Sometimes things in life happen without having control over them. They make you need to be pragmatic, whereas it is so much eassier to stay living in your dream. These situations can be frustrating and they might hurt, but you need accept them, because you have to move on.
So tomorrow morning I fly to Ankara, to develop a project with local partner organisations. I will spend five days in the Turkish capital, and then move forward to Istanbul, which I have never seen before. I will relax there a little bit, and finally enjoy some sunshine, something that has been lacking here in Amsterdam the past couple of weeks.
Eventually my travel will end in Poland, where I will lead a Dutch delegation which will visit the Gay Pride. Hope that many people will join!
So off for a while!
29.5.06
26.5.06
Old fashioned blogging
It seems that we are getting pretty old fashioned with our written blogs. On YouTube people have video blogs, which are extremely funny to watch I've just discovered. For instance take a look at the blog of Brooke, a teenage girl from America whom is telling us about here life. http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Brookers
YouTube is also great fun because of other video's that are posted. It's a good waste of time on a free rainy Friday morning like today!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAmljaj5stA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPu19jOcJF4
YouTube is also great fun because of other video's that are posted. It's a good waste of time on a free rainy Friday morning like today!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAmljaj5stA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPu19jOcJF4
22.5.06
Holy Shit
This year the UN Commission for NGO's again refused to give consultative status to several LGBT NGO's in ECOSOC. The Holy See delegate said in the commission:
"Sexual orientation is not comparable to race or ethnic origin. In spite of its assertions about human rights, this NGO’s particular interests fall beyond the scope of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international juridical instruments: In other words, what ILGA and its proponents are asking is not for equal rights but special rights; special rights that allow others a leeway for a discreet suppression of moral distinctions in choices and behavior that are of vital concern to the international community and the international order."
It is time that people and instutions blocking certain LGBT people to be protected from hate, violence and discrimination because of who they are, are kept responsible for the consequenses.
"On many occasions that the Holy See has been misunderstood, it is because it has always critically distinguished a homosexual person from his/her choices and behavior. The Holy See has always respected and defended all persons who are entitled to the protection of their fundamental dignity granted not by the State, not by some international organization, but by the nature given to them by the Creator."
And who says that the creator doesn't entitle me, who has sexual intercourse with partners of the same sex, fundamental dignity?
(...)
"The lack of making a stand against public homosexual behavior amounts to regarding homosexuality, as such, “as a positive source of human rights. Tolerance without standards seeks to create a level playing field offering loopholes for suppressing moral distinctions in choices and behavior which would be tantamount to accepting fake expressions of “anarchic freedom.”
I believe thus I can discriminate?
"The Holy See's position on marriage and adoption of children is based precisely on a recognition of a fundamental truth: marriage is based on the union of a man and a woman; the family is based on marriage. In spite of interpretations to the contrary, this is the meaning of the Universal Declaration and the 1966 Covenants. Furthermore new forms of family structure are weaker and less stable."
People, wake up! Already since five years the marriage in many countries can also be an union of a man and a man, or a woman and a woman. This is not an interpretation, but a fact!
"If this stand of the Holy See which hopefully is shared by other distinguished members of the NGO Committee here, were to be taken as an imposition of its own morality, in response it cannot but say that “gay rights laws and the demand for special rights as well impose one view of sexual morality (sexual relativism) on all peoples and then enforce this code of morality on constituents of other groups holding other beliefs and legislations.”
Who are the non-distinguished members? And who try to impose?
"Sexual orientation is not comparable to race or ethnic origin. In spite of its assertions about human rights, this NGO’s particular interests fall beyond the scope of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international juridical instruments: In other words, what ILGA and its proponents are asking is not for equal rights but special rights; special rights that allow others a leeway for a discreet suppression of moral distinctions in choices and behavior that are of vital concern to the international community and the international order."
It is time that people and instutions blocking certain LGBT people to be protected from hate, violence and discrimination because of who they are, are kept responsible for the consequenses.
"On many occasions that the Holy See has been misunderstood, it is because it has always critically distinguished a homosexual person from his/her choices and behavior. The Holy See has always respected and defended all persons who are entitled to the protection of their fundamental dignity granted not by the State, not by some international organization, but by the nature given to them by the Creator."
And who says that the creator doesn't entitle me, who has sexual intercourse with partners of the same sex, fundamental dignity?
(...)
"The lack of making a stand against public homosexual behavior amounts to regarding homosexuality, as such, “as a positive source of human rights. Tolerance without standards seeks to create a level playing field offering loopholes for suppressing moral distinctions in choices and behavior which would be tantamount to accepting fake expressions of “anarchic freedom.”
I believe thus I can discriminate?
"The Holy See's position on marriage and adoption of children is based precisely on a recognition of a fundamental truth: marriage is based on the union of a man and a woman; the family is based on marriage. In spite of interpretations to the contrary, this is the meaning of the Universal Declaration and the 1966 Covenants. Furthermore new forms of family structure are weaker and less stable."
People, wake up! Already since five years the marriage in many countries can also be an union of a man and a man, or a woman and a woman. This is not an interpretation, but a fact!
"If this stand of the Holy See which hopefully is shared by other distinguished members of the NGO Committee here, were to be taken as an imposition of its own morality, in response it cannot but say that “gay rights laws and the demand for special rights as well impose one view of sexual morality (sexual relativism) on all peoples and then enforce this code of morality on constituents of other groups holding other beliefs and legislations.”
Who are the non-distinguished members? And who try to impose?
20.5.06
LGBT rights in the centre of Europe
This week LGBT rights were, probably for the first time in history, discussed extensively at the centre of Europe. The vice-president of the European Commission Mr. Frattini, 
Commissioner of Employment Mr. Spidla, the Council of European Human Rights Commissioner Mr. Hammelberg and the chair of the European Parliament Mr. Borrel-Fortelles were all speaking firm words on how LGBT rigths should be respected as Human Rights.
They clearly said that the assination of gay people during World War II should be recognized at history books so that young people at schools learn about it.
They promised to further explore possibilities for the implementation of an anti-discrimination directeve, and they informed us that a green paper on freedom of movement and marriage is going to be present shortly. This would, in a period of time, also mean for same-sex couples that they will be recognized, even though in some cases the European Court of Justice shall have to decide upon this.
Mr. Hammelberg announced to fully support the Moscow gay pride, remarkable considering Russia's is currently chairing the Council of Europe. Even though remarkable progress is being made in Europe, I again was a bit dissapointed. Mr. Frattini told me that LGBT young people Europe can benefit from a communication campaign about anti-discrimimation the coming years, but will not actively protected from discrimination. This priveledge is kept to employed people. I still don't understand that the European Parliament would not see the benefit of educating young people more progressively about discrimination... Because on a longer term this would have more economical benefits as anti-discrimination policies and programs in the employment sector have currently.
Commissioner of Employment Mr. Spidla, the Council of European Human Rights Commissioner Mr. Hammelberg and the chair of the European Parliament Mr. Borrel-Fortelles were all speaking firm words on how LGBT rigths should be respected as Human Rights.They clearly said that the assination of gay people during World War II should be recognized at history books so that young people at schools learn about it.
They promised to further explore possibilities for the implementation of an anti-discrimination directeve, and they informed us that a green paper on freedom of movement and marriage is going to be present shortly. This would, in a period of time, also mean for same-sex couples that they will be recognized, even though in some cases the European Court of Justice shall have to decide upon this.
Mr. Hammelberg announced to fully support the Moscow gay pride, remarkable considering Russia's is currently chairing the Council of Europe. Even though remarkable progress is being made in Europe, I again was a bit dissapointed. Mr. Frattini told me that LGBT young people Europe can benefit from a communication campaign about anti-discrimimation the coming years, but will not actively protected from discrimination. This priveledge is kept to employed people. I still don't understand that the European Parliament would not see the benefit of educating young people more progressively about discrimination... Because on a longer term this would have more economical benefits as anti-discrimination policies and programs in the employment sector have currently.
Straight prejudices
These weeks I am hosting many guests. It's fun, as it makes you show people around your city which you then see with different eyes. As different people visit me I am taking them to all kind of different places. Yesterday I was at a Gay discotheque with a friend from Slovenia, and tonight I was in a coffeeshop with the American brother of a friend of mine.
Next week two Australian friends are coming over, whom will go to watch the football in Germany. I don't know where I should take them yet... and I especially don't know how to tell them that I have to visit the Mr. Gay Netheralands elections at Saturday.
Next week two Australian friends are coming over, whom will go to watch the football in Germany. I don't know where I should take them yet... and I especially don't know how to tell them that I have to visit the Mr. Gay Netheralands elections at Saturday.
16.5.06
Night train to Idaho
In an hour I will jump into the night train to Strasbourg, where tomorrow I will attend a conference organised by the European Parliament on IDAHO (International Day Against HOmophobia). Finally visibility to homophobia at the same time in different places!
Many activities are organised around Europe, see for an overview of some activities: http://www.iglyo.com/content/activities/idaho-activ06.html.
Never before I have been with the night train, so that is exciting! I'm also excited for a lunch tomorrow with the Members of the Intergroup of the European Parliament on lesbian and gay rights, as well with Spidla and Frattini. Curious to see what commitment they make for the coming years.
For more general information:
http://www.iglyo.com/content/activities/idaho.html
Many activities are organised around Europe, see for an overview of some activities: http://www.iglyo.com/content/activities/idaho-activ06.html.
Never before I have been with the night train, so that is exciting! I'm also excited for a lunch tomorrow with the Members of the Intergroup of the European Parliament on lesbian and gay rights, as well with Spidla and Frattini. Curious to see what commitment they make for the coming years.
For more general information:
http://www.iglyo.com/content/activities/idaho.html
10.5.06
Pride and Proud
This weekend I visited the vifth Moldovan Gay Pride. It was great being back in Chisinau: the dedication of people working for and with GenderDoc-M, the hospitality, and the fun made it a pleasure coming back!Even though the organisers faced some backlashes in terms of recognition of the necessity of such event I think they can be proud on the event they again succesfully managed to organize in this part of Europe. It's through the efforts of involving many actors from civil society in the work that the Pride is so widely being supported.
On the pictures you see people being involved in 'forum-theatre'. An interactive working method by which needs for anti-discrimination legislation were discussed. Very touching as real-life situations were projected on the current legal situation. The ban of the actual pride by the Chisinau major, as well the participation of a representative of the Moldovan Baptist community (whom addressed homosexuality as unnatural during the conference), made it clear that there's big need for such legislation!
1.5.06
Work again
My holidays are over, tomorrow I have to start working again. I didn't spend my holidays in a very traditional way this time: I used my hours off from my paid job to work on my unpaid work. That was a rather good experience! The last thing I did during these holidays was representing IGLYO at the Council of Members of the European Youth Forum, in Prato, Italy. At the moment that we were practising our democratic rights by electing new members for two important Youth Forum structures, the gay pride in Krakow was attached by right-winged extremist. Together with many dedicated young people from several Youth organisations I worked on a declaration against homophobia, which was signed by 102 representatives. A result which made me very happy!I really enjoyed these weeks off! I met great and wonderful people, had a beautiful time around Europe, slept several mornings, stayed awake several nights without being concerned about the next morning and thus now feel completely re-energized to start working again.
Abonneren op:
Posts (Atom)
