What's Happening, Hot Stuff?? 29/01/12

Welcome to this week's WHHS! And what a week it has been!

We'll start Stateside because there has been a pretty constant flow of news that we find particularly relevant. If you have seen the Cynthia Nixon (Miranda in Sex in the City) news you will know that she has been putting her foot-in-it left right and centre and not helping in the battle for LGBT equality. First of all, she's 'choosing to be gay', then she doesn't want to say she's bisexual, as 'NO-ONE likes bisexuals' (?!?!) and then she used the word 'squelch'....game over! We switched off reading at that point! It happened in an interview with Kevin Sessums at the Daily Beast...her statement was “Look, I understand for political reasons why some people want to kind of squelch this idea that being gay might be a choice, because a lot of the rights we want are posited on the supposition that why are you denying me my rights any more than if I were created a different color? But I don’t feel the need to cede the definition of what a gay person is to the bigots. They don’t get to define who I am.” At such an important time for the LGBT community especially, would it not make more sense to keep any such opinions to yourself than give homophobic people ammunition?! We agree that in a perfect world, it shouldn't matter if sexual orientation is a choice or not, but at the moment it does matter, and the 'bigots' do have control our rights and our future!

In fantastic, amazing, wonderful news, Washington now has enough votes to secure gay marriage legality in the state- yay! - thanks to a crucial vote from State Senator Mary Margaret Haugen who became the crucial 25th supporter of the proposed legislation. Representing Camano Island, she came out to say 'I know this announcement makes me the so-called 25th vote, the vote that ensures passage. That’s neither here nor there. If I were the first or the seventh or the 28th vote, my position would not be any different. I happen to be the 25th because I insisted on taking this much time to hear from my constituents and to sort it out for myself, to reconcile my religious beliefs with my beliefs as an American, as a legislator, and as a wife and mother who cannot deny to others the joys and benefits I enjoy.” Well put! It means that the legislation now has a majority in the state senate but opponents may still force a state wide vote in July. Come on Washington, do the right thing!

Barney Frank, a US congressman, is marrying his long-term partner in Massachusetts. He is the first openly gay member of congress and hopefully his high public profile will once again lead the way for gay marriage to be on the agenda in a positive way. Congratulations, Barney!!

Barney Frank

And in Oz, from February, gay Australians will be able to receive certificates allowing them to enter into gay marriage abroad and have it count as a domestic partnership in Oz - previously Australia had denied the permit! Australian Marriage Equality national convener, Alex Greenwich, said: “The real problem remains the failure of parliament to allow same-sex marriages in Australia, but the removal of the CNI ban will ease the burden on same-sex couples who are forced overseas to marry." Olivia Newton John (of Grease fame) has also come out publicly to support gay marriage - she joins other famous Aussies including Hugh Jackman! The singer said 'With respect to marriage equality I believe that no one has the right to judge and deny couples who love each other the ability to make a marriage commitment.“Love is love.”' After her 'Lets Get Physical' scene with Jane/Sue in Glee we knew we liked her :)

But England - oh England - it's not been a good week for Old Blighty. We've let ourselves down by allowing the 'Gay Leper' conference where they preached conversion from the gay life style. Furthermore, a high profile footballer- Michael Ball (not the amazing theatre actor / singer) has been caught and fined £6000 for homophobic tweets.

Protesters at the 'Gay Leper' convention

The Archbishop of York has come out against same-sex marriage saying that Government
has no right to 'gift' the institution of marriage. He goes on to say 'I don't think it is the role of the state to define what marriage is. It is set in tradition and history and you can't just (change it) overnight, no matter how powerful you are.' Having read the rest of the article in the Telegraph, the Archbishop continues to say that the reason the church supported civil partnerships was because they 'believe that friendships are good for everybody but if you begin to call those marriage, you're trying to change the English language'. Um we don't plan on getting a civil-partnershipped as friends! We find it disrespectful enough that we wouldn't be able to use the terms 'wife' or 'marriage' in the ceremony - now the church says it's not even a marriage - nice!

In Scotland there has been more publicity for the anti-marriage equality petition titled 'Preserving Marriage'. Gay rights groups are critising the petition for it's 'outdated, inaccurate and homophobic' views. Submitted by Amy King, it claims 'same-sex couples should not have equal rights to marry because of “poor social outcomes for homosexual adults” including “higher rates of domestic violence, suicide, STDs, and mental illness.” She goes on to say the most maddening comment 'Marriage should not be redefined for the whole of society given the tiny percentage of society actually affected by the issue'. It echoes the comments that we highlighted last week by MP David Burrowes (see article HERE) who said that the debate on gay marriage was not one we needed to have now!!!! As we plan to marry, it is a debate we need them to have and more importantly we deserve to have equal rights once we are married - why should our marriage mean we are any different to anyone else?!

At least the US isn't running clinics that 'cure gays' like Ecuador. You may have seen in the news that Ecuador is investigating and acting forcefully to close any clinics found to be trying to force homosexuals to change their sexual orientation. The treatment of individuals at these clinics is nothing short of torture, both physically and mentally, and now they have a lesbian health minister the mission is on! 30 have been closed so far - great work!!

The Zulus in South Africa also hit the headlines with the Zula King saying that gay relationships are rotten and a 'modern' invention - maybe he missed Hillary Clinton's speech (it's HERE!) The Zulus currently make up 20% of South Africa's population, with 11 million living in the country, and they practice Christianity as their main religion. (Gay Leper conferences must do well there!).

                                     Zulu King makes sure we know how he feels!

Finally, Laura's wonderful Dad sent us this video about the absurdity of the Bible setting traditions dictating who can and can't get legally married. Enjoy!!

We shall leave it there - after celebrating Chinese New Year today we are in need of an early night! We will put up a post with some photos from the fun we had at the celebrations early in the week.

For those shoppers reading this we will leave you with our latest discovery... www.pinupgirlclothing.com LOVE IT!!! Seriously as soon as we save up some $$$...

If you have enjoyed this post check out other WHHS HERE!

Until next time,

Sarah & Laura xo