May 31, 2008
Last January, I have blogged about swimmer Scott Jordan's coming out.
Now, another athlete has come out. His name is Matthew Mitcham, a 20-year old Australian diver. He revealed his sexuality just this week in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald.
He is a successful diver. He won gold at last May 11's USA Diving Grand Prix. He beat two Chinese divers. And this coming August, he will be competing in the Beijing Olympic Games.
With the help of Johnson & Johnson's Athlete Support Program, his life partner will be cheering him on at the Games.
His story is far from easy. He battled depression and was briefly on medication. He also retired while still in his teens. But he realized he made a mistake and that he hasn't lived his dreams yet, so he returned to the sport.
At present, he is Australia's only openly gay Olympic athlete.
There are other openly gay Olympic athletes, though not too many. This includes Greg Louganis (won gold for diving at the 1988 OLympic Games in Seoul) and David Pilcher. Click this link to read about the 11 out athletes at the last Athens Games.
May 21, 2008
According to the 2008 report on state-sponsored homophobia by the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), to be gay or lesbian is punishable by imprisonment in 86 countries and punishable by death penalty in 7.
The ILGA is an organization of 600 national and local LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex) groups from all over the world. It fights for the achievement of equal rights for LGBTI everywhere.
"Although many of the countries listed in the report do not systematically implement those laws, their mere existence reinforces a culture where a significant portion of the citizens needs to hide from the rest of the population out of fear," said Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, co-secretary general of ILGA.
...
"Homophobia is cultural. Homophobia, lesbophobia and transphobia are not inborn. People learn them as they grow."
Photo source: ILGA (for a larger view)
If you take a look at the map. The countries that punish by death penalty are from the Middle East and Africa. From what I can see on the map, the countries are Iran, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan, Mauritania and Nigeria.
Just months ago, I read about at least one gay teenager who was hanged. I think it was in Iran. May he rest in peace.
At least one country from Africa protects us. South Africa is only one of five countries that allow gay marriage. The others are Canada, Spain, Belgium and Netherlands. (My mom will be visiting Netherlands this June. It's sad I won't get to go with her. I'd like to visit there.)
It's also good to know that Spain, the country that colonized the Philippines and brought us Christianity more than 3 centuries ago, allows gay marriage.
I am lucky to be living in a country where I'm free to be myself without fear of prosecution for being gay.
For more information about the association, visit their website at www.ilga.org.
Is Minnesota the next state to legalize gay marriage?
Timing is everything. Just a day after the landmark ruling in California, a marriage equality bill was introduced in the Minnesota legislature. It is called the Marriage and Family Protection Act, which will make marriage gender-neutral. In effect, allowing gay marriage.
It was drafted by a citizen, Doug Benson.
"I'm 54 years old, and I'm sick of waiting," said Benson, who has been with his partner, Duane , for almost 20 years.
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The bill has no chance of passing, but that's not the point. It's meant to be a conversation starter and signal a turning point for a community that has been on the defensive for so many years. The discussion will change from protecting marriage for a privileged few to granting those rights and responsibilities to couples who are just as deserving. This bill is a step in that direction. "Many of the 19 legislators who signed on to this bill did so without even batting an eye," notes Benson. "It just blows me away."
Is this a wise move? Perhaps. The momentum from California may be an advantage. Of course, I hope it turns out good for our side.
May 18, 2008
This post is already a couple of days late. But still, I want to post about it.
I'm sure a lot of people all over the world have caught wind of this news. Here, I am not really sure if it already reached the general Filipino public. I certainly didn't hear it mentioned in local news programs.
Maybe it's not the general Filipino public's concern, but of course, it has some interest to me. At least I now know that there is one more place in the world where gays can get married.
Now that gay marriage is legal, it is expected that a lot of gay couples will get hitched. Even Ellen deGeneres has announced her marriage to girlfriend Portia de Rossi (known for her role as Nell Porter in the very successful TV show Ally McBeal).
There were a lot of reactions from prominent figures regarding the issue. Democratic Presidential Candidates Obama and Clinton are okay with it. But Republican Presidential Nominee, McCain and "Americans For Truth about Homosexuality" are not.
Let's just hope that the happiness is not short-lived. The law isn't final yet. It will become a law if within 30 days there are no appeals and motions filed.
It is unlikely to go unopposed. A referendum is expected. What is a referendum, you ask? Simply put, the public votes to either accept or reject a proposal, in this case, the law on gay marriage. Majority wins. The outcome of this will supersede the court's ruling.
California Governor Arnold Schwarzeneger says he respects the court's decision and that he will not support ammendments to overturn the ruling.
People for and against it are determined to win for their respective sides. They are prepared to spend for it. It is going to be a very tight race.
May 11, 2008
I would like to greet all mothers, here and around the world.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!
Unfortunately, my mom is not here in Manila. Yesterdat, she had to return to Samar for business.
But, I texted her this morning with my greeting.
This weekend has been really fun.
The gang and I went to a friend's house in Bulacan for a pool party. It has been a long time since we've been there last.
I still don't have a copy of the pictures. Once I get a hold of them, I'll post it.
May 6, 2008
This university in Nashville, Tennessee is the first in the Southeastern Conference to add gender identity or expression to its non-discrimination policy.
There will be “five immediate key action steps,” Dean of Students Mark Bandas wrote in a press release: opening an Office for GLBT Life; hiring a director of GLBT life; working with various campus groups, especially admissions offices and The Commons, to “ensure that members of the GLBT community understand that they are welcomed and valued members of our community”; moving to amend the non-discrimination policy to include gender identity and expression; and continuing to investigate additional recommendations made by the GLBTQI Student Issues Committee.
When I was still studying at my university, I have no knowledge of it having a non-discrimination policy or at least something that resembles it.
