World Affairs: Europe: World Pride Special

[hopelesscynic]

LET US BE GAY!

With London LGBT Pride Parade taking place this Saturday, it’s time for a quick review of LGBT-related events that took place in Europe during World Pride Month:

Pride London Takes a Turn for the Worst

Pride London itself has been affected by cuts in funding from City Hall and last-minute cancellations, to the extent that Pride London chairman Patrick Williams has resigned. The customary vehicle-driven float parade has been cancelled and replaced by a smaller procession, the traditional Soho street party has been called off and Pride officials have requested emergency funding from City Hall. Despite this year being Pride London’s 40^th anniversary, cutbacks and sudden schedule changes may dampen the celebratory spirits of LGBTQ Londoners and allies. I wonder who the main culprits are:

In all fairness to Clegg, he has been the most supportive, yet (as usual) is opposed by most Tories:

Clegg hoisted the rainbow flag at White Hall.

Increasingly Violent Hate and Unexpected Support in Italy

A spell of homophobic incidents in Italy has culminated in a heartening pledge of support of the LGBT community from politicians. Italian striker Antonio Cassano’s homophobic statements at Euro 2012 caused controversy and anger within the Italian LGBT community. After openly hoping for “no gays in the Italian dressing room” or on the pitch where he will be “attacked at every angle”, Cassano promptly issued a public apology.

An Italian Facebook page, bizarrely pledging support of anti-gay abortion, has circulated claiming that “Aborting a gay (foetus) is an act of faith” and a “lesser evil”. In response to pressure from politicians and civil rights group, Facebook closed the page down.

In a few days, four attacks on LGBT people were carried out: A lesbian couple in Velletri was surrounded until police had to intervene, a trans Serbian man in Ardea was threathened, an activist was stoned during Euro 2012 and a gay man was beaten up in Campo de 'Fiori':

Gay activist Guido Allegrezza after the attack

This violence provoked an "anti-intolerance" sit-in in Rome, and president of the province of Rome Nicola Zingaretti (also patron of the Gender Docufilm festival) pledged his full support of the LGBT community and his commitment to improving rights and protecting individuals from assault and harassment. It is interesting to note that Italy still does not have a specific law to punish homophobia. Not that it's very surprising, considering this 71 year-old man was Prime Minister:

(Defending his one-night stand with a teenager) "it is better to be passionate about beautiful girls than gay"

Germany Rejects Iranian Lesbian's Asylum Application

 

24 year-old Samira Ghorbani Danesh fled to Turkey in 2009 before settling in Germany. Back in Iran, members of the Basji, the Iranian secret police, informed her parents of her closeted homosexuality which caused her to go into hiding, fearing her family's outrage and the legal penalty for lesbianism: 100 lashes for the first three offences, then execution. However, despite this, Germany has denied her plea for asylum. Her case is already well-known in Iran, however German courts has rejected her application and advised her to return to Iran and hide her identity. This has provoked 2,000 people, including prominent members of political parties, to sign an open letter to the Minister of the Interior asking for Samira and all other gay Iranian refugees to be granted asylum.

Danesh speaks to an activist.

UK Postpones Same-Sex Marriage Legislature

 

The Queen, in her annual speech, failed to mention the same-sex marriage law proposed by the government. UK Defence Secretary Richard Hammond confirmed that the gay marriage bill was to be stalled, so that the government could "focus on things that matter" and same-sex marriage was "not a priority".

 

Francois Hollande Promises Gay Marriage and Adoption by 2013

French president Francois Hollande has vowed to legalise same-sex marriage and adoption within a couple of months. Socialist Hollande wants to extend the already legalised civil partnerships, or PACS, which limits legal rights and protection, and excludes gay adoption. A 2012 survey from the French Institute of Public Opinion showed 63 percent of French people are in favor of gay marriage while 56 percent support gay adoption.

 

 

A French Muslim gay couple. My French teacher's idea of a nightmare.

Irish Police Officers Banned from Wearing Uniform at Pride

Gay and lesbian Irish police officers were banned from wearing their uniform at Dublin Pride. The decision to ban Irish police, known as "gardai", from wearing their uniform has come under criticism from chief officers and gay rights groups.

Violence at Greek Pride

 

Police reports indicate that  about 50 people threw eggs and plastic bottles of water at about 400 people holding a gay pride parade in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki.

 

Police hold back rioters

ALSO

 

Although Oreo is an American brand, it is immoral to not mention the incredible Rainbow Oreo Cookie for Pride!

 

Typically, this delightful creation has provoked abuse and opposition throughout social media. Which affirms one simple fact.

Also non-European, much love and respect to Frank Ocean for his courageous and heart-wrenching coming out story.