TERROR CAMPAIGN AGAINST LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER IRAQIS CONTINUES UNCHECKED BY IRAQI G

Ali Hili sent a message to the members of SOS: Support Iraqi LGBT.

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Subject: TERROR CAMPAIGN AGAINST LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER IRAQIS CONTINUES UNCHECKED BY IRAQI G

IRAQI LGBT – November 2009 – The rise of fundamentalist groups in Iraq since the 2003 U.S. led invasion has proven deadly to LGBT Iraqis, who are now being forced to either hide or face the consequences.

Using the internet as a means to track down new victims, militia members are now employing computer analysts to monitor traffic on gay dating and networking websites in the region. They work with internet café owners to single out people who frequent these sites and set up fake profiles in the attempt to lure them out.

On the 28th of August, police raided the houses of Asad Galib and Faeq Ismail, both 24 years old, and took them into custody. They were held and questioned for about four hours, accused of viewing gay websites in an internet café on the 21st of July. Both men denied the accusations and explained that the websites had already been open when they had begun using the computers. They were later released and are now in contact with Iraqi LGBT, a London based organization working to support and protect LGBT individuals in Iraq.

Others who have been accused or are suspected of such activities have not been as lucky.

On the 2nd of September, the body of 21-year-old student Mizher Hussien was discovered in Al Najaf, a city south of Baghdad. His head and genitals had been severed, and he had the word “pervert” written in black across his chest. The details of his murder are unknown, and Iraqi police have refused to launch an investigation into the cause or motivation of the crime.

On the 18th of September in Al Shatra Amara, two bodies were found exhibiting signs of torture. They had both been decapitated and left with a paper stating, “This is the end of all pervert homosexuals”.

Iraqi LGBT has been working since 2003 to raise awareness of the abuses being committed against LGBT people in Iraq, as well as provide protection to those who have been targeted. The organization currently funds a number of safe houses in the region, with nearly 100 individuals in Iraq directly benefitting from their work. In addition, Iraqi LGBT has been involved in securing asylum for Iraqi refugees who have been forced to flee the country.

Unfortunately, Iraqi LGBT has not been able to help everyone. The organization estimates that over 720 LGBT men and women have been murdered by these extremist militias in the last six years. The Iraqi government has largely been absent in pursuing the roaming death squads who carry out these acts, likely due to the influence of extremist Shia religious parties that are calling for a moral cleansing of Iraq.

With extremist militias threatening all those known to support LGBT rights, including the 2006 raid of an Iraqi LGBT planning meeting in which five activists were arrested, there is little hope for Iraqis suffering under the new socio-political climate. Once the most liberal and secular of the Arab nations, nowadays a religious extremism has taken hold of the country to the detriment of its people.

Iraqi LGBT calls for immediate international action to prevent the further torture and execution of LGBT people in Iraq. More information and details on making donations to the safe houses effort can be found at the Iraqi LGBT blog:


http://www.facebook.com/l/90abf;iraqilgbtuk.blogspot.com/2009/11/terror-campaign-against-lesbian-gay.html

Move afoot to outlaw divorce

Protect Marriage

Bil Browning sent a message to the members of The Bilerico Project.

Weekly Reader: Fruit Bat Fellatio, Las Vegas, & Scaring Our Elders

While I took a few vacation days this week to travel to NYC, the Editorial Team kept things plugging right along and the great contributor content didn't stop for an instant. These posts really stood out this week:

Sunday
Fellatio in fruit bats
Filed by: Gloria Brame Ph.D.
http://www.facebook.com/l/08e51;www.bilerico.com/2009/11/fellatio_in_fruit_bats.php

Are you normal?
Filed by: Michele O'Mara
http://www.facebook.com/l/08e51;www.bilerico.com/2009/11/are_you_normal.php

Monday
Is Violence Inevitable In Our Fight For Equality?
Filed by: Father Tony
http://www.facebook.com/l/08e51;www.bilerico.com/2009/11/is_violence_inevitable_in_our_fight_for_equality.php

Vegas still casts desert mirage of equality
Filed by: Cassandra Keenan
http://www.facebook.com/l/08e51;www.bilerico.com/2009/11/vegas_still_casts_desert_mirage_of_equality.php

Tuesday
About that LGBT boycott of the Obama Campaign, the DNC, and Organizing for America....
Filed by: Alex Blaze
http://www.facebook.com/l/08e51;www.bilerico.com/2009/11/about_that_lgbt_boycott_of_the_obama_campaign_the.php

Zenyatta: Why Should We Care About a Horse?
Filed by: Patricia Nell Warren
http://www.facebook.com/l/08e51;www.bilerico.com/2009/11/girl_power_zenyatta_rules_supreme_now.php

Wednesday
Why I'm So Damn Frightened of You
Filed by: Diane Silver
http://www.facebook.com/l/08e51;www.bilerico.com/2009/11/why_im_so_damn_frightened_of_you.php

Counterpoint: trans-inclusion is distracting to LGB legislation
Filed by: Austen Crowder
http://www.facebook.com/l/08e51;www.bilerico.com/2009/11/counterpoint_trans-inclusion_is_distracting_to_lgb.php

Thursday
For marriage victories, we must face and use religion
Filed by: Matt Comer
http://www.facebook.com/l/08e51;www.bilerico.com/2009/11/for_marriage_victories_we_must_face_and_use_religi.php

I've signed on to Don't Ask, Don't Give (and you should too)
Filed by: Bil Browning
http://www.facebook.com/l/08e51;www.bilerico.com/2009/11/why_ive_signed_on_to_dont_ask_dont_give_and_you_sh.php

Friday
When Its Not Your Fight
Filed by: Antonia D'orsay
http://www.facebook.com/l/08e51;www.bilerico.com/2009/11/when_its_not_your_fight.php

Video WH 'held for review': Obama official Melody Barnes' support for marriage equality
Filed by: Pam Spaulding
http://www.facebook.com/l/08e51;www.bilerico.com/2009/11/video_wh_held_for_review_obama_official_melody_bar.php

BONUS:

Bloggers honored at 2009 Courage Awards - The NYC Anti-Violence Project
Filed by: Pam Spaulding
http://www.facebook.com/l/08e51;www.bilerico.com/2009/11/bloggers_honored_at_2009_courage_awards_-_the_nyc.php

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Catholic church trying to 'blackmail' D.C. in attempt to erode lgbt equality

After pouring a huge amount of money into defeating same-sex marriage in California and Maine, the Catholic church is now jumping into the D.C. argument with a little blackmail:

The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn't change a proposed same-sex marriage law, a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care.

make the jump to the rest of the article here

Gay Rights Go Global

Gay Rights Go Global

Wednesday 11 November 2009

by: Peter Tatchell | GlobalPost

London - A new bill before the Ugandan parliament proposes the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality” and “serial offenders.” A sentence of life imprisonment will be imposed for touching a person with homosexual intent. Membership in gay organizations, advocacy of gay human rights and the provision of condoms or safer sex advice to gay people will result in seven years jail for “promoting” homosexuality. Failing to report violators to the police within 24 hours would incur three years behind bars. The new legislation will also apply to Ugandans who commit these "crimes" while living abroad, in countries where such behavior is not a criminal offense.

Jump here to read the rest

Mormons Endorse Not Leaving the Gays To Rot.

Mormons Endorse Not Leaving the Gays To Rot.

Stop the presses! The LDS church, via spokesman Michael Otterson, held a special news conference today to announce to every soul in the entire universe that they support "the right of people (gays) to have a roof over their heads and the right to work without being discriminated against."

Wow... what a stance.

A truly groundbreaking day in the progression of civil rights. Gays can now have a roof over their heads and not be fired from their jobs thanks to the stamp of approval from the Mormons.

C'mon, really? How is this even news? Did gay folks really need the church's nod of approval to have what Otterson himself admitted are "common-sense rights"?

jump to read the rest here

SHOCKER: Salt Lake City Passes LGBT Rights WITH Support Of Mormon Church

Last night the city council of Salt Lake City unanimously passed an ordinance outlawing discrimination against gays in employment and housing, the first such law in the entire state of Utah. Very surprisingly, among those speaking in support of the bill were official representatives of the LDS Church.

Hours after the LDS Church announced its support Tuesday night of proposed Salt Lake City ordinances aimed at protecting gay and transgender residents from discrimination in housing and employment, the City Council unanimously approved the measures. "The church supports these ordinances," spokesman Michael Otterson told the council, "because they are fair and reasonable and do not do violence to the institution of marriage." They also are consistent with Mormon teachings, he said. "I believe in a church that believes in human dignity, in treating people with respect even when we disagree -- in fact, especially when we disagree." Normally more deliberate, the council opted to vote after dozens of residents in the overflowing crowd expressed their support. "Guaranteeing a right to fair housing and fair employment is not an issue of compromise," Councilwoman Jill Remington Love said. "We are a stronger, better city this evening. I'm proud to serve on a City Council where this isn't even controversial."

The LDS Church's endorsement was hailed by leaders of Utah's gay community -- some of them stunned -- who called it a historic night they hope will set the stage for statewide legislation. "This is a great step," said Will Carlson, director of public policy for the advocacy group Equality Utah. But, he noted, four out of five gay Utahns live outside the capital and should be afforded protection as well. "Equality Utah will continue to work for that." Councilman J.T. Martin said some will dismiss the church's move, arguing LDS leaders blinked or caved to pressure. "That's not the case," he said. "I can tell you they do have compassion. They have church members who have gay sons and daughters, and they know this is an issue that touches everyone's life."

Do you think this is penance for Prop 8? Damage control? Does it matter?

thanks to Joe

HomoQuotable - Lee Daniels

"Precious is really not a black story. I told it originally for a black audience, and I'm a black, gay filmmaker. So I told it with a gay sensibility, and I gave a black sensibility to it, because I'm African-American. But I think it's a universal story, and it goes beyond sex and/or culture to be universal.

"I met this lady who was 60 or 70 years old and attending the Sundance Film Festival, and the day after our first screening, she started sobbing in my arms. It was the most beautiful moment in all of this for me. I realized that it didn't matter if you were gay, black or from Philadelphia. This woman, who could barely speak my language, had embraced the moment and understood Precious." - Director Lee Daniels, whose film Precious shattered box office records for a limited release last weekend when it opened on 18 screens. The most Oscar-hyped film of the season, Precious opens nationwide on November 20th.

(I know I should see it, but it looks soooo depressing.)

Courtesy of JMG

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! !

Australian territory becomes first to legalise gay unions

(AFP) – 13 hours ago

SYDNEY — An Australian territory became the first to legalise civil partnership ceremonies for same-sex couples, in a move supporters hoped would spark national momentum.

Under the new laws, gay couples will be able to hold a legally recognised civil union ceremony in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), home to the nation's parliament.

The region's legislators approved the bill on Wednesday, moved by the ACT Greens party, after an amendment banning heterosexual couples from being recognised under the system.

The amendment means the law will not go against national legislation that says civil unions must not mimic marriage.

"We understand that this is not same-sex marriage," said Greens MP Shane Rattenbury, who drafted the bill.

jump here to read the full article