g_b Liberal California shuts door on same sex marriages
Liberal California shuts door on same sex marriages Shalaka Paradkar in Los AngelesA proposed ban on same-sex marriage in California -- widely seen as the most momentous of the 153 ballot measures at stake across the United States on November 4 -- has been passed, with 52 per cent of the voters saying 'yes' and 48 per cent saying 'no'. For the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community which fought long and hard for the right to get married, the vote has come as a heartbreaking defeat. Rashmi Choksey, president of Satrang, the South Asian queer organisation based in Southern California, says, "It's been a bitter-sweet election. On one hand, a liberal Democrat was elected with overwhelming support and on the other, California, which is known for its liberal views and ideals, has let its queer people down. Satrang members who got married and those who hope to get married in the future are quite sad at this turn of events." Sapana Doshi, 34, who got married just two weeks ago to her partner Tracy Osborne, 38, is on her way to her honeymoon in the Caribbean. . Speaking to rediff.com, she said, "It doesn't mean that our effort against Prop 8 (the initiative to ban same sex marriages) was a complete failure. We spread so much awareness. It has forever changed the way people think about same sex couples. For example, our family has been transformed. And so many families in California agree that we are denied our fundamental right. The verdict is a sad setback but not a defeat." Sapana, who got married in an Indian ceremony attended by 150 people at the Sonoma County park in California, said, "We are each other's soul-mates. For a long time we wanted to get married but were denied our fundamental right. We were in fact planning to go to Canada [Images] to get married. But when the state supreme court approved same sex marriages, it gave us hope. It made a big difference in our lives. So we moved fast to ensure we can get married soon." However, Like Sapana, some 18,000 same sex couples who tied the knot during a four-month window of opportunity opened by the court ruling now face uncertainty about their legal status as a married couple. Rashmi Choksey explains, "The fact that Prop 8 was passed with such a small margin shows that we've made some strides into illuminating the homophobia and discrimination we face. However, there's much more work to be done, especially addressing the scare tactics and misinformation that the religious right has used to its advantage. Basically, those who got married will be in some sort of limbo, no one knows how it will play out. I have a feeling there will be several lawsuits filed for one thing or another, the biggest already being filed by the American Civil Liberties Union." The ACLU and other opponents of the ban have filed a challenge with the state supreme court arguing that California's ballot cannot be used to undermine one group's access to rights enjoyed by other citizens. The amendment, which passed with 52 percent of the vote, overrides the original court ruling by defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Thirty states have now adopted such measures, but the California vote marks the first time a state took away the right after it had been legalised. In a landmark judgment on May 16, the California supreme court had struck down the state's ban on same sex marriage. Rakesh Modi, chariman of Trikone, a support group for LGBT people of South Asian descent, said he has not lost hope. "I am very disappointed with the unfavourable verdict on Prop 8, but I am not disheartened. This just means that there is more work to be done, even in the seemingly liberal state of California, to educate people. I still have faith that Californians are broad-minded enough to accept same sex marriage. We lost Prop 8 because of the scary tactics of our opposition in spreading lies." According to the 2000 census, total number of same sex couples in California is 92,138. According to analysis of data from the 2000 US census, there are over 13,000 Asian and Pacific Islanders in same couples in California, more than in any other state. According to Satrang's comprehensive survey in 2005 in collaboration with the largest SA community based partner organisation, the South Asian Network, over 3,869 of them are South Asians. The California Center for Population Research says there were four per cent Asian Indian same sex couples and 0.2 per cent Pakistani same sex couples in California. The number of South Asians has grown in the eight years since the census. Moreover, the data doesn't include those who were counted under 'unmarried partner household' category or single gays, lesbians, bi and trans South Asians. Gay marriage bans were also passed on Tuesday in Arizona and Florida [Images], with 57 percent and 62 percent support, respectively, while Arkansas voters approved a measure aimed at gays that bars unmarried couples from serving as adoptive or foster paren
g_b Dubai men party, 11/6/2008, 11:00 pm
Guys Party in Dubai :p No drag please. little prince-Sanjay N Lulla Title: Dubai men party Date: Thursday November 6, 2008 Time: 11:00 pm - 3:00 am Repeats: This event repeats every month on the first Thursday. Next reminder: The next reminder for this event will be sent in 21 hours, 3 minutes. Location: Jules Bar - le Meridien,Airport Road, Dubai
g_b Breaking free
Breaking free 6 Nov 2008, hrs IST, PRERNA SHAH , TNN PrintEmail Discuss Share SaveCommentText: So now we have Dostana which, says Karan Johar has experimented with the gay theme but in a different way from what the Brokeback Mountain did. John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan pretend to be 'gays' in Dostana More Pics In Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion Samir Soni shares a kiss with a fellow male actor. In fact Bollywood has over the past few years quite a mature portrayal of homosexuality, be it in Madhur's Page 3, or the critically acclaimed My Brother Nikhil. Fashion and Dostana are seen as films that just may be able to bring homosexuality to the forefront and into mainstream cinema. In Dostana, Bollywood hunks Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham, pretend to be a couple in a bid to rent an apartment in Miami. Fashion's sub-plot, has Harsh Chayya and Samir Soni play a homosexual fashion designer-couple. In Bhandarkar's Page 3 for the first time a gay character (played by Rehaan Engineer) was looked at without prejudice. Johar's first attempt at the concept was through Kal Ho Naa Ho, which had a funny 'gay' subplot between Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan. The two even took homosexuality on to film award shows. World over, life is also becoming 'normal' for gays. Mahesh Dattani's Mango Souffle breaks away from stereotypes with an erotic under-water gay kissing scene. Dattani believes that Bollywood films sometimes tend to caricature homosexuals. In India, the debate to decriminalise homosexuality still rages on, with the Centre continuing with an argument that the criminal provision against homosexual acts is required to curb the spread of HIV infection. Manvendra Singh Gohil, erstwhile prince of Rajpipla and a homosexual who's come out of the closet says, "The rift between the Centre and the health minister — who is in the favour of decriminalising homosexuality— speaks of a mindset which shows that we are lagging behind when it comes to supporting fundamental rights of our citizens. Across the globe, there are so many countries that have woken up to the fact that there is nothing illegal or perverse about homosexuality. But then, we have always been a very conservative society so this stand is expected." Ashok Row Kavi, founder of a male sexual health NGO which also fights for the legal emancipation of homosexuality in India, says, "A few days ago I was in Delhi and a group of young Congress MPs were going to present to the government their views and it basically boiled down to that — it was stupid to fight over such an issue. This fight between the centre and the health ministry shows us all in a very poor light." Psychiatrist Sandeep Shah, says, "As doctors, we don't look upon people with homosexuality as abnormal. Rather it is about helping them cope with the social problems that arise and the guilt they often face when they realise their sexual orientation. The debate that is raging on is to be welcomed. It is understood that even if a law views homosexuality as something criminal, it wouldn't mean that there is an end of homosexuality or that people will deviate from what their sexuality is." While Bollywood films have a long way to go when it comes to creating an award-winning, sensitive film solely focussing on homosexuality, at least the first stone has been laid in that direction. And hopefully, some day there will be more awareness and understanding in urban India about homosexuals. After all, life is all about making your own choices and others should respect them. Gay in Bollywood? Kal Ho Naa Ho Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. My Brother Nikhil Life In A Metro Page 3 Mukhbiir -- www.gaybombay.in www.gaybombay.info Group Site: http://www.gaybombay.in http://www.gaybombay.info == This message was posted to the gay_bombay Yahoo! Group. Responses to messages (by clicking "Reply") will also be posted on the eGroup and sent to all members. If you'd like to respond privately to the author of any message then please compose and send a new email message to the author's email address. Post:- gay_bombay@yahoogroups.com Contact Us:- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gay_bombay/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gay_bombay/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
g_b Thursday's Thunder
· A college professor in an art class asked his students to sketch a naked man. As the professor walked around the class checking the sketches, he noticed that one of the young ladies had sketched the man with an erection. The professor said, "Oh, no, I wanted it the other way." She replied, "What other way?" Be the first one to try the new Messenger 9 Beta! Go to http://in.messenger.yahoo.com/win/
g_b GB Party at Bollywood Mischief in Bandra on 15th November 08 !!!!
GB Party at Bollywood Mischief in Bandra on 15th November 08 Located a short distance from the station, opposite Globus cinema, Bollywood Mischief has become one of Bandra's most happening places since it opened a year ago. Spread over two floors, it's a luxury fashion boutique by day and a lounge bar at night. The venue will have two dance floors, plus lots of space for those who might wish to just sit it out and chat in a separate Red lounge. Don't miss the GayBombay party at Bollywood Mischief - it will definitely to be a night to remember. Date: Saturday, 15TH November Time: 9 pm - 1 am. Cover Charge: Rs 650 before 10pm and Rs 700 after 10pm (Please note – NO CREDIT CARDS) Address: Bollywood Mischief, 31, Hill Road (Bang opposite Globus), Bandra Please note that you have to be above the age of 21 to attend GayBombay parties. Please carry proof of age with you: a driving license, college identity card, etc. The Cover Charge includes: In-house DJ and a dance floor; delicious snacks; 4 drinks with mixers, Extra drinks will be sold at Rs 100/- per coupon. Dinner will not be served. ___ - Some don'ts: ` GB, as a support group, has created this comfort/safe space for gays. Many people at the event may be "newbies" (those still coming to terms with their sexuality and/or those who have mustered the courage to come to such an event for the first time). We request you to be Sensitive to the comfort levels of others and to behave and dress accordingly. ` No dark rooms and no sex on the premises; if found indulging in any "hanky panky" you shall be asked to leave the party. ` A special REQUEST: During and after the party please DO NOT gather outside the venue. The management has requested us to ensure that, in the middle of the night, the peace of the neighbourhood is not disturbed. As per LAW now Smoking is banned within the premises - A few dos: ` Have a smashing time. ` Carry your Alcoholic Drinks Permit. This event is organized by: http://www.gaybombay.org. Right of admission reserved.
Re: g_b Planing for gay thamed flim fest in Dubai....
hi how can i get a copy of these movies? regards --- On Fri, 9/12/08, nicky b <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: nicky b <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: g_b Planing for gay thamed flim fest in Dubai To: "G_B" , "gb gb" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "sanjay" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "sanjay" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Friday, September 12, 2008, 1:28 PM Dear all... I am thinking for a small flim fest in Dubai, UAE... I have some movies which we cld see and njoy some time knowing eachother... Pls pass this massage to ppl who are there in UAE... These are the movies which i have wid me... Edge of Seventeen Just One Time Love! Valour! Compassion! NGC – Taboo (Docmentry) Straight Jacket The Birdcage The Wedding Banquet To Wong Foo-Thanks for Everything! J.N. Touch of Pink Unconditional Love Dead Boyz Don't Scream East Side Story Eating Out Eating Out 2 - Sloppy Seconds Friends And Family Outing Riley The Houseboy THE OBJECT OF MY AFFECTION Nick