Russian patriarch: Homosexuality is like kleptomania
Patriarch Alexy II, head of the Russian Orthodox Church and Russia's seniormost religious leader, told European MPs on Oct. 1 that homosexuality is like compulsive thieving.
Speaking to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, Alexy said homosexuality is 'an illness [ and ] distortion of the human personality like kleptomania.'
'Why don't we have advertising for kleptomania?' he asked.
Alexy added that 'no one should force me and my brothers and sisters in faith to keep quiet when we call something a sin when it is a sin according to the word of God.'
He noted, however, that Orthodox Christians must 'love sinners despite their sins.'
Some MPs from other Orthodox Christian nations applauded the patriarch's remarks.
The Council of Europe, founded in 1949, promotes democratic principles based on the European Convention on Human Rights and similar agreements. Forty-seven nations are members.
Decisions are made by the Committee of Ministers, which is composed of the 47 foreign ministers or their deputies. The 640-member Parliamentary Assembly, composed of members of the 47 national parliaments, conducts investigations and makes recommendations. The secretariat, headed by the secretary general, who is elected by the Parliamentary Assembly, employs some 2,000 people recruited from the 47 nations. Other council components include the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, a voice for Europe's regions and municipalities; and the European Court of Human Rights.
Gay soccer championship held in Buenos Aires
The International Gay and Lesbian Football Association held its 10th World Championship in Buenos Aires Sept. 23-29, drawing 500 soccer players from 28 teams around the world.
Argentina's Los Dogos defeated reigning champ Stonewall Football Club from London in a 1-0 shutout Sept. 29 to capture the gay soccer world cup.
It was the first time the event, which received substantial support from the Argentine Football Association, had been held in Latin America.
Other sponsors included Delta Air Lines, Manhunt.net and the local gay clubs Amerika and Titanic.
Ottawa gays take over straight bar
A new group in Ottawa, Ontario—Guerilla Gay Fare—took over a straight bar the evening of Sept. 14, the gay newspaper Capital Xtra! reported.
The group, which signed up 600 members in two weeks via a Facebook.com profile, plans to infiltrate a different straight establishment monthly to reclaim public space and get gays to mingle with straight people.
About 100 people took part in the first action at Tila Tequila in the Byward Market area.
Organizer Tim Campbell told Capital Xtra! that Tila Tequila employees seemed 'really happy' about the event, with staff saying, 'You guys are welcome to party here' and 'This is a great thing.'
Similar guerrilla gay groups exist in a few U.S. cities.
—Assistance: Bill Kelley
—Assistance: Bill Kelley
