Inspirational and good news.
California can now be added to the list of American States that have OK’d gay marriage, but Cali goes further. Now any “two persons” can be legally wed in the state.
Many people see California’s step as a good direction for the USA because social-politcal trends in the state are usually reflected by the rest of the country soon afterwards. What makes California unique (in America) is that the politicans took the steps needed to legalize gay marraige and not the courts.
A library in Holland is now loaning out volunteers so users of the library can chat with them. The people who have volunteered include homosexuals, drug addicts, asylum seekers, gipsies and the physically handicapped.
Borrowers can take the volunteer to the cafe and sit down and talk. The idea is that this program will break down social barriers and create a more understanding society. Borrowing people to fight prejudice apparently started in Sweden.
On Sunday China’s Legislature helped women by banning sexual harassment of women and empowers women to “lodge complaints” to relevant organizations. Sexual harassment has traditionally been viewed as a moral issue and not a legal one in China, which means that this is also a huge symbolic step.
This may seem like something that should’ve happened a long time ago, but better late than never. This legislation will improve the lives of all peoples and make the state the more democratic.
“We hope the [British] Army will have more involvement next year and a float as well,” said Claire Turner.
She was not talking about the British participation in the invasion of Iraq. She is the director of the gay pride festival in Manchester, UK.
About 10 uniformed soldiers paraded and manned a recruitment stall. The ban on homosexuals in the armed forces was lifted in January 2000, but it wasn’t until last year, when some 20 RAF soldiers manned a float featuring a plane cockpit, that the first armed service joined a gay pride festival.
“They’re showing that they welcome gay people and the Army is something gay people can be interested in,” said Turner. This is very different from the situation of their gay American colleagues. In the U.S., gay soldiers – some of whom have served for many years – have been sent home because, apparently due to their gayness, they might hesitate at crucial moments.
We welcome soldiers at gay parades, and we welcome the armies’ tolerance.
(Read the full article at BBC NEWS)
A young woman from Canterbury, England set out to sail across the English channel this week. What makes her story so amazing is that Hilary Lister is a quadripeligic. Her solo voyage is the longest sailing record in history by a quadriplegic taking her 6 hours and 13 minutes. The mechanism used to power the sailboat is similar to one on her wheelchair with two straws connected to switches that control the sails and steer the boat with the use of her breath.
Hilary is using her voyage across the channel to raise money for sailing opportunities for others with disabilities. She is also hoping to encourage people to rethink their views about the disabled.
“We do not need wrapping up in cotton wool and can go out and do silly or dangerous things if that’s what we want to do.” She says.
With her first journey completed Hilary now hopes to sail around Britain next year.