Support for the 2014 Olympics is Support for Russia's War on Homosexuality

In 1936, when other nations threatened to boycott the Berlin Olympics because Hitler had declared that no blacks or Jews should compete in Berlin, Hitler recapitulated to the point where he demanded that all "No Jews" signs be removed during the Games, and that all police and brownshirts hold back on beatings of Jews and other race enemies during the Games. Because there was no Internet or social media at that time, and it was easy to fool people, a lot of Americans and others who went to Berlin for the Games thought that Hitler wasn't such a bad chap after all, that the persecution of Jews and others was hogwash, and Hitler laughed into his sleeve...once the games ended, he made everything even worse for Jews and others, and limited media coverage of the truth.

It was a strange time in history for Jews and African-Americans. We were also considered racially inferior or suspect in other countries, yet we saw the Olympics as our chance to shine--to beat the "master race" at sport. In many instances, we did. The Hungarian Jews were master fencers and wrestlers. And of course, everyone knows about Jesse Owens. There were many non-Aryan Olympic champions that year who showed the Germans that they are not invincible. Their victories, unfortunately, did not change Hitler's agenda.

Seventy eight years later--in 2014--the Russians will host the Summer Olympics in Sochi, by the Black Sea. In 2013, Vladimir Putin has declared a war on LGBT people and has given police and vigilante groups free reign to beat and arrest anyone even suspected of being queer. While Putin has said that foreign LGBT "guests" and athletes who participate in the Olympics will be safe, and the anti-gay laws will not apply to them, that is not good enough. As my friend nomadmatan said, "We do not need an LGBTQ Jesse Owens--we need a boycott." Any nation or corporation that has taken a stand to support LGBT rights should NOT support the Summer Olympics in Sochi.

A petition is going around to ask corporate sponsors--Coca-Cola, Panasonic, and others--to pull out of the Games. Sign it and comment if you care about human rights.

When It Comes to LGBT Rights, Think Global

On Tuesday, May 14, 2013, Minnesota became the 12th state in the Union to legalize same-sex marriage. A few days later, on Friday, May 17, 2013, almost no one in the United States called attention to the fact that it was the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO for short). In fact, no one even made mention that IDAHO was established in 2004 and is celebrated in over 100 countries around the world.

Our fight against homophobia and transphobia is not over in the United States. We still do not have federally recognized same-sex marriage in this country, nor do we have federally mandated non-discrimination against LGBT people. These things matter if you want to live as a free queer person in this country, if you would like to work and live in different parts of the United States to fulfill professional or personal ambitions. These things matter if your partner is not from the United States, as the government still is not giving green cards to people in binational same sex relationships. These things matter if you can't get the same tax breaks as everyone else, and if you can't get your partner's Social Security earnings once they pass away. It definitely matters if you have children.

Also, why is it the case that only one type of relationship will receive legal recognition? What is wrong with domestic partnership and civil unions, for heterosexual people or queer people? In fact, what is wrong with polyamory of any kind? In France, where same sex marriage was legalized the day after IDAHO, the government gives some rights and benefits to couples who choose to live together but not marry, as do most other European countries. In fact, the European Union is doing a better job in providing legal recognition of same-sex couples than the United States--only nine EU countries define marriage as between a man and a woman, as opposed to twenty nine US states against same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage does not lead to increased acceptance of gays and lesbians. In between legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota and IDAHO, three major gay bashings took place--two in New York City, and one in London, where same-sex marriage was passed in the House of Commons and soon will go up for vote in the House of Lords. The victim of the London gay bashing incident was Christopher Bryant, the editor of Polari magazine.

More than ever, the United States must join with all the member nations of the United Nations committed to combatting homophobia and transphobia. Here is the new video from the UN Human Rights Office, stating some facts, and their support.

Saint Cloud Pride Week

This week, citizens of Saint Cloud will come together in support of LGBTIQ Pride through a variety of events:

Thursday September 19: PFLAG PRIDE RALLY AND ABOVE THE CLOUDS PRIDE MARCH at Barden Park (in front of the Miller Center Library at Saint Cloud State University) 7:00-10:30 pm. This is the last rally   that we will have prior to the November election on the constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. All are welcome to attend. The Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus will also perform at the event.

Saturday September 22nd: The St. Cloud Pride in the Park Festival will be at Lake George/Eastman Park from 11 am - 5 pm. Free entertainment, exhibitors, community organizations, and food vendors will be there. The Saint Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission will also have a table there--come and say hi to Rachel!  :) St. Cloud Pride is a family friendly event--don't miss it!

Later that Saturday night is The 3rd Annual Drag Show at the Rivers Edge Convention Center. Doors open at 6:30 pm, and the show goes from 7:30-11:30 pm. Tickets are available from Blooming Creations or the LGBT Resource Center for $10, or pay $12 at the door. Our drag performers really are the best--their performances will keep you warm through our long winter months.

Sunday September 23rd: Biology 701 at 701 West Germain St. in downtown St. Cloud will host a brunch from 11 am - 1 pm. Tickets are available for $10 in advance, or $12 at the door. Click on this link to buy advance tickets. Brunch menu will be posted soon.

One Perspective

For centuries, European countries have existed as unique, individual entities.  Each country had prejudice against the others, during times of war and peace alike.  Each country had prejudices against common minorities as well. 

In the twenty-first century, despite the financial problems caused by Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Spain, and Italy, the western nations of the European Union seem to function like a close-knit team.  They have committed to some loft goals in terms of human rights, particularly in the area of LGBT individuals.  The Council of Europe has recognized that LGBT people contribute to national culture, and that by 2020 all cultural heritage institutions in the European Union will have LGBT resources.  The European Union has gone so far as to say that "homophobia will not be tolerated in the EU", and it is beginning to enforce anti-discrimination laws in its new central and eastern European member states.  Prominent European sports figures have even made pro-LGBT statements on television, with the hope of taming any homophobic sentiments in their rowdy fans.

At the same time, in everyday conversations, ordinary EU citizens make it plain on who does not belong.  They are fast to say that the Muslims do not support gay pride, which quickly translates to Muslims are the problem in the EU, even though .  They are also chilly toward any mention of Serbians, Russians, and Ukrainians.  "The Ukraine will never be a part of the EU," a man from Ireland told me, even though my question to him was how to help two gay Ukrainian men find funding for their magazine, the only gay magazine in the Ukraine.  The privileged educated elite also have no sense of charity or reaching out to the working class and poor. There is no sense of LGBT brotherhood/sisterhood that transcends class or educational status.  It is a very different movement than in the United States.

I have returned from two weeks in Amsterdam, which is one of the most multicultural, international cities in Europe.  During that time I have spoken with native Amsterdammers, as well as people from other EU countries during an international conference for LGBT librarians, archivists, and museum curators.  I was shocked to find that their concept of support for LGBT rights did not extend past their borders.  In an increasingly wired world, where only laws prohibit us from making all LGBT books available digitally for everyone around the world, this attitude must change.  Social justice is a global movement, not limited to a privileged few.   

The motto of the European Union is "United in Diversity".  But how is it so when EU countries continue to ban headscarves, veils, and other religious clothing and jewelry, when EU countries ban kosher and halal slaughter, and when EU countries continue to evict and forcibly relocate their Roma populations?  If homophobia has no place in the EU, then what about all of the other phobias? 

In the United States, we have our problems.  We are far from a perfect country, and perhaps we are a little less educated than the European Union.  But we admit our faults.  We know too well our history and present state of racism, religious discrimination, and homophobia/transphobia.  We make fewer grand national statements, but make greater, more permanent improvements in civil rights through national discussion as well as legislation.  We know that there will always be those who will not agree...and we know that, as long as they harm no one, we are OK if they do not agree. 

Google's "Legalize Love" Campaign

Google is promoting safer working conditions for LGBT employees in any country where there is a Google office.  They call this the "Legalize Love" campaign.  Originally, reporters believed that this campaign supported same-sex marriage, but this is not the case. 

The campaign will begin in Singapore and Poland.

Minnesota United: Don't Forget Saint Cloud!

In today's Minneapolis Star Tribune, there was a great article about Minnesotans United for All Families (MN United), and its work to get people across the state to vote "no" on the proposed constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in Minnesota.  Not once did the reporter mention Saint Cloud, nor did they mention the tireless efforts of the Saint Cloud organizers and all of the residents of Saint Cloud, LGBT and allies, who phone bank and canvas like mad for this issue.  Our Saint Cloud MN United contingent deserves recognition for going the ten extra miles to converse with locals on the issue of same-sex marriage.

Regardless of whether or not the amendment passes or fails, this issue has brought many different groups in Saint Cloud together for a good cause. 

Contact Star Tribune reporter Baird Helgeson and ask him whether or not he thinks Saint Cloud is chopped liver.

If that gets no results, contact the Saint Cloud Times and see if they will give our Saint Cloud chapter of Minnesotans United for All Families a story. 

A Personal Story

I am the official blogger for the Saint Cloud Regional Human Rights Commission.  Normally I do not post personal stories here, but I would like to share one with you all today. 

I belong to many online communities, many of which address LGBT human rights causes.  Even though the majority of online communities are hosted in English-speaking countries, we often forget that online communities are global communities.  Anyone from around the world with access to the Internet can locate and join them.

Yesterday, through one of these communities, I encountered a young man from the Ukraine.  His name is Sergei Dudnik.  He is an art critic, an editor of the only gay magazine in the Ukraine, and somewhat of a gay celebrity in the Ukraine and Russia for his outrageous videos and outspoken nature.  Americans and other Westerners may automatically assume that, because Sergei is well-known in his country, he would have privileges that others would not.

In fact, it's quite the opposite. 

Sergei is considered a criminal in the Ukraine and Russia for exercising his freedom of speech.  He has no personal safety, is beaten up by neighbors, and could be beaten and jailed by the police at any time.  Although Sergei lives with his boyfriend, he is considered an illegal alien in his own country because he is an adult orphan with no residency papers.  He makes no official income, and has a roof over his head due to the generosity of his boyfriend. 

In the United States right now, it is LGBT Pride Month.  President Barack Obama officially declared June as LGBT Pride Month in 2010, though it has been recognized as such for decades.  Nearly every major city in our country will be recognizing and celebrating LGBT civil rights in some fashion, regardless of what state politicians believe.  In the Ukraine, the government cancelled this year's Kiev's Pride Parade due to threats to the safety of participants.  The government and police provide no protection against discrimination against queer people, and censor LGBT voices.  As it is LGBT Pride Month in the United States, the Ukrainians are mulling over whether to adopt Law 8711, which would criminalize LGBT human rights work in the Ukraine, as well as limit (or completely cut off) freedom of speech for anyone supporting LGBT rights--most specifically, LGBT individuals. 

As the Ukraine is also applying for EU membership, this law is especially problematic, as the EU took a stand against homophobia and transphobia in Europe. 

Sergei would like to apply for asylum, to any country which would grant him safety and peace.  In his own words, roughly translated into English, "If we could wake up in a land where we had sympathy for each other--it would be for me, personally, a much greater achievement than a gay pride parade in Red Square."

If you know anyone who can help Sergei (especially if they can converse in Russian), please comment on this post and I will send you his details.

European Union "It Gets Better" Video

While this video only represents the viewpoint of 50 EU political leaders, it is powerful. 

A firm statement made: "Homophobia has no place in Europe."

International Day Against Homophobia And Transphobia

In observance of today's International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay released a video supporting the rights of LGBT people worldwide.

According to Pillay, "We must punish hatred and violence, not love.  The best antidote for homophobia and transphobia is to educate adults and children."

Such a statement would land Pillay in prison in many countries around the world.

Want QueersTo Disappear? Don't Talk About Them

In Russia, Saint Petersburg's decision to ban all public activity and discussion of LGBT issues--even on the Internet--was signed into law and took effect on March 12th. 

Saint Petersburg, the second largest city in Russia--and the one that won an award from the United Nations for tolerance--is not the only Russian city to have banned LGBT public activity and discussion.  Archangelsk and Kostroma have also approved such a ban, and Moscow has yet to host a legally sanctioned Pride Parade.

These local decisions conflict with the national Russian Constitution, namely Article 29: Freedom of Speech, Article 19: The Ban on Discrimination, and Article 55: The Ban on Local Governments Infringing on the Rights of Minorities.  Unfortunately, these articles serve to protect the majority, as opposed to minorities, in Russia.  Most non-Russian minorities who are not considered "white" or Orthodox Christian have no personal security in Russia, as police and government officials themselves hold prejudiced beliefs.

Russian justifications for the ban on LGBT public activity and discussion include protection of traditional morals, protection of the family structure, and protection of children from pedophiles and the gay agenda.  While homosexuality was decriminalized in Russia in 1993, and removed from the list of mental illnesses in Russia in 1999, 70 per cent of Russians still believe that gays are mentally ill, and 40 per cent believe they should be isolated from mainstream society.

Before anyone criticizes the Russians for their "ignorance", remember that the religious right in the United States also would promote such a policy where "it's not OK to say 'gay'", as they have in Tennessee and Utah.  American evangelist Scott Lively, originator of Uganda's "kill the gays" bill, had conducted a speaking tour in Russia and wrote a letter to the Russian people to defend themselves from the "fast growing cancer" that would destroy "the family foundations of [Russian] society".

Can Americans learn from this, and not allow religious leaders to take up real estate in the White House, as the Russian Orthodox Patriarch has done in the Kremlin?

How the Media Twists the Truth

UN delegates walked out of an historic UN Human Rights Council debate on gay rights.  While it is true that many of the delegates who left the event were from Muslim countries, it was irresponsible of Radio Free Europe to state in their headline that they were all Arabs.  In fact, every headline about this event seemed to imply that representatives from all Muslim nations walked out of this UN Human Rights Council meeting.

Pakistani Saeed Sawar (not an Arab) spoke on behalf of the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), urging that the council not take up the subject of gay rights again...but people from all 57 nations represented in OIC did not walk out of the meeting.  The UN Human Rights Council itself has 47 members, not all from Muslim nations.  Here is the complete list of countries currently represented in the UN Human Rights Council:

African States (13):
Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Djibouti, Libya, Mauritania, Mauritius, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda

Asian States (13):
Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Thailand

Eastern European States (6):
Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation

Latin American & Caribbean States (8):
Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay

Western European & Other States (7):
Austria, Belgium, Italy, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, United States

At this time there is no official list of nations who walked out of this meeting, but those who were noted included:
-- Mauritania
-- Nigeria

The Russian Federation was also cited for its distaste for addressing LGBT civil rights at this meeting.
At the same time, homosexuality in Russia was decriminalized in 1993.  Seventy six nations out of the 192 represented in the United Nations--nearly 40 per cent--have laws that criminalize homosexuality.

And to clear up any confusion...homosexuality and/or lesbianism is legal in 31 out of 54 African nations (nearly 60%).  

In truth, even in nations where homosexuality and/or lesbianism has been decriminalized, governments often look the other way while their LGBT populations are abused.  Before the United Nations points fingers at any of its member states, all of those so-called "enlightened" states--the United States included--should review their own treatment of LGBT individuals on their own soil, and censure any political candidates or acting government officials who demonize their own native LGBT populations, denying them equal citizenship no matter how well they served in the military, how many generations of ancestors lived on that soil, and no matter whose human rights they had upheld.

Before anyone says that "we have to accept cultural and religious differences" when it comes to discrimination against others, here is United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay's powerful essay "Human rights top all other rights."  Pillay, a victim of discrimination herself as a Tamil in South Africa, comes from a culture where gays and lesbians are not normally accepted.  She also notes that the South Korean UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon did not grow up talking about LGBT issues, and neither have many people in the UN...but that they are learning.

How the Presidential Candidates Swing on LGBT Civil Rights Issues

And remember...LGBT civil rights are human rights.

Save Money and Get Married in Iowa

Same-sex couples married in Canada who are not Canadian nationals will have to go back to Canada if they wish to divorce each other.  This is because the United States and many other countries still do not recognize same-sex marriage as a legal bond.  A rumor is spreading that the Canadian government is dissolving all same-sex marriages performed in Canada for foreign couples...this is not true! 

Here is the truth--even if your same-sex marriage was performed in one of ten nations that have legalized same-sex marriage, it is not recognized by the federal government of the United States as a legal bond.  It will not guarantee you health benefits, inheritance, Social Security payments, tax deductions, child custody, or property.  It means if there is any sort of imbalance in your relationship, the state is unlikely to help you out in any way, and good luck finding marriage counseling.

The Canadian government has advised all same-sex couples to work with lawyers to draft nuptial agreements and contracts, thus paying even more money out of pocket just to prove their bond to each other.

Insufficient data exists about the stability of same sex relationships as opposed to heterosexual relationships.  Gays and lesbians around the world risk persecution, torture, or death if they come out.  Gays and lesbians in "safer" countries still have a more difficult time finding potential mates than heterosexual people, and do not always have role models for functional same-sex relationships.  There is still no societal expectation for gay or lesbian children to get married and raise a family, as there is for many heterosexual children, so gay and lesbian adults are probably more likely to say that finding someone for a committed relationship is truly their decision and desire. 

Rick Santorum, Humanitarian?

U2 lead singer Bono made some staggering comments about Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum during the Iowa caucus.  Bono said, "I would suggest that Rick Santorum has a kind of Tourette's disease; he will always say the most unpopular thing. But on our issues, he has been a defender of the most vulnerable."

What connection does Bono have with Rick Santorum to say "our" issues?  Well, since the 1980s, Bono has been actively involved with generating food aid for Africa.  In the 1990s Bono toured the United States to talk with Christian aid organizations--many supported by Republicans--about providing aid to Africa.  Rick Santorum sees a logic in the United States providing food aid, farm aid, and AIDS assistance to African countries; if the United States does not assist African nations, they will be "breeding grounds for radical Islamists".

In African nations, some of the most vulnerable people are LGBT populations.  The majority of African nations punish people who are openly homosexual, lesbian, or transgender, many times with torture or execution.  Heightened persecution of LGBT populations has taken place in African nations where faith-based organizations provided aid, especially Christian organizations funded by the United States and supported by Rick Santorum and Bono.  

What Bono does not talk about is U2's move from Ireland to the Netherlands to avoid paying their taxes, tax money that Ireland desperately needs for its own poor people.  Charity, indeed, begins at home.  Perhaps taxes is another area where Bono and Rick Santorum see eye to eye. 

Human Rights Issues of 2011

In 2011, people around the world fought for their human rights, and governments either helped or harmed the cause.  These are some of the major human rights issues that caught our attention in 2011:

World Hunger: Over 925 million people still do not have enough food to eat.  World hunger has been aggravated by climate change, growing more grain for ethanol, lack of money to buy food, seed, or farming implements to grow the food, war, HIV/AIDS, rising gas prices, lack of rights to use water sources, and the farm subsidies that wealthy farmers of Western countries receive to grow more and saturate the market, leaving poorer farmers in other countries unable to sell their harvests.  The economic depression of the United States has also increased the number of children who go to bed hungry at night.

Arab Spring: People across North Africa and the Middle East protested against their repressive governments, and some were successful in overthrowing them.  While the Western world believed that Arab Spring was all about establishing democracy, there is a growing fear that secular dictators will be replaced by Islamists, who have potential to take more freedoms away from the people--especially from women.

Occupy Wall Street: On September 17, 2011, the Occupy Wall Street movement (OWS) began in the United States.  Inspired by the popular uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia, the Occupy Wall Street movement is a people's movement that protests against the increasing influence of corporations and financial institutions over the democratic process and the common good.  OWS gave birth to the slogan "We are the 99%!", calling attention to the fact that 1% of the nation holds most of the wealth and power.  For the most part, demonstrations have been non-violent, but police and National Guard have pepper sprayed, beaten, tear-gassed, and trampled demonstrators with horses, even though the police and military are also part of the 99%.  OWS has expanded to all states of the union, and if nothing else has made Americans reflect upon their attitudes toward work, wealth, power, and the right to demonstrate against the government.


"LGBT Rights are Human Rights":  A conversation about LGBT civil rights in the United States has begun, starting from the top.  

On February 23, 2011, Attorney General Eric Holder delivered a memo to Congress which set out the Department Of Justice's position that classifications in laws and government policies based on sexual orientation should be subject to a heightened standard of constitutional review due to the long history of discrimination against LGBT people, among other factors.  The main purpose of this memo, to reconsider the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), started a conversation on the federal level but did not result in a repeal.

On April 6, 2011, Rep. Barney Frank introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA, H.R. 1397) to the 112th Congress House of Representatives to ban workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  Various representatives have tried to get ENDA passed since 1994, without success; the Civil Rights Act still does not include sexual orientation or gender identity under their non-discrimination policy.

On September 20, 2011, the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell took effect. The repeal followed decades of research demonstrating that open service by LGBT people does not impair military readiness or cohesion.  While gay and lesbian people can now serve openly in the military if they so choose, many still do not feel comfortable doing so, and gay and lesbian enlisted people still will not receive federal or military benefits for their partners. 

On December 7, 2011, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a historic speech before the United Nations, stating that it is a violation of human rights to commit discrimination or violence against people because of their sexual orientation.  While the federal government of the United States still does not recognize same-sex marriage, and it allows the states to determine whether or not to include sexual orientation or gender identity in their anti-discrimination laws, as well as give each state the freedom to determine how they will address LGBT issues or not in K-12 environments, being LGBT is not a legal reason to imprison someone, stone them, or put them to death in the United States, as it is in many other countries in the world.  Thirty seven out of fifty three African nations have made it illegal for gays to exist.  The United Kingdom has threatened to cut their aid to African nations who do not abolish these laws.  Meanwhile, Russia and the former Soviet republics, many Middle Eastern nations, Latin American nations such as Ecuador, and southeast Asian nations such as Malaysia and Indonesia go uncriticized by the West for their anti-LGBT legislation.