Dueling Messages From the Top

The past few weeks have been interesting ones.

I'm not an American, neither am I Filipino, but I've spent quite a bit of time in both the U.S. and the Philippines.  I've been fairly amazed by the recent contrary messages on marriage equality that have been sent from the White House on one side, and Malacañang on the other.

President Barack Obama has announced his full support for the right of same-sex couples to marry, sending a resounding message of equality around the world.

The shockwave hit the Philippines, too.  Within hours, it seemed, Malacañang was sadly distancing itself from the statements coming from the White House.

Conservative Jews and French Kisses

Yesterday the Conservative faction of Judaism in North America formally endorsed marriage equality.  Oh yeah, you read that right:  the CONSERVATIVE Jewish branch!  Reform Jews, the more liberal faction of Judaism to which most Jews belong, have already been long supportive of equality.  This move by their conservative brethren was a welcomed surprise.

So much for the argument that "all major religions are opposed to same-sex marriage."  Sorry if it scares you, but there are millions of progressive Jews, Buddhists, and Christians (such as myself) who are fully and entirely supportive of equal marriage.

Also yesterday, on a non-religious note, in Paris the new French President Francois Hollande and Prime Minister Jean Marc Ayrault announced that a change in legislation to allow same-sex couples to marry and adopt children will be done 'quickly' and that a draft bill is 'ready,' according to French news site Yagg.com.

The new French executors vowed to keep their campaign promise of bringing marriage equality to France, stating that they understand the urgency and importance of it.

A Socialist Party spokesperson stated that legislation will likely be presented in the National Assembly for discussion 'before the autumn,' and with it France is set to join other predominantly Catholic countries which already have marriage equality.

The French government's decision highlights the point that civil unions, which France has had since 1999, simply have not been good enough for a country that prides itself on treating everyone equally.

May Round-Up

The month of May has certainly been a busy one!  Here's a round-up of some of the good...and the bad.

Probably the best recent news came out of the USA:  President Obama finally publicly announced his support for marriage equality.  Prior to this he was a supporter of civil unions only.  The announcement was a major event in the fight for civil rights; no other sitting American president has ever publicly endorsed same-sex marriage, especially in an election year, though some former presidents recently have (namely Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter).

This is a definite boon to the marriage equality push in the US, so kudos to the Prez for taking a stand for equality and liberty!

On the other side of the Atlantic, Francois Hollande has become the brand new president of France.  Hollande, a member of the Socialist Party, had marriage equality as part of his campaign platform, saying that if elected he would push legislation to finally bring same-sex marriage to France.  Of course he needs more liberal-minded Congresspersons to back him up, which is hopefully what he'll get after congressional elections in June.

Vive la France et vive la liberté!

Baby Steps of Progress in Italy

Italy, the birthplace of the Roman Catholic Church, isn't known for its progressive stance on gay rights.  Italy is one of the only European countries that still does not offer some form of legal recognition to same-sex couples.  But the pendulum is starting to swing a bit...

On the 15th of March, 2012, the Italian Supreme Court (Corte Suprema di Cassazione) issued a two-pronged ruling in the most important gay rights case thus far in that country.  The case revolved around an Italian same-sex couple who were legally married outside of Italy, and who sued the state to have their marriage recognized by the Italian government.

The Supreme Court ruled that the government does not, at this point in time, have to recognize same-sex marriage contracted in other countries, which seems like a defeat.  But the second part of the ruling is where it gets good.

Wedding Issue Selling Like Hotcakes

Just thought this was kind of cool:

The latest issue of Life with Archie comic books, featuring the wedding of Kevin Keller, has sold out at most shops throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

Some religious nuts have complained (naturally, as if they don't have more important things to do), threatening to boycott one of the world's biggest toy stores, Toys 'R' Us, for selling and openly displaying the comics in their stores.  Their grumbling has been to no avail though, because the majority of people don't have a problem with the same-sex marriage theme, or with their children seeing two married men on the front cover.

Kudos to Archie Comics for making Riverdale an inclusive community!  It goes to show that kids can still learn important values through reading comics.

No word yet, however, on when or where the comic will be sold in the Philippines.

The Philippines Needs Leaders with Backbone

What I would love to see one day, is for a Filipino politician -- especially a member of a sitting administration -- to finally have the balls to stand up for the LGBT community and tell the church to stuff it.

This is what Lynne Featherstone (photo left), U.K. Equalities Minister, did last week, and she deserves high praise for it.

The British government has promised that the U.K.'s marriage law will be amended no later than 2015, but likely sooner.  Since 2005 the U.K. has had a Civil Partnership Act, which conveys all the rights and benefits of marriage to same-sex couples, only under a different name.  The new marriage equality law will change the term "civil partnership" to marriage, and allow for gay couples to be married in churches that are willing to do so.

Naturally the Roman Catholic Church is reacting as if someone is throwing acid in their face, and, along with some of the more conservative Anglican clergy, have stepped up efforts to stall marriage equality.

Maryland Becomes Marry-land

Inside the Senate as the bill was passed

After passing in the state House of Delegates late last week, the Civil Marriage Protection Act has now passed in the Maryland Senate as well.  When it is signed into law early next week by governor Martin O'Malley, who has been a strong supporter of the bill, marriage equality will be the law of the land in Maryland.

"All children deserve the opportunity to live in a loving, caring, committed, and stable home, protected equally under the law," said the governor.  “The common thread running through our efforts together in Maryland is the thread of human dignity; the dignity of work, the dignity of faith, the dignity of family, the dignity of every individual.”

One conservative senator, Allan Kittleman, who voted in favor of the bill, said this before entering the Senate chamber to cast his vote:  "I'm proud to be the son of a civil rights pioneer who is going to vote in favor of the civil rights issue of this generation."

Congratulations, Maryland!

Criminalization of Homosexuality Risks World Health

Countries that continue to criminalize homosexuality are directly responsible for the worsening of the spread of HIV, according to the World Health Organization.

WHO's report, which can be accessed here, points to the fact that it is actually still illegal to be a gay man, and for two men to have sex, in 75 countries.  In Asia, the countries of Singapore, Bhutan, Myanmar, Malaysia, Palau, and certain states in Indonesia are included in that list.  Singapore's law against male-male sex (Section 377A of the Penal Code) is still in place though is rarely enforced.

According to WHO, such legal restrictions and discrimination force gay and transgender people to risk criminal sanctions if they discuss their sex lives with health service providers.  Sexual activity is very important for a doctor to know about it -- whether you're straight, gay, bi, or trans -- but in places where same-sex activity is illegal or where it is strongly frowned upon for "moral" reasons, many people remain quiet.  These archaic laws also give police the authority to harass organizations that provide vitally important health services and education to the LGBT community.