Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

World news: Eddie Izzard, Qatari op-ed, Annie Lennox
Special to the online edition of Windy City Times
by Andrew Davis, Windy City Times
2016-08-16

This article shared 888 times since Tue Aug 16, 2016
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


In Britain, Jamie Penny allegedly threatened to "do" Eddie Izzard's house after Izzard refused to give Penny and his friend a lift in his Beetle in April—and when Penny encountered Izzard again on a London street in May, he allegedly called him an idiot and a gay slur, TV3.ie reported. Penny recently appeared in Westminster Magistrates Court, charged with two counts of using threatening and abusive words or behavior. He has yet to indicate a plea and asked for the case to be adjourned while he found legal representation that understood his struggle with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

An op-ed about life as a gay Qatari has stirred debate about the limits of tolerance in the conservative Gulf Arab country that is slated to host the 2022 soccer World Cup, Reuters noted. The unprecedented public insight into homosexuality in a country where gay sex is punishable by jail was published on the website of English-language Doha News, written by a man identified only as Majid. Doha News' editor defended the piece. "It seemed the time was right to open a discussion on the matter. It is a testament to media freedom in Qatar that we can have this debate at all," Shabina Khatri said.

Annie Lennox recently said that ending some of the world's deadliest diseases is within reach but only if donor governments dig deeper into their pockets to fund the fight against AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, Reuters reported. Lennox was among activists calling on Britain to pledge 1.2 billion pounds ( $1.58 billion ) to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria ahead of its summit in September to urge governments to commit more money to fighting the diseases. Lennox, who shot to fame in the 1980s with the Eurythmics pop band, said her work as an AIDS campaigner had shown her first-hand the extent of the "human catastrophe" unleashed by the disease.

Twitter exploded when an article written by a journalist from The Daily Beast included details that could possibly out closeted gay athletes at the Rio Olympics, Gay Star News noted. Nico Hines, who was sent by The Daily Beast to the Games, went on gay dating apps such as Grindr to convince athletes to hit on him in the Olympic village. In the original article which has since been edited, Hines detailed the nationality and sport of the athletes whom he had "tricked" into conversing. Gus Kenworthy, a six-time world champion skier who's also an Olympic silver medalist, condemned the article and called it "shitty." ( Activist Dan Savage and internet personality Tyler Oakley were among others who condemned the article, The Huffington Post noted; Tongan swimmer Amini Fonua also criticized it, Advocate.com stated. ) John Avlon, the editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast, has since apologized.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plans to apologize on behalf of all Canadians to those who were imprisoned, fired from their jobs or otherwise persecuted in the past because of their sexuality, The Globe and Mail reported. That apology is a key element in a broad range of reforms that will collectively represent one of the greatest advances for sexual minorities in Canada's history. Helen Kennedy—executive director of Egale, a national organization that advocates for the rights of sexual minorities—said, "For the government to recognize the damage that it caused, the harm that it caused, to thousands and thousands of Canadians is a historic moment for our communities."

Speaking of Canada, Canadian Blood Services says the placement of a blood donation ad on gay dating app Grindr is the fault of its mobile advertising vendor, CBC.ca reported. In an ad that ran on Grindr across Canada, the organization encouraged men to download its GiveBlood mobile app and "put the power to give life in the palm of your hand." But under new rules, any gay men who have been sexually active within the last year are banned from donating blood.

The body of a gay Syrian man has been found beheaded and mutilated after a suspected kidnapping and rape in Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, Newsweek reported. Friends of Muhammad Wisam Sankari, who discovered his body, told Turkish LGBT-rights group kaosgl.org that gangs had previously threantened both Sankari and themselves. Sankari was a refugee who arrived in the city a year ago and had been looking to leave Turkey because his life was in danger. He was found dead in the central Istanbul district of Yenikapi on July 25.

National Health Service ( NHS ) England said it "strongly denies" accusations of homophobia made against the government body in the wake of a High Court ruling that found it was responsible for providing PrEP to at risk groups, according to an Attitude item that cited BuzzFeed. The organization, which will appeal the court ruling, issued a response to the verdict, in which it described PrEP as "a measure to prevent HIV transmission, particularly for men who have high-risk condomless sex with multiple male partners." The statement also implied that the provision of PrEP would put other treatments at risk of being denied funding, including medication for children with cystic fibrosis.

A Russian gay campsite was attacked by a gang in the middle of the night, with people being left beaten and robbed, Gay Star News noted. The Russian LGBT Sport Federation held a sporting weekend on the bank of the river Linda at the weekend, near the city of Nizhny Novgorod. Five to eight unknown people came with bats, crashing into cars and shouting anti-LGBT slurs. The same group has faced numerous attacks in the past year, and not a single one has seen arrests or the perpetrators being charged.

More than 50 local community members and activists showed up for the first-ever LGBTQ Pride march in Odessa, Ukraine, NBC News noted. The day before the event, local authorities in Odessa banned the event on the grounds there was a high probability of a conflict, as anti-gay activists were also scheduled to gather at the same time and place. However, organizers eventually managed to convince authorities to allow the Pride march, and the police agreed to protect the safety of those who participated.

The United States summoned the Philippines' envoy after its president, Rodrigo Roa Duterte attacked the States' ambassador with expletives in the latest spat of a feud that began between the two before Duterte was even elected, RT.com reported. The Philippine president said, "I am okay with him" when referring to US Secretary of State John Kerry, who had visited the country in late July. However, he then lashed out at the U.S. ambassador to the Philippines, Philip Goldberg, saying "I had an argument with their ambassador, that 'bakla' [gay]. Son of bitch, he really annoys me." U.S. Press Office director Elizabeth Trudeau said that the remarks made by the Philippines' president concerning Goldberg were "inappropriate," while refusing to quote them.

Amelie Mauresmo of France, Marat Safin of Russia and Justine Henin of Belgium were among those recently enshrined in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, The Providence Journal noted. Mauresmo, an out lesbian, accepted her 2015 honor after skipping last year's event due to the birth of her first child. ( Mauresmo came out as openly gay following her 1999 Australian Open semifinal win over Lindsay Davenport, and displayed both a social consciousness and genuine compassion throughout her career. ) All three were ranked number one at some point in their careers.

Tel Aviv has seen its last gay bar close, Newsweek noted. Evita, which sat just minutes from the beach, closed after 12 years of business on the Shabbat. While other, mixed bars are LGBT-friendly, Evita served as Tel Aviv's sole gay bar. According to newspaper Haaretz, it served as a linchpin for the LGBT community, both locals and tourists, in the city.

At the Rio Olympics, NBC's Chris Marlowe called the same-sex spouse of Larissa Franca, a Brazilian women's beach volleyball player, her husband—sparking a protest on social media, Newsmax reported. Franca and her volleyball teammate Talita Antunes had just beaten Lauren Fendrick and Brooke Sweat from the United States when Franca went to the audience to hug Liliane Maestrini, who she has been married to since 2013. Marlowe innocently commented: "She gives a hug to Lili. That is her husband. She married Lili in 2013 and Larissa is celebrating with her pals." Marlowe later tweeted, "I'm sorry for the mistake today. Clearly, Liliane is Larissa's wife," The New York Daily News noted.

Also at the Rio Olympics, Ryan Lochte and three other U.S. swimmers were robbed Aug. 14 by individuals posing as armed police officers, The L.A. Times reported. The swimmers— including Gunnar Bentz, Jack Conger and Jimmy Feigen—were in a taxi from France's hospitality venue to the Olympic Village when the incident occurred, according to the U.S. Olympic Committee ( USOC ). The USOC added in its brief statement on the matter that the four athletes are safe and cooperating with authorities.


This article shared 888 times since Tue Aug 16, 2016
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

The Jeff Awards announces the 50th anniversary awards for non-equity theater
2024-03-26
--From a press release - A complete list of recipients can also be found online in the Non-Equity and News and Events sections at www.jeffawards.org. (March 25, 2024 - Chicago) — Celebrating its 50th anniversary awarding recognition for Non-Equity theater, the ...


Gay News

'Rumors' performers create alternative drag playground
2024-03-24
At first glance, Dorian's Through The Record Shop (1939 W. North Ave.) looks like a brightly-lit shop with a handful of records on the wall, but there's a secret world behind those unassuming shelves. Visitors are ...


Gay News

NATIONAL Altercation, mpox research, Univ. of Fla., George Santos, tech battle
2024-03-08
Video footage uploaded to Facebook showed an altercation between a state trooper and two prominent Philadelphia LGBTQ+ leaders, the Washington Blade reported, republishing an article from Philadelphia Gay News. Celena ...


Gay News

Queer Eye's Jai Rodriguez is set to slay at The Big Gay Cabaret
2024-03-05
Out and proud performer Jai Rodriguez is set to play at The Big Gay Cabaret this March for three days. Presented by RuPaul Drag Racer Ginger Minj, this monthly series highlights the wide world of cabaret ...


Gay News

NATIONAL School items, HIV/AIDS activist dies, Nex Benedict, inclusive parade
2024-03-01
In a new survey, the Pew Research Center asked public K-12 teachers, teens and the U.S. public about the ongoing scrutiny placed on classroom curricula, mainly regarding race and LGBTQ+ identities, ABC News noted. Among other ...


Gay News

Appeals court allows Ind. ban on gender-affirming care for minors
2024-03-01
On Feb. 27, a federal appeals court in Chicago allowed Indiana's ban on gender-affirming care to go into effect, removing a temporary injunction that U.S. District Court Judge James Patrick Hanlon issued last year, ABC News ...


Gay News

Oklahoma non-binary student dies after being assaulted
2024-02-21
Officials acknowledged there are unresolved questions about a 16-year-old non-binary Oklahoma student who died one day after a fight in a high school bathroom, NBC News noted. Chuck Hoskin Jr., principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, ...


Gay News

GLAAD releases report on LGBTQ+ inclusion in video games
2024-02-19
LGBTQ+ media-advocacy organization GLAAD has released a report on queer inclusion in the world of video games. Among the key findings in "Gaming: The State of LGBTQ Inclusion in Video Games" is that 17%—nearly one in ...


Gay News

Democrat flips seat once held by George Santos
2024-02-14
On Feb. 13 in New York, Democrat Tom Suozzi won a special election to succeed the U.S. congressional seat formerly held by openly gay Republican George Santos, who was recently ousted. According to NBC News, Suozzi's ...


Gay News

$200,000+ raised at AIDS Foundation Chicago's World of Chocolate Fundraiser to fight HIV/AIDS
2024-02-13
--From a press release - (Chicago, IL) More than 950 guests gathered at Chicago's famed Union Station (500 W. Jackson) for Chicago's Sweetest Fundraiser, AIDS Foundation Chicago's (AFC), World of Chocolate on Friday, February 9. ...


Gay News

Carisa Hendrix mesmerizes as Lucy Darling in Teatro ZinZanni
2024-02-12
Since 2019, Teatro ZinZanni has gathered together amazing performers from all over the world to create an experience in Chicago under the Spiegeltent in the Cambria Hotel building, 32 W. Randolph St. Over the years, ticket ...


Gay News

Chicagoans indulge in a World of Chocolate
2024-02-11
AIDS Foundation of Chicago hosted its 2024 World of Chocolate celebration the evening of Feb. 9 at Union Station. Top chocolatiers from across the city allowed guests to sample numerous confections, hors d'oevres and libations for ...


Gay News

GLAAD remembers Cecilia Gentili, transgender Latina, actress, activist, health care activist, journalist
2024-02-06
--From a press release - (New York, NY - February 6, 2024) GLAAD, the world's largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, is responding to the death of transgender actress and advocate Cecilia Gentili and elevating voices of transgender and political leaders honoring ...


Gay News

Comcast NBCUniversal partners with News is Out, Word In Black on fellowship program highlighting Black, LGBTQ+ issues
2024-02-06
--From a press release - Digital Equity Local Voices Lab Fellows to be placed at 16 local publications to receive training and create content Philadelphia (Feb. 6, 2024) — News is Out [ https://newsisout.com ] , a queer media collaborative of ...


Gay News

SAVOR Chocolatier Uzma Sharif on being part of World of Chocolate
2024-02-03
AIDS Foundation Chicago will hold its annual World of Chocolate event on Friday, Feb. 9, at 6 p.m. at Union Station, 500 W. Jackson Blvd. Attendees will embark on a global tour of chocolate—but there will ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.