Tsvangirai changes view on gay rights

Zimbabwe’s beleaguered gays got a boost from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai who reversed his position and voiced his support for gay rights. Gay rights should be enshrined in a new constitution for Zimbabwe, said Tsvangirai, in an interview with the BBC. He said that gay rights are a “human right” that conservative Zimbabweans should respect. Last year, Tsvangirai joined President Robert Mugabe in opposing homosexuality. But in the new interview he staked out an opposing position.

Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change has been in a controversial power sharing government with Mugabe’s ruling Zanu-PF party. The two leaders have promised political reforms ahead of next year’s elections. Zimbabwe is in the process of drafting a new constitution, which will be put to a referendum ahead of the elections.

 Homosexual acts are currently illegal in Zimbabwe, as in most African countries where many people view homosexuality as un-Christian and un-African. Mr Tsvangirai said there is a “very strong cultural feeling” against homosexuality in Zimbabwe, but he would defend gay rights if he became president. “It’s a very controversial subject in my part of the world. My attitude is that I hope the constitution will come out with freedom of sexual orientation, for as long as it does not interfere with anybody,” said Tsvangirai. “To me, it’s a human right,” he said. Zimbabwe’s long-time leader Robert Mugabe — a practising Catholic — once said gays were “worse than pigs and dogs,” sparking international condemnation.


 In March 2010, Tsvangirai said gay rights was not up for discussion in Zimbabwe. ”I totally agree with the president,” he said at the time. Tsvangirai’s dramatic change suggests that he is now courting votes from Zimbabwe’s more liberal, educated parts of society. Also he is hoping to maintain support for the human rights community. He now wants Zimbabwe to adopt a liberal policy, similar to that of neighboring South Africa. He will face strong resistance from Mugabe, who will exploit Tsvangirai’s U-turn to drum up support for himself in the run-up to the election, correspondents say. It will be Zimbabwe’s first general election since

Tsvangirai’s MDC party formed a unity government with Mugabe’s Zanu-PF after polls in 2008. Those elections were marred by widespread violence and rigging, with Tsvangirai boycotting a run-off vote. The coalition — formed under pressure from regional leaders — has stabilized the country, but tension has been rising ahead of next year’s vote. The two parties have not yet to agreed on political and security reforms to guarantee a free and fair poll. Nor has a draft of a new constitution been agreed upon. Several public meetings on a constitution have been disrupted by angry Zanu-PF demonstrators.

‘Other gay actors warned me not to come out’ says Kieron Richardson

 

 

The  Hollyoaks soap actor  Kieron Richardson has revealed that before he came out last year, other actors warned him that it could stop him from getting roles.   The actor was speaking out to GAYDAR RADIO and other media at Brighton Pride last weekend.

His comments echo those made many many years ago by top posh actor Rupert Everett.  “Obviously I had a lot of advice before I did come out. Other actors in the business, they were like, ‘Oh, maybe it’s not really a good thing to do’ because they felt it could hinder my career.” Said the soap star. 

Rio de Janeiro Seeks To Be The World Gay Capital

 

A gay pride march in Rio de Janeiro: the city's tourist board wants to boost its appeal to gay tourists. Photograph: Globo/Getty

The theatre lights dim and a Brazilian supermodel takes to the stage, tanned legs emerging from a skintight miniskirt.

Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone Speaks Ahead Of London Pride.

By Ken Livingstone.

This weekend’s Pride reminds us that London’s status as the home to the largest LGBT community in Europe helps place it at the leading edge of major cities. A city that welcomes and encourages the talents and contributions of all is always going to be a more prosperous and safer one that any that does not.

That is why I will be marching with LGBT Labour members this Saturday at Pride. A better and fairer London depends on continuing to move forward on LGBT equality.

30 years later.

 

Northampton, Massachusetts saw a celebration this weekend,  for the 30th year in a row!

Thousands of men and women marched Saturday during the 30th annual Gay Pride March in the city of Northampton.   The Gay Pride March reached a milestone with one of its largest turnouts. It appeared there were as many people cheering the marchers on as there were in the line of march.

'Disturbing' stories help case for gay protection laws In Australia.

 

News from Australia.

The Human Rights Commission says it has heard disturbing stories of discrimination against gay and transgender Australians.

It has released a report arguing there is a strong case for the creation of federal laws to protect against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Jersey civil unions could come into force next year

 

Civil partnerships could be granted as early as next year in Jersey after ministers announced plans for further debate this summer on the introduction of law to same-sex unions, reports the UK’s Pink Paper.

Alex Salmond backs gay marriage

 

 

From Scotland, promising news came from SNP leader Alex Salmond who has now declared his personal support for gay marriage.   It’s the  first time he has made his support known, in a move which risks alienating religious voters ahead of the election, including the SNP’s biggest donor.

 

Pelosi Gets Fiscal Over Boehner Hiring Attorney to Defend Gay Marriage Ban

 

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi isn't known as a small-government advocate. But she and members of her camp have sounded more like fiscal conservatives ever since House Speaker John Boehner hired a law firm for up to $500,000 to defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the federal law banning gay marriage.

Burma’s Gay Population Want Thai-style Acceptance

 

Tin Soe was just four when he realised he was different to other boys in his neighbourhood, but growing up in conservative and army-ruled Burma or Myanmar, he struggled to be accepted as gay by his relatives.

First Of It’s Kind? Gay-Straight Alliance At All Boys School

 

Nelson College has created what is believed to be a first of its kind - a gay-straight alliance at a New Zealand all-boys school.  The report from GAYNZ makes clear the  school's headmaster is emphasising it's not a political move nor any kind of endorsement, simply something the school is culturally ready for.

Third Exeter Pride attracts hundreds

This weekend saw the 3rd Exeter Pride take place and  attracted hundreds of onlookers and participants Saturday in a day of celebrations, activities and a few political debates.

Arkansas Supreme Court Strikes Down Law Barring Gay Couples From Adopting

 

The Arkansas Supreme Court has upheld a lower court's ruling that found the state's ban on gay adoption to be unconstitutional.

85 nations sign UN statement defending Gay People

 

In what gay advocates described as "a stunning development for the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," 85 nations signed a pro-gay statement that was read out by Colombia's representative at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 22.

 

Gay Dad Ricky Martin Turns His Back On Gay Rights

 

The dust and fanfare haven’t settled yet from his winning a  GLAAD award after coming out,  yet already singer Ricky Martin is turning his back on gay rights and equality by performing at a managers meeting of gay hate donators  Target.

 

UK Budget Bad For Gays

Government scraps dual discrimination protection

The government is scrapping a ‘dual discrimination’ protection in the Equality Bill.

Chancellor George Osborne announced the change in yesterday’s budget but HIV campaigners urged the government to change its mind. Reports the UK’s Pink News website.

Chick-Fil-A Has Given $1.1 Million to Anti-Gay Groups

 

The anti-gay narrative around the restaurant chain Chick-fil-A is about to intensify in a major way.

Earlier this year, Chick-fil-A came under fire after a franchise in Pennsylvania decided to give a substantial donation to an event organized by the Pennsylvania Family Institute, one of the leading anti-gay groups in the Keystone State and an ardent opponent of marriage equality.  Soon after that news broke, bloggers like Jeremy Hooper at Good As You noted that Chick-fil-A's charitable arm, the WinShape Foundation, had hosted retreats for some of the most virulent anti-gay groups in the country, including the National Organization for Marriage, Focus on the Family, the Ruth Institute and more.

Obama Administration Signs Onto United Nations Gay Rights Resolution

 

Eighty-five countries including the United States issued a joint statement at the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday expressing support for gay rights.

Gay slur casts a shadow on us all

 

Gay restaurant diner in Australia’s popular tourist destination was told to use public loos across the street, because the restaurants facilities were ''reserved for real men''. 

Victoria Jackson brands Glee gay kiss scene 'sickening'

 

In a storm that’s set to rock the entertainment teacup in America, so called comedian  now turned political commentraitor  Victoria Jackson has branded the latest episode of Glee 'sickening' after it screened a gay kiss.

The former Saturday Night Live star, who is now an outspoken political conservative, unleashed her views in a homophobic rant for the conservative website WorldNetDaily.com.

She wrote: 'Did you see Glee this week? Sickening!'

The devout Christian added: 'And, besides shoving the gay thing down our throats, they made a mockery of Christians – again! I wonder what their agenda is?

'Hey, producers of Glee – what's your agenda? One-way tolerance?'

In the episode, the two gay characters Kurt played by Chris Colfer and Blaine (Darren Criss) share a long awaited moment of tenderness a little kiss.

Kathy Griffin played a religious Tea Party political candidate modelled on Sarah Palin.

Her most recent remarks come  after she made a string of anti-Muslim remarks, writing: 'This new al-Qaida magazine for women has beauty tips and suicide-bomber tips!

'Gimme a break! That is as ridiculous as two men kissing on the mouth! And I don't care what is politically correct.

 

'Everyone knows that two men on a wedding cake is a comedy skit, not an "alternate lifestyle"! There I said it! Ridiculous!'

Jackson is an active member of the America populist Tea Party movement and an active proponent of Barack Obama, who she once described as the 'anti-Christ'.

“What’s really crazy is that this obviously deranged and mentally unstable woman is given an platform for her odd and downright dangerous views” Said leading gay rights campaigner and writer Jason Shaw today.  “By making ridiculous and hateful statements like this,  she is further compounding the homophobia and prejudice that is rife within the Republican/Tea Party”  

“It’s the vocalisation of these narrow minded and hurtful remarks and the publicity they receive, that are making America the laughing stock of the world and pushing backwards in the terms of equality and human rights.”