World
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9 October 2006Gay marriage good for the economy + Giving same-sex couples marriage rights will be good for the economy, according to a new study.The research entitled Effect of Marriage Equality and Domestic Partnership On Business and the Economy from the University of California, Los Angeles documents gains to businesses from happier and healthier workers that would outweigh new costs for benefits. -
9 October 2006Anti-gay schoolgirl fails homework assignment 1 An Australian schoolgirl has failed an assignment after refusing to write about homosexuality,Evangelicals and conservative politicians are reportedly outraged that the 13-year-old was failed for expressing her religious beliefs at the Brisbane school. -
9 October 2006Taiwan to promote gay equality + The Taiwanese Ministry of Education is offering courses to promote gender equality after a survey revealed that gay students are three times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts.The research conducted by the education department found that almost 13 percent of homosexual college students are suffering from severe depression and are three times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts. -
9 October 2006Gay marriage advocates vow to appeal California judgement + Advocates for gay rights in California plan to appeal a state appeals court decision to uphold a ban on same-sex marriage, the latest in a string of recent setbacks for same-sex marriage campaigners.In a 2-to-1 decision last week, a panel of the 1st District Court of Appeals overturned a 2005 ruling by a lower court judge in San Francisco that denying same-sex couples the right to marry was unconstitutional. -
9 October 2006Foley sex scandal dates back to 2000 3 As the US Congressional elections draw nearer yet another embarrassment has emerged for the Republicans as it has emerged an Arizona representative knew about disgraced former Florida politician Mark Foley's controversial email exchanges back in 2000.It has now been revealed that Republican of Arizona, Jim Kolbe, previously confronted Mr Foley over his relationship with a page after the intern showed him internet messages. -
6 October 2006California rejects gay marriage + A California appeals court has dealt gay marriage supporters a severe blow after upholding the state's ban on same-sex marriages with a 2-1 vote.This latest defeat, following similar rulings in New York and Washington, supports California's 1977 law defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
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6 October 2006Activists urge action against homophobia amid school violence + White House officials participating in a conference on school violence next week must address bullying and name-calling, a gay rights organisation has warned.The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) applauded the White House yesterday for recognising that a summit is needed to address the recent rash of school attacks and says it hopes next week's conference will place an emphasis on preventing school violence through programmes that reduce bullying and harassment, which statistics show are a serious problem in schools. -
6 October 2006Brokeback Mountain opens cowboy wardrobe 5 Labour Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott will be able to feed his cowboy fetish this weekend when the entire wardrobe of gay cowboy movie Brokeback Mountain goes on sale.The film is auctioning outfits warn by Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger to raise money for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). -
6 October 2006Transsexual jailed for assaulting mother + A transsexual has been jailed for 60 days after being convicted of assaulting her 84-year-old mother.Diane Wells, 52, was convicted of misdemeanour assault on her mother last May at Manhattan Criminal Court and is also subject to a civil lawsuit from her siblings who claim she bullied her parent. -
6 October 2006First Slovenian gay partnership branded ‘awful’ 4 A gay couple this Friday became the first to enter into a civil partnership within the Balkan country of Slovenia.Unfortunately for Mitja Blazic and Niki Kern the partnership hasn't got off to a great start after the couple branded the ceremony "humiliating" and ''awful''. -
6 October 2006Harper denies church gay exemption + Canada's gay community cannot be blamed for being sceptical about their Prime Minister, he recently proposed abandoning same sex marriage and was this week reported to have backed laws to defend public officials and religions from dealing with homosexuals.But Stephen Harper has denied reports of a Defence of Religions Act after the Globe Mail quoted the country's Justice Minister Vic Toews as saying the law would be put forward as an alternative if the motion to ban gay marriages fails. -
5 October 2006Email scandal grows after Foley comes out 3 A republican email sex scandal has taken a new turn after Mark Foley who resigned from the US Congress last week amid reports that he sent inappropriate messages to teenage congressional pages revealed he is gay.His revelation has brought House Republican leaders into the spotlight amid claims that some knew about his sexual orientation but refused to investigate so not to sound bigoted.
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5 October 2006Coach fined for homophobic remarks + A football manager has been fined by UEFA for homophobic comments made two years ago.Otto Baric, head coach of the Albanian national team has been fined 5000EUROS (£3374) by the European football governing body over comments he made in the past about gay players.Mr Baric, 71, said in an interview with Croatian newspaper Jutarnji List, "I would not let a player of mine be homosexual, nor allow one to work with me." -
4 October 2006Buju Banton responds to gay protesters with two words: “F**k them.” 3 Controversial reggae singer Buju Banton has spoken out against his gay protesters with two simple words: "F**k them."The backlash came in an interview with American music site Billboard.com, who asked the singer about his cancelled concerts around the world due to protests."I have never bashed any gays before, and if I bashed gays, I bashed them 16 years ago," said Banton. -
4 October 2006Activists criticise ‘gay spin’ in Foley scandal 3 Gay rights groups expressed outrage this week over the 'gay spin' they say the Republican leadership has put on the Mark Foley email scandal involving underage Congressional pages, emphasising that the ex-congressman's actions had nothing to do with sexual orientation."It is completely unacceptable, regardless of party or sexual orientation, for an adult to engage in this kind of behaviour with a minor," said Joe Solomonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender political organisation.
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4 October 2006Atlanta becomes first southern city to oppose ‘Don’t Ask’ policy + In an 11-2 vote, the Atlanta City Council passed a resolution this week calling on Congress to repeal the federal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" ban on lesbian, gay and bisexual service members, making it the first Southern city to join the fight against the controversial policy.The resolution, which calls for passage of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, a Congressional bill to repeal the law, was introduced by City Council member Anne Fauver and was supported by both Georgia Equality and the Georgia chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights.
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4 October 2006Gay Indonesians facing oppression + A decision by the Indonesian government to allow regions semi-autonomous power has led to the gay community being persecuted and victimised, reports the Jakarta post.Indonesian local authorities have been granted the right to use Islamic law, the result being a strict conservative attitude to homosexuality often leading to the prosecution of gays, despite a federal constitution supposed to protect LGBT civil rights. -
4 October 2006Philippines under pressure to end gay discrimination 1 Amnesty International has launched a global campaign calling upon the Philippine government to pass legislation prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.The campaign sees amnesty members from around the world joining forces with the lesbian and gay legislative advocacy network Philippines (LAGABLAB-Pilipinas). -
4 October 2006Mercosur countries fighting homophobia + Ten South American Nations have expressed approval and agreed to action with regards to sexual orientation and gender identity being included within the human rights agenda.The sexual orientation acknowledgment was part of a Mercosur meeting held in Brasilia at the end of August. -
3 October 2006Disgraced Republican blame alcoholism for problems 3 The fallout continues over the resignation of Florida Republican Representative Mark Foley from the US Congress on Friday after reports that he sent inappropriate e-mails to teenage congressional pages.Foley has now reportedly entered an alcohol rehab centre, according to a statement released by his lawyer.
