Thursday 19 September 2013

Independent: The Barefoot Pope and Sex Abuse Claims in Malta

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-08-21/opinions/the-barefoot-pope-and-sex-abuse-claims-in-malta-2381676546/
Wednesday, 21 August 2013, 08:07 , by Martin Scicluna

The jury is still out on Francis I, who surprised the world only five months ago when he stepped out onto the balcony above St Peter's Square in Rome as the 266th Pope. Since his election this Argentinian cardinal has won plaudits for his humility, common touch and way with words as he has said repeatedly he wants to lead “a poor church, for the poor”.

On his recent debut abroad in Brazil, the first Latin American pope injected a spring in the church's step in the largest Roman Catholic country. In a long, informal press conference on the flight home, he also underlined the new style that his papacy has brought, heralding a softer tone on sexual issues and a tougher line on Vatican cliques – the latter having been the undoing of his cerebral but lacklustre predecessor, Benedict XVI.

Times: Close quarters choreography

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130818/arts-entertainment/Close-quarters-choreography.482773
Sunday, August 18, 2013, 00:01
Two Room Apartment presents a very stark representation of an up-and-down relationship between a homosexual couple.
Two Room Apartment presents a very stark representation of an up-and-down relationship between a homosexual couple.
Resurrecting a piece that broke boundaries in 1980s Israel has proved successful for dancer-choreographers Niv Sheinfeld and Oren Laor at the Malta Arts Festival, says Jo Caruana.
We never really know what goes on behind closed doors. Not really.

Independent: Athlete condemns homosexuality, then says she was misunderstood

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-08-19/news/athlete-condemns-homosexuality-then-says-she-was-misunderstood-2364407819/
Monday, 19 August 2013, 08:30 , by Chris Lehourites, Associated Press



The rainbow colours two Swedish athletes painted their fingernails in support of gays and lesbians sent a clear message and brought a swift rebuke from a Russian star, perhaps even a glimpse of what's to come at the Sochi Olympics.

Speaking at the world championships, pole vault gold medalist Yelena Isinbayeva condemned homosexuality and criticised the Swedes for their gesture critical of Russia's new anti-gay legislation.

Wednesday 18 September 2013

Malta Today: Same-sex couples say ‘I do’ in New Zealand

New Zealand is the first Asia-Pacific country to legalise gay marriage.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/world/Same-sex-couples-say-I-do-in-New-Zealand-20130819
Monday 19 August 2013 - 09:35


File photo

Dozens of same-sex couples tied the knot in New Zealand after an amendment to the Marriage Act - passed by parliament in April - came into effect on Monday.

New Zealand has now become the first Asia-Pacific country, and only the 14th in the world, to legalise gay marriage.

Independent: Abeba Aregawi wins 1,500 at Athlethics Worlds

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-08-15/others/abeba-aregawi-wins-1500-at-athletics-worlds-2342617088/
Thursday, 15 August 2013, 21:53



Sweden capped an eventful world championship day with its first gold medal after one of its high jumpers set off a controversy over Russia's anti-gay law in the morning with a rainbow-colored protest that drew pole vault great Yelena Isinbayeva into condemning homosexuality.

Malta Today: Benefits extended to US gay military couples

US military same-sex spouses will gain all benefits open to opposite-sex spouses next month, Pentagon officials say.
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/world/Benefits-extended-to-US-gay-military-couples-20130815
Thursday 15 August 2013 - 12:44



The Pentagon on Wednesday announced it would extend federal benefits to same-sex spouses of military personnel and civilian defense employees, following up on a Supreme Court decision that overturned a key portion of the Defense of Marriage Act.

Pink News: German Foreign Minister: Treatment of gay people in Russia unacceptable

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/08/12/german-foreign-minister-treatment-of-gay-people-in-russia-unacceptable/
12 August 2013, 4:26pm by Daniel Carter

Germany condemns Russia over anti gay legislation

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has criticised Russia’s treatment of gay people, branding it unacceptable.

The statement from the German Foreign Ministry comes in reaction to the fierce debate being held over homophobia in Russia in the run up to the 2014 Sochi Olympics with the Russian Duma have recently enacted its gay “propaganda” law as well as the recent banning of same-sex couples from adopting children.

Pink News: Video: Russian State-run TV host says ‘Gays’ hearts should be burned rather than used for organ donation’

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/08/12/video-russian-state-run-tv-host-says-gays-hearts-should-be-burned-rather-than-used-for-organ-donation/




Update: 12:50 13/08/13 It has become clear that Dmitriy Kiselyov has had no involvement in the Koktebel Jazz Festival for several years, and the festival has confirmed that it does not share his views.

Footage has emerged of a Russian State-run television host who is seen saying that gay people should not be allowed to donate sperm or blood, and that their hearts should not even be used, as they are “unfit for extending anyone’s life”.

Times: Same-sex civil unions

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130811/letters/Same-sex-civil-unions.481592
Sunday, August 11, 2013, 00:01 by George Ebejer, Cospicua

All MPs take an oath after they are elected to Parliament where they kiss the cross and ask for God’s help.

When it comes to the introduction of new laws, however, I hope they will not forget what God has said in the Holy Bible. In a few months Parliament will legalise civil unions for same-sex couples. Do MPs know what God has said about this?

If they do not, they should read the Bible. If this law is passed, surely it will be without the help of the One on whom they took the oath. I hope that the oath taken will be a true one.

Pink News: The 20 most shocking anti-gay news stories from Russia so far

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/08/08/the-20-most-shocking-anti-gay-news-stories-from-russia-so-far/
8 August 2013, 11:18am by Aaron Day

It is illegal in Russia to stage any form of gay activism due to the anti-'propaganda' law

In recent weeks, the situation of anti-gay violence and ‘gay propaganda’ laws in russia has drawn widespread public attention in the media. However these attacks and others like them have had a longstanding history.

Malta Today: U.S. Embassy awards MGRM $26,000

Funds will support the professional development of MGRM and its Rainbow Project to provide counseling services to LGBT people and organize educational outreach in the community.

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/U-S-Embassy-awards-MGRM-26-000-20130808
Thursday 8 August 2013 - 18:25 by a Staff Reporter


US ambassador Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley and MGRM coordinator Gabi Calleja

The U.S. Embassy in Malta has awarded a grant of $26,000 to MGRM. The funds will support the professional development of MGRM and its "Rainbow Project" to provide counseling services to LGBT people and organize educational outreach in the community. Pictured are U.S. Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, who witnessed the signing of the grant, and Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) Coordinator Gabi Calleja.

Tuesday 17 September 2013

DRACHMA Parents' Group Meeting 19th September

This is to confirm that this Thursday 19th September Drachma LGBT and DrachmaParents will be holding a joint open meeting to welcome family and friends to celebrate a new scholastic year - the tenth anniversary since Drachma began in Malta.

We are inviting the public, priests, teachers, gay couples, parents of LGBTs etc to come to learn more about Drachma and its mission/place in the Maltese context.

Times: US Embassy presents $26,000 to the Malta Gay Rights Movement

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130808/local/us-embassy-presents-malta-gay-rights-movement.481346
Thursday, August 8, 2013, 14:51



The US Embassy in Malta has awarded a grant of $26,000 to MGRM. The funds will support the professional development of MGRM and its “Rainbow Project” to provide counselling services to LGBT people and organize educational outreach in the community, the embassy said.

The Guardian: US to begin processing visa applications equally for married same-sex couples

Announcement in wake of supreme court decision will affect all non-US citizens who are married to a US partner of the same sex

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/02/us-visa-applications-same-sex-couples
Matt Williams in New York
theguardian.com, Friday 2 August 2013 16.42 BST
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Gay couple Richard Kelley and Steven Jung celebrate the supreme court's Doma decision in June. Photograph: Krista Kennell/Zuma Press/Corbis

The US will begin processing visa applications from same-sex married couples in the same manner as heterosexual spouses, secretary of stateJohn Kerry confirmed on Friday, bringing full equality to the country's immigration system for the first time.

The announcement, made at the US embassy in London, will affect all non-US citizens who are married to an American partner of the same sex, regardless of whether their country of origin recognises same-sex unions.