MAY 8 . 2004 • Q-NOTES
Global
ews notes -
• i:.-' •• • -V •
from dwttnii the nation
the law. The agency removed references to
sexual orientation from its website and com
plaint forms in late February. An outcry from
Democrats in Congress and gay-rights
groups over the rule change prompted a
public rebuke by the White House.
Project to complete health survey
• CHICAGO, III. — Officials with the
Chicago Department of Public Health are
aiming to complete the city’s largest health
survey of gay and bisexual men through the
yearlong Chicago Health Assessment Project,
commonly called Project CHAT. The survey,
which will be given to more than 1,000 gay
and bisexual men, covers matters related to
sexual behavior, drug and alcohol use, and
HIV, among other topics. Participants in the
15- to 20-minute surveys are paid $25 for
their involvement. The project is part of a
nationwide effort by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention in more than two-
dozen U.S. cities to reduce the country’s
annual HIV infection rate by 50 percent.
N J. gay marriage rally held
WESTFIELD, N.j. — Proponents of
same-sex marriage want New Jerseyans to
push for legislation that would make it legal.
A standing-room-only crowd came out to
show their support and hear from several
people involved in the cause, including New
Paltz, N.Y., Mayor Jayson West, who per
formed weddings for 25 same-sex couples
in February and now faces misdemeanor
charges for officiating. Other speakers
included eight same-sex couples who are
plaintiffs in a lawsuit seeking recognition of
gay marriage in New Jersey. In January,
New Jersey joined Massachusetts, Vermont,
California and Hawaii in recognizing civil
unions. The law, which takes effect in July,
gives same-sex couples many of the same
legal rights of married heterosexual couples.
International >
Zanzibar to outlaw homosexuality
ZANZIBAR, Tanzania — Zanzibar’s
parliament has unanimously passed a bill
to outlaw homosexuality, with jail terms of
up to 25 years for gay relationships. It will
have to be approved by President Amani
Karume to become law, but a close aide to
Karume said the president would assent to
the bill. Islamic groups have been calling
for a more puritanical approach to running
public affairs on the Tanzanian Indian
Ocean island, which is overwhelmingly
Muslim. The bill was adopted by members
of both political parties in the House of
Representatives, the ruling Chama cha
Mapinduzi and the opposition Civic United
Front — a rare occasion when the sides
agreed. The bilf has been supported by the
Society for Islamic Awareness (UAMSHO).
Government to legalize marriage
MADRID, Spain — Spain will legalize
homosexual marriages and grant equal rights
to gay couples, incoming Prime Minister Jose
Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said. The move is
likely to stir controversy in one of Europe’s most
Catholic countries as the Vatican condemns
same-sex unions and homosexuality
was banned under
Spanish dictator
Francisco Franco.
Spain’s Catholic bish
ops have already spo
ken out strongly
against the adoption
of children by homo
sexual couples. Nine
other European Union
countries already have
some provision for
recognizing those in committed same-sex rela
tionships. Britain said it would give legal recog
nition to gay partnerships. Homosexuality was
banned during Franco’s 1939-1975 dictator
ship. Spain’s liberal 1978 constitution outlawed
sexual discrimination and homosexuality was
legalized shortly afterwards.
Jose Luis
Rodriquez Zapatero
6a.\IWC
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