Today’s monsoon afternoon in Nepal brought rainbows of color to a gray day as they celebrated their ninth LGBT PRIDE.
First openly Gay lawmaker Sunil Babu Panta was the grand marshall as he (get this) rode on an elephant down the parade route…how amazing! Sunil Babu Panta is head of the Blue Diamond Society which fights for LGBT rights in Nepal. Closely marching by him was Nepal’s first Transgender politician, Bhumika Shrestha, marching down the street in a purple sari – the color representing change
This year’s parade aims at ending all forms of discrimination, ending poverty and – promoting tourism.‘It’s about promoting tourism, in line with the upcoming Tourism Year 2011, while also taking the unique festival to international level,’ Panta said.
Thomas Beatie, a Transgendered man (born a woman, now officially and medically a man but still has a uterus which enables him to have children). Mr Beatie is due any minute. Let’s get the baby pool started! I got Tuesday, you?
2011 may bring same-sex couples civil unions if all goes well.
According to sources, “The Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009 was passed in the Dail on 1 July 2010 and was passed by the Seanad on 8 July 2010 by a vote of 48-4. It will now either be signed by the President or be referred by her in whole or in part, after consultation with the Council of State, to the Supreme Court for a ruling on its constitutionality. If approved by the Court the President must sign the Bill.”
If and when approved, civil unions for same-sex couples will be able to legally commit to each other in 2011.
Married, Lesbian Couple Kirsten and Maria Palladino and their new Magazine!
“Equally Wed is the nation’s premier same-sex and gay wedding magazine, providing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender couples with a modern, elegant and unique guide to gay wedding planning, from ring shopping and proposing to tying the knot and living happily ever after—and everything in between. Fresh and innovative, Equally Wed offers a closer look into Real Weddings around the world, as well as engagement stories, a socially interactive community and Local Resources, a vetted marketplace rich with GLBT-friendly wedding vendors.”
“Equally Wed magazine publishes seasonal issues of features, beginning with its premiere Spring 2010 issue. Other departments of EquallyWed.com, such as Beauty & Grooming, Honeymoons, Health & Fitness, Planning, Engagement, Etiquette and Fashion will be refreshed with new content more frequently, as well as its blogs: Headlines (news from the frontlines of the fight for marriage equality), In bloom (fresh ideas from Editor-in-Chief Kirsten Palladino) and Broom closet (cool new finds and thoughts from the masculine woman’s perspective).”
Stanley cup winners, the Chicago Blackhawks will show their Pride on Sunday as Blackhawk Brent Sopel will march with his wife and children in the Chicago Pride parade to honor the late Brendan Burke.
“When Brendan came out, Brian stood by him, and his whole family stood by him, like every family should. We teach our kids about accepting everybody. Tolerate everybody, to understand where everyone is coming from.”
Brendan Burke was an openly Gay athlete and son of the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs who, at the young age of 21, died in an auto accident in Indiana with his friend earlier this year.
Thats our team! Family is your family and you must stand by them and teach each other to love and accept who they are.
The Civil Rights Agenda will be an educational, non-for-profit based in our hometown Chicago. Jacob Meister, who is a lawyer, wants to educate voters about human rights and non-discrimination. This education will lead to voters electing candidates who will initiate/uphold rights for ALL.
According to Gay Chicago Magazine, “There’s a real shortage of lawyers who will handle these cases,” Meister said. “And most employers don’t realize the breadth of the Illinois Human Rights Act.”
Meister said the Voter Project is aimed at identifying LGBT voters and allies, educating them about candidates and issues and encouraging them to vote.
“To me that’s a labor of love,” Meister said. “It doesn’t matter if they’re Democrats or Republicans. It’s about making people aware of where candidates stand on the issues and turning people out to vote.”