by Rex Wockner
2.4 million at
São Paulo pride
In the largest gay pride parade in the history of the world, 2.4 million people turned out in São Paulo, Brazil, June 17, police said. It was the city's 10th gay parade.
The march continues to grow each year even though activists complain that anti-gay discrimination remains at high levels. At least 81 Brazilians were murdered in anti-gay hate crimes last year. The parade theme was 'Homophobia Is a Crime.'
In Mexico City the same day, 160,000 people hit the streets for the city's 28th pride march. Organizers demanded equal rights and opportunities, legal recognition of same-sex families, and reform of the educational system to present GLBT people in a fair manner.
The five-hour parade began at the Angel of Independence monument and ended at the Zócalo, the huge square that is Mexico's political epicenter.
Speakers at the post-parade rally included the president of the Mexico City Human Rights Commission and the director of the National Center for the Prevention and Control of AIDS.
Among several politicians in attendance was presidential candidate Patricia Mercado of the Social Democratic and Farmer Alternative party.
Pop singer Gloria Trevi also spoke. 'You should not have to fight for your rights to acquire them or have them, because you were born with them,' she said. Trevi also performed her latest single, 'Everybody's Watching Me' ( 'Todos me miran' ) .
Cameroonian men
guilty of sodomy
Seven of nine men accused of sodomy in the African nation of Cameroon were found guilty in June and sentenced to ten months in prison.
Since they have been jailed for over a year following their arrests at a gay bar, they are expected to be released shortly, said the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission.
Two other men were found not guilty.
International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission ( IGLHRC ) head Paula Ettelbrick said she does not understand 'on what basis the convictions were made as there was no evidence presented by the prosecution of the commission of sodomy.' She said homosexuality itself is not banned in Cameroon, and a conviction for sodomy requires being apprehended or witnessed in the act.
Minister of Justice Amadou Ali has said the men were jailed to ensure 'that positive African cultural values are preserved.'
Two other men were convicted on sodomy charges earlier this year and sentenced to one year in prison. Four women are awaiting trial on the same charges.
IGLHRC says that Cameroon 'has become famous this past year for detention of its citizens on 'sodomy charges,' sanctioning the expelling of young women from secondary schools for their stated sexual orientation, and for 'gay baiting' high-level officials and public personalities with charges of homosexuality in local papers.'
Latvia deletes
gay protections
Latvia's Parliament rejected sexual-orientation protections in a workplace anti-discrimination bill June 15.
Such protections are a requirement for membership in the European Union, to which Latvia belongs. It is the only member of the 25-nation union to flout the requirement. On June 21, President Vaira Vike-Freiberga vetoed the bill and returned it to Parliament.
'Latvia is legally bound to implement [ European Union ] Directive 2000/78/EK,' she said. 'Considering the aforementioned, as well as the fact that banning discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation would protect persons with a traditional sexual orientation as well as homosexuals, I consider it logical to identify this form of discrimination along with those already stated in the law.'
The European branch of the International Lesbian and Gay Association ( ILGA ) is urging the European Commission to launch an infringement proceeding against Latvia.
'When Latvia has joined the EU it has also taken up crystal-clear commitments on non-discrimination, but the debate in the Latvian Parliament ... has shown a provocative and open disregard of these very obligations,' said ILGA-Europe co-chair Riccardo Gottardi.
Estonia beefs up gay protections
Estonia's Parliament voted to increase protections for GLBT people June 15.
In a 62-18 vote, lawmakers criminalized incitement of hatred, violence or discrimination based on, among other things, sexual orientation. Violators face a fine or jail sentence. They also banned human-rights violations or unfair advantages based on sexual orientation.
The author of the amendments said Estonia was lagging behind other European nations in protecting gay people.
'Now homophobia has been criminalized here as well,' said People's Union MP Jaak Allik.
Cuban state TV airs
gay soap opera
Cuban state TV has launched a soap opera with gay characters.
The Dark Side of the Moon features, among others, a married father who gets involved with another man and then contracts HIV.
Some gay Cubans told foreign media it is unfortunate that the series suggests AIDS is a punishment for engaging in gay sex.
