UK Domestic Violence Crack-Down
A British police force has targeted same-sex domestic violence with the launch of an advertising campaign urging victims to come forward. The West Yorkshire police force unveiled their ‘We Won’t Turn Our Back’ campaign in response to over 400 incidents reported by victims of abusive gay and lesbian relationships in the last year. The poster uses images of men and women with footprints and injuries across their backs. Pink News reported many studies had found that victims of domestic abuse, especially gay men were often too embarrassed to report these crimes.
Marriage Ends in Tragedy
One of the first gay men to marry under Argentina’s new same-sex marriage legislation died last month after falling ill at his wedding party, Bloomberg reported. 45-year-old Nestor Berchot died on August 14 at about 5am local time after he fainted due to high blood pressure. Gustavo Garcia and Berchot, both hairdressers were the first gay couple to marry in the coastal town of Mar del Plata.
Homophobic Student Sues University
A US university has won a court case to expel one of its counselling students who refused to attend a remedial class addressing her anti-gay attitude. Augusta State University student Jennifer Keeton sued her university after it asked her to comply with the remedial program saying that it went against her Christian beliefs. A federal judge upheld the right of the university to enforce standards in its counselling program, insisting she comply with the rule gay people be treated equally. Keeton had tried to comply but stated in both class discussions and her papers she condemned homosexuality; that sexual orientation was a choice and as a counsellor, would recommend conversion therapy to gay people.
Ibrahim Accused of Sodomy
Lawyers for Malaysia’s Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim requested the incumbent government drop the sodomy charges laid against him last month. Media outlets have reported that Anwar’s trial was postponed on Monday August 2 amid allegations that a female prosecutor had had an affair with his accuser. A blogger published the allegation online in late July that the prosecutor had an affair with the male aide who has accused 62-year-old Anwar of sodomy. The Malaysian criminal code punishes sodomy, even if consensual by up to 20-years jail time.
Target Backs Anti-Gay Candidate
US-based Human Rights Campaign announced it will donate US$150,000 to a pro-equal rights election candidate in Minnesota in response to the retailer Target financially supporting anti-gay candidate indirectly. Target became embroiled in controversy recently when it emerged the company donated US$150,000 to MN Forward, an organisation that ran advertising for outspoken anti-gay advocate Tom Emmer in his election campaign for governor of Minnesota. The advertising in question didn’t mention his stand on the issue but focused on the economy.
Life Imitating Art
A UK television star has been targeted in public for his role as a gay man on a British soap. 19-year-old Emmerdale actor Danny Miller was chased through the streets of Manchester on August 20 after leaving a gig with a friend, according to People magazine. An onlooker said the mob of young men hurled homophobic abuse at the heterosexual actor before they chased him.
Benn Dorrington
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