World
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28 November 2006Media watchdog applauds trans casting 1 A gay media monitor has applauded the announcement that ABC's soap All My Children will introduce a transgender character at the end of the month.This is the first time a daytime drama — or any series on broadcast television — will chronicle a transgender coming out story. -
28 November 2006Activists launch gay-friendly medical guide 1 A gay rights group and a gay medical organisation have teamed up for a landmark project.The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) announced a first-of-its-kind relationship this week to rate the healthcare industry on how it treats its gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender patients and to educate the community about what to expect from medical providers and facilities. -
28 November 2006EU gay group tackles diversity error + The European Parliament's Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights has vowed to seek an amendment to a statement from the European Parliament Bureau on diversity after it was revealed that sexual orientation was removed from the document.The decision has been criticised by LGBT activists working at the European level as a dangerous precedent in the light of efforts to stop the creation of a so-called hierarchy of discriminations within the European Union. -
27 November 2006Nissan turns gay-friendly + A gay motoring website has updated its listing of gay-friendly car companies to include two brands previously on its non-gay-friendly list - Nissan and Infiniti.Both brands are sold in the US by Nissan North America (NNA) who recently announced they would be offering domestic partner benefits to all of their US employees. -
27 November 2006Gay activists seek royal disapproval 1 Gay rights advocates in the Australian island state of Tasmania have written to Denmark's Crown Princess Mary asking her to point out the benefits to her childhood home that have come from its greater acceptance of gay and lesbian people.The letter is a direct response to recent media reports of anti-gay harassment and the absence of anti-discrimination laws in the Danish-administered Faeroe Islands, and coincides with the Princess's latest Tasmanian visit. -
27 November 2006Irish gay union support grows 1 Support for same sex unions in the Republic of Ireland is growing, a new report shows.The survey revealed that 51 per cent of the population backed civil unions for gays and lesbians while 33 per cent believe that same-sex couples should have access to full civil partnerships. -
27 November 2006Lesbian film wins Chinese Oscar + A Hong Kong actress picked up an award for a lesbian film at the Chinese Oscars last weekend in Taiwan.Nikki Shie won the best supporting actress prize at the 43rd Golden Horse Awards for the film "Reflections," which documents a lesbian relationship that goes wrong.The ceremony applauds Chinese language movies and gives recognition to Asian actors, actresses, directors, composers and writers. -
27 November 2006US soap introduces Trans character 1 An American soap is set to introduce what is thought to be the serial drama world's first transgender character.The character will appear on ABC's All My Children, in a storyline about a gender transition from a man to a woman.There have been other post-op transgender characters in US soaps but this storyline is believed to be the first time the start of the process will be followed. -
24 November 2006Congregation evicted over gay talk 2 A gay activist is demanding an apology from a US Diocese after a congregation's lease was terminated over disagreement of a talk he was due to give at the venue.The Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, leased space for three years to the Unitarian Unversalist Congregation of the South Jersey Shore, but the congregation has been forced out of their leased space without warning for arraigning gay activist Marc Adams to speak at a Sunday service. -
24 November 2006Brazilian gay couple given adoption nod + A Brazilian judge has allowed a gay couple in Sao Paolo to jointly adopt a five year old girl in a landmark case.One of the men had already adopted the girl but today's ruling makes it the first time a male couple has been allowed to jointly adopt.It ends a year long legal battle for the couple, Vasco Pedro da Gama and Junior de Carvalho who have been together for 14 years. -
23 November 2006South Africa backs gay inheritance rights 10 South Africa's gay community has been given more cause for celebration after the country's constitutional court today ruled that same sex partners should have equal inheritance rights to heterosexual couples.The case comes just weeks after South African politicians voted for gay marriage.This latest development orders that the law regarding inheritance rights should also include the term, "same-sex life partnership." -
23 November 2006Gay clergy ‘divisive’ for Church relations + Gay bishops and female clergy are driving a wedge through the prospect of good relations between the Anglican and Catholic Church, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Pope concluded today.In his first official visit to the pontiff, Dr Rowan Williams spoke of the importance of unity in the church, the pair presented a declaration which highlighted certain issues straining Christian relations. -
23 November 2006Activists push for gay marriage in Connecticut + The state of Connecticut violates its own constitution by denying same-sex couples the right to marry according to a brief filed this week in the Connecticut Supreme Court by Gay Lesbian Advocates Defenders (GLAD).GLAD argues that the denial of marriage by the 2005 civil union law is arbitrary and fails to provide gay and lesbian citizens with the equal treatment the constitution requires. -
23 November 2006Lesbian divorce raises legal issue for Rhode Island 2 A lesbian couple from Rhode Island have started a legal debate in their home state after seeking a divorce from a same sex marriage obtained in Massachusetts.Margaret Chambers and Cassandra Ormiston took advantage of the opening up of marriage to gay couples in Massachusetts in 2004, but now that they want to separate, it creates a confusing issue for Rhode Island where there is no law recognising gay marriage. -
22 November 2006MTV awarded for gay-friendly advertising + MTV Networks and Orbitz.com were recognised for "inclusive excellence in portrayals of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals" in their promotional advertising during the Commercial Closet Association's Second Annual Corporate Visionary Honours event, held this week at The New York Times' historic, 93-year-old building.For over a decade, MTV Networks has aired groundbreaking LGBT portrayals in its promotional advertising, and has served as a primary media outlet for other advertisers to do the same. -
22 November 20062007 calendar supports sacked gay military recruits + A 2007 calendar released this week by Servicemembers Legal Defence Network (SLDN) showcases twelve veterans from various branches of the US armed forces.The "Lift the Ban" calendar includes images from the organisation's national ad campaign, captured on film by photographer Judy Rolfe."Every day, the Pentagon fires at least two people for being lesbian, gay or bisexual," said SLDN executive director C. -
22 November 2006China launches lesbian help-line + China has opened its first help line offering counselling for lesbians.The service, funded by the Chi Heng Foundation, will offer counselling and advice from a ream of 10 volunteers.It echoes a similar service set up earlier this year which was staffed by men, but this scheme shows a growing awareness of lesbian issues in the traditionally conservative country. -
22 November 2006Homophobes cancel Wal-Mart boycott 3 An anti-gay group has called off a boycott of worldwide retailer Wal-Mart after the store vowed to remain neutral on "highly controversial issues."Homophobes inside the American Family Association are hailing a victory against the store claiming it reacted to their protest against it joining the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and stocking products appearing to promote same-sex marriage. -
22 November 2006European Parliament avoids gay friendly workplace + Campaigners have criticised the European Parliament after it adopted a declaration on diversity in its own workplace which knowingly excluded sexual orientation.The International Lesbian and Gay Association expressed surprise at the omission.A draft resolution of the European Parliament's Secretariat, the administrative arm of the political body, had included sexual orientation, but this was defeated by four votes to two, with two abstentions. -
21 November 2006New Zealand bids for Elton rendezvous + Bids to meet gay star Sir Elton John have so far raised over $11,000 for the New Zealand AIDS Foundation.The auction, which is currently coming to an end in New Zealand, gives fans a chance to meet the legend.All proceeds from the charity auction will be donated to The New Zealand AIDS Foundation, a cause Sir Elton is passionate about.
