tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31883072311006583112024-03-19T04:48:15.610-04:00Ben Aquila's blogThis blog covers world political issues, mostly about LGBTQ news and rights, and other topics of my interest. Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.comBlogger2817125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-113796891814268202024-03-17T04:54:00.000-04:002024-03-17T04:54:32.177-04:00Japan high court says ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE03x1AqaNzR7mzOauv6aZHLUCMH-YAvzmUJqgizrDjZlD4diuXVBgxfBeIHc7bKFub4gMQlEb9yT8kvh75vIdc8djjVedL7KKyQ9B2ii4W3exrOayYladXNXoqQYuCOo04VYIqXwLwvVK7qfUVlgpaZPKfKqhQeNIyfibGR1dz6hUHnhUSy9ELnZKrnA/s400/gay%20marriage%20japan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE03x1AqaNzR7mzOauv6aZHLUCMH-YAvzmUJqgizrDjZlD4diuXVBgxfBeIHc7bKFub4gMQlEb9yT8kvh75vIdc8djjVedL7KKyQ9B2ii4W3exrOayYladXNXoqQYuCOo04VYIqXwLwvVK7qfUVlgpaZPKfKqhQeNIyfibGR1dz6hUHnhUSy9ELnZKrnA/w400-h300/gay%20marriage%20japan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2021/03/japan-court-rules-same-sex-marriage-ban.html" target="_blank">Japanese high court</a> ruled that denying same-sex marriage is unconstitutional and called for urgent government action to address the lack of any law allowing for such unions.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Sapporo High Court ruling said that <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2023/08/gay-japanese-assemblyman-call-on-japan.html" target="_blank">not allowing same-sex couples to marry</a> and enjoy the same benefits as straight couples violates their fundamental right to equality and freedom of marriage. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The case was brought by three same-sex couples who appealed three years ago after a lower court recognized the unconstitutionality of excluding same-sex couples from marriage equality.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Government offices may continue to deny marriage status to same-sex couples unless the existing law is revised to include LGBTQ couples or a new law is enacted that allows for other types of unions.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Japan is the only member of the Group of Seven nations that still excludes same-sex couples from the right to legally marry and receive spousal benefits. But <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2015/12/a-majority-of-japanese-support-gay.html" target="_blank">support for marriage equality has grown</a> among the Japanese public in recent years.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqk70evbKV7d4ir7QGwv67ORuygSj9T1jjJLciaW4TiLIVdn3oXkG5CgfqWijKYDOV6DK27nCwxiJnMoqqEdFnVpzzvmfbNarp4T16wVyfg-IpkpsnaFTZnCWOg2AFOL0Kbw5rtRR42AtdsoFb2izMGXS0BlGfadmX5TqD_BeJ6sftMRlvJJtcFhWKx4/s400/shibuya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="400" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqk70evbKV7d4ir7QGwv67ORuygSj9T1jjJLciaW4TiLIVdn3oXkG5CgfqWijKYDOV6DK27nCwxiJnMoqqEdFnVpzzvmfbNarp4T16wVyfg-IpkpsnaFTZnCWOg2AFOL0Kbw5rtRR42AtdsoFb2izMGXS0BlGfadmX5TqD_BeJ6sftMRlvJJtcFhWKx4/w400-h269/shibuya.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2023/02/its-time-to-marriage-for-all-in-japan.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: times;">It's time Japan!!!</span></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-44021236753434273052024-03-14T17:37:00.000-04:002024-03-14T17:37:05.952-04:00Congratulations Josh Cavallo!!!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvm8EU0Zy4UnjrWOW9ObjeX9ei_Bxv13Q8q4V5Y01YJ7vF0bqxK3wPQ1N8cDQKf1P6hzaMg0ocgFtZI-3wkGM962zTvzMM8ht3vDfTiLuGylxti3QiYQN_6mdGtGFx4DHxPqn7L20aHQol_fCH9nceUs-KUyYVRLanatAsnaKfrfBMIaBWx_LtbG8ML0/s1200/josh%20cavallo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1200" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvm8EU0Zy4UnjrWOW9ObjeX9ei_Bxv13Q8q4V5Y01YJ7vF0bqxK3wPQ1N8cDQKf1P6hzaMg0ocgFtZI-3wkGM962zTvzMM8ht3vDfTiLuGylxti3QiYQN_6mdGtGFx4DHxPqn7L20aHQol_fCH9nceUs-KUyYVRLanatAsnaKfrfBMIaBWx_LtbG8ML0/w400-h280/josh%20cavallo.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2021/10/australian-soccer-star-becomes-only.html" target="_blank">Josh Cavallo</a> proposed to his boyfriend on the soccer pitch and he said ‘Yes!’</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Australian soccer star is the only openly gay male professional player in the world.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Congratulations!!!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1rt9EEn2NaJoTcT0J88_UzTpcXZEafoqg_fWODlSQS-z3PlDSFNAPj2vO5E45mO1RgwYxvbCTBjf6dSEA4s6z8v71b9_Gof2f7mwIzkddF3SoOdkzzLP0aPtTonZdCbnhtWb3lz0egXG25MKM8n_s7aWdYD8KzoU8XEnR64YA7uQi5eu57h5j419B0s/s979/josh-cavallo-and-leighton-morrell.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="784" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1rt9EEn2NaJoTcT0J88_UzTpcXZEafoqg_fWODlSQS-z3PlDSFNAPj2vO5E45mO1RgwYxvbCTBjf6dSEA4s6z8v71b9_Gof2f7mwIzkddF3SoOdkzzLP0aPtTonZdCbnhtWb3lz0egXG25MKM8n_s7aWdYD8KzoU8XEnR64YA7uQi5eu57h5j419B0s/w320-h400/josh-cavallo-and-leighton-morrell.webp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Josh Cavallo and his partner Leighton Morrell</span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-351415132443400792024-03-13T18:46:00.000-04:002024-03-13T18:46:23.142-04:00Florida students and teachers can finally 'say gay' in classrooms<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvfk34pRxlp64ieS6kBJWGeWFqxR45uOFJZNVAi6ZJQLQ7CohKtyr4SJbVOBnnBDd6TK5tkdYf4vooqkJZ1hxJgGaf31l65PpcffW_KO2i4cZdA0qcdB84YWINmqtE-9cr_U7sn1Q9RCRyYwWJeYrY87uqnw0HVdlmuMaiwo6ThCkTxEaOYqhed27yqc/s780/saygay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="780" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvfk34pRxlp64ieS6kBJWGeWFqxR45uOFJZNVAi6ZJQLQ7CohKtyr4SJbVOBnnBDd6TK5tkdYf4vooqkJZ1hxJgGaf31l65PpcffW_KO2i4cZdA0qcdB84YWINmqtE-9cr_U7sn1Q9RCRyYwWJeYrY87uqnw0HVdlmuMaiwo6ThCkTxEaOYqhed27yqc/w400-h225/saygay.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Students and teachers will be able to speak freely about sexual orientation and gender identity in <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2022/08/its-time-to-change-florida.html" target="_blank">Florida</a> classrooms, provided it’s not part of instruction, under a settlement reached between Florida education officials and civil rights attorneys who had challenged the Parental Rights in Education Act.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The settlement clarifies what is allowed in Florida classrooms following passage two years ago of the law prohibiting instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Opponents, who dubbed the law “<a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2022/02/biden-administration-condemns-floridas.html" target="_blank">Don't Say Gay</a>,”said it created confusion about whether teachers could identity themselves as LGBTQ or if they even could have rainbow stickers in classrooms.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">While the law remains in effect, its interpretation has been significantly altered. The law now clearly states that discussions related to sexual orientation and gender identity are permissible in educational settings. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Under the terms of the settlement, the Florida Board of Education will send instructions to every school district saying the <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2023/03/president-biden-denounces-florida.html" target="_blank">Florida</a> law doesn't prohibit discussing LGBTQ people, nor prevent anti-bullying rules on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or disallow Gay-Straight Alliance groups. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The settlement also spells out that the law is neutral, meaning what applies to LGBTQ people also applies to heterosexual people, and that it doesn't apply to library books not being used for instruction in the classroom.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsksG2vV_7FGgqXIc7R3L5xriqsSfYt9VAMgDnb-0tBqFQLYyG9RVTF2OYqaj94k8r-0z05LDaA7mYTDbd1xBY93HHGKp1lOPg3fBHkjevLcAoF6XiLv9XVsldZcglq1mQH1qhnVD0-kuaR2XX_pKV5ytUucCkgicDGz01-T34PK7B7lh9l7bsZtEkMDE/s399/desantis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="399" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsksG2vV_7FGgqXIc7R3L5xriqsSfYt9VAMgDnb-0tBqFQLYyG9RVTF2OYqaj94k8r-0z05LDaA7mYTDbd1xBY93HHGKp1lOPg3fBHkjevLcAoF6XiLv9XVsldZcglq1mQH1qhnVD0-kuaR2XX_pKV5ytUucCkgicDGz01-T34PK7B7lh9l7bsZtEkMDE/w400-h266/desantis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2024/03/ron-desantis-let-us-live-in-florida.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: times;">Let Us Live!!!</span></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-58154939324867150252024-03-11T19:04:00.001-04:002024-03-11T19:07:18.687-04:00France approves bill to rehabilitate people convicted of homosexuality<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKWQ1HWK4dUwDTAk8Zae8zGWD5WpeACKQtVEWbm0jUXx_SQOMJH6xLUAHmmRZliAS3RPjixab39RXGpbP3UJkkO_dK67fjxfxlEGhWpEBxxbdpzGmWa62PPKSG0W1m3xwHn3RUFhS1QHAqlPJ_C2Su8incl5Rvfgq7IjK28PWy5UiUZvWqjop8M_RyDE/s460/france%20assemble.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="460" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvKWQ1HWK4dUwDTAk8Zae8zGWD5WpeACKQtVEWbm0jUXx_SQOMJH6xLUAHmmRZliAS3RPjixab39RXGpbP3UJkkO_dK67fjxfxlEGhWpEBxxbdpzGmWa62PPKSG0W1m3xwHn3RUFhS1QHAqlPJ_C2Su8incl5Rvfgq7IjK28PWy5UiUZvWqjop8M_RyDE/w400-h268/france%20assemble.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2022/08/france-to-create-ambassador-role-to.html" target="_blank">France's</a> Assemblée Nationale unanimously voted for a bill intended to recognize and compensate homosexual people for the damage caused by discriminatory laws in force between 1942 and 1982.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The anti-gay law was originally introduced by the Vichy government during World War Two, when France was occupied by Nazi Germany. The new bill proposes to reimburse people who were fined for homosexual crimes, and it will also compensate anyone imprisoned for being gay.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Assemblée reintroduced the principle of financial compensation for people convicted of homosexuality, and the creation of a commission to rule on requests for financial compensation.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti asked for forgiveness for those discriminated against: "It is high time to say this evening in the name of the <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2013/04/france-14th-country-where-same-sex.html" target="_blank">French Republic</a>: sorry, sorry to the people, the homosexuals of France who suffered 40 years of this completely iniquitous repression. Our Republic is never more beautiful than when it recognizes that it has lost the thread of its founding principles: liberty, equality and fraternity," he declared.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">An estimated 10,000 people, mostly gay men, were convicted between 1942 and 1982. Many of those convicted are now dead or very old, meaning few are likely to come forward for any reparations. It is estimated that 200 to 400 people could be eligible for compensation.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Recently, President Emmanuel Macron named <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2024/01/france-gets-its-youngest-and-first.html" target="_blank">Gabriel Attal</a> France’s new prime minister, making history in the process because he is the youngest and the first openly gay man to serve in the role.</span></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbIjx5Ec_HXApPqLp5mtsJAN_j_Ibdxt8fExiXQDs7cpZF2Q4kQkvWuJRPIPYHMqqYzZDjjiaAjzmcfgiCI7gO5XvjkB9fV15WHgtyy4M5UGsefc4PElGTszCvXtCJbQrvl4OUpPGXTMxdR3VBeMM6WnjjLUG7XaA5h9VhqDUogZm-BLcbgIxbeJEgKw/s320/France%20says%20OUI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbIjx5Ec_HXApPqLp5mtsJAN_j_Ibdxt8fExiXQDs7cpZF2Q4kQkvWuJRPIPYHMqqYzZDjjiaAjzmcfgiCI7gO5XvjkB9fV15WHgtyy4M5UGsefc4PElGTszCvXtCJbQrvl4OUpPGXTMxdR3VBeMM6WnjjLUG7XaA5h9VhqDUogZm-BLcbgIxbeJEgKw/w400-h268/France%20says%20OUI.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-37688010060502572822024-03-08T12:12:00.007-05:002024-03-08T12:14:31.758-05:00Most LGBTQ voters in the U.S. prefer President Biden to Trump<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXP9AOnuyHsS86FmoI3iM97v-sh7PRVdAC7QG5qcDN7saBarSM1RNwzWksVjs0s-KOrobTun_Yyx6EYh7FzyLwxGYgLTm0yeUHrqdIRGnLTEQzUvXrexQy91IcOUr2iZ39Rnckoj6QaqQ0hTHD2F_eoywqLFWuwgbJOSpnsrgIUYztUDSZCLHmUMGKf9s/s400/biden.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXP9AOnuyHsS86FmoI3iM97v-sh7PRVdAC7QG5qcDN7saBarSM1RNwzWksVjs0s-KOrobTun_Yyx6EYh7FzyLwxGYgLTm0yeUHrqdIRGnLTEQzUvXrexQy91IcOUr2iZ39Rnckoj6QaqQ0hTHD2F_eoywqLFWuwgbJOSpnsrgIUYztUDSZCLHmUMGKf9s/w400-h266/biden.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">LGBTQ Americans are highly motivated to vote in November, with a majority preferring <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2021/02/president-biden-calls-for-protecting.html" target="_blank">President Joe Biden</a> to <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2017/07/trump-doesnt-want-transgender-soldiers.html" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a> according to polling result released by <a href="https://glaad.org/election-2024-voter-poll/" target="_blank">GLAAD</a>.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The survey asked 1,000 LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ registered voters about how likely they are to vote in the 2024 presidential election and other key campaign issues. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Among the poll’s key findings, 83 percent of registered LGBTQ voters said they would definitely vote in November, while 11 percent said they probably would. More than half of those voters said they prefer the Democratic incumbent, with 68 percent indicating they would likely vote for <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2021/01/biden-reverses-trumps-trans-military-ban.html" target="_blank">President Biden</a> versus 15 percent who said they prefer <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2024/01/president-biden-eliminates-denial-of.html" target="_blank">Trump</a>.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The polling results found that likely voters who identify as LGBTQ in seven key battleground states (Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin) prefer <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2021/02/president-biden-calls-for-protecting.html" target="_blank">Joe Biden</a> to <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2023/04/new-trumps-attack-on-lgbtq-rights.html" target="_blank">Trump</a> by more than 57 percentage points.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">In his recent State of the Union address, <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2022/10/president-biden-calls-out-bans-on-trans.html" target="_blank">President Joe Biden</a> referred some important issues on LGBTQ topics.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2023/04/president-biden-criticizes-republican.html" target="_blank">President Biden</a> called against the recent surge in book bans, stating, “Banning books... It’s wrong!” This declaration was a rebuke of attempts to censor educational materials, with Biden emphasizing the importance of confronting history to forge a better future: “Instead of erasing history, let’s make history!”</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2022/10/president-biden-calls-out-bans-on-trans.html" target="_blank">President Biden</a> also addressed the challenges faced by transgender Americans, reaffirming his commitment to their rights and dignity in the face of escalating hostility. “To all the transgender Americans watching at home, especially the young people, you are so brave. I want you to know your president has your back,” he declared.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">With both the U.S. House and Senate up for grabs in 2024, LGBTQ voters could also play a key role in Congressional elections this year.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZBIdt1VmqedPWRMXG18QHIw2vMhPQw0FcVJ_cc_8bPwQ4z64XG7dKYcylkVAMGOhuyQUUWVSCg5Fe7t-Y2qONKgGRz3ld53qpHYxj95u5VTFqqI5oHil8IR1XJUlE5tYCACjh5pO45jqzwxfAijeNjKiB-7afF_84RDVWRHbGITgqefuR7hEb3-t_p0/s563/4-450x563.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZBIdt1VmqedPWRMXG18QHIw2vMhPQw0FcVJ_cc_8bPwQ4z64XG7dKYcylkVAMGOhuyQUUWVSCg5Fe7t-Y2qONKgGRz3ld53qpHYxj95u5VTFqqI5oHil8IR1XJUlE5tYCACjh5pO45jqzwxfAijeNjKiB-7afF_84RDVWRHbGITgqefuR7hEb3-t_p0/s320/4-450x563.jpg" width="256" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6PtBPKRlAJGoL5noh-DzzV-xSc0QQjW9BGZcGbm70Y9mXm3r3Q5kctZmTyDEgx_OvajM4_tWM2mElgFiMAASXVRkfBJNraSLmmsvO4G0fU_CAHPJfTd2oS4PK1LJEP9vOXXo5iE0wXJzIMyX8w1s6aQWOHJlxXxfCNGwTt7b4kyZ3JfoF0goGedxtMU/s563/2-450x563.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6PtBPKRlAJGoL5noh-DzzV-xSc0QQjW9BGZcGbm70Y9mXm3r3Q5kctZmTyDEgx_OvajM4_tWM2mElgFiMAASXVRkfBJNraSLmmsvO4G0fU_CAHPJfTd2oS4PK1LJEP9vOXXo5iE0wXJzIMyX8w1s6aQWOHJlxXxfCNGwTt7b4kyZ3JfoF0goGedxtMU/s320/2-450x563.jpg" width="256" /></a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-8074451117344662372024-03-06T16:30:00.002-05:002024-03-06T16:30:41.750-05:00HRW requires Ghana President to veto anti-LGBTQ bill<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBSLa6TDwbta7UdkglpoNXVpP0nwKYJfLKFEO6UM1L8rv9X2M9Q5qIePblfB8cnGGme6md_StA_BlwS3zbfMi7XAW61eZqaK-KkQIpqx9OHZrCqlJl7kWvvFp8rDtRcolL-GptIsDTBJuCgYq2VdkkQPkd-odcfqNvynCnFdzEa3HnVLnDgsEJ8lSt14/s818/2h3012w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="818" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBSLa6TDwbta7UdkglpoNXVpP0nwKYJfLKFEO6UM1L8rv9X2M9Q5qIePblfB8cnGGme6md_StA_BlwS3zbfMi7XAW61eZqaK-KkQIpqx9OHZrCqlJl7kWvvFp8rDtRcolL-GptIsDTBJuCgYq2VdkkQPkd-odcfqNvynCnFdzEa3HnVLnDgsEJ8lSt14/w400-h245/2h3012w.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/03/05/ghana-president-should-veto-anti-lgbt-bill" target="_blank">Human Rights Watch</a> required <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2024/03/no-way-ghana.html" target="_blank">Ghana</a> President Nana Akufo-Addo to unequivocally reject The Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021 and refuse to sign it. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2021/08/more-restricted-anti-lgbt-bill-is.html" target="_blank">The bill</a> was passed last month by the parliament making it illegal to identify as LGBTQ in Ghana. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Under the passed bill, anyone identifying as LGBTQ could face up to three years in prison, while anyone who forms or funds LGBTQ groups could face up to 5 years in prison. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The bill awaits assent by the president before it becomes law. However, Akufo-Addo said his government will wait for a Supreme Court ruling before taking action on the bill. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2023/03/kamala-harris-supports-africas-lgbtq.html" target="_blank">LGBTQ people</a> in Ghana have historically faced serious human rights abuses including discrimination, and they are living in constant fear of being attacked in public because of their sexual orientation. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2024/03/no-way-ghana.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: times;">No way, Ghana!!!</span></a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-68641333702113807032024-03-03T02:49:00.002-05:002024-03-03T02:49:39.369-05:00Ron DeSantis, Let Us Live in Florida!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcK0gtJUb4NagB8U-inqdATHSGcvzwXSbwpgSWHtvmruAnnV4iZXTAyl1UK_7M80M8YRYl2rF21J_HN7Ij1_-hSmjXDNvj0MQhu-_-JgIhVAF_3DUxB2vWR_aVDUN8jmc8b-0CXH9xIbMmNiUX-n5hFwhMwuDmBWuXSkCeeTP5lwaT8rvaZl8yLFmEFjY/s1200/let%20us%20live.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcK0gtJUb4NagB8U-inqdATHSGcvzwXSbwpgSWHtvmruAnnV4iZXTAyl1UK_7M80M8YRYl2rF21J_HN7Ij1_-hSmjXDNvj0MQhu-_-JgIhVAF_3DUxB2vWR_aVDUN8jmc8b-0CXH9xIbMmNiUX-n5hFwhMwuDmBWuXSkCeeTP5lwaT8rvaZl8yLFmEFjY/w400-h225/let%20us%20live.webp" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Transgender activists from across <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2022/08/its-time-to-change-florida.html" target="_blank">Florida</a> marched on the state Capitol with a simple demand: “<a href="https://www.eqfl.org/?fbclid=IwAR3beGGyypWywb1-NxGpfufgMjNESqFFyv5cuqfESoUYlsqu7PFZ7NQRBUc" target="_blank">Let Us Live!</a>”</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">At a rally on the steps outside the building, LGBTQ leaders and progressive lawmakers slammed legislation HB1639 threatening to erase trans identities. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">If passed, the legislation could reportedly make it easier for health insurance providers to refuse to offer gender-affirming care for trans people. It might also require medical insurers that cover transition procedures to cover “de-transitioning”.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">In addition, the proposed law would mandate that state-issued IDs, such as driving licences, display the person’s sex assigned at birth in <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2022/02/biden-administration-condemns-floridas.html" target="_blank">Florida</a>. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Beyond fighting transphobic bills, trans leaders and allies also promised to seek office and sit more queer lawmakers in the halls of the Capitol to fight <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2023/03/republican-desantis-wants-to-expand.html" target="_blank">Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis</a>’ anti-LGBTQ policies.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2023/03/president-biden-denounces-florida.html" target="_blank">Florida</a> has become infamous for passing anti-LGBTQ legislation, with the “<a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2022/02/florida-house-passes-dont-say-gay-bill.html" target="_blank">Don’t Say Gay</a>” law affecting classrooms across the state. The <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2023/12/republican-file-bill-to-ban-pride-flags.html" target="_blank">Republican Floridian lawmakers</a> have also tried to ban public drag performances, as well as bar trans people from using public toilets consistent with their gender.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Not one step back in Florida!!!</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0z1r_iyDqiZZwP2Ni3NPvypYmW31zeuPX4FXsIZA1pPxOn-aG3ihFGvG7AxGbFpRl177_Ky8m_kzP9LmnDCL3hGL5N5Gsj_J4jbTygMu572XreCQ51DLgLGHHOAomqc8mfhPCKz5KeVopfNBCD0Rd8O3o0URT3ZcJt0cvWX5BjglrG2S4hVrgk6_lFs/s980/kill%20hb1639.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="980" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0z1r_iyDqiZZwP2Ni3NPvypYmW31zeuPX4FXsIZA1pPxOn-aG3ihFGvG7AxGbFpRl177_Ky8m_kzP9LmnDCL3hGL5N5Gsj_J4jbTygMu572XreCQ51DLgLGHHOAomqc8mfhPCKz5KeVopfNBCD0Rd8O3o0URT3ZcJt0cvWX5BjglrG2S4hVrgk6_lFs/w400-h225/kill%20hb1639.webp" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-24315028996705123232024-03-01T03:01:00.003-05:002024-03-01T03:01:59.052-05:00No way, Ghana!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYfc2-FklDIxCBExf6kWacFMhNTqCUWTrg-kq8Bq6seZTvcDGeSkeVirvG93H_p86u_TsAiM1CoVo3s_XOBD0762SSUDjcva55n3nqA9pzW8I_2Qo865yl6y8gg2a-3bPZRGa-C4XX09N4GhMeF1o2yqvfSB3vw0g1EJw-bknxyZCgkNdDOL0qep0eo4/s1200/ghana%20lgbtq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYfc2-FklDIxCBExf6kWacFMhNTqCUWTrg-kq8Bq6seZTvcDGeSkeVirvG93H_p86u_TsAiM1CoVo3s_XOBD0762SSUDjcva55n3nqA9pzW8I_2Qo865yl6y8gg2a-3bPZRGa-C4XX09N4GhMeF1o2yqvfSB3vw0g1EJw-bknxyZCgkNdDOL0qep0eo4/w400-h210/ghana%20lgbtq.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2021/03/lgbt-people-in-ghana-live-in-constant.html" target="_blank">Ghana</a>'s parliament has passed a tough new bill that imposes a prison sentence of up to three years for anyone convicted of identifying as LGBTQ. </span><span style="font-family: times;">It also imposes a maximum five-year jail term for forming or funding LGBTQ+ groups.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It is the latest sign of growing opposition to LGBTQ rights in the conservative West African nation. </span><span style="font-family: times;">Gay sex is already against the law in Ghana - it carries a three-year prison sentence.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The bill, which had the backing of Ghana's two major political parties, will come into effect only if President Nana Akufo-Addo signs it into law.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Last month <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/africa/ghana/report-ghana/" target="_blank">Amnesty International</a> warned that the bill "poses significant threats to the fundamental rights and freedoms" of LGBTQ people.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Also </span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=27137&LangID=E" target="_blank">United Nations rights experts</a> condemned arbitrary arrest of LGBT human rights defenders in Ghana and urged their release.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Activists fear there will now be witch-hunts against members of the LGBTQ community and those who campaign for their rights, and say some will have to go into hiding.</span></p><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">In many African countries LGBT people may be stigmatised and excluded from society. Many are forced to hide their identities in fear of their safety.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Across <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2021/12/lgbt-rights-and-issues-in-sub-saharan.html" target="_blank">sub-Saharan Africa</a>, legal discrimination is, in part, a legacy of <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2018/04/a-petition-calls-on-commonwealth.html" target="_blank">colonial-era laws</a>. Many governments have not taken steps to reform these laws.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Read a report <a href="https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9408/CBP-9408.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0_ia1LttAs7H4A33e5GcATV6pX2g4S3tiUqKaA_zG5dsvoEcGp-foUqa8teyCaXU9I6QPk59JnnWijn_vyiI9mrUVciEx6Xz2KeFl8eo20EkcTsk-4AVPlfAnVRxuog240N7Car5rJpzf6c-MVYGt9u-sQU5qU-D_YAfxI6-vSG0BlEj8bx6BVOY_vk/s400/Gay-rights-Africa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="321" data-original-width="400" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0_ia1LttAs7H4A33e5GcATV6pX2g4S3tiUqKaA_zG5dsvoEcGp-foUqa8teyCaXU9I6QPk59JnnWijn_vyiI9mrUVciEx6Xz2KeFl8eo20EkcTsk-4AVPlfAnVRxuog240N7Car5rJpzf6c-MVYGt9u-sQU5qU-D_YAfxI6-vSG0BlEj8bx6BVOY_vk/w400-h321/Gay-rights-Africa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-77634338603505516362024-02-28T10:07:00.010-05:002024-03-01T02:26:03.644-05:0028% of Gen Z identify as LGBTQ in the U.S.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBJ43otj1CjR1kkD9LCj2ebpG1kC8DAuXel0rc0ywPKi9DHN2yPLLEP2roGT-eUB0-BDBBmOKNsIEedfMz0Tqqt0OoARHW2wo-VXHJ5kMx6r8CY6Iy95nv2dym3QTzyjoW2pqLkYy98o2v03daatogrTUYWwBWPUKPQ9bzFWPOrerPEwuZYzi6f5fP0g/s1600/genZ.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBJ43otj1CjR1kkD9LCj2ebpG1kC8DAuXel0rc0ywPKi9DHN2yPLLEP2roGT-eUB0-BDBBmOKNsIEedfMz0Tqqt0OoARHW2wo-VXHJ5kMx6r8CY6Iy95nv2dym3QTzyjoW2pqLkYy98o2v03daatogrTUYWwBWPUKPQ9bzFWPOrerPEwuZYzi6f5fP0g/w400-h200/genZ.webp" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The report, titled “A political and cultural glimpse into America’s future,” released by the <a href="https://www.prri.org/" target="_blank">Public Religion Research Institute</a>, sought to highlight the cultural and political views of Gen Z adults, compared with older Americans. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">About 20% of Americans are Gen Z, which the survey’s researchers specify as those ages 18 to 25, </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">28 percent of Z adults in the U.S. identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, dwarfing the percentages of LGBTQ Americans in older age groups, according to a report </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The report found about 10% of all adults, 16% of millennials, 7% of Generation X, 4% of baby boomers and 4% of the Silent Generation identify as LGBTQ. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Besides, 20 percent of Gen Z adults say they have personally experienced hostility or discrimination based on their race, age, gender or gender expression, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Check the report <a href="https://www.prri.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/PRRI-Jan-2024-Gen-Z-Draft.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsAHoIQvFyHfhdwlUSaKLAdaGI9fu8LjcrecicnWBmYDoPF_EngVaX7MXC4CjXLBz-Q-R1HXhTqw0sWumq_9dqWcJz2MeFWRC87MGrbGJWFIWP3GwwkmynYf0tIxTpAk4LpT5rbVtzf5WAmRfKn7V0PuD8xKiMyN-iJsMpJ8q03pFyaO_GaWEcwifgeA/s1003/PRII.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="1003" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsAHoIQvFyHfhdwlUSaKLAdaGI9fu8LjcrecicnWBmYDoPF_EngVaX7MXC4CjXLBz-Q-R1HXhTqw0sWumq_9dqWcJz2MeFWRC87MGrbGJWFIWP3GwwkmynYf0tIxTpAk4LpT5rbVtzf5WAmRfKn7V0PuD8xKiMyN-iJsMpJ8q03pFyaO_GaWEcwifgeA/w400-h175/PRII.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-22488208515538074422024-02-26T07:50:00.000-05:002024-02-26T07:50:23.951-05:00New trailer of Challengers, starring Zendaya<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXfSpFTo7hr_-Do__jBkYL2MBt9yi0sUi6rv6KukZTUxo1lYD5g6-8mR466a26ulujxFYcyMyUThA7lJu7xL9Cn4VSC_OrXGbzUmivWqa-AQyWpD_F-Q5-Upjys7Pzt_paDC6V2kOaSFbn4BP2GyMM12jR4gvXIXVLru8ciid0tsPwMBV8CFv5cYunR8/s1920/challengers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXfSpFTo7hr_-Do__jBkYL2MBt9yi0sUi6rv6KukZTUxo1lYD5g6-8mR466a26ulujxFYcyMyUThA7lJu7xL9Cn4VSC_OrXGbzUmivWqa-AQyWpD_F-Q5-Upjys7Pzt_paDC6V2kOaSFbn4BP2GyMM12jR4gvXIXVLru8ciid0tsPwMBV8CFv5cYunR8/w400-h225/challengers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The new trailer of Challengers, a queer romantic sports comedy, starring <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2020/08/is-euphoria-most-shocking-teen-tv.html" target="_blank">Zendaya</a> (Euphoria), <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2018/02/gods-own-country.html" target="_blank">Josh O’Connor</a> (The Crown), and Mike Faist (West Side Story), has been released.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Directed by film director Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name) and written by American playwright and novelist Justin Kuritzkes. In the film Zendaya, O’Connor, and Faist play members of a love triangle.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The synopsis reads, “Tennis player turned coach Tashi (Zendaya) has taken her husband, Art (Mike Faist), and transformed him into a world-famous grand slam champion. To jolt him out of his recent losing streak, she makes him play a “Challenger” event —close to the lowest level of pro tournament— where he finds himself standing across the net from his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend (Josh O’Connor).”</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Challengers is scheduled to be released in the United States on April 26, 2024, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer through Amazon MGM Studios.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Watch the trailer below:</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gr6-E3S1a_c" width="320" youtube-src-id="gr6-E3S1a_c"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-28515409711326516262024-02-24T04:49:00.000-05:002024-02-24T04:49:38.484-05:0037 schools across Ireland awarded for completing LGBTQ+ Quality Mark programme<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wXvLdSqD0O3k3hCMv0jYWYMv2IIUzn-FcFImacQ9mUNok4UvgngYqne7o8MQNpchAf6CASxjXAcudlhC0Jag11Dre-QrD7TRp9zW6uBPAFJ-oRZxTBlHmXykI2GZuY10v6GJ1-kZECsettuVqPSZvoI5jjd8gKdj1W1kpMh22B4Sstn03qm3lKCrOng/s960/belongto.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="960" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wXvLdSqD0O3k3hCMv0jYWYMv2IIUzn-FcFImacQ9mUNok4UvgngYqne7o8MQNpchAf6CASxjXAcudlhC0Jag11Dre-QrD7TRp9zW6uBPAFJ-oRZxTBlHmXykI2GZuY10v6GJ1-kZECsettuVqPSZvoI5jjd8gKdj1W1kpMh22B4Sstn03qm3lKCrOng/w400-h210/belongto.webp" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">37 schools across <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2023/09/ireland-deeply-concerned-about-rise-in.html" target="_blank">Ireland</a> have been awarded for championing LGBTQ+ inclusion. The post-primary institutions are the first cohort to complete <a href="https://www.belongto.org/support-for-someone-else/at-school/post-primary/lgbtq-quality-mark/" target="_blank">Belong To LGBTQ+ Quality Mark</a> programme, and received their accreditation.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The initiative saw the participating schools supported in implementing evidence-based actions across key areas, which have been proven to benefit the wellbeing and safety of LGBTQ+ students. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">These include ensuring that staff are equipped to support queer pupils, creating a safe and inclusive school culture and environment with student input, developing and implementing effective policies, plans and curriculums that champion diversity and respect, and working with parents, community organisations and LGBTQ+ youth projects or groups to promote inclusion.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Moninne Griffith, CEO of <a href="https://www.belongto.org/" target="_blank">Belong To</a>, stated: “Today is about celebrating 37 brilliant schools who have shown leadership and outstanding commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion through participation in the LGBTQ+ Quality Mark. I want to thank the entire school community in each of these schools and, in particular, recognise the incredible efforts of each LGBTQ+ Quality Mark Coordinator and Principal. Thank you for showing up for LGBTQ+ students and for demonstrating commitment, courage and leadership. Congratulations on being the first schools in Ireland to receive the LGBTQ+ Quality Mark!”</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Congratulations!!!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98MbeD2G7MvcYQWDczpr3PrPCgvO5j9NGBU9poNknuALRYO147xUHXgNNyRG0pYqWdOGcWw7W5B-wx19N3ddWkFIq80HYeKPod2evhcv906TZO1fGAR0BV27ST6LNo5zL8ncyEPUHhjO7nY_v5CjafR6bLHkf4G0c4WecmMKPxuoFwtM1BZI9Va0skeU/s600/School_Belong_To.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98MbeD2G7MvcYQWDczpr3PrPCgvO5j9NGBU9poNknuALRYO147xUHXgNNyRG0pYqWdOGcWw7W5B-wx19N3ddWkFIq80HYeKPod2evhcv906TZO1fGAR0BV27ST6LNo5zL8ncyEPUHhjO7nY_v5CjafR6bLHkf4G0c4WecmMKPxuoFwtM1BZI9Va0skeU/w400-h225/School_Belong_To.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p></p>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-42703182656114849672024-02-22T17:52:00.001-05:002024-02-22T17:53:43.810-05:00Congratulations Vanity Fair for the anniversary... and for Keoghan's appearance<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWs94oR9MQRSqQ1riu1aA0FLQVq8UoiLzNFfv0n-TRaGU_pfb-MUqrMQb64kGMoYm8QNFCDMmqpnIF8eGmlVj6886h3EVKcsO_gn-hUheSafLDwtYyZ5Eg-vJiPoq7Ktw51OhzyV3DX63D6ldDeW1Rz_L-Z-5EVtkzuO7jMLPt4NSSwU1iPLN1BDW8SQ/s790/vanityfair30.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="790" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWs94oR9MQRSqQ1riu1aA0FLQVq8UoiLzNFfv0n-TRaGU_pfb-MUqrMQb64kGMoYm8QNFCDMmqpnIF8eGmlVj6886h3EVKcsO_gn-hUheSafLDwtYyZ5Eg-vJiPoq7Ktw51OhzyV3DX63D6ldDeW1Rz_L-Z-5EVtkzuO7jMLPt4NSSwU1iPLN1BDW8SQ/w400-h211/vanityfair30.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">For the 30th annual Hollywood issue of Vanity Fair, the publication created an in-motion cover featuring several A-list Hollywood stars. The cover includes Bradley Cooper, Natalie Portman, Pedro Pascal, Colman Domingo, Jodie Foster, Lily Gladstone, Greta Lee, Charles Melton, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Jenna Ortega, and Barry Keoghan.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Keoghan’s in-motion Vanity Fair cover appearance is standing out for obvious reasons: the actor appears bare-ass naked in it. After making a huge splash with his performance as Oliver Quick in <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2024/01/saltburn-much-more-than-queer-thriller.html" target="_blank">Saltburn</a>, Keoghan has been having a moment as The Internet’s Boyfriend. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Congratulations Vanity Fair!!!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Watch the Vanity Fair's cover below:</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyRIU89mEGYoEQ_H-Z19igh6lRs0_SurWvNjNloihhTSjbNCj0xgpg6_8gJA7oBMFwnfmS8UwqcCVujDQiEzg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-39195614987134003092024-02-21T06:18:00.001-05:002024-02-21T06:18:58.335-05:00'Close to you' with Elliot Page<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0Zgk1gAnf7HH_iMg27ewjMfWn1MyGPDkFYu85p0ann4rqX0gM31euqZDG0Ax3Qkj2qo3aLyVD2d-ZRMRVKC4UD28kPNblOSIH5425s6pe7DQnO6yF9aBtk2uz8hIo13l00mQuiaCwyzHbCklAwcJy3rSM8YgsXhMPJ3zj_3JaxE65aRAPFLHOQKUY9g/s3800/close.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2280" data-original-width="3800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0Zgk1gAnf7HH_iMg27ewjMfWn1MyGPDkFYu85p0ann4rqX0gM31euqZDG0Ax3Qkj2qo3aLyVD2d-ZRMRVKC4UD28kPNblOSIH5425s6pe7DQnO6yF9aBtk2uz8hIo13l00mQuiaCwyzHbCklAwcJy3rSM8YgsXhMPJ3zj_3JaxE65aRAPFLHOQKUY9g/w400-h240/close.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Close to You</i> is Dominic Savage and and <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2020/12/ellen-page-comes-out-as-trans-and-his.html" target="_blank">Elliot Page</a>’s improvisational drama about a transgender man named Sam (Page) who, after being invited to his ageing father’s birthday party, makes his way back to his small home town for the first time since coming out.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">His well-meaning family try to make him feel welcome, but misgendering and mistakes follow. It’s a story that those in the LGBTQ community know all too well, but there is a salvation: Sam manages to reconnect with his closest friend from school days, played Hillary Baack, in a moving reunion.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">With an honest and fully felt performance, Page shows us Sam’s fraught process of trying to reconnect with the people he grew apart from as he became more himself, and coping with the dread of returning to a space that never felt fully welcoming to begin with. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Watch the interview below:</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eJtRyg5U44U" width="320" youtube-src-id="eJtRyg5U44U"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-17945094184685770742024-02-16T19:45:00.008-05:002024-02-17T17:20:33.093-05:00Greece approves same-sex marriage and adoption<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQXVe9CLk3hB94J4hoyJFCIyDc24TdX4r70tnRfUlLuKOtomVw13nBxo3KlC6SwCg2ylX1Ip4cyqgyBu9DUN7Vvit2VMbkizrnL6OLR5XZBp7CrTm2rYnVH7uWNffr5dG_f5CmiCrDvX5WUhZ_APcYfK70pFAfvyM9JM1ZExs_xuH5SCDPKiOcLchV48/s2560/Greece-approves-same-sex-marriage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1707" data-original-width="2560" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQXVe9CLk3hB94J4hoyJFCIyDc24TdX4r70tnRfUlLuKOtomVw13nBxo3KlC6SwCg2ylX1Ip4cyqgyBu9DUN7Vvit2VMbkizrnL6OLR5XZBp7CrTm2rYnVH7uWNffr5dG_f5CmiCrDvX5WUhZ_APcYfK70pFAfvyM9JM1ZExs_xuH5SCDPKiOcLchV48/w400-h266/Greece-approves-same-sex-marriage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Greek Parliament voted <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2024/01/greece-will-legalise-same-sex-marriage.html" target="_blank">to legalize same-sex marriage and adoption</a>, with 176 members in favor, 76 against, and two abstaining, major media outlets report.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Greece “is proud to become the 16th European Union country to legislate marriage equality,” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted after the vote. “This is a milestone for human rights, reflecting today’s Greece a progressive, and democratic country, passionately committed to European values.”</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The nation has offered <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2015/12/the-greek-parliament-approves-same-sex.html" target="_blank">civil partnerships</a> to same-sex couples for a decade, but those came with parental rights only for the biological parents of the couple’s children. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Now both spouses will be legally recognized as parents. But same-sex couples still won’t be able to access surrogacy in Greece, although they can be legally recognized as parents of children born by surrogacy abroad.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Polls indicated <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2024/02/greeks-moslty-accept-marriage-equality.html" target="_blank">a majority of Greeks</a> supported marriage equality, but there was strong opposition from conservative lawmakers and the Greek Orthodox Church.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Congratulations, Greece!!!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxH7Hh3Bggy8j-kkeRKFShBxPqnaGixrLYjvDCpTaib7ai6AAQN-ktQU-hKPKlaQuPOn2qNDXHhKgWejZzj3X4QOb5uASbt5VnQziQ3KsimBkG-tw-xNPHIriYYzNWIXpPp9ALkhOIJIJK-8TSeVISeV7cMjAq1TrQS6E94gHYv-D80LPj3a74pBFOBA/s2150/world.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2150" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxH7Hh3Bggy8j-kkeRKFShBxPqnaGixrLYjvDCpTaib7ai6AAQN-ktQU-hKPKlaQuPOn2qNDXHhKgWejZzj3X4QOb5uASbt5VnQziQ3KsimBkG-tw-xNPHIriYYzNWIXpPp9ALkhOIJIJK-8TSeVISeV7cMjAq1TrQS6E94gHYv-D80LPj3a74pBFOBA/w358-h640/world.jpeg" width="358" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-36754814451442947382024-02-13T14:39:00.001-05:002024-02-13T14:39:40.693-05:00Polish TV host issues apology over state media’s anti-LGBTQ broadcasts after 8 years of right-wing government<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV20MCc0YFpPJM6JpGaF1XnJLewSqGodlMJPIaT6hPIJkbK9-8AE4KI3etjMXfEetpIvEC-SlWM0TwvHzwW-JFUek9nSB-2skXvlM80vSfv_Mx8gwHcgsczMrBGvOnrdani_4wBeTCBEto8lTp9toVV9GdepAFuQNl71t3XxgkHCps7UlaGqtBE_3QdQQ/s1920/polandtv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV20MCc0YFpPJM6JpGaF1XnJLewSqGodlMJPIaT6hPIJkbK9-8AE4KI3etjMXfEetpIvEC-SlWM0TwvHzwW-JFUek9nSB-2skXvlM80vSfv_Mx8gwHcgsczMrBGvOnrdani_4wBeTCBEto8lTp9toVV9GdepAFuQNl71t3XxgkHCps7UlaGqtBE_3QdQQ/w400-h225/polandtv.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A host on Polish state television has apologised on air for <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2020/02/a-third-of-poland-declared-lgbt-free.html" target="_blank">homophobic propaganda</a> aired by state media.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">During the eight years of rule by the national conservative Law and Justice party, state media promoted the party’s line that LGBTQ people were threats to Polish families.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2021/02/new-council-of-europe-report-denounces.html" target="_blank">Poland’s right-wing government</a> became increasingly anti-LGBTQ and same-sex couples or LGBTQ activists were not allowed to be shown on the TV stations.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Last October 2023, the <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2023/10/voters-in-poland-say-enough-to-anti.html" target="_blank">majority of voters</a> in Poland’s general election supported opposition parties that promised to reverse democratic backsliding and repair the nation’s relationship with allies, including the European Union and Ukraine.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The approach has changed under a new centrist government led by <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2023/12/polands-parliament-elects-pro-eu-donald.html" target="_blank">Donald Tusk</a>, elected by Poland's Parliament in December 2023, who moved quickly to eject the Law and Justice supporters from positions of power over state media.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Two LGBTQ activists were invited on air when the state TVP host Wojciech Szeląg apologised to them for the rhetoric directed at their community. Bravo!!!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Watch the historic moment below:</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx1P5SKAODFT4in7B-1SPJFjV_LREFC1uZZpdRnaQdn-2x_Tfsenrc-8SFx1jaXUtz_sk4C846N5GpuIvpkHQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-88643071457043761532024-02-12T11:00:00.000-05:002024-02-12T11:00:32.944-05:00Houthis sentence 13 to death on homosexuality charges in Yemen <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGXTk7WrAb3LKWeruSBdRUYmryPijcIvEjYhhcrpA80GPMTRwnCNI9U-No1JzriU5DDQKWcEUOyYnSXhotCo9Qdk8t-y08WV1PwYMAuf6aWpIktgLldorSU5CiBn8b8hwE-7zv9QY5hpGqDVPsHiBzAHKsqtRYb5WaTC2KkJZWzXMnbVf2YrOtVGxZpg/s1200/fdsjdsjsdf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGXTk7WrAb3LKWeruSBdRUYmryPijcIvEjYhhcrpA80GPMTRwnCNI9U-No1JzriU5DDQKWcEUOyYnSXhotCo9Qdk8t-y08WV1PwYMAuf6aWpIktgLldorSU5CiBn8b8hwE-7zv9QY5hpGqDVPsHiBzAHKsqtRYb5WaTC2KkJZWzXMnbVf2YrOtVGxZpg/w400-h266/fdsjdsjsdf.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A court of the Iranian-backed Houthis in <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2021/10/olympic-champion-tom-daley-will.html" target="_blank">Yemen</a> has sentenced 13 people to public execution on homosexuality charges. Another 35 people have been detained for similar charges.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The ruling was made in Ibb, a Houthi-controlled province from which the jihadist group has been launching attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">According to Amnesty International, the rebels continue to target LGBTQ people with arbitrary arrest and torture, including rape and other forms of sexual violence. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A UN Security Council report in 2023 relayed that the Houthis are reportedly detaining children as young as 13 years old, some of whom are accused of 'indecent acts' for their alleged homosexual orientation.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">In addition, the Houthis continues to ban women from travelling without a male guardian. The restrictions on travel have affected women’s ability to work, resulting in many being unable to access healthcare.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Iran also <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2022/02/iran-executes-two-gay-men-on-sodomy.html" target="_blank">executes gay men</a> on homosexuality charges.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2C9InpmFE7kjvvRut6riJot31eBhB6DUng4WiSqcNKIIiL831jUuughHljB2V1wkt8CbApj69_d9l2i2ZmqR2LLFF7clepIK6n8P5i6-oECRwmwx0T1OtI0_uN6Irqyhv3QA8ZXTj0wQVeujZZpZEXGvyJXgVg9dh9eaw-g6bUu-euaWMJk6Z5L0PTs/s400/LGBTmap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="400" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2C9InpmFE7kjvvRut6riJot31eBhB6DUng4WiSqcNKIIiL831jUuughHljB2V1wkt8CbApj69_d9l2i2ZmqR2LLFF7clepIK6n8P5i6-oECRwmwx0T1OtI0_uN6Irqyhv3QA8ZXTj0wQVeujZZpZEXGvyJXgVg9dh9eaw-g6bUu-euaWMJk6Z5L0PTs/w400-h285/LGBTmap.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-91034275843544919382024-02-11T06:39:00.003-05:002024-02-11T06:42:03.976-05:00NFL team up with GLAAD for ‘A Night of Pride’ ahead of Super Bowl 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg089ZDWsetDqEMYeXf-cknilLarLkduMzRoxlDQFS_YbaS3yGYiO9RIcwWJoohlrnU9J_UWL58Ko78AAFY_B4t8ZlN9vd96Ke_L7LW1Z6SSjxxQ4DdxlJbaV4pXVBPqvjt1nDUrE6D0V2y-JdQ9v-tEFbRs5bAh8LMvY47n_53pyJw1ZKHAV0oW5Oz6dA/s1024/nfl%20glaad%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg089ZDWsetDqEMYeXf-cknilLarLkduMzRoxlDQFS_YbaS3yGYiO9RIcwWJoohlrnU9J_UWL58Ko78AAFY_B4t8ZlN9vd96Ke_L7LW1Z6SSjxxQ4DdxlJbaV4pXVBPqvjt1nDUrE6D0V2y-JdQ9v-tEFbRs5bAh8LMvY47n_53pyJw1ZKHAV0oW5Oz6dA/w400-h266/nfl%20glaad%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The <a href="https://www.nfl.com/" target="_blank">NFL</a> and <a href="https://glaad.org/" target="_blank">GLAAD</a> hosted a <a href="https://glaad.org/releases/super-bowl-lviii-a-night-of-pride-with-glaad-and-nfl-presented-by-smirnoff/" target="_blank">Night of Pride</a> ahead of Super Bowl LVIII, designed to showcase the NFL’s commitment to the LGBTQ community and welcome gay, lesbian, bi, trans and other queer fans.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Several hundred people attended the celebratory event, hosted in the Legends Lounge in Caesar’s Palace. The event included music superstar and West Hollywood impresario Lance Bass, in addition to other people across sports, entertainment and social media. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">NFL Chief Diversity and Inclusion officer Jonathan Beane, as well as GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis, welcomed the crowd.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Also featured was CBS Sports’ LGBTQ flag football segment <a href="https://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-pride-football-is-for-everyone" target="_blank">Football For Everyone</a> that will be airing on the CBS Sports Network this weekend, and which has garnered acclaim, including former Dallas Cowboys player Jeff Rohrer calling it “well done” at the event.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Over 250 teams across 27 cities in the U.S., united by a love for the game.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/csO89JPJ_OA" width="320" youtube-src-id="csO89JPJ_OA"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-19882625594436467062024-02-09T07:45:00.001-05:002024-02-09T12:27:34.078-05:00Greeks mostly accept marriage equality, new poll shows<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxRG-jRZQC1BIaEFCVJqNw_QB78xqGuChguuPCCJXCUf7X17uDjbLz9eBag2uxoYBDyrw-upKrZgMFdyy7VanONXtIqzbAod2CIWGK6bDvav7iyc5OOnXzf1kJvwgRXcaXjHZZJopY78DZ-GTbVJ0vMxQXDbb9FY-nXEl9dSm2jjQHaN05j9Cjx0cTXA/s400/proud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxRG-jRZQC1BIaEFCVJqNw_QB78xqGuChguuPCCJXCUf7X17uDjbLz9eBag2uxoYBDyrw-upKrZgMFdyy7VanONXtIqzbAod2CIWGK6bDvav7iyc5OOnXzf1kJvwgRXcaXjHZZJopY78DZ-GTbVJ0vMxQXDbb9FY-nXEl9dSm2jjQHaN05j9Cjx0cTXA/w400-h240/proud.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Greeks appear to be accepting the marriage of same-sex couples. The findings of a recent poll shed light on the legalisation of civil marriages <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2024/01/greece-will-legalise-same-sex-marriage.html" target="_blank">in Greece</a>.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A percentage of 62 per cent is in favour, with only 36 per cent opposed, indicating that same-sex marriage is now widely accepted.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The poll results show that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ legislative initiative, which has divided his party New Democracy, encounters clear and majority acceptance from society on the issue of civil marriage.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The analysis of attitudes based on the political self-placement of respondents shows that, concerning rights issues, the left-right axis aligns with the progress-conservative axis.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Acceptance rates are much higher among those who identify as left-wing (81 per cent) and center-left (75 per cent), while declining in the center and center-right, although remaining clearly in the majority.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Only those choosing a “pure” right-wing identity are majority opposed.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">It's time Greece!!!</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFD_nLY7v7nZUzsTbCiTIMW8kGXb3FC9H5LHlZx04Ivu-jgw-2OxNtPFN_qiuhfON9sVHnD32_1bJs3SjZOdgkNXuGQT9XgIC6bXOsFiF1zPhoSVhykr0a0q9BKJzWSbuC2Q8MUnsYjxiqFOnBM0Myjbwd-XaccCVafgiSTFDD9kqzHaj8i-TDFTQOdR8/s721/capture_88.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="721" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFD_nLY7v7nZUzsTbCiTIMW8kGXb3FC9H5LHlZx04Ivu-jgw-2OxNtPFN_qiuhfON9sVHnD32_1bJs3SjZOdgkNXuGQT9XgIC6bXOsFiF1zPhoSVhykr0a0q9BKJzWSbuC2Q8MUnsYjxiqFOnBM0Myjbwd-XaccCVafgiSTFDD9kqzHaj8i-TDFTQOdR8/w400-h171/capture_88.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">62% to 36% support marriage equality <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2023/12/greece-is-ready-to-legalize-same-sex.html" target="_blank">in Greece</a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-83433839771754142092024-02-07T07:00:00.005-05:002024-02-07T07:07:07.162-05:00Shamefully, wearing rainbow earrings means a jail sentence in Russia<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IcWvO2I2dJRXZ4-0SAFjgyJ9_ZQz9NrUOhx6MWkrIYGE6637XJkkLurUjHdiVuZYXPSZub54DsL3rkFpia7f_hKeyMgF9qoZYPtosrMCrxZqJekt7jzKSCJBZtoou-K0LVYjOd67I5PSrJbpEndC2GnI1bfRE5zHwQ_tmtQ2Y6QVmPKce42meHAVn2I/s720/rainbow%20earrings.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IcWvO2I2dJRXZ4-0SAFjgyJ9_ZQz9NrUOhx6MWkrIYGE6637XJkkLurUjHdiVuZYXPSZub54DsL3rkFpia7f_hKeyMgF9qoZYPtosrMCrxZqJekt7jzKSCJBZtoou-K0LVYjOd67I5PSrJbpEndC2GnI1bfRE5zHwQ_tmtQ2Y6QVmPKce42meHAVn2I/s320/rainbow%20earrings.webp" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2015/11/russia-could-ban-any-public.html" target="_blank">Russian court</a> has sentenced a woman to five days in jail for wearing rainbow earrings as the country’s absurd crackdown on the so-called “international LGBT movement” ramps up.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">A court in Nizhny Novgorod, east of Moscow, sentenced a woman to five days of detention for reportedly wearing frog-shaped earrings with an image of a rainbow.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The woman was charged and found guilty of publicly displaying “the symbol of an extremist organization.” The judge explicitly cited the Supreme Court’s November ruling.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Remember that Russia’s Supreme Court banned what it called the “LGBT movement” <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2023/11/russia-outlaws-lgbtq-activism.html" target="_blank">last November</a>, designating it as “extremist” and “banning its activities on the territory of Russia”.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">In <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2020/02/putin-vows-to-never-permit-same-sex.html" target="_blank">Putin's Russia</a>, any and all queer expression is effectively against the law. The country passed its <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2013/09/protests-around-world-against-russian.html" target="_blank">infamous laws</a> banning “promotion of non-traditional sexual relations” in 2013 and expanded them <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2022/11/russias-parliament-approves-bill-to-ban.html" target="_blank">in 2022</a>.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07vQtkNsLLY9uxPSCRtOeG-7cOJY_iEjynriFSJICcJ9k0_5NSkwA298u5lLJcjb_Q6WiRr7Ulo8ob4yBTZiIYLasmHbnakAj4dCmOo_JLjchdiN1DBkRKJSDMPa8a4KVGTaboBnDEyH6ArJIJxxOEkBgALzDJ5RMzRrjOiEQSvRDW9dYwUvht2fp59U/s980/lgbtq-activism-russia-putin-gay-clown-sign.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="980" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07vQtkNsLLY9uxPSCRtOeG-7cOJY_iEjynriFSJICcJ9k0_5NSkwA298u5lLJcjb_Q6WiRr7Ulo8ob4yBTZiIYLasmHbnakAj4dCmOo_JLjchdiN1DBkRKJSDMPa8a4KVGTaboBnDEyH6ArJIJxxOEkBgALzDJ5RMzRrjOiEQSvRDW9dYwUvht2fp59U/w400-h225/lgbtq-activism-russia-putin-gay-clown-sign.webp" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Shame on you <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2020/02/putin-vows-to-never-permit-same-sex.html" target="_blank">Putin</a>!!!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-30966174979531667102024-02-05T08:07:00.000-05:002024-02-05T08:07:01.791-05:00Justin Trudeau says Alberta policies are the ‘most anti-LGBT in the country’<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDM8u-jplHOBcl_NvR4ZHekWjtP-cWE87XodYzhTBhZ6QiF3_6kGZbR6RNy0bta0DTZOl-TFzjZFV6X9FRwTtv-zAoTGZsrqQmoVSPkT3JrBHd6uOM06ffBdsfftxXUSmUlUABOtLRAQlMJjWnbhFBlgwUZGb2qgjVr539wdARBtpXwU4DrzjVaeMcGE/s635/justin-trudeau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="635" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDM8u-jplHOBcl_NvR4ZHekWjtP-cWE87XodYzhTBhZ6QiF3_6kGZbR6RNy0bta0DTZOl-TFzjZFV6X9FRwTtv-zAoTGZsrqQmoVSPkT3JrBHd6uOM06ffBdsfftxXUSmUlUABOtLRAQlMJjWnbhFBlgwUZGb2qgjVr539wdARBtpXwU4DrzjVaeMcGE/w400-h225/justin-trudeau.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Canadian Prime Minister <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2023/03/justin-trudeau-says-trans-women-are.html" target="_blank">Justin Trudeau</a> said that Alberta’s new proposals on the treatment of transgender youth are the “most anti-LGBT of anywhere in <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2021/06/canada-house-passes-historic-bill.html" target="_blank">the country</a>.” </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced earlier this week her plans to change rules for transgender children in Alberta. She said the fall sitting of the legislature would bring a ban on gender reassignment surgery for those 17 and under. And there would be no puberty blockers or hormone therapies for the purposes of such surgery for anyone 15 and under, unless they’ve already begun such procedures.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Smith said the changes are to protect children from the consequences of choices they may later regret. It’s also to preserve the role of parents in the lives.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Some parents of transgender children say the Alberta government's policy changes affecting transgender and non-binary youth will interfere with the medical treatment their children need.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">And <a href="https://www.albertadoctors.org/leaders-partners/leaders/sections/section-members/pediatrics/grants" target="_blank">The Alberta Medical Association's pediatric section</a> says there are benefits for patients to start puberty blockers as soon as they show signs as it will make future surgeries less invasive. Bottom surgery is always performed on patients 18 and older. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Besides, the province would clamp down on transgender female athletes competing in women’s and girls’ sports.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2016/06/canadian-prime-minister-raises-rainbow.html" target="_blank">Trudeau</a> had a different assessment. “Danielle Smith has now moved forward with the most anti-LGBT policies of anywhere in <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2016/03/obama-and-trudeau-celebrate-marriage.html" target="_blank">the country</a>,” he said. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-91813956884990121472024-02-02T15:09:00.001-05:002024-02-02T15:17:08.970-05:00Sebastian, a frank depiction of gay sex work<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUf4rqGJQ6ksn5b2_kJuCfwJByojBdT0HycnzqCYaoqmUkiFcbbKuIdbejxJialugZjoRJZjmiSyUO3vYgcx1d3pTZgqEZdqham6n7b_FOHZH_TwEOxCsvEF212mY5bViajgwccJS0ERBZmzchCLWXDsrF4T7X4-JXXoW8_5R1_SjCCHpbTBk6fzKhDs/s640/mollica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUf4rqGJQ6ksn5b2_kJuCfwJByojBdT0HycnzqCYaoqmUkiFcbbKuIdbejxJialugZjoRJZjmiSyUO3vYgcx1d3pTZgqEZdqham6n7b_FOHZH_TwEOxCsvEF212mY5bViajgwccJS0ERBZmzchCLWXDsrF4T7X4-JXXoW8_5R1_SjCCHpbTBk6fzKhDs/s320/mollica.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Sebastian</i> is a sensual and soul-searching story with the emerging Finnish writer-director Mikko Mäkelä and Ruaridh Mollica, the film’s 24-year-old Scottish-Italian star.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Mollica plays Max, a young hotshot writer with a book deal and a cushy gig at a literary magazine. But, by night, he’s “Sebastian,” a male escort who uses a website to set up appointments with clientele who are frequently older. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Sebastian’s sexual exploits become fodder for Max’s writing, but no one in his life, not his editor, his family, or his best friend knows that Max is actually writing about himself.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">As the lines between fact and fiction blur, Max navigates his sexuality and what he really wants out of life, and Mäkelä’s films probes ideas around identity, authorship, gay shame, and inter-generational differences within our community.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The movie premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, the most important platform for independent films.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Watch the trailer below:</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qcsHZ9ZCCAw" width="320" youtube-src-id="qcsHZ9ZCCAw"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-87494287012055524122024-01-31T13:22:00.001-05:002024-01-31T13:22:49.590-05:00Gay Representative Democrats pressure over discharged LGBTQ veterans<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UC-SDe6EEPyGQd4O2CkBXSKPoOzP1YBEmlc7GM8nQhoaedEKkKY2-_AzVAN2yiqROEdefmeaj8JFZPFWSfoHPpX0jPttDOrMEhK6OUwlaeSzYuPNp4160HMlyTEQHh1WHPpnRvaM558SrIlXTzP-7Pu5P8WTmrVwa1f2fuXUTHZXXc_new-W8-EyjLs/s897/1591101603944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="897" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UC-SDe6EEPyGQd4O2CkBXSKPoOzP1YBEmlc7GM8nQhoaedEKkKY2-_AzVAN2yiqROEdefmeaj8JFZPFWSfoHPpX0jPttDOrMEhK6OUwlaeSzYuPNp4160HMlyTEQHh1WHPpnRvaM558SrIlXTzP-7Pu5P8WTmrVwa1f2fuXUTHZXXc_new-W8-EyjLs/w400-h266/1591101603944.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Out Reps. Robert Garcia (D-CA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), and Chris Pappas (D-NH) have asked Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to expedite the process for former LGBTQ soldiers still seeking to upgrade their less-than-honorable discharges after being kicked out of the military under “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">In their letter, the representatives noted that over 114,000 military members were discharged <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2016/02/a-veteran-receives-honorable-discharge.html" target="_blank">for being LGBTQ</a>. Their less-than-honorable discharges endangered their future “job prospects, home ownership, educational opportunities, and health and disability veterans’ benefits,” the letter stated.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">“The United States government has a moral obligation to right the wrongs it committed when it dishonorably discharged veterans from the armed services on the grounds of their sexual orientation,” Rep. Pocan wrote in a statement about the recent letter.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">“While it’s been thirteen years since the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’ the trauma of these policies is not over, and for far too many LGBTQ service members and veterans, their injustice has not been corrected,” Rep. Pappas added.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Amid mounting opposition to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2016/01/president-obama-doesnt-forget-lgbt.html" target="_blank">President Barack Obama</a> announced its repeal in mid-2011, ending 17 years of secrecy and silence for LGBTQ members of the U.S. military.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Three years after the Obama Administration told transgender individuals they could serve openly and have access to gender-affirming medical and psychological care, <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2019/04/trumps-transgender-military-ban-comes.html" target="_blank">Trump reversed course</a> and reinstated a ban on transgender individuals from serving in any capacity in the U.S. military.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">In 2019, <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2021/01/biden-reverses-trumps-trans-military-ban.html" target="_blank">President Joe Biden</a> repealed Trump’s guidance that banned transgender people from enlisting and serving in the military. It depends on your vote to continue like this.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_UAuEijJ2n3ioMwPpA1qnOw0PBxkwvZTA0dszu1ozyqWtLf9l8iemJF7JjUBU1s2r7fZzZFRtNcYcoste76aTpEIkFZiY0aSUcViL-_JqgineLEFcDljajv9nJh94R8A3zR0KWoq41xfVhPHL5BdKWVIejbBvU7QYivz3_I9n_9lBp3CXmgQlvOtp5s/s320/kiss-gay-marines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="239" data-original-width="320" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_UAuEijJ2n3ioMwPpA1qnOw0PBxkwvZTA0dszu1ozyqWtLf9l8iemJF7JjUBU1s2r7fZzZFRtNcYcoste76aTpEIkFZiY0aSUcViL-_JqgineLEFcDljajv9nJh94R8A3zR0KWoq41xfVhPHL5BdKWVIejbBvU7QYivz3_I9n_9lBp3CXmgQlvOtp5s/w400-h299/kiss-gay-marines.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Do you remember <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2013/06/do-you-remember-this-passionate-kiss.html" target="_blank">this kiss</a>?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-3430717362551935162024-01-30T08:50:00.000-05:002024-01-30T08:50:06.830-05:00Students protest funding cut of diversity programs at Florida colleges<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaiW9XAqAGmTljsA-AdZmplG1nwIsUotchhcqd_8mURHBh1XA5TZww8OgT3XPuQfwaPw6c8LP_lTowjvDGuQEIAHK9zPbdaRgjDfvC8S1sArfv9DSW0F7WQswV2NLSJtG29xsuIP3yawJ-0-pOxsyfYPMcrbyrCcjzL-ZinccAeVFRNTJa7d-vo7QcQws/s592/72345982007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="592" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaiW9XAqAGmTljsA-AdZmplG1nwIsUotchhcqd_8mURHBh1XA5TZww8OgT3XPuQfwaPw6c8LP_lTowjvDGuQEIAHK9zPbdaRgjDfvC8S1sArfv9DSW0F7WQswV2NLSJtG29xsuIP3yawJ-0-pOxsyfYPMcrbyrCcjzL-ZinccAeVFRNTJa7d-vo7QcQws/w400-h272/72345982007.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Students at the University of North Florida protested the imminent closing of the school’s four diversity centers, including the campus LGBTQ center. Student protests over <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2023/05/floridas-anti-lgbtq-laws-are-forcing.html" target="_blank">Florida’s policies</a> about LGBTQ issues have become common.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The protest took place the day the Florida Board of Governors, the governing body of the State University System of Florida, voted to prohibit funding for diversity, equity and inclusion programs and activities at the state’s public universities. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The vote comes after <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2023/05/enough-is-enough-desantis.html" target="_blank">Ron DeSantis signed</a> a measure into law banning all of the state’s public higher education institutions from using state or federal funding for diversity programs.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Florida made national headlines when it enacted what critics have dubbed the “<a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2022/02/florida-house-passes-dont-say-gay-bill.html" target="_blank">Don’t Say Gay</a>” law in 2022, which limited the instruction of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools in kindergarten through third grade. <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2023/03/republican-desantis-wants-to-expand.html" target="_blank">DeSantis signed</a> a bill last year that expanded the law to apply to students in kindergarten through eighth grade.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2022/08/its-time-to-change-florida.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: times;">It's time to change, Florida!!!</span></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWrmCF6M8E_xbTjVFZP-STHehW35a7_xeeX4U6POCgQi2KiiC6el1k5jl3R0rT1Yuotb-2LGRJjMyZdcd1Q6mJDxf4Z9icYBU2MMqMVNE5EWwplepyL1zVcYoFom5VIRBuNdu5ztMM4qkC77TIYh2bviiIxVwARkrjI_PdBpoFzen2Gmssd3a-D9j8Xw/s399/desantis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="399" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAWrmCF6M8E_xbTjVFZP-STHehW35a7_xeeX4U6POCgQi2KiiC6el1k5jl3R0rT1Yuotb-2LGRJjMyZdcd1Q6mJDxf4Z9icYBU2MMqMVNE5EWwplepyL1zVcYoFom5VIRBuNdu5ztMM4qkC77TIYh2bviiIxVwARkrjI_PdBpoFzen2Gmssd3a-D9j8Xw/w400-h266/desantis.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Won't be erased by DeSantis!!!</span></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-25738613292724935302024-01-28T15:23:00.004-05:002024-01-28T15:25:07.944-05:00Pekka Haavisto could be the first gay president in Finland<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPV-50T4kzV2cSuFH3Ygo31ElQbca4_SU-L2C6VseFG_9hsEX4eFPKmiGFuZAGgQFo-YqMGGmDpd5iRm7eIOBzT3SIxPXDDo8rcpnuBKbFa2gtPKG6aArqMxKSdO2em3Ygn4hK3hXmW02PT0FDxSO4fHTKUL_Rs9SxfqitpJFbX7iWnPErgTvAAuUVDw/s1024/9053694.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPV-50T4kzV2cSuFH3Ygo31ElQbca4_SU-L2C6VseFG_9hsEX4eFPKmiGFuZAGgQFo-YqMGGmDpd5iRm7eIOBzT3SIxPXDDo8rcpnuBKbFa2gtPKG6aArqMxKSdO2em3Ygn4hK3hXmW02PT0FDxSO4fHTKUL_Rs9SxfqitpJFbX7iWnPErgTvAAuUVDw/w400-h266/9053694.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Former prime minister Alexander Stubb and former foreign minister Pekka Haavisto are to compete in the second round of presidential elections in <a href="http://www.benjaaquila.com/2014/11/finland-legalizes-gay-marriage.html" target="_blank">Finland</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As polls closed at 8pm local time and election day vote counting got under way, figures published by Finland’s justice department showed that Stubb, of the centre-right National Coalition party, was in the lead with 27.1%.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In second place was liberal candidate Haavisto, a member of the Green party who is running as an independent, with 25.7%. Haavisto is openly gay. In 2002, he entered in a registered partnership with Antonio Flores, an Ecuadorian man.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The result will push the race into a runoff on Feb. 11 between Stubb and Haavisto, because none of the candidates received more than half of the votes. To be declared president, the winning candidate must receive more than 50% of votes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Remember that, after decades of neutrality and then military non-alignment, Finland decided swiftly after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 to become the 31st member of Nato.</div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnd__1eGB3IaN3a5LMutpnVnAFeiof5InUH-yntZbzEWNdDsaazl2FEF_V3Gd7kepyXSFmZ_hUOwDdUktldmjLzaD3VppFhtd2kZ8yE7-mFhnTykpO6yDZ84mK14PcPTSke1hwZvfynGxZyNkozvRef4Q6yLT4aW7s7HpZW4FpYkLvDOb5kHHRbsGvSc/s2048/GE7G9OsX0AEzBek.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnd__1eGB3IaN3a5LMutpnVnAFeiof5InUH-yntZbzEWNdDsaazl2FEF_V3Gd7kepyXSFmZ_hUOwDdUktldmjLzaD3VppFhtd2kZ8yE7-mFhnTykpO6yDZ84mK14PcPTSke1hwZvfynGxZyNkozvRef4Q6yLT4aW7s7HpZW4FpYkLvDOb5kHHRbsGvSc/s320/GE7G9OsX0AEzBek.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Pekka Haavisto and his partner Antonio Flores today at polling station</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3188307231100658311.post-5795843041983902742024-01-24T16:06:00.000-05:002024-01-24T16:06:46.663-05:00Out actors Colman Domingo and Jodie Foster get Oscar nomination for playing gay characters<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3NOnKq-HJ9xEkzJOEExjRP9qqX7sU8eEaRrUY4g2LKQ3y4ABNfVkUJ1eHs3yrYsOtJqLxf8tPRmL_c4XBS3grZQMo83Uj901C-gO26XXxrgANVtOm1rVrRiGgB-OGM1-SVbYxXZJuC_D0_k8p4qDxBytJpwn3O4woJk3XCz1aGhZa0huJuTGqXnxLvY/s872/Oscars%202024.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="872" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3NOnKq-HJ9xEkzJOEExjRP9qqX7sU8eEaRrUY4g2LKQ3y4ABNfVkUJ1eHs3yrYsOtJqLxf8tPRmL_c4XBS3grZQMo83Uj901C-gO26XXxrgANVtOm1rVrRiGgB-OGM1-SVbYxXZJuC_D0_k8p4qDxBytJpwn3O4woJk3XCz1aGhZa0huJuTGqXnxLvY/w400-h225/Oscars%202024.webp" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">The list of openly LGBTQ actors who have been recognized by the Academy Awards for playing gay characters is short. This year, however, Colman Domingo and Jodie Foster could join that small club.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Colman Domingo received a nomination for best actor in a leading role for playing the title character in “Rustin,” Netflix’s biopic about the gay Black civil rights leader Bayard Rustin, an adviser to Martin Luther King Jr. and the architect of the 1963 March on Washington. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Jodie Foster won two Academy Awards and was nominated for three others before coming out at the 2013 Golden Globe Awards. She was nominated this year for her supporting role in “Nyad,” yet another Netflix biopic. Foster plays out lesbian Bonnie Stoll, the real-life friend and coach of the title character, long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad. If Foster wins, she will become part of a very exclusive club of actors who have three Oscars.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times;">Good luck!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EuZ-UONInl4" width="320" youtube-src-id="EuZ-UONInl4"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3anCgVSQb3Q" width="320" youtube-src-id="3anCgVSQb3Q"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div>Ben Aquilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05770124209873158340noreply@blogger.com0