GAY LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES
It seems the mainstream media is becoming more and more interested in
exploring gay life. The New York Times ran a front page story on the apparent
diminishing allure of so-called gay enclaves (West Hollywood, anyone?) It seems
gays are moving into places very unlikely just a decade or two ago. An example:
Utah (Utah?!!!) now has the fourteenth highest concentration of gay couples, up
from thirty-eighth in 1990. The San Francisco Chronicle also had a front page
story stating that same-sex couples are more ethnically and economically diverse
(i.e., less white and not as affluent). Also, the number of gay couples living
in large cities has declined from 45% to 23% from 1990 to 2006.
A recent poll shows that 59% of Americans believe that homosexual relations
should be legal, up from 33% in 1998. (Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought gay
sex between consenting adults was already legal. Remember the Supreme Court
sodomy case?
GAY LIFE IN MUSLIM COUNTRIES
Not surprisingly, Turkey is the most tolerant Muslim country for GLBTs.
Afghanistan prescribes "long imprisonment", an improvement over Taliban law
which called for death; the methods included toppling a wall over the miscreant.
Iran dictates death for men, but 100 lashes for Lesbians. The ladies do get
the death penalty on a fourth conviction. Torture and imprisonment also occur.
Pakistan calls for death by stoning but this is rarely enforced; instead 100
lashes are given.
Indonesia has no nationwide anti-gay laws but Muslim Sharia law does exist in
some parts of the country.
Malaysia's penal code calls for twenty years of imprisonment and whipping for
men; women are given a pass.
The United Arab Emirates have varying laws ranging from fourteen years
imprisonment to death.
Morocco and Tunisia, two of the more "liberal" Muslim countries, calls for
three years imprisonment.
Egypt has no "official" anti-homosexuality laws but crackdowns are common and
President Mubarak seems to not like gays.
Jordan has no laws respecting homosexual behavior.
Saudi Arabia is (in) famously anti-gay with beheading and stoning not
uncommon.
Iraq's chaos makes the situation very fluid but the official line is that
homosexuality is illegal. Vigilante death squads are even hunting gays down. Gay
relations were actually tolerated under the Saddam Hussein regime.
***
The above is OFFICIAL policy but we know very well that GLBTs in those
countries are saying (if only to themselves) that "Where there's a will there's
a way" and "We're here and we're queer!"
CHURCHES
A Chicago Lutheran church has ordained a Lesbian who refused to take a vow of
celibacy. The Lutheran Church requires celibacy vows from GLBT clergy but not
for hetero clergy. This ordination is the first to test the Church's policy of
giving local bishops leeway on ordination.
CONGRESS
In mid-November the House passed a ban on workplace discrimination because of
sexual orientation by a vote of 235 to 184. (Transgendered people were not
included.) Since 1964, when strong laws were passed barring various forms of
workplace discrimination, this is the first time sexual orientation has been
successfully added. It is hoped that the Senate, which came within one vote of
passing it in 1996, will go along. Predictably the Bush administration is
objecting and a veto is probable. Twenty states already have such protection as
do nearly 90% of Fortune 500 companies.
The
sky was overcast with a slight hint of a storm that
luckily never appeared. The parade started off at Sun Yet
Sun Memorial Hall. It is fitting that the parade begin
there since he was one of the founders of the current
government in Taiwan. From there it winds through the Tun
Wa area of Taipei where some of the most expensive
shopping and the cruisiest gym are located before winding
up directly in front of Taipei City Hall. The political
significance of the route cannot be understated. 
Cut
to 5 years and 14,975 more people later. The parade is
huge in size and spectacle. It goes on. And on. And on.
For a full 30 minutes. It begins with over 50 people
carrying a huge rainbow flag. And continues with student
groups. Groups for those with HIV. Club floats carrying
live DJs, go go boys and drag queens. More huge costumed
drag queens. Entire delegates of a gay water polo team
wearing skimpy Speedos and not much else. But what struck
me most was how ordinary the marchers were. Of all shapes
and sizes, ages and sexualities. And how happy they were
to be there. And how they didn’t take being there for
granted. 
