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If a new bill proposed in the east African country becomes law, gays could be put away for life, or worse, put to death for having sex with another man.
"Right now, you can't go to places that are crowded, because the mob can attack us or even burn us. We can't walk alone. We are ostracized by relatives. But if this bill passes, it will become impossible for me to live here at all. And that part hurts the most," a gay man said.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill features several provisions that human rights groups say would spur a witch hunt of homosexuals in the country:
• Gays and lesbians convicted of having gay sex would be sentenced, at minimum, to life in prison
• People who test positive for HIV may be executed
• Homosexuals who have sex with a minor, or engage in homosexual sex more than once, may also receive the death penalty
• The bill forbids the "promotion of homosexuality," which in effect bans organizations working in HIV and AIDS prevention
• Anyone who knows of homosexual activity taking place but does not report it would risk up to three years in prison
"Who will go to HIV testing if he knows that he will suffer the death sentence?" Elizabeth Mataka, the U.N. Special Envoy on AIDS in Africa, told reporters last week. "The law will drive them away from seeking counseling and testing services."
Homosexuality is already illegal in Uganda under colonial-era laws. But the bill, introduced in October, is intended to put more teeth into prosecuting violators.
It applies even to Ugandans participating in same-sex acts in countries where such behavior is legal.
"They are supposed to be brought back to Uganda and convicted here. The government is putting homosexuality on the level of treason," Mugisha said.
Lawmakers have indicated that they will pass the bill before year's end.
It has the blessing of many religious leaders -- Muslim and Christian -- in a country where a July poll found 95 percent opposed to legalizing homosexuality.
The Rev. Esau Omara, a senior church leader, said over the weekend that any lawmaker opposing the bill will pay for it during the next election, according to local newspaper reports.
And a leading Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ramathan Shaban Mubajje, has called for gays to be rounded up and banished to an island until they die.
Several media outlets also have inflamed sentiments in recent months by publicly pointing out gays and lesbians.
In April, the Observer newspaper published tips to help readers spot homosexuals. And over the summer, the Red Pepper tabloid outed 45 gays and lesbians.
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has not publicly stated his position on the bill, but last month blamed foreign influence in promoting and funding homosexuality.
"It is true that, if the president has said that, he must have information that European nations are promoting (homosexuality) and recruiting homosexuals," government spokesman Fred Opolot said. "You must note that the president or the legislators are responding to the concern of the citizenry of the country."
At the Commonwealth summit in Trinidad and Tobago late last month, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he pulled aside Museveni to deplore the bill.
"We find them inconsistent with, frankly, I think any reasonable understanding of human rights, and I was very clear on that with the president of Uganda," Harper told reporters.
In the United States, a coalition of Christian leaders released a statement Monday denouncing the bill.
"Regardless of the diverse theological views of our religious traditions regarding the morality of homosexuality, in our churches, communities and families, we seek to embrace our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters as God's children, worthy of respect and love," the statement read.
Human rights groups have called on Western nations to withhold aid from Uganda if the measure passes. About 40 percent of the country's budget comes from international aid.
"This draft bill is clearly an attempt to divide and weaken civil society by striking at one of its most marginalized groups," said Scott Long, director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Program at the New York-based Human Rights Watch. "The government may be starting here, but who will be next?"
Opolot, the government spokesman, said consideration of the bill in parliament is merely "democracy at work."
"We as a country are engaging and debating a pertinent issue," he said. "So if a foreign country chooses to cut aid simply because Uganda is debating its destiny, then it is quite outrageous and quite wrong."
Mugisha, who now heads the group Sexual Minority of Uganda, said he is working with lawyers and other activists to change minds and defeat the measure.
"I have put a lot of effort in this struggle. I just want to live freely every day," he said. "I want to be happy knowing that if I'm going to meet someone, I'm not going to be taken to jail forever."
story: CNN International
Why Is Uganda Attacking Homosexuality?
If a new bill proposed in the east African country becomes law, gays could be put away for life, or worse, put to death for having sex with another man.
"Right now, you can't go to places that are crowded, because the mob can attack us or even burn us. We can't walk alone. We are ostracized by relatives. But if this bill passes, it will become impossible for me to live here at all. And that part hurts the most," a gay man said.
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill features several provisions that human rights groups say would spur a witch hunt of homosexuals in the country:
• Gays and lesbians convicted of having gay sex would be sentenced, at minimum, to life in prison
• People who test positive for HIV may be executed
• Homosexuals who have sex with a minor, or engage in homosexual sex more than once, may also receive the death penalty
• The bill forbids the "promotion of homosexuality," which in effect bans organizations working in HIV and AIDS prevention
• Anyone who knows of homosexual activity taking place but does not report it would risk up to three years in prison
"Who will go to HIV testing if he knows that he will suffer the death sentence?" Elizabeth Mataka, the U.N. Special Envoy on AIDS in Africa, told reporters last week. "The law will drive them away from seeking counseling and testing services."
Homosexuality is already illegal in Uganda under colonial-era laws. But the bill, introduced in October, is intended to put more teeth into prosecuting violators.
It applies even to Ugandans participating in same-sex acts in countries where such behavior is legal.
"They are supposed to be brought back to Uganda and convicted here. The government is putting homosexuality on the level of treason," Mugisha said.
Lawmakers have indicated that they will pass the bill before year's end.
It has the blessing of many religious leaders -- Muslim and Christian -- in a country where a July poll found 95 percent opposed to legalizing homosexuality.
The Rev. Esau Omara, a senior church leader, said over the weekend that any lawmaker opposing the bill will pay for it during the next election, according to local newspaper reports.
And a leading Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ramathan Shaban Mubajje, has called for gays to be rounded up and banished to an island until they die.
Several media outlets also have inflamed sentiments in recent months by publicly pointing out gays and lesbians.
In April, the Observer newspaper published tips to help readers spot homosexuals. And over the summer, the Red Pepper tabloid outed 45 gays and lesbians.
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has not publicly stated his position on the bill, but last month blamed foreign influence in promoting and funding homosexuality.
"It is true that, if the president has said that, he must have information that European nations are promoting (homosexuality) and recruiting homosexuals," government spokesman Fred Opolot said. "You must note that the president or the legislators are responding to the concern of the citizenry of the country."
At the Commonwealth summit in Trinidad and Tobago late last month, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he pulled aside Museveni to deplore the bill.
"We find them inconsistent with, frankly, I think any reasonable understanding of human rights, and I was very clear on that with the president of Uganda," Harper told reporters.
In the United States, a coalition of Christian leaders released a statement Monday denouncing the bill.
"Regardless of the diverse theological views of our religious traditions regarding the morality of homosexuality, in our churches, communities and families, we seek to embrace our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters as God's children, worthy of respect and love," the statement read.
Human rights groups have called on Western nations to withhold aid from Uganda if the measure passes. About 40 percent of the country's budget comes from international aid.
"This draft bill is clearly an attempt to divide and weaken civil society by striking at one of its most marginalized groups," said Scott Long, director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Program at the New York-based Human Rights Watch. "The government may be starting here, but who will be next?"
Opolot, the government spokesman, said consideration of the bill in parliament is merely "democracy at work."
"We as a country are engaging and debating a pertinent issue," he said. "So if a foreign country chooses to cut aid simply because Uganda is debating its destiny, then it is quite outrageous and quite wrong."
Mugisha, who now heads the group Sexual Minority of Uganda, said he is working with lawyers and other activists to change minds and defeat the measure.
"I have put a lot of effort in this struggle. I just want to live freely every day," he said. "I want to be happy knowing that if I'm going to meet someone, I'm not going to be taken to jail forever."
story: CNN International0
North Miami, Florida Police have determined Miami teacher Charles Brown was stabbed to death last week because he didn't want to make a relationship work with his former boyfriend, Gregory Higgs (pictured left).
Higgs has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
According to a police report, neighbors watched in horror as Higgs stabbed Brown several times with a kitchen knife in the hallway at Inland Towers Apartment. Higgs, 53, then fled the scene but was captured a short time later.
Police believe the two men knew each other for a long time and had an intimate relationship for the past seven or eight years before brown broke it off for unknown reasons. Brown, a 54-year-old teacher at North Miami High School, began receiving threatening E-mails at work and Higgs also sent his angry letters to the Miami-Dade County School Board.
Gregory Higgs Police believe all Higgs wanted was an explanation for the break-up and he waited in the hallway at brown's apartment to get it.
Miami Teacher Murdered By Gay Ex-Lover
North Miami, Florida Police have determined Miami teacher Charles Brown was stabbed to death last week because he didn't want to make a relationship work with his former boyfriend, Gregory Higgs (pictured left).
Higgs has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
According to a police report, neighbors watched in horror as Higgs stabbed Brown several times with a kitchen knife in the hallway at Inland Towers Apartment. Higgs, 53, then fled the scene but was captured a short time later.
Police believe the two men knew each other for a long time and had an intimate relationship for the past seven or eight years before brown broke it off for unknown reasons. Brown, a 54-year-old teacher at North Miami High School, began receiving threatening E-mails at work and Higgs also sent his angry letters to the Miami-Dade County School Board.
Gregory Higgs Police believe all Higgs wanted was an explanation for the break-up and he waited in the hallway at brown's apartment to get it.0
Hamburger Mary's is planning a mid-month opening at 101 Southwest Boulevard, Kansas City. The made-to-order burger chain, which started in San Francisco in 1972, is preparing to open its first space in Kansas City. The chain is known for its Mary Burger -- a charbroiled, half-pound burger with Mary's special dressing -- and the house chili. It will be the chain's tenth location.
The local LGBT Community is the last, best hope to save Kansas City's floundering consumer economy.a San Francisco Institution coming soon to the spot where health code violations seemed to lead to the closing of a Blvd BBQ joint.The San Francisco Chronicle filed an excellent review of the chain. And I guess I'd have to give up my blogger street cred if I didn't note a scene from HBO's True Blood that came to mind when considering the subject of yokel patrons clashing with trendy homo-themed dining options.
Think about it:
They have fewer rug rats, which means more money and the community is stereotypically known for having more style than most of the folks in this po'dunk burg.
So, it's interesting to see
"The original Hamburger Mary's was a gay restaurant in the south of market area of San Francisco. Then they franchised it and now there are Hamburger Mary's in several cities. Some cynically call it "the gay Chili's".
Still, I think the place seems like it's gonna be pretty cool and a welcomed alternative from P&L District fare that has inspired so many eateries near downtown to close.
Tony In Kansas City Blog
The Gay Burger Chain 'Hamburger Mary's' Will Open Store In Kansas City
Hamburger Mary's is planning a mid-month opening at 101 Southwest Boulevard, Kansas City. The made-to-order burger chain, which started in San Francisco in 1972, is preparing to open its first space in Kansas City. The chain is known for its Mary Burger -- a charbroiled, half-pound burger with Mary's special dressing -- and the house chili. It will be the chain's tenth location.
The local LGBT Community is the last, best hope to save Kansas City's floundering consumer economy.a San Francisco Institution coming soon to the spot where health code violations seemed to lead to the closing of a Blvd BBQ joint.The San Francisco Chronicle filed an excellent review of the chain. And I guess I'd have to give up my blogger street cred if I didn't note a scene from HBO's True Blood that came to mind when considering the subject of yokel patrons clashing with trendy homo-themed dining options.
Think about it:
They have fewer rug rats, which means more money and the community is stereotypically known for having more style than most of the folks in this po'dunk burg.
So, it's interesting to see
"The original Hamburger Mary's was a gay restaurant in the south of market area of San Francisco. Then they franchised it and now there are Hamburger Mary's in several cities. Some cynically call it "the gay Chili's".
Still, I think the place seems like it's gonna be pretty cool and a welcomed alternative from P&L District fare that has inspired so many eateries near downtown to close.
Tony In Kansas City Blog0
The Campbell, California City Council elected Evan Low mayor of the South Bay city Tuesday, December 1. At 26, Low is believed to be the country's youngest openly gay mayor.
He is also one of the youngest Asian American mayors in the U.S. He had been serving as vice mayor for the past year, setting the stage for this week's vote.
"Generally, the vice mayor is voted in as the next mayor," explained Low.
Balancing the city's budget amid the economic troubles facing the state will be his top priority over the next year.
"Mainly, I want to make sure we maintain a fiscally sound budget and do not make any layoffs," said Low.
He also wants to increase participation in local government by streaming city meetings live online and plans to be accessible to Campbell residents outside of City Hall.
Low, a fifth-generation Californian, was elected to office in 2006, becoming the council's first Asian American member. Since then he has become active in Democratic circles nationally; he was elected in September to an at-large seat on the Democratic National Committee. In the spring he ran for the male vice chair post within the state Democratic Party against another gay candidate but conceded the race to Eric Bauman prior to the vote at the state party convention.
Last year Low served as a grand marshal in San Francisco's Pride Parade. He was threatened with being recalled from office last fall for his speaking out against Proposition 8, the ban against same-sex marriage voters passed in the November 2008 election.
Low graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in political science and is a graduate of the senior executives in local and state government program from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government where he was a Bohnett Leadership Fellow.
The Nation's Youngest Gay Mayor Elected!
The Campbell, California City Council elected Evan Low mayor of the South Bay city Tuesday, December 1. At 26, Low is believed to be the country's youngest openly gay mayor.
He is also one of the youngest Asian American mayors in the U.S. He had been serving as vice mayor for the past year, setting the stage for this week's vote.
"Generally, the vice mayor is voted in as the next mayor," explained Low.
Balancing the city's budget amid the economic troubles facing the state will be his top priority over the next year.
"Mainly, I want to make sure we maintain a fiscally sound budget and do not make any layoffs," said Low.
He also wants to increase participation in local government by streaming city meetings live online and plans to be accessible to Campbell residents outside of City Hall.
Low, a fifth-generation Californian, was elected to office in 2006, becoming the council's first Asian American member. Since then he has become active in Democratic circles nationally; he was elected in September to an at-large seat on the Democratic National Committee. In the spring he ran for the male vice chair post within the state Democratic Party against another gay candidate but conceded the race to Eric Bauman prior to the vote at the state party convention.
Last year Low served as a grand marshal in San Francisco's Pride Parade. He was threatened with being recalled from office last fall for his speaking out against Proposition 8, the ban against same-sex marriage voters passed in the November 2008 election.
Low graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in political science and is a graduate of the senior executives in local and state government program from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government where he was a Bohnett Leadership Fellow.0
Gay, Catholic and fed up with his church's efforts to quash the same-sex marriage movement, Phil Attey has come up with a controversial strategy: outing gay priests who speak out against homosexuality.
New Web Site To 'Out' Priests Who Are Gay But Anti-Gay
Gay, Catholic and fed up with his church's efforts to quash the same-sex marriage movement, Phil Attey has come up with a controversial strategy: outing gay priests who speak out against homosexuality.
Attey's new Web site, http://churchouting.com, has drawn criticism from groups that advocate for gay Catholics. They worry that his threats to gather and disclose information on gay priests will hurt their cause.
Attey, a D.C. resident, describes himself as an Internet political strategist. On his Web site, he urges people to report encounters with gay priests in the Archdiocese of Washington, which has strongly opposed legalization of same-sex marriage in the District.
He said he will out only gay priests and bishops who speak out against homosexuality. In the case of priests not publicly opposed to gay marriage but still in the closet, he said his goal is not to threaten them but to encourage them to "come out for the next generation and stand up against the anti-gay stance of the church."
Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry, which advocates on behalf of gay male and lesbian Catholics, said he understands Attey's anger but condemns his approach. "Equal rights should be argued on the merits of the issue, not with vengeful personal attacks," he said. "Outing priests could cause more harm to a group of people who are already in a difficult situation."
The archdiocese called the Web site potentially harmful. "If anyone has a concern about whether a priest is violating their ministry in any way, we would encourage them to let the archdiocese know rather than some Web site . . .," spokeswoman Susan Gibbs said. "We will follow through and investigate. It's too easy on the Internet to gossip and violate someone's good name on rumors."
0
A gay man who was imprisoned for homosexuality in 1979 has received an official apology from the Spanish Government.
Antoni Ruiz was 17 years old when he was sent to prison for 94 days after he told his family he was gay.
His parents confided the news to a Catholic monk, who denounced Ruiz to the authorities. He was sentenced to three months and banished from his home town for a further year.
Harsh penalties for homosexuality were brought in under the fascist dictator General Franco (pictured). Although Franco had passed away in 1975, the laws were still in effect when Ruiz was imprisoned.
The apology was made under Spain’s new Law of Historical Memory which aims to redress wrongs committed under Franco’s dictatorship and during the prior Spanish Civil War.
According to the UK’s Daily Telegraph, around 5,000 men went to jail for being gay under the fascist regime.
Ruiz is the first to receive an apology letter from the Spanish justice minister, along with the offer of 4,000 Euros in compensation (approximately $6,500 in Australian dollars).
Ruiz, who currently heads an association for former prisoners, said he was happy with the “symbolic gesture” and said it was “a long time coming”.
The Spanish government legalised same-sex marriage in 2005 and allows gay and lesbian couples to adopt children.
Spain Gives Official Apology To Gay Man for His Imprisonment
A gay man who was imprisoned for homosexuality in 1979 has received an official apology from the Spanish Government.
Antoni Ruiz was 17 years old when he was sent to prison for 94 days after he told his family he was gay.
His parents confided the news to a Catholic monk, who denounced Ruiz to the authorities. He was sentenced to three months and banished from his home town for a further year.
Harsh penalties for homosexuality were brought in under the fascist dictator General Franco (pictured). Although Franco had passed away in 1975, the laws were still in effect when Ruiz was imprisoned.
The apology was made under Spain’s new Law of Historical Memory which aims to redress wrongs committed under Franco’s dictatorship and during the prior Spanish Civil War.
According to the UK’s Daily Telegraph, around 5,000 men went to jail for being gay under the fascist regime.
Ruiz is the first to receive an apology letter from the Spanish justice minister, along with the offer of 4,000 Euros in compensation (approximately $6,500 in Australian dollars).
Ruiz, who currently heads an association for former prisoners, said he was happy with the “symbolic gesture” and said it was “a long time coming”.
The Spanish government legalised same-sex marriage in 2005 and allows gay and lesbian couples to adopt children.2
Reportedly Tiger Woods had a fascination with having a three-some with his alleged mistress and some big name ‘Male’ TV and sports jocks. In the closet?!
US Weekly reports that Rachel Uchitel, one of Woods’ alleged many mistresses, forwarded an intimate message to friends in where Tiger Woods says he dreams of having some sort of orgy with Uchitel, Derek Jeter, actor David Boreanaz and last but not least, Ryan Seacrest.
The following was taken from the alleged message to Uchitel from Woods:
Gay Twist Exposed in Tiger Woods Personal Fantasies
Reportedly Tiger Woods had a fascination with having a three-some with his alleged mistress and some big name ‘Male’ TV and sports jocks. In the closet?!
US Weekly reports that Rachel Uchitel, one of Woods’ alleged many mistresses, forwarded an intimate message to friends in where Tiger Woods says he dreams of having some sort of orgy with Uchitel, Derek Jeter, actor David Boreanaz and last but not least, Ryan Seacrest.
The following was taken from the alleged message to Uchitel from Woods:
“I had a dream we were married and I was leading the tournament, I came home, excited to see you, and there you were in the bedroom getting f**ked by Derek and David Boreanaz. Some part of me thinks you would like that.”Woods went on to say how turned on he was at the thought of Uchitel getting slammed by Jeter and Boreanaz:
“Now I can’t get back to sleep. My body is tired, but my mind is awake. I Need an Ambien.”His name isn’t Tiger Woods for nothing!!! You Animal, lol.
0
Gay and Lesbian bookstore Lambda Rising will close its two stores in Washington D.C. and Rehoboth Beach.
In a statement, founder Deacon Maccubbin said the store was started in order to bring attention to gay and lesbian literature, but the genre is now available in all major bookstores.
"The phrase 'mission accomplished' has gotten a bad rap in recent years, but in this case, it certainly applies," he said.
The store was founded in 1974 on a shoestring budget by Maccubbin, whom we profiled a few years back. The store is located in 1625 Connecticut Ave., its third location.
The news comes just weeks after The Washington Blade, the city's weekly gay and lesbian newspaper, announced its closure.
Lambda Rising will operate through the Christmas season, and continue to install its holiday window display. The store will hold a liquidation sale after Christmas and close in early January.
Lambda Rising Bookstore To Close Stores in Washington, DC
Gay and Lesbian bookstore Lambda Rising will close its two stores in Washington D.C. and Rehoboth Beach.
In a statement, founder Deacon Maccubbin said the store was started in order to bring attention to gay and lesbian literature, but the genre is now available in all major bookstores.
"The phrase 'mission accomplished' has gotten a bad rap in recent years, but in this case, it certainly applies," he said.
The store was founded in 1974 on a shoestring budget by Maccubbin, whom we profiled a few years back. The store is located in 1625 Connecticut Ave., its third location.
The news comes just weeks after The Washington Blade, the city's weekly gay and lesbian newspaper, announced its closure.
Lambda Rising will operate through the Christmas season, and continue to install its holiday window display. The store will hold a liquidation sale after Christmas and close in early January.1
Rapper Eminem cleverly avoids using the word "faggots" in his new song "Elevator" when referring to Adam Lambert and Clay Aiken, replacing it with the words "fake it's":
These lyrics peretrate hatred, fear and violence against sexual minorities and cannot be tolerated! Eminem can be contacted via Twitter and Myspace Source: TowelRoad
Rapper Eminem Resorts to Anti-Gay Lyrics
Rapper Eminem cleverly avoids using the word "faggots" in his new song "Elevator" when referring to Adam Lambert and Clay Aiken, replacing it with the words "fake it's":
"Eminem Sorry Lance, Mr. Lambert and Aiken ain't gonna make it They get so mad, when I call them both fake it's All these fuckking voices in my head I can't take it Someone shut that fucking baby up, 'for I shake it You're standing adjacent to Jason's last slut, they're facing Together makes 'em, a fucking bad combination I lashed at the doctor in my last operation Shoved the weiner snitzel up his ass, hopped away some- body please stop the patient, get the cops to mase him"Phonetically, it sounds just like "faggots" and considering his anti-gay troubles in the past, there is no doubt in most peoples minds what the intention was, and that's to stir publicity and pr drama at the expense of the gay community.
These lyrics peretrate hatred, fear and violence against sexual minorities and cannot be tolerated! Eminem can be contacted via Twitter and Myspace Source: TowelRoad
0
As Nepal’s embattled government makes a statement on climate change by holding a cabinet meeting Friday in the lap of Mt Everest, a Nepali innovator is offering an even bigger sensation: holding gay weddings further up the snowy slopes.
Nepal’s first and only openly gay member of parliament Sunil Babu Pant has started the republic’s first travel agency by, for and of the gay community that is asking homosexual, lesbian and transgender couples worldwide to come and get married in Nepal as well as enjoy their honeymoon in the midst of adventure sports, breathtaking sceneries and the country’s colourful gay community.
“For gay couples who want a memorable wedding, we are offering to hold it at the Everest base camp,” Pant told IANS. “Or it can be in Mustang (Nepal’s northernmost district that was once part of an ancient Tibetan kingdom).
“We are offering lavish bridal processions on elephant back and a glittering package for the bride that includes exotic bridal gowns as well as makeup.”
Pant, who is also the founder of the gay rights movement in Nepal, has just opened Pink Mountain Travels and Tours, Nepal’s only “gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender-focussed” travel and tour agency specialising in gay and lesbian honeymoon packages and promoting the once conservative republic as a new holiday destination for the community.
The 37-year-old, who founded the Blue Diamond Society (BDS) in 2001 to start a gay rights movement whose growth has today taken Asia by surprise, says the new travel agency would help generate employment opportunities for gays and lesbians, who have skills but don’t get opportunities due to the bias still prevailing in society against them.
BDS sponsors beauticians’ and tailoring courses for transgenders but is hard put to get employment for them. The gay honeymoon package, Pant is certain, will redress the problem.
Two months ago, Pant became associated with Community Marketing, a San Francisco-based market research and communications firm that has been acting as a bridge between its clients and the sexual minorities through strategic market planning and education, and the association inspired him to start the travel agency.
In February, Pink Mountains and Community Marketing will hold the first Asian Gay Tourism Symposium in Kathmandu to start the honeymoon package.
In November 2008, Nepal’s Supreme Court struck a huge blow for gay rights, asking the government to end all discrimination against the community and make new laws to meet their needs.
This includes formulating laws to allow same-sex marriages, making Nepal the only country in South Asia to give the official seal of approval to such unions.
The government has formed a seven-member committee to look into the issue. The nascent republic is scheduled to get a new constitution in May 2010 and Nepal’s gay community, who are also taking part in the discussions to draft the statute, hope that subsequently, the laws will be ready.
Once they are, Pant predicts Nepal will be deluged by gays wishing to get married in Nepal. A marriage in Nepal may not be recognised by the tourists’ own governments but for the community, a symbolic gesture is as valuable as a bona fide marriage in their own country.
If there is a craze for getting married at the Everest base camp, located at a height of 5545m, eventually, the parties could go higher up.
In 2005, a heterosexual pair from Nepal created a world record when they tied the knot on the Everest summit itself, all the way at 8848m.
Moni Mulepati and Pem Dorje Sherpa got married on Mt Everest May 30, 2005, creating a record for the height of romance.
Nepal Now Holding Gay Weddings On The Slopes Of Mt Everest
As Nepal’s embattled government makes a statement on climate change by holding a cabinet meeting Friday in the lap of Mt Everest, a Nepali innovator is offering an even bigger sensation: holding gay weddings further up the snowy slopes.
Nepal’s first and only openly gay member of parliament Sunil Babu Pant has started the republic’s first travel agency by, for and of the gay community that is asking homosexual, lesbian and transgender couples worldwide to come and get married in Nepal as well as enjoy their honeymoon in the midst of adventure sports, breathtaking sceneries and the country’s colourful gay community.
“For gay couples who want a memorable wedding, we are offering to hold it at the Everest base camp,” Pant told IANS. “Or it can be in Mustang (Nepal’s northernmost district that was once part of an ancient Tibetan kingdom).
“We are offering lavish bridal processions on elephant back and a glittering package for the bride that includes exotic bridal gowns as well as makeup.”
Pant, who is also the founder of the gay rights movement in Nepal, has just opened Pink Mountain Travels and Tours, Nepal’s only “gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender-focussed” travel and tour agency specialising in gay and lesbian honeymoon packages and promoting the once conservative republic as a new holiday destination for the community.
The 37-year-old, who founded the Blue Diamond Society (BDS) in 2001 to start a gay rights movement whose growth has today taken Asia by surprise, says the new travel agency would help generate employment opportunities for gays and lesbians, who have skills but don’t get opportunities due to the bias still prevailing in society against them.
BDS sponsors beauticians’ and tailoring courses for transgenders but is hard put to get employment for them. The gay honeymoon package, Pant is certain, will redress the problem.
Two months ago, Pant became associated with Community Marketing, a San Francisco-based market research and communications firm that has been acting as a bridge between its clients and the sexual minorities through strategic market planning and education, and the association inspired him to start the travel agency.
In February, Pink Mountains and Community Marketing will hold the first Asian Gay Tourism Symposium in Kathmandu to start the honeymoon package.
In November 2008, Nepal’s Supreme Court struck a huge blow for gay rights, asking the government to end all discrimination against the community and make new laws to meet their needs.
This includes formulating laws to allow same-sex marriages, making Nepal the only country in South Asia to give the official seal of approval to such unions.
The government has formed a seven-member committee to look into the issue. The nascent republic is scheduled to get a new constitution in May 2010 and Nepal’s gay community, who are also taking part in the discussions to draft the statute, hope that subsequently, the laws will be ready.
Once they are, Pant predicts Nepal will be deluged by gays wishing to get married in Nepal. A marriage in Nepal may not be recognised by the tourists’ own governments but for the community, a symbolic gesture is as valuable as a bona fide marriage in their own country.
If there is a craze for getting married at the Everest base camp, located at a height of 5545m, eventually, the parties could go higher up.
In 2005, a heterosexual pair from Nepal created a world record when they tied the knot on the Everest summit itself, all the way at 8848m.
Moni Mulepati and Pem Dorje Sherpa got married on Mt Everest May 30, 2005, creating a record for the height of romance.
