Around the world are countless breathtaking photo-ops that get swamped with tourist cameras, including mine–the Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, the Christus statue above Rio, China’s Great Wall, and so on. Then again, there are also countless small moments where unexpected images of beauty suddenly appear at unforeseen times and places. Sometimes they are intimate and
Gay rights in Denmark are generally extensive, and Danish society is very tolerant of homosexuality. Homosexuality was legalised in 1933 and since 1979, the age of consent is equal at 15, regardless of sexual orientation and/or gender. Homosexuals are not banned from military service. In addition, Danish law bans hate crimes, which includes crimes against people because of their sexuality.
Denmark was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex unions, in 1989. The Danish parliament, Folketinget, has since then discussed same-sex marriage, artificial insemination of lesbians, and couples’ rights to adopt several times. Homosexuals can adopt their partner’s biological children. On June 2, 2006, a majority in Folketinget voted for abolishing a law that since 1997 had banned lesbians from insemination.
In 1979, Denmark granted Greenland sovereignty under the Home Rule Act, although it still influences the island’s culture and politics. As is the case with Denmark, homosexuality is a not a crime, when it involves consenting adults in private, and Denmark’s anti-discrimination laws also apply to Greenland. Greenland enacted a civil unions law in 1996 and there is a LGBT-rights organization called “Qaamaneq” (Light), which has organized social events. LGBT Travelers should check out our new Denmark Gay Lodging Directory.
Name: Denmark
Population: 5476000
Capital: Copenhagen - Pop. 1700000
Area: 43094 sq. km/ sq. miles
Language: Danish, English
Religion: Lutheran mostly
Status of Homosexuality: Legal
Telephone Country Code: 45
A Homophobia-Free Zone in Copenhagen
By Richard AmmonGlobalGayz.comJanuary 22, 2011 A recent extended stay in Copenhagen allowed me to explore with some depth this pretty, efficient and tolerant city on the north coast of Europe. Denmark is a highly gay-tolerant country compared to most others in the world, with more than two dozen LGBT (gay) venues, organizations and festivals throughout
Workers Keep Copenhagen Working–A Photo Essay
It’s easy to visit pretty Copenhagen and appreciate its culture, architecture and social scene but the city works because of the workers, many of whom rise before dawn to drive buses, bake pastries and dig holes for underground pipes. Here is a photo essay about the varied and valued ‘Workers of Copenhagen’. See other stories
On visiting a working-class neighborhood in Copenhagen
By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com January 10, 2011 Copenhagen, Denmark The first thing I notice are the tall stacks of apartments–dozens of buildings similar in design, height, facade, graffiti-scarred exterior doors–thousands of apartments neatly built on top of one another. Some have views of the local park, most look out onto windows of other apartments, row
Home Swapping Across Continents–California & Copenhagen
By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com January 7, 2010 The most interesting objects of desire, curiosity, fascination and entertainment for humankind are other people. We spend our entire lives entwined with others, either of our liking or not. And when we get a chance to see other people from different perspectives, from the inside, sideways, in public
On Visiting Copenhagen in Winter
By Richard AmmonGlobalGayz.comJanuary 7, 2010 Snow fell three inches yesterday with fine white ground coat across the park in front of my apartment. On the other side of the park is a leafy evergreen cemetery which is really an extension of the park. It’s a fine time to take a walk across the mono-colored land
Olympic Committee Should Monitor Host Countries on Human Rights
Human Rights Watch New York October 7, 2009 Olympic Congress Should Adopt a Plan to Oversee Human Rights Environment for the Olympic Games The Copenhagen Olympic Congress should create a permanent mechanism to monitor human rights in host countries before, during and after Olympic Games. Human Rights Watch, which has submitted a proposal to the
Major Lesbian Publication Issued from Copenhagen Conference
Posted by Richard Ammon, GlobalGayz.comI was fortunate to attend the July 2009 OutGames and Human Rights Conference in Copenhagen, Denmarkwhere the following publication was presented by ILGA on behalf of worldwide lesbian activists and supporters. In the past decade lesbians have taken their full place on the world stage of human rights advocacy. Once relegated
Gay Denmark Life 2009
Copenhagen: A Happy Home for Citizens and for World OutGames 2009 A Happening Scene It doesn’t take long to locate gay Copenhagen. The gay-friendly guidebook Lonely Planet has a boxed section that describes the scene as “one of the liveliest gay and lesbian scenes in Europe…” From this simple comment into the thicket of
OutGames Human Rights Conference 2009
The OutGames 2009 Human Rights Conference closed on somber yet defiant note in August amid warnings of dire laws in Africa and major plans to push ahead for gay rights including gay marriage in the West. Under the theme ‘Love of Freedom–Freedom to Love’ hundreds of delegates listened and spoke about global efforts to bring tolerance, respect and protection to countless millions of LGBT citizens around the world. From the United Nations’ highest Human Rights official to a small activist group in Bolivia, the message was clear: “we are here, we are queer and we will be heard; we are no less human than any other person.”
Gay Denmark – World OutGames 2009
Intro: Copenhagen was the host for the 2nd edition of the World OutGames in July 2009. About 6000 athletes from 70 countries competed in 30 different sports, from placid bridge (cards) to the popular swimming to the daunting triathalon. Affiliated with the Games was the Human Rights Conference also held in Copenhagen. At the end of the sporting and conference week the city held its annual Gay Pride Parade.
Gay Denmark 2008
Denmark was one of the world’s earliest leaders in pro-gay rights. My first visit many years ago as a not-yet-gay tourist pleased and teased me with its sexy shops and magazines and colorful night life. It opened my eyes to more to my own truth when a friendly stranger swept me away for a night