Happy 2014!!!!

Happy New Year 2014!!!!

Spanish Bishop Rants Against Same-Sex Marriage

Casimiro López Llorente, Catholic Bishop of Castellon (Spain), attacked marriage equality in his end-of-year pastoral letter.

The Spanish bishop says in his letter: "The unions between persons of the same sex have laid the groundwork for the destruction of marriage and the family". And he added that such unions: "have significatively increased severe disturbances of personality in children".

The catholic hierarch also expressed doubt in his letter that the church must adapt with the times saying such progressive attitudes (like accepting gay marriage) are responsible for the growing number of broken families and suffering children.

He only lacked to say that being gay is a sin.

The marriage equality is legal in Spain since 2005, and LGBT people is widely accepted by the Spanish people. Remembering the last world survey by Pew Research, result that almost 90% of Spanish people accept homosexuality.

I learned that God is love, why some of His ministers insist on to spread hatred?

Gay Pride in Madrid

First Same-Sex Marriages in Utah

After a Federal district struck down the Utah's ban on same-sex marriage declaring the ban unconstitutional, all counties in the state are now issuing licenses to same-sex couples.

In last week, almost 1,000 gay couples have obtained marriage licenses and they could finally tied the knot.

Although Utah's Gov. can appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, he ordereded state agencies to comply with judge's decision in regards to including same-sex couples in the delivery of various state service.

In any case, congrats to all newlyweds and their families!

Love is the law!

Two-thirds in China Consider Homosexuality Unacceptable

Two out of three people in China find homosexuality unacceptable, according to a survey by Shanghai Jiaotong University released today.

The survey asked almost 3,500 residents across the country what they thought of topics such as homosexuality and their acceptance's grade. The answers showed that over 68 percent of respondents graded the topic of homosexuality in the range considered unacceptable. 

Although homosexual activity between consenting adults was legalised in 1997, and homosexuality declassified as a mental illness in 2001, traditional values still played a dominant role in determining social attitudes. 

Currently, there are no laws in China to protect people from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, nor same-sex couples can marriage or adopt.

A lot of people attend anually Shanghai Pride and Taipei Pride

Uganda President Won’t Sign Anti-Gay Law for Now

Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda, announced that he won't just sign the new Anti-Homosexuality Bill without checking it before carefully. Even though the parliament has passed the bill, the president can use his powers to veto. 

Ugandan parliament passed the bill last week. Although the death penalty was dropped for certain instances of homosexuality, people can still get life in prison for being homosexual. 

President Museveni said: "I will first go through it, if I find that it is right I will sign but if I find that it is not right I will send it back to parliament".

Uganda's Government should protect all Ugandan citizens, with this legislation against LGBT people, it will only incite violence against them.

Remember that Uganda is a member of Commonwealth, and this bill violates Commonwealth Charter adopted and signed in 2013. A total of sixteen core beliefs are drawn up in the charter, namely, democracy, human rights, international peace and security, tolerance, respect and understanding, freedom of expression, separation of powers, rule of law, good governance, sustainable development, protecting the environment, access to health, education, food and shelter, gender equality, importance of young people, recognition of the needs of the small states, recognition of the needs of the vulnerable states, and lastly, the role of civil society.

It's obvious the future law does not fit with those charter's core beliefs, and Uganda could not remain as a member of the Commonwealth if it finally approves the anti-gay bill.

Museveni Drop the Bill!!!

London protest against Uganda anti-gay bill

AllOut campaign for Uganda

Queen's Pardon for the Gay Man Who Saved the World

Alan Turing was a brilliant English mathematician who helped allied armies to break the encrypted messages from Nazis during World War II, the famous Enigma Code. Turing is also considered the father of modern mathematics and computers.

But Turing was homosexual and he was sentenced in 1952 to 61 years in prison, cause homosexuality was a crime in UK until 1967. Turing died two years after being prisoned. The official version declared it was a suicide, but a further investigation revealed that he had been poisoned.

Over 60 years after, Queen Elizabeth II has granted him a posthumous pardon for "a judgment that is now considered unfair and discriminatory", as announced by Chris Grayling, British Justice Minister.

The Turing's pardon finishes a multi-year campaign to clear his name, supported by scientists like Stephen Hawking, and signature requests via internet which collected tens of thousands of signatures.

It's a necessary but belated act. Besides, during the 50's and early 60's, many as 1,000 men were locked up in Britain's prisons every year amid a widespread police clampdown on homosexual offences. There have not been pardon for all of them.

In any case, Turing can finally rest in peace.

Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing

in The Imitation Game, 

an upcoming film about mathematician. 

Federal Judge Declares Ban on Gay Marriage Unconstitutional in Utah

Federal district judge Robert J. Shelby has struck down the Utah's ban on same-sex marriage, declaring the ban violates both equal protection and due process, guarantees safeguarded in the U.S. Constitution.

Shelby's ruling was unequivocal in its reasoning for extending the freedom to marry to all Utah citizens, citing the U.S. Constitution's promise of equal protection under the law, and outright rejecting the baseless argument that marriage equality somehow harms the institution of opposite-sex marriage.

Though, it's possible the decision could be appealed. In this line, Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert declared hi is very disappointed in the ruling and called Shelby an activist of LGBT rights.

Herbert said in a statement: "I am working with my legal counsel and the acting Attorney General to determine the best course to defend traditional marriage within the borders of Utah".

In any case, the ruling has come one day after the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled for marriage equality in that state. 

Step by step for marriage equality!

Several same-sex couples celebrated
 their legal marriage immediately

Gov. Herbert opposes the judge's decision

Uganda's Parliament Passes Anti-Gay Bill

Ugandan parliament has passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. 

Although the Anti-Homosexuality Bill prescribed the death penalty for certain instances of aggravated homosexuality when it was first introduced in 2009, finally the death penalty has been dropped but people can still get life in prison for homosexuality.

The bill will make it illegal to promote homosexuality and will also jail anyone who does not report homosexual activities to the police. The bill also prescribes a seven-year jail term for a person who conducts a marriage ceremony for same-sex couples.

The bill is now an act of parliament and is just awaiting the signature from President Yoweri Museveni. He must sign the bill within 30 days for it to become law. 

Sadly, 38 African countries criminalize homosexual activity, Amnesty International said in a report released this year.

Ugandan LGBT people are afraid for their lives

A gay protest outside Uganda House in London

A gay protest in Toronto

Equal Marriage is Legal in New Mexico

The New Mexico Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in the state, declaring in a ruling that it is unconstitutional to deny a marriage license to gay and lesbian couples.

The ruling affirms: "Barring individuals from marrying and depriving them of the rights, protections, and responsibilities of civil marriage solely because of their sexual orientation violates the Equal Protection Clause under Article II, Section 18 of the New Mexico Constitution". 

You can read the whole ruling here.

Last August, dozens of same-sex couples could marry in Santa Fe County, in New Mexico, after a judge ruled on a lawsuit brought by two men wishing to marry, and issued an order directing the clerk’s office in Santa Fe County to issue licenses to gay and lesbian couples.

After this decision, New Mexico joins 16 states and the District of Columbia in U.S. in allowing gay marriage.

Bravo!

 NM Supreme Court rules gay marriage constitutional

 Ruling's announcement

People celebrating the ruling

14th Boston's Santa Speedo Run

Over 700 brave people did run in very cold conditions the 14th annual Santa Speedo Run in Boston.

The event began in Back Bay in 2000 when five friends decided to put on some Santa hats and take off everything else, bringing holiday cheer to the streets in speedos. 

Since then, the race has grown to include hundreds of participants each year and has become an annual holiday tradition in Boston, and it also helps to raise money for charity. 

This year, the run raised almost 205,000 dolars, which will go to the Play Ball Foundation, an organization striving to teach Boston middle school students about teamwork, communication, and discipline through sports.

Visit the Boston's Santa Speedo Run website. 

'Gay for a Day' Protest in India

Hundreds of people have taken to the streets of New Delhi and other Indian cities to protest the decision by India’s Supreme Court to uphold the law criminalizing gay sex. 

The protest called "Gay for a day" has gathered gay rights activists across the country, and it has had a big difussion on Facebook and Twitter.

India's High Court reversed this week a Delhi's Court decision ruled in 2009 that had decriminalized gay sex. Now, to make gay sex in India is currently punishable again by up to 10 years in prison.

The protesters wore black arm bands and waved rainbow-colored flags and banners. Some people also wore masks and wigs to protect their identity.

Most of attenders agreed with same slogan: "We will not let the court deprives us of our rights". 

I join them to urge a rollback of the top court's last decision.

Norway's National Church Agrees with Gay Religious Weddings

The Norwegian Bishops' Conference of the national Evangelical Lutheran Church approved a doctrinal clarification recognizing same-sex marriage.

The new doctrinal clarification which would allow priests to marry gay couples if they choose to do, but will not force clergy who disagree with this approach.

The Bishops' Conference said in a statement: "If we live with two views on this issue so must the church also give priests who want to marry same-sex couples the opportunity to do so. The church must begin work on a marriage liturgy that includes marriage for same-sex couples".

Homosexual couples have been able to marry and adopt in Norway since 2009, and the Church of Norway allows the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy.

In the same line, neighboring Sweden’s national Church allows religious marriages to same-sex couples since 2009, and also allows pastors who disagree to opt out.

The Norway's National Church has taken a

step forward on gay religious weddings

Warwick Rowers 2014 Calendar is Available

The guys of Warwick Rowing Club are probably best known around the world for their naked calendars, but they’re also a real sports team, and produce Olympic and world class competitive rowers.

Their calendars enable them to do their own outreach programme to young people called Sport Allies, a programme to reach out to young people challenged by homophobia or low self-esteem.

The rowers' calendars is an awesome effort to battle bullying of LGBT students in schools. The 2014 Calendar's editions is available, and you can help them in that battle.

Check it out at SportAllies.org.

Visit and help at Crowdfunder.

You can also purchase the calendar, greeting cards and other items here.

Australian High Court Overturns Gay Marriage Law in Canberra

The parliament of Australian Capital Territory (ACT), which includes the Australian capital Canberra, passed a bill in October making that territory the first part of Australia to legalize same-sex marriage.

However, a federal law declared in 2004 that marriage in Australia is only between a man and a woman.

Now, the High Court in Canberra ruled unanimously against ACT's law, saying that it could not stand alongside national-level laws. The court added the issue should be decided by federal parliament.

But last year, a bill allowing marriage equality was voted down in both houses of Australia's federal parliament. Besides, the current Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who leads a Liberal-National coalition, opposes same-sex marriage.

An immediate ruling's consequence has been the 27 gay couples who married since the law came into effect last weekend will now have their unions declared invalid. In less than a week they have been married and unmarried again, on a legal level at least.

Despite the great campaign for gay marriage in Australia and its legalization in New Zealand, Australia takes a step back against equality.

More bad news from Australia.

Last weekend they were married, today they aren't again