6/10/08

GayUganda: Ugandan LGBT AIDS Activist Re-arrested and Released, Charges Added

GayUganda: Ugandan LGBT AIDS Activist Re-arrested and Released, Charges Added

Western days stole the rainbow.!



Members of the Idaho Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Allie community on board the stripped down renamed version of the original float. I wonder if the child riding on the backs somewhat distressed by the lack of rainbows?

The Western Pride event organizers mandated that all bright colors be removed and any reference to gay be removed to reflect a more "conservative community" in Idaho Falls Idaho. According to local reports Lisa Cuellar, Western Days board chair and Mary Ann Taylor, parade coordinator demanded that the name on the float be changed. In order to comply with this demand the Southern Idaho Gay Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center temporary renamed its self the Southern Community Center.

Before joining the festivities the SIGLBTCC had to pass one more hurdle. Or should we say a Military Shakedown.
The National Guard conducted a inspection and certification of compliance.

Responders to articles in local papers have applauded the bravery of the Twin Falls community as a beacon of liberty for all regardless of Sexual or Gender Identity, Race, Creed or National Origin.

The organizers of the Salt Lake Utah Pride have noticed this bigotry imposed on there northern friends noting that there is plenty of room for everyone in the Utah celebrations.

I find it despicable that bigots and haters are in positions of influence in America.
I applaud the courage and faith of our GLBT community.
We have plenty of room for everyone in our Texas Pride celebrations. So Ya All come on down!

And we would not steal your rainbows.

6/9/08

Finding T friendly faces in the United Methodist Church



By Kelli Busey
06.09.2008

http://planetransgender.blogspot.com/2008/06/finding-t-friendly-faces-in-united.html

It never seems to fail. I spend hour to get my my 6ft frame all dressed, perfumed, accessorized and face all made up. I have my manicure filled and check the most minute detail. After all this, I end up going to some ultra conservative church function filled with mainly 60 year old pillars of the community. You can guess what happen s next.
Nothing. No one makes any notice. No one stares. Children smile. I am invited to teach in both Sunday school and public school. I am hugged and warmly greeted. I am invited to please come back soon.
I am happy. I am filled with joy and gratitude that so great a institution as the United Methodist may welcome me, a Transgender woman into its fold. We transgender are in ministry and layity.

We have a long way to go back though. We have to go back for people left behind. Our gay, Lesbian and Bisexual brethren are on the far shore, staring as the ship we are on,the ship of hope sets sail.
We are in a unique position. Now it us who must find it in our hearts to stand up as the LBB community did for ENDA and shout NO. We will not leave them behind. We will not allow the ourselves to be comforted until we are united. United in one church.

The United Methodist Church!

6/7/08

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CONDEMNS ARREST OF HIV/AIDS ACTIVISTS IN UGANDA




Uganda's president Yoweri Museveni






AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC STATEMENT

AI Index: AFR 59/004/2008 (Public)

4 June 2008




Uganda: Amnesty International condemns attacks against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people


Amnesty International is concerned at continuing harassment and attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights defenders in Uganda, and today called on the Government of Uganda to ensure the safety of LGBT human rights defenders in Uganda and to end the harassment of LGBT people by Ugandan police officers.

On 4 June 2008, three LGBT human rights defenders were arbitrarily arrested after a group of seven activists from Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) distributed a press release to people attending the HIV/AIDS Implementers’ Meeting at the Imperial Royal Hotel in Kampala. The press release and an accompanying report outlined their organisation’s call for HIV prevention programmes for the LGBT community in Uganda.

The three activists were arrested by police officers at the hotel, including one who was reportedly a participant in the meeting, and as of 4 pm on 4 June 2008 were still being held at Jinja Road Police Station in Kampala for questioning.

Amnesty International condemns the arbitrary arrest of these individuals, and is concerned that they may face harassment and degrading treatment in custody as such practices is common against LGBT people in Ugandan police stations. Amnesty International said that the three activists are prisoners of conscience, detained for their peaceful activism for the rights of LGBT people to treatment and prevention measures for HIV/AIDS, and should be released immediately and unconditionally.

These arbitrary arrests follow the recent arbitrary detention and mistreatment while in custody of two transgender individuals in Kampala. On 20 May 2008, the two were dancing at Capital Pub in Kampala, Uganda, when they were detained by club bouncers, harassed and beaten while being asked whether they were men or women, and “accused” of being homosexuals. The club management of Capital Pub called the police, who detained both individuals for four days at Kabalagala Police station. During their detention, both were repeatedly beaten by police officers, and one was kissed, fondled and forcefully propositioned for sex by other detainees, and stripped and had their genitals groped by a police officer. One of the two was denied medical treatment for diabetes, and allowed only one meal a day. After their release on bond, both individuals were charged with public nuisance, and are currently awaiting trial.

Since their release, both individuals have faced harassment and violent attacks from individuals in their neighbourhood who were informed by police of their gender identity. These started with threats and escalated to a serious violent attack on the night of 3 June in Old Kampala, where a group of youths attacked both individuals. One of the attackers has since been arrested by police. Amnesty International calls for this attack to be investigated and any perpetrators brought to justice through fair trials.

Public Document

****************************************

International Secretariat, Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW, UK

www.amnesty.org

6/6/08

Tammy Baldwin new LGBT Leader?


By Kelli Busey
Friday 06,2008

Congress Woman Tammy Baldwin D(WI) the only out lesbian in Congress is a co-chair for the newly formed LGBT caucus, her co-chair being Barney Frank. In political context a number of important distinctions should be noted.
I may be grasping for hope, but I would like to note Tammy's name was listed before Frank's. I am sure this distinction did not elude Franks attention. Whether this was done as an indication of leadership or to lend creditability and maintain LGB ENDA status quo is to be seen.
The second development is a statement Baldwin made in the Bay Area Reporter on May 31

Asked if she was at odds with Frank regarding the ENDA brouhaha, Baldwin was diplomatic.

"All the Democratic leadership supports" an inclusive ENDA, she said, but there were "strong strategic and tactical differences" during the fight last fall.

http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=3046

Is Tammy distancing herself from Barney Frank's transgender bashing politics? I can only hope.

http://planetransgender.blogspot.com/2008/06/tammy-baldwin-new-lgbt-leader.html