Australian charged over 80s alleged hate crime murder of gay American

More than 30 years after American Scott Johnson was killed in a suspected gay hate crime in Australia, police said Tuesday they had arrested and charged a man with his murder.

Detectives arrested the 49-year-old in the leafy Sydney suburb of Lane Cove on Tuesday and laid murder charges the same day.

The suspect's name was not released.

The breakthrough in the cold case came two months after the victim's family doubled a police reward in the case to Aus$2 million (US$1.3 million).

The 27-year-old mathematician Johnson's naked body was found at the base of a cliff in the Sydney suburb of Manly in December 1988, and police at the time ruled his death a suicide.

But a coroner found in 2017 that it was likely Johnson had been killed in a hate crime, suggesting he was either pushed over the cliff or fell while trying to escape unidentified assailants.

The inquest found that gangs roamed Sydney at the time searching for gay men to attack, and had been known to rob or assault men at the "gay beat" where Johnson's folded clothing was discovered.

In 2018, police announced an Aus$1 million reward for information leading to an arrest in the case, which was doubled when Johnson's brother, Steve, matched the amount in March.

Steve Johnson, who had long pushed police to investigate his brother's death, said it was "remarkable" the alleged killer had been apprehended almost 32 years later.

"This is a very emotional day. Emotional for me, emotional for my family who... love Scott dearly," he said in a video statement.

"It's emotional, I'm sure, for the gay community for whom Scott had come to symbolise the many dozens of other gay men who lost their lives in the 1980s and '90s in a world full of anti-gay prejudice and hatred."

In 2018, New South Wales police acknowledged that at least 27 murders between the 1970s and 2000 were homophobic hate crimes, admitting the force had played a part in marginalising the LGBT community and enabling society's "acceptance of shocking violence directed at gay men" during the period.

"It is clear and beyond question that levels of violence inflicted upon gay men in particular were elevated, extreme and often brutal," police said at the time.

The suspect in Johnson's murder is due to appear in a local Sydney court on Wednesday.

Agence France-Presse

Year after India gay ruling, a battle to change attitudes

GURAGON — Vivek Kishore and Vishwa Srivastava hit it off soon after meeting at a cafe, little knowing what lay in store for them as a gay couple in India where homosexuality was a criminal offense until a year ago.

The couple’s worst fears came true when they were slapped, abused, and threatened with police action by none other than Kishore’s parents, who found out they were living together.


But life changed for the duo a year ago on Friday when India’s Supreme Court overturned a British colonial-era law that had criminalized gay sex as “against the order of nature”.

Hundreds of people had been prosecuted under the law, known as Section 377, which was often used to threaten, abuse, and blackmail members of the LGBTQ community.

“It was huge, it was like getting independence… My immediate thought was both of us can have sex, that’s not criminal anymore,” Kishore gushed.

“Legally there is nothing that my homophobic family can do now against me,” the 24-year-old said, locking eyes and toes with his partner at their home in Gurgaon on the outskirts of New Delhi.

Battle for equality

The decades-long legal fight to legalize gay sex began in India in the 1990s when arranged marriages were the norm, with families carefully choosing a partner for their children from the same religion, caste, and status.

The community won a big reprieve in 2009 when the Delhi High Court ruled that the law could not be applied to consensual sex.

But orthodox Hindu, Muslim, and Christian groups challenged it in the Supreme Court, which then restored the law in 2013.

The LGBTQ community, however, refused to give up and in 2016 a group of high-profile petitioners including a gay dancer and a chef again approached the Supreme Court.

They were joined by others and the court began hearing emotional arguments from a community long ostracized in a country that remains socially conservative.

“It’s very important that people who have a voice should use it because it’s not easy (to come out),” said Anjali Gopalan, one of the petitioners and a gay rights activist.

Attitudes

Gopalan, however, admitted that just scrapping the law on September 6, 2018 was not enough and that the real change would only come when regressive attitudes change.

In the past year, there have been tentative signs that Indian society is becoming more relaxed about homosexuality.

Gay characters have featured in a popular online series as well as a Bollywood film, while more restaurants and cafes are declaring themselves gay-friendly.

In May, sprinter Dutee Chand became a trailblazer by becoming the first Indian athlete to reveal she is in a same-sex relationship.

Pride marches were held across India with much gusto in June as students and members of the civil society joined to show their solidarity to the community.

Colorful wedding

Kishore and Srivastava got married in a colorful Hindu ceremony in 2017, even before Section 377 was scrapped, but their union has no legal standing.


“Our life is like any other straight couple but still we can’t claim any spousal benefits like healthcare and property rights,” said Srivastava, an educator. “If one of us, heaven forbid, dies then we can’t even claim each other’s bodies. It’s so disturbing.”

Srivastava’s mother, Priti, has stood by him in his quest for rights, braving barbs from relatives and nosy neighbors.

“The law may have gone but the social stigma is still there. I try not to worry about what people are saying behind my back but I know they are,” she said.

“But if you show you don’t care if your child is gay or not, then others also don’t care.” /kga

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Tens of thousands join gay pride parades around the world

MEXICO CITY — Tens of thousands of people turned out for gay pride celebrations around the world on Saturday, including a boisterous party in Mexico and the first pride march in North Macedonia’s capital.

Rainbow flags and umbrellas swayed and music pounded as the march along Mexico City’s Paseo de la Reforma avenue got underway, with couples, families and activists seeking to raise visibility for sexual diversity in the country.

Same-sex civil unions have been legal in Mexico City since 2007, and gay marriage since 2009. A handful of Mexican states have also legalized same-sex unions, which are supposed to be recognized nationwide. But pride participants said Mexico has a long way to go in becoming a more tolerant and accepting place for LGBTQ individuals.

“There’s a lot of machismo, a lot of ignorance still,” said Monica Nochebuena, who identifies as bisexual.

Nochebuena, 28, attended the Mexico City march for the first time with her mother and sister on Saturday, wearing a shirt that said: “My mama already knows.” Her mother’s shirt read: “My daughter already told me.”

Human rights activist Jose Luis Gutierrez, 43, said the march is about visibility, and rights, especially for Mexico’s vulnerable transgender population. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights says that poverty, exclusion and violence reduce life expectancy for trans women in the Americas to 35 years.


In New York City, Friday marked the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, when a police raid on a gay bar in Manhattan led to a riot and days of demonstrations that morphed into a sustained LGBTQ liberation movement. The city’s huge Pride parade on Sunday also swings past the bar.

Other LGBTQ celebrations took place from India to Europe, with more events planned for Sunday.

In the North Macedonian capital of Skopje, U.S. Charge d’Affaires Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm attended the first pride march there in a festive and incident-free atmosphere despite a countermarch organized by religious and “pro-family” organizations.

People from across Macedonia took part, along with marchers from neighboring Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia and other countries.

“This year Skopje joined more than 70 Pride (marches) and the USA are very proud to be part of this,” Schweitzer-Bluhm told reporters. “There is a lot of progress here in North Macedonia but still a lot has to be done.”


In Paraguay, about 2,000 people marched through the capital some carrying signs saying “Universities Free of Homophobia” and “Equal Rights.”

The gay pride march came on the same day that conservative Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez tweeted: “We will defend the family as the basis of society and the protection of life from conception.”

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Wimbledon giantkiller happy to come out as gay

Wimbledon giantkiller Alison van Uytvanck said Thursday she was comfortable coming out as gay, saying “it is not a disease”.

The 24-year-old Belgian stunned defending champion and third seed Garbine Muguruza 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 to make the third round at the All England Club for the first time.

She then told reporters that she was happy to have come out as gay and talked about her relationship with fellow player Greet Minnen.



“We just decided to not make it personal and not keep it for ourselves. I’m happy,” said Van Uytvanck, the world number 47.

“I just feel like we don’t have to be ashamed of this, and that’s why I also want to be free.

“I’m not sick. I don’t have a disease. But I just feel like it’s good that I could come out as a gay person.”

Van Uytvanck is just one of three openly gay players on the women’s tour.

The others are Sweden’s Johanna Larsson and Richel van Hogenkamp of the Netherlands.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Singer Ricky Martin to wed Syrian-born artist Jwan Yosef

Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin announced this week that he plans to wed his partner of one year, Syrian-born artist Jwan Yosef, whom he met after getting interested in his art.

Martin, one of the biggest stars of the Latin music world, made the announcement on Wednesday’s “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”

The 44-year-old singer, who is an art collector, said he had contacted the painter after seeing some of his conceptual work.

“I saw his art and I went crazy, cause I really love what he does, really original, and so I contacted him,” Martin said on the show.

He said the couple had known each other for a little more than a year and were now living together.

“We just got engaged,” he gushed, showing off his engagement ring.

Martin said his husband-to-be gets along really well with his eight-year-old twins, who were born to a surrogate mother.

In an interview with Vogue Arabia published in November, Yosef said he was born in the small Syrian town of Ras Al-Ayn but had lived most of his life in Sweden and Britain.

He only recently moved to Los Angeles. TVJ

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

VIRAL: ‘Bekimon’ impersonates Duterte using gay lingo

What if the tough-talking President Rodrigo Duterte uses gay language in his strongly worded speeches?

Comedian Bern Josep Persia, popularly known as “Bekimon,” took to Facebook to share his now viral impersonation video of the firebrand longtime mayor of Davao City using gay lingo.

Persia particularly mimicked Duterte’s remarks against perpetrator of illegal drugs, and his call on government agencies to reduce red tape in processing applications.

“Patayin ko kayong lahat. Tigbashin ko kayo, shigmak kung shigmak, mag-cookie party sa mga bahay niyo. Jinojobi ko sa inyis, pag wit kayo umi-stop laro, stop look and listen ng mga kacharutang echos balungos niyong mga yan day, ishumbak ko kayo nang bonggang bongga,” Persia said.

“’Yun namang mga ahensya ng gobyernish, yung mahaba-habang mga pilantropy, mga sampung oras kang magpilantropy, magbigay ka ng maraming maraming mga requirement, wititit wititit na yang gawin. Dapat keri boom boom nang isang pasahan ng mga charorot barurut,” he added.

Duterte won the presidency in a landslide with a “change is coming” slogan, rooted on a relentless war against drugs, criminality and corruption in government.

As of writing, Persia’s video has garnered more than 1.6 million views, 31,000 shares, 30,000 likes, and 12,000 comments. YG/CDG

source: technology.inquirer.net

FBI investigates whether shooter was club patron

ORLANDO, Florida – An official says the FBI is investigating reports that the Orlando massacre shooter had been a regular at the gay nightclub he attacked and had used gay dating apps.

The U.S. official had been briefed on the investigation into 29-year-old gunman Omar Mateen. The official was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday.

The comments follow reports and comments from patrons at the Orlando club Pulse that Mateen was a regular there and tried to pick up men. Previously, his Afghan-immigrant father had suggested Mateen may have acted out of anti-gay hatred, and said his son got angry recently about seeing two men kiss.

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Attack on LA Gay Pride parade thwarted

LOS ANGELES, United States — A man whose car contained a cache of weapons and bomb-making materials was arrested on Sunday after telling police he wanted to “harm” the Los Angeles Gay Pride parade, authorities said.

James Howell, 20, was detained in nearby Santa Monica with multiple weapons, ammunition and bomb-making materials in his car, which had Indiana license plates, police said.

The arrest came just hours after 50 people were massacred at a gay nightclub in Florida.

Santa Monica police chief Jacqueline Seabrooks said on Twitter that Howell told officers about “wanting to harm (the) Gay Pride event,” in reference to the annual L.A. Pride parade that took place in Hollywood on Sunday amid beefed up security.

Santa Monica police said in a statement that Howell was arrested after a resident reported a prowler knocking on their door and window at around 5:00 am.

When officers responded, they found Howell sitting in a car with three assault rifles, high-capacity magazines and ammunition, the statement said.

“Additionally, officers discovered a five-gallon bucket with chemicals capable of forming an improvised explosive device,” it added.

Seabrooks said there was no known connection between Howell and the carnage in Orlando, Florida — the worst mass shooting in US history.

Authorities said they had considered calling off the parade but then decided to go forward while beefing up security, including placing undercover police in the crowd.

The march went ahead without incident.

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Israel holds its first transgender beauty contest

TEL AVIV, Israel — Nearly 30 transgender women strutted down the catwalk in skinny jeans, crop tops and stiletto heels at a Tel Aviv club on Thursday, vying for a chance to enter the first “Miss Trans Israel” beauty pageant.

Tel Aviv has emerged as one of the world’s most gay-friendly travel destinations, standing in sharp contrast to most of the rest of the Middle East, where gays can face persecution.

Israela Stephanie Lev, the pageant’s organizer, said that in the past it was “terrible” living as a transgender woman in Israel. But today, people are more accepting, she said.

“Definitely we are achieving, enlightening the people to accept and empower transsexuals,” she said.

Among the contestants was Talleen Abu Hanna, a 21-year-old from a Catholic Arab family in the northern city of Nazareth. She said she came to the audition because she wants to do something with her life.

“I have this something, I am a dancer, and I am a singer, I play the trumpet. I have something to give the people,” she said. Although Israel’s more conservative Arab society is often unaccepting of gays, Abu Hanna said her family accepts and supports her.

“We are normal people. This is normal,” she said.

Elian Nesiel, a 20-year-old contestant, said she believes that being transgender is “gradually accepted more and more.”

“Yes, it’s a process, like everything,” she said.

Israel is generally tolerant toward gays and transgender people. Gays openly serve in Israel’s military, as does at least one openly transgender soldier. In 1998, a transgender singer, Dana International, won the popular Eurovision song contest.

But homosexuality is shunned in the ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities. Last year, an extremist ultra-Orthodox Jew stabbed a teenage girl to death at a Jerusalem Pride parade.

Finalists will compete at a pageant in May, and the winner will represent Israel at the Miss Trans Star International pageant to be held in Spain in August.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Gay marriage bill signed into law in Ireland

DUBLIN, Ireland - Same-sex marriage was signed into law in Ireland on Thursday, five months after a historic referendum saw the traditionally Catholic nation become the world's first country to vote for gay unions.

In a brief statement, the president's office said "The Presidential Commission today signed the 'Marriage Bill 2015' into law", paving the way for the first weddings within a month.

Ireland voted 62.1 percent in favour of allowing marriage between two people "without distinction as to their sex" in May, the first time anywhere that gay marriage has been legalised in a referendum.

Legal challenges to the result had briefly delayed the legislation from coming into effect.

Senator Katherine Zappone, who had long campaigned for her Canadian marriage to her wife to be recognised in Ireland, called it "a defining moment".

"It is a deeply emotional moment for those of us who have campaigned for so long," Zappone said in a statement. "This victory truly belongs to the nation, it is a moment for us all."  —  Agence France-Presse

source: gmanetwork.com

Alex Medina on falling in love with gays: 'Sexuality is fluid'

Nilinaw ni Alex Medina ang naging pahayag niya sa isang interview kung saan sinabi niyang posible siyang ma-in love sa isang gay o bakla.

Pahayag ng aktor, “Ang sinabi ko lang doon sa isang TV interview, kung posible ba akong ma in-love sa isang gay, sabi ko ay may posibilidad naman iyon."

“Kasi, sexuality is fluid kumbaga. Hindi mo matutuldukan hangga’t na-try mo na."

So, talagang may posibilidad na ma-in love si Alex sa isang gay?

Tugon niya, “Oo naman, siyempre. Kasi, hindi ba, ang daming istoryang ganyan, tulad ng Brokeback Mountain."

"Na barako sila, tapos mamaya-maya, kung ano na ang ginagawa nila sa bundok... So, hindi mo masabi, e."

GAY MOVIE. Kung may offer na movie na parang Brokeback Mountain, papayag ba si Alex na gawin ito?

“Depende sa script, sa director na alam mong mapagkakatiwalaan mo."

"Di lang basta director. Dapat alam mo 'yung parang, ‘Eto gagawin natin, ha, eto ang pelikula, ganito gagawin mo, ganito gagawin ko, eto ang labas.'"

"Yung ganun, yung malinaw.”

Sinong aktor ang gustong makapareha ni Alex kung sakali?

“Si John Lloyd Cruz sana, e, kaya lang nagkaroon na sila ng movie ni Luis Manzano noon, e."

Ang tinutukoy ni Alex ay ang 2009 movie na In My Life, kung saang gumanap na gay lovers sina John Lloyd at Luis.

Patuloy niya, “Gusto ko yung tropa ko, e. Pero huwag yung masyadong tropa. Siguro puwede si Kean Cipriano. Kasi kaibigan ko yun."

Gusto ba ni Alex na makapareha ang katropa niya dahil hindi na siya mahihiya rito?

Sagot ng aktor, “Oo, para hindi ako mahiya.”

Pero hindi ba siya maiilang o magpipigil kapag kaibigan niya ang kapareha?

“Hindi, kasi kumbaga 'yun ang nakalagay sa script. So, kung kailangang mag-kiss, kung kailangan dikitan ang katawan mong nakahubad, bakit hindi?" natatawang sabi ng anak ng batikang aktor na si Ping Medina.

Pero bakit una niyang binanggit ang pangalan ni John Lloyd?

Paliwanag ni Alex, “Kung gagawa kasi ako ng parang Brokeback Mountain movie, siyempre I would want someone na… isang actor na siguro."

"Siyempre idol ko si John Lloyd. In the first place, siya talaga ang peg ko."

“I mean, pagpasok ko pa lang sa showbiz noon or pag-start ko sa TV, or actually unang pag-sign ko pa lang ng contract, sinabi ko na si John Lloyd ang peg ko.”

Dagdag niya, “Sakaling may ganoong project, siyempre you would want an actor you can trust, na you would be comfortable with, I mean, plus the material."

“Although hindi kami friends ni John Lloyd, pero it would be an honor siyempre na makatrabaho ko siya for such a movie or kahit anong movie for that matter, actually." -- PEP.ph 

source: gmanetwork.com

Vatican sacks priest after he comes out as gay

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican dismissed a priest from his post in a Holy See office on Saturday after he told a newspaper he was gay and urged the Catholic Church to change its stance on homosexuality.

Monsignor Krzystof Charamsa was removed from his position at the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican's doctrinal arm where he had worked since 2003, a statement said.

Charamsa, 43, and a Polish theologian, announced he was gay and had a partner in a long interview with Italy's Corriere della Sera newspaper on Saturday.

He later held a news conference with his partner, a Spanish man, and gay activists at a Rome restaurant. They had planned a demonstration in front of the Vatican but changed the venue several hours before it was due to have started.

The Vatican said Charamsa's dismissal had nothing to do with his comments on his personal situation, which it said "merit respect".

But it said giving the interview and the planned demonstration was "grave and irresponsible" given their timing on the eve of a synod of bishops who will discuss family issues, including how to reach out to gays.

It said his actions would subject the synod, which Pope Francis is due to open on Sunday, to "undue media pressure".

The issue of homosexuality and the Church has dominated the aftermath of the pope's visit to the United States last week.

In Saturday's interview, Charamsa said his partner had helped him come to terms with his sexuality and knew he would have to give up the priesthood, although the Vatican statement made no reference to this outcome.

"It's time for the Church to open its eyes about gay Catholics and to understand that the solution it proposes to them — total abstinence from a life of love — is inhuman," he was quoted as saying.

The Catholic Church teaches that homosexuality is not a sin but that homosexual acts are.

The Vatican has been embarrassed by controversy over the pope's meeting with Kim Davis, a Kentucky county clerk who went to jail in September for refusing to honor a US Supreme Court ruling and issue same-sex marriage licences.

The Vatican said on Friday that "the only real audience" the pope had during his visit to Washington was with a small group that included a gay couple. — Reuters

Pope Francis secretly met Kentucky clerk over gay marriage licenses

LOS ANGELES/VATICAN CITY -  Pope Francis secretly met a Kentucky county clerk last week who was jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples and gave her words of encouragement, her attorney said.

Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis and her husband met with the pope during the Washington leg of his visit to the United States, after the Vatican reached out to her several weeks ago, ABC reported on Wednesday.

"It was really very humbling to even think that he would want to, you know, meet me or know me," Davis told ABC. "I put my hand out, and he grabbed it, and I hugged him, and he hugged me and he said, 'Thank you for your courage.'"

"He told me before he left, he said, 'Stay strong.' That was a great encouragement," Davis said.

Davis said knowing that the pope agreed with what she was doing "kind of validates everything."

ABC said the pope gave Davis a rosary, which she plans to give to her Catholic parents.

Mat Staver, attorney and founder of the Liberty Counsel, told CBS News that the pope met Davis and her husband at the Vatican embassy in Washington last Thursday.

Vatican chief spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said he would neither confirm nor deny the report and that there would be no further statement. This was unusual for the Vatican, which normally issues either denials or confirmations.

The report of the meeting came after Francis largely avoided the contentious issue of same-sex marriage during his historic visit to the United States, where he addressed Congress, met with the homeless and urged the country to welcome immigrants.

The pope, speaking to reporters as he returned home from his 10-day trip to the U.S. and Cuba on Monday, said government officials had a "human right" to refuse to discharge a duty if they felt it violated their conscience.

Staver, whose client was jailed for five days in September for refusing to comply with a judge's order to issue the licenses in line with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, told CBS his team did not want to disclose the meeting until now to avoid interfering with the pope's broader message during his visit.

"Because we didn't want the pope's visit to be overshadowed with Kim Davis," Staver said in an interview on the network.

During the meeting, the pope told Davis to "stay strong", Staver said.

Davis has said her beliefs as an Apostolic Christian prevent her from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Her church belongs to a Protestant movement known as Apostolic Pentecostalism.

To keep a low profile, Davis went to the Vatican embassy in a sports utility vehicle with her hair in a different style than her normal look, Staver told CBS, adding he was not present.

Conservative Christians, including some Republican presidential candidates, have said Davis is standing up for religious freedom.

But the American Civil Liberties Union, which went to court to ensure same-sex couples can obtain marriage licenses in Rowan County, has argued she has a responsibility as an official to issue the licenses, regardless of her views.

The ACLU, in papers filed on Sept. 21 with the judge hearing the case, asked the court to require Davis to stop making alterations to the licenses, such as removing any reference to the Rowan County clerk's office.  — Reuters

Former British PM Tony Blair named ‘gay icon’

LONDON - Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was named one of the top "gay icons" of the last thirty years on Friday in recognition of his work for gay rights.

Gay Times magazine awarded the politician the accolade in an edition marking the newspaper's 30th anniversary.

Blair, 61, won a landslide victory in a 1997 general election, and was the head of a left-leaning Labour Party government for the next decade.

His time in office saw the introduction of civil partnerships, the lowering of the homosexual age of consent to match that of straight couples, and the abolition of the "Section 28" law that banned authorities from "promoting homosexuality."

"His status as an ambassador of gay rights is undeniable," said Gay Times.

"Legal recognition for trans people, civil partnerships, banning employers from sacking you because of who you love and making homophobia a hate crime - they were all on Blair's watch."

Blair welcomed the "gay icon" title, saying he was proud of his work on gay rights, which he considers a part of his legacy.

"As I was growing up in politics, I disliked the hypocrisy where people had to conceal their own identity. And I saw the pain that they had in their own lives, because they couldn't be who they were," Blair said. — Agence France-Presse

source: gmanetwork.com

US Embassy Manila issues first fiancé visas for same-sex couples

December 2, 2013 will be a memorable day for the United States and the Philippines, as it marks the first time the US Embassy in Manila issued a fiancé visa to a gay couple in the Philippines.

The US Embassy on Friday said it issued a fiancé visa to Noel “Aeinghel” Amaro and Robert Cotterman on Monday.

"Cotterman serves in the US military and is scheduled to return from a tour in Afghanistan in January 2014. The two met online and will be married January 2014 in the United States," it said on its website.

It added that while same-sex marriage is not yet recognized in the Philippines, gay Americans can now "petition for family-based visas on behalf of their Filipino spouses, fiancés, and their children."

The embassy said this stemmed from a landmark decision by the US Supreme Court that struck down the portion of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

"Overturning DOMA signifies that the US federal government must extend all federal rights and privileges of marriage to any married couple, regardless of sexual orientation. Currently, gay couples can marry in 16 of 50 American states, and the nation’s capital," the embassy said.

Such an extension of rights includes immigration benefits, it added.

Together after 10 years

Meanwhile, the embassy said Maria Cecilia Limson Gahuman and Maria Carla Antonio also received a fiancé visa.

Gahuman, a Filipina, and Antonio, an American, met through a mutual friend over a decade ago. Until they were granted the visa, there was no way for them to be together.

"With their fiancé visa, the couple will transition their their ten-year relationship from long-distance to marriage in California on December 30, 2013," it said.

The embassy said one of President Barack Obama's priorities has been to advance gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender equality.

Following the first issuance of a same-sex visa in London, US State Secretary John Kerry said one of the “most important exports by far is America’s belief in the equality of all people.”

Kerry added “the State Department, which has always been at the forefront of equality in the federal government ... is tearing down an unjust and an unfair barrier that for too long stood in the way of same-sex families being able to travel as a family to the United States.”

Because of this, the embassy said it wants to educate gay Filipinos about new visa opportunities.

"Filipinos in same-sex relationships with Americans are encouraged to view the Visas section of the Embassy website for more information," it said. — JDS, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Actor Wentworth Miller says he's gay, turns down Russian festival invite

LOS ANGELES - Actor and screenwriter Wentworth Miller, best known for his leading role in Fox television drama "Prison Break," came out as a gay man on Wednesday in a letter declining an invitation to attend a Russian film festival in light of Moscow's recently adopted anti-gay laws.

Miller, 41, turned down an offer to attend the St. Petersburg International Film Festival as a "guest of honor" in a letter posted on the website of advocacy group GLAAD, which monitors media representation of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender people and issues.

"Thank you for your kind invitation. As someone who has enjoyed visiting Russia in the past and can also claim a degree of Russian ancestry, it would make me happy to say yes. However, as a gay man, I must decline," Miller wrote to festival director Maria Averbakh.

Miller wrote that he was "deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women by the Russian government," and did not want attend a festival in a country where "people like myself are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly."

Russia's parliament banned the spread of gay "propaganda" among minors in a law passed in June, which includes imposing fines on those holding gay pride rallies, has attracted international condemnation.

Miller, who played incarcerated structural engineer Michael Scofield in Fox's "Prison Break" from 2005 to 2009, has recently turned his hand at screenwriting, penning the script for this year's dark thriller "Stoker," starring Nicole Kidman.

Miller's letter comes after Bravo channel host and executive producer Andy Cohen told E! News last week that he would not be co-hosting Donald Trump's Miss Universe pageant this year in Moscow because he "didn't feel right as a gay man stepping foot into Russia." — Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

Transsexual could be new deputy speaker in Poland

WARSAW - She made history as Poland's first transsexual lawmaker in 2011 and now Anna Grodzka could become a deputy speaker of parliament in this deeply Roman Catholic nation.

Born as a man, Grodzka, 58, was nominated Thursday for the position by party colleagues in the left-wing, anti-clerical Palikot Movement, which advocates legalising marijuana and civil unions for gay couples.

Grodzka is believed to be the world's only current transsexual member of parliament, but she is not the first. Transsexual Georgina Beyer served in New Zealand's parliament between 1999-2007.

Each of the six largest political parties sitting in the Polish parliament is entitled to a deputy speaker. An opposition party, the Palikot Movement commands 43 seats in Poland's 460-seat lower house of parliament.

Grodzka needs to muster a simple majority in order to be voted into office, but lawmakers from the Catholic and nationalist Law and Justice party -- which commands 138 seats -- have already said they will not vote for Grodzka.

"If my candidature is seen as a provocation, that's just fine. My mission has always been to make sure everyone is treated equally," she told reporters in parliament Thursday.

It was unclear how many legislators would turn up for the vote from other parties, including the governing Civic Platform (PO), which has 206 seats, or the smaller Polish Peasant party, which has 29.

The opposition ex-communist Democratic Left Alliance with 25 seats has suggested it will back Grodzka.

If voted in, she would replace Palikot Movement legislator Wanda Nowicka, a high-profile feminist who has long advocated liberalising Poland's restrictive abortion law.

Abortion is allowed only in cases of rape, incest or where a pregnancy poses a threat to the mother's life.

Grodzka's nomination comes just days after parliament voted down three bills on civil unions for unmarried couples, a move backed by gay rights activists but fiercely opposed by conservatives.  — Agence France Presse

source: gmanetwork.com

Rocco Nacino enjoys 'leading lady' role in latest gay indie flick

After last year's Cinemalaya new breed entry, Ang Sayaw Ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa, kung saan gumanap siya bilang isang closet gay, muling mapapanood si Rocco Nacino sa isa na namang gay indie film.

This time, it's a comedy, titled I Love You, Pare Ko. Ang love interest ni Rocco dito ay si Rodjun Cruz.

"Nag-e-enjoy ako (in doing gay roles), pero, sabi ko, itong film na ito... last ko na itong pag-portray na gay.

"I don't want to be stereotyped as (onscreen) gay," sabi ni Rocco, sa panayam ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), noong January 18, sa GMA-7 studios.



But why so soon? In a matter of less than 7 months, may bagong gay movie appearance uli ang premyadong young actor.



"'Yun nga," naisip niya. "Kaya sabi ko... kasi nga, challenge siya. Parang ganun."

 "Comedy (naman), tapos ibang klaseng pag-portray ko. So, sabi ko, gagawin ko, pero last na."

 What if may dumating uling magandang offer, na kasing challenging.

 Hindi ba niya ire-reconsider?

 "It depends. But it will take time muna," sambit ni Rocco. "Hindi lang naman gay roles ang available, e."



RODJUN CRUZ's 'LEADING LADY.'  Earlier, sa promo-guesting nina Rocco Nacino at Rodjun Cruz sa show ni Kuya Germs (German Moreno's Walang Tulugan With The Master Showman), naging "game" naman si Rocco sa pagpapa-interview at pag-arte, bilang isang bading (gay).

 Tuwang-tuwa si Kuya Germs sa dalawang bida ng bagong gay indie film

Katuwang niyang naghu-host ang young actor-protege na si Jhake Vargas at ang dalawang mainstays ng show, na sina John Nite at new female TV host, Gaby (o Gabbie) Garcia, whom Kuya Germs introduced as the daughter of character actor, Emilio Garcia.

Tinanong ni Jhake si Rocco kung sino ang leading lady ng pelikula.

"Ay, naku! Gusto ninyong malaman kung sino ang leading lady dito?

 Ako!" lahad ni Rocco, sa tonong gay, much to everyone's amusement.

 "Yes, kaya yun po ang title ng movie, I Love You, Pare Ko.

 "Kaming dalawa po (ni Rodjun) ang bida rito. Ang leading lady ay yours truly.

 "Ang peg ko dito ay parang si 'Kuya' Roderick Paulate. Maraming twists (ang kuwento)."

Sabi naman ni Rodjun, "Ito ang dapat nilang abangan, dahil ito yung pinakabagong loveteam - 'RoRo' loveteam (for Rocco and Rodjun)."

Tanong naman ni Kuya Germs:  'Paano kung may ma-in love sa iyong "boy" (o gay man)?'

"Ako? Pag may na-in love sa akin?  Ahh... thank you," nangiting sabi ni Rocco.

 Dagdag niya, "Character lang po yung ginawa ko. Ibig sabihin, effective talaga yung ginawa ko..."


SOFT SPOT FOR 'INDIES.'  Meanwhile, masaya si Rocco Nacino sa paggawa ng indie movies, simula nang gawin niya ang nasabing Cinemalaya 2012 Filmfest entry.



"Of course, indie films have a place in my heart," aniya.

 "Nagsimula ako sa ... Sayaw Ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa (by indie writer-director, Alvin Yapan)... dahil doon, nagkaroon ako ng tatlong awards," wika rin ni Rocco.

Dalawa sa mga iyon ay ang napanalunan ni Rocco, as Best New Movie Actor at Breakthrough Performance by An Actor awards ng PMPC (Star Awards for Movies) at Enpress (Golden Screen Awards), respectively.


MAINSTREAM ARTIST. Pero bilang isang Kapuso, si Rocco Nacino, na produkto ng reality-based artista search (StarStruck, Batch5) ay nananatiling mainsteam TV-movie actor.

Kasalukuyan siyang napapanood sa pang-hapong drama series, ang Yesterday's Bride, katambal si Lovi Poe; at tuwing Linggo, bilang isa sa male co-hosts-performer sa musical-variety show ng GMA-7, ang Party Pilipinas.


"After Yesterday's Bride, meron akong gagawin sa GMA Films," sabi ni Rocco.

Napag-alaman ng PEP, though unconfirmed, na ito'y may titulong My Lady Boss, a romance-comedy, na pagbibidahan diumano nina Richard Gutierrez at Marian Rivera.

As to GMA's other plans, Rocco informed, "Meron akong isang project na gagawin - special ng GMA News - a mini-serye which will run for three months.

"Tungkol sa (election) campaigns natin.  Maraming magaling na artista... (na kasali sa project)."

 Hindi niya binanggit ang dahilan, o kung iniiwasan man niya ang pag-participate sa campaign sorties ng mga politicians, pero wala nga raw ikakampanya si Rocco sa darating na eleksiyon.

"Wala," pagtukoy niya. "Dun sa project na gagawin ko, bawal akong mag-kampanya, so yun ang tinanggap ko." — William R. Reyes, PEP.ph

source: gmanetwork.com