Growing Support for Gay People in Mexico

A growing majority of Mexicans are in favor of LGBT people and their rights.

According to the last Parametria poll, 52% of respondents support gay marriage, while 44% remain opposed. That's a 13 point increase in support from a previous survey conducted in December of 2012.

About the openly gay politicians, they are supported by 49%.

And 57% of Mexicans support gay troops serving openly in the military.

In addition, 89% of respondents said that gay people in Mexico should be treated equally.

However, 70% of Mexicans are opposed to gay couples adopting children, although it's a 4 point drop from last year's survey.

In any case, Mexican's favorable opinion on LGBT people and their rights is increasing, and that's good news.

Benjamín Medrano, first openly gay mayor in Mexico

Mass gay wedding in Mexico City,  the only place 

in the country where same-sex marriage is legal

Gay Pride in Mexico City every June

Gay Kiss-in Protest at Brooklyn IKEA

A group of gay and lesbian activists at Brooklyn IKEA, in New York City, recently took part in a protest against the IKEA’s decision to censor a lesbian couple’s interview from its Russian edition magazine. 

The interview, which features British lesbian couple Clara and Kirsty, appeared in the December print edition of the firm's club magazine. But Swedish furniture retailer spiked the article in the Russian edition because that would have broken the country's new law forbidding gay propaganda. 

IKEA spokeswoman Ylva Magnusson confirmed that the lesbian family-focused feature had been removed from the Russian edition of the magazine, following Russian law banning promotion of homosexual relationships.

The activists demonstrated kissing and hugging one other, staging around the store.

IKEA calls itself as the life improvement store, but with this decision I don't know how it improves LGBT people's life in Russia.

The story spiked by IKEA about British lesbian couple

from the Russian version of its customer magazine

End Violence Against Women

The United Nations General Assembly has designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

The premise of today is to raise awareness of the fact that women around the world are subject to rape, domestic violence and other forms of violence; furthermore, one of the aims of this day is to highlight that the scale and true nature of the issue is often hidden. 

For 2013, the official theme framed by the UN Secretary-General’s campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women, is Orange the World in 16 Days.

Charity Calendar of Barcelona's Gay Swim Team

A Barcelona's gay swim team sells its 2014 calendar to raise funds for Barcelona Checkpoint Centre, a local HIV testing, treatment and prevention center.

The swimmers are part of the larger Yellow Panthers group, which includes other LGBT sport groups as basketball, soccer and tennis. 

Yellow Panthers are dedicated to combatting homophobia in sport, so not just participate in gay-specific sportive events, but play with any teams across the country.

The 2014 calendar's photos were taken over by Juan Pablo Santamaria.

This calendar is available online.

Making-of video - behind the scenes

A British Man is Charged in Uganda for Possessing a Gay Sex Video

Bernard Randall, originally from Kent (UK), has appeared in court in Uganda accused of possessing a gay sex video, after someone stole a laptop from his house.

Randall has denied a charge of trafficking obscene publications. Remember that homosexual acts are illegal in Uganda, and the British man faces a possible two-year prison sentence if found guilty.

Randall's case has attracted a lot of international attention. Reporters representing media groups from around the world are attending this case.

A demonstration was held in central London to highlight the case, asking freedom for Randall and the end of gay show trials in Uganda.

In Mauritania, Sudan and Nigeria, same-sex sexual activity is punishable by death. And Gambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia lead the 38 African countries where homosexuality is punished by imprisonment.

More information on Peter Tatchell Foundation.

Orlando Cruz Marries Boyfriend in New York City

The Puerto Rican boxer Orlando Cruz married his boyfriend José Manuel Colón in New York's Central Park, with NYC Councilmember Melissa Mark-Viverito officiating the ceremony.

Cruz became the first openly gay professional boxer when he came out as "a proud gay man" last year, while he still was active.

Last August, he proposed wed to his boyfriend via a publicly posted Facebook video. José Manuel accepted immediately on same Facebook.

Congrats to the newlyweds!.

Cruz wore rainbow briefs during 

a high-visibility fight last month 

in order to show support for LGBT rights.

One Year of Blogging!

I've started this blog just one year ago. Wow!

After 12 months, I can only say THANKS to friends and followers. 

Especially thanks to Ryce, for his continuously help and support.

THANKS to everybody!!!!

First Year Blogiversary!!!!

Shots Fired Against Gay Nightclub in Moscow

Two men with guns attacked a well-known Moscow gay club “Central Station” last night. 

Intruders at first threatened the club visitors and then the owners. When the guards refused to let them into the club, some shots were fired. No one was injured, but the two gunmen escaped. 

The case is the club has surveillance video and security cameras captured the shooting incident. The images have been handed to police and its viewed should lead to arrest them.

The club's owners said the attack is just the latest in a string of provocations which they believe are aimed at getting them to move out of the club. For that reason, they have asked for additional police protection.

There has been much antigay violence in Russia since last summer passed a national law banning propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors, and the homophobic climate is reaching dangerous levels.

The club is usually very crowded

Pro-Gay Coloring Book for Sochi Olympics

FKCH8.com has launched a campaign to send to Russian children pro-gay coloring books during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

"Misha & His Moms Go to the Olympics" is a book with several drawings to be colored and to let kids in Russia know that being gay is normal.

Since the law banning the promotion of homosexuality to children was signed by President Vladimir Putin in late June, a lot of protests and demonstrations have taken place around the world. 

After passing the law banning gay propaganda, the situation of LGBT people in Russia has become increasingly difficult and the homophobic climate has reached unacceptably levels. 

Critics confirm this law effectively bans all gay rights rallies and could be used to prosecute anyone voicing support for homosexuals.

You can download a free printable PDF of this book here.

Love is the Law in Hawaii

Congratulations Hawaii!!!!

Buenos Aires Gay Pride Parade, the 22nd Edition

Over 150,000 people took to the streets for the 22nd Buenos Aires Gay Pride Parade.

This was the third march since Argetina legalized equal marriage, which was a huge political advance for Latin America. The law was extended to tourists travelling to Buenos Aires. Meaning, the city council allows gay couples to wed in civil partnership, while on vacation in Buenos Aires.

The event starts on Plaza de Mayo with the Pride Market. But the parade takes place along the Avenida de Mayo, where participants march with flags and decorated vehicle, until reaching Plaza del Congreso. Once there, the act continues with music performance and political speeches.

This year, the theme was "egalitarian and secular sex education", but many of the slogans and speeches at the event referenced Pope Francis, who in his former role of Catholic Archbishop of Buenos Aires had opposed to legalize same-sex marriage in Argentina.

Recently, the Vatican has asked national bishops' conferences around the world to conduct a wide-ranging poll of Catholics parishioners asking them how the church should approach a range of social issues including homosexuality and marriage equality. Maybe the new Argentinian Pope wants to prepare some level of reform within the Catholic Church.

Por la igualdad!

5th Hong Kong Pride Parade

More than 5,000 people march in the 5th edition of Hong Kong's Pride Parade. Participation has been double last two years, with more mainland Chinese people marching for LGBT rights equality. 

This year, the theme is “We stand for love, we stand for LGBT”. The dress code for the parade is red, the first color of the rainbow flag that symbolizes "Life", an expression of the LGBT’s want to fight for the legislation on sexual orientation discrimination and to commemorate the Red Ribbon of HIV/AIDS.

The current edition of Hong Kong's Pride has seen more corporate sponsorship, with JP Morgan, Citibank, Barclays, Goldman Sachs and Nomura, and has made it bigger than ever.

Despite its reputation as an international financial hub, critics say Hong Kong remains a conservative city when it comes to gay rights, lacking protection for the sexual minority group despite having decriminalised homosexuality in 1991.