European Parliament adopts law protecting gay succession.

New European law gives gay couples equal succession or inheritance rights.

 

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution to protect gay couples' succession rights throughout the EU.
Drafted by Kurt Lechner MEP, the law was adopted by a wide majority in the European Parliament today (13 March) and gives gay couples equal succession or inheritance rights.
Under this regulation, a Spanish citizen married to an Italian of the same-sex under Spanish law could inherit his or her possessions in Italy, even though Italy does not recognize same-sex marriage.
However, the text does not create any new marriage rights in the European Union, and still allows member states to decide whether or not they recognize same-sex unions on their territory.
Commenting on the adoption of the resolution, Dennis de Jong MEP, Vice-President of the LGBT Intergroup in the European Parliament, said: 'Free movement will only become a full reality when all couples can move across the European Union without worrying about their children, their families, their estate, and one another.
'Death is a terrible moment and we must make sure the dignity of same-sex partners is protected, even beyond their life.'
The United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark have opted out of the legislation.

Πηγή:www.gaystarnews.com

Οικογένειες από ομόφυλα ζευγάρια (part 1).

  Σήμερα,αναζητώντας βιβλία σχετικά με την ομοφυλοφιλία,τις οικογένειες ομόφυλων ζευγαριών κτλ κτλ,ανακάλυψα ένα βιβλίο,σε ένα αγαπημένο μου βιβλιοπωλείο στα Εξάρχεια,με τα πρακτικά του 2ου Διεπιστημονικού Συνεδρίου που έλαβε χώρα στη Θεσσαλονίκη,στο χρονικό διάστημα:12-14 Μάη 2005.Ο τίτλος αυτού:Το φύλο και η συμπεριφορά του.Οικογένειες από ομόφυλα ζευγάρια.Ο φίλος και ιδιοκτήτης του βιβλιοπωλείου,Στέφανος,μου πρότεινε να του ρίξω μια ματιά αμέσως με το που του είπα τι ακριβώς αναζητώ.Στάθηκα τυχερή...
  Το βιβλίο,από τη στιγμή που έφθασε στα χέρια μου,μου φάνηκε πολύ ενδιαφέρον...Χαζεύοντας και γυρνώντας τις σελίδες,μη έχοντας αποφασίσει πότε θα το ξεκινήσω,το μάτι μου έπεσε σε ένα συγκεκριμένο σημείο στο οποίο πληροφορήθηκα πιο αναλυτικά γιατί πολλές χώρες είτε δεν αγγίζουν καν το θέμα του γάμου μεταξύ ατόμων του ίδιου φύλου είτε δεν το αναγνωρίζουν άμεσα ή και έμμεσα.Προχωρώντας παρακάτω,έβλεπα πως "μεταπηδώντας αυθαίρετα σε μια ηθική συλλογιστική,το σκεπτικό αυτό(της μη αναγνώρισης) πρεσβεύει ότι οι λεσβίες και οι γκέι δεν πρέπει να αναλαμβάνουν την ανατροφή παιδιών,γιατί αυτό θα είχε αρνητικές συνέπειες για τα ίδια τα παιδιά".
  Βέβαια,όλο αυτό το σκηνικό συνεχίστηκε βάσει επιχειρημάτων όπως τα ακόλουθα:"α.Οι λεσβίες έχουν λιγότερο αναπτυγμένο το μητρικό φίλτρο από ό,τι οι ετεροφυλόφιλες γυναίκες.β.Οι σχέσεις των λεσβιών και των γκέι με τους ερωτικούς τους συντρόφους,τους αφήνουν λίγο χρόνο για τις σχέσεις τους με τα παιδιά....στ.Τέλος,συχνά προβάλλεται ο φόβος της σεξουαλικής παρενόχλησης των παιδιών από τους ίδιους τους γονείς ή από φίλους και γνωστούς των γονέων.Με το επιχείρημα αυτό,ο ομοερωτισμός αποτελεί ψυχική διαταραχή...".Για να μην παρεξηγηθώ,δεν αναφέρθηκα στα υπόλοιπα επιχειρήματα ανάμεσα στο β και στο στ,διότι,θεωρητικά,είναι περισσότερο συζητήσιμα από τα παραπάνω.
  Λοιπόν,για να είμαι ειλικρινής,τα παραπάνω επιχειρήματα με εκνεύρισαν,για να μη χρησιμοποιήσω το ρήμα εξόργισαν,σε πολύ μεγάλο βαθμό.Όντας άνθρωπος με αυτού του είδους τη "διαταραχή",όπως μαθαίνουμε κι από πάνω(προφανώς και δε συμμερίζομαι αυτήν την άποψη),μπορώ να είμαι απόλυτα σίγουρη για το πώς ακριβώς νιώθω εγώ,η σχέση μου,οι φίλες και οι γνωστές μου...Δε βλέπω να λείπει κάτι από μια λεσβία που δεν της επιτρέπει να γίνει μητέρα.Κανένας δεν έχει το δικαίωμα να καταδικάσει έναν άνθρωπο ή και μια σχέση ακόμα ακόμα,η οποία πιθανόν και να κατέληγε σε ένα παιδί..Γιατί όχι;
  Επιπλέον,δεν μπορώ να δεχθώ πως η ερωτική ζωή ενός ανθρώπου είτε είναι έντονη είτε όχι,του "απαγορεύει" να φέρει στον κόσμο έναι παιδί.Δε νομίζω πως αν το ζευγάρι θέλει τόσο πολύ να κάνει ένα παιδί,θα το παραμελεί εξαιτίας του "κρεβατιού" του!Με αυτή τη λογική και ο καθένας straight θα μπορούσε να το κάνει!Δεν εξαρτάται από το φύλο ή την ομοφυλοφιλία...εξαρτάται από το ήθος του καθενός.
  Τέλος,βλέπουμε ότι εμείς,οι διαταραγμένοι τύποι,όχι μόνο δε μπορούμε να φέρουμε στον κόσμο ένα παιδί,αλλά φοβόμαστε και τον περίγυρο...φοβόμαστε αν κάποιος από την οικογένεια θα βιάσει το ίδιο μας το παιδί,αν η γυναίκα μου,η κολλητή μου,ο φίλος μου θα ασελγήσει στην κόρη μου ή στο γιο μου...Αν είναι δυνατόν!Αυτά δε γίνονται και στις νορμάλ οικογένειες?Πόσοι πατεράδες(straight) βιάζουν τα παιδιά τους?Πόσοι είναι "μέσα" για αυτό το λόγο?Κοροιδευόμαστε?Αν τύχει σε κάποιον straight,μπορεί να τύχει και σε κάποιον gay,αν τύχει σε κάποιον gay,μπορεί να τύχει και σε κάποιον straight.Δεν έχει να κάνει.Δεν πάιζει κανένα ρόλο!ΔΕ ΦΤΑΙΝΕ ΚΑΙ ΓΙΑ ΑΥΤΟ ΟΙ ΓΚΕΙ!Στον άνθρωπο είναι!Αν ο άλλος δεν έχει όρια και ηθικούς φραγμούς,τότε τι;
  Είναι η ώρα να κλείσει εδώ το part 1...Ελπίζω να σας έβαλα σε κάποιες μικρές σκέψεις...Καλό ξημέρωμα!

Russia’s Kostroma gay gag law faces challenge.

Moscow activist Nikolai Alekseev has traveled to Kostroma to ask for permission to hold a gay march, and spark a legal challenge to their gag law.

 

Russia’s most famous gay activist traveled to the city of Kostroma today (12 March) to challenge the region’s ban on ‘promoting’ homosexuality to minors.
The homophobic Kostroma law was introduced at the end of the last month and its introduction was overshadowed by the passing of a similar law in St Petersburg, which attracted global criticism and protests.
Nikolai Alekseev, a Moscow based activist has already sparked legal cases against the two other regions, Arkhangelsk and Ryazan, who have introduced the ‘propaganda’ legislation, which is designed to gag the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
In those areas, he has cases active or pending at the European Court of Human Rights and the UN’s Human Rights Committee.
The GayRussia.eu leader has pledged to fight the St Petersburg laws in a similar way.
But today was Alekseev’s moment to spark a similar case in the Kostroma region where he went to apply for permission from the authorities to stage what he described to Gay Star News as ‘Gay Pride and four other public events’.
In the highly unlikely event he is granted permission, it will be a major blow against the law. If, however, he is refused, he can begin a legal challenge.
Speaking from the city, he told us it was planned to return later this month and conduct individual pickets, as his group did in Ryazan and Arkhangelsk.

Πηγή:www.gaystarnews.com

St Petersburg governor signs gay hate law.

Georgiy Poltavchenko signs law against gay ‘propaganda to minors’ despite international pressure – now four Russian regions have similar laws.

 

The governor of St Petersburg in Russia has signed a bill into law which is designed to gag the local gay and transgender population.
The law officially prevents the ‘propaganda of homosexuality to minors’ but campaigners warn it will be used to gag any public discussion of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender issues or events targeted at gay and trans people.
The St Petersburg bill has fines of up to 1 million roubles ($34,400 €25,000) for organizations and up to 5,000 roubles (€172 €125) for individuals.
The bill, introduced by the local Duma, was roundly condemned by Europe, the US State Department, human rights organizations and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender campaigners and individuals as well as their straight allies.
Protests were held outside Russian embassies in cities including Berlin, Buenos Aires, Milan, Antwerp, Lisbon, Paris and Rio de Janeiro.
After it passed through the Duma on 29 March, governor Georgiy Poltavchenko had 14 days to sign it or send it back to them.
In a final insult to international opinion, it now appears Georgiy Poltavchenko signed the bill on 7 March, the same day that a delegation from St Petersburg’s twin city of Manchester, northern England, visited him and begged him to veto it.
The news has only emerged today via his press office as it’s the first working day since an official holiday which started on 8 March.
Once signed the legislation comes into force after 10 days, so on 17 March.
A similar law in the Kostroma region or Russia came into force already at the end of February.
There are now laws in four Russian regions which ‘ban propaganda of homosexuality to minors’. Together they cover 5.5% of the country’s population.
The Ryazan legislation was introduced in 2006 and has been challenged by GayRussia.eu at the European Court of Human Rights in a case that is not yet open and at the UN Human Rights Committee, where a decision is expected this July. Russian Constitutional Court, meanwhile, judged this law constitutional.
The 2011 Arkhangelsk legislation, also challenged by the same activist group, is expected to reach the European Court in two months. They are also planning to launch a legal campaign against the Kostroma and St Petersburg laws soon.

Πηγή:www.gaystarnews.com

Malta may give cohabiting gays legal recognition.

A bill due to arrive at Malta’s parliament which was designed to give cohabiting couples legal rights will include provisions for gay civil partnerships, an official has said.
Having been announced fourteen years ago, questions had been asked about whether the cohabitation bill would include specific provisions allowing gay couples to have legal recognition of their relationship or treat them in the same way as cohabiting siblings.
According to the Times of Malta, a spokesman for the Justice Ministry spokesman said: “The government’s stand is that the relationship between gay couples should be regulated through the law on co­habitation, including the institute of civil partnership.”
A backbencher in Malta’s parliament, Dr Pullicino Orlando, had written an opinion piece in the broadly Catholic country’s Times newspaper yesterday calling for equal marriage rights.
He wrote: “The Catholic Church, locally, has had a profound, positive impact on our society. It has been contributing in areas which range from education to the care of the elderly and the disabled for centuries, often stepping in to fill the gaps left open by the government.
“However, the policies of our political parties should not be adapted in such a way as to ensure that the metaphorical feathers of the Catholic hierarchy in Malta, which leans towards the conservative when compared with the rest of the Universal Church, are left unruffled.”
He added that “the only reason many are averse to the idea of gay marriage is simply a misguided one based on religious beliefs”.
Asked about the timing, he said: “When would it be the right time? Why should gay couples today be denied rights that gay couples in 10 years’ time are likely to enjoy?”
While Malta’s government has made no representation supporting gay marriages, the cohabitation bill is a first for the Mediterranean islands.
Couples, gay and straight, cohabiting outside marriage will be given greater legal protection than before in a special class of relationship below that of marriage but above that of individuals cohabiting outside a relationship.

Πηγή:www.pinknews.co.uk

‘Milestone’ LGBT discussion at UN Human Rights Council welcomed despite walkout.

The UN Human Rights Council’s panel discussion on ending discrimination and violence against people on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity has been welcomed despite a walkout by some Islamic states.
The discussion was opened yesterday by UN’s Secretary General Ban-ki Moon who said attacks against gay and trans people were a “stain on our collective conscience”.
While the Council’s first panel on discrimination against gay and trans people was heralded as a “milestone”, it was also opposed by the 57-country Organisation of Islamic Cooperation who said it had “nothing to do with fundamental human rights”.
Members of the OIC walked out before the 47-member Council began its discussion.
Pakistani Ambassador to the UN Zamir Akram had written on behalf of the OIC that it was “deeply concerned by the introduction in the Human Rights Council of controversial notions like ‘sexual orientation and gender identity’. The OIC countries have been consistent in their opposition to the consideration of these controversial notions in the context of human right at international fora.”
The UN’s Human Rights Commissioner, Navi Pillay, said that while some states may say there is a “conflict with local cultural or traditional values, or with religious teachings, or run counter to public opinion”, the “balance between tradition and culture, on the one hand, and universal human rights on the other, must be struck in favour of rights”.
Roy Brown, in a statement to the Council on behalf of the International Humanist and Ethical Union said: “These states are either unaware of the genetic and biological basis for differences in sexual orientation or are prepared to ignore such evidence for religious reasons. No doubt they also wish to shield their own appalling human rights records from too much scrutiny.
“The opposition to the discussion expressed by the OIC is a timely reminder that, for them, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights do not apply universally.
“Many States have much to do in improving public policy regarding sexual orientation, and there is evidently a huge gap in knowledge and understanding of homosexuality and the transgendered among both the public and governments. Statements such as that recently heard here that homosexuals threaten the future of the human race do no credit whatsoever to a member state of this Council.”
Libya’s representative reportedly told the Council last month that gay issues “affect religion and the continuation and reproduction of the human race”.
Despite opposition, the panel discussion affirmed the Council’s commitment to fighting human rights infringements against LGBT people globally.
Ms Pillay called on countries to decriminalise homosexuality, abolish the death penalty for offences involving consensual sexual relations, harmonize ages of consent for heterosexual and homosexual conduct, and introduce anti-discrimination laws.
She also called on countries to recognise that persecution on the grounds of sexual orientation could be a valid reason to seek asylum.
Lance Price, Director of the Kaleidoscope Trust, said: “This is a milestone development. The UN Commissioner for Human Rights has made it clear that there can be no ifs and no buts. The rights of LGBT people are not special rights. They are the same basic human rights to which everybody is entitled. The debate starts here.
“The powerful recommendations set out today set a clear agenda for action and mark a major step forward in a global campaign for justice that gathers momentum every day.
“There are huge challenges to be faced and we call on the Commonwealth to show the same level of commitment.
“We believe that changing the legal situation isn’t enough and public opinion is just as important. That’s why Kaleidoscope Trust works with local groups and activists on the ground to build their capacity and offer support in fighting stigmatisation and promoting diversity and equal rights globally.”

Πηγή:www.pinknews.co.uk

International Women's Day celebrated.

LGBT activists join celebrities, politicians and women around the world in a day of female 'empowerment'.

 

Lesbian, bisexual and trans women join people around the world who are celebrating International Women's Day.

Activities will take place around the world today (8 March) under the theme of 'connecting girls, inspiring futures' for the annual event that has been observed since the early 1900s and is now celebrating its 101st day.

The International Women's Day website listed more than 1,000 events around the world, including film showings, lectures and public meetings.
As well as celebrity endorsements from singer Annie Lennox, actress Reese Witherspoon and model Helena Christensen, InternationalWomensDay.com now has 10,000 followers on Twitter sharing videos, information and news as it happens.
And the LGBT community is also joining in the celebrations.
Celebrated lesbian activist Clare B Dimyon says International Women's Day is 'our Stonewall moment'.
Dimyon, who was honored with an MBE by the Queen for her campaign work, said: 'I stand proud on the shoulders of all the women who have gone before, who didnt seek to get their name in lights but simply did what needed to be done.
'And just as at Pride when I am no less of a woman, on International Women's Day I am no less of a lesbian and lesbian women have some very tall shoulders to stand upon.'
She adds that lesbians have been at the forefront of human rights campaigns, even when the issues at hands, she claims, didn't affect them directly.
Dimyon said: 'As gay men started to get ill and die for reasons we didnt understand, who flocked to them to nurse them? Gay men but also lesbians who realized we were not affected. But who else could understand the profoundly homophobic response of society to the "gay plague". How could we not respond to our gay/bisexual brothers?
'When women were beaten by their husbands, beaten sometimes to death when their children witnessed this and were subjected to this violence, who was there? Lesbians were there - lesbian women at the forefront of the refuges for heterosexual women battered by their husbands. How could we not respond to our sisters?
'When women were and are subjected to rape and sexual violence who is there, who was there at the forefront of founding of rape crisis centres? Lesbians.
'I am a lesbian, all lesbian and all woman, I will not be submerged into the LGBT acronym, but I am part of a wonderfully diverse set of LGBT communities, which sometimes seems to forget the word associated with "L" over which there can never be any doubt.
'I am not struggling for equality in order to take second place. My dear gay brothers, I cannot do that with any integrity or self-respect or pride.'
In a video message on YouTube, the UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet said more work needs to be done to improving women's rights around the world, especially in rural communities.

Πηγή:www.gaystarnews.com