News & Updates
Catholics, Gays Face Off in Mexico
The activists were voicing support for same-sex marriage; the Mexican supreme court recently upheld Mexico City's legalisation of gay marriage. The Associated Press reports that a Roman Catholic person ripped up the sign of one of the gay rights demonstrators, leading to yelling on both sides.
Gay Kiss Photo Stirs Outrage, Sales for South African Student Paper
Majority support same-sex marriage rights for first time: CNN poll
A CNN poll (pdf) released Wednesday finds that a clear majority of Americans support marriage rights for gays and lesbians.
"Do you think gays and lesbians should have a constitutional right to get married and have their marriage recognized by law as valid?" the poll asked.
Fifty-two percent of respondents thought marriage should be a right, while 46 percent disagreed and two percent had no opinion. The margin of error was 3 points.
Amer. Psychological Assoc. backs same-sex marriage
FROM A PRESS RELEASE
The American Psychological Association ( APA ) has reaffirmed its support for same-sex marriage, according to a press release. In so doing, the APA noted that its annual convention—which takes place Aug. 12-15 in San Diego, Calif.—would provide an opportunity to call attention to the science supporting its stance.
Uganda: Anti-gay bill stalls
Anti-Homosexuality Bill loses steam after local and international opposition.
KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda's "Anti-Homosexuality Bill," which raised a worldwide uproar over its death penalty for gay sex, has stalled in parliamentary committee and it is unlikely to be passed in the current session, according to gay activists here.
Right from the start, on Oct. 13, 2009 when Ugandan member of parliament David Bahati submitted the bill, the proposed legislation caused national and international outrage.
Teen denounced by church for taking part in Pride
A picture of Tory Inglis and two gay men appeared in a front-page story June 12 in New Westminster’s Royal City Record newspaper.
California gay marriage ban overturned
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Vaughn Walker also ordered the voter-approved ban, known as Proposition 8, immediately lifted to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry while the case moves to a higher court.
16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign
2009 Campaign Theme:
Commit • Act • Demand: We CAN End Violence Against Women and Children!
The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children is a United Nations campaign. It takes place annually from the 25th November (International Day of No Violence against Women) to the 10th December (International Human Rights Day).
Since 1999 the South African Government has run a parallel campaign that includes issues relating to violence against children. This campaign focuses primarily on generating an increased awareness of the negative impact of violence on women and children as well as society as a whole.
Each year since 1991, tens of thousands of activists from every region of the world have taken part in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign. The campaign’s central messages – women’s rights are human rights and violence against women constitutes a violation of human rights – have been a rallying call of the women’s movement. Recognizing that violence against women affects people from every country, race, class, culture, and religion, the 16 Days Campaign provides an opportunity for activists to work together in solidarity and draw upon this period of heightened international attention to gain support for their local efforts.
The Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) dedicates the 2009 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign to honoring groups and individuals who have committed to bringing VAW to the forefront of global attention, to encouraging everyone in their various capacities to take action to end VAW, and to demanding accountability for all of the promises made to eliminate VAW. Therefore, the 2009 theme is:
Commit • Act • Demand: We CAN End Violence Against Women and Children!
DGFC Mission Trip to Nelspruit (Mpumalanga) South Africa!
Rev. Deborah Bell, Senior Pastor of Deo Gloria Family Church, will be coming to Nelspruit & Boksburg at the end of August (this coming weekend).
Join us as we meet for a powerful time of extravagant worship and explosive ministry on Saturday & Sunday at these different venues. All are welcome! This is a safe space for gay and lesbian people who are seeking more of God. (We are an inclusive and affirming ministry.)
Itinerary is as follows...
Homosexuality & Religion Workshop – IAM in PMB
The workshop, held on 15 and 16 May, was organized by IAM (Inclusive and Affirming Ministries) in partnership with the Gay and Lesbian Network, the KwaZulu Natal Christian Council and the Deo Gloria Family Church.
