Westhampton, MA – September 11, 2009 Richard Ammon – GlobalGayz.com (See the recent, 2011, film about Ahmet’s murder: Zenne Dancer; also, website for the film) This is a very sad story, about a father and a son, a family and a culture torn by blind hatred. Last year during a visit to Istanbul, Turkey my
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Denmark – Copenhagen City Scenes
Copenhagen has a metropolitan population of about 1.9 million people. First documented in the 11th century, Copenhagen became the capital of Denmark in the beginning of the 15th century and during the 17th century under the reign of Christian IV it became an important regional centre. In 2008 Copenhagen was ranked fourth in a list
Denmark – Copenhagen OutGames 2009 Sports
At the World OutGames 2009 there were 38 sports: Aerobics, Badminton, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Bowling, Bridge, Canoe and Kayak, Climbing, Country Western Dance, Curling, Cycling, Dancing, Diving, Field Hockey, Figure Skating, Floor Volleyball, Golf, Handball, Ice hockey, Martial Arts, Billiards, Roller Racing, Rowing, Shooting, Soccer (Football), Softball, Squash, Swimming, Synchronized Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track
Gay Pride Budapest Supported by Whoopi Video
Westhampton, MA – September 1, 2009 Richard Ammon – GlobalGayz.com For fifteen years attempts to conduct a peaceful pride parade in Budapest, Hungary have resulted in violence and arrests of right-wing groups who are fiercely homophobic. Next up is the 2009 parade on September 5 when both sides of the battle will gear up for
Denmark – Copenhagen OutGames 2009 Opening Ceremony
Copenhagen welcomed OutGames athletes and supporters to the city and to the official opening ceremony on July 25, 2009. The colorful event was held in the City Hall Square in the center of the city. There were about 6,000 athletes from more than 80 countries who paraded across the specially built stage and then watched
Denmark – Copenhagen Gay Pride Parade and Festival 2009
Following the week of OutGames Sports and Human Rights Conference, Copenhagen Gay Pride mounted its colorful parade which terminated at City Hall. A concert stage presented music for hours as celebrants gathered in the final event of this hectic, festive and joyful week. Read the Gay Denmark Story
Denmark Cathedral Blessing of Gay Couples
During the week of the OutGames the Lutheran Cathedral in central Copenhagen wrapped its portal columns in rainbow colors and offered services and prayers for the gay community. One of these services was a blessing ceremony for same-sex couples to receive hands-on approval from the catherdral’s clergy. Most (not all) of those who came forward
Denmark – Copenhagen Gay Pride Week
For a cheerful and energetic week in July/August 2009 Copenhagen was host to the 2nd edition of the World OutGames and OutGames Human Rights Conference. The Danish Prime Minister and the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen welcomed thousands of athletes and activists to the city. In the streets and in the press these special events were
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
Denmark – Human Rights Conference
The World OutGames 2009 in Copenhagen mounted two major events: sports competitions and a human rights conference. (See OutGames sports photo gallery.) The human rights conference drew several hundred activists, diplomats, United Nations officials, legal experts, political leaders, journalists, filmmakers and artists for three days of plenary sessions and workshops covering more than one hundred
Denmark – Karen Blixen Museum
Denmark: Karen Blixen Museum in Denmark and Nairobi Baroness Karen von Blixen-Finecke (1885-1962) was a Danish author also known under her pen name Isak Dinesen. Blixen wrote works both in Danish and in English. She is best known, at least in English, for the book Out of Africa, her account of living in Kenya
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
Gay Life in Serbia
The Scourge of Homosexuality Serbia is in the throes of changing from a harsh war-torn society to a free-thinking free-enterprise nation of progress. Having suffered from its own aggressions as well Nato’s bombs in the 90’s there is little tolerance now for outside interference or for social experiments. Homosexuality is treated as a scourge with
Gay Moldova
Sexual minorities in Moldova are one of the most vulnerable and discriminated social groups. During the last ten years GenderDoc-M has registered 15 cases of gay murder because of homophobia and numerous cases of violence, discrimination and intolerant attitude to LGBT community. Law does not protect the rights of sexual minorities in Moldova nor
Czech Republic – Prague City 1
Situated on the River Vltava (Moldau) in central Bohemia, Prague has been the political, cultural, and economic centre of the Czech Republic for more than 1100 years. The city proper is home to more than 1.2 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 1.9 million. The stunning architecture,
Czech Republic is Liberal and Advanced for Gays
A small picturesque gem in central Europe, the Czech Republic has progressed far since communism ended in 1989. Most notable is the legalization of same-sex relationships and the open attitude Czech people have toward homosexuality. Except for minor right-wing and religious protests the LGBT community is alive and well with numerous organizations, venues and events. Across the country are charming towns, ancient castles and immaculate pensions with tasty food.
Czech Republic – Prague City 2
Situated on the River Vltava (Moldau) in central Bohemia, Prague has been the political, cultural, and economic centre of the Czech state for more than 1100 years. The city proper is home to more than 1.2 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 1.9 million. Since 1992, the
Czech Republic – Prague City 3
Situated on the River Vltava (Moldau) in central Bohemia, Prague has been the political, cultural, and economic centre of the Czech state for more than 1100 years. The city is home to the liveliest gay and lesbian communities in eastern Europe. There are dozens of LGBT clubs, bars, saunas, cafes, restaurants. The large diverse gay
Czech Republic – Terezin
Terezin (Theresienstadt) is the name of a former military fortress and garrison town in the north of the Czech Republic. During WWII, the Gestapo used this now-peaceful town as ghetto, concentrating Jews from Czechoslovakia, as well as many from Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Denmark. Though it was not an extermination camp, of more than
Gay Sweden: Rights and Respect and Coming Out
Intro: Compared to virtually any other country on the planet, being born gay, lesbian or bi in Sweden is a stroke of good luck. The issue of alternative sexuality that evokes hysteria, hatred and bigotry in so many other cultures is, in Sweden, a non-issue. Homosexual behavior was legalized in 1944. and the first LGBT organization started in 1950–a time when the rest of the world hardly knew that homosexuality existed. Today, of course, Sweden has some of the most progressive laws and leadership regarding LGBT affairs. (See story #1 below.) This is not to say that all gay Swedes have smooth-sailing on this; there is ignorance everywhere in the world and rural Sweden is no exception. And not every gay youth flies out of the closet fully self-identified. (See stories #2 and #3 below) But once out, he or she is well protected by the law and is surrounded by a wide variety of rainbow organizations. Gay loving and living is mostly relaxed and safe here–about as good as it gets anywhere.
Sweden – Countrywide Drive
Sweden is the third largest country by area in Western Europe and fourth in all of Europe, with a total population slightly over 9 million. Sweden is considered to be one of the most gay-friendly countries in Europe and possibly the world when it comes to laws surrounding homosexuality. Due to the strong sense of