Seeking a Licence to Discriminate.

Walter Beck celebrates the striking down of a bill that would outlaw same-sex marriage, and he sees an end of days for the Religious Right.

“Various state legislatures decided they had to act. They had to do something to stop the bakers and the photographers from being the victims. So they started proposing bills to protect religious folk’s sacred right to discriminate against those they don’t like.”

The Gay, Inc. Takeover of LGBT Rights.

Walter Beck stares down the marriage equality opposition, and is confronted with opposition from the conservative Gay, Inc. activists on his own team.

“Folks like me are bad for advertisers. A tall hairy gonzo weirdo decked out full guns blazing would freak out a member of the opposition; they would either puke in disgust or piss their church trousers out of pure fear.”

October 6, 2013.

Daniel Vais writes about the inspiration for the ‘To Russian LGBT – with love’ event, a collaboration between Dalston Superstore, Culture Device and the Queer Archives.

“When other communities in other countries are in need it feels to me like my own community is in need. It’s a duty to organize this event, an honor, and that’s why I want people to join. It is an opportunity to unite in solidarity, to help and support.”

August 21, 2013

An argument over what it means to be a mated queen… Polari Safari cartoon by David Shenton.

There’s More To Politics Than Looks.

Is life easier if you can “pass” for straight. And if you do, does that mean you don’t know really know what discrimination feels like? Emphatically not, argues Walter Beck.

“We started to shun and shame our brothers and sisters who didn’t fit that mold. Our Pride Colors, instead of showing the bright diversity of our community, began to turn into merely shades of gray.”

Russian Orthodox Church Members Punch Activists.

A peaceful demonstration against anti-gay laws in Russia was broken up when members of the Russian Orthdox Church threw punches. And then the activists were arrested.

“It is not democracy if a protest has to be “sanctioned” by the authorities. The right to protest is a cornerstone in the idea of a just society.”

Ukraine Law Proposes Ban on Homosexuality.

A law that will be voted on this week in the Ukraine will make it illegal to be homosexual in public.

“The backlash against homosexuality in Russia, and the assertion that it is a Western malady, is now part of the political landscape in Ukraine. The pressure of the Great Bear, Russia, still exerts considerable pressure on the country, which gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.”

Anti-gay law in St Petersburg used again.

Police arrest 17 activists at May Day rally for unfurling rainbow flags.

“Before the law was it passed it looked to be a scare tactic, but now it is being put to use its implications are far more threatening. Each arrest is a blow in the struggle for equal rights.”

Anti-gay law in St Petersburg used against Sergey Kondrashov.

Sergey Kondrashov stood up against the anti-gay law in St Petersburg and has been arrested for promoting homosexual “propaganda”.

“On Sunday, April 8th, Sergey Kondrashov was arrested for holding up a sign that stated, “A dear family friend is lesbian. My wife and I love and respect her … and her family is just as equal as ours.”

Anti-gay vote in Russia Passes St Petersburg Parliament.

The law that criminalises any support for LGBT people in Russia has now passed.

“The law bans any positive communication in the public sphere about what it terms “propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism and transgenderism”. The fine for breaking the law is as follows: 5,000 rubles (£105) for individuals, 50,000 rubles (£1065) for officials, and from 50,000 to 500,000 rubles (£10,650) for legal entities.”