OK this is a bit weird!

Labels: funny, politics

12:00:00 PM 1 comments links to this post

Why Sarah Palin must NEVER become Vice President

Sarah Palin must NEVER become Vice President, the women hold extraordinarily bigoted and dangerous views.

Forget about her opposition for a rape victim to have an abortion that's just bizarre.

Her Church where she has worshipped all of her life believes that gays can be converted to heterosexuality by the power of prayer.

This is horrible, all actual research confirms that all ex-gay ministries do is cause more psychological harm, increase the risk of suicide and doesn't actually get rid of same sex feelings it just tries to block them and replace them with prayer programmes.

Let's face it the replacement of Sex Ed classes with faith based abstinence programs certainly seems to have been successful in her own family haven't they!

If the Republicans win the election they could divert massive funding away (not that George Bush has not) from counselling services, awareness programs and give this money to faith based conversion programs.

I will be fair and say that as yet Sarah herself has not publicly stated her position, but her past actions in vetoing same sex equality legislation in Alaska has shown that she is not overly gay friendly.

She has in the past voiced opposition to providing equality for same sex couples but on the issue of conversion ministries we only have the policy of her church thus far.

Personally I don;t care if she says she does not support these things, she still supports organisations which do, which is akin to supporting the Nazi party but not supporting the policy of putting gays in concentration camps.

Extreme hatred and bigotry are not what the world and especially the United States people right now.

Labels: politics

9:00:00 AM 4 comments links to this post

It's getting noisier!

Saturday nights around the area seem to be getting noisier than I remember, more shouting more throwing of bottles and more police sirens.

I'm curious whether any of the 'changes' around the strip have actually had an impact.

Next weekend it's the local council elections and I am totally torn by which way to vote. There are three major options:

Keep Clover
Dump Clover and go with Shayne Mallard (Liberal)
Dump Clover and go with Meredith Burgman (Labour)

I have a problem with all three options really, Clover has pissed me off by not doing enough or simply giving lip service to the fixing of Oxford street. Her support for the World Youth Day State Government funding certainly got my back up.

But then she tempered this by digging her heals in over the funding for the rejuvenation of Hyde party after the event.

On the plus side for Clover she is not aligned with either major party and if we can lobby her well enough we mat get significant changes.

As much as I like Shayne Mallard and many of the issues he champions, I will not support a political party who has people like David Clarke and Alex Hawke, two exceptionally nasty right wing anti gay bigots in the Liberal Party (and these are just a few).

Now Meredith Burgman I have some respect for but State Labour at the moment is in a total mess and I think Local Council labour and State Labour would be too close to each other so let's keep a healthy distance from each other.

So that leaves voting for Clover not because I want to support her per se, but because I do not want the other options.

Sigh

This political rant started all because of the increased noise and issues on Oxford street, which is a minor issue for the local council elections next week. I know there are far more pressing issues, like the over development of areas like the old CUB site down in Chippendale to the final design and development of the Bangaroo site on the harbours edge.

But Oxford street is my strip and it's my little baby.

Labels: politics

8:38:00 AM 5 comments links to this post

It's called a Condom People and it stops pregnancy and STDs

I am reading with growing hilarity the mess that McCain's running mate Sarah Palin's dysfunctional family is.

Teenage pregnancy is nothing new, it's a fact of life for so many families, ESPECIALLY when the only sex education these kids get is abstinence because that's the way God wants it.

Sex is only or procreation in a marriage right?

OH no wait a second if you are the daughter of the Republican nominee for Vice President it's OK for your 17 year old daughter to be off having unprotected sex with her high school boyfriend.

OMG people it's a Condom and it prevents pregnancy and STDS

If there was not a prime example that the abstinence sex ed programs do not work it is this.

But of course the right wing abstinence only people are just simply crowing that she made the right choice in not aborting the baby, which is such a distraction!

Let's get this in perspective, the political party which prides itself on it's high moral standards and no sex before marriage is embracing a family to potentially become their Vice President who seem to have no morals.

Let's hope this sinks the Mcain campaign entirely!

Labels: politics

7:03:00 AM 4 comments links to this post

Not To Pope Rally this afternoon

This afternoon I went to the No To Pope Rally to protest against the homophobia of the Catholic Church and to Taunt the Pilgrims (sorry I meant spread a message of non discrimination).

What absolutely shocked me was the number of Police that were present to 'protect' the pilgrims from us rabble, literally hundreds of Police were used, on horse bike, cars and even the Police Helicopter to keep an eye on the rally.

It always annoys me that these events end up being a total extreme left wing talk fest which went on at Taylor Square for almost an hour before anything else happened.

It gets very dull waiting through their speeches which you can't hear!

Anyway the pictures were taken on the new iPhone camera

Labels: politics

2:33:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Response from Clover Moore regarding World Youth Day

A while back when I discovered just how much money the City of Sydney Council was spenidng and so I sent an email to Clover Moore:

Hi,

I am very concerned that the City of Sydney Council is not
recovering costs from World Youth Day.

It is being reported that
the Council will contribute up to 2 million dollars in direct and indirect
funding for World Youth Day. The Catholic Church is a discriminatory
organisation which should support it's own activities and not seek direct or
indirect funds for an event which is not inclusive to all people. This is
not an event which is welcoming to minorities etc.

I also read with
great dismay that Clover Moore as Lord Mayor is supporting the funding both
indirect and direct.

I believe that the Church should pay it's own
costs for this event whether they be direct or indirect should be sought for
this event.

I am extremely disappointed that Clover has not sought
the costs to be recouped and this will affect my vote in upcoming
elections.


Regards

Drew

It's facsinating that this response is very different than Clover's public statements only a few weeks ago. I get the feeling that a lot of residents have complained about the hideous waste of money that is World Yout Day.

Labels: politics, religion

2:54:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Political Wanking

If you are gay and you voted for the Liberal / Coalition in the last election please explain why the dickheads YOU voted for is delaying Labor's plans to grant same-sex financial rights equal to those of heterosexual couples.

Could you please explain this for me?

In simple words if you will, because I am seeing red over this.

If the SIMPLE legislation gets changed before June 30 it can be retrospectively enacted, otherwise it cannot.

And all this because they want to diminish the value of our same sex relationships to include interdependent relationships such as sisters living together.

It's not the fucking same!

A message to Brendan Nelson , you had a gay brother who died of AIDS and you still can;t bring yourself to support equality for gay men.

I used to think it was these people were just mean and nasty, but I think that they just don't get it and they can't sell it to the absolute right wing wankers in their party.

So back to my question - If you voted for these idiots Explain to me why you don't hate yourself?

Source

Labels: politics, religion

7:12:00 AM 1 comments links to this post

Henson's work not obscene

The Crown Prosecuters have pretty much said that Bill Henson's work is not obscene and the images do not break any obscenity laws.

What a great victory for the arts world and the normal art lover.

And what a total kick in the teeth to Kevin Rudd, Morris Lemma, Miranda Devine, Karl Stefanovic, Channel Nine and all the rest.

From this I have lost any respect I may have had for Kevin Rudd. If this is how he will be reacting to contentious issues in the future I doubt he will have much life as a Prime Minister.

Source

Labels: art, henson, politics

11:30:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Not sure how I feel...

Labels: politics

7:18:00 PM 3 comments links to this post

Now I remember why

Now I remember why we kicked out the Howard Liberal Government:

Threat to stall same-sex reforms

Phillip Coorey Chief Political CorrespondentJune 2, 2008

AFTER fighting for years for equal recognition before the law, gay and lesbian couples face another wait because of Coalition threats to delay the Government's legislation.

The Herald has been told that the Opposition's legal affairs spokesman, George Brandis, would push at today's meeting of the shadow cabinet for the Coalition to use its numbers and send the legislation to a Senate committee. The legislation, which Labor promised before the election, removes discrimination against gay couples in about 100 areas of Commonwealth law.

It does not bestow the right to marriage but gives gay couples the same rights as heterosexual de facto couples in sharing benefits such as Commonwealth superannuation and veterans' benefits.

Labor wants the legislation, which is before Parliament, passed before July 1. Any delay could push the debate back until September, leaving it at the mercy of the new Senate.
John Challis, of the CompSuper Action Committee, said he was appalled at Senator Brandis's plans. Gays would be denied the satisfaction of being recognised as equals of heterosexual de facto couples.

"It's charity, it's not social justice," Mr Challis said. "It's got nothing to do with equality between gay and heterosexual couples."

Labels: politics

7:27:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Monument to Gays Persecuted by the Nazis is innaagurated in Berlin

The monument was designed by Danish artists Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset who have been collaborating as an artist duo for over ten years.

From DB Artmag:

Beneath the wood is a massive 83-ton cement stele, the Monument to Homosexuals Persecuted During National Socialism, which has not yet been inaugurated. A short time ago, the carefully packed monument was brought from its production site in Munich to Berlin and raised by a special crane onto its designated spot. Now, the oversized moving crate looks somewhat surreal in the Prussian park landscape. But there was a "ceremonial atmosphere" when it arrived, according to Michael Elmgreen.

The wooden crate is opened on one side, exposing concrete treated in a dark color and an inlaid window that provides a view of a video projection inside the massive slab. Here, one sees a scene that repeats itself in one-and-a-half-minute loops: two young men in a park, immersed in a tender conversation interrupted again and again by a kiss. The video will be shown for two years, after which it will be replaced with a work by another artist. The reason for this changeover, which was not part of the original plan, was the massive criticism the monument was subjected to prior to its realization. It was alleged that lesbians were not adequately represented by the images.

"We weren't concerned with providing a definitive answer to the representation of homosexuality," says Elmgreen, and adds that the artists are more than happy with a change of video every two years.

In any case, the idea of a continuous renewal fits in well with Elmgreen's & Dragset's idea of a living memorial.

Source

BerlinTV.ca

Labels: art, politics

11:00:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

World Youth Day Protest

I for one am fed up to the back teeth of the disgraceful way in which the residents of Sydney are being force fed the World Youth Day.



Not only are we paying for a bigoted organisation to hold a public relations event, our State Government has taken over certain areas of Sydney Council too now!



In what is being reported by the Sydney Morning Herald the State Government enacted laws on Friday that allow it to direct the council to do whatever the World Youth Day Co-ordination Authority requests.



What a load of bollocks!



Among the things they want to do is remove a park in my suburb that the 'pilgrims' will walk through, cutting down trees and removing what is a beautiful community park.



The residents around the park have sensibly suggested that the 'pilgrims' walk around the trees.



Every indicator is that this World Youth Day will be the smallest ever, a dismal failure for a Cardinal who has his sights on the top job at some stage (Cardinal Pell).



I am sorely tempted to erect a huge banner on the side of my building saying:



Fuck Off Bigots - Pay for your own bigotry



At the end of the day what I would like is either for the Catholic Church to pay for it's own event, or the State Government to give equal funding to similar events such as Mardi Gras.



Mind you I think the perfect outcome would be for the World Youth Day to be a total and abysmal failure and an embarrassment for all involved.



Ooh and here's a thought...



Why don't we throw a Gay and Lesbian festival on Oxford Street and surrounds during the 'pilgrims' walk and show our pride?

Labels: politics, religion

7:20:00 AM 1 comments links to this post

Excellent article on the recent Ban on Same Sex Partners at school formals

Labels: politics

11:38:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

This pisses me off - It's not a bloody Choice!

Labels: homophobia, politics

9:29:00 AM 1 comments links to this post

These are the faces of homophobia

Labels: homophobia, politics

4:31:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

2020 What would you do?

Labels: politics

4:52:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Is it time to start thinking of boycotting the Olympics?

Labels: politics

10:59:00 AM 3 comments links to this post

It just gets worse and worse

Labels: politics, religion

6:33:00 AM 1 comments links to this post

Australian Government to announce Gay Equality Legislation

Matching rights for gay couples

Phillip Coorey Chief Political ReporterApril 30, 2008


THE long battle by gay and lesbian partners for the same legal and financial rights as de facto heterosexual couples is about to end, with the Rudd Government planning to remove inequalities in 100 areas of the law.

The federal Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, will announce today that the necessary legislation will be introduced when Parliament resumes next month for the winter sittings.
The measures do not amount to gay marriage; they afford gay couples the same treatment as heterosexual de facto couples in areas such as tax, superannuation sharing and social security.
The issue came to a head last year when the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission found discrimination existed in 58 areas of financial and work-related laws.

The High Court judge Michael Kirby highlighted the inequity by publicly complaining that his partner of 38 years, Johan van Vloten, would have no access to Justice Kirby's pension if the judge died before him.

Under current law, if a retired judge in a heterosexual relationship dies before his or her partner, the partner is entitled to 62.5per cent of the judge's pension. But Mr van Vloten would not receive anything because he is not female.

Upon Labor winning government, Mr McClelland instituted his own review of Commonwealth laws which found inequities in 100 areas, many more than uncovered by the commission's report.

Mr McClelland said all would be redressed.

As well as tax, superannuation and social security, other areas to be reformed include health, aged care, veterans' entitlements, workers' compensation, employment and entitlements.
"In keeping with the election commitment, the changes do not alter the marriage laws," Mr McClelland said.

"They will make a practical difference to the everyday lives of a group of our fellow Australians who have suffered discriminations under Commonwealth laws for far too long."

All the changes would be operational by the middle of next year; most will begin as soon as legislation is passed. The Australian Democrats have long supported the reforms and there will be no problem with the laws passing the Senate before July 1.

Mr McClelland said children of gay couples would not be disadvantaged by the changes.

source

Labels: politics

7:19:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Offensive waste of money

I have not hidden the fact that I am not a fan of the upcoming World Youth Day (sic) or rather the Catholic Church's Day.

I think it is misguided and dangerous in these political climates to promote fear, hatred and discrimination against minorities.

However what really gets my blood boiling is the 86Million dollars the NSW State Government will contribute to this event when they do not contribute a cent to the largest Gay & lesbian Event int he Southern Hemisphere (Mardi Gras).

It's offensive, it's discriminatory and it's pathetic.

The event is only open to Catholics number one and the Catholic Church let's net forget is one of the World's largest and richest organisations, oh and they pay no tax either.

So why the Fuck should I as a tax payer being further giving my taxes to such a restrictive, discriminatory organisation such as the Catholic Church.

Remember these are the people that believe the ban on same sex marriage is moral, that homosexuality is evil etc.

So the NSW Government will quite happily receive about 45 Million dollars in tourism influx for Mardi Gras 2008 without lifting a finger to sign a cheque to help out, but the Catholics call with all their money and they write a cheque for 86 Million dollars.

Personally I think the Pope is a terrorist (As terrorism ultimately involves the use or threat of violence with the aim of creating fear not only to the victims but among a wide audience, it is fear which distinguishes terrorism from both conventional and guerrilla warfare. Source)

Every time the Pope makes an anti gay statement he is doctrinally approve violence against gays and lesbians. It may not be traditional terrorism but the Catholic Church still incites violence against minorities.

Whilst we in this country still have anti discrimination laws that EXCLUDE religious organisations we have no hope of getting equality. At least in the UK the laws passed INCLUDED religious organisations which means that even they cannot hide discrimination behind behind religious dogma.

Anyway It just pisses me off!

Source

Labels: politics, religion

7:44:00 AM 9 comments links to this post

Should the Olympics be used for political protests?

The protests against China and the Olympic flame have fascinated me on many levels.



On the one level I am in awe of the passion people have in protesting (my protesting days are well in the past). On another level I am horrified by some of the comments against the protesters that members of the IOC have been saying.



Kevin Gosper an Australian on the IOC has been scathing of the protesters, saying they are full of hate and they are diminishing the validity of the meaning of the Olympics.



How dare Kevin Gosper get all high and mighty, after all it was he who pulled strings so his daughter could carry the Olympic flame on its way to the Sydney 2000 Olympics!



It's not just a theoretical ethical discussion, we are talking about people being murdered, forced into labour camps and being denied natural (or any) Justice for that matter by the Chinese Government.



I am always told when you are protesting or arguing you must have a realistic outcome, in this case there are realistic outcomes. The outcomes we want involve China accepting basic human rights in places like Tibet.



Yes the Olympics is supposed to be a non political sporting arena (in theory anyway). In practice the Olympics is a highly politicised world event where one country competes against another and one ideology competes against the other.



I don't agree that China should not have been awarded the Olympics, I believe that by letting China host the Olympics the world is focusing on their terrible Human Rights record. And I strongly believe that the protests and the world's attention may have a positive impact on Chinese policy.



The world is not a vacuum and by simply have the world's attention placed on the Human Rights abuses things will change.



For things to change sometimes people must protest (I am not an advocate of violence) but sometimes blood must be split for a revolution to happen.



Just think of the gay Rights movement, blood has been split in the name of change.

Labels: politics

10:27:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Another update on the ban on same sex partners at teh School Formal

Labels: politics, religion

8:55:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

more on anti-gay Hillsong

Source

Labels: politics, religion

2:58:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

I eat my words

Labels: politics

5:42:00 PM 4 comments links to this post

Will she or won't she?

As the votes are rolling in for the delegates in the USA I can't help but think that as much as I love Hilary Clinton and want her to be President of the United States I think that Barrack Obama will get the nomination.

I do think it's obvious that the Republican candidate will be McCain and I am not sure that Obama can beat McCain.

It's going to be an interesting 24 hours in the USA.

Labels: politics

12:46:00 PM 1 comments links to this post

Racism is Gay

In my search for information on American Apparel I came across the DIY edgy T Shirt company Steez Luiz.

I saw the above T Shirt and at fisrt I was like that's so inappropriate, how dare someone use the derogatory term 'that's so gay' as a way to show how inappropriate racism is.

Then (yes it took me a moment) I realised that it's a meant to be ironic and is actually a statement about why so many people who are against racism (read the fundamental christians) are anti-gay.

Cool huh!

Labels: anti-gay, politics

8:00:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Howard to be Knighted?

A recent media report suggests that former Prime Minister John Howard could be given an Order of the Garter.

Personally I find this absolutely disgusting.

The man has ben one of the most divisive figures in Australian society in the last 12 years. If this happens I will lose any and I mean ANY repect I had for the Queen.

The most John Howard deserves is the knowledge that he was thrown out on his ass and was one of the onlytwo sitting Prime Ministers to ever lose their own seat.

Mind you if it did happen it owuld probably reopen the entire republic debate in this country again.

Labels: politics

2:04:00 PM 2 comments links to this post

Who will it be this Super Tuesday?

Labels: politics

8:16:00 AM 5 comments links to this post

A few Pictures from today's Vigil

A few thousand people turned up to protest againt the homophobic violence this afternoon and then marched up Oxford street.

It was certainly a sight to see all the pink Australian flags waving around!

Labels: politics

6:14:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Stand Up and be Counted

Labels: politics

11:34:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Reclaim Oxford Street Vigil

Labels: politics, weekend

7:48:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

I'm so excited, I threaten world peace!

I know I know, according to the Pope same sex marriage threatens world peace.

Recognising gay marriage is as bad as the potential for nuclear war, come on really what a load of bullshit.

The Pope is coming to Australia next year for world youth day, me thinks that it's about time that someone as racist as the Pope and obviously as discriminatory should be banned from Australia under Australia's own laws.

He incites violence and his organisation is akin to a terrorist group.

So I think we should call on the Federal Government using it's Not of Good Character legislation to ban him from entering Australia...

What do you think?

Labels: politics, religion

9:31:00 AM 2 comments links to this post

Is this the start of the promises being kept by Rudd?

Kirby's call answered on judges' same-sex pension

Chris Merritt, Legal affairs editor December 05, 2007

THE new federal Government is working on a plan aimed at ending the unequal pension treatment of homosexual judges.

The Government's plan is a victory for High Court judge Michael Kirby, who had urged the Howard government to end pension discrimination against homosexual federal judges.
Justice Kirby had urged the former government to make the change out of concern for the financial welfare of his partner, Johan van Vloten.

The Rudd Government's plan came to light yesterday after homosexual law reform in Victoria threatened to leave the commonwealth as the only jurisdiction that gives unequal pension treatment to gay judges.

Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland said Labor was committed to removing day-to-day discrimination under commonwealth law experienced by same-sex couples, "including judges". "We are taking advice as to the appropriate means to achieve that outcome," he said.
Mr McClelland's statement came soon after Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls introduced legislation extending equal pension rights to the partners of Victoria's homosexual judges. "It is time the de-facto and same-sex partners of judicial officers received the same recognition and support that married partners receive," Mr Hulls said.

more

So let's see if this is the start of the equalisation of those 57 pieces of legislation for same sex relationship equality that we were promised by the new Rudd Government during the election campaign!

Labels: politics

9:35:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Do you hear that?

Labels: politics

8:08:00 AM 2 comments links to this post

Election Day

Labels: politics

7:06:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Counting down the days

I have been relatively quiet n the issue of the upcoming Federal Election in Australia, mainly because I think my desires for a fairer more honest Government are well known.

I was chatting to a client about the election and ideologies of the respective political parties and it turned out that she lives in the electorate of Wentworth, which until recent times was a blue ribbon conservative seat. But with the electoral boundaries redrawn last year it's now very much a swinging seat.

The incumbent member is one of the 'chosen' ones in conservative politics and was tipped to potentially be a future Prime Minister. But he is in gave danger of losing his seat to the opposition.

But the conservatives have to show just how devious and cynical they are by starting a campaign saying his opposition is not a legal candidate.

How do you spell Florida?

It looks like this election may actually be lost and won, not by the great democratic choice of the people but by the courts.

I reckon it's going to be a nail biting finish and I reckon the conservative pollies will mount legal challenges on any grounds they can, after all they don't care what the people actually vote for or think...

Source

Labels: politics

4:27:00 PM 1 comments links to this post

If it quacks like a duck

Labels: politics

1:28:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Not suprisngly a vote was deferred

The Federal Cabinet yesterday deferred a decision to extend equality for financial and other government services to same sex couples.

It was not overly sup rising really as this one is such a huge political hot potato and we are so close to the Federal Election being called.

As Sam said in a comment to my previous post, the Federal member for Wentworth (which now includes areas with the highest gay population in Australia) has at the very last minute jumped on the gay equality bandwagon, it's too little too late.

I do find it so offensive that a person can still sit there with a clear conscious and deny the basic human rights of equality. It's generally their religious faith that they just take a faith based stance which you simply cannot argue with because they will not listen to reason or logic.

In the article I did read I almost choked on my cornflakes as I read:

It is understood the Prime Minister, John Howard, supports changing the law but
told cabinet "we'll have a further look at it".

Labels: politics

8:24:00 AM 1 comments links to this post

Will they or won't they?

The Federal Cabinet will today debate legislation that could seek to understand whether same-sex couples should have the same legal and financial rights as heterosexual couples.

Only a handful of members of the Liberal / Coalition have been pushing this, Warren Entsch who seems to have championed the gay equality issue from the outset and supported by Joe Hockey, Brendan Nelson, Nick Minchin and Philip Ruddock.

The most interesting and obviously vote hungry is Malcolm Turnbull the Federal member for wentworth, who is in danger of losing his seat due to a redistribution of areas which now includes areas such as Darlinghurst, East Sydney, Waterloo etc which all have a very high proportion of gay constituents.

The debate in cabinet will fail or pass based very much on Howard's views, and thus far the Prime Minister has steadfastly refused to offer any form of equality for same sex partners.

But being an election year this could be an interesting debate and outcome. Whilst the religious right are furious at even the thought of equality for same sex relationships and equate it with same sex marriage (which it is not), by pushing the legislation forward it defuses the argument that the Liberal Coalition is inherently homophobic.

So it's an interesting challenge - Does the government potentially alienate the religious right, or do they try and be seen to be "progressive" and socially aware?

The last time this Government offered something to same sex partners was in 2004 when they introduced legislation to ensure marriage was defined in law "as a union between one man and one women", tacking on superannuation rights for same sex partners.

The problem was whilst the marriage definition was passed and then made not law the superannuation side was never actually ratified into law.

So even if the cabinet does say yes we will seek to provide the same financial and legal equality for same sex couples this does not mean they will actually do anything more than give lip service to the actual mechanics.

Personally regardless of what actually happens today in cabinet this does not change my view that I am ideologically opposed to what this Government does and believes in.

source SMH

Labels: politics

8:03:00 AM 1 comments links to this post

Yet again Howard's Government blocks equality

Gay judge pension move blocked

August 14, 2007 - 10:46AM

The Howard Government last night blocked a push by Labor to extend pension rights to the partners of homosexual judges.

During debate on a bill making unrelated technical changes to the superannuation of federal judges, Labor introduced an amendment that would end decades of discrimination against homosexual judges.
But the Government argued the amendment was inappropriate given cabinet was about to consider a broader package of legal and financial rights for gay couples that extended further than judges.
It used its numbers to defeat the amendment. The minster Malcolm Turnbull and Liberal backbencher Warren Entsch, who are pushing within the Coalition to end such discrimination, were among those who voted to defeat the amendment. The Labor candidate Mr Turnbull's seat of Wentworth, George Newhouse, said the actions of his rival "stink of hypocrisy".
Under current law, if a retired judge in a heterosexual relationship dies before his or her partner, the partner is entitled to 62.5 per cent of the judge's pension.
If the judge is homosexual, then his or her partner gets nothing.
The discrimination faced by same-sex couples was highlighted a month ago when the High Court judge Michael Kirby called for the law to be changed so his partner of 38 years, Johan van Vloten, could have access to a part-pension payable for life should Justice Kirby die first.
This right would be automatic if Mr van Vloten were female.
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission published a report in June finding same-sex couples were discriminated against in 58 areas of financial and work-related entitlements.
Labor frontbencher Nicola Roxon mentioned Justice Kirby last night as she moved the amendment.
"There is no suggestion that a judge who is in a same-sex relationship is any less worthy of receiving a pension as one who is in a heterosexual relationship," she said.
"But if he were to die before or after his retirement, the person whom he has loved and forged a life with for nearly four decades would get nothing, not a single thing."
The Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said the Government was still considering the report and the broader package of Commonwealth defined benefit schemes and he would not deal with judges in isolation.
"That is one which, I would say, is not necessarily as deserving as those relating to returned servicemen and those relating to Commonwealth public servants," he said.
"It is inappropriate to single out members of the judiciary in advance of the consideration of the members of other defined benefit schemes."
Mr Ruddock complained the changes, if implemented, would cost money, and Labor's case-by-case approach was financially irresponsible.

Labels: politics

1:14:00 PM 1 comments links to this post

Who will Howard Blame next

Talking with my parents again last night on the issue of John Howard's lies, they still firmly believe that he is truthful and a good economic manager. sigh!

This was sent to me by a friend and I just had to share it.

Labels: politics

5:18:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

John Howard Sleeping

Labels: politics

7:40:00 AM 1 comments links to this post

Fixated

For my actual birthday on Monday night the boy and I went to my sister's for dinner with my parents. I always find this a stressful as much as I love my family, my sister and parents have become even less in touch with reality as they get older.

I suppose in many ways my family and especially my mother were cushioned from the day to day true reality of life, and her views are very much still based or stuck in the 1950s on most topics.

She still believes that a wife should really stay home, that managers do no work, and that most people work 9-5!

One of my biggest bugbears is her fervent support of John Howard because 'he is such a nice man and he even washes up'. She cannot and will not believe that he lies, and she has this elitist snobbish attitude that drives me bonkers.

My teenage years were very much spent battling my parents (mothers) views and these have been ingrained into my sister now too. Coming out for me was not an easy experience and there is still a great deal of latent homophobia in my family.

In fact my sister who quite frankly should know better accused me 'of being a bit fixated on the whole gay rights issue'.

You can imagine how much that was like waving a red flag at a bull!

Of course I am fixated on the 'gay rights issue'. Equality is an issue that is about as basic a human right for basic respect as you can get.

There are so many issues with my family that just drive me potty, these just being the ones that are most commonly raised.

If you asked my family they would say that they have always been supportive of me. But if you scratched the surface it wasn't support at all, more like coercion, sneaky tactics and more often than not strong arm tactics to get me to do what they wanted.

Unfortunately due to their age and their stubbornness you cannot argue with them, they just either do not listen or do not understand complex arguments (or simple for that matter) anymore.

I had thought as the years had passed and I had grown into adulthood and have been out of the closet now for seventeen or so years that they would get it, but they just don't.

In all of this they are becoming less able to deal with the realities of the world and this fantasy world is being pushed upon my sister too, who at 38 is still waiting to be married so she can be 'complete'. (because there must be a problem with a girl if she is not married according to my mother).

I think at the end of the day what upsets me the most is their blind support of a political party that actively discriminates against me, in fact many of it's members would advocate the re criminalisation of homosexuality and have us thrown in jail.

And when I try to point this out I am told I am a bit fixated on the gays rights issue.

I do love them I just wish they would actually be supportive!

Labels: contemplation, family, politics

9:22:00 AM 6 comments links to this post

John Howard Heckled by Speeedo Man

The very attractive Josh Brown Heckled the Prime Minister Yesterday in nothing but a pair of speedos! I for one would like to say that we need more hecklers like Josh! Bring them on!

Source SMH

Labels: politics

7:42:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Get Up Equal Before the Law Campaign

This was sent to me by a mate:

Dear friends,

*Please note - the "e" in this word has been removed to avoid spam email filters.

We've done the research and it's a landslide. A GetUp-commissioned Galaxy poll last weekend reveals a whopping 71 per cent of Australians, including 63 per cent of Coalition voters, believe same s-x* couples should have the same rights as heteros-xual couples in de facto relationships. These results should make all Australians proud. Yet on Friday, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission released its year-long inquiry into same s-x discrimination which reveals that discrimination remains ingrained in 58 pieces of federal legislation.

>From superannuation and workers' compensation to Medicare, tax and pensions, Australians are treated like second-class citizens purely on the basis of their s-xual orientation.Right now our politicians are deciding how to respond to these damning findings. This is our urgent opportunity to tell them it's time to wipe this discrimination off the books forever by giving legal equality to same s-x couples.

www.getup.org.au/campaign/EqualBeforetheLaw

Australians want their friends, family and colleagues in same s-x relationships to have the same rights as other citizens. One piece of legislation, redefining de facto legal status, can start us firmly on the path towards greater equality. Sometimes change can only happen when the people lead. And we will. GetUp's poll found majority support for equal rights extends across every demographic, across every region, across every political party in the nation. Tell the politicians it's time they caught up to the people that voted them in. Put your name to the petition calling for equality now - and please share this campaign with all your friends. You can be sure that at least 70 per cent of them will thank you for it! You can also support this campaign by donating here.

www.getup.org.au/campaign/EqualBeforetheLaw

Thanks for being part of this,The GetUp team

PS: By following the link to this campaign, you'll get a sneak peek at our new website! It's still under construction, and so all pages of the site may not be fully functioning, but stay tuned for the new site's official launch next week!

Labels: politics

9:17:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Little Johnny Bigot goes against Australia's mood - again!

Even though 71% of Australians are in favor of equality for gay couples, our illustrious Prime Wanker, sorry I mean Dickhead, I mean Minister, refuses to even entertain the idea and is sticking to his anti gay bigotry.



Source: Pink News

Labels: anti-gay, politics

6:05:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

71% of Australians Suport Gay Marriage

A SIGNIFICANT number of people support gay marriage and the same legal rights for same-sex partners as de facto heterosexual couples, an opinion poll to be released today has found.
The poll, for the online campaign organisation GetUp!, is believed to be the first poll to record majority support for gay marriage in Australia.


"Australians don't want their gay friends and family to feel like second-class citizens," the executive director of GetUp!, Brett Solomon, said.


"Why is it that when Australians favour equal rights for same-sex couples by more than a 3-to-1 margin, neither major party will give it to them?"


Seventy-one per cent of those polled said legal rights in heterosexual or same-sex relationships should be the same.


Mr Solomon said it was no longer the case that "granting rights to same-sex couples was political suicide. Instead, it is now electoral necessity."



Source SMH

Labels: politics

7:39:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Why has our Government not condemned this?

Labels: politics

10:20:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Why the Australian Government Sucks!

The Australian Federal Elections will be held some time this year and the Conservative Government headed by arch conservative John Howard is behind the eight ball in the opinion polls.

Of course being behind in the polls doesn't mean shit when it comes down to the actual result of the day. Most readers know I am particularly focused on equal rights for same sex couples in addition to the three pillars of a good society, Education, Health care and Social Services.

Throughout the Western World there is a push towards equalising same sex rights, even in the USA where the ultra conservative neo-cons are still hanging onto power some states are recognising sex relationships.

However Australia is falling even further behind, with the Federal Government vetoing the ACT's bill for same sex civil unions not once but twice!. source

Of course Howard and his right wing bigots claim that it's not meanness or discrimination against same sex couples (even though they all say a same sex relationship is worthless). Instead they come up with all sorts of arguments like:

Marriage, as we understand it in our society, is about children, having children, raising them, providing for the survival of the species. source

But this week the Federal Attorney General Phillip Ruddock has told the biggest untruth so far that can be proven to be a lie:

“If you change the eligibility criteria to include same-sex partners, it adds to the money that has to be found to pay the pension – and the proposition is a very simple one,” he said.

“Issues that can be readily addressed that don’t involve significant budgetary outlays which do bring different considerations to bear will be examined by the government.”

Source

But in the Federal Budget which will be handed down next week the government is giving an $8000 bonus to parents with children!

So let me get this straight so to speak, they can fund a bonus like the baby bonus (get $3000 for having a baby), which encouraged violence; a spike in gambling; and a rise in teen pregnancies & increased sales of plasma televisions, but they can't afford to have equality for same sex couples?

What a load of horse shit.

This is nothing more than a cynical ploy to get the soccer mums to vote for them and look at the underlying message:

"We support babies but not those dirty poofters and lesbians! Vote for us to keep felinggood about your bigotry"

Vote the bastards out and relegate Howard to the footnote in history where he belongs.

Labels: politics

10:18:00 AM 5 comments links to this post

Put Words into John Howard's Mouth!

Labels: funny, politics

1:32:00 PM 0 comments links to this post

Based on my many previous posts on the illogicality's of a gay guy wanting to be part of the conservative side of politics, a news paper is reporting that David from Big Brother has had his political ambitions quashed again.

Personally I do not understand in the slightest how you can be gay and want to support a right wing Conservative faction of politics.

It's not suprisingly that a party as conservative and homophobic as the Australian National Party would not block an openly gay man's desire to gain a larger role in politics. Let's get this right shall we?

The National Party camopaigned against qualising the age of consent for same sex guys and girls, they are opposed to anti-homophobia campaigns in schools, are opposed to same sex relationships.

David, if you want to get into politics try the democrats or the labour party

Labels: politics

1:24:00 PM 5 comments links to this post

Go F*** yourself MCain

Hacker turns US presidential candidate's site pro-gay

McCain, a Republican Senator and presidential hopeful, has a record of "U-turns" on gay issues.

MySpace site of John McCain has been manipulated to make it appear as if he supports lesbian marriage.Mike Davidson, a web publisher and writer, has claimed responsibility for the prank.A message was placed on the website supporting gay marriage.

It read:

"Dear Supporters, today I announce that I have reversed my position and come out in full support of gay marriage... particularly marriage between two passionate females."

McCain, a Republican Senator and presidential hopeful, has a record of "U-turns" on gay issues.At 70, he is the oldest candidate for the Presidency and would be the oldest person to be elected to the office if he won the election in 2008.

Davidson claims that McCain's camp hijacked HTML code from his website to create a template for the McCain site.

On his own website, Newsvine, Davidson said: "You see, John McCain's people commandeered my world-renowned MySpace design template, they did not credit me for the template, even though the template explicitly requested credit. They used my own unmodified imagery, specifically for the "Contacting John McCain" table."

As if that wasn't bad enough, the McCain crew is actually pulling their image direct from my server on each page load. So every time someone visits the McCain MySpace page, my bandwidth is being used to deliver part of the page!

Bad McCain! "Davidson claims that because no servers but his own were touched, no laws have been broken.

Source

Labels: politics

8:07:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

Quote of the day

A former Labor prime minister, Paul Keating, said Mr Rudd was performing wonderfully and described Mr Howard as "an old, desiccated coconut".
source

Labels: funny, politics

7:06:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

You can legislate but you can't stop us!

Labels: anti-gay, politics

7:11:00 AM 3 comments links to this post

Australian Biogots Strike Again

Overt the last week, the Australian Prime Minister John Howard and the Attorney General Phillip Ruddock have again proven just how bigoted they are!

First up it was reported in The Age, that during this session of Federal Parliament, legislation would be tabled to ban the overseas adoption of children by same sex couples.

The second is the government's veto of the ACT's same sex civil partnership bill (again).

Now both of these things serve real purpose other than being discriminatory and int he case the adoption ban a potential wedge politic issue for the upcoming federal election later this year.

Howard and Ruddock are once again trumping up the anti-gay sentiment in people to win themselves votes, all the while denying the basic human right of equality under the law.

Once upon a time the government and the law were supposed to uphold the basic rights of humanity, but the Australian Government seems intent on keeping Gay & Lesbian Australians as second class citizens.

This certainly reinforces my view in a previous post that you cannot be gay and conservative without either being politically naive, stupid or hate yourself and your sexuality.

The problem with the adoption ban is two fold. On the one hand if the opposition party fights this they will create a wedge politic for the upcoming election (can't you hear it now, The Australian Labour Party wants gay pedophiles to be allowed to adopt children).

But on the other hand if the opposition say nothing and the legislation is passed, it entrenches more discrimination in law. Discrimination that will take years to undo.

Apart from the discriminatory issues at play, have our federal Politicians got nothing better to do than enact discriminatory legislation? Australia is the grips of an economic slowing and the worst drought in living history!

Guys get your thoughts out of my bedroom and back on the country. Oh sorry, I assumed they ever had their eyes on the country.

Howard and your right wing cohorts you are an asshole! And I will celebrate the day you are thrown out on your sorry little ass and have the first of the history books start condemning you as the weak narrow minded little man you were.

Labels: anti-gay, politics

8:42:00 AM 3 comments links to this post

Do you know River, River Phoneix, music by Joni Mitchell

My god he was an amazing actor, and well Joni Mitchell moves me every time!

Labels: music, politics

8:04:00 PM 2 comments links to this post

UN STATEMENT ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY

PRESS RELEASE

December 5, 2006

NGOs FROM AROUND THE WORLD CELEBRATE HISTORIC

UN STATEMENT ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY

NGOs from around the world welcomed a landmark statement on human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity, delivered last Friday at the United Nations Human Rights Council by Norway on behalf of 54 States.

The statement condemns human rights violations directed against people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, commends the work of UN mechanisms and civil society in this area, calls on UN Special Procedures and treaty bodies to address these issues, and urges the Human Rights Council to pay due attention to human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity, including consideration at an upcoming session.

"This is the largest-ever statement delivered at the UN on sexual orientation issues, and the first ever to explicitly highlight human rights violations based on gender identity." said John Fisher, Co-Director of ARC International. "We are encouraged by the measurable increase in cross-regional support for sexual orientation and gender identity issues in recent years. The time has come to ensure that human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity receive the international scrutiny and condemnation they demand."

"Numerous Special Procedures have documented violations of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons," said Chris Sidoti, Director of the International Service for Human Rights. "These violations include use of the death penalty, torture, criminal sanctions, police harassment, violence, rape, beatings, disappearances, denials of freedom of expression, raids and closures of NGOs, and discrimination in education, employment, health and housing. Too often in the past, these human rights abuses have passed in silence. Now, the era of invisibility is over."

Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, Co-Secretary General of the International Lesbian and Gay Association highlighted the fact that more than 460 NGOs from 69 different countries had joined together to commend Norway for its leadership and support the statement. "Activists from around the world often work on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity at risk of their jobs, their freedom, even their lives. The Norwegian statement has united States and NGOs from around the world to send a clear message that human rights violations directed against our communities can no longer be ignored."

Earlier this year, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour in a keynote speech to an International Conference on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights noted that "violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons is frequently unreported, undocumented and goes ultimately unpunished. ... This shameful silence is the ultimate rejection of the fundamental principle of universality of rights. ... Excluding LGBT individuals from these protections clearly violates international human rights law as well as the common standards of humanity that define us all."

As the coordinator for African-rapport and as an educator activist for Amnesty International USA, I express my disappointment of political leaders, and all other key players who do not to accept that sex between men exists and that is relevant for AIDS prevention, care , support work, and to support HIV programs directed to MSM.

We believe that it is time to start a debate on repealing anti-gay criminal laws in UN. We are all created equal; that we are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness to all human beings.

A human rights-based approach to HIV/AIDS starts from the premise that human rights abuses contribute to the spread of HIV and undermine attempts to protect people from becoming infected, and once infected, from receiving needed treatment and care. The promotion and protection of LGBT human rights must therefore be at the center of all aspects of an effective response to HIV/AIDS.

Education and information is the weapon that needs to be used to eliminate homophobia, discrimination and racism—implemented in schools, or in form of information to law-makers, adults, parents, and law-enforcement officials.

You and I know that this fight is not over. We will never waver when it comes to defending our values and fighting for what we know is right.

Human dignity has no nationality; it is inherent in all people of the world simply because they are human. I hope that we together shall not passively defend the principles stated here but that we shall fight for them with all the vigour within our hearts, seeking to advance and perpetuate our human liberty and individual dignity.

Yours truly

Jimmy Leon
Coordinator for African-rapport
Educator activist Amnesty International USA
www.freewebs.com/african-rapport

John Fisher
Co-Director, ARC International
Cell: 41-79-508-3968
john@arc-international.net

drew - I know I am being lazy reprinting this but I do believe that this is a significant step forward for the United Nations. The next step is to actually create UN policies that force teh UN signatories to take the protectio and equality of gays and lesbians seriously throughout the world.

Labels: politics

7:48:00 AM 0 comments links to this post

New phone

So this will be my first attempt to photo blog from my new phone

Labels: gadgets, music, politics

5:01:00 PM 3 comments links to this post

Just live with the disappointment

The boy and I had a look at the mobile phone I have been hankering over for months, the Nokia N93.

I have been salivating over this phone and it's features ever since I first saw it online.

But when I actually handles one yesterday my desire waned considerably! It's is simply too big to be a useful phone for me, especially since my current phone the Motorola Razr is so small (even if it is a piece of crap).

Oh well I will just have to wait and see. I might get another inspiration soon!

Labels: gadgets, music, politics

8:36:00 AM 3 comments links to this post

Democrats take the senate

In Breaking News CNN has announced that the Democrats have taken the Senate as well. This well and truly sends a strong signal to the world that George W Bush and his policies are no longer welcome.

In other election results, the people of America have shown that bigotry is still alive by the number of states that voted to ban same sex marriage.

Great just peachy. I have never understood what the true issue is with the ban. Do people honsetly thinking that allowing two people that love each other the right to get married is going to affect marriage?

And to the folk from Colorado who voted against even recognising same sex couples - Fuck You!

Labels: politics

2:30:00 PM 3 comments links to this post