S&M Poster Leads to Miller Boycott

This photo is causing quite a stir in the USA and amongst Catholics more precisely. The Catholic League has called for a boycott of the Miller brand after it sponsored this S&M event with a last supper style scene. What do you think?

Army Chief brands homosexuality "immoral"

Interesting story from the USA this week that had the potential (and doesn't seem to so far) of re-igniting the gays int he military debate. The current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (head army honcho in lay language) told Congress:

"My upbringing tells me that sexual activity outside the bonds of marriage between a man and a woman is immoral. That's what I was taught. That's what I believe."

General Peter Pace is due to stand down this week which probably explains the reason for his candour. He did accept that homosexuals could serve in the armed forces provided they were celibate. A career in the Church of England beckons...

Unsurprisingly he was widely condemned by a wide range of people including Sgt. Eric Alva, the first soldier wounded in the Iraq war, who recently came out. What is different is that his comments were also criticized by the REPUBLICAN Defence Secretary Robert Gates. Not sure former secretary Rumsfeld would have done the same! This is an issue that could come back into the political arena though. Given the series of early party debates taking place it wouldn't be surprising to see candidates asked a question regarding this matter. There answers could prove interesting.

Read the full article at: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-5581.html

Gay Village for Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough recently celebrated its first gay pride events (some pics at: http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/videos-pictures/2007/09/17/middlesbrough-s-first-gay-pride-event-84229-19803607/ ) but today PinkNews reports that the mayor of Middlesbrough wants to go further and at a recent Council Executive suggested (or so it reported) that he wanted to see a gay village. This raises the question about apartheid once again that perpetually haunts these ideas. Is it better to be "integrated" etc etc. My own view has fluctuated over the years. As a teen coming out, having an 'exclusive' gay space (and some of the gay bars in Sheffield were so dire in the late 1990s that you wouldn't really choose to be Attercliffe at 1am in the morning) was important in allowing me and so many others I knew to experiment and explore their sexuality. I think it remains important today. that said, the social stigma of being "gay" has changed dramatically in the decade that followed and it could be argued that the need for such "safe" space is less than it was. Nonetheless, particularly in northern and working class communities there remains a lot of prejudice that necessitates the need for "safe space".

These venues are also an important part of expressing identity. I am struck by the clear and distinct identity that is presented in the gay bars of cities like Berlin but which has lost out to greater commercialisation in cities like Manchester. At the moment I think there is a need for these spaces, and personally I prefer a village environment rather than the transient one night a week affair you get in smaller cities and towns but these spaces need to be clear about their identity and celebrate diversity.

Whatever form such space takes, I and many others will no doubt praise the Middlesbrough mayor for asking the question: "What are we going to do to cater for the gay community?".

Read the story at: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-5502.html

Violent Porn Debate - Sky News clips from 2006

I've just come across these two videos of a Sky News interview with some key players in the 'violent porn' debate. It's interesting to watch in the context of the proposed legisaltion and the ongoing fight to overturn the Spanner decision. A move that is surely long overdue.

Part 1:



Part 2:

Maryland Marriage Ban Upheld

The gay marriage ban in Maryland, USA has been upheld by the state Court of Appeal. Read the full opinion at: http://mdcourts.gov/opinions/coa/2007/44a06.pdf

Proposed Legalisation of Oral and Anal Sex in Singapore

It's sometimes easy to forget the massive differences in the legal status of lgbt people around the globe. There are some radical moves underway in Singapore though. A Bill was introduced at the start of this week which would for the first time, legalise oral and anal sex in private between consenting adults. A ban on gross indecency would remain. See S376 of the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill at : http://www.parliament.gov.sg/Publications/070038.pdf

Read the Pink News Story at:

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-5471.html

ACLU Steps into the Craig Saga - are sting operations "unconstitutional"?

The BBC and various other news agencies reported earlier this week that the Larry Craig toilet has now become a tourist attraction! In a bizarre twist, and of far more legal interest, is the leaping of ACLU to Craig's defence. Pink News reports that ACLU are starting an action against his and similar "sting" operations stating: "If the police really want to stop people from having sex in public bathrooms, they should put up a sign banning sex in the restroom and send in a uniformed officer to patrol periodically. That works." The case is Craig v. State of Minnesota and a ACLU briefing file can be seen at: http://www.aclu.org/freespeech/gen/31842lgl20070917.html

New Resource

Check out the following link for some fantastic resources (particularly on trans issues), including some podcasts/downloads: http://www.jotto.info/

Lithuania turns to s28?

A very interesting story on PinkNews about Lithuania where a law that creates a form of section 28 is before Parliament: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-5444.html

The law would ban the "promotion" of gay, lesbian or bisexual relationships to children. The question of what amounts to promotion is one that English public authorities tied themselves in knots over. It's also interesting to see fixed categories of sexuality enshrined into legislation, perhaps most interestingly, bisexuality.

Manchester Pride Pics

Manchester Pride has now published this years pictures at: http://www.manchesterpride.com/gallery/

ECHR Transexual Victory

Interesting ECHR case reported on PinkNews: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-5423.html

They report that 'A Lithuanian transsexual has won a case at the European Court of Human Rights over claims that he has been blocked from completing his gender transition. The seven judges also ruled that Lithuania must implement new legislation on gender reassignment within three months or pay damages'. The case succeeded on article 8 grounds and is well worth a look.

Hell's Kitchen - That Jim Davidson Quote

Well I write this during Hell's Kitchen. I've finally given in to watching an episode. My motivation? The story on the BBC and other news sites that comedian Jim Davidson was asked to leave (and went) after referring to "shirt lifters", reducing fellow contestant, Brian Dowling to tears. Now I saw the quote and he said "why do short lifters pull the same face?". I didn't think the comment was homophobic in context. He was actually making a fair point. Even within the gay community there is an ongoing discussion around people who fall into particular stereotypes particularly the current trend for the slim, camp, very styled individuals. So he didn't express it in terminology that a young 20 something might use today. So? That doesn't make him homophobic. It was absurd that Brian Dowling was sobbing at such a trivial remark. I would say "get over it" but he might cry again.

Read the story at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6988676.stm

BBC Four - dull but worthy?

I seem to remember in the early days of BBC Four (or BBC Knowledge as it then was) being generally referred to as "dull but worthy". It has tried to "sex up" its image in recent years but I can't help feeling that it's a tag that belongs to the recent "gay week". They had a new drama, generally reviewed as dull but worthy and AA Gill in the Sunday Times praised the attention to detail. 'Consenting Adults' was based around the Wolfenden Committee and though it had some accurate details other aspects were plain wrong. For instance, where and when Wolfenden was appointed by the Home Secretary. The major inaccuracy and the one that had me shouting at the TV was the Kinsey visit. This did not take place in Room 101. It was deeply secret. As I commented in an earlier post, academic work is only now being undertaken on this element of the Wolfenden proceedings. What is known so far is that Kinsey met with some members of the group (not all of them, or as the programme suggested, minus one member) and the meetings took place at a private property (we are not clear as to who it belonged to). It's not even clear that Wolfenden was present. This is therefore significant in terms of the general image the programme presented as to how the committee reached the decision they did.

What depressed me the most was just how dull the programme was. Where was the radical programme in celebration? Think about Queer as Folk just six years ago - that was radical, it pushed boundaries and it was brilliant TV. Why have both the BBC and Channel Four failed to do anything like that? Of course, ITV didn't even bother and Sky, well say no more. So that's it. Well done boys, forty years legal but did anyone notice?

The rest of the BBC Four coverage was full of repeats. Lots of interesting programmes on gay men who were never out and led sad and tragic lives - Frankie Howard, Liberache and Joe Orton (murdered by his boyfriend). Gay MPs who spent their time with rent boys and cruising. So happy stuff there...

The best programme was the wonderful Naked Civil Servant - all about the life of Quintin Crisp. I recently read that a sequel is planned that covers his later life. I can't wait. This was a rather old drama starring John Hurt but it hasn't been on TV in years. It remained radical, it continued to push boundaries, this was a defiant queer, a self proclaimed 'stately homo'. It also offered a study of the law and discretionary policing. The court scene is fantastic and explores the issue of soliciting with both warmth and humour. It's just a shame that the BBC had to turn to a programme made by a rival channel (ITV) and twenty years old.

Cameron Strikes Back

Well almost as a reply to my earlier response on the Tories - David Cameron has come out as a supporter of civil partnerships and argued they should be recognised as a form of marriage commenting: "To those who think, even in 21st century Britain, that commitment and responsibility cannot be embraced by all, I say: you will not find a stronger supporter of marriage but why not also recognise the commitment that gay couples make to each other in civil partnerships?" he said. "That's modern Conservatism." The full story is in the Pink Paper at: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-5390.html Interestingly, the Tories are also the first political party to start advertising on PinkNews. It's perhaps revealing that the banner is an image of Cameron, apparently working. The biggest problem the Tories face on issues of human rights and sexuality is the fact that people seem to be unconvinced that the party beyond Cameron is changing. I really don't see why they don't get give greater profiles to out Tory frontbenchers like Alan Duncan.

BBC Four Gay Season

BBC Four is having a "gay season" all this week like channel 4 did earlier in the summer. It's interesting that the anniversary of Wolfenden has been relegated to a digital channel rather than say BBC2. Anyway, BBC Four are also hosting a debate page where people can post their comments. Everyone who is concerned about this season seems obsessive about having homosexuality "shoved down their throats". I for one find that particular mental image hilarious. Here are three of the negative comments:

"This behaviour may seem normal to you in the media, and the BBC in particular, but it isn't to most normal human beings. I wish you would not shove it down our throats.David J Bartlett, Edlington. Lincolnshire"

"I find the very notion of homosexuality to be, in the plainest words, unnatural. I have already written to the BBC about the trailer, TWICE. If people want to be gay, go ahead, but in agreement with Mr Bartlett, I don't need it shoved down my throat.William Slater, Leeds"

"I find the trail offensive and highly explicit. Yes it is the 21st century, but homosexuality should not be shoved down our throats, particularly when we are paying the licence fee. As a 21-year-old Christian, why not focus on this lifestyle for once, and stop 'racist' attitudes towards Christianity! Gemma Saunders, St Albans"

Read all the comments, including the really positive ones at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/yoursay/consenting-adults.shtml

Even More on Craig

Also on the Q-Study list was this response to Andrew from Julian Carter. I've pasted the full email in:


Andrew,I found myself startled by your post; you seemed so angry and dismissive of claims that seem to me to be ordinary descriptions of social reality. But since email is notorious for miscommunicating tone, I thought it might be interesting to respond to some of your points, and invite you to explain how & on what grounds you see things differently.> Tell a het person that to be het is really a misleading misnomer > and see what kind of reception you get.Over the years I've had conversations with dozens, maybe hundreds of straight students (mostly white but not all) who have told me that they don't in fact have strong "heterosexual" identities. In the absence of a good reason to develop a strong sense of sexual identity, many people go through life assuming that what & whom they find erotically appealing is more or less irrelevant to their social presentations. Many say that they think of themselves as "normal." More recently I've had straight people describe their sexuality in terms of tastes, e.g. a woman might say she's "into big guys." In any case, my unscientific observation has been that straight people generally don't identify with the "official" name for straightness in any very deep way, and that one of the side effects (or maybe it's a symptom?) of their heterosexual privilege is that they often don't feel solicited by sexual identity-categories in any very deep way. To put it in Jr. High school terms: they seem to feel that anybody who's not queer is just normal. I see your frustration but I think that lack of symmetry in naming practices vs. identitities reflects the historical fact that normative heterosexuality has been constructed so asymmetrically with various queernesses--not necessarily the inaccuracy of the claim that sexual identity doesn't map easily on sexual activity.> The fact remains that, despite exceptions, the rule still largely > follows that sexual behaviour and identity are very closely linked.Well, facts are tricky things--there are so many of them. All the historical and sexological research I know about suggests that that depends on when and where you are talking about. For educated white adult men in urban parts of North America since the first World War, sure, it's been fairly difficult to engage in regular same-sex contact without wondering a little about whether this might mean you have some homosexual tendencies. At least through the 1980s, though, young rural white males could engage in such acts with no expectation of identity consequences . In many Latin American & Mediterranean cultures masculinity is far more significant to identity than gender of sexual partner, so that it's quite common for masculine men in these cultures and their diasporas to assume that as long as they are the insertive partner they are masculine and ergo not faggots or maricones or whatever term they reserve for effeminate men.> It is ever (and unfortunately) incumbent these days that gays (as a > category) must be amenable to submitting themselves to a queer > rubric because their identity is, somehow, not commensurate with > activity.>The observation that sexual identity does not map easily onto sexual activity is actually not a queer-theoretical innovation. It's an empirical description derived from anthropological, historical, and sociological analysis of the really-existing range of practices and identities. George Chauncey's mid1980s essay "From Christian Brotherhood to Sexual Perversion" is the classic illustration of that range as it existed in the NE U.S. in 1913. Liz Kennedy and Madeline Davis' *Boots of Leather, Slippers of Gold* notes that the lesbians they interviewed who had been active in the midcentury bar culture were divided on the question of whether femmes were lesbians, or only butches. My own (admittedly more queer-oriented) research on women who have sex with women without acquiring lesbian identities suggests that lesbian identity has followed more or less automatically from lesbian sex only since the 1970s, and then only in some contexts.Even in the contemporary North American urban white gay context, activity doesn't effectively secure sexual identity. For instance, some of us know the name(s) for how we are "different" long before we locate or seduce our preferred sexual partners. Does that mean our sexual identities are imaginary? If your lover is too sick to be erotic for months on end, does that mean you are no longer lovers? If he dies and your mourning makes you uninterested in sex for an extended period of time, does that mean you're no longer gay? If your girlfriend begins the transition from female to male, does that mean you're suddenly a straight chick?>> For as long as society denies us the chance to > sexually seek >> each other openly--as heterosexuals do--these places will > > > > >> continue to exist. They are the sexual equivalent of the hidden >> places of > > > worship Christians and Jews were once forced to have.>> This is a rather unfortunate analogy.I kind of liked it, because it made me think about the ways in which a dungeon culture that was once very important to me resembled a religious community. In what respect does the analogy strike you as being unfortunate?>>> L/G/B/T people out of the closet who live in places with>> organized L/B/G/T communities do not need to frequent these locales.>> I live in Toronto, the third (or fourth) largest metropolitan city > in North America. I know a good deal of gay men who do frequent > such locales. Wherever did you get this misinformation?Perhaps men with different kinds of community/social/identity resources use tearooms in different ways.>>> (3) Though Craig's Republican bashing of L/G/B/T peoples makes me >> detest him, at>> the same time I feel pity for the man. It must be horrible to >> reach your 60s in>> a condition of hypocrisy and personal underdevelopment.>> What was once called "internalized homophobia" is now called > "personal underdevelopment"?I'm curious to know whether you think the two names are in some sense oppositional to one another. To my ear, "personal underdevelopment" carries a stronger ethical charge, holds the person in question more accountable for (in this case) his self-awareness and his ability to conduct his social and political relationships in a responsible and compassionate manner.>> Arguments like these continue to undermine the (political) > positions of those who freely identify themselves as gay men, or > lesbians.Maybe this final statement was where I got the idea you were angry or feeling threatened. But I don't feel remotely undermined; arguments like these are the foundation of my politics. To me they seem culturally inclusive and compassionate. So I'd like to hear more explicitly how you see arguments "like these" as dangerous?Thanks so much,ian

More on Senator Craig

Andrew Lesk (http://www.andrewlesk.com/index.html) further commented on the Q-Study list and again I think he makes some excellent points, some of which are very good responses to the earlier post. He wrote:

The fact remains that, despite exceptions, the rule still largely follows that sexual behaviour and identity are very closely linked. The idea that some ostensibly heterosexual men have sex in washrooms (when they might, say, go to rub parlours) are simply looking for a "release" is a little disingenuous. It is ever (and unfortunately) incumbent these days that gays (as a category) must be amenable to submitting themselves to a queer rubric because their identity is, somehow, not commensurate with activity. Tell a het person that to be het is really a misleading misnomer and see what kind of reception you get.

I live in Toronto, the third (or fourth) largest metropolitan city in North America. I know a good deal of gay men who do frequent such locales. Wherever did you get this misinformation? (Note that above, you wrote "some men" are frustrated hets, etc; so who are the "other" men?)

What was once called "internalized homophobia" is now called "personal underdevelopment"?Arguments like these continue to undermine the (political) positions of those who freely identify themselves as gay men, or lesbians.

Mr Gay UK - Newcastle & Sunderland

Following on from my earlier post, if anyone was curious what Mr Sunderland and Mr Newcastle looked like you can see their "photo shoots" at: http://mrgayuk.co.uk/home/?img=41065&page=1 (Newcastle) and http://mrgayuk.co.uk/home/?gallery=657 (Sunderland).

Gay Lawyers

Interesting story in Pink News about the legal profession. The story is from a report in the USA which found that LGBT lawyers are less likely to be "satisfied" with their colleagues citing additional difficulties with career advancement, obtaining clients and so on. Read the story at: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/view.php?id=5367

Loony Tories Strike Again

Slightly disturbing story yesterday that is running further today. One aspect of the remarks by Michael Ancram (former deputy leader of the Tory party) was he criticised civil partnerships stating: "They are not the equivalent of marriage."Giving them that equivalence does not enhance them; instead it diminishes the value of real marriage. In doing so it damages the concept of family and eventually of community." See the full story at: http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/view.php?id=5368

As part of the wider crumbling in Tory modernisation this is a worrying step and raises questions about whether the Conservatives plan to amend the law relating to civil partnerships. Their existing commitment to the repeal of the Human Rights Act is already worrying enough. That David Cameron did not condemn this remarks is also worrying.

Craig Cartoons

The Senator Craig story led to a whole series of cartoons. Some of which can be seen here: http://cagle.com/news/SenatorCraig/main.asp

Jesus Diaz at Kean University wrote the following to the Q-Study list and it's worthwhile repeating here:

Three comments: (1) Some of these cartoons reinforce the mistaken idea that behavior equates with identity. Many men who have sex with men and many women have sex women have no gay or lesbian identity. Besides, as the book Tearoom Trade revealed a few years ago, some men who solicit sex in restrooms are in frustrated heterosexual marriages and go these rest rooms to seek a quick adventurous and anonymous release.

(2) Totally missing from the public discussion is any explanation of why some men seek other men in these locales, or in the woods, parks, beaches, etc.--and the more closeted they are the more they risk public exposure by seeking them there. For as long as society denies us the chance to sexually seek each other openly--as heterosexuals do--these places will continue to exist. They are the sexual equivalent of the hidden places of worship Christians and Jews were once forced to have. L/G/B/T people out of the closet who live in places with organized L/B/G/T communities do not need to frequent these locales.

(3) Though Craig's Republican bashing of L/G/B/T peoples makes me detest him, at the same time I feel pity for the man. It must be horrible to reach your 60s in a condition of hypocrisy and personal underdevelopment.

Republicans in Toilets

After being away I'm still catching up on news. The big story that seems to still be dominating US news is the resignation of Idaho Republican Senator Larry Craig. You can read the story here: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b900b66c-58b0-11dc-b883-0000779fd2ac.html

The senator had been arrested in a public lavatory at an airport following a clamp down by the airport. Like the George Michael case he was not actually caught engaging in a sexual act but rather seeking a sexual act (see Humhpreys). Pictured with his wife he told the media: "I am not gay, I never have been gay". Quite apart from that the fact that he seems to view homosexuality as a state that one can be then not be (then be again presumably?) this once again raises issues around sexual identity. Does engaging in a homosexual act equate to being a homosexual. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I'd welcome thoughts on this story.

Lesbian & Gay Youth Manchester

Keeping the Manchester theme going a bit longer. Lesbian & Gay Youth Manchester have launched a petition to save their centre. Like many organisations they are funded by the local authority and the centre is being closed. You can read about the group at http://www.lgym.org.uk/about.htm

You can sign the petition at: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/gaycentre/index.html Once you've signed you're prompted to make a donation to ipetition but if you just close that screen you have still signed the petition. If you click the "signatures" tab at the top you can check you've been registered and who else has signed.

Manchester Trip Video 3

Here's another "pre trip" video. Thsi time from Manchester Pride last weekend. This is some clips from the annual march put on YouTube. Having watched it I can't help but think back to the "stereotypes" debate discussed in earlier posts...

Mr Gay UK

The Guardian reported on Saturday the final of the Mr Gay UK contest. The story focused in part on Mr Sunderland (presumably therefore a favourite) with a huge picture of him tanning himself on a sun bed:

'By 9:15am yesterday, Mr Sunderland still hadn't slept a wink. He had driven through the night to get to Blackpool but there was no time to waste in bed. It wasn't just excitement: he had to prepare for the competition. The first stop was the solarium, Spartan. "When I'm white I look spotty, rundown and minging," he said, taking off his white shirt to reveal his already teak-coloured, tattooed chest - a quick manoeuvre as he had only buttoned it up to his navel. "Fallen Angel" read the nipple-to-nipple legend, inspired, said its owner, by the Dan Brown book Angels and Demons.'

The full story can be viewed at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/gayrights/story/0,,2160223,00.html

The ultimate winner was Mr Blackpool pictured here. More info can be seen at: http://mrgayuk.co.uk/home/?folder=main

Pisszine

Interesting story in the August/September issue of Attitude (yes it did come out in the end!). The story reports the new journal 'Pisszine' which has just gone into a second issue. It originates in Milan and focuses around the idea of urine as homoerotic idea. Given an earlier post around "sub-genres" of homosexuality, the idea of "watersports" is one that has had little examination and this newsletter (and its apparent success) is an interesting development. The Pisszine newsletter can be viewed at: http://www.pisszine.org/