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Tory MP Nadine Dorries: 'The gay marriage bill is taking the sex out of marriage'
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US: Minnesota Republican moved to tears over 'heartbreaking' same-sex marriage bill
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Philip Hammond: 'No great demand for gay marriage and it's upsetting vast numbers of people'
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Bret Easton Ellis slams GLAAD and says gay basketball player Jason Collins treated like a 'baby panda'
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Government to consider abolishing civil partnerships or opening up to straight couples
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US Radio host: Gay news websites are covered with porn that is turning teens gay
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Lib Dem MP Sarah Teather tells Catholic newspaper 'I never went into politics to tackle equal marriage'
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Tory MP David Burrowes: 'I'm not anti-gay; I'm just pro-marriage'
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Christians called to pray at Parliament in opposition to equal marriage bill
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New Zealand: B&B owner says 'not in my home' to lesbian couple
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Robert in S. Kensington 759
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bobbleobble 291
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Ray123 181
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Great to see progress on human rights being made in Cuba …
So many Latin American countries have made great strides in gay rights in recent years …
I would not have anticipated Cuba moving quite yet, but it is very welcome …
Equally welcome is the news that other surprising countries are considering improvements to LGBT rights including Mongolia, Nepal, Malawi, Rwanda, Mozambique and Soloman Islands
Some of this must surely be the result of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s history making speech to the UN. Maybe even more due to the Obama administrations instuctions to the State Department and foreign aid controllers to base their policies on how well governments recognize and protect the rights of their GLBT citizens.
Good news. It will take some time to rid Cuban society of its until recently state-sanctioned homophobia but this is a great start. When these changes come into effect, it will ironically place this once dictator state ahead of many US states. Go figure.
again in social matters Left leads where conservatives are forced to follow (i.e uk), it wouldnt happen in country with conservative dictatorship
Now, if someone posted a link about how good gay Israelis have it, everyone would jump and cry “pinkwashing”.
Now, that being said, I will NOT procede to be critical of Cuba, even if it is not a democracy. One has to commend their progress and look at things in comparison to the past. And one can see good progress coming about on human rights issue, both for LGBT folk and Cubans as a whole.
well, im full of admiration for communist Cuba, not sure how hilary clinton can have go at them now without sounding like a hypocrite
Per US policy and appeasement to the anti Cuban Cuban American Millionaires who donate, they must. Its not a big secret that its this small group of money is the reason for such an icy relationship. As long as a Castro is in power they don’t want the relationship to be reformed.
I would bet Hillary Clinton on a personal level believes we should be doing much more with Cuba (especially given the relationship between US and China and even now Burma).
BUT thats US politics, if theirs money to be gotten, then they’re gonna do what they can for it (see many conservative politicians rallying against gays to get Evangelical voters and money)
This pisses me off because I live next door to these people and Jamaica is nowhere near as advanced. It always amazes me how people can be so near to each other and still be worlds apart.
Here’s hoping that Our new PM keeps her word and helps our cause.
Cuba Libre, then all countries need to make it so anybody can go there to visit.
Well done comrades, but about time as well!
Am looking forward to more good news from Cuba.
Having visited Cuba 3 times in the 80′s this news article was a not really a surprise, yet my reaction to it was! Much of a contradiction as that may seem.
On arrival all tourist received a “Prohibition list” from customs this included homosexuality which indicated both harsh punishment and detention.
Just coming out at the time, I felt discouraged, wary and extremely paranoid.
80′s Cuba was experiencing a tourism boom it was a time warp of 50/60′s clothing and cars. Hardship and poverty were evident and yet people very hospitable, diversely interesting. The government discouraged locals from associating with tourist by banning them from resort property and certain beaches and police/military around feeling intimidated was normal.
Away from the resorts locals befriended you to learn English, trade possessions or bargain for trendy clothes sneakers etc. They invited hospitality to share rich culture of Cuban people, places and history.
Cont:
Looking back… and reflecting on this PN editorial I realized that because of it’s regime of the day I missed out on so much of it’s gay culture, I imposed on myself out of fear a solitude and fear of dangerous liaisons!
Cuba of the 80’s was already gay! “Just not legal” The exciting invites to join handsome local men for drinks on the local side of a bar or the questioning look! The invites to join people in café’s, dinner in their homes with friends or to join them at local Cuban beaches (some were already legally nude) the fear of dancing with groups of men who although not explicitly dancing in couples, distinguished themselves from the mixed groups in the crowd.
So! Yes I am surprised… the Cuba I remembered and authority I feared has advanced permits gay pride and perhaps soon gay civil marriages.
Perhaps it is time for me to visit again! To see the changes and encourage others to visit a liberated Cuba and experience a different energy equality and acceptance.
i thought that homosexuality in cuba was decriminalized in 1979 ???
If interested explore the unique culture of Cuba in these fine examples of it’s people, their authorities, culture and incredible beauty of their home!
Cuba gay rights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh2rx021XL0
1st gay pride
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy46paVavHw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKdRawumneQ&feature=related
I was last in Cuba (for more than an overnight stay) in 1991 and I did not receive such a leaflet when arriving …
That said, there was very much a sense of a repressive regime – although the Cubans seemed to love their country … and the expression of this seemed genuine from conversations that I had with them …
There were clearly gay guys (particularly at the international ice cream cafe just off Vedado in Havana …. nonetheless they were relatively discreet.
Given the progressive nature of Latin America of recent years, I should not have been surprised, but I was surprised at the timing …
Now is the time for the world and the U.S.A. in particular to re-engage with Cuba and end all sanctions. The wind of change will soon be blowing like a force ten hurricane through that island and considering the neighbourhood it’s in this change can only be for the better. Jamaica take note.
Whilst I do think there will be a wind of change very soon, and this should be supported by a lifting of sanctions – and the result of both factors should benefit Cubans …
From a selfish perspective I am very pleased that I experienced Cuba under the restrictive regime – it was an experience in so many different ways …
Now is probably the best time to go on holiday to Cuba. Once the island is rid of Communism, democracy has returned and free elections have been held, the island will be over-run with tourists, many from the USA who currently risk a $30,000 fine if they visit now. For the more adventurous, there’s Burma which is making positive noises. And if you are really adventurous, how about North Korea.
Lol
I just found it both a great place (weather, scenery, peoples attitudes etc) to visit and loved that I could not find McDonalds, Starbucks, Tesco etc etc no matter where I looked …
In the recent past Cuba has been supportin the UN pro gay staments. There were also some Cuban gay activists in the ILGA World Conference in Saopaulo 2010. Mariela Castro has been active for many years. I was at first somewhat cynical about the ‘sexological institute’ she was running and suspicius of ‘gaywashing’, but had to concede that she is sincere when I met her few years back when she did an European tour.