THE MONTH IN A MINUTE
INDIA MOVES to end its ban on gay sex. The country’s Supreme Court rules that “privacy is a fundamental right for every Indian… Sexual orientation is an essential attribute of privacy. Discrimination against an individual on the basis of sexual orientation is deeply offensive to the dignity and self-worth of the individual.” Activists say it will result in gay sex being legalised.
THE POPE says that same-sex couples can only enter into civil unions, but not marriage. The comments came as Pope Francis reiterated his opposition to marriage equality during an interview with a French magazine. “Always in humanity, and not only within the Church, it’s between a man and a woman… we cannot change that,” he says.
THE OWNER OF PULSE GAY NIGHTCLUB in Orlando says it will reopen, but in a new venue. Barbara Poma tells the press that, “By reopening it, same name, the same format that we had, it just proves, you know, that hate will not win.” Forty-nine people were murdered at Pulse in June 2016 by Omar Mateen in a terror attack and anti-gay hate crime.
DISNEYLAND PARIS is forced to apologise after refusing to allow a 3-year-old English boy to get a Disney Princess Makeover. Noah hoped to be transformed into Elsa from the film Frozen as part of the park’s Princess For A Day experience but was barred because of his (assumed) gender. Disneyland Paris later responded to say they are sorry and that the decision by a member of staff, “is not reflective of any policy or belief held here at Disneyland Paris. We are going to ensure this does not happen again.”
AMERICA’S IVY LEAGUE universities report that increasing number of its male students are identifying as bisexual. As the college terms begin, surveys are taken at Harvard and Yale and results indicate that almost 8 percent identify as bisexual.
AN AMERICAN insurance company sends out letters to thousands of customers that inadvertently displays their HIV status through the front of the envelope. The mix up by Aetna Insurance meant that the first few lines of the letter, which discussed “HIV medication”, could be seen through the window of the envelope. According to reports, more than 12,000 of the letters were sent out. Activists say it not only breaches privacy laws, but could result in discrimination.
THE ITALIAN VERSION of the fashion magazine Vogue features two men kissing on its front cover. The striking image, on Vogue Italia’s September issue, runs with the caption, “It’s just a kiss”. Marriage equality and LGBT rights are a hot topic in the country where the Catholic Church has power and influence over politics.
SYDNEY THEATREGOERS are targeted by anti-gay thugs who slash their car tyres while they watch a performance of the gay play Holding The Man. The attacks happened
As a leading youth entertainment brand that supports inclusiveness and equal rights… MTV wants to encourage young Australians to get out and do their part in ensuring their voices are heard in the Australian Marriage Law postal vote.
– Simon Bates (pictured), Head of MTV Asia Pacific, on the channel’s decision to stop broadcasting for a day in August in support of marriage equality in Australia.