CANADA ADDS
HATE PROTECTIONS
Canada's Senate voted 59 to 11 on April 28 to add sexual-orientation coverage to the nation's hate-crimes laws. The measure had passed the House of Commons last year. It will take effect after the formality of royal assent.
The legislation had been introduced by gay MP Svend Robinson who is on a medical leave after recently confessing that he stole a $50,000 ring from a jewelry show.
'It's sort of bittersweet that he's put so much into it and he's not able to be there at the Senate to see it go through,' said fellow New Democrat MP Libby Davies.
The changes will protect gays and lesbians from incitement of hatred and genocide under the Criminal Code.
AUSSIE P.M. WANTS TO BLOCK SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
Australian Prime Minister John Howard announced plans April 25 to rewrite federal marriage law to block courts from legalizing same-sex marriage, The Australian reported.
The changes would prevent states and territories from going their own way on marriage and would bar recognition of gay marriages that take place overseas.
The spokesman for the national gay lobby group Equal Rights Network, Rodney Croome, predicted Howard's efforts would face an uphill battle in Parliament.
'Such radical changes to our marriage laws are likely to be held up for months if not years by committee inquiries, making John Howard's move nothing but tawdry electioneering to placate the social right before the national poll,' Croome said. 'The move is also wrong because it will deprive those Australian same-sex couples who have already been married in Canada of their right to a day in court.'
Three Australian gay couples are suing to force recognition of their Canadian marriages under provisions of the Commonwealth Marriage Act.
Same-sex marriage is legal in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. Canada has no residency requirements for marriage.
GEORGE MICHAEL IS MOST-PLAYED ARTIST
Britain's Radio Academy April 28 named gay singer George Michael radio's most-played artist over the past 20 years and handed him an award.
'I can't believe it. I've only made six albums in 22 years so I don't know how this happened,' Michael said. 'I'm the luckiest writer on earth.'
Researchers surveyed more than 600 radio stations nationwide to reach their determination.
Elton John took second place, followed by Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Bryan Adams, Madonna, Phil Collins, Cliff Richard, Mick Hucknall and Paul McCartney.
Michael, 40, was outed in 1998 after being arrested for allegedly waving his willy at a hunky undercover cop in a Beverly Hills, Calif., park toilet.