Survey Takes on World
Twenty three countries from around the world are taking part in one of the largest recorded studies looking into the needs of the global LGBT community. Out Now, a gay-specific marketing company began the survey to understand what makes the community tick and future trends. Areas covered include where the next holiday hotspot will be for the LGBT community; what their incomes are spent on and how gay-friendly businesses are valued by the community. Other countries participating came from continents including North and South America, Europe and America. The survey is available at www.communityvalues2010.com.
White Supports Equality
Actress Betty White has come out in support of gay marriage and doesn’t understand how people can oppose it so much. The 88-year-old Golden Girls star told Parade magazine that people should mind their own business. ‘I don’t care who anybody sleeps with. If a couple has been together all that time—and there are gay relationships that are more solid than some heterosexual ones—I think it’s fine if they want to get married,’ White said.
Trans Marriage Denied
Earlier last month, a Hong Kong Transgender woman lost a legal battle against the country’s marriage laws that prevent her from marrying her boyfriend. Hong Kong marriage laws currently only allow couples who were a man and a woman at birth to marry. The plaintiff underwent sex change surgery in 2008 and attained gender recognition documents listing her new gender. Transgender marriage is legal in many parts of Europe, the United States and many Asian countries including Japan, mainland China, South Korea, Indonesia and Singapore.
Transgender Remembrance
International Transgender Day of Remembrance is on this month, a day to memorialise those killed due to anti-trans* hatred and prejudice. The memorial is in its 12th year with events scheduled around the world for November 20. Two British trans* women were murdered in the lead up to last year’s event, according to Pink News. No Australian events have been listed on the official website as of yet.
LGBT Terrorist Target
An LGBT Jewish congregation in Chicago was believed to be one of two targets of a foiled terrorist attack last month. U.S. President Barack Obama told the mainstream press that two Chicago synagogues were the intended recipients of the packages delivered from Yemen on October 29. The North Chicago Emmanuel Congregation was one of the Synagogues. Emmanuel rabbi Michael Zedek said a Jewish Leader ‘of considerable consequence in Chicago’ told him that the LGBT group, Or Chadesh, was one of the targets.
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