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Australia's ruling party backs marriage equality

Submitted by Jeff on Sat, 12/03/2011 - 10:07am
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Australia's ruling Labor Party recently agreed to support marriage equality. The decision, which is at odds with Prime Minister Julia Gillard's support for a national ban on same-sex marriage, was met with rousing applause from the 400 delegates and hailed by supporters as historic. In Australia marriage is mandated by federal legislation, so although civil same-sex unions are recognised in five states, the couples are not seen as "married" by the federal government.


World Rainbow Hotels commit to delivering a welcoming experience for gay travelers

Submitted by Jeff on Mon, 11/07/2011 - 9:18am
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World Rainbow Hotels collection is the first company to introduce LGBT-specific rate codes. Hotels are located in 50 different countries and 264 destinations. The group is marketing to 60,000 travel agencies and corporate bookers around the world, as an easy way for travelers to identify LGBT-friendly hotels. Hotels participating understand the value of joining a global group of hotels that welcome the gay community.


Opposition to Goa GLBT tourism

Submitted by Jeff on Thu, 10/20/2011 - 10:33am
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Experts believe GLBT tourism might constitute the biggest increase in India's visitors in the near future. It has the ability to be a safe haven, since homosexuality was decriminalised following a court order. 'It is an emerging tourism trend in Europe and has the potential to become one of the biggest segments in tourism,' tourism director Swapnil Naik said. However, a criminal complaint has been filed against the organizers of an event supporting GLBT tourism - this after complaints from Hindu rightwing groups and the Catholic church.


Mexico City reaches 1,000th same-sex marriage

Submitted by Jeff on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 9:45am
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Mexico City has marked its 1,000th same-sex marriage since lawmakers in the capital approved marriage equality in March 2010. The city government states that about 6 percent of those getting married are foreigners. The first 1,000 weddings includes 548 gay couples and 452 lesbian pairs. About 85 percent of the marriages were between partners age 31 and older. The 1,000th wedding took place Sunday, uniting a 37-year-old Mexican university researcher and a 29-year-old Dutch man.


Twins volunteer as flower girls for Brooklyn same-sex weddings

Submitted by Jeff on Mon, 08/15/2011 - 5:18am
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A cool straight couple recently brought their 4-year-old twins [Emily and Sophie] to Brooklyn Borough Hall and the kids offered to be flower girls for whoever might need them. Their father Steve said, "As adults, we view marriage equality as our generation's civil rights struggle and wanted to be there at the making of history and to have our daughters watch and participate in this very special occasion...We didn't know anyone getting married but thought it would be fun and interesting. It was very exciting and emotional for all."


Chile leader proposes civil unions for its gay citizens

Submitted by Jeff on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 7:27pm
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Chile's conservative president Sebastian Pinera [pic] recently proposed civil unions legislation that would give gay and lesbian partners many of the rights now offered to married couples in the South American nation. Pinera, fulfilling a campaign promise with the civil union bill, insists the initiative doesn't change the concept of marriage in Chile. But said all couples "deserve respect, dignity and the support of state," in a speech at the presidential palace that was followed by prolonged applause.


Taiwan hosts same-sex marriage celebrations

Submitted by Jeff on Tue, 08/09/2011 - 12:27pm
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Approximately 1,000 people attended the mass wedding of 60 Taiwanese lesbian couples, which took place during a private ceremony. Although only symbolic, the weddings are part of a campaign to legalize marriage equality in the nation, which restricts marriage to heterosexual couples. Taiwan became the first country in Asia [in '03] to introduce a bill that would legalize marriage equality and allow same-sex couples to adopt children. However, President Ma Ying-jeou said public support is needed before the measure can be debated.


The Suquamish Indian tribe welcomes marriage equality

Submitted by Jeff on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 4:09pm
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Following an unanimous vote, the Suquamish Indian tribe became the second in the U.S. to recognize marriage equality. The new law allows the tribal court to issue a marriage license to two unmarried people over 18 years of age, so long as one of them is an officially enrolled member of the tribe. The vote follows the Coquille Indian tribe's historical decision to approve a gay union on the southern Oregon coastal reservation in Coos Bay three years ago.


GLBT Pride Flag to fly on Space Needle

Submitted by Jeff on Thu, 06/16/2011 - 4:43pm
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Representatives for the Space Needle Corporation issued a fundraising challenge in response to a community call to raise the Pride flag during the weekend of Seattle Gay Pride. The Space Needle will raise the flag over the weekend; and it also wants to raise $50,000 through an online fundraiser to help four LGBT charities. The Space Needle kicked off the fundraiser with a $5,000 contribution of it's own.


EuroPride to challenge Italy's 'homophobic parliament'

Submitted by Jeff on Thu, 06/09/2011 - 3:34pm
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Over one million people will be part of Rome's Pride Festival, and Lady Gaga is going to entertain them. The US singer is to address the crowds with a message of support for gay rights in Italy, which lacks legislation against homophobic attacks and does not allow gay civil unions. The EuroPride parade will make its way through the city centre and end with a concert and rally in the Circus Maximus, an ancient Roman arena. Vladimir Luxuria, a former member of Italy's parliament, said homophobia is on the rise there. 'This parliament is homophobic.


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