THEGAYUK

Tag: Politics

The latest news, interviews, and views from the world of LGBT politics in the UK and internationally.

  • Gay Marriage Could Still Be Halted In Slovenia

    Slovenia’s Parliament voted yesterday to legalise same-sex marriages and grant such unions equal rights to those of heterosexual couples, which means it also enables same-sex couples to adopt children too.

    The bill was approved by a vote of 51 to 28 in the 90-seat Parliament.

    During the session, some 2,000 people gathered in front of parliament to protest against the bill and announce they will launch a petition for a referendum to prevent it from entering into force. According to Slovenia’s legislation, a referendum on the implementation of a bill can be called if 40,000 citizens with their signatures back such a vote.

  • First Former Communist Country, Slovenia To Make Gay Marriage A Reality

    Slovenia has become the first post-Communist country to announce the legalisation of same-sex marriages in time for the second annual Pink Week 2015 celebration in May.

    Two million more people in Europe will be living with marriage equality as the Slovene government announces the introduction of same-sex marriage in time for PinkWeek 2015.

    On Tuesday the 3rd of March the Slovenian parliament voted to legalise same-sex marriages. This makes Slovenia the first of any former Yugoslavian/Balkan country to pass such a law.

    In the past two years, Slovenia has become increasingly recognised as one of Europe’ s most LGBT-friendly locations, not least due to the establishing of special LGBT tours and the country’s annual Pink Week.
    Designed specifically for the global LGBT community and their open-minded friends, Pink Week encompasses an exclusive full-spectrum getaway experience that allows participants to discover Slovenia’s hidden gems and culinary delights in a single three-night break.

    Matej & Mattej founders co-creator of Slovenia’s Pink Week, said, “We are absolutely delighted that Slovenia has become the first post-Communist country to legalise same-sex marriage. It is yet more proof that this beautiful country is now one of Europe’s top destinations for LGBT travellers.”

    As it stands in March 2015 LGBTs in Slovenia celebrate the following rights:

    ◉ Same-sex sexual activity legal (since 1977)
    ◉ Equal age of consent (since 1977)
    ◉ Anti-discrimination laws in employment only (since 1998)
    ◉ Anti-discrimination laws in the provision of goods and services (since 1998)
    ◉ Anti-discrimination laws in all other areas (incl. indirect discrimination, hate speech) (since 1998)
    ◉ Same-sex marriages (since 2015)
    ◉ Recognition of same-sex couples (since 2006)
    ◉ Step-child adoption by same-sex couples (since 2011)
    ◉ Joint adoption by same-sex couples (since 2015)
    ◉ Gays and lesbians allowed to serve openly in the military
    ◉ Right to change legal gender
    ◉ MSMs NOT allowed to donate blood
    ◉ Access to IVF for lesbians
    ◉ NO Commercial surrogacy for gay male couples (banned for heterosexual couples as well)

  • LGBT Equality Is The Defining Civil Rights Struggle Of Our Time

    These are words of the remarkable outgoing US Attorney General Eric Holder who persuaded President Barak Obama to get on board and support same-sex marriage. In an op-ed piece in USA Today the Attorney General writes about the issue that the US Supreme Court will revisit this year.

    “This week, the Justice Department will file a brief setting forth our position that state bans on same-sex marriage violate the fundamental constitutional guarantee of “equal protection of the laws.” It is clear that the time has come to recognise that gay and lesbian people deserve robust protection from discrimination.

    Nothing justifies excluding same-sex couples from the institution of marriage. Denying them the right to marry serves only to demean them and their children, to degrade the dignity of their families and to deny them the full, free and equal participation in American life to which every citizen is entitled.Marriage bans inflict concrete harms that touch nearly every aspect of daily life for gay and lesbian couples. The bans intersect with issues as varied as workers’ compensation, taxation and inheritance, posing challenges to basic financial security. Same-sex couples living in states with bans too often face obstacles to adopting and raising children together. And restrictions on medical decision-making and hospital visitation impose devastating burdens during the moments when a partner is needed most.

    The mental and emotional injuries are just as acute. A marriage ban written into state law broadcasts the state’s view that same-sex couples and their children are second-class families, undeserving of the rights and protections offered to opposite-sex couples. It creates a stigma that pervades society, encouraging individuals to harass or belittle even their loved ones because of pressures brought by their community. And it harms relationships between family members by perpetuating a destructive notion that some individuals — and some children — should be shown less love and support simply because of who they are. That is a view the Department of Justice flatly rejects. And with our brief, we will make clear that the United States stands firmly on the side of equality.’

  • First Ever Envoy For Gay Rights

    United States Secretary of State John Kerry today announced his Department’s first ever Envoy for gay rights.

    Randy Berry is tasked with helping countries coordinate US strategy on rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, as well as to highlight such issues around the world.

    At the announcement, Secretary Kerry said, “I’d just say loudly and clearly: no matter who you are and no matter who you love, we stand with you. That’s more than a message, that is a movement that we can ignite and with our work together we will see this movement succeed.”

    Mr Berry, standing with his husband and two children, decried the violation of LGBT rights worldwide. “This love still stands ground for imprisonment, harassment, torture and far worse in too many places around the world. That is a violation of human rights,” he said.

  • Labour vows: No More Homophobia. Ever

    With under 100 days till the general election, Labour have outlined plans to end Homophobia and anti-gay bullying in schools across the country.

    Labour will today publish its plan to eradicate homophobic bullying in every classroom, playground and dinner hall. The plan has the backing of Stonewall, campaigner and actor, Charlie Condou as well as other leading rights campaigners.

    Tristram Hunt MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, will announce the plan at Little Ilford School in London. Under the plan, Labour will:

    – Ensure that all new teachers are trained to tackle homophobic bullying;
    – Provide support for those teachers already in the system to receive training to tackle homophobic bullying;
    – Make age appropriate sex and relationships education compulsory in all schools;
    – Promote mental health services for young people living with the consequences of homophobic bullying;
    – Provide a national best practice ‘toolkit’ to equip schools with the resources to tackle HBT bullying.

    The announcement follows a Taskforce set up by Mr Hunt to consult and make recommendations on new measures to tackle homophobic bullying in schools and beyond. Mr Hunt will make the announcement on a visit to Little Ilford School at the beginning of LGBT History Month.

    Mr Hunt will say that schools have a duty to show a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to homophobic bullying:

    “The presence of homophobic bullying in our classrooms, playgrounds and dinner halls is deeply troubling, and it is very real. The use of homophobic language and other forms of homophobic bullying is damaging the life chances of so many young people. It has a daily effect that limits learning, and causes people long term damage. There is no place for it in our society – and never should it be ignored in our schools. Schools have a duty to show a zero tolerance approach to the use of homophobic language and bullying.”

    Mr Hunt will say that only by introducing new measures, will we rid the shadow of Section 28 that has been cast over our schools,

    “The legacy of Section 28 – a most pernicious piece of legislation – casts a shadow over our education system, both for those that are new to the schools workforce and for those who worked in schools whilst it was in operation. That is why repealing Section 28 alone, is not enough. We need new training for new and long-standing teachers, and others in the school workforce. Strategies for education, dealing with both prevention and resolution. And we need to act urgently to prevent the plight of homophobic bullying that is damaging the lives and life chances of thousands of pupils.”

    Charlie Condou, actor and campaigner, welcomes the announcement,

    “As a gay man, and as a parent, the tackling of homophobic bullying is obviously something that’s extremely important to me. School is where I want my kids to feel safe, to be nurtured and cared for when I’m not there. We’ve made so many advances for LGBT people over the last few years, but I truly believe that prejudice is learned behaviour and therefore we need to address LGBT issues at an early age. The word gay is still used as an insult in playgrounds across the country and the amount of young people still taking their own lives for being seen as different is quite distressing. I’m so glad that tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying will be a priority for the next Labour government, as always, leaders in the struggle for LGBT equality”

    Stonewall, a charity that works on a cross-party basis, welcomes the announcement. Hannah Kibirige, Senior Education Officer at Stonewall, said,

    “Homophobic bullying and language are endemic in Britain’s schools, with a devastating impact on young people’s health, wellbeing and attainment. Through our work with more than 12,000 schools across the country, we know that teacher training is vital to tackling the problem. We have seen progress under this and the previous Government, but more still needs to be done. We welcome this commitment and will be calling on future governments to ensure that every teacher is equipped to tackle homophobic bullying and that every young person can reach their full potential.”

    The scale of the plight of homophobic bullying has been revealed in figures from Stonewall (published here today) that show of the current estimated 215,000 lesbian, gay and bisexual pupils in schools:

    · 52,000 will miss school in response to homophobic bullying;
    · 37,000 will change their future educational plans because of homophobic bullying;
    · The school work of 70,000 will suffer because of homophobic bullying.

    The figures show that whilst some schools, like Little Ilford School, are tackling with homophobic bullying, for thousands of other young people, the discrimination that they face is not being dealt with effectively.

  • When The Good News Is Followed By Bad News

    Today Alabama become the latest US State to allow same-sex marriage after US District Judge Ginny Granade ruled that the Alabama Marriage Protection Act and the amendment that later enshrined it in the state constitution both were unconstitutional.

    However just as we start the celebrations HRC the major gay rights organisation reminded us that whilst we now have the freedom to marry in some 37 States, it still doesn’t stop the fact that in 15 of them, gay people can be can still be fired from their job just because of their sexual orientation.

    The 15 States in question have no laws that specifically prohibit employment or housing discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, so the words ‘I Do’ can, and often are, followed by ‘You’re Fired’

  • UK Government Committed To Ending Domestic Violent Crime

    The government is keen to end domestic violence (DV), says a spokesperson for the Home Office, as the future of Broken Rainbow, the UK’s largest DV charity for LGBTs, hangs in the balance.

    Speaking to THEGAYUK Wendy Wilde, the Service Delivery Manager for Broken Rainbow said, “For our funding not to be renewed or replaced will result in the helpline being closed down.

    “We’ve supported over five thousand people this year and if we were to close there are very few other services for them to go to and not one that offers national support in the way we do.”

    When pushed for comment the Home Office issued a statement saying, “Domestic violence and abuse is an appalling crime that this government is committed to ending.

    “The government recognises the important role that the Broken Rainbow helpline plays in supporting LGBT victims of domestic violence and abuse, which is why we have provided the helpline with funding of £120,000 in the last financial year.

    “Decisions on ongoing funding for 2015/16 are being carefully considered and will be announced shortly.”

    In May last year it emerged that members of the LGBT community are more than twice as likely to have
    experienced domestic abuse in the past year compared to those in heterosexual relationships, and almost half of victims say that they didn’t know where to turn for support. When questioned, 45 per cent of LGBT respondents from the 2013 ROAR study on domestic violence and abuse said that they didn’t seek help for fear that they wouldn’t be taken seriously.

    Baroness Barker who came out in 2013 said, “Broken Rainbow has a great record of helping the most vulnerable members of our community to escape and avoid domestic violence. The value of Broken Rainbow’s work is immense, not least the amount of harm which it prevents. Fundraising for such a difficult subject is tough, but I hope that resources can be found to keep this uniquely effective service going.”

    If you are affected by the issues raised in this article please phone Broken Rainbow on: 0300 999 5428 or visit their website http://www.brokenrainbow.org.uk

  • MP CAROLINE LUCAS: Closing Gay Domestic Violence Helpline Would Be Perverse

    Speaking out against the potential closure of the UK’s Domestic Violence charity for LGBT people, Broken Rainbow, MP Caroline Lucas said it would be “perverse”.

    Leading Domestic Abuse charity for the LGBT Charity Broken Rainbow has announced that it could face closure after the Home Office failed to provide evidence that it would fund the charity for another year.

    The news comes as a raft of other mainline LGBT charities and services face devastating cuts, including Terrence Higgins Trust, GMFA and the London And Lesbian Gay Switchboard.

    Speaking out about the current funding crisis, Caroline Lucas MP told THEGAYUK, “If Broken Rainbow is forced to close its services as a result of Government cuts, it will mean the loss of a unique service which has made a real difference to the lives of tens of thousands of people. To see it close just at the time when its services are under greatest demand would be perverse and counterproductive, putting more people at risk, and undermining the excellent work it has done to date. I urge the Government to think again.”

    Speaking to THEGAYUK Wendy Wilde, the Service Delivery Manager for Broken Rainbow said, “For our funding not to be renewed or replaced will result in the helpline being closed down.

    “We’ve supported over five thousand people this year and if we were to close there are very few other services for them to go to and not one that offers national support in the way we do.”

    A Home Office spokesperson said, “Domestic violence and abuse is an appalling crime that this government is committed to ending.
    “The government recognises the important role that the Broken Rainbow helpline plays in supporting LGBT victims of domestic violence and abuse, which is why we have provided the helpline with funding of £120,000 in the last financial year.
    “Decisions on ongoing funding for 2015/16 are being carefully considered and will be announced shortly.”

    If you want to know more about Broken Rainbow you can visit their website www.brokenrainbow.org.uk Broken Rainbow depends on donations and goodwill of its supporters.

    Donations can be made via their website and even the smallest amount can make a difference to someone whose life is at risk.

  • SEVENTY PERCENT Of Gay Americans Live With Marriage Equality

    A Federal Judge on Monday declared South Dakota’s same-sex marriage ban ‘unconstitutional’ paving the way for this to become the 37th US State that will allow gay marriage.

    Or will it make it the 38th? With so many Court rulings popping up almost weekly these days it’s hard to keep track of the actual number of States where same-sex marriage is legal. With the US Supreme Court so far still refusing to step in again to re-visit the whole federal Constitutional Issue, it has been left to each of the 50 States to resolve the matter for themselves. Many of them, like Florida the nation’s 3rd most populated State, put up a fierce and often dirty fight by Officials and its Far Right ‘Christian’ Supporters, but to no avail in the end.

    It is estimated that 70% of gay people in the US now live in States where same-sex marriage is illegal, and it is no longer a question of IF they remaining 13 (or 14?) States will catch up, but just a matter of when. However, these last few are the country’s most conservative/republican ones and getting their laws changed will not be easy.

    The USA is hoping to beat its neighbour Mexico to become the 20th Country in the world where same-sex marriage is totally legal.

    The first 19 are Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Argentina, Denmark, France, Brazil, Uruguay, New Zealand, Britain, Luxembourg and Finland)

  • Trans Drivers Blamed For Russian Road Accident Hike

    Officials in Russia are planning to ban transgender and transsexual drivers from owning or qualifying for a driving license, in a move to lower Russia’s death rate on the road.

    In a truly bizarre move, Russian officials have made an announcement that they are to tighten restrictions on who can apply or qualify for a driver’s license. Those who are likely to be banned are those they claim have ‘metal disorders’ which the government has listed transsexual and transgender men and women. Also banned will be those with gambling addictions and those who compulsively steal.

    Also listed as disorders, those with Fetishism, exhibitionism and voyeurism. The move has been made because the government is worried about too many road accidents. The decree was signed on the 29th December by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

    Human Rights lawyers and activists have decried the move, but the Professional Drivers Union has supported the move. Alexander Kotov, the union’s leader told the BBC, “We have too many deaths on the road, and I believe toughening medical requirements for applicants is fully justified,”

    He did say that the requirements should not be so strict for non-professional drivers.

    According to available statistics, in 2012, 28,000 road fatalities were recorded in Russia, around 55 per 100,000 vehicles. The USA reported 36,166 in the same period, 13.5 per 100,000 whilst the UK reported 2,175 deaths, 6.2 per 100,000 vehicles.

    In countries where homosexuality is illegal such as Zimbabwe, Yemen and Uganda, death rates are 212, 587.6, and 1518.1 per 100,000 vehicles respectively.

    The move is an extension of Russia’s already restrictive campaign against LGBT people. In 2013 the Russia government infamously enacted the anti-gay law, which forbids the promotion of homosexuality to anyone under the age of 18.

  • UKIP Parliamentary Candidate In Homophobic Recorded Rant

    The Mail On Sunday has released a recording of Kerry Smith, a senior UKIP member, making seriously offensive remarks about gay, lesbian, bi and trans people.

    Kerry Smith, a UKIP parliamentary candidate has been caught in a recording calling gay men “Poofers” and a likening the LGBT acronym to a BLT sandwich, “with a Q on the end.” Smith is the party’s PPC in South Basildon and East Thurrock. The recordings of his phone calls have been released by The Mail On Sunday.

    In the recordings, he also is heard to refer to a Chinese woman as ‘ a Chinky’.

    At one point in the recording, he is heard talking about former UKIP Youth chairman, Olly Neville saying,

    “Olly Neville – the sun shines out of his rear end. He’s now setting up BLT UKIP on Facebook.

    “What the old poofter groups call themselves. I just call it a BLT like the sandwiches. It’s them letters BLT with a Q on the end, bacon, lettuce and tomato.

    “It’s got our logo done with a rainbow. F**king loopy. That’s been approved by the NEC. That’s f**king disgusting.”

    Olly Neville came under fire by the party’s leadership in 2013, when he said he endorsed same-sex marriages. Mr Neville claimed UKIP was “on the wrong side of history” on gay marriage and proceeded to publicise on Twitter emails that were to sent him by party leaders.

    A statement released by UKIP on behalf of Smith said:

    “I wish to issue a wholehearted and unreserved apology to those who I have offended within the party and anyone else.

    “With regards to the leadership and management of the party I was completely wrong and my comments were fuelled by frustrations.

    “At the time of this recording, I was considering my resignation due to major management changes which I have since discovered I completely misread and misunderstood.

    “For the record, I was also on a strong morphine-based prescription medication for a back injury.”

    Nigel Farage, leader of UKIP has refused to sack Smith over the phone calls, while the MoS claims that a “well-placed” UKIP insider said:

    “Kerry wants to make a full apology and is hoping it all blows over.”

    TheGayUK approached UKIP’s LGBT society for comment.