Friday, March 30, 2007
UN Resolution for Decriminalisation of Homosexuality - Online Petition
The 3rd Annual International Day Against Homophobia is on 17th May 2007.
To help support this and assist them in their aim of Getting a UN Resolution for Decriminalisation of Homosexuality, we have submitted the following petition to the PM Tony Blair, on the Number 10 website;
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/IDAHO-Petition/
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Campaign to the UN for a UN Resolution for Decriminalisation of Homosexuality.
On the 17th May 2007, an International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), will again be campaigning for Governments across the World to petition the UN to bring forward a UN Resolution for Decriminalisation of Homosexuality. In this day and age there are nearly 80 countries in the world where it is a criminal offence to be homosexual. A resolution is proposed by Louis Georges Tin, the President of the IDAHO Committee for the UN to have a Universal Decriminalisation of Homosexuality to protect individuals' human rights.
We ask the United Nations :
To request a universal abolition of the so-called "crime of homosexuality", of all "sodomy laws", and laws against so-called "unnatural acts" in all the countries where they still exist.
We ask Tony Blair, to support the resolution, and ask him to bring the resolution to the United Nations next year as a supportive country."
Please show your support for this UN Resolution and sign the petition
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/IDAHO-Petition/
To help support this and assist them in their aim of Getting a UN Resolution for Decriminalisation of Homosexuality, we have submitted the following petition to the PM Tony Blair, on the Number 10 website;
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/IDAHO-Petition/
"We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Campaign to the UN for a UN Resolution for Decriminalisation of Homosexuality.
On the 17th May 2007, an International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), will again be campaigning for Governments across the World to petition the UN to bring forward a UN Resolution for Decriminalisation of Homosexuality. In this day and age there are nearly 80 countries in the world where it is a criminal offence to be homosexual. A resolution is proposed by Louis Georges Tin, the President of the IDAHO Committee for the UN to have a Universal Decriminalisation of Homosexuality to protect individuals' human rights.
We ask the United Nations :
To request a universal abolition of the so-called "crime of homosexuality", of all "sodomy laws", and laws against so-called "unnatural acts" in all the countries where they still exist.
We ask Tony Blair, to support the resolution, and ask him to bring the resolution to the United Nations next year as a supportive country."
Please show your support for this UN Resolution and sign the petition
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/IDAHO-Petition/
Labels: Gay Actions, Gay Activities, Gay Rights UK, Gay Rights Worldwide, GLITA
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Vote on Sexual Orientations Regulations - TODAY
Tonight, the Lords vote on the final submissions of the Sexual Orientations (Goods and Services) Regulations.
There has been a final amendment made to the regulations, that read:
"This House, having regard to the widespread concerns that the draft Regulations compromise religious liberty and will result in litigation over the content of classroom teaching, and having regard to the legality of the equivalent regulations for Northern Ireland, declines to approve the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007."
Peers will then be asked to vote to strike down the regulations.
Following Monday Evenings Commons vote, in which MP's voted 310 votes to 100 to accept the regulations, tonight is the final chance for the regulations to be struck down.
If they are not, then the regulations will come into force on the 30th April.
As Lords have no constituent's, we cannot advise our members to write to them specifically. Yet if you wish to contact any of the Lords to show your support for the regulations, please feel free to use the Email Action letter, and go to:
http://www.writetothem.com/lords
Where by you can enter Gay Rights or Sexual Orientation Regulations and a list of Lords who have specified interest or spoken in the house regarding these areas will show allowing you to chose to send an email to them.
Also this evening, a group of Christian lawyers (The Lawyers' Christian Fellowship) are planning a "prayer vigil" outside Parliament on the same night (between 7 and 9pm at Old Palace yard (the square opposite the St Stephen's entrance to the House of Lords).
As an "Official" Protest from the Gay Community hasn't been applied for, we cannot ask for you to attend in a counter-demonstration, yet there wasn't during they're last protest, during the discussion of the same regulations for Northern Ireland, and a small group of LGBT people were able to gather and show they're support for the regulations.
There has been a final amendment made to the regulations, that read:
"This House, having regard to the widespread concerns that the draft Regulations compromise religious liberty and will result in litigation over the content of classroom teaching, and having regard to the legality of the equivalent regulations for Northern Ireland, declines to approve the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007."
Peers will then be asked to vote to strike down the regulations.
Following Monday Evenings Commons vote, in which MP's voted 310 votes to 100 to accept the regulations, tonight is the final chance for the regulations to be struck down.
If they are not, then the regulations will come into force on the 30th April.
As Lords have no constituent's, we cannot advise our members to write to them specifically. Yet if you wish to contact any of the Lords to show your support for the regulations, please feel free to use the Email Action letter, and go to:
http://www.writetothem.com/lords
Where by you can enter Gay Rights or Sexual Orientation Regulations and a list of Lords who have specified interest or spoken in the house regarding these areas will show allowing you to chose to send an email to them.
Also this evening, a group of Christian lawyers (The Lawyers' Christian Fellowship) are planning a "prayer vigil" outside Parliament on the same night (between 7 and 9pm at Old Palace yard (the square opposite the St Stephen's entrance to the House of Lords).
As an "Official" Protest from the Gay Community hasn't been applied for, we cannot ask for you to attend in a counter-demonstration, yet there wasn't during they're last protest, during the discussion of the same regulations for Northern Ireland, and a small group of LGBT people were able to gather and show they're support for the regulations.
Labels: Gay Actions, Gay Rights UK, GLITA
Monday, March 12, 2007
Don't allow the Religious Right to steal our Rights
The fight for the Sexual Orientations (Goods and Services) Regulations has still much to do.
Following on from the Archbishop of Birmingham's decision yesterday to ask all Catholics in his Archdiocese to write to their Members of Parliament, to express their opposition to the regulations, we need to ensure that we also take this opportunity, ahead of the vote on accepting the regulations unchanged, to write to our Members of Parliament to express our support for them.
The Archbishop Vincent Nichols made the following statement on Sunday 11 March:
"I have this weekend asked Catholics in the Archdiocese of Birmingham to write to their Member of Parliament and express their views about two underlying issues in the Sexual Orientation Regulations published recently by the Government.
"Firstly, in considering adoption, these Regulations appear to enshrine the view that same-sex partnership and heterosexual couples are equally suited to meeting the needs of children and no distinction may be made between them on this basis.
"In this way the Regulations imply an understanding of the needs of children and of the shape of the family in which the claims of same-sex couples are placed above the firmly held beliefs of all major religions and long established custom.
"Secondly, the Regulations also imply that voluntary bodies seeking publicly funded cooperation with statutory bodies are expected to deliver Government policy even in sensitive matters of considerable moral significance. This marks a significant change in the pattern of cooperation in the public sector between Christian Churches or charities, and public authorities.
"A serious debate is needed to safeguard and promote the tradition of mutually respectful cooperation, for the common good."
Archbishop Nichols stressed that: "All involved in the work of the Catholic Adoption Agencies are now exploring ways which will permit the continuation of their work, in ways consistent with our Catholic vision. In this they will also work with the independent review to be set up by the Government. In the meantime, the Agencies continue to provide their services."
The Archbishop of Birmingham added: "These Catholic Agencies carry out work of exceptional quality particularly with the most vulnerable of children, inspired by the best interest of the child and by the highest motivations of Christian care and compassion. This precious service to children, and its faith-inspired direction and drive, must not be lost."
While we support the work that Catholic Adoption Agencies do for disadvantage children, the opposition form the Archbishop extends to the whole regulations, as opposed to the specific area of adoption, of which the Prime Minister and the Minister for Communities and Equality and already expressed their views that Catholic Adoption Agencies will be allowed a 'grace period' up to the end of December 2008, more than any other agency or service provider.
This whole statement shows again, as did the original campaign in February, that the Catholic Church are using Adoption Agencies, of which many in this country are in support for the work they do, to push their full discrimination against homosexuality, and these regulations in particular. We should also note that the current head of the Catholic Church in the UK (Cardinal Cormac O'Murphey) is due to retire this year, and also that the Catholic Church is the fastest growing religion in this country due to the increase of Eastern European Catholics into the country due to EU expansion. So speaking out now at this time against these regulations, pushes Archbishop Nichols chances of taken over such a large congregation into a more favourable possiblilty.
Nevertheless, we must make sure that we stand firm, make our voices heard, and ensure that come Pride season, of which many of us will enjoy, that nowhere in this country will any Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual will be turned away from any hotel, pub or restaurant during those celebrations purely for the reason of their sexuality.
Write to your MP, asking them to support the Sexual Orientation Regulations as they stand.
Following on from the Archbishop of Birmingham's decision yesterday to ask all Catholics in his Archdiocese to write to their Members of Parliament, to express their opposition to the regulations, we need to ensure that we also take this opportunity, ahead of the vote on accepting the regulations unchanged, to write to our Members of Parliament to express our support for them.
The Archbishop Vincent Nichols made the following statement on Sunday 11 March:
"I have this weekend asked Catholics in the Archdiocese of Birmingham to write to their Member of Parliament and express their views about two underlying issues in the Sexual Orientation Regulations published recently by the Government.
"Firstly, in considering adoption, these Regulations appear to enshrine the view that same-sex partnership and heterosexual couples are equally suited to meeting the needs of children and no distinction may be made between them on this basis.
"In this way the Regulations imply an understanding of the needs of children and of the shape of the family in which the claims of same-sex couples are placed above the firmly held beliefs of all major religions and long established custom.
"Secondly, the Regulations also imply that voluntary bodies seeking publicly funded cooperation with statutory bodies are expected to deliver Government policy even in sensitive matters of considerable moral significance. This marks a significant change in the pattern of cooperation in the public sector between Christian Churches or charities, and public authorities.
"A serious debate is needed to safeguard and promote the tradition of mutually respectful cooperation, for the common good."
Archbishop Nichols stressed that: "All involved in the work of the Catholic Adoption Agencies are now exploring ways which will permit the continuation of their work, in ways consistent with our Catholic vision. In this they will also work with the independent review to be set up by the Government. In the meantime, the Agencies continue to provide their services."
The Archbishop of Birmingham added: "These Catholic Agencies carry out work of exceptional quality particularly with the most vulnerable of children, inspired by the best interest of the child and by the highest motivations of Christian care and compassion. This precious service to children, and its faith-inspired direction and drive, must not be lost."
While we support the work that Catholic Adoption Agencies do for disadvantage children, the opposition form the Archbishop extends to the whole regulations, as opposed to the specific area of adoption, of which the Prime Minister and the Minister for Communities and Equality and already expressed their views that Catholic Adoption Agencies will be allowed a 'grace period' up to the end of December 2008, more than any other agency or service provider.
This whole statement shows again, as did the original campaign in February, that the Catholic Church are using Adoption Agencies, of which many in this country are in support for the work they do, to push their full discrimination against homosexuality, and these regulations in particular. We should also note that the current head of the Catholic Church in the UK (Cardinal Cormac O'Murphey) is due to retire this year, and also that the Catholic Church is the fastest growing religion in this country due to the increase of Eastern European Catholics into the country due to EU expansion. So speaking out now at this time against these regulations, pushes Archbishop Nichols chances of taken over such a large congregation into a more favourable possiblilty.
Nevertheless, we must make sure that we stand firm, make our voices heard, and ensure that come Pride season, of which many of us will enjoy, that nowhere in this country will any Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual will be turned away from any hotel, pub or restaurant during those celebrations purely for the reason of their sexuality.
Write to your MP, asking them to support the Sexual Orientation Regulations as they stand.
Labels: Gay Actions, Gay Rights UK
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Save the 'Gay's The Word' Bookshop
Gay's The Word is the only gay and lesbian bookshop in the whole country, It's currently under threat of closure.
Please read this letter from Jim and Uli, and do what you can...
Dear Friend of Gay’s The Word,
We’ve got some good news, and we’ve got some bad news. Some time ago we asked for your vote to nominate us for the Independent Bookshop of the Year 2007 Competition. Your wonderful response resulted in us getting longlisted, and we’re delighted to announce that we’ve now reached the Regional Shortlist. It’s a fantastic achievement and we’re really thrilled. A huge ‘thank you’ to everybody who voted for us.
It’s somewhat ironic that this news comes through as we are finding it an increasing struggle to cope financially. The bad news is that after 28 years of trading, we’re looking at possible closure in the next few months. Some of you may have seen the excellent recent article in The Times which highlighted the problem:
http://entertainmen t.timesonline. co.uk/tol/ arts_and_ entertainment/ books/article146 2206.ece
A combination of pressures including the Internet, rising rents, and the availability of some LGBT books in mainstream bookshops have all played their part. Fundamentally, it comes down to the fact that just not enough people are buying their books here anymore. Independent bookstores across the UK are having a difficult time but there isn’t a bookstore in the country that has our unique range of titles. We think it would be a real pity if Gay’s The Word, the oldest and only surviving independent gay and lesbian bookstore in the whole country, had to close.
We are, of course, much more than just a bookstore and also function as a community resource. Hundreds of people visit the shop every week to collect free papers, look at our notice board and pick up leaflets of interest. A number of discussion and support groups also have free use of the space for their meetings. We’re often the first point of contact for lesbians and gays new to London or coming to terms with their sexuality. It is perhaps this somewhat invisible aspect of what we do that we are saddest to see in jeopardy. We have tried to create a safe, non-threatening, non-judgemental space where people can come and browse, ask questions and get help and advice or just buy a book or card.
To survive in the 21st century we need to adapt and change. We have lots of ideas of how we might face these new challenges. These range from changing our structure so that we can access funding for some of our work, acquiring charity status, updating our computer systems so that we can establish a strong web presence to renovating the shop and developing our downstairs space as a resource for community events.
But to implement these longer-term ideas and initiatives we have to survive our present crisis. So how can you help?
Most important is that we get word out about our predicament. We ask you to forward this e-mail on to ten people, or anyone you know who you think should know (i.e. influential or well-heeled investors). It would be a tragedy if Gay’s The Word closed down due to the fact that people are simply unaware of our existence or the difficulties we are experiencing. So we ask you to spread the word: by e-mail, by phone, at the water-cooler, in the bars, clubs, cottages, saunas…wherever.
Support us! Five ways you can help support Gay’s The Word:
You can come into the shop and buy one (or two, or three) of our fabulous books.
You can pick one (or as many as you like) of one of our current top-ten titles, listed below, and order it.
You can send us a donation (cheques payable to GTW), or call up with your card details.
You can sponsor a shelf for £100. You will become an official ‘Friend of Gay’s The Word’ and your name will be officially listed as such in-store. We are calling this our ‘Cash For Honours’ promotion.
You can order a copy of the Gay’s The Word documentary film, which screened at last year’s London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival at the NFT, for £10.
We believe in our importance, relevance and future. We believe many people do. If you’re one of them, then lend us your support. Help save Gay’s The Word. Where there’s a will…there’s a way…
Our Current Top Ten Recommended Books:
Queer London by Matt Houlbrook – The award-winning social history of the gay metropolis, 1918-1957. £13
Bitter Eden by Tatamkhulu Afrika – An extraordinary novel set in a WWII prisoner-of- war camp that explores the themes of masculinity and desire. £11.99
My Undoing by Aiden Shaw – The hugely frank memoir about life and love in the thick of sex, drugs, pornography and prostitution. £8.99
The Night Watch by Sarah Waters – An astonishing novel set against the turbulent backdrop of wartime Britain from our favourite lesbian author. £7.99
Unspeakable Love by Brian Whitaker – A powerful and compelling insight into gay and lesbian life in today’s Middle East. £14.99
When Dreams Tremble by Radclyffe – Another gripping and seductive lesbian romance set in upstate New-York from the prolific and hugely popular award-winning author. £11.99
Swimming in the Monsoon Sea by Shyam Selvadurai – the tale of the first love of a 14 year-old boy, set in 1980’s Sri Lanka during the monsoon season. From the best-selling author of ‘Funny Boy’. £8.95
Skin Lane by Neil Bartlett – His first novel for a decade, Bartlett has devised ‘a fiendishly taut little psycho-shocker’ about a quiet man who is pushed over the edge. £10.99
Biceps of Death by David Stukas – A sexy, catty and downright hilarious gay detective novel. If you like Armistead Maupin, you'll love Stukas. £9.99
Drag King Dreams by Leslie Feinberg – The long-awaited novel about love and struggle in post-9/11 New York from the Trans activist and author of ‘Stone Butch Blues’. £10.99
Orders can be made by phone, post or e-mail. Contact details below.
Many thanks
Jim & Uli
Gay's The Word
Lesbian & Gay Bookshop
66 Marchmont Street
London WC1N 1AB
Russell Square Underground
Tel; +44-020-7278 7654
email; sales@gaystheword. co.uk www.gaystheword. co.uk
Open: Mon - Sat 10am - 6.30pm
Sun 2pm - 6pm
We send Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer books all over the world
We accept most major credit cards, cheques and postal orders.
Postage & Packing UK 15 %. Europe 20% Rest of the World 25%
The effects of book-buying online and the rise of the bookstore chains have also put the shop in peril, said manager Jim MacSweeney. Gay’s The Word needs to raise £20,000 within two months to stay in business and is looking for well-heeled donors or investors - and new customers.
The shop, which was founded by bookseller Ernest Hole, sells a range of gay-themed fiction and non-fiction from around the world, and is one of the most enduring symbols of gay life in London. But it has suffered from not being located in the gay centre of the capital, Soho.
In 1984, Customs officials raided the shop during the infamous Operation Tiger. Among the books seized were works by Gore Vidal, Allen Ginsberg, Christopher Isherwood and Tennessee Williams. “Customs thought gay bookshop meant sex shop, dirty macs,” says MacSweeney. “Not what we were about.”
Charges relating to the importation of indecent and obscene material were dropped after a high-profile campaign by civil liberties groups and questions in the House of Commons.
Store managers are considering whether to turn the bookshop into a charity or community interest company — part private company, part charity. Should it be saved, it may relocate to Soho. “At the moment, lots of gay men, especially younger ones, simply don’t know we’re here,” said MacSweeney.
Please do all you can
Please read this letter from Jim and Uli, and do what you can...
Dear Friend of Gay’s The Word,
We’ve got some good news, and we’ve got some bad news. Some time ago we asked for your vote to nominate us for the Independent Bookshop of the Year 2007 Competition. Your wonderful response resulted in us getting longlisted, and we’re delighted to announce that we’ve now reached the Regional Shortlist. It’s a fantastic achievement and we’re really thrilled. A huge ‘thank you’ to everybody who voted for us.
It’s somewhat ironic that this news comes through as we are finding it an increasing struggle to cope financially. The bad news is that after 28 years of trading, we’re looking at possible closure in the next few months. Some of you may have seen the excellent recent article in The Times which highlighted the problem:
http://entertainmen t.timesonline. co.uk/tol/ arts_and_ entertainment/ books/article146 2206.ece
A combination of pressures including the Internet, rising rents, and the availability of some LGBT books in mainstream bookshops have all played their part. Fundamentally, it comes down to the fact that just not enough people are buying their books here anymore. Independent bookstores across the UK are having a difficult time but there isn’t a bookstore in the country that has our unique range of titles. We think it would be a real pity if Gay’s The Word, the oldest and only surviving independent gay and lesbian bookstore in the whole country, had to close.
We are, of course, much more than just a bookstore and also function as a community resource. Hundreds of people visit the shop every week to collect free papers, look at our notice board and pick up leaflets of interest. A number of discussion and support groups also have free use of the space for their meetings. We’re often the first point of contact for lesbians and gays new to London or coming to terms with their sexuality. It is perhaps this somewhat invisible aspect of what we do that we are saddest to see in jeopardy. We have tried to create a safe, non-threatening, non-judgemental space where people can come and browse, ask questions and get help and advice or just buy a book or card.
To survive in the 21st century we need to adapt and change. We have lots of ideas of how we might face these new challenges. These range from changing our structure so that we can access funding for some of our work, acquiring charity status, updating our computer systems so that we can establish a strong web presence to renovating the shop and developing our downstairs space as a resource for community events.
But to implement these longer-term ideas and initiatives we have to survive our present crisis. So how can you help?
Most important is that we get word out about our predicament. We ask you to forward this e-mail on to ten people, or anyone you know who you think should know (i.e. influential or well-heeled investors). It would be a tragedy if Gay’s The Word closed down due to the fact that people are simply unaware of our existence or the difficulties we are experiencing. So we ask you to spread the word: by e-mail, by phone, at the water-cooler, in the bars, clubs, cottages, saunas…wherever.
Support us! Five ways you can help support Gay’s The Word:
You can come into the shop and buy one (or two, or three) of our fabulous books.
You can pick one (or as many as you like) of one of our current top-ten titles, listed below, and order it.
You can send us a donation (cheques payable to GTW), or call up with your card details.
You can sponsor a shelf for £100. You will become an official ‘Friend of Gay’s The Word’ and your name will be officially listed as such in-store. We are calling this our ‘Cash For Honours’ promotion.
You can order a copy of the Gay’s The Word documentary film, which screened at last year’s London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival at the NFT, for £10.
We believe in our importance, relevance and future. We believe many people do. If you’re one of them, then lend us your support. Help save Gay’s The Word. Where there’s a will…there’s a way…
Our Current Top Ten Recommended Books:
Queer London by Matt Houlbrook – The award-winning social history of the gay metropolis, 1918-1957. £13
Bitter Eden by Tatamkhulu Afrika – An extraordinary novel set in a WWII prisoner-of- war camp that explores the themes of masculinity and desire. £11.99
My Undoing by Aiden Shaw – The hugely frank memoir about life and love in the thick of sex, drugs, pornography and prostitution. £8.99
The Night Watch by Sarah Waters – An astonishing novel set against the turbulent backdrop of wartime Britain from our favourite lesbian author. £7.99
Unspeakable Love by Brian Whitaker – A powerful and compelling insight into gay and lesbian life in today’s Middle East. £14.99
When Dreams Tremble by Radclyffe – Another gripping and seductive lesbian romance set in upstate New-York from the prolific and hugely popular award-winning author. £11.99
Swimming in the Monsoon Sea by Shyam Selvadurai – the tale of the first love of a 14 year-old boy, set in 1980’s Sri Lanka during the monsoon season. From the best-selling author of ‘Funny Boy’. £8.95
Skin Lane by Neil Bartlett – His first novel for a decade, Bartlett has devised ‘a fiendishly taut little psycho-shocker’ about a quiet man who is pushed over the edge. £10.99
Biceps of Death by David Stukas – A sexy, catty and downright hilarious gay detective novel. If you like Armistead Maupin, you'll love Stukas. £9.99
Drag King Dreams by Leslie Feinberg – The long-awaited novel about love and struggle in post-9/11 New York from the Trans activist and author of ‘Stone Butch Blues’. £10.99
Orders can be made by phone, post or e-mail. Contact details below.
Many thanks
Jim & Uli
Gay's The Word
Lesbian & Gay Bookshop
66 Marchmont Street
London WC1N 1AB
Russell Square Underground
Tel; +44-020-7278 7654
email; sales@gaystheword. co.uk www.gaystheword. co.uk
Open: Mon - Sat 10am - 6.30pm
Sun 2pm - 6pm
We send Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer books all over the world
We accept most major credit cards, cheques and postal orders.
Postage & Packing UK 15 %. Europe 20% Rest of the World 25%
The effects of book-buying online and the rise of the bookstore chains have also put the shop in peril, said manager Jim MacSweeney. Gay’s The Word needs to raise £20,000 within two months to stay in business and is looking for well-heeled donors or investors - and new customers.
The shop, which was founded by bookseller Ernest Hole, sells a range of gay-themed fiction and non-fiction from around the world, and is one of the most enduring symbols of gay life in London. But it has suffered from not being located in the gay centre of the capital, Soho.
In 1984, Customs officials raided the shop during the infamous Operation Tiger. Among the books seized were works by Gore Vidal, Allen Ginsberg, Christopher Isherwood and Tennessee Williams. “Customs thought gay bookshop meant sex shop, dirty macs,” says MacSweeney. “Not what we were about.”
Charges relating to the importation of indecent and obscene material were dropped after a high-profile campaign by civil liberties groups and questions in the House of Commons.
Store managers are considering whether to turn the bookshop into a charity or community interest company — part private company, part charity. Should it be saved, it may relocate to Soho. “At the moment, lots of gay men, especially younger ones, simply don’t know we’re here,” said MacSweeney.
Please do all you can
Labels: Gay Actions
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Response to Sexual Orientations Regulations - Catholic Adoption Agencies Opt Out
Yesterday's announcement by Tony Blair that Catholic Adoption agencies wouldn't be exempt from the forthcoming Sexual Orientations Regulations are welcomed by GLITA.
We are concerned that the 21 month allowance for them to 'prepare for change' is too long. There shouldn't be a need for Catholic Adoption agencies to pass on knowledge and skills beyond a more reasonable 9-12 month period.
There is also the comment from Cardinal O'Connor this morning, that states he hopes that the agencies will be able to 'continue their work' beyond the 21 month allowance of redirecting prospective gay adoptive parents to other agencies, meaning that their agencies would have to fall within the law anyway.
Regardless of the allowance, this is a welcome step for the introductions of the regulations as they stand at the moment, without the possibility of any exceptions to the law, especially from religious groups, who have voiced their opinions quite forcefully in recent weeks.
The Sexual Orientations Regulations are in fact the third part of the The Equality Act 2006, which has already been approved for two thirds of the act, making it illegal for schools, businesses and other agencies refusing services on the basis of age, disability, gender, race or religion.
Therefore these regulations are to bring equality to gay, lesbian and bisexuals similar to those already passed for religious groups.
We welcome these regulations and will continue to ensure that MP's vote for the regulations unchanged next month.
GLITA
We are concerned that the 21 month allowance for them to 'prepare for change' is too long. There shouldn't be a need for Catholic Adoption agencies to pass on knowledge and skills beyond a more reasonable 9-12 month period.
There is also the comment from Cardinal O'Connor this morning, that states he hopes that the agencies will be able to 'continue their work' beyond the 21 month allowance of redirecting prospective gay adoptive parents to other agencies, meaning that their agencies would have to fall within the law anyway.
Regardless of the allowance, this is a welcome step for the introductions of the regulations as they stand at the moment, without the possibility of any exceptions to the law, especially from religious groups, who have voiced their opinions quite forcefully in recent weeks.
The Sexual Orientations Regulations are in fact the third part of the The Equality Act 2006, which has already been approved for two thirds of the act, making it illegal for schools, businesses and other agencies refusing services on the basis of age, disability, gender, race or religion.
Therefore these regulations are to bring equality to gay, lesbian and bisexuals similar to those already passed for religious groups.
We welcome these regulations and will continue to ensure that MP's vote for the regulations unchanged next month.
GLITA
Labels: Gay Actions
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