Political Ambiance in Venezuela On the Acceptance of Same Sex Marriage

Written by Jose R. Merentes on May 25th, 2013

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A few days ago, I wrote a piece of notice about the openness of a Government congressman in front of a proposal to legalise same sex marriage in the country.

Well, it´s not just that. Since a few years we have seen some very positive political developments in favour of the possibility to legalise same sex marriage in Venezuela.

Almost since its beginning in Caracas in 2001, the LGBTI Pride has received both financial and logistics
Support from different public offices such as the Caracas Mayor Office and several national ministries. And, it´s become a tradition to receive officials from the National Ombudsperson Office and General Attorney, who have voiced support for inclusion and Human Rights of LGBTI people.

Besides, several political parties, even the one which sustains the current government, the PSUV (Venezuela´a United Socialist Party) which is the biggest one in Venezuela, have created instances of representation and mobilization of LGBTI supporters.

Voluntad Popular (VP, meaning “The Will of the People”), is currently organizing an internal social movement which represents LGBTI rights and interests and included in its official founding document mentions for inclusion of LGBTI people, being their slogan “All the rights for all”.

At the last commemoration of International Day against Homophobia in Caracas, marked with a small march through the streets of Caracas, attended a well known congresswoman of a center-right wing opposition party, Primero Justicia (PJ, Justice First), Dinorah Figuera, who is the formal president of the Commission on Familiy Affairs in the National Assembly (Venezuelan legislative) and she voiced the necessity “to legislate in favour of excluded minorities, especially in favour of LGBTI”.

A few days later, I was permitted to speak out in front of the parliamentary permanent commission on Internal Affairs and Human Rights, one of the most politically powerful within the National Assembly, and I announced that in the few months ahead, LGBTI movement in Venezuela will present a proposal to reform the national Civil Code in order to permit same sex marriage in Venezuela. The responses of some congressmen during the session were of respect and disposition to receive and to discuss this proposal.

In a final political observation, it seems to me that Venezuelan politicians are getting aware of the vote potential of the thriving LGBTI community in Venezuela. Because, despite the fact that most of us keep ourselves in the shadows of closet and fear, the national Pride March held every year in Caracas (other cities organize as well Pride march) is a clear demonstration that we want to be visible and we want to be finally included in Venezuelan society.

José Ramón Merentes Correa
Caracas/Venezuela
Member of Union Afirmativa, devoted to achieve same sex marriage in Venezuela

 

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Featured Gay Friendly Wedding Vendor: Whitmeyer Photography, Asheville, North Carolina

Written by scott on May 25th, 2013

Whitmeyer Photography, Asheville, North CarolinaPeriodically we’ll feature one of our vendors here to let our readers know about some great people who can help you plan the perfect wedding.

Gay Wedding Photography / Videography in Asheville, NC, USA. Sarah is an award-winning wedding photojournalist, specializing in capturing those candid, natural moments that make your wedding day unique. She recieved her degree in photojournalism from UNC-Chapel Hill and has been enjoying photographing weddings and portraits since.

See the Whitmeyer Photography Expanded Listing on Purple Unions Here

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Australia: Why Rudd Flipped on Marriage Equality; and A Personal Protest

Written by scott on May 25th, 2013

Sydney Opera HouseA couple more marriage equality stories out of Australia this morning. First off, Business Insider Australia says three factors changed former PM Kevin Rudd’s mind on marriage equality:

Christian teaching: Rudd talks about the tradition in Christian thinking involving “faith informed by reason”. He separates literal interpretations of Biblical dictates from universal Christian values such as “love your neighbour as yourself”. Some of the Bible’s teachings on slavery and the status of women have deservedly come to have no place in modern society, he observes, and a reasoned approach by Christian leaders has actually helped improve the social standing of groups who would otherwise be subjugated by Biblical rules. History has shown Christian ethics are open to changing with the times, so there’s room for changes of views, he concludes. This opens the door for him to consider it further.

Scientific data: Rudd cites scientific studies that show people don’t “choose” to be gay. If this is accepted, he says, then unequivocally “our brothers and sisters who happen to be gay” should be fully embraced as equal members of society. This fits with the equality principles of Christianity. He also refers to research which has shown, over decades, that outcomes for children raised by same-sex couples are no different from those raised by couples in conventional relationships.

Emerging life in Australia: Rudd is at pains to insist that childrens’ welfare should be of paramount concern, and goes back to the scientific research that shows there’s no cause for worry. He adds that among the many changes to family structures in Australia is the reality that more and more kids are being raised by same-sex parents. He notes that children in these relationships have the same legal rights as children in traditional marriage, and asks why Australia shouldn’t give children raised by same-sex parents the “emotional and practical stability” offered by civil marriage.

And in Brisbane, a gay man and a lesbian will marry Sunday to protest the country’s ban on marriage equality. Gay Star News reports:

As part of a stand against Australian laws prohibiting same-sex marriages, a gay man is planning to marry a lesbian bride at a demonstration in Brisbane. Chad St James, a student filmmaker and gay rights activist is marrying lesbian Kristan Walker this Sunday (26 May) forming what has been described as a government endorsed ‘gay’ marriage. On Facebook, the gay husband-to-be said ‘needless to say I’m all kinds of nervous and stressed’ about marrying Kristan, a fellow marriage equality activist.

 

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USA: New Poll Says 59% of Americans Think Gay Unions Are Morally Acceptable

Written by scott on May 25th, 2013

titleGallup just released a new poll on America’s views on gay relationships and homosexuality. On Top Magazine reports:

When New Jersey-based pollster Gallup asked, “Do you personally believe gay or lesbian relations are morally acceptable or morally wrong?” a majority (59%) of respondents said “morally acceptable.” Thirty-eight percent said such unions were “morally wrong.”

…Gallup’s annual Values and Beliefs survey, conducted May 2-7, also found more Americans believe that being gay is not a choice. “Currently, 47% of Americans view being gay or lesbian as a sexual orientation individuals are born with, while 33% instead believe it is due to external factors such as upbringing or environment.

I’d like to see that “choice” number up above 50%, but it’s encouraging that only 33% still think it’s as choice.

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Seriously?

Written by scott on May 25th, 2013

Seriously?Our semi-regular round-up of the crazy (and often unintentionally hilarious) things that anti-gay folks are saying about marriage equality and the LGBT community.

First off, Joe.My.God reports on one of our regulars, Matt Barber:

Matt Barber believes you are a diseased, perverted, pedophilia-prone, culture-destroying monster who will die decades early and then be righteously cast into an eternal lake of fire. And therefore every lie about you, no matter how outrageous, is worth saying. But he still loves you.

“Barber’s tweet: Remember: Hate the liberalism. Love the liberal…”

Over at NOM, Brian Brown’s blathering on about the Boy Scouts. Towleroad.com reports:

“Their decision to admit openly gay scouts will end up sexualizing the organization. I am certain that having changed their policy on homosexuality, it’s only a matter of time before courts order them to admit homosexual scout leaders. Meanwhile, countless thousands of churches will very likely pull their sponsorship rather than endorse homosexuality, and the entire organization will begin to collapse. All of this is happening not because of a true grassroots demand of gay youth to be part of the organization but by an orchestrated political effort by gay activists who want to punish any group or organization that does not embrace homosexuality. It’s the beginning of the end for what once was one of America’s noblest organizations.”

Or, perhaps, the scouts will find out what most of the rest of America already knows – that gays are just like everyone else, and gay kids deserve the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The Girl Scouts has been open to lesbian kids and adults for a long time, and has that organization become “sexualized” and collapsed?

Over at the AFA, Bryan Fischer’s also jumping into the ring on this one. Pink News reports:

Fischer, the head of the American Family Association, tweeted the reference to Luke 17:2, directly addressing the BSA, and suggesting that forced drowning would be better than the inclusion of gay members. “Jesus to BSA: ‘It would be better… if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea.’ Luke 17:2″

Lovely. Funny how they always get away with essentially making death threats by cloaking them in the language of the bible.

Over in the UK, MP Richard Drax called the marriage equality bill intolerant. Pink News reports:

“As a nation, we pride ourselves on tolerance. But during a controversial and emotive debate in the House over gay marriage this week, there was scant evidence of it being shown to the millions who believe that ‘marriage’ can only be between a man and a woman. Instead, in what is arguably one of the most intolerant pieces of legislation in years, we have trampled on conscience and faith with abandon. There are no protections for teachers who refuse to promote same-sex marriage or for registrars who conscientiously object to conducting gay marriages, or even for those, who, like me, happen to disagree.”

And in an amazing statement, he continued:

“And if this does become law, gay couples will be able to choose marriage or civil union, while heterosexual couples can only marry. The government has no answer to these disparities.”

Oh yes, how horrible to treat an entire group of people differently based on their sexual orientation. Oh that he can’t see the irony. Not to mention that a proposal to consider extending civil partnerships to straight couples was passed by the House of Commons just last week.

Finally, another old regular here (and we do mean old) checks in – Phyllis Schlafly thinks the polls on marriage equality are defective. Joe.My.God reports:

“The polls are very defective. If you look at the polls, most of them ask the question: Are you in favor of banning same-sex marriage? Now, we have no law that bans same-sex marriage. Any gay couple can get married — all they have to do is find a preacher or justice of the peace who will perform the ceremony. There’s no law against that. What they are demanding is that we respect them as being OK, and that’s an interference with our free speech rights. There’s no obligation that we have to respect something we think is morally wrong.”

Seriously? We have no law that bans same sex marriage? What planet is this woman living on? Sure, anyone can have a priest “marry” them, but it comes without all the rights and responsibilities that straight folks enjoy automatically.

 

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Puerto Rico: Legislators Approve LGBT Protection Bill

Written by scott on May 25th, 2013

Puerto RicoSome movement on LGBT rights in Puerto Rico Friday as the House of Representatives approves two bills – LGBTQ Nation reports:

Legislators in Puerto Rico on Friday approved a heavily debated bill that outlaws employment discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation… The original version was broader and would have also banned such discrimination when it comes to commercial transactions, property rentals and public transportation, as well as in other circumstances. About half of U.S. states have approved similar bills.

Legislators on Friday also approved a separate bill th at extends a domestic violence law to gay couples. Both bills are to go back to the Senate, which is expected to approve them. The governor has said he would sign both measures.

Anyone see any polling from Puerto Rico on marriage equality?

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France: Leader of Anti Marriage Equality Movement Will Skip Rally

Written by scott on May 25th, 2013

Paris, FranceWell, this is rich – Frigide Barjot will not be attending the anti gay marriage rally this weekend because – wait for it – she’s afraid of violence. Gay Star News reports:

Barjot said while her decision was not final, she said she was ‘reluctant’ to go the event because of the ‘climate of violence’. This week, it was reported by French media Barjot had been the subject of death threats from right-wing extremists. She allegedly received a text message from an anonymous number, saying: ‘Thou shall not speak of civil unions’. ‘There are serious threats to me,’ she said, adding she had bodyguards protecting her. ‘I do not want to leave hundreds of thousands with a sense of abandonment,’ Barjot added. ‘But we do not want to have a climate of violence. If our freedom of speech on the podium is not met, we will not stay.’

So the woman who helped whip up such animosity and hatred toward marriage equality and the LGBT community now finds herself threatened by it. What’s that old proverb – you reap what you sow?

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What Really Matters About Marriage

Written by scott on May 25th, 2013

Gay WeddngThoughts of the Prop 8 witness who turned and supported the opposition.

Let’s be honest: The gay marriage debate is nearly over, and nothing the Supreme Court does when it delivers its opinions on the federal Defense of Marriage Act and on the fate of California’s Proposition 8 is likely to change that astonishing fact.

A very few years ago, most Americans (including me) viewed the idea of gay marriage as both undesirable and wildly improbable. Today, most Americans (including me) believe that permitting gay and lesbian couples to marry is the right thing to do, a matter of simple justice.

Let us pause in wonder at the speed and moral meaning of this change. As recently as a decade ago, homosexual conduct itself was a crime in many U.S. states. That world has vanished. Gay rights of all kinds are increasingly protected. Gay marriage is legal in 12 states and counting. Gay families are a part of our social fabric. Whatever the Supreme Court decides about the two cases now before it won’t be nearly as important as what has already happened in the country.

Authored By David Blankenhorn – See the Full Story at The Los Angeles Times

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Australia, USA: Marriage Equality March in Sydney; Another MP Supports Bill

Written by scott on May 25th, 2013

SydneyFirst off, the march – hundreds marched through the streets of Sydney for marriage equality. Gay Star News reports:

Around 500 people participated in rallies and a march for marriage equality today in Sydney. The marchers assembled next to Sydney’s town hall and then marched through the city past Hyde Park and up Oxford Street to assemble at Taylor Square where they used chalk to remark a ‘rainbow crossing’ which had been controversially removed by the New South Wales state government. The marchers were accompanied by a police escort who allowed them to chalk the road.

On the same day. Another MP said he would vote for the marriage equality bill:

The march came on the same day that Melbourne Ports Labor MP Michael Danby announced he would vote in favour of marriage equality if given the opportunity again. Danby had previously said that while he supported the idea of marriage equality in principle he wouldn’t vote in favour of the reform until the opposition Liberal-National Coalition follows his party and allows a conscience vote on the issue. As a result, Danby abstained from voting for a bill to legalize same-sex marriage which failed in the Australian Parliament last year.

Will there be another vote on marriage equality next month? And will the Liberals get a free vote?

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Illinois, USA: Marriage Equality Bill Deadline Extended – Consideration next Week?

Written by scott on May 25th, 2013

Illinois mapIt looks like the Illinois House may finally be getting close to a vote on the state’s marriage equality bill. GoPride reports:

In a procedural action, the Illinois House deadline for Senate Bill 10, the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, was granted a one week extension on Friday. The deadline for House consideration of bills sent over from the Senate, including the freedom to marry legislation, was May 24. The extension allows the bill to be considered through May 31, the scheduled adjournment of the spring session of the General Assembly.

“There’s exactly one week left in the legislative session. And let me make one thing clear: in the next seven days, we can — and we will — secure the freedom to marry,” state Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), the bill’s chief sponsor, said in a statement released Friday by Illinois Unites for Marriage.

It’s about time. Let’s hope Illinois becomes the 14th state to recognize marriage equality.

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