EURO PARLIAMENT BACKS FREE MOVEMENT OF COUPLES
The European Parliament approved a directive Feb. 11 favoring mutual recognition of same-sex couples and their families when they relocate among the 15 nations of the European Union. The vote was 269 to 225 with 46 abstentions.
'By adopting the principle of mutual recognition to same-sex partnerships in the context of free movement, the European Parliament has taken up the core demands put forward by ILGA-Europe in its advocacy efforts,' said the International Lesbian & Gay Association's European branch.
The Parliament's proposal must be approved by the EU's Council of Ministers.
'If this directive will pass through the council as it now stands ... it would remove the main obstacles hindering LGBT citizens from exercising their right of residence and free movement,' said ILGA-Europe Co-chair Kurt Krickler. 'Whilst today, a gay couple registered in Germany, for instance, is not able to move to Italy and maintain their status as a legally recognized couple, the new directive would change that.'
ARREST IN VANCOUVER MURDER
Police in Vancouver, Canada, made an arrest Feb. 12 in the case of the brutal murder of Aaron Webster in late 2001.
Webster was beaten to death with a baseball bat or pool cue in a cruising area of Stanley Park, which abuts Vancouver's gayest neighborhood. Police believe it was a gay-bashing.
The 19-year-old man who was arrested cannot be named because he was only 17 at the time of the crime. Police do not believe the man acted alone and said they will make more arrests shortly.
POLAND FRETS OVER EU MORALITY
As it prepares to join the 15-nation European Union, Poland is seeking promises that 'no EU treaties or annexes to those treaties would hamper the Polish government in regulating moral issues.'
The International Lesbian & Gay Association is not amused.
'This is a blatant attempt by the Catholic Church to exclude Poland's LGBT community from the anti-discrimination protections enshrined in EU law, and from any future progress at the European level in recognizing same-sex partners,' said ILGA-Europe Executive Director Ailsa Spindler.
ILGA-Europe board member Tatjana Greif of Slovenia added: 'If Poland is successful, other accession countries may try to follow this example. We call upon the [European] Commission, members of the European Parliament, and member state governments to refuse any opt-out which would weaken the rights of Poland's LGBT Community.'
2 ARRESTED IN CAPE TOWN SLAYINGS
Police in Cape Town, South Africa, arrested two men Feb. 13 for the murders of nine men at the Sizzlers gay massage parlor.
News reports had linked the Jan. 20 massacre to gangs and drug deals, but police said they now believe the motive was robbery.
The victims were tied up, shot, and had their throats slit. Six died on the spot and three died later in hospitals. One man survived. He has been released from the hospital, after having two bullets removed from his head, and is staying at a safe house.
Police said the arrestees have confessed.