NZ PM Big Gay Out – New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key will attend the Big Gay Out in Auckland on February 9. Mr Key has attended the picnic twice in the past, but this will be his first appearance since being elected Prime Minister.
Where’s the Cure? – On April 30, President Obama’s 100th day in office, The foundation for AIDS research, amfAR, will present the President with a petition and book of photography entitled ‘Where’s the Cure?’ to remind the President of the importance of funding HIV/AIDS research. Photography submissions for the book are open to the public. For more details, visit wheresthecure.amfar.org.
Nigeria Needs to Say No – Human rights activists, from Amnesty to Human Rights Watch, have urged Nigeria to reject legislation currently before the National Assembly that would ban ‘same gender marriage.’ Under the proposed legislation, anyone who ‘witnesses, abet[s] and aids’ a same-sex relationship could sentenced to as much as five years in prison.
Bahrain Cracks Down – Bahrain has clamped down on Internet ‘pornography’ and blocked gay sites such as gaydar.com. Homosexuality is criminalized in the country, and this month two foreigners were sentenced to 6 months in prison after being found guilty of debauchery.
Egypt’s Arrested Development – In Egypt, arrests of homosexuals has continued this month. After the Morality Unit of the Interior Ministry received complaints, a ‘network of homosexuals’ was arrested, including a top Egyptian TV producer and a member of the foreign press.
Swedish Wedding Bells – A motion has been tabled in Swedish Parliament with support from three of the four ruling coalition parties that would legalize same-sex marriages. The Christian Democrat Party does not support the bill and is lobbying against the use of the word marriage to describe same-sex unions. Currently, Sweden allows civil unions.
