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Nigeria Hub



04/19/2007


News: iPod Shuffle, Nigeria, Ronald George, Green Fashion, Hawaii

 roadHawaii civil union bill on hold, but perhaps not for long.

Tiger  roadDiver defends friend from 12-foot tiger shark near New Orleans.

 roadYikes: It's not easy being green.

 roadLevi Johnston and Bristol Palin are apparently finished.

 roadNigerian gay activists speak out about anti-gay human rights abuses, specifically a new bill outlawing same-sex marriage: "The new law would mean prison sentences for gay people who live together, and anyone who 'aids and abets' them. The plea by activists was made to a public committee of the National Assembly which is discussing the bill. It is already illegal to have gay sex in Nigeria but the new law would extend police powers to arrest suspects."

 roadIs Evangelical Christianity on the verge of a major collapse?

 roadHope brighter for anti-bias bill in Delaware: "House Bill 5, sponsored by Majority Leader Peter Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in housing, employment, public works contracting, public accommodations and insurance."

 roadNarcissist: Ted Haggard attends performance of The Beautiful City, a "non-fictional docudrama musical about the modern Evangelical Christian movement and its scandalized pastor Ted Haggard."

Niedwiecki  roadOpenly gay candidate and activist Anthony Niedwiecki wins seat on Oakland Park, Florida City Commission. You may remember Niedwiecki and his partner Waymon Hudson for their battle against Biblical bigotry at the Fort Lauderdale airport and their work to oust anti-gay Fort Lauderdale mayor Jim Naugle. The couple also cares for an HIV-positive foster son. Congrats.

 roadRihanna escapes the clutches of Chris Brown for a night.

 roadColorado bill "extending health insurance coverage to the partners of gay and lesbian state workers" advances...

 roadBrazilian actor refuses to dub Milk: "Marco Ribeiro, a performer who supplied Mr. Penn’s voice in dubbed versions of the movies 'All the King’s Men' and '21 Grams,' is also a pastor at the Assembly of God church in Rio de Janeiro. 'I did not feel comfortable with the job,' Mr. Ribeiro said, according to Variety."

Reinhardt  roadYou may want to ignore the other half of this post.

 roadFirst-ever New Zealand to Australia gay cruise announced.

 roadConflict erupts at Haifa Institute of Technology after gay couples are allowed to live in residence hall with straight couples: "...the decision enraged the institute’s rabbi, Eliyahu Rachamim Zini, who is now demanding the removal of mezozot  from the doorposts of rooms set aside for gay and lesbian couples."

 roadObama "fast-tracking" global warming response?

 roadApple intros new iPod shuffle that speaks to you, telling you what song is playing and who's performing it.

 roadMan escapes from burning tanning bed.

 roadCalifornia Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald George wants more security in courts, was glad Prop 8 was televised: "Televising court hearings on major issues such as gay marriage is a "giant civics lesson," he said. 'It makes people better understand and appreciate the ultimate decision of the court in any area,' he said. 'Whether they agree with it or not, at least they don't just get the bottom line of who won and who lost. They see what goes into the process.' George said the court's decision in the Proposition 8 case could make it tougher for its justices to win retention elections because it will upset people on one side of the gay marriage issue. But he also said he doesn't worry about that sort of thing. 'You've got to hang up your robe if you have to worry about looking over your shoulder,' he added."


News: Heather Matarazzo, Gay Principal, Costa Rica, Gym Pill

road.jpg Anti-gay politics continues to drive Donald Wildmon's American Family Association: "According to Wildmon, who has stated that the results from Proposition 8 will determine the outcome of the 'culture wars,' 'If we lose California, if they defeat the marriage amendment, I'm afraid that the culture war is over and Christians have lost. I've never said that publicly until now -- but that's just the reality of the fact.'"

Matarazzoroad.jpg Heather Matarazzo (wiener dog!) to marry her girlfriend Carolyn Murphy. Congrats!

road.jpg Obama to star in his own comic book.

road.jpg Brooklyn principal comes out to his students: "'I thought it might fit in with the lesson about paranoia and making assumptions about people just because they are different,' Mr. Michael says of the timing. He had already alerted his staff and invited them to participate in the discussion, which several teachers did. He'd also spoken with Brian Ellner, a senior counselor to Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, and gotten his support. Still, Mr. Michael couldn't help but feel nervous at first."

road.jpg At Lambeth Conference, gay Nigerian talks of death: "Homosexuality does exist in Africa - it's not a Western thing, as our African bishops would want people to believe."

road.jpg Tom Cruise and Scientology facing $250 million racketeering lawsuit.

Costaricaroad.jpg Thousands march against same-sex civil unions in Costa Rica: "The protest march began at 8 a.m. in front of the Hospital San Juan de Dios, and finished around noon in La Sabana park. The march was organized by the Costa Rican Evangelical Alliance, bringing together religious Costa Ricans from around the country. “We’re calling out against the law that the Legislative Assembly is considering, to allow for homosexual civil unions,” explained march participant, Reynaldo Salazar.

road.jpg Scientists test 'gym pill': "The researchers have shown that four weeks after administering one drug to mice, the animals were able to run 44% farther than untreated mice, despite not exercising. The finding raises the possibility of treatments for muscle-wasting conditions in humans, but also recreational 'gym pills' that confer a performance gain without the pain."

Tittyroad.jpg Titty von Tramp comes out against anti-gay Northern Irish politico Iris Robinson: "Titty Von Tramp, Northern Ireland's most famous drag queen, strutted her stuff among SDLP Youth members yesterday at a protest in Belfast against homophobic comments made by the First Minister’s wife, Iris Robinson. The demonstration, held outside the City Hall, was held as part of Gay Pride Week which culminates with a parade through the city centre tomorrow followed by a carnival in Custom House Square."

road.jpg John Mayer looking pumped.

road.jpg New Mexico 911 operator files suit against Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority, saying he was harassed about his sexuality, complained, and then was fired in retaliation: "He had worked as a dispatcher since July 10, 2006, according to the suit. He claims he was subjected to disparaging remarks about his sexuality almost immediately after being hired and in front of his co-workers. The remarks allegedly included a disparaging term for homosexuals."

road.jpg Prosecutors won't seek hate crime charges in brutal anti-gay Dallas attack because men already face maximum penalty: " Bobby Singleton, 29, and Jonathan Gunter, 31, both of Garland, each face a charge of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. The first-degree felony carries a punishment of five to 99 years in prison. The men, who have not yet been indicted, are being held in the July 17 beating and robbery of Jimmy Lee Dean, 42. Mr. Dean was kicked and hit with a handgun about 1 a.m. in the 3900 block of Dickason Avenue, near Oak Lawn Avenue, according to a police report. He was hospitalized with serious injuries and was unable to speak to investigators for at least 24 hours, police said. Witnesses told police one of the suspects shouted gay slurs at Mr. Dean during the attack. Investigators also believe the men targeted Mr. Dean because they thought he was gay, police said.", Gym Pi


News: Kucinich, Friedkin, Naugle, Gyllenhaal, Lieberman, McAvoy

road.jpg A second gay candidate joins race for Mayor Naugle's seat in Fort Lauderdale: "Political newcomer Earl Rynerson, owner of a tile store, joins former City Commissioner Dean Trantalis as an openly gay mayoral hopeful. Rynerson said he wants to polish the city's image, which he said was tarnished by Naugle. Naugle last summer uttered a quote that was heard across gay America: 'I use the word homosexual. Most of them aren't gay; they're unhappy.'"

Jakeroad.jpg Jake Gyllenhaal stumbles out in London.

road.jpg Nigerian bisexual woman faces deportation from Canada, fears persecution: "She fears for her life. If she goes back with her children, she has no one there. Her family has shunned her because she is bisexual. She doesn't have any money and nowhere to go. If she's arrested [her children] will be without a mother. They'll already face extreme discrimination because they were both born out of wedlock, and in fact, Samuel has already endured a lot of harassment while growing up there."

road.jpg ABBA come together for Mamma Mia premiere in Stockholm for first time in 22 years.

road.jpg AUSIELLO: Producers on The New Adventures of Old Christine plan to marry off Julia Louis Dreyfus to Wanda Sykes!

road.jpg The windows to Amy Winehouse's soul.

road.jpg William Friedkin's The Boys in the Band to get DVD release on November 11.

3g_2road.jpg Planning on picking up an iPhone 3G on Friday? Here's a map of AT&T's 3G coverage in the U.S. According to a Digg commenter, here's the code: BLUE = Full Coverage, RED/ORANGE = Decent Coverage, ORANGE = Meh Coverage, LIGHT ORANGE = Enjoy EDGE.

road.jpg Church of Ireland may hold gay unions if homosexuality proven to be biologically determined: "If such comes to be shown, it will be necessary to acknowledge the full implications of that new aspect of the truth."

road.jpg "Dude, look at your pants. Look at your bag. Obviously this is not your kind of place." Homophobic, or just edgy?

Mcavoyroad.jpg Details attempts to atone for past covers with James McAvoy's blue eyes.

road.jpg MacBecks: Musical planned about David and Victoria Beckham...

road.jpg Hagee YouTube suppression to rub off on Joe Lieberman?

road.jpg East London couple turned away from wedding venue owned by Jehovah's Witness: "For the past 13 years I have been with my soul mate, I have never been discriminated against or been judged as they did to us."

road.jpg Jaws: Australian town on alert after sighting of 22-foot Great White Shark in lake with outlet to the ocean.

road.jpg Obama to give DNCC address at Invesco Field at Mile High. SF Chronicle on the rise of the Obamacon...

road.jpg Killer of gay porn producer spilled details, sought legal advice from fellow inmate.

road.jpg Honed down: Kucinich to bring single article of impeachment against George W. Bush. "Few in the House of Representatives have any intention of doing anything with the last 35 articles of impeachment Kucinich set before them last month, so the former presidential candidate appears to be lightening the load. Kucinich sent a letter to colleagues Tuesday asking them to support a single article of impeachment, to be introduced Thursday, which accuses President Bush of leading the country to war based on lies."


Gene Robinson Believes 'God Disappointed' with Anglican Archbishop

In an interview to be broadcast on the BBC news program Hardtalk, gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson criticizes Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, for failing to confront anti-gay critics in the church, specifically, Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola, whose stance against homosexuality has been seen as a major cause of the rift within the church.

Robinson"I believe [Dr Williams'] unwillingness to confront Peter Akinola and others like him who've made statements that I think any reasonable person would find over the edge - I believe God is very disappointed in that."

Akinola is seen as a force in perpetuating violence against gays and lesbians. Robinson, who plans to attend events around this summer's Lambeth Conference even though he was not invited, has been speaking out about death threats against him and tells the BBC that he sometimes wears a bulletproof vest at public appearances.


Gay Nigerian Christian Leader Escapes Angry Death Mob

A gay Nigerian Christian leader was brutally beaten by an angry mob outside a funeral ceremony last week. He suspects that anti-gay efforts within the Anglican church were behind the attack.

LagosSays the unnamed leader: "I am in total shock and living in fear while feeling the pains. I suffered in the hands of a mob group that attacked me at the Service of Songs for Davis’s late sister. While hymn singing was going on a muscular man walked up to me and asked me for a word outside the compound. The next thing I saw was a mob group who were there to attack me. They started slapping and punching me, kicked me on the ground and spat on me. I have never known fear like I knew when they were brutalizing me. I thought they were going to kill me there and then. While beating me they were shouting: ‘You notorious homosexual, you think can run away from us for your notorious group to cause more abomination in our land?’ Those who attacked me were well informed about us so I suspect an insider or one of the leaders of our Anglican church have hands in this attack."

According to Changing Attitude Nigeria, the thugs told him, "We will not rest until we silence you and any who join you to pollute the land with the abominable act of homosexuality. You are perverts who go around corrupting and inducting young people into our evil society. We will kill you and it will be a favour to the country."

According to the group, Archbishop Peter Akinola and the leaders of the Church of Nigeria have encouraged violence against LGBT people in the nation.

Gay Nigeria Christian Leader Narrowly Escapes Death in Brutal Attack [uk gay news]


Tear Gas Used on Mob Wanting "Instant Justice" for Nigerian Gays

Two weeks ago I posted about a group of 18 Nigerian men who faced death after being arrested in a hotel for alleged sodomy after they had traveled to the northeaster Bauchi state to attend a "gay wedding" there.

NigeriaThey had their day at a Bauchi State Sharia court yesterday, but not before an angry mob "surged forward" demanding that the police release them so the mob could inflict "instant justice". They were throwing stones at the policemen, who then dispersed the crowd with tear gas. In response, the mob reportedly smashed several cars.

The good news is that it looks unlikely that the 18 men will face death as the charges were "amended to idleness and possession of female dressings". The bad news is that that charge apparently carries with it a punishment of "a year jail term and 20 strokes of the cane each" if found guilty.

The judge also greed to release the defendants on bail.

Previously
18 Gay Nigerian Men Face Possible Death by Stoning [tr]









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