTRALIA
A massive round of applause is due to Australian Marriage Equality and GetUp for finding this pair of brothers and producing such an obvious and moving story. Can’t fail to have an impact.
Donate if you want to get it onto more TV screens in Australia! Click here to write now to MPs.
13
Feb 11
The Stupendous Compendium of Anti Gay Marriage Arguments (and why they’re wrong)
From Rick, the guy behind the Ambiguity Report blog and the very funny tweets @SquigglyRick
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There has been a lot of talk about this gay marriage business bringing about the end of the world. Something about The Gays unhinging their collective maws and swallowing villages whole. It’s a compelling argument if you’ve ever been to Mardi Gras and mistaken it for the world’s most fabulous army invading the streets. We’re here, we’re queer and we’re annexing your collection of interior design manuals. However, contrary to popular belief, The Gays aren’t trying to take over the streets. Urban gentrification is about as militant as we get, believe me.
So to help those who feel like they need to keep peddling the marriage-go-round of mistruths, I have compiled this Stupendous Compendium of Anti Gay Marriage Arguments (and why they’re wrong).
You’re welcome.
It’s about religion.
No, it isn’t. Going to church is about religion. Loving thy neighbour is about religion. Marriage is a secular contract presided over by Government. Like taxes. Atheists get married. Religious people get married. Some churches won’t marry inter-racial couples, or previously divorced couples. They’re welcome to. That’s their right. But that doesn’t preclude these people from marriage altogether. Because it’s secular.
Legalising gay marriage only affects a small number of people, why bother?
There are two flaws with this. If we’d followed this logic then we would have had no black civil rights movement. And asking ‘why bother’ about a human rights imbalance is a little like ignoring the service station when your car is on fire and your face is melting. Tis merely a flesh wound, come back and I’ll bite your knee caps off! The ‘only them’ argument has consistently been shown, throughout history, to be reprehensible. We cannot afford to stand by while ‘only them’ becomes a chorus of our own inability to act. One day, and this is the lesson we still haven’t learned, ‘only them’ could become ‘only you’. It’s a lonely outpost. Would they care to make the same argument about disability funding? Continue reading →
2
Feb 11
OFF WITH THE PHAROAHS … BEING GAY IN EGYPT
Very interesting article by a British student here about what it is like to be gay in Egypt today. OK, so strictly this is not about gay marriage, but it also shows the potential gains marriage rights would bring not only to traditional front lines in the gay rights fight, but also to people in the most diverse and difficult positions.
Full article here if you prefer not to scroll down a long way. And here is a truly mind bending story from Queerty about the Muslim ‘gay rights’ supporter who believes in the death penalty for those who don’t change their ways.
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In Egypt, laws on public morality are severe – homosexuality is seldom openly acknowledged. Whilst being gay is not technically illegal it is unacceptable in Egypt, it is frowned upon socially, culturally, religiously and politically. Gay people are vilified by the press and the public, Al Balagh Al Gadid, an independent weekly newspaper, was banned after accusing actors of homosexuality.
The personal struggle of many young gay Egyptians is constant- they must deny who they are to survive. Yet despite hostility, there are many Egyptians out there hoping that society will change its strict laws and accept them for who they are.
“Mohammed” is a good-looking man in his early twenties with a successful career and a very open mind. I met him for the first time in a quiet little coffee shop in central Cairo. In perfect English he tells me that he hides a secret most of the time: he is gay. Continue reading →
13
Jan 11
WE’RE FEATURED IN THIS MONTH’S COSMO
For all of you who aren’t subscriber’s to Cosmo (Cosmopolitan) magazine – I have a little treat for you: me.
In this month’s Australian edition there is a great story (I would say that) looking at how the Australian marriage equality campaign is developing. It’s wonderful to see these issues reaching young readers.
All our global readers can check the story out here. If you’re from Australia try to buy a copy of the magazine to support the cause, or read more about the magazine on their website (which unfortunately does not print the story)
14
Dec 10
THE BEST ARGUMENT AGAINST GAY MARRIAGE …
… And why it fails.
This is a great article by Kenji Yoshini, a New York University (NYU) professor who wrote an amazing book called “Covering” a few years back. My boyfriend studied under him at NYU and raves about him, and I have to admit the book was such a sophisticated take on how gays float between being out and not, that I crave anything he now publishes.
Enjoy!
9
Dec 10
WILL YOU GO ALL OUT TOO?
This is going to be HUGE!
Like this blog on a scale of one million to one.
We all need to work together and to help each other. None of us is really free, and can sleep with a totally clean conscience until all of us is free.
I am very excited for old friend Jeremy Heimans and the wonderful team from Purpose that are building this global movement
29
Nov 10
DOUBLE YOUR DONATION IMPACT!
Sean Eldridge (left) and Chris Hughes want your money ... so they can double it!
This is a great campaign put together by Freedom To Marry. Sean Eldridge and Chris Hughes have agreed to double every donation made to Freedom to Marry for the rest of this year. Sean is Freedom to Marry’s Political Director and Chris, his partner of five years, is one of the co-founders of Facebook, and now the founder of Jumo.
Because of their generosity, for every $25 you give, Freedom to Marry will get $50. For every $50 you can give, Freedom to Marry will get $100.
Gay people can now marry in 12 countries on four continents – let’s do even better. It is your donation to Freedom to Marry or your local Marriage Equality group (which I am very happy to feature on here if you let me know the details), that will determine the pace of progress towards true and universal equality. Join these guys in the catalogue of heroes that are helping to create change.
