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Special year-end review for2005
noted . notable . noteworthy GLBT issues
Q-Living:
A look at the year
in film
VOLUME 20 . ISSUE 17
SINCE 198«
DECEMBER 31 . 2005
Best musk of2005 21
Frimistmdfmilywe
lost in 2005
14
A look back at national
and global gay news
for2005
05
Best books In 2005
21
The year in drag
22
and South
North Carolina:
News and events
from2005
South Carolina:
Palmetto stale
review2005
08
11
Do you believe anything
that comes out of George
9
Next Issue:
2006: New Year's Resolutions
Health & Fitness
yes . no'
Celebrating same-sex marriage around
the globe in 2005
In North America, Africa and Europe
gays and lesbians say 1 do' while the
debate rages on around the globe
by Mark Smith
A Tittle bit of history
Same-sex couples have enjoyed the right
to civil partnerships in Denmark since 1989.
The Netherlands followed suit in 1998, also
legalizing same-sex partnerships. Both
countries later offer full marriage benefits, as
does Belgium and parts of Canada in 2003.
Back in the U.S, Vermont becomes the
first state to offer civil unions in 2000.
In 2004 New Zealand passes civil union
legislation, as does Israel (with certain limita
tions). Late in 2004, the state of Massachusetts
announces same-sex marriage is legal for res
idents of that state.
What hqipened in 2005
The big boom comes in 2005, when
Canada legalizes same-sex marriage across
the country and Spain tells the Vatican to buzz
off as President lose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero
holds true-to his campaign promise and offers
up marriage for gay couples in that country.
Connecticut falls in line behind Vermont,
becoming yet another state to offer civil
unions for same-sex couples.
Zurich, Switzerland, begins to offer limit
ed legal recognition for registered gay cou
ples, as does Geneva. Swiss authorities are
now considering whether to introduce a
national law to offer the rights throughout
the country.
The United Kingdom now offers civil mar
riage for gay couples and South Africa
recently announced same-sex marriage will
come into law in 2006.
When that happens, an
estimated 155 million people
worldwide will live in places
where same-sex marriage is
legal.
While conservative politi
cians and anti-gay activists
here in the U.S. continue to
wrestle with the issue, around
the world, countries are com
ing to terms with how to treat
gay and lesbian couples —
and the trend in many is
toward liberalizing laws.
Britain's rock royalty ties the knot
It was in England where
the most noise was made
about same-sex marriage- —
because one of the country’s most notable
celebrities, Elton john, is gay and threw a
post-wedding bash bigger than the Liza
Minelli-David Gest fiasco back in ’03.
Held on Dec. 21, John and long-time part
ner David Furnish exchanged vows and dia
mond rings during a ceremony held in the
17th century town hall where Prince Charles
and Camilla Parker Bowles wed in April.
“Being suchT a high profile couple and the
fact that we decided to do it straight away
does carry a certain message,” John was
quoted as saying by Attitude magazine.
“I’m doing this first and foremost because
I want to do it for David and I want to be with
David for the rest of my life, but I also want
to do it to say that [the civil union law)
shouldn’t be something that just sits there in
law. It should be embraced,” he said.
Prime Minister Tony Blair, speaking to
Evangelicals on the attack
Anti-gay forces hard at work in 2005
by Donald Miller
“The literal blood of the thousands of gay peo
ple physically wounded by hate... is on the hands
of ]erry Falwell, lames Dobson, Tony Perkins, and
so many others who spm' hate for partisan gain
and personal enrichment."
— Matt Foreman, President
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
The American Family Association. Focus on
the Family. The Liberty Counsel. Family
Research Council.
These are just a few of the names of anti
gay, evangelical Christian-based organiza
tions that have cozied their way into the
breast pocket of the Republican Party.
Over the past year their efforts against the
LGBT community have intensified as has
their control and influence over the White
Rock artist Ehon John tied the knot with his
partner David Furnish in London Dec. 21.
reporters at a news conference, congratulat
ed the couple for exercising their newfound
legal rights.
“This is a modern, progressive step for
ward for the country and I’m proud we did
it,” Blair told a news conference. In an earli
er newspaper column, Blair had called the
Civil Partnership Act enacted by his govern
ment “long overdue.”
“This will give hope to millions of isolat
ed, vulnerable, lesbian and gay people espe
cially those living in repressive and homo-
phobic countries,” said Peter Tatchell,
spokesman for the gay and lesbian human
rights group OutRage.
Another celebrated Brit pop singer, George
Michael, announced Nov. 28 that he would
see TYINGon 4
Faces of gay hate: Perkins, Dobson,
Wildmon and Stover.
House, U.S. House and Senate. Here’s a look
at some of their efforts:
• The American Family Association (AFA)
In January the crackpots at AFA threw a
hook into SpongeBob ^uarePants and the
producer of a pro-tolerance music video for
kids, which features scores of children’s TV
heroes ranging from the Muppets to
SquarePants. The video itself involves a ren
dition of the 1979 hit song “We Are Family,”
that Nile Rodgers co-wrote, and contains no
reference to gay rights or sexual orientation.
In a detailed article by the editor of its month
ly journal, AFA insisted the endeavor has a
pro-gay subtext. “On the surface, the project
may appear to be a worthwhile attempt to
see ANTI-GAY on 4