Thai gays seek constitutional protection
Thai gays have begun campaigning for GLBT protections in the new constitution being drafted in the wake of last September's military coup d'état.
' [ W ] e hope the guarantee of rights for the third sex in the constitution will pave the way for amendments in other laws to give gays equal rights,' Natee Teerarojjanapongs of the Thai Political Gay Group told Reuters.
He said that despite Thailand's relatively gay-friendly reputation there is still 'clear prejudice.'
The Royal Thai Army ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Sept. 19, 2006. Following the bloodless coup, the military called off an election, dissolved Parliament, suspended the constitution, detained cabinet members, prohibited political activity, stifled the media and instituted martial law.
Coup leaders promised that a new democratic government would be in place within a year. An interim charter was drafted, and retired Gen. Surayud Chulanont was installed as interim prime minister.
Outgames to hand
creditors crumbs
The financially disastrous 1st World Outgames, held last summer in Montreal, will pay its biggest creditors 15 or 20 cents of each dollar owed them.
Creditors voted to accept the settlement April 25 rather than see the Outgames declare bankruptcy, which would have made it difficult for the Outgames to collect money it is still owed, leaving its creditors in a worse situation.
The Outgames lost more than $5 million Canadian. Some $3 million of that has been written off by governments that loaned the organization money.
There are 308 creditors remaining who are owed about $2.3 million. Of those, 121 who are owed $500 or less will get all their money, said the Montreal Gazette. More than 100 who are owed more than $500 have agreed to accept a flat settlement of $500.
That will leave about 80 larger creditors who will receive pennies on the dollar. The Canadian dollar is worth about 90 cents U.S.
Rosie spurns Bermuda
Rosie O'Donnell has told Bermuda to clean up its gay act.
The island has been axed as a stop for her next GLBT R Family Vacations cruise because last time one of her cruises stopped there, about 100 Christians greeted the vacationers with an unpleasant protest.
Some of the same folks were threatening to demonstrate again this year.
'There is a minority of vocal churches who do not welcome us,' R Family said on its Web site. 'We feel that our cruise would be more enjoyable with an alternate itinerary to ports where we know we are welcome by everyone.'
—Assistance: Bill Kelley