Category Archives: LGBT Politics

We Were Here

Posted on November 16, 2011 by

A tip of the hat to Alistair Appleton over at Do Bhuddists Watch Telly for his post on the Documentary We Were Here by David Weissman. The film tells the history of the early 1980s when the AIDS epidemic grew … Continue reading →

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RIP, Rose

Posted on October 27, 2011 by

I was very sorry to read today that Rose Robertson has died. Rose was the powerhouse behind Parents Enquiry, which, as the obituary says, was: Britain’s first helpline to advise and support parents and their lesbian, gay and bisexual children, … Continue reading →

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“The Consequences Are Real”

Posted on September 9, 2011 by

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: I’m very lucky to be able to live in a country that has Civil Marriage for both same-sex and different sex couples. Some countries have only Civil Partnerships for same-sex couples, … Continue reading →

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Amsterdam Canal Parade

Posted on August 6, 2011 by

Today is the 6th August, 2011, and it’s the day of the annual Canal Parade in Amsterdam. I usually travel the 150 km to Amsterdam and join the 400,000+ onlookers to watch it, but this year I’m staying home. However, … Continue reading →

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Uganda’s “Kill the Gays” Bill

Posted on May 9, 2011 by

The appalling David Bahati is still pushing on with his abhorrent piece of anti-gay legislation in the Ugandan parliament. It would seem that it is now reaching a crucial point. This travesty has been going on since 2009. Perhaps it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in LGBT Politics, Society | 2 Comments

Courage

Posted on May 3, 2011 by

Via a post on PZ Myer’s blog, I have discovered the blog of a lesbian in Syria: A Gay Girl in Damascus. She has courage, and a brave father. I hope that they both manage to come through the current … Continue reading →

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“A Disturbing Trend”

Posted on March 25, 2011 by

Today’s title is a quote from Archbishop Silvano Tomasi. Apparently, according to Reuters, People who criticise gay sexual relations for religious or moral reasons are increasingly being attacked and vilified for their views, a Vatican diplomat told the United Nations … Continue reading →

Posted in LGBT Politics, Society | 3 Comments

How Times Change

Posted on March 16, 2011 by

I see that the Isle of Man will make civil partnerships available to gay couples living there as from next month. This is only five years after civil partnerships were introduced into UK law. I find that surprisingly speedy for … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, LGBT Politics, Society | 2 Comments

The Survivor

Posted on February 6, 2011 by

Good heavens, Jonathan Grimshaw is still alive and kicking. He contracted HIV way back in 1984, so must be one of the longest-surviving people with HIV in the UK. While I have never actually met him, for a time he … Continue reading →

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Reaping the Whirlwind of Hate

Posted on January 27, 2011 by

David Kato has been murdered. Given the climate of hate against LGBT people that has been encouraged in Uganda by both the State and organised religion*, it comes as no surprise. It still shocks though, and for those still in … Continue reading →

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It Gets Better, Sorta…

Posted on January 12, 2011 by

After the last post featuring Rebecca Drysdale, here’s a rather tamer effort in the same theme from Ricky Martin. http://www.youtube.com/v/kzxoQ9rbDAA&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3 While it’s really good to see that he’s dropped the pretence that he’s straight, I still don’t find this latest … Continue reading →

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It Gets Better–Part III

Posted on January 12, 2011 by

I’ve been here before – but here’s a video from Rebecca Drysdale that rocks. I’ve never heard of her before, but this is very good – I particularly liked the homage to Vogue. You go, girl!

Posted in LGBT Politics, Music | 1 Comment

UN Restores Resolution

Posted on December 22, 2010 by

I noted earlier this month that a UN Committee had proposed removing the reference to sexual orientation in the UN’s resolution on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. It was a move led by African and Arabic nations – in other … Continue reading →

Posted in LGBT Politics, Society | 1 Comment

The United Nations – A Force For Good?

Posted on December 7, 2010 by

I hope that the above title is somewhat of a rhetorical question. I would hope that, on balance, despite its many failings, the UN still counts for something in this sorry world. However, when it gets down to a personal … Continue reading →

Posted in LGBT Politics, Society | 5 Comments

The Unchosen War

Posted on December 6, 2010 by

World AIDS Day was on December 1st. I had the luxury of reflecting on lost friends, since it is my good fortune to be living in the Netherlands. Some of us reflect on the fact that they are fighting in … Continue reading →

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Living In Fear

Posted on December 6, 2010 by

Brian Whitaker has an article in the Near East Quarterly describing the targeting of gay men in Iraq by vigilantes. It makes for sobering reading. Yet, at the same time, some of the absurdities that are resulting would be laughable, … Continue reading →

Posted in LGBT Politics, Society | 4 Comments

Price and Value

Posted on November 23, 2010 by

I read in today’s Guardian that there was an auction today of Alan Turing’s papers. While I was pleased to see that Google had donated $100,000 to the bid of Bletchley Park to keep the papers for the nation, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Computers and Internet, History, LGBT Politics, Science, Society | 1 Comment

It Gets Better–Part II

Posted on October 22, 2010 by

Here’s another video response to the rising wave of anti-gay sentiment towards American LGBT teens. This time it’s from Google employees who are themselves LGBT. I think that the testimony of “ordinary” people as opposed to “celebrities” makes a much … Continue reading →

Posted in LGBT Politics, Society | 1 Comment

Things Will Get Better…

Posted on October 14, 2010 by

A speech from the heart of Joel Burns, councilman in Fort Worth, Texas. He made it to adulthood. It would seem that today, in 21st Century America, it is becoming even more difficult for gay teens to escape being bullied. … Continue reading →

Posted in LGBT Politics, Society | 1 Comment

The Pope and Gorgeous Georg

Posted on August 30, 2010 by

Colm Tóibín has a very good article in the London Review of Books looking at the issue of homosexuality and the Catholic Church. It’s long and it’s worth reading.

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