APRIL 23 . 2005 • Q-NOTES
Global
November elections that same-sex mar
riage hurt Democrats because it was “too
much, too fast, too soon."
Feinstein joins former Pink Brick win
ners President George W. Bush and talk
show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger. Her
inclusion with such obvious foes made the
selection surprising to many.
James Hormel, a gay philanthropist and
U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg under
President Clinton, told The Associated
Press, “I don’t really think this is a big deal.
On the other hand, I find it curious that this
constituency, which is struggling so hard to
end its second-class citizenship in this
country, would turn on somebody who has
in many ways been a major supporter.”
Marriage amendment defeated
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Democrat
majority in the Minnesota Senate shut
down an April 7 Republican bid to force a
vote on a constitutional amendment ban
ning same-sex marriage. While the meas
ure was being argued, thousands of gays
and their supporters rallied against the pro
posed amendment out on the Capitol lawn.
Sen. Michele Bachmann (R-Stillwater),
the chief proponent of the ban, said the
need for an amendment is paramount
because judges around the country are
finding that same-sex couples have the
right to marry. When her attempt to secure
a vote was rebuffed Bachmann railed
against her Democratic colleagues.
They countered that Bachmann is
pushing the amendment for personal gain.
Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson said
she has been using the issue as a spring
board to the congressional campaign she ■
announced several months ago.
The proposed amendment, which
would also bar recognition of civil unions,
was passed earlier this month in the
Republican-held House.
International >
Gay marriage bill clears hurdle
OTTAWA, Canada — An attempt to gut
the Liberal government’s bill to legalize
same-sex marriage was defeated April 12..
Conservative leader Stephen Harper’s pro
posed amendment to the legislation would
have limited marriage to opposite-sex
couples but allowed for civil unions.
All but four Conservative MPs support
ed the change — joined by a sizable num
ber of Liberals who oppose their party’s
support of gay marriage. The amendment
was defeated 164-132 because nearly all
members of the two smaller parties, the
New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois,
voted against it.
The marriage bill is likely to face addi
tional legislative hurdles as Conservatives
vow to continue their fight, but most ana
lysts expect the measure to survive.
Liberals say they want the legislation
passed by May,- but if their minority gov
ernment falls' and elections are called
before then, the bill will die on the House
floor. Voter polls indicate Conservatives
would take control of the government if
elections were held now.
Homophobic bullying starts early
CARDIFF, Wales — A study of bullying in
British schools reveals that boys as young as
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nine frequently use anti-gay and female-
identified terms “to establish their masculin
ity.” Dr. Emma Renold of Cardiff University
says that young boys often use the words
“gay” and “girl” to insult other boys.
Renold’s report, released in conjunction
with Stonewall Cymru, the Welsh LGBT
rights group, declares that efforts to com
bat homophobia and bullying must begin
at an earlier age {han previously thought
necessary.
“These are key findings because it is
very much time to make the link between
gender and sexuality in bullying in the
schools,” said Dr. Alison Parkin, Stonewall
Cymru director. “What Emma is saying is
that gender and sexuality are connected
within the school environment and it
seems there are still very narrow ways of
being a boy and being a girl.”
She added, “Any intervention that is
done in school must begin in the early pri
mary years.”
Royal wedding sparics gay protest
WINDSOR, England — Prince Charles
married his longtime mistress Camilla
Parker Bowles April 9. Prior to the ceremo
ny thousands gathered in front of the
nearly 400-year-old Guildhall where the
ceremony was set to be held. Among the
throng was Britain’s best-known gay
activist, Peter Tatchell (pictured).
He was carrying a sign that read,
“Charles can get married twice. Gays can
not get married once” — a jab at Britain’s
civil unions law that takes effect in
December. The sign was easily seen by the
television audience watching at home.
Once police noticed the message Tatchell
was removed.
He was escorted to a designated area
— out of camera view — that had been set
up for protestors, which included conser
vative Anglicans angered
by the royal marriage of
two divorcees and anti
monarchists. Tatchell
and his group. Outrage,
have blasted the British
' government for failing to
follow the lead of
Holland, Belgium and Spain in giving
same-sex couples full marriage rights.
Gay marriage ban loophole
SYDNEY, Australia — Last year
Parliament passed a law defining marriage
as the union of one man and one woman,
closing the door to same-sex marriage.
Professor George Williams, a constitution
al law expert, says that’s not the case
because the legislation failed to prohibit
gay marriages allowed under state laws.
In response. Greens Party member Nick
McKim plans to introduce a pro same-sex
marriage bill in the Tasmanian state par
liament. “I believe [Prime Minister] John
Howard wanted to end the debate about
gay marriage in Australia and we’re over
joyed that he has in fact ensured that the
debate will continue at a state level.”
He added, “We’ve been very explicit in
our drafting and there will be no legal
requirement on any person, particularly
any minister of any church, to marry a gay
couple. There will be no legal requirement
on any church to host a marriage for a gay
couple. We are not about creating division
in our society.”
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