As an recreational athlete, the issue of homosexuality in sport has always been an interest of mine. In many ways, homosexual innuendo prevades all sorts of athletes. Of course there are the glittered figure skaters, lycra clad bicylists and flexible gymnasts that are the brunt of many "that's so gay" comments. What makes the post-game showering of team sports, the anything-goes grappling of ultimate fighting, and the heaving scrums of rugby any more macho than a cyclist peddling up 200kms of mountain, or a gymnast doing a iron cross on the rings? Maybe it has something to do with missing teeth... There are so many reasons that we could discuss, but I'm just hear to sum up some news.
(I'd really love to discuss the topic more, but it would be easier to have tea and discuss/debate another time, just e-mail me.)

The Football Association in England (that's soccer in N. America) recently attempted to create an anti-homophobia video to combat bigotry in the sport (homophobic slurs from spectators are commonplace during games). Despite this, not a single player has put himself forward as a spokesperson for the video. The German football association has also stepped forward in support of this movement, offering full support to any players who wished to come out.

http://www.prostamerika.com/2010/02/12/english-players-snub-anti-bigotry...

Meanwhile in the United States, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which oversees many different sports at the university level, is under fire for publishing advertisements for the anti-gay group, Focus on the Family. You can join the fun and sign a petition to get the NCAA to stop promoting Focus on the Family. Some may argue that sexuality has no place in sport; however, we could also say that an athlete should feel comfortable to achieve his/her best regardless of sexuality. How can one develop in a system that doesn't accept you?

The Petition: http://www.change.org/actions/view/tell_the_ncaa_no_focus_on_the_family_ads
More Info: http://ittakesateam.blogspot.com/2010/02/ncaa-is-shilling-for-focus-on-f...

With the Olympics going on in Vancouver, the ugly face of homophobia is also showing up. I don't think it surprises anyone to hear much of it directed toward men's figure skating. A number of commentators have said homophobic comments about one particular skater, Johnny Weir. One example is Claude Mailhot and Alain Goldberg from RDS channel, who questioned Weirs gender and made other inappropriate comments. The broadcasters are being threatened with legal action by the Quebec Council of Gays and Lesbians.

http://www.xtra.ca/public/Vancouver/Weir_should_undergo_gender_testing_s...

Bloody hell. Just spent the last hour writing up a post, only to accidentally push back on the browser and lose all my progress.

In short...

The Hawaiian Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill for same-sex civil unions, only to have the House refuse to vote on the matter.

President Museveni of Uganda has stepped back on the anti-gay bill (death and imprisonment to homosexuals) due to international pressure. Proponents of the bill attempted to increase the fervor for the bill by, of all things, showing gay porn.

A fundamental Pastor in Amarillo, TX has started a website called boycotthouston.com to protest the election of lesbian Annise Parker as the mayor of Houston. While I don't like to advertise for him, the arguments and comments on the website are too outrageous to pass up. Beyond hating on the gays, the pastor goes on to blame Christians for not working hard enough to prevent Mrs Parker's election.

eHarmony has been forced to open up their previously heterosexual couple-only site (actually a sister site) to homosexuals seeking same-sex partners. Meanwhile, a Mancrunch.com ad meant for the Superbowl has been rejected by CBS's. All the while, an antiabortion, Focus on the Family advert has been accepted. GLAAD, a pro-gay group is expected to open a big can of litigation in this case.

Finally, President Obama has started the process of lifting the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy in the military. Don't hold your breath, though, as it will still be at least a year before we see real results.

Are you from Portugal? If so, you probably already know that Portugal now allows same-sex marriages. Calling it a 'natural step', Prime Minister Socrates passed the legislation with minimal outcry from the religious conservatives. Learn more here http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/01/20101933820149504.html

Unfortunately, such is not the case south of the border. Many of us were disappointed with the results of Prop 8 in California,which banned same-sex marriage in 2008. A federal case that challenges Prop 8 will soon appear in the courts and videos of the event will be posted on Youtube. Gay rights opponents are distressed by this broadcasting, but what do they have to hide if they are working so hard on behalf of the moral and righteous good? Apparently, they fear that it 'could lead to witness harassment and intimidate others from testifying in favor of the gay marriage ban'. More info here http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2010/0106/California-judge-to-put-l...

In this week's edition: The vote is in - do we have equal rights yet? The rules of Uganda - US religious groups influence international policy making.

The results for Ref 71 and Question 1 are in. In a close race, Question 1 in Maine was passed with 53% of the vote, thus repealing the law allowing same-sex couples to marry. On the flipside, Ref 71 (granting same-sex couples all the rights of a married couple, except not calling it a marriage) passed with 52% of the vote. Although not a question of 'marriage', Ref 71 would be the first time voters in a US state have approved a bill that promoted gay rights. Also in this voting period, anti-gay politician, Christopher Christie, was voted in as the new governor of New Jersey.

While I'm glad Ref 71 passed, it is unfortunate that both votes were so close. Again, the expected anti-gay forces were responsible. The National Organization for Marriage and Protect Marriage Washington, both used similar tactics to persuade voters to stamp on the rights of same-sex couples. These are some typical arguments: 1. Allowing same-sex marriage will diminish the value of marriage between a man and a woman. 2. It will lead to teaching homosexuality in schools (thus making our kids gay). 3. It will create a precedent which will allow animal-human marriages, object-human marriages, etc. 4. It's immoral and against my religion. Needless to say, I feel like these arguments are all unfounded and somewhat illogical...I won't get into rebuttals, but you're welcome to post below. Some anti-gay activists see pro-gay bills as giving homosexuals special rights as a minority group and feel that the bills actually infringe on the religious rights of people. In reality, they just give us the same rights that everyone else already takes for granted and raises us up from the level of second citizens. Our queerness isn't a choice, unlike religion, and I feel like we should all be allowed freedom of thought and action as long as it doesn't trample any other groups rights.
With the win in Washington and the loss in Maine, some people question whether it is democratic to leave question of human rights to the voters. A democracy is supposed to protect the rights of all citizens and grant equality to all. Unfortunately, this can be warped into a 'majority rules' mentality where a state wide vote can affect policy and law making. While this is usually fine, it can also lead to something called the 'tyranny of the majority', where a majority of people can vote away the rights of the minority. Although everyone has a say, the question is inherently flawed because it affects a minority group's rights in a system where everyone is meant to be treated equally.

Let's stop talking US politics...kind of. In Uganda, politicians are soon to pass an anti-gay bill. Homosexual sex would be grounds for life long imprisonment, having same-sex relationships with HIV positive people or people under 18 would be punishable by death and organizing LGBT rights gropus would be criminalized. Even here, we can't step entirely out from the reaching arms of the US religious zealots. Much of this legislation is considered to be the result of vicious anti-gay preaching by US missionaries from the likes of those like evangelical leader, Rick Warren. For what it's worth, an online petition is circulating to ask Rick Warren to stop his anti-gay rhetoric in Uganda (http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/rick-warren-please-denounce-anti-gay-bi...). It is examples like this, where homosexuality is faced with government backed homophobia and punishable by death of imprisonment, that bolster my determination to push the envelope in our own city and country. Some argue that here in a Canada, we've got marriage, we've got our rights, we should just shut up and blend with the rest of 'normal' society. Even here we face homophobic slurs and gay bashings on a regular basis. Though this is nothing to the level of what a homosexual in Uganda would face, it is nonetheless unacceptable. It's your right to sit down, to be silent and to be happy in your own little city, however, take care not to treat your outspoken, boa wearing, flag waving, pride going queer brothers and sisters like some embarrassing distant relative. In our privileged position with many legal rights, we need to push forward and set an example for other peoples.
Upcoming, banning anti-gay books (I'll get to it this time around!), polygamy and more. What's important to you?

Stay tuned.