Report: Larry Gagosian hosts fashion designer Marc Jacobs & Lorenzo Martone wedding dinner party

"Marc Jacobs made an honest man out of Lorenzo Martone this week, by marrying him in a private ceremony in St. Barts. Following the ceremony, the couples were feted at an exclusive private dinner hosted by Larry Gagosian [...]

The couple got engaged in March of 2009, after a year of dating, and both men have expressed interest in eventually adopting.

The most adorable part of their wedding? The cake toppers, which were molded to look exactly like the couple, with mini-Lorenzo in a tux, and mini-Marc wearing his signature kilt and no shirt so as to best showcase his Sponge Bob Squarepants tattoo. Also joining them on top of the cake was Jacobs' pitbull Daisy."

*source: Guest of a Guest (incl. picture, above), via Towleroad

Armenia aligns with the EU statement condemning murder of Honduras LGBT human rights defender

Brussels, 4 January 2010

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the recent killings in Honduras

source

The European Union condemns the recent murders of civil society and media representatives or their relatives in Honduras and expresses its solidarity with their families. It is important that an investigation of these murders is conducted promptly, transparently and thoroughly. The perpetrators of the murders must be brought to justice.

The European Union draws special attention to the murder of Walter Trochez who worked as a human rights defender of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and as a member of the National Front of Resistance in Honduras on 13 December, as well as to the murder of Katherine Nicolle Rodríguez Cabrera, the sixteen year-old daughter of journalist Karol Cabrera, on 17 December.

The European Union recalls the obligation of the Honduran authorities to protect the human rights, including the freedom of expression, and the personal security of all persons in Honduras and calls upon all political groups in Honduras to abstain from acts of violence. In this regard, the EU urges the Honduran authorities to do everything in their power to ensure the protection of human rights defenders, in accordance with the UN Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

The European Union also underlines the principle of non-discrimination, which requires that human rights apply equally to every human being, regardless, inter alia, of sexual orientation or gender identity as outlined in the UN Declaration on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

"The Candidate Countries Croatia* and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Armenia align themselves with this declaration.

* Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process."

/emphasis mine/

Unzipped: Gay Armenia in Armenian online news outlet 7or's "Armenian blogs review 2009"

I am touched. Many thanks for such a reflection of my blog (AM):

"2009–ի ընթացքում հանրագիտարանային լինելու հավակնություններ ձեռք բերեց «Unzipped: Gay Armenia» բլոգը։"

State homophobia in Georgia: The Bridge (short film)

Considering current troubling developments in Tbilisi, Georgia, this film seems even more relevant. Many thanks to Dear Kitty. Some blog for the link.



A gay couple from Tbilisi, Georgia (former USSR) escapes homophobia in their home country by immigrating to Australia. One has his application for permanent residency in Australia approved but their future together hangs in the balance awaiting the arrival of the second letter from immigration.

Director: George Barbakadze
Writers: George Barbakadze, Fleurtasha Cooper

Watch this film.

Armenian groups condemn violence against gays in Georgia and call for immediate release of detained Georgian gay rights activist Paata Sabelashvilli

The Armenian Gay and Lesbian Association of New York (AGLA NY) is very troubled by the news that Georgian Police have attacked the office of the Georgian LGBT group Inclusive Foundation and arrested the head of the organization, Paata Sabelashvilli.

Dedicated to establishing a democratic Georgia, “where sexual orientation and gender self-expression would not be the ground for discrimination,” the Inclusive Foundation is an important voice in the Caucasus, which is still plagued by homophobic public policies and severe brutality against LGBT people in general.

In a statement issued today, ILGA-Europe said it was “shocked” by the conduct of the Georgian police, “which had clearly homophobic motives.” The group called for the immediate release of Mr. Sabelashvili. AGLA NY joins its voice in the international call for the release of the LGBT leader. [...]

/emphasis mine/
***

In a separate post, Queering Yerevan expressed solidarity with the Inclusive Foundation: "We condemn violence against queers in Georgia"
***

PINK Armenia posts appeal by the Georgian LGBT group Inclusive Foundation and keeps informed its readers on the latest troubling developments in Tbilisi. (here and here)

Europe's gay rights group ILGA-Europe condemns police raid of member organisation in Georgia, demands immediate release of its board member Paata Sabelashvili (statement and pictures)

For more pictures - ILGA-Europe's Photos - Office of Inclusive Foundation (Georgia) after the police raid

*Statement by ILGA-Europe

On 15 December 2009, the police raided an office of the Inclusive Foundation, ILGA-Europe’s member organisation in Georgia, and arrested Paata Sabelashvili, leader of the Inclusive Foundation and a member of ILGA-Europe’s Executive Board.

ILGA-Europe is shocked by the conduct of the Georgian police, which had clearly homophobic motives. ILGA-Europe demands the immediate release of Paata Sabelashvili.

Linda Freimane, Co-Chair of the Executive Board of ILGA-Europe, said:

“We are very troubled by this news. The information we have received from Georgia indicates that the police acted disproportionately and completely ignored basic rule of law. Moreover, we are extremely concerned about the safety of Paata Sabelashvili, who is not allowed any contact with the outside world.”

Martin K.I. Christensen, Co-Chair of the Executive Board of ILGA-Europe, added:

“ILGA-Europe is in very close contact with our member organisation in Georgia and monitors the situation. We are compiling the facts and details so we can bring this shocking situation to the attention of various European institutions and eventually ensure that Georgian authorities behave in accordance with the rule or law and agreed international human rights standards. We will be releasing any further information as soon as we have more details”.

More details re detention of Paata Sabelashvili, head of Georgian LGBT group Inclusive Foundation

More details re police attacks Georgian LGBT group Inclusive Foundation and detains its leader.
***
To the President of Georgia
To the Public Defender of Georgia
To the Diplomatic Services accredited in Georgia
To the representatives of International Organizations

On December 15 2009 at 7 pm the office of Inclusive Foundation, a well known Georgian LGBT organization, was raided by five armed men without uniform. The leaders of the organization together with about 15 community members of the ‘Women’s Club” were present in the office. They were ordered not to leave the room and were told that only their chief was of interest to them. The head of the organization, Paata Sabelashvili was taken to a separate room. Then the men made a telephone call and at about 8 pm an additional group of armed men came in. According to witnesses, they did not wear police uniforms (several of them put on jackets with the police inscription only in the office), they did not provide a search warrant, did not inform about their identity or agency they represented and did not explain the purpose of their intrusion.

Witnesses point out that several men reminded them that two witnesses had to be present during the search taking place in another room. Cell phones were confiscated, everyone was moved to a separate room where several men guarded them. Women were locked up in the room for several hours, they were not allowed to contact their families, they were humiliated by being called “perverts”, “sick persons”, Satanists. They were laughed at and several men told them that their photos would be taken and disseminated to reveal their sexual orientation. One of the unidentified men tore down a poster in the office. One of the leaders of the organization, Eka Agdgomelashvili, together with Tinatin Japaridze were threatened that they would be killed if they did not stop demanding search warrants and other official documents. Some of the armed men responded that “we will only show papers to those to whom we need to show them.”

Paata Sabelashvili, the leader of the organization, was arrested as a result of the raid. Soon after arrest he confessed to the possession of 8 grams of marijuana. However, because he made the confession before seeing his lawyer, without the presence of anyone except law enforcement officials, the validity and voluntary character of the confession is highly suspicious.

One of the armed men, distinct with homophobic statements and his aggressive behavior towards staff members, introduced himself as an Operative Officer of the Constitutional Security Department of the Ministry of Interior Giorgi Gegechkori. However, on the pretrial measure hearing of Paata Sabelashvili he appeared as Investigator David Khidesheli. Another man, who later turned out to be the head of the police division, threatened Eka Agdgomelashvili with killing if she immediately would not stop pointing out that they were violating the law. He shouted : “I will kill you!” “I will tear you into pieces!” After one of the staff members said that he was exceeding his powers, he shouted: “Sue me, I don’t give a damn”, “I am myself the Law and the Judge!”

Armed men searched through all bags of staff members in the office. Some of the bags were searched in another room when the owners were not present. Only after that they were returned to their owners. Two women officers forcibly took girls (often in pairs) to the bathroom, stripped them naked and searched them. The girls were humiliated and called “sick” in the process. There was no search protocol composed as a result of the search. Having finished the search, one of the women officers exclaimed that having seen these women, she began to hate women’s body.

Staff members of the organization are under continuous surveillance up till now. Their homes, movement in the city and office are under constant surveillance by cars full of men without uniform. One such car is permanently stationed outside the entrance to the house of one of the staff members.

The raid on the Inclusive Foundation represents a logical continuation of the policy of repression of non-governmental organizations conducted by the Georgian government. It aims at marginalizing, intimidating and discrediting human rights defenders in Georgia. One should have in mind the recent attacks on Georgian civic organizations: public broadcaster of Georgia recently aired a coverage about the alleged attempts of extortion by the members of NGO ‘Human Rights Priority’; Rustavi 2 publicized a defamatory news report about applications submitted by the Georgian Young Lawyers Association to the European Court of Human Rights; Officers of the Ministry of Interior threatened and attempted an extortion from the journalist of newspaper “Batumelebi”. Officers publicly implicated in the incident have not yet been punished despite the assurances by the Ministry of Interior.

We are concerned that particular character of the organization will be manipulated for the purposes of artificially nurturing the aggression of radical fundamentalist groups. It is noteworthy, that the Georgian government has been abstaining from defending the rights of its citizens in such situations. It portrays itself abroad as a victim of the internal clashes of liberal and fundamentalist groups, while internally it appeases to traditionally minded electorate. Hence, we are alarmed about the trend of purposeful discrediting and intimidation of the Georgian civil society leaders.

Therefore,

1) We protest the violation of basic rights, dignity, and identity of victims and demand that those persons, who performed the acts of verbal, psychological and physical violence against the members of the Inclusive Foundation be punished.

2) We demand the Georgian government to react to every similar incident as it is established by the law, conduct inquiries and punish those who perpetrate such acts

3) We appeal to international organizations and diplomatic services accredited in Tbilisi to thoroughly monitor the detention of Paata Sabelashvili and pressure the Georgian government for protection of his Constitutional rights. We ask for continuous monitoring of such incidents and for accountability of the Georgian government to defend the basic rights of its citizens.

4) Georgian media should follow the principle of the presumption of innocence of the individual and should refrain from publicizing unverified information.

5) Surveillance and intimidation of the members of the Inclusive Foundation should be immediately discontinued.

6) We appeal to the Public Defender of Georgia to investigate the instance of raid on the Inclusive Foundation and the arrest of its leader Paata Sabelashvili.

Inclusive - Foundation
info@inclusive-foundation.org

*picture - current Facebook profile picture of Paata Sabelashvili

Police attacks Georgian LGBT group Inclusive Foundation in Tbilisi. Head of organisation Paata Sabelashvili arrested.

Breaking news

On December 15 2009 the office of the Inclusive Foundation, a well known Georgian LGBT organisation, was raided by the police. They did not wear police uniforms, did not provide a search warrant, did not inform about their identity or agency they represented and did not explain the purpose of their intrusion. Members of the LGBT community were present in the office during the raid for a regular meeting of the “Women’s Club”. The men confiscated cell phones of all those present in the office, did not allow them to contact their families, and made degrading and humiliating remarks, such as ‘perverts’, ‘sick persons’, Satanists. They threatened to take photos of the women and disseminate them to reveal their sexual orientation. They also threatened ‘to kill’ and ‘tear to pieces’ one of the leaders of the organisation, Eka Agdgomelashvili, if she did not stop demanding the search warrant and identification documents of the police.

Paata Sabelashvili, the leader of the organization, was arrested as a result of the raid. Soon after arrest he confessed to the possession of 8 grams of marijuana. However, because he made the confession before seeing his lawyer, without the presence of anyone except law enforcement officials, the validity and voluntary character of the confession is highly suspicious.

Staff members of the organization are under continuous surveillance up till now. Their homes, movement in the city and office are under constant surveillance by cars full of men without uniform. One such car is permanently stationed outside the entrance to the house of one of the staff members.

The raid on the Inclusive Foundation represents a logical continuation of the policy of repression of non-governmental organizations conducted by the Georgian government. It aims at marginalizing, intimidating and discrediting human rights defenders in Georgia.


Inclusive - Foundation

*via Gay Caucasus

Jonathan Rhys Meyers - the sexiest man in 2009

Was doing some Christmas related shopping today, and noticed this Hugo Boss ad with Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Not because of this ad, but because of The Tudors, for me, the sexiest man (among celebrities, movie stars etc.) in 2009 was Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

Christmas time: Modern interpretation of a classic fairy tale, Selfridges, London

Overall, this year's Christmas windows displays at Selfridges, my favourite department store in London, were disappointing, except for this modern interpretation of a classic fairy tale.

British rugby legend Gareth Thomas comes out: "I'm gay"

Sport still remains a place where you could hardly find an openly gay sportsman. This is especially true in a more macho-like sports, like rugby (“'It is the toughest, most macho of male sports, and with that comes an image” - Gareth Thomas) or football etc.

Time is slowly but changing, and today’s news that British rugby legend Gareth Thomas comes out publicly about being gay is truly a remarkable one. In a candid interview with Daily Mail, Gareth explains why he made such a decision now, and his struggle in coming to terms with his sexuality. Apparently, he did come out to his wife and friends (team-mates) in 2006, and according to some reports, it was an open secret in the Wales for quite some time, but only today Gareth Thomas decided to come out in public.

I am sure, many of you would recognise yourself in emotions and feelings Gareth reveals, like I did. I highly recommend reading this headlining story in full. Below are few selected quotes.
***
Today, however, he has taken the remarkable decision to go public. It's his choice. No one has forced his hand.

He just feels attitudes have changed and the time is right for sport to start accepting openly gay people in the same way other professions have in recent years.
***
That secret, which he'd kept hidden his entire career, was - he admits now - 'like a tight knot in my stomach, always threatening to seep out'.

He says: 'I was like a ticking bomb. I thought I could suppress it, keep it locked away in some dark corner of myself, but I couldn't.

'It was who I was, and I just couldn't ignore it any more.
***
He says he feels like a teenager again, re-living his youth, discovering who he really is.

He hopes, now that he has gone public, he can still go out with male friends without people assuming he's with a lover.

'Just because you are gay, doesn't mean you fancy every man who walks the planet,' he says.

'I don't want to be known as a gay rugby player. I am a rugby player first and foremost. I am a man.

'I just happen to be gay. It's irrelevant. What I choose to do when I close the door at home has nothing to do with what I have achieved in rugby.

'It's pretty tough for me being the only international rugby player prepared to break the taboo.

'Statistically I can't be the only one, but I'm not aware of any other gay player still in the game.

'I'd love for it, in ten years' time, not to even be an issue in sport, and for people to say: "So what?" '
***
'It's been really tough for me, hiding who I really am, and I don't want it to be like that for the next young person who wants to play rugby, or some frightened young kid.

'I don't know if my life is going to be easier because I'm out, but if it helps someone else, if it makes one young lad pick up the phone to ChildLine, then it will have been worth it.

'My parents, my family and my friends all love me and accept me for who I am, and even if the public are upset by this, I know the love of those people who mean the most to me will never change.

'I'm not going on a crusade, but I'm proud of who I am. I feel I have achieved everything I could ever possibly have hoped to achieve out of rugby, and I did it being gay.

'I want to send a positive message to other gay people that they can do it, too.'

*picture - via Attitude

Turkey: prosecutor considers lesbian love to be obscene

*Bianet

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office initiated an investigation on the book "The 'L' State of Love" by Burcu Ersoy which was part of the "From Women to Women Story Contest" carried out by the Kaos Gay and Lesbian Cultural Research and Solidarity Association (Kaos GL).

The prosecutor's office reasoned the investigation by claiming that lesbianism is "an unnatural sexual relation" and "obscene".

Zeliş Deniz, member of LambdaIstanbul, a Turkish LGBT organization advocating for LGBT people's human rights, objected to the given reason for the investigation: "In is unacceptable to consider and perceive lesbianism as "abnormal" in world that does not regard homosexuality as a disease".

"Erotic and pornographic publications for heterosexuals can be printed, but at the same time an investigation is initiated on a book telling love stories between women. This is nothing else but homophobia", Deniz added.

Publisher reacts to investigation
İrfan Sancı, owner of Sel Publishing where the book was published, announced on kaosgl.org, "The attempt of prosecuting our book for this reason is like ridiculing the the people's current state of mind".

The "From Women to Women Story Contest" was initiated by Kaos GL in the scope of the Meeting Against Homophobia organized for the 4th year. "The 'L' State of Love" was contributed by Burcu Ersoy and has been published at Sel Publishing in October this year.

In the investigation launched 10 weeks after the publication of the book, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office referred to a statement of publisher Sancı.

Sancı pointed out that the book was part of the story contest. He indicated, "There are no expressions in the book that remind of obscenity as defined by the law. On the contrary, it consists of naive stories of love between women with a literary concern". Sancı added that he does not agree with the prosecutor's findings.

The never-ending story of "public morality"
LamdaIstanbul member Deniz said that once more the "public morality" is put forward in the context of LGBT people in Turkey: "Discrimination against people who are not heterosexual arises again. We will experience this sort of investigations, the closure of associations and the confiscation of magazines if article 10 of the constitution on equality is not amended by including sexual orientation and gender identity".

Publisher Sancı is tried at the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance under the allegation of "spreading obscenity" regarding his publishing of the books "The Fairy's Pendulum" by Ben Mila, "The Amorous Exploits of a Young Rakehell" by Guillaume Apollinaire and "Letters of a Well-Mannered and Knowledgeable Bourgeois Women" by French writer P.V.

The Prime Ministry Board for the Protection of Children from Harmful Publications banned the novel "Third Class Women" by Anıl Alacaoğlu published by Minima Publishing. Saying that the book "harms children under the age of 18" the board decided for the sale and banned any advertisements regarding the book.

Retro and personal: Georgi Minasyan

It was back in the USSR. I was a teenager and on a river cruise summer vacation with my family (Volga-Don, Russia). There was this Armenian guy there. He was approximately my age, may be a year or so older. He was with a big group of either dancers or musicians, all Armenian. This guy started hitting on me. One of his lines was that I look like Georgi Minasyan :)

Georgi Minasyan was an Armenian pop star, very popular in Armenia; also in Russia. His sexuality was an open secret back then. Basically, it was hardly a secret. Everyone knew that he was gay, but no one cared about it. Georgi was popular and loved by Armenian public. He was our celebrity with lots of gossips surrounding his private life.

I do not really think that I looked like Georgi Minasyan back then. May be, just may be I somehow reminded that guy of Georgi Minasyan, but I think - above anything else - it was more of a coded way for him to tell me: ‘My gaydar recognised you’ ;)

Celebrating PINK's bday: first ever Armenian music video to feature gay love

PINK - 2yrs old :)



This video was made by Sharm holding as part of their first (2005) and pretty successful Yerevan-Moscow transit Armenian-Russian music project. It features diversity of love, including gay love. It's probably the first ever Armenian music video to feature a gay love... starring, among others, Mamikon, head of PINK Armenia, wearing traditional national Armenian costume (տարազով ադաթավոր... ;) Pay a particular attention to the segment 2.40 - 3.08 in the video. There is also a lesbian love scene at the beginning.

Always loved Irina Ponarovskaya. She was so different, stylish, elegant, and one of my favourites of 80s/90s Russian pop scene.

Celebrating PINK's bday: Mamikon and Miss Armenia 2006

PINK - 2yrs old :)



OK, this video may have nothing to do with PINK or things but you have to watch this. Here is our very versatile Mamikon, head of PINK Armenia, playing a straight 'Kazanova' with Miss Armenia 2006. Truly, diversity without limits ;)

Austria became the 18th country in Europe to legalise gay civil unions

Symbolically coincided with the International Human Rights Day - which calls to "embrace diversity and end discrimination" - Austrian parliament made an important decision today by providing a legal recognition for same-sex partners. Although not a full marriage rights (no adoption or artificial insemination rights), this is certainly a step in a right direction.

VIENNA (AP) -- Austria's parliament passed legislation Thursday allowing same-sex couples to enter into civil unions, a move hailed by proponents as a historic win for gay rights in the country. The bill, slated to become law Jan. 1, will give same-sex couples many of the rights enjoyed by their heterosexual counterparts, including access to a pension if one partner dies and alimony in the event of a split.

What all EU countries (and others) should and would eventually do is to follow the example of Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Norway, Sweden, and South Africa  in providing full and equal marriage rights.

Europe's main gay rights group ILGA-Europe welcomes this decision by the Austrian parliament.

On 10 December 2009, the International Human Rights day, the Austrian parliament passed a law on registered partnerships for same-sex partners. ILGA-Europe welcomes this development which makes Austria the 18th country in Europe which provides legal recognition for same-sex partners. The law will come into effect on 1 January 2010.

New EU anti-discrimination poster featuring Armenian activist Lilit Poghosyan

Lilit Poghosyan is a Programmes & Policy Officer at Europe’s main gay rights group - ILGA-Europe, and my dear friend. Earlier this year I posted about Lilit being chosen as the face for the European Commission campaign ‘For Diversity. Against Discrimination’. Here is the new poster featuring Lilit. (above, left)

The campaign’s work focuses on the five grounds of discrimination which are covered by two EU Directives:

The Employment Equality Directive protects everyone in the EU from discrimination based on age, disability, sexual orientation and religion or belief in the workplace.

The Racial Equality Directive prohibits discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin in the workplace as well as in other areas of life such as education, social security, healthcare and access to goods and services.

Measures to combat discrimination based on a person’s gender are covered by other EU initiatives.

For more about Lilit Poghosyan - read my earlier post here.

Introducing openly gay US Consular Chief in Tbilisi, Georgia

Gay Caucasus, Russian language LGBT blog, introduces newly appointed openly gay US Consular Chief in Tbilisi, Georgia - Patrick Wingate. Below is a brief biography of Patrick Wingate (in English), via US Department of State website.

Gay and Lesbian Pride Month:
Patrick Wingate

OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS

---

Office of Civil Rights
June 2009
Washington, DC

Patrick R. Wingate joined the Department of State as a consular-coned Foreign Service Officer in January 2004. He and his family served first in San Salvador, El Salvador and then in Zagreb, Croatia. Their next tour is Tbilisi, Georgia.

Before joining the Foreign Service Patrick worked for State and USAID from 1993 through 2003 in Russia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and he served as Washington-based program manager for USAID/OTI projects in Sierra Leone, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Patrick and his Canadian partner, Rami Shakra, were married in Canada in September 2003, and their two children Canaan and Maya were born in 2004 in Guatemala. The Shakra-Wingate Family proudly serves the United States of America abroad, and hopes to be a cultural example of the rich diversity and equality their country has to offer for all families, both foreign and domestic.

Gay women from Armenia and Georgia discuss cooperation

Five writers for the Armenian lesbian blog “Queering Yerevan” visited Tbilisi. They expressed the desire to cooperate with Inclusive’s women’s initiative group. The artists met several representatives of Inclusive’s Women’s Club and elaborated cooperation plans within the framework of both art initiatives and the first ever working meeting of lesbian and bisexual women in the South Caucasus.

*source: Me magazine 2009 No. 3 (12)

Georgia: LGBT posters

The outcome of LGBT postcards competition organised by the Inclusive Foundation LGBT NGO and Gay.ge initiative group are now available online. Below are selected samples which won 1st prizes. For more - see here.