[Onthebarricades] Protests - gender, gay/LGBT, disability - November 2008

[global resistance roundup]

Gender and Women's Protests
* DR CONGO: Women at refugee camps protest against sexual violence
* MALAYSIA: Protest against religious ban on women wearing trousers
* URUGUAY: Protests after abortion veto
* INDIA: BJP women protest lack of women candidates
* US: Arkansas - Protest against unmarried foster ban
* PAKISTAN: Protest against misogynist violence
* INDIA: Orissa - Rape case protest
* INDONESIA: Working women call for funds, justice

Gay Rights and LGBT Protests
* INDIA: Protest against police harassment of eunuchs
* MALAYSIA: Protest at Islamic edict against lesbians
* US: Seattle - Gay rights protest
* CANADA: Attack on lesbians protested
* US: Dallas - "Gay is not OK" sermon protested
* INDIA: Kolkata - Gay rights protest
* INDONESIA: Transgender protest calls for rights
* CANADA: Bigots halt gay pride event
* US: Detroit - Westboro bigots counterprotested


Disability Protests
* BULGARIA: Protest for raising disability benefits
* TAIWAN: Protest to defend blind masseurs
* INDIA: Delhi - Protest marks world disability day





http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2008-11/2008-11-19-voa27.cfm?CFID=150898691&CFTOKEN=54319899&jsessionid=de3020cefc3a8a3cb6c05e52204537212432

Women Hold Protest in Eastern DRC Displacement Camp
By Joe De Capua
Washington
19 November 2008
A group of women held a small demonstration today in the eastern DRC at 
one of the camps for internally displaced people. The women called for 
greater efforts to bring peace and protect them from sexual violence.
Anjali Kwatra is head of news for the humanitarian agency ActionAid. She 
spoke to VOA English to Africa Service reporter Joe De Capua.
"I'm in a camp called Ngunga One, which is just outside the town of 
Goma. And it's home to several thousand people. Most of them have been 
there for a few months or even a year. Some have recently arrived, 
fleeing the fighting that just flared up," she says.
Kwatra was on hand for the demonstration, which ActionAid helped 
organize. "It was a protest of women, who were demonstrating because a 
British government minister visited the camp. And they just basically 
wanted to…point out that women are bearing the brunt of the fighting and 
of the humanitarian situation. A lot of women are facing abuse. A lot of 
women have been raped by all sides. They really wanted to make their 
voices known. So they came out in force in the camp…. They were wearing 
signs saying things like we want peace and the international community 
must bring us peace," she says.
They spoke to British foreign minister Lord Malloch Brown. Kwatra says, 
"He responded and I think he's very aware of the situation they find 
themselves in."
She adds, "They want him to use his influence to get both sides to talk 
peace, to enter into negotiations…. One thing that they're all saying to 
us is that they want to go home. They don't want to be living in these 
camps. The conditions are pretty tough, especially as more and more 
people are coming in and fleeing the fighting. So, there's less food to 
go around. There's less shelter to go around…. And all they want is to 
go home."
She says that the women recognize that they're powerless in the camps 
and believe that the international community can help. "Women are the 
forgotten people here. They're the ones looking after the children. 
They're the ones queuing up for food and supplies. They're also the ones 
suffering abuse," she says.
Kwatra spoke to one woman who was raped, who told her, "This is 
happening to so many women, most of whom don't want to speak out because 
obviously it's a very stigmatized subject. And she was very brave. She's 
speaking about her experience, which is very traumatic. But she's saying 
there's a lot more women suffering in this way, and that they don't feel 
they can speak out."






http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE4AC4PW20081113?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

Tomboy protests a security threat?
Thu Nov 13, 2008 9:42am EST
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's police, who have recently cracked 
down on dissident bloggers and broken up anti-government demonstrations, 
say that protests over an edict against Muslim women wearing trousers 
are a security threat.
Mainly Muslim Malaysia's National Fatwa Council recently issued a 
religious ruling that wearing trousers was un-Islamic.
It said that, by wearing trousers, young girls risked becoming "tomboys" 
who became sexually active.
That move triggered small protests later from two non-Muslim 
non-government organizations -- Katagender and Food-not-Bombs.
"I'm warning them and will take stern action as it involves national 
security," Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan told reporters 
Thursday, according to the state-run Bernama news agency.
Malaysia frowns on oral and gay sex, describing them as against the 
order of nature. Under civil law, offenders -- male and female -- can be 
jailed for up to 20 years, caned or fined.
As well as women in trousers, the Fatwa Council is considering barring 
Muslims from practicing yoga.
Just over half of Malaysia's 27 million people are Malay Muslims, 
practicing the moderate form of Islam.
(Reporting by David Chance; Editing by Paul Tait)






http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=320478&CategoryId=12394

Uruguay President Vetos Abortion, Sparks Protests
Catholic congressmen threatened with excommunication

By Jorge Figueroa

MONTIVIDE0 -- President Tabare Vazquez's veto of a bill partially 
decriminalizing abortion in Uruguay set off a storm of protests Friday 
by feminist organizations, criticism in the ranks of the ruling 
coalition and cheers from the Catholic Church.

"The president is human, he makes mistakes and in this case he erred, 
among other things because he didn't acknowledge the opinion of the 
congressional majority or even the views of several of his ministers," 
said Sen. Alberto Couriel, a member of the majority sector of the 
leftist Broad Front coalition.

The CNS women's organization said in a communique that "the will of the 
president does not represent the will of the people."

The group called for a demonstration Friday in downtown Montevideo to 
demand what is "fair and democratic," stressing that "faced with this 
situation, passivity and silence are not permissible options."

As he had already said he would, Vazquez vetoed Thursday the Law in 
Defense of the Right to Sexual and Reproductive Health, approved earlier 
this week by Congress led by the Broad Front and authorizing abortion 
during the first trimester in cases where the mother's health is at risk 
or the family is too poor to care for a child.

The presidential veto was announced to Congress Friday and if in 30 days 
the legislature does not rescind it, the president's decision will stand.

It would require a three-fifths majority in both houses to override the 
veto, a margin the Broad Front doesn't have, and opposition lawmakers 
voted against the original bill.

Lawmakers of the Broad Front will decide from next Monday the steps it 
will take.

"This is a matter of principles, of ethical and moral values that goes 
beyond politics and for that reason we are considering the possibility 
of taking it to a popular referendum," Sen. Couriel said.

In a statement posted Thursday on the presidential Web site, Vazquez 
based his veto "on judicial, scientific and technical considerations, on 
philosophical identity and ethical principles."

Vazquez, a practicing oncologist, said that a "special mention" should 
be made about the article referring to the interruption of a pregnancy 
when a woman's life is in danger or when there is proof of "a 
pathological process causing congenital deformities incompatible with 
life outside the womb."

"That in itself is a provision we could share and which should be 
legislated very soon," the president said after returning the bill to 
Congress with his objections to the remaining articles.

"We couldn't doubt what the president would say after he repeated it so 
many times," the representative of the Catholic Bishops Conference, 
Monsignor Luis del Castillo, said on Friday, commenting on Vazquez's 
decision.

While the bill was going through Congress, Montevideo Archbishop Nicolas 
Cotugno threatened Catholic legislators with "automatic excommunication" 
if they voted for the measure.

The bill sparked controversy in civil society as feminist organizations 
and religious groups carried out competing marches and demonstrations.

Even so, 57 percent of Uruguayans said they were in favor of legalized 
abortion and 63 percent rejected the presidential veto, according to a 
survey taken by the Interconsult company and released this week. EFE






http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1205159

BJP Mahila Morcha protests 'inadequate' women candidates
PTI
Monday, November 10, 2008 18:46 IST

JAMMU: The activists of BJP Mahila Morcha on Monday staged a 
demonstration here accusing party leadership of not fielding "adequate" 
women candidates for the state's upcoming assembly elections.
Led by spokesperson Geeta Thakur, about 40 activists gathered in front 
of the Jammu press club this afternoon and shouted slogans against party 
leaders alleging they failed to give tickets to sufficient female 
candidates despite party's commitment to give 33 per cent representation 
to the lot.
"We want adequate representation of women both in party and other 
democratic institutions for women empowerment," Thakur said, adding BJP 
has so far allotted tickets to only two women candidates in the polls to 
the 87-seat assembly.
"If the party continues to ignore us, we will appeal to the womenfolk 
not to cast their votes in favour of BJP candidates," Thakur warned.





http://www.nwanews.com/adg/News/244395/

Demonstrators protest unmarried foster ban
BY L. LAMOR WILLIAMS
Posted on Sunday, November 23, 2008
Email this story | Printer-friendly version
About 250 demonstrators marched from MacArthur Park to the Capitol steps 
Friday to protest the recently approved Act 1 that bans unmarried 
couples from fostering or adopting children.
Pushing a coffin and carrying signs with such slogans as “We mourn lost 
children, lost family rights and silenced queers” and “Kids need loving 
homes. Repeal Act 1,” the group marched peacefully along Ninth Street to 
Main Street and turned west on Capitol Avenue. Along the way, supporters 
honked car horns and gave thumbs up signs.
Marchers ranged in age from a 3-year-old and his heterosexual but 
unmarried parents, to older people who used motorized wheelchairs and 
scooters to participate.
By the time the group arrived at the Capitol, the group had grown to 
about 300. As they stood in front of the building, Arkansas Court of 
Appeals Judge Wendell Griffen, who is also a minister, encouraged them 
to continue demonstrating until the law is repealed.
In his speech, Griffen referenced biblical figures such as Naomi, Ruth 
and Jesus as well as modern-day religious figures such as Mother Teresa 
and the pope.
None of them “would be allowed to foster or adopt a child according to 
Act 1,” he said.
Griffen said the act ties the hands of judges who hear child welfare 
cases every day.
“In the name of justice, say to the Legislature: Please respect the 
judges to do their jobs.”
The march was organized by the newly formed Center for Artistic 
Revolution in cooperation with gay and lesbian student groups from the 
University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Hendrix College and the 
University of Central Arkansas, both in Conway.
Randi Romo, director of the Center for Artistic Revolution, said Act 1 
has a direct impact on her. Romo said she has a chronically ill daughter 
and that she has been raising her teenage granddaughter. “I woke up on 
Nov. 5 to find out I’m no longer allowed to adopt my baby girl, my 
granddaughter,” she said.






http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1225704/act_1_protest_starts_march_to_repeal.html?cat=9

Act 1 Protest Starts: March to Repeal Act 1 at the Arkansas State 
Capitol Scheduled
November 19, 2008 by
Lynda Altman

A march to repeal the passage of Act 1 in Arkansas is scheduled for 
Saturday, November 21, at the State Capitol in Little Rock, Arkansas. 
The event will take place from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Progressive Democrats 
of Arkansas is sponsoring the event. A large turnout is expected.

On Election Day, November 4, citizens of Arkansas voted to pass Act 1 
which prohibits unmarried couples from adopting or fostering a child. 
The act extends to those currently fostering children who are unmarried. 
This legislation is poorly written and as

Act 1 Protest Starts: March to Repeal Act 1 at the Arkansas State 
Capitol Scheduled
Date: November 21, 2008
Little Rock, AR
United States of America
it stands it supersedes the rights of birth parents and family court 
judges. According to the law, birth parents naming a guardian for their 
children in wills can have that decision challenged if the person named 
is living with another adult and not married to that individual. The law 
makes no determination between roommates and borders or those living as 
a couple. In addition, Act 1 removes the ability of family court judges 
to make a determination on a case by case basis. This legislation is 
contradictory to what is best for children currently in the foster care 
system.

The purpose of the march to repeal Act 1 is exactly what is says. It is 
an event that is being organized in order to show the state lawmakers 
that the people of Arkansas do not support Act 1, and it should be 
repealed. Act 1 had a lot of support from conservative Christian groups 
and clergy. An equally large number of clergy and religious groups were 
against the legislation. A similar requirement enacted by the Arkansas 
Dept. of Human Resources was removed just prior to Election Day.






http://www.dawn.com/2008/11/29/nat23.htm

November 29, 2008 Saturday Ziqa'ad 30, 1429

Candle-lit vigil protests plight of women

By Sadaf Siddiqui

LAHORE, Nov 28: A candle-lit vigil was held protesting violence against 
women at Charing Cross on Friday. Members of the Aurat Foundation held 
placards stating various views like one against karo kari and one 
saying: “zulmon se azad zindagi humara haq he”.

Nabila Shaheen, an organiser of the event, said it was the male faction 
of society that was more to blame for the varied forms of violence 
witnessed against women whether it is at home, at the workplace or 
elsewhere.

While the International Day for Violence against Women falls on Nov 25, 
the International Human Rights Day comes on Dec 10. By holding various 
activities from Nov 25 to Dec 10, the movement aims to make people 
understand that even violence against women comes under violation of 
human rights. Violence degrades a person’s self-esteem, self-confidence 
and status, and should therefore be abhorred in all its forms.

By way of this campaign, not only the male section of society is being 
targeted, but help has been sought from the police and jail authorities 
as well. Traffic wardens have been asked to wear the white ribbons 
(indicative of males joining in for saying no to violence against women) 
and to distribute flyers among commuters. While honour-killing has 
received much attention in our part of the world, violence in any form 
should be condemned.

The campaign aims to make people get more awareness about the 
disadvantages of violence. Only in a violence-free society can a woman 
play an equal role in the political and developmental arena.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/29/stories/2008112952770300.htm

Other States - Orissa

Rape case: Ravenshaw students stage protest
Correspondent
Immediate arrest of accused persons demanded
CUTTACK: Students of Ravenshaw University, under the banner of All India 
DSO, on Friday observed Black Day and staged a protest meeting in front 
of the university gate demanding immediate arrest of the culprits 
involved in Adaspur college girl rape case.
Students belonging to DSO wore black badges and went around the campus 
in a rally raising slogans and making classroom speeches. Condemning the 
incident, DSO leaders criticized the police administration for what they 
called “sweeping the incident under carpet.”
It may be mentioned here that a college student was kidnapped by some 
anti-socials on Tuesday while the former was on her way to the college. 
She was allegedly raped after being taken to a deserted place in a car. 
Although, police complaints have been made, no action has yet been 
initiated, the students allege.
“We would launch a state-wide students’ movement if no action is taken 
within 24 hours,” threatened the DSO Ravenshaw unit secretary Sanjib Jena.
Dig at police
Instead of acting firmly on such complaints, police and the State 
administration were trying to protect the culprits, the leaders alleged 
in their address at the protest meeting. The speakers also pointed out 
that many victims, fearing dent in their social status, were not coming 
forward to report such cases.
They also alleged that the State government was indirectly encouraging 
such nefarious activities across the State by not acting against the 
illegal trade of blue CD, intoxicants, porno magazines and 
double-meaning audio cassettes. The students also demanded ban on sex 
education in educational institutions and ban on AIDS control campaigns. 
There was also a call for imparting martial art training to girl students.






---------------------------------------------------

Female breadwinners call for funds, social justice

Jakarta Post - November 29, 2008

Yuli Tri Suwarni, Bandung -- Activists from the
Women Head the Family (Pekka) group in West Java
have urged the legislature and provincial
administration to allocate more funds and provide
greater access to facilities for female heads of
households.

More than 5 million women in the province are the
main breadwinners in their households.

The activists, from 10 regencies -- Sukabumi,
Karawang, Cianjur, Subang, Garut, Indramayu,
Cirebon, Ciamis, Majalengka and Sumedang --
presented their requests to the legislature on
Thursday.

The group represents around 1,300 women who head
their family, 90 percent of whom are widows. The
group is part of the Women Heads of Household
empowerment program sponsored by the Japanese
government since 2000.

Mintarsih, 54, a widow with three children from
Sukasirna in Cibadak, Sukabumi, said village and
district officials discriminated against female
household heads. This occurs when women go through
registration procedures for cash assistance and
applications for soft loans from banks to set up
small businesses, as authorities tend to have
greater trust in male household heads when
disbursing the assistance, she said.

"The registration procedure is unfair. I've been
neglected and subject to social jealousy. The
government seldom pays attention to widows," said
Mintarsih, who became active in her village after
joining the group 18 months ago. Mintarsih, who
sells tempeh, said she felt boosted after joining
the group, made up of a number of widows in Cibadak
district.

Sumini, 45, a widow from Telagasari in Cadas
Kertajaya, Karawang, said the government should pay
greater attention to female heads of households who
faced great difficulty in getting work they could
do from home.

"We have to raise our children. So we have to find
work that allows us to also take care of our
children," said the mother of four.

Field counselor of the Pekka Cianjur chapter, Oemi
Faezathi, said the provincial administration had
begun to address the issue by rolling out the
empowerment program to six new regencies in
addition to those in Sukabumi, Karawang, Cianjur
and Subang.

"However, the program is reaching only a small
proportion of widows or female heads of households
in West Java," Oemi said.

National data show that more than 40 million women
are widows, about 13 percent of whom are living in
poverty. In West Java alone, there are more than 5
million widows in areas including Subang, Karawang,
Indramayu and Cirebon.

"That's why I urge the provincial legislature and
administration to strengthen their commitment to
equal opportunity and rights for every citizen,"
Oemi said.

West Java provincial assistant secretary Feri
Suparman said the province had set aside 5 percent
of the budget for women's empowerment. He added
that the administration would seek to raise it to
5.5 percent of the total 2009 provincial budget of
around Rp 7.9 trillion.

"The issue is still being discussed during debate
of the draft budget by the budget commission.
Hopefully, they are sensitive to the issue and will
approve the budget allocation," Feri said.

---------------------------------------------------









http://www.newkerala.com/topstory-fullnews-41978.html

Rights activists protest harassment of eunuchs by police
New Delhi, Nov 7 : Human rights activists held a demonstration here 
Friday to protest the harassment of eunuchs by Bangalore police last month.
The activists submitted a memorandum to the Karnataka Resident 
Commissioner here, demanding action against policemen who arrested five 
eunuchs from a traffic signal on Oct 20 without levelling any charge and 
later harassed them.

"When some human rights activists reached the police station they were 
also beaten up and harassed by the policemen, who said they have orders 
from higher authorities," said Chandini, a member of Sangama, an NGO 
working for the rights of eunuchs.

On hearing of the incident, several groups working for rights of sexual 
minorities reached the police station to mark their protest.

"The police baton charged the group carrying out a peaceful protest 
outside the police station and detained some more people. Those detained 
were kept in police custody for two days in inhuman conditions," said 
Manohar, a member of Karnataka Sexworkers Union.

"Measures should be taken so that eunuchs and other transsexuals have 
access to education, employment, heath and housing," said Lesley, a 
human rights activist.

Several organisations working for rights of eunuchs, like Naaz 
Foundation and Savera, participated in Friday's protest.
--- IANS






http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hvVj4q797DjBQMALOLC6BuzvXcSg

Malaysian Islamic party slams protests over lesbian sex ban
Nov 17, 2008
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) — Malaysia's hardline Islamic party has hit out at 
criticism of a "fatwa" or religious ban on lesbian sex, reports said 
Tuesday, after civil society groups held street protests over the decision.
One of Malaysia's highest Islamic bodies last month banned females from 
dressing or behaving like men and engaging in lesbian sex, saying it was 
forbidden by the religion.
Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, spiritual leader of the Islamic party PAS, said 
such rulings should be respected by all in Malaysia, which is dominated 
by Muslim Malays but also home to large ethnic Chinese and Indian 
communities.
"Not only non-Muslims but also Muslims cannot protest against any 
fatwa," he was quoted as saying by the state Bernama news agency.
"All fatwa are based on the Koran and Sunnah (traditions of the Prophet 
Mohammed) and... to protest against them is like going against the 
teachings of Allah," he said.
"Who are we to go against Allah's commands, are we that great?"
At least two non-Muslim civil society groups have held street 
demonstrations in recent weeks to protest last month's National Fatwa 
Council ruling.
Although the Fatwa Council does not have jurisdiction in civil law, the 
ruling appears to be an attempt to push female homosexuality towards 
illegality.
A top Islamic cleric last month said the Fatwa Council was also planning 
to ban Muslims from the ancient practice of yoga if they engage in Hindu 
"religious elements" during the exercise.
Islam is the official religion of Malaysia, and many non-Muslims say 
they are concerned about growing "Islamisation" of the multicultural nation.






http://www.examiner.com/x-260-Seattle-Parenting-Examiner~y2008m11d16-Gay-rights-defended-in-Seattle-as-thousands-protest?comments=true

Gay rights defended in Seattle as thousands protest

November 16, 8:44 AM • 1 comment
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Seattle rallies against prop 8 – photo by Alexander Stevens

There have always been people fighting for gay rights. While the rallies 
were once small, that is no longer the case.

Saturday was a perfect example of just how far reaching the fight for 
gay rights has become. All over the country, people held 
anti-Proposition 8 rallies. Gays, straights, young, old all marched 
together against the Proposition, which banned gay marriage in California.
Washington held 8 rallies with the largest one in Seattle where it is 
estimated 6,000 people took part. The march began in Volunteer Park in 
the Capitol Hill neighborhood, where several local politicians spoke to 
the marchers
The crowded cheered when Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels announced he had 
declared Saturday as "Marriage Equality Day in Seattle." He stated the 
Proposition 8 was "a hateful measure which should never have been on the 
ballot."
King County Executive Ron Sims helped rally the crowd and added his 
support. "If you are going to talk about immortality: talk about hunger. 
That is immoral. Talk about war. That is immoral. But do not tell me 
that when two people love each other that is immoral," Sims said.
The marched gained supportive protestors along their route which ended 
at Westlake Center. According to the Seattle police, the demonstration 
was peaceful with only a couple of heated exchanges between the few gay 
right opponents who had set up camp at Westlake center






http://www.postchronicle.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=106&num=187289

Published: Nov 18, 2008 Share This Article | Send Us A Tip

Proposition 8: What Exactly Are They Protesting?
by John W. Lillpop

On November 4, California voters passed Proposition 8, thereby adding 
the following language to the state constitution:
"Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in 
California."
Those 14 hate-filled, Nazi-inspired, homophobic words of discrimination 
and bigotry have caused a major kerfuffel in California as thousands of 
marchers have taken to the streets to express their outrage.
In particular, protesters have targeted the Mormon Church for that 
church's financial and political support for Prop. 8.
Protesters are threatening to create a national firestorm as they 
congregate, shout, and DEMAND!
Demand what?
The right to vote in free and open elections?
That free and open elections be banned when the results do not suit 
their minuscule minority and its agenda?
Free speech and other rights set forth in the Bill of Rights?
An end to discrimination against gays in housing, employment, and education?
The right to enter into relationships with same sex partners openly and 
freely, without being harassed by straight citizens and governments?

A Constitutional ban on any religious expression which holds that 
homosexual behavior is sinful?
That an unwilling American public be forced to accept the notion that 
gay marriage is a right, the infringement of which constitutes a civil 
rights evil on a par with slavery and Jim Crow laws?
Instead of protesting against free religious expression, the protesters 
should actually take their signs and threats of violence to the 
headquarters of La Raza and NAACP to demand that those tax-exempt 
organizations convince Latinos and African-Americans that same-sex 
marriage is indeed a "civil rights" issue.
And why not work to convince the most liberal man ever elected to the 
U.S. presidency to include acceptance of gay marriage in his CHANGE agenda?
After all, President-elect Obama has been very clear: He is opposed to 
same-sex marriage!
John W. Lillpop is an independent columnist






http://www.thestar.com/article/537546

Attack on lesbians protested
VIDEO: Rally against hate

LUCAS OLENIUK/TORONTO STAR
Gloria Prosper, left, and Pamela Couper joined about 300 people in a 
rally outside Oshawa City Hall on Nov. 14, 2008, sparked by an alleged 
Nov. 3 assault on lesbian couple in Oshawa.

Crowd of 300 calls for 'acceptance for all'
Nov 15, 2008 04:30 AM
Carola Vyhnak
URBAN AFFAIRS REPORTER

Oshawa turned on the love last night to speak out against hatred and 
intolerance after two lesbians were insulted and beaten outside a school 
almost two weeks ago.
Community leaders, politicians, educators, families, couples and even a 
dog in a Santa hat rallied in the rain outside city hall to show their 
support for Jane Currie and her partner Anji Dimitriou.
"Peace, love, acceptance for all," the crowd of 300 chanted as close to 
20 speakers urged them to turn an act of homophobia into an inspiration 
for change.
Cheers greeted Mayor John Gray's message: "Oshawa won't sit back and let 
anyone or anything sully the good name of our people."
Currie and Dimitriou were picking up their three children at Gordon B. 
Attersley public school on Nov. 3 when a man hurled insults and started 
hitting them.
"Which one of you two 'men' spoke to my kid? F------ dyke lesbians," he 
said, spitting in Dimitriou's face, according to Currie. Then he punched 
Dimitriou in the face, slamming her into their truck. When Currie rushed 
over, he punched her so hard her cheek split open.
A spectator said the incident, witnessed by other school kids and 
parents, grew out of an ongoing feud between the two parties.
Mark Scott, 43, of Oshawa, has been charged with two counts of assault 
causing bodily harm.
The couple believes they were attacked because they're lesbians and 
wants the charges treated as hate crimes.
Scott's lawyer, Mark Jacula, said in a news release that his client, who 
is black, has been a victim of racial and physical abuse. "The truth 
surrounding this incident will come to light. The parties responsible 
will be held accountable for the racially motivated and unprovoked 
attack he suffered."
Currie and Dimitriou have gathered more than 9,200 supporters on Facebook.
The days when gays and lesbians had to hide their relationships are 
over, said Rev. Brent Hawkes, who performed the first legal same-sex 
marriage in Ontario several years ago. "We say to Jane and Anji, this 
kind of incident will not be tolerated. You can count on us to turn this 
around."






http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/DN-gayprotest_10met.ART0.State.Edition1.4a4500c.html

'Gay Is Not O.K.' sermon in Dallas draws protesters
12:00 AM CST on Monday, November 10, 2008
By WENDY HUNDLEY / The Dallas Morning News
whundley at dallasnews.com
About 100 people stood in front of First Baptist Church of Dallas on 
Sunday morning to protest Dr. Robert Jeffress' sermon, "Why Gay Is Not O.K."

JENN ACKERMAN/DMN
Outside First Baptist Church of Dallas on Sunday, protesters Laura 
McFerrin (front), with (from left) her mother, Grace McFerrin, Eric 
Myers and Sam Fulcher, sang 'Jesus Loves Me.'
Carrying signs bearing the words "I'm Gay and It's OK" and "Christ 
Taught Love Not Hate," the protesters lined both sides of San Jacinto 
Street in front of the downtown church.
They sang "Jesus Loves Me" and cheered when passing motorists honked 
their horns and waved in support.
"Most of the people here are Christians, and they're taking offense at 
the Baptist Church trying to say how Christ's love should be 
interpreted," said Patrick Hancock, who attended the peaceful protest. 
It was organized earlier this week when someone noticed the sermon topic 
on the church marquee.
Dr. Jeffress seemed unfazed by the protest. Everyone has a right to 
express their views, he said.
He didn't see any point in meeting with his critics.
"I have found from experience that it's very futile to argue with people 
about these issues," he said. "I believe the spirit of God has to 
convince people."
Dr. Jeffress said this is the first time that he's preached about 
homosexuality since being elected senior pastor of the 10,000-member 
church last year. But he's no stranger to the controversial topic.
When he was pastor of First Baptist Church of Wichita Falls, he led a 
fight to remove two gay-themed children's books from the public library.
He said Sunday's sermon was part of the "Politically Incorrect" series 
he's preaching that explores seven of the most controversial beliefs 
that Christians can articulate in today's culture.
Of those, "homosexuality is probably the most culturally explosive 
issue," he acknowledged. "Even though culture changes, God's word 
doesn't change."
Dr. Jeffress said the purpose of his sermon was to "let Christians know 
what the Bible says about this important topic, and to reaffirm that any 
and every sin can be forgiven."
Dr. Jeffress addressed what he called two "myths" about homosexuality: 
that prohibitions exist only in the Old Testament, and that Jesus never 
condemned this behavior.
During one of his three Sunday morning sermons, he cited New Testament 
passages that he said condemned homosexuality, including Romans 1:27.
It speaks of "men, leaving the natural use of the woman, [who] burned in 
their lust one toward another."
Dr. Jeffress acknowledged that "Jesus never used the word homosexual." 
However, he said, Christ condemned homosexuality by affirming Old 
Testament truths and by upholding God's plan for human sexuality – "one 
man and one woman in a marriage relationship."
In next week's sermon, Dr. Jeffress said he will address homosexuality 
again, including the assertion that "God wired me differently."
"My answer will surprise you," he told worshippers at the 9:30 a.m. service.
His answer might not sit well with Laura McFerrin, one of the protest 
organizers.
"I'm here because of the gay and lesbian children sitting in the pews 
now who are being told that being gay is not OK," she said, gesturing 
toward the church during Sunday's protest. "I was like those kids. The 
hardest part of coming out as a lesbian is aligning your faith with who 
you are."
Ms. McFerrin added: "God doesn't make mistakes. I was born this way, and 
God loves me."






http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/gays-lesbians-in-kolkata-protest-against-discrimination_100125062.html

Gays, lesbians in Kolkata protest against discrimination
November 29th, 2008 - 1:40 pm ICT by ANI -
Kolkata, Nov 29 (ANI): Hundreds of gays and lesbians in Kolkata staged a 
protest against discrimination on Friday.
Holding up placards and shouting slogans, they sought to attract the 
attention of people towards their plight.
They also protested against a law that terms homosexuality as unnatural 
and a criminal offence.
I think what you see here is a gathering of people of civil society 
organisations, human rights advocates, activists, who support the issue, 
who want to end violence against all particularly all sexuality 
minorities, said Anindya Hajra, a protester.
Homosexuality is banned in India under a law first framed British 
colonialists. It is now codified under Article 377 of the Indian Penal 
Code (IPC), which defines it as a carnal act against the order of nature.
Some rights groups have moved court, asking the government to repeal the 
law.
The sexually marginalized community feels Indian society continues to 
stigmatize transgender, gays, lesbians and bisexuals and that Section 
377 of the IPC is archaic and abusive towards their existence as normal 
human beings.
A report claims that there are about 50 million gays in India. Similar 
estimates for women are more difficult to collect, owing to social and 
cultural inhibitions. (ANI)






---------------------------------------------------

Transgender group calls for justice

Jakarta Post - November 20, 2008

Yogyakarta -- Dozens of transgender people in
Yogyakarta on Wednesday commemorated Transgender
Day of Remembrance, which falls every Nov. 20, by
distributing stickers and flowers to people passing
by the Yogyakarta post office on Jl. Malioboro.
Coordinator of the lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, transsexual (LGBT) group, Shinta
Ratri, said the group's aim was to reduce the
negative public perception of the LGBT community.

"We call on all institutions and people to stop
discrimination against LBGTs," Shinta said. During
the commemorations, members of the group also
presented roadside art performances.

Shinta said members of the group were protected
under the human rights law, which states that all
people are regarded as individuals and protected by
the state.

Ironically, the group claims, the government has
yet to take real action to protect the LGBT
community.

---------------------------------------------------







http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=c46c6055-7524-4299-8699-d48f50e90b1d

March 29, 2009

Abbotsford pride parade quashed by online protesters
Community has to confront homophobia, organizer says
Catherine Rolfsen, Vancouver Sun
Published: Sunday, November 23, 2008
Plans by a group of Abbotsford high school students to hold their 
community's first gay pride parade were halted after hundreds of people 
protested their efforts online.
Instead, the youths have joined forces with other equality advocates to 
organize a "social justice rally" Dec. 6.
Sixteen-year-old Chantell Gregg created a Facebook page to organize a 
pride parade in Abbotsford, originally planned for Nov. 15.
View Larger Image
Vancouver has a pride parade and Abbotsford will have a social justice 
rally.
Stuart Davis / Vancouver Sun

Gregg, who has had a friend beaten up at school for being gay, said 
Abbotsford needs to confront homophobia.
But before her event got off the ground, a Facebook group opposing the 
idea had popped up too.
On that group, which had 364 members Sunday, posters debated the Bible's 
stance on homosexuality and advocated a "straight pride parade."
"No one wants to see a pride parade in ABBOTSFORD organized by a bunch 
of sexually CONFUSED pre-teens who believe they are gay or bi," reads 
the group's description. "Homosexuals can commute to Vancouver for the 
parade."
Gregg said her group received threats that the parade would be egged. 
Several letters to the local paper decried her plans.
"It was just devastating," she said of the backlash. "I was just amazed 
that people in this town would do that, but I know that this town is a 
bit behind other ones in social justice."
Seeing that the teens needed support, John Kuipers of the University of 
the Fraser Valley pride group stepped in, helping them instead organize 
a social justice rally promoting all kinds of diversity.
The event will also protest the Abbotsford school board's cancellation 
of the Social Justice 12 course, which includes teachings on gay rights.
Gregg and Kuipers said the change of plans isn't a failure, but a way to 
get more support from other social justice groups and create a more 
inclusive event.
Gregg said some opponents had a false impression about her plans for the 
parade.
"They thought it was going to be like the one in Vancouver," she said. 
"But that was not my intention. There was no nudity going to be allowed 
there."
But she's not completely giving up on the idea of a gay pride parade in 
her town one day.
"We have to start slow," she said. "Because it is Abbotsford, and 
Abbotsford's not used to the subject because they keep it quiet."
Gregg hopes the coming rally will lead to better rules against bullying 
and return the Social Justice 12 course to local schools.
This fall, the Abbotsford school board prevented schools from offering 
the controversial course, saying it's reviewing its content because of 
parental concerns. At one school, 90 students had signed up for the class.
The gay couple responsible for the course's creation have filed a human 
rights complaint against the school district, and the B.C. Teachers' 
Federation supports bringing the class to Abbotsford.
The Dec. 6 rally begins at 11 a.m. at Abbotsford Community Services.
crolfsen at vancouversun.com






http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081122/METRO/811220369/1006/rss01

Saturday, November 22, 2008
Trio picketing play gets counterprotest
Supporters respond to Kansas church group angered by gay theme.
Karen Bouffard / The Detroit News
GROSSE POINTE FARMS -- Three members of a controversial Topeka, Kan., 
church who protested a gay-themed play at Grosse Pointe South High 
School on Friday were met with stares and jeers from about 200 students, 
some of whom hoisted signs touting messages of peace and love.
The two women and a 14-year-old girl from Topeka's 75-member Westboro 
Baptist Church showed up at the school about 3 p.m., just as school was 
letting out, to hurl threats of condemnation in the cold and wind.
Westboro has protested around the country at high school productions of 
"The Laramie Project," which recounts the torture and beating death of 
gay college student Mathew Shepard in Laramie, Wyo., in 1998. The play 
opened to a sold-out crowd Friday night.
Advertisement
"It shouldn't matter how a person is -- just concentrate on yourself," 
said Raven Hoyle, a 16-year-old Grosse Pointe South junior, adding she 
was glad the school decided to produce the play.
Earlier Friday, the trio briefly picketed outside nearby Christ Church, 
where they sang "God Hates America" as the church carillon played "A 
Mighty Fortress Is Our God." The church was targeted because its rector, 
the Rev. Bradford G. Whitaker, wrote letters to several newspapers, 
including The Detroit News, in support of the production.
About 100 congregants followed the trio to the school where they lined 
up in a symbolic shield between the protesters and the school. Police 
were on hand to keep the protest under control.
Westboro has captured headlines nationwide for protests at the funerals 
of American soldiers killed in Iraq. They believe God has allowed 
American soldiers to die as punishment for the nation's acceptance of 
homosexuality.
"We're here to tell you that God does not love everybody," Margie 
Phelps, a Westboro member, shouted at the students.
Silvia Carone, a 15-year-old sophomore from Wayne Memorial High School, 
traveled from the Wayne-Westland school district to hold a hand-lettered 
sign saying, "Spread love not hate."
"I think what they're doing is wrong," she said. "If they demonstrate 
against our military and others in our country and nobody protests 
against them, it's proving them right."
Principal Al Diver said the school would treat the protests as a 
learning opportunity for students. The play was selected by a committee 
that included both teachers and parents.
"I think it's an excellent decision," said Norma Bailey, a professor of 
middle-level education at Central Michigan University who specializes in 
lesbian, gay and transgender issues. "The play raises issues that are 
important for high school children to discuss.
"Here was a person who was murdered simply because of who he was. Our 
job as educators is to talk with the kids about what this means, what it 
says about ourselves."










http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=98730

Disabled People on Protest against Low Pensions
Society | November 10, 2008, Monday

About 300 disabled people gathered Monday to stage protest in front of 
the Council of Ministers' building in downtown Sofia, demanding higher 
integration allowances. Photo by Yuliana Nikolova (Sofia Photo Agency)
About 300 disabled people gathered Monday to stage protest in front of 
the Council of Ministers' building in downtown Sofia, demanding higher 
pensions.

The protesters insist on forming their integration allowances on the 
base of the officially fixed minimal month salary.

They demanded also that the Disabled People Agency should get status of 
a ministry.

"The newly established fund for accessible architecture environment for 
the disabled people should be managed by representatives of the disabled 
people's organizations all across the country," the protesters said.

They announced they have already submitted their demands to the Council 
of Ministers.









http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/local/taipei/2008/11/22/184424/Visually-impaired-masseurs.htm

November 22, 2008 12:07 am TWN, The China Post news staff
Visually-impaired masseurs protest ruling
TAIPEI, Taiwan -- About 1,500 visually impaired masseurs yesterday took 
to the streets in Taipei in protests against a constitutional court’s 
recent ruling that they claimed was threatening their livelihood.
Wearing white work clothes and dark glasses, the protesters paraded in a 
long queue with their hands on the shoulders of the ones in front of them.
They demanded protection for their work rights as they rallied in front 
of the Interior Ministry.
The Council of Grand Justices has recently ruled as unconstitutional the 
existing ban on non-visually impaired people from working as masseurs.
One of the protesters was cited by the Central News Agency (CNA) as 
saying business has already dropped sharply amid the economic downturn.






http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2008/11/22/2003429231

Masseurs protest court ruling
JOB FEARS: The visually impaired workers rallied to demand the 
government not amend a law that stipulates that they are the nation's 
only legal masseurs
By Loa Iok-sin
STAFF REPORTER
Saturday, Nov 22, 2008, Page 2

Visually impaired masseurs protest at Liberty Square in Taipei 
yesterday, calling on the government to protect their right to employment.
PHOTO: CNA
Around 1,500 visually impaired masseurs from all over the nation took to 
the streets yesterday, protesting a Council of Grand Justice decision 
overturning a rule that made them the only legal masseurs.
“Massage is one of the few jobs that a visually impaired person can do 
well. But in recent years, their jobs have been threatened because of 
the growing number of illegal massage centers that employ masseurs with 
no visual impairment,” Sun Yi-hsin (孫一信), a long-time activist for 
the rights of the physically challenged, told the demonstrators at 
Liberty Square in Taipei before they began their march to the Ministry 
of the Interior.

Figures released by the National Federation of Masseurs’ Unions showed 
that more than 5,000 visually impaired people — representing 70 percent 
of all visually impaired people on the job market — are currently 
working in the massage industry.

“Instead of lending a helping hand to the visually impaired masseurs, 
the government is making the situation worse by planning to allow 
non-visually impaired masseurs into the market,” Sun said.

An article in the Rights and Interests of the Handicapped Protection Law 
(身心障礙者權益保障法) stipulates that “non-visually impaired persons 
may not work as masseurs.”

However, a constitutional interpretation issued by the Council of Grand 
Justices last month declared the clause unconstitutional as it violates 
equal rights in employment as protected by the Constitution. The Council 
then urged that the article be removed within three years.

That decision has worried the visually impaired masseurs.

Lee Cheng-chia (李政家), a 54-year-old visually impaired masseur, joined 
the march out of fear of more competition in the marketplace.

“I’m the only wage-earner in my family — my wife has just been laid off 
from a factory, two of my sons have just graduated from college and are 
looking for jobs, while my youngest son is still serving in the 
military,” Lee said.

He recalled that he used to be able to make between NT$50,000 and 
NT$60,000 a month as a masseur.

But since the illegal massage centers grew in number about five or six 
years ago, “I’m making less than NT$20,000 a month now.”

Once the legal barrier is lifted for the non-visually impaired to enter 
the industry, “things will only get worse,” Lee said.

Some of the visually impaired masseurs have tried other jobs, but failed.

“I majored in social works at National Taipei University of Education 
and I am a certified social worker,” said Chang Tung-fa (張東發), who 
suffers from a detached retina and is partially blind.

Chang had worked as a social worker at a charity organization for years, 
but problems with reading made him decide to quit.

“I can only read words at font size 70 on a computer screen. And when it 
comes to reading printed documents, I had to ask for help from my 
colleagues,” he said.

Prior to getting a college degree, Chang had also worked at his father’s 
auto repair shop, “but I cut my little finger once when operating a 
machine, because I couldn’t see clearly.”

“My eyesight is getting worse as I grow older, so I decided that I’d 
find a more stable, workable job, and thus I became a masseur,” he said.

After receiving representatives of the protesters, Deputy Minister of 
the Interior Lin Join-sane (林中森) said the ministry would set up a 
special task force within a week to come up with solutions to help the 
visually impaired masseurs.

Meanwhile, lawmakers across party lines, including Chinese Nationalist 
Party (KMT) Legislator Shyu Jong-shyoung (徐中雄) and Democratic 
Progressive Party legislators Chen Chieh-ju (陳節如) and Yu Jan-daw (余 
政道), also promised to ask the Council of Grand Justices to take 
another look at the interpretation.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/28/stories/2008112856520400.htm

New Delhi

Protest meeting to mark World Disability Day
Staff Reporter
NEW DELHI: To mark World Disability Day, Disabled Rights Group is 
organising a protest meeting in which differently-abled persons from 
across the country will descend on the Capital on December 3.
Physically challenged persons from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra 
Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir will hold a nightlong 
candlelight vigil to demand a separate Ministry for Disabled Affairs and 
ask the Government to fulfil promises made in the Eleventh Five-Year Plan.
According to Disabled Rights Group convenor Javed Abidi, the protest 
will begin at 3 p.m. at India Gate. “At night the protesters will light 
candles and then participate in the nightlong vigil. We will come 
prepared to stay the night and continue the vigil for as long as it 
takes for the powers that be to notice us and accept our demands. For 
us, this is not a token protest but a campaign for our dignity and 
demand for equal rights as citizens of this country. We want every key 
Ministry to have a clear-cut plan for disability. Each Ministry must 
allocate 3 per cent of its resources for disability issues,” added Mr. 
Abidi.
Pointing out that December 3 last year merited celebration for the 
historic convention and Eleventh Five Year Plan, Mr. Abidi said: It is 
more than a year since the Eleventh Five Year Plan has been passed but 
no steps have been taken by the Government to implement them.”