World
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14 November 2006Gay domain name sold for $500,000 + If you're looking to launch a new gay-focused website, you can cross Gays.com off your list of possible domain names.German Internet entrepreneurs Julius and David Dreyer recently snapped it up for the bargain-basement price of $500,000."We are extremely proud to have secured such a prestigious domain name in this exciting sector," Mr Dreyer said. -
14 November 2006Gay activists lobby UN over Iran hangings + Gay campaigners are calling on the community to lobby the United Nations and European Union amid reports that ten Ahwazi Arab rights activists are scheduled to be hanged in IranThe men, accused of bombing oil installations, will by hanged from cranes in public, using the slow strangulation method, which is deliberately designed to maximise and prolong their suffering, according to reports in the Iranian media. -
14 November 2006South Africa set to back gay unions 10 South Africa is set to back a controversial gay partnerships bill which is opposed by religious groups and seen as a disappointment by some gay campaigners.All members of the ruling African National Council have been ordered to vote for the Civil Unions Bill which allows the "voluntary union of two persons, which is solemnised and registered by either a marriage or civil union." -
14 November 2006Africa allows gay weddings 10 The African continent is not known for gay rights, but South Africa has now created a landmark in the region after passing a law allowing same sex marriage.The Civil Unions Bill was passed today by 230 votes to 41, allowing the "voluntary union of two persons, which is solemnised and registered by either a marriage or civil union." -
14 November 2006South African gays demand universal marriage law 10 South African gay groups have welcomed today's historic step taken by the country's Parliament in opening up unions to gays and lesbians, but are disappointed that it will run separately to existing marriage laws.The Civil Unions Bill was passed today by 230 votes to 41, allowing the "voluntary union of two persons, which is solemnised and registered by either a marriage or civil union." -
14 November 2006Catholic gays oppose pastoral guidelines + Christian gay groups have criticised guidelines approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) today on the attitude towards homosexuality.Officials at the gathering approved a document entitled Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral Care.The guidelines attempt to create a balance between welcoming gays and lesbians into the Church whilst upholding religious teachings. -
14 November 2006Michigan store boycotted for gay support + A few statistics pulled from the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index is all the evidence usually needed to prove being gay-friendly in 2006 is good for business.That is, unless your business is in Mason, Michigan.Teri Yale, owner of Davey's Basement, an alternative record shop located in downtown Mason, found that out the hard way after supporting the local high school's gay-straight alliance. -
13 November 2006Billboard company rejects gay imagery + A series of billboards by a Polish artist showing two men holding hands have been rejected in the US for being too controversial.The images, by Karolina Bregula, were part of the Real Art Ways' new exhibition of contemporary Polish art, and were supposed to be displayed on billboards, but Lamar Outdoor Advertising of Hartford is refusing to run the images. -
13 November 2006Oz gays demand union commitment + Victorian human rights group, Civil Union Action! (CUA), has called on the Bracks Government to commit to formal partnership laws for same-sex couples in advance of the state election.At an election forum on Saturday, State Labour MP for Prahran, Tony Lupton, said there have been discussions between gay community representatives and the Government about a Tasmanian-style relationship registry. -
13 November 2006US Church suggests therapy to solve gay issue + The US Catholic Church will discuss guidelines on ways of welcoming gay people into the church at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) this week, with one controversial suggestion being therapy.The guidelines attempt to create a balance between welcoming gays and lesbians into the Church whilst upholding religious teachings. -
10 November 2006Massachusetts avoids gay marriage debate 1 Massachusetts's gay community can breathe a sigh of relief after the state's legislature delayed a gay marriage debate until next January.Anti-gay protesters had hoped that an amendment would be passed to ban same sex unions after similar results in Tennessee, Colorado, Virginia and Wisconsin. -
10 November 2006Mid-terms make gay groups GLAAD 3 A gay media monitor is calling on the US to examine how growing cultural acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and families helped to shape -- and will be impacted by -- the 2006 mid-term elections.The poll saw a record increase in the amount of gay and lesbian candidates elected, but was coupled with gay marriage bans implemented in several states.
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10 November 2006Victoria backs gay union scheme + Victoria state Premier Steve Bracks has backed gay registration schemes, as state elections emerge.Mr Bracks has reportedly sent officials to meet with the Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby (VGLR) group to agree on a Tasmanian style gay union scheme.He has been under pressure to introduce such a law but has previously ruled out calls for civil unions.
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10 November 2006Jerusalem gays find pride 23 It's been ridiculed, threatened and cancelled three times, but 4,000 members and supporters of Jerusalem's gay community have managed to pull a rally together today in replacement of a pride march.The event, held at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Givat Ram campus, included performances from Israeli hip-hop group Hadag Nachash, speeches by politicians and religious leaders. -
10 November 2006Mid-terms present ‘new opportunity’ for gay army policy 3 A gay military group has hailed the mid-term elections as a 'new opportunity' to end discrimination in the armed forces caused by the Pentagon's Don't Ask Don't Tell ban on openly gay recruits.The Servicemembers Legal Defence Network (SLDN) announced it is looking forward to the new Democratic leadership in Congress but warned there is still much to be done. -
10 November 2006Student praised after gay-straight club campaign + An education campaign group has congratulated a student who has successfully pushed for a gay-straight alliance (GSA) club to be allowed in her North Carolina School.Daniella Smiley was met with opposition from the school system when she initially circulated the idea, with groups afraid of the promotion of homosexuality, but now Currituck County High School, has approved the club. -
10 November 2006Gay rights back on Washington agenda 3 The Virginia Senate race has finally been declared for the Democrats, meaning the US midterm elections are now over. -
9 November 2006Gay friendly Democrats control Senate 3 The Democrats have taken control of the US Senate in the mid-terms as the final election results come through.The party already won the House of Representatives yesterday but winning the Senate would make it the first time since 1994 that the Democrats controlled both Houses of Congress and could mean a brighter future for gay rights legislation.
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9 November 2006Homophobia “perfectly legal” in Faroe Islands + LGBT activists in the Faroe Islands have generated around 20,000 signatures in an online petition demanding an end to sexual orientation discrimination and a registered partnership law to bring the islands into line with the rest of the Nordic region.The petition expresses discontent that homophobia is made "perfectly legal" because the government does nothing against it. -
9 November 2006Jerusalem gay pride cancelled amid Gaza violence 23 Jerusalem's gay pride march has been moved into a controlled area following escalating violence in the Gaza Strip, meaning police cannot guarantee adequate numbers to prevent riots between the ultra orthodox Jews and parade marchers at tomorrow's event.A compromise has reportedly been reached between the religious community, who had been protesting daily against the march, and the organisers, meaning the event will now comprise of a rally at a stadium.
