Gay Men Featured in Hillary Clinton Campaign Video Get Married
The two were wed in Chicago at Montrose Harbor in an afternoon ceremony.
Bil Browning
Monthly Archives: July 2015
Love Around the World
Love Around the World
Exactly one year ago we traveled to Japan to speak on LGBTQ rights and marriage equality, and we had the honor of addressing the crowd at Pink Dot Okinawa, a wonderful event with over 1,000 attendees who were treated to music, dance, speeches, and a beautiful marriage ceremony for Kazuki and Harold — when the happy couple exchanged vows there was not a dry eye in the crowd.
Kazuki is from Okinawa, while Harold is American — because they met during the days of DOMA they had to go into exile in order to be together. Luckily they were able to find work, live and marry in Canada. During that time, Kazuki’s family back in Japan was not accepting of their relationship, but over the years their love has prevailed. An emotional highlight of Pink Dot Okinawa was the reading of a touching letter written by Kazuki’s mother to celebrate the love of her son and son-in-law and to express her wishes for their happiness as a married couple.
Amazing events don’t happen by themselves, and Pink Dot Okinawa is no exception — it is the brainchild of Hideki Sunagawa, an activist and HIV/AIDS community worker for over a quarter century and one of the founders of Tokyo Pride. Hideki is also an academic with a PhD in cultural anthropology, and he brings that wisdom to his activism. In Hideki’s own words:
“Though at this point in time Japan provides no legal recognition or protection for same-sex couples, we have reached a point where more and more same-sex couples are holding ceremonies like their heterosexual counterparts. Many gays and lesbians have been encouraged by these open and public celebrations of love and devotion, and as a result feel far more hopeful about building a future with their partners. …the truth is that in Japan, most LGBTQ people with life partners do not or feel as if they cannot introduce them to their families. As such, I’ve come to think that by holding a public ceremony here in Kazuki’ s birthplace of Okinawa, we may be able to provide some hope for both those in the audience and Okinawa’ s local LGBTQ community in general. … it is our belief that this event will not only allow the people of Okinawa to put faces to the idea of a same-sex couple, but also help to lay a groundwork for other such ceremonies throughout Japan.”
This dream became a reality at Pink Dot Okinawa because of Hideki and an amazing team of hard-working and fun-loving volunteers who created a loving space in the central square of Naha, Okinawa. There are too many wonderful people we met there to name everyone individually, but we were inspired by the tireless efforts of Norito Irei who was with us from beginning to end, even introduced us to Okinawan cuisine, and then joined us for a presentation the following day at Okinawa University where he spoke movingly about his own experience growing up gay in Okinawa and what it’s like coming out there and in the United States.
Pink Dot started in Singapore and now includes events for LGBTQ acceptance around the world in places as diverse as Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Montreal, and Salt Lake City. This year at Pink Dot Okinawa 2015, over a thousand braved a downpour to show their support for a better, more loving tomorrow. Our trip to Japan and the experience of Pink Dot Okinawa has filled us with hope in the power of love to create change around the world.
John Lewis and Stuart Gaffney, together for nearly three decades, were plaintiffs in the California case for equal marriage rights decided by the California Supreme Court in 2008. They are leaders in the nationwide grassroots organization Marriage Equality USA.
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Russian gay parade to go ahead as activists are ‘annoying’ officials
Russian gay parade to go ahead as activists are ‘annoying’ officials
When you don’t get what you want in Russia, it turns out if you bug them long enough they might be ready to let you have it.
That’s what the LGBTI community in Russia’s northern city of Arkhangelsk found out, when the city mayor has said he will approve a Pride on 2 August.
Mayor Viktor Pavlenko said the activists had been ‘getting on my nerves’.
It will be held on the same day as Paratroopers Day, intended to celebrate the air forces 85th anniversary, known for a lot of men getting as drunk as possible.
‘On 2 August, we’ll let [the LGBTI movement] go ahead for sure. I guarantee it. To let off steam,’ Pavlenko reportedly said during a council meeting, according to Flashnord.
And so, LGBTI rights activists have now filed a request to hold an event for up to 100 people. And it is expected to go through, despite the nationwide ban on ‘gay propaganda’. But some have expressed concern over people’s safety.
According to the Moscow Times, a LGBTI activist in St Petersburg was attacked by drunk paratroopers on the same day in 2013.
Police attempted to arrest the man who started the fight, but let him go after his fellow paratroopers stood up for him, according to the video footage.
The post Russian gay parade to go ahead as activists are ‘annoying’ officials appeared first on Gay Star News.
Joe Morgan
www.gaystarnews.com/article/russian-gay-parade-to-go-ahead-as-activists-are-annoying-officials/
Sam Smith Is Trim! Streamline! Thin! Model! For Balenicaga
Sam Smith Is Trim! Streamline! Thin! Model! For Balenicaga
Brit crooner and professional Grammy-snatcher Sam Smith is the newest face of Balenciaga’s fall-winter 2015 menswear campaign.
The 23-year-old announced his collaboration with the European house via Twitter, followed by a dark and brooding video on Instagram:
A video posted by Sam Smith (@samsmithworld) on Jul 15, 2015 at 8:10am PDT
So honoured and ecstatic to announce my collaboration with @balenciaga on the upcoming FW15 Menswear campaign!!!! #Balenciaga
Smith, who has taken flack in the past — mostly from Howard Stern and internet trolls — for having a little more to love is getting into the high fashion spirit, sporting a slimmer physique and the kind of bored to the point of comatose expression that luxury campaigns are made of.
Of course, nothing quite screams “Balenciaga” like this iconic image:
But creative director Alexander Wang obviously wanted something more “subtle.”
Les Fabian Brathwaite — in a couture place.
Les Fabian Brathwaite
Jake Gyllenhaal Reacts to SCOTUS’ Marriage Ruling, 10 Year Anniversary of ‘Brokeback Mountain’ – WATCH
Jake Gyllenhaal Reacts to SCOTUS’ Marriage Ruling, 10 Year Anniversary of ‘Brokeback Mountain’ – WATCH
During a promotion tour for his upcoming film Southpaw, actor Jake Gyllenhaal shared how he reacted to the news of the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage and what he thinks about his film Brokeback Mountain, now 10 years old.
Speaking with BET, Gyllenhaal was asked if he felt the ‘perceived risk’ of playing a gay role as a leading man in Hollywood has changed since 2004, Gyllenhaal said,
“Oh definitely it’s changed. I think playing a role and living a life are two very different things. I think telling stories, and all different stories, is what makes acting so great. It’s why I was really proud of Brokeback Mountain and everything it had to say. And it was an interesting journey to go on to learn about that world.”
Gyllenhaal also shared how he felt when he heard that the Supreme Court had legalized marriage equality nationwide:
“When I heard about the news I thought, wow, how far we’ve come in a decade. And how far we have to go in so many things. But I think hopefully something like that in terms of—the resistance of society and seeing that it’s possible to change was such an amazing thing. I remember thinking, my mom sent me the decision. And how it was written, I thought it was so beautiful. And she said it’s all about love. My brother said to me a few weeks ago, all we leave behind is the wake of our live, that’s all we have. And to know that that wins out sometimes is an inspiration to me.”
Watch the interview, which starts with Gyllenhaal at about the 1:17 mark, below (warning: auto-play):
The post Jake Gyllenhaal Reacts to SCOTUS’ Marriage Ruling, 10 Year Anniversary of ‘Brokeback Mountain’ – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.
Sean Mandell
The Bottom Brigade
European Court Italy verdict opens door for gay relationship recognition across Europe
European Court Italy verdict opens door for gay relationship recognition across Europe
The European Court of Human Rights appears to have set a legal precedent in ruling that Italy had violated fundamental human rights by not providing legal recognition to gay and lesbian relationships that could now be used across the continent to force governments to provide some form of recognition to same-sex couples.
The court has jurisdiction over the 47 countries that have signed the European Convention on Human Rights and 23 of those still fail to provide any kind of legal status for same-sex relationships.
Those 23 countries include Eastern European anti-gay bastions such as Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey and they could now find themselves taken before the court and ordered to allow same-sex couples vehicles for registering their relationships.
In it’s Italy ruling the court did not find that same-sex marriage was a human right in Europe – only that legal recognition of same-sex relationships was so it would be up to those 23 countries to choose what form any legal recognition took.
Those countries could decide on any mix of civil unions or registered partnerships short of marriage – or some form of ‘de facto’ relationship recognition where a couple are automatically deemed to be in a legal relationship after a period of cohabitation.
The verdict has been welcomed by international LGBTI rights group Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Global who said it was indicative of a growing momentum towards reform around the world.
‘This ruling makes clear that same-sex partnerships deserve to be recognized, protected, and celebrated, and we urge all signatories to do so,’ HRC Global deputy director Jean Freedberg said yesterday in reaction to the court’s verdict.
‘From the victorious national referendum in Ireland in May to the historic ruling in the US Supreme Court last month, the momentum for equality reaches around the globe.’
‘By calling same-sex partnership recognition a right, the court has made clear to LGBT people across Europe that their unions matter and that their love is equal and should be treated as such.’
The verdict was also welcomed by the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) Europe Executive Board.
Paulo Corte-Real, Co-Chair of ILGA-Europe Executive Board, said:
‘While the [court’s] judgment is only legally binding on Italy, it signals a significant evolution in the [court’s] approach which now affirms the right of same-sex unions to be officially recognized,’ ILGA Europe board member Paulo Corte-Real said.
‘The Court pointed out that 24 of the 47 Council of Europe member states provide same-sex couples with protection and recognition; this is a trend that simply cannot be ignored. It will provide LGBTI advocates in the remaining Council of Europe states who do not recognize same-sex couples with compelling arguments for protection.’
Joyce Hamilton, Co-Chair of ILGA-Europe’ Executive Board, added:
‘We really hope this judgment will speed up the process of legal recognition of same-sex unions not only in Italy, but also in other … countries of the Council of Europe which currently do not legally acknowledge same-sex unions,’ board member Joyce Hamilton said.
‘We encourage politicians and law makers in those countries to reflect on the judgment and the realities of same-sex unions and to side with equality, respect and dignity for all couples.’
The 47 countries under the court’s jurisdiction have a combined population of over 800 million people and the only European country that is outside its jurisdiction is Belarus.
The post European Court Italy verdict opens door for gay relationship recognition across Europe appeared first on Gay Star News.
Andrew Potts
This Letter To The Editor Shoots Down Every Argument Against Gay Marriage In Just 150 Words
This Letter To The Editor Shoots Down Every Argument Against Gay Marriage In Just 150 Words
The good people of Fresno, CA, have been in a heated debate over marriage equality since the Supreme Court ruling last month.
For weeks residents of the conservative city in central California have been writing their local newspaper, The Fresno Bee, to vent their emotions, and a good many of them haven’t been so favorable.
Related: This Flow Chart That Destroys Religion’s Case Against Gay Marriage Is So Easy, Any Zealot Can Use It
In a letter published on July 19, Mark J. Zoeller accused the Supreme Court of “usurping” the “sacredness” of marriage. Then he likened homosexual relationships to polygamy and slavery.
Richard Owen wrote into the paper on July 8 to ask just how long he would be forced “to watch their celebration, read about it and look at that stupid rainbow?” Then he asked, “When do ‘normal’ people get their voices heard? Is it only the people who are different that get the attention from the media?”
Fresno resident Carol Fleisig decided enough is enough.
Related: 10 Bible-Based Reasons Why Christians Should Love Homosexuality
“What a tempest in a teapot!” she wrote into the paper this week. “The recent Supreme Court ruling allowing gay marriage has no impact on anyone who is not gay: no impact on Christians or those of any other belief system that disapproves of homosexuality.”
She then brought up circumcision.
“Does that belief preclude other people from not circumcising their sons?” Fleisig writes. “Of course not! Is there any public outcry against allowing Jewish people to circumcise their sons? Of course not!”
Fleisig concludes by saying that “gay marriage is none of our business if our belief system prohibits it. If you are against the practice of something, simply do not practice it.”
Word.
Read her full letter below and feel free to pass it along to your crazy Uncle Jim who watches FOX News all day…
What a tempest in a teapot! The recent Supreme Court ruling allowing gay marriage has no impact on anyone who is not gay: no impact on Christians or those of any other belief system that disapproves of homosexuality.
Let us be reminded that the Jewish religion tells its followers to circumcise their sons. Does that belief preclude other people from not circumcising their sons? Of course not! Is there any public outcry against allowing Jewish people to circumcise their sons? Of course not! There is not public outcry because people recognize that Jewish circumcision is none of their business. Each family is free to circumcise or not circumcise their sons as they choose.
Likewise, gay marriage is none of our business if our belief system prohibits it. If you are against the practice of something, simply do not practice it. Isn’t their biblical scripture about not judging others?
Carol Fleisig, Coarsegold
Graham Gremore
5 Questions for Couples to Compare Notes
5 Questions for Couples to Compare Notes
You can help social media correspondent Olivia Harewood craft questions for the new Here TV game show, MODD Couples, by answering the questions below and seeing how you measure up.
Advocate.com Editors
www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/television/2015/07/22/5-questions-couples-compare-notes
Hong Kong equality watchdog vows to speed up protections for gays
Hong Kong equality watchdog vows to speed up protections for gays
Hong Kong’s equality watchdog vowed Monday (20 July) to speed up protections for LGBTI people after it was powerless to investigate two women who verbally abused the city’s only openly gay lawmaker on the subway.
Speaking to a legislative panel, York Chow, chairman of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), said legal protections for LGBTI people were his second priority behind reviewing the city’s anti-discrimination law.
Last month, Ray Chan posted a 2-minute video on YouTube of two women mocking his sexuality and calling him ‘shemale.’
‘What can the public do when they experience a similar situation?’ he asked.
‘I feel sorry that there is not any law to protect against this kind of affair at this moment. We don’t have any statutory protection,’ Chow replied.
‘When possible, I will bring this to society for discussion but we do not have any statutory power to handle such cases, so I hope discussions in society will let more people understand the problems facing sexual minorities.’
He added that an EOC-commissioned feasibility study on legislation against LGBTI discrimination would be presented to the government toward the end of the year for ‘appropriate legislative steps.’
However, after the US Supreme Court legalized in gay marriage nationwide in June, Chow said the EOC had no power or mandate to power or mandate to propose such a law in Hong Kong and he was ‘not quite optimistic’ it would be legalized in his lifetime.
The post Hong Kong equality watchdog vows to speed up protections for gays appeared first on Gay Star News.
Darren Wee
www.gaystarnews.com/article/hong-kong-equality-watchdog-vows-to-speed-up-protections-for-gays/
