Everybody knew

No breaking news that Michael Stipe came out a few days ago. REM, and Michael, are one of the greatest, and everybody's celebrating this coming out, and cheering, and everybody's full of superb intentions and against homophobia and all that. And REM's new album, Accelerate, is coming out very soon too. Also Alejandro Amenabar came out shortly before the release of his movie The Sea Inside. Then the press talks about Michael and adds to the album promotion which adds to the coming out etc. We knew you were gay, Michael, and we all know that homophobia is a crime, and we all know that knives cut. It's only we still don't know how to take their edges off, seen?

Spain pre-election promises, promises, promises...

With most eyes focused on the American campaign, I've just following, like most Spaniards, the moves of our pre-elections season. Eventually, the Popular Party leader Mariano Rajoy disclosed some amount of the changes to bring about on society: contract agreements for immigrants to "behave like Spaniards" and "fulfill the existing laws" (I had never guessed that any person coming to Spain, tourist or permanent settler, had not the obligation to respect and fulfill our laws, and that Spanish behavior might mean they will have to shout and scream in bars for most of the Saturday evening, drive fast and half drunk, and learn how to throw papers and all sorts of other rubbish out of the wastecans when walking the streets); of course, on homosexuality the Party is starting to appear more the wolf they are than the sheep: the first (notice: the first) proposal is to ban homosexual marriages from adoption. It's just a first step, I'm afraid, later on it'll come the banning of homosexual marriage too. But the implications are broader: if homosexual couples can't adopt, it must be because they are not able to raise children correctly, and hence... what will we do when a lesbian couple give birth to a baby? Of course, call the social services and find a suitable home. Preferably traditional, catholic, and conservative.

On other parts of the world, Romania's Senate is trying to amend the Romanian Civil Code on marriage to explicitly forbid same-sex marriages, though that's a move which could bring about some sort of admonition from the European Union. When joining the EU in 2007, Romania had to "recognise same-sex couples registered in other member states". A couple of cases brought before the European High Court could oblige lawmakers to rewrite their homophobic moves.

And just two interesting links to finish: Patrick Chapman makes a brief but interesting critic to the NARTH Journey into Straight, showing that studies of ex-gay organizations are not always trustable, while Ziggy on High posts The Gay Agenda according to the US ultraconservatives.

Why Spain, Mr. Pope?

Pink News cuts short the recent events in Spain about the Roman Catholic church and the Government confronting. For the last three years, after securing a part of the nation's budget for their organization (something that no other officially registered religion, much less those non-registered, has achieved), Catholic hierarchy in Spain has been confronting the government either directly via their pastoral letters and speeches, or indirectly via the COPE Radio Broadcasting Network, which belongs to the Roman Catholic Church.

The last drop in this chain of events seems to have been a demonstration that Archbishops called to, held on December 30th, and to which Pink News makes wide reference. After such demonstration, officers of the government, as well as the prime minister himself, answered firmly, though not to the point of freezing the Church public budget. But, why Spain, precisely?

There may be two key reasons to stage some sort of war over power in Spain, from the Catholic Church standpoint: both intertwined and both dependant on each other. During the last decades, Catholic churches have been witnessing their own decay in Spain, which under Franco's dictatorship was one of the most Catholic nations of the world (practically, Sunday mass was sort of compulsory for every person). Even though key government and state officials still attend religious festivals, and the Royal Family keeps the tradition of marrying and baptizing their offspring inside the Roman Catholic Church, the majority of Spain's population is Catholic just namely, with little attendance to mass, and much less devotion. Though many people still want to marry in the church, a lot of persons have been dropping from weekly practice. Baptizing events, first communions, marriages are more a social event than anything religious. That perception, along with the promised educational budget which the Popular Party couldn't fulfill after being thrown out of the government in March 2004, and its consequent output of new, more secular education curricula for K-12 and High School, are putting the Catholic Church in a clear defensive position. They lose power every day.

But Ignacio Escolar points out another reason, much more important. The Vatican sees Spain as the key to Latin America, and if Spanish youth looses its religious commitment (Vatican means Catholic, of course), then it's quite likely that Latin American youth start demanding equal rights in the same way Spain implemented same sex marriage, abortion, divorce, and the like. That's why the battle for Spain is fierce. Not forgetting that in Latin America, Evangelical churches are gaining momentum.

News in brief

• An Iranian officer agrees with American born again Christians: "gays destroy Western families"
• Labour party in Australia discriminating against homosexuals, gay activists say.
• Italy's divided on a poster depicting a newborn baby with a wrist band saying "homosexual": a campaign to say that Homosexuality isn't a Choice which not even gay people seem to welcome.
• Singapore keeps its anti-sodomy laws, but only for homosexuals. Heterosexuals can practice sodomy freely. (Hey, then what's the point of such a ban?)
• Gay Algerian man in the UK is granted asylum, Home Office asked for deportation.
• Oprah Winfrey to host conversation with Gay Men Around the World on her show tonight.
• ILGA Europe members gathering for a conference in Vilnius, Lithuania, may have to face the ban of such event by Lithuanian authorities. More on Lithuania's homophobia.
• South Africa ministry of health recalls millions of condoms after those be failing safety tests.
• San Francisco and Bay Area Episcopalian bishops affirm their commitment with homosexual unions.

Stephen Colbert on gay marriage

Stephen Tyrone Colbert had some words on gay marriage on MSNBC Meet the Press. Here's the link
to the video at NBC (not able to embed, first plays a commercial, then the interview. Colbert said: "I only got married as a taunt toward gay men because they couldn’t."  It is not clear whether Mr. Colbert is eager to engage on any other of the many varied activities gay men can't do. For instance, I myself can't hold my breathe for more than 15 minutes, neither I can do scuba diving on a liquid nitrogen pool.

Mr Colbert is said to be running for president of the United States of America in what appears to be a remake of Man of the Year. Who's running the voting booth machines?

Technorati tags: USA Politics, Stephen Colbert, Meet the Press, Gay marriage

What happened over the weekend

Wow, it seems we can't leave for a while and not expect to return online with weird news. Over the weekend, Brazilian Senator Magno Malta got upset by the approval of an anti-homophobia bill in his country, and ranted on TV comparing homosexuality with paedophilia and bestiality. I know that some of us guys love bears, but that's real far from bestiality, and I wouldn't dare to compare a twink with a baby, also. And for Pope Benedict it wasn't enough to have suspended a major priest over being aired on Italian TV coming out, now this same cleric is threatening to produce a huge list of closeted homosexual priests too. Back to priesthood or you'll be all exposed? Who knows. With Sam Brownback out of the presidential race, and Fred Thompson being backed by Phelps (yep, that same Phelps), what chances are left for anti-homosexual groups to reach the White House? Oh, and don't forget that Dumbledore happened to be a gay wizard in all of the seven books of Potter. Did anyone catch a lusty gaze from Angus to Harry? Not me. Meanwhile, Watchmen on the Walls, that weird half-lithuanian, half eastern whatever violent anti-gay organization held a meeting last Saturday on Lynnwood, California. No arrestings, it seems. And the Poland twins have been defeated on Sunday's election, well, not both, but at least one of them, the prime minister, which will hopefully bring some relief for Polish homosexuals.

Red Pepper's Guide to Gay Uganda.

Last Sunday, Ugandan newspaper Red Pepper published, under the heading "Homo Terror!" a list of names and descriptions of 40 men allegedly gay. Apart of the fact that the self-called paper is targeting those guys for physical violence, the "article" goes on with descriptions of Gay Lifestyle, How to Spot a Gay, and other funny stories. Were this case not so serious, one would think that Red Pepper is some sort of "News of the World". Here's the funny part, copied from their own print. All typing is sic. and you can check the article's to pages here and here.

When does a gay man get a crash on another man?

The types of men gays like:

• A tall and muscular guy with model like looks.
• Handsome looking guys with a sense of style
• Guys with bums and nice eyes.
• For lesbians, you must have those sexy big boobs, model like booty and light skinned.
• Gay men like rugged looking men with well chiselled bodies like mechanics, wheel barrow pushers and men who work out in the gym.
• They like men with six packs and small beards.

These tastes are just like the women's tastes. Many women in this city believe that most handsome men are either gay or bisexual because the gays have qualities cherished by women.

On top of that, they get sponsorship packages from foreign countries and turn them down because they don't like white people. They get a lot of offers including condoms, oils, liquids, and electronics like phones.

An average gay man in Uganda is computer literate and uses the internet in a daily basis. They can afford rent bills even when not working due to financial sponsorship and they will follow you to find out where you stay if they like you.

Characteristics of a gay man

• They are some of the most handsome men in the city.
• Have a sense of fashion and style. They do anything to improve their bodies and looks. They go to massage parlours. They command a sense of beauty. Sixty percent of the good looking guys in the city is either gay or bi-sexual.
• They maintain proper hygiene and smell expensive perfumes and deodorants. They put on latest clothes in town, tight jeans, tight fitting shirts, and good looking shoes. They are trend. A gay man spends most of his money on clothes, perfumes and body lotions.
• Party animals they go to each and every bar and club in the city and they move in groups.
• They care about their hair, nails and skin. They don't put on jewellery. They say jewellery is "kyalo" (rural).
• They control their diet because they don't want to grow fat. They like to look sexy and attractive. Most of them are cosmopolitan. Women are always attracted to them but always disappoint them.
• The bi-sexuals always have one woman and four other guys. A bi-sexual can never have two girl-friends or wives. It is always one woman and he cheats on her with other men.
• They don't like football because they don't enjoy it but they like Rugby because they love rugged men and they are always in plenty at Rugby matches.
• They love to socialize
• They hate women and kids. They always say they are not ready for kids and if you insist he leaves you.
• They know hot to charm people because they are not shy and that's why women fall for them.
• If they like you they can spend on you because they never have a budget. They have no one to buy milk, food, clothes or pay school fees and so they are always loaded.
• They never get annoyed with anyone.
• They are jealous lovers. They can even fight for a man just like ladies do.
• They are always checking in the mirror for their hair, skin or teeth. Some of them carry bags with make up.
• They understand safe sex and always carry condoms with them.
• They rarely get drunk for they are always watching for their prey.
• If they spot a sexy looking man who is not a gay they will make surehe becomes one of them.
• If you get used to hanging with them you can tell you are gay. They are sexy, smart, sharp, handsome, loaded, and stylish; they know all the designers of the world.
• Their favourite TV programmes are series, soaps, sitcoms and comedies, they love tough guys.
• They watch beauty contests simply to learn how to walk.
• They fall in love and get heartbroken to the extent that they can't eat. But they can't stress because they know how to let go.

Parties and bars

These people are loaded to the extent that they always hold parties almost every month. The parties range from dinner parties, birthdays, anniversaries, welcoming new members and friends, gay visitors and sponsors from abroad.

One unique thing about them is proper coordination. They know how to coordinate and organise parties. If it needs contribution, they can do it and in just one week 2 million shillings is raised. They are not thieves they and always trust each other.

How parties are organised

The chairman sends messages to every gay person up the country inviting them for an occasion. If it is someone's birthday, or dinner, that person sends invitations to only the people he likes and drinks are always on the house. They have rules. If you come with someone, you must bring an extra drink. If it is an organizational anniversary or party, the chairman sends e-mails and sms to all gays phones and will ask you to forward the message to any other member you know, i. e. "party at Kenny's place on Sunday, let others know." They will even ask yo to come with a new friend or a friend. You can not crash these parties.

During these parties, new friends are introduced, phone numbers are exchanged, they talk about work places and celebrate having defeated the press.

A lot of fun is there. Popular dancing groups are hired, speeches given and then the drinking starts.

After the parties they go to clubs or their popular Karaoke clubs. The dress code is optional. Others put on their mini skirts or gomesis, they wear G-strings and before you enter the party you are given a name like Nakacwa, Nalubega name it all and the girls are given names like Basajjakambwe, Usher, Tyrese and so on. It's you who chooses a name you want. At the party they just eat, dance and drink. New boys and girls are hooked here.

Open up

if they realize that you know their game, they will start conning you. He will start praising your beautiful looks, and clothes, ask you where you shop clothes from and request you to take him there: "Give me your number. I will call you and we go there".

Famous bars are

• T COZY bar in Makerere it the most popular these days.
• Dizzy Drop in Ntinda.
• Steak Out.
• Ground Zero.
• Shallow End.
• Luteete Gardens (Venue for parties).

The rich and prominent ones are always in the VIP areas and expensive spots in town. Or they organise their own dinner parties at their posh homes.

Terminologies used by gays

If you are a gay, they will call you "Kuchu". If you are not they will call you "Straight". A girl who is not a lesbo is a "Fish", (Ekyenyanja). A gay or a lesbian is either TOP GIRL or LIPSTICK. Top girl is the one who behaves like a man in a relationship and lipstick behaves like a woman. A gay man who f**ks is TOP and the one who is f**ked is called BOTTOM.

How the gay men shaft

They start by kissing each other. The parts they kiss are the chest, tits, and stomach and finally they do the blow-job part. After that the one who is top applies the oils or jelly in the anus of the one who is bottom. The jellies are sent to the gays here from abroad. After kissing and touching and applying the oils, they decide on whether to start with missionary or any other style. The doggy style is always the last one. It is said that the doggy style is the easiest one for the man to come. That is why they prefer using it last. The bottom men, it is said, don't like men who take long to come because it gets dry and the bottom starts feeling pain.

Technorati tags: Uganda, Red Pepper newspaper, Guide to Gay Uganda, Humor, Abominations and Deadly Sins

It's a weird weird world (I)

A flash about what's weird in the news lately. Take a look at the world, and notice that you're not weird. Or at least not the weirdest.

• In Australia, a camel pet owner was killed when the animal, probably in love, tried to make love to her.
• Also in Australia, three men stole a wheelchair to go drinking.
• At Belgrade Zoo, it seems that some guy tried to start a party with the bears. The wrong bears, though.
• Florida police exchange a pair of Reebok sneakers for a missile laucher.
• In the Mediterranean coast of Spain, not only car drivers will be subjected to breath analysis to determine whether they're drunk. Also yacht owners.
• And last, but not least, it's been almost one month since Norway's Princess Martha Louise declared she can talk to angels. I'm still waiting, sweetie.

Technorati tags: Weird, News, Humor, World

News around the world

And just to keep a bit updated, these news:

Italian politician calls for "ethnic cleansing" of gays

The northern Italian city of Treviso has witnessed mass demonstrations after the deputy mayor called for the ethnic cleansing of homosexuals.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the city hall at the weekend demanding his resignation.

Giancarlo Gentilini, told a local television station on Wednesday: "I will immediately give orders to my forces so that they can carry out an ethnic cleansing of faggots."

Australians demonstrate against ban on gay marriage

Thousands of people marched yesterday in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney as part of the National Day of Action, which marked the three year anniversary of gay marriage being outlawed.

The largest of the marches was in Melbourne, where more than 5,000 people attended. All the marches were peaceful.

Prime Minister John Howard's Liberal government passed federal legislation in 2004 banning same-sex marriage.

Ban on homosexuality in Uganda "unenforceable"

Ugandan laws prohibiting homosexual activity have resulted in no arrests of couples despite people being open about their sexuality and the fact that there are more than 160 members of leading gay organisations.

According to the Monitor.co.ug, Oscar Kihika, the president of the Uganda Law Society said: "You can't just arrest someone for saying they are gay.

"That's like arresting someone just because he says he stole something, with no proof," he said.

Nigerian men could face death penalty for 'gay marriage'

18 men have been arrested at a hotel in northern Nigeria and charged with sodomy.

The men, who were detained by police on Sunday, come from different parts of Nigeria and were allegedly dressed in women's clothes. They had come together to celebrate a gay 'marriage,' according to the NAN government news agency.

The arrests took place in Bauchi city, the capital of a Muslim state in the centre of Nigeria with a population of 316,000.

Technorati tags: Nigeria, Italy, Uganda, Australia, News, LGBT

Nigerian Gay Activist's family attacked.

Via the Gay Religion blog and Gay/Lesbian News we come across an attack on a Nigerian activist family.

Gun men invaded the family house of Davis Mac-Iyalla, Director of Changing Attitude, Nigeria, in Nigeria and started shooting. They killed 20 people. The family was gathered for the swearing in ceremony for one of his brothers. He had just been appointed as Commissioner by the Rivers State Governor. His mother was shot in the leg and is still in the local hospital. His cousin Opali was killed. Davis' brother, who was the main target, managed to escape. Davis currently lives in exile after receiving repeated death threats following his vocal opposition to Anglican Archbishop Peter Akinola's anti-gay statements.

Though Davis Mac-Iyalla was not the target since he's in exile, and there could be political reasons other than homophobia for such attack, be it killing a Commissioner or killing the brother of a gay activist, we regret such acts of terror.

Technorati tags: Nigeria, Davis Mac-Iyalla, Hate crimes

Spain - Judge in Murcia strips lesbian mother of daughters' custody

So we thought that after achieving gay marriage here we were going to be in paradise? Nay, here we go again with the anti-homosexual attitudes of some given sectors of the Spanish society, be it the Catholic hierarchy, the conservative parties (and the nazi parties too) or some others. The guy is remarkably an ultraconservative, and the sentence of his court's been already appealed on higher courts, for sure, because the grounds for such a sentence were that

"the children have the right to one father and one mother, not two fathers or two mothers, and such is the prescription made by the most prestigious psychology scholars."

Ok, those are the funny parts of the text. So you judge the kids have the right to one father and one mother, and you strip them their mother to give them to their father? Nonsense, the same nonsense we find in many other situations.

This judge (who's in the process of suffer a disciplinary proceeding by the Murcia Supreme Court, here in Spain don't let them judges judge so independently, of course) has a long record of such nonsense, it seems. Back in the 80s ordered two women sunbathing in top-less in Cadiz to be arrested, and not long ago he tried to block the adoption of a girl by her mother's lesbian spouse.

But at last something's working in Spain. For more indepth news on this issue you can take a look at it in Spanish here in El Pais, and here, in English, from Reuters.

The name of this "person" is Fernando Ferrín Calamita, thus his behavior is not really weird, since Calamita is the latin equivalent of Calamity, and that's exactly what he's becoming for the GLBT community in Murcia.

News Around The World

• Bid to silence Turkish Gay Group - Lambda Istanbul has been ordered to appear before a judge next week to face charges it is violating Turkish law by stating it represents gays, lesbians, and transsexuals.
• South African Lesbians Tortured, Murdered - LGBT civil rights activists in South Africa are calling on the government to do more to end the growing number of attacks on lesbians in the Black townships following the brutal murders on the weekend of two women.
• Majority in Israel Support Gay Couple Rights - A new poll shows that despite a vocal opposition to gays by orthodox religious groups the majority of Israeli's believe same-sex couples should have rights similar to those of married couples.
• American Psychologists To Review Stance on Gays - The American Psychological Association is embarking on the first review of its 10-year-old policy on counseling gays and lesbians, a step that gay-rights activists hope will end with a denunciation of any attempt by therapists to change sexual orientation.
• Gay South African Prisoners To Be Allowed To Marry - Gay and lesbian convicts will be allowed to marry in South African prisons.