Violence against the Israeli LGBT Community

Having seen this yesterday I thought it should go on the blog- "Violence against the lgbt communities in any state will not be tolerated" -

______________________________

Gay Israelis rally after shooting

One of the victims, 26-year-old man Nir Katz, was buried in Modiin on Sunday

Hundreds of Israelis have joined a rally organised by the gay community after shootings at a gay youth centre.

Two people died and at least 11 were hurt when the gunman opened fire at the Tel Aviv Gay and Lesbian Association before fleeing.

The city's Mayor, Ron Huldai, said the motive was unclear and police declined to comment except to say a Palestinian link was not suspected.

But the protesters condemned the attack as Israel's worst hate crime.

"I fear that if the man who did this is not found, the consequences to the gay community might be far-reaching - they might live in fear," said 47-year-old lawyer Arnon Hirsch.

Protesters said it was the country's worst hate crime

The attacker, wearing a mask, opened fire indiscriminately with a pistol inside the centre on Nachmani Street.

The two people he killed were a man aged 26 and a 17-year-old girl.

Survivors described how the attacker kept firing as visitors to the centre dived for cover.

"I took cover with someone under a table, and he kept firing," said one injured teenager, Or Gil.

"When I got up it was horrifying, I just saw blood."

Gay rights activist Mike Hamel criticised religiously-driven hatred of homosexuals.

"Beyond the pain, the frustration and the anger, we are facing a situation in which the incitement to hate creates an environment that allows this to happen," he said.

One worker at the centre said some parents of the teenagers did not know their children were gay until they received phone calls telling them their children had been injured.

Support pledged

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to bring the killer to justice.

Opposition leader Tzipi Livni, who attended the rally, said the attack should strengthen young people who wanted to come out of the closet.

People from the gay community are allowed to serve openly in the military, and couples are given a measure of legal recognition.

____________________________________________________________________

The South West LGBT Greens!!!

_____________________________________________________________________
SW GREENS CALL FOR GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION FOLLOWING FAILURE OF GAY EQUALITY VOTE

Equalisation at 16 defeated

The Gibraltar Parliament, which is part of the South West region in the Euro elections, this week voted to defeat the gay age of consent equality bill, which would have established an equal age of consent of 16. SW Greens have joined Peter Tatchell in calling for the UK Government to intervene.

Ryan Cleminson, Coordinator of the SW Greens LGBT group said: “The Government of Gibraltar is required by European Court of Human Rights rulings to equalise the age of consent for same-sex relationships. I urge David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, to intervene and let Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, Peter Caruana know that Gibraltar cannot be allowed to evade its human rights obligations."

Human rights campaigner and Green party spokesperson, Peter Tatchell said: "The equalisation legislation should have been sponsored by the government and not introduced as a private member’s bill. I am very surprised and disappointed that this was a private member's bill and not a government bill. The government gives the impression that it is trying to evade its responsibility to uphold equality and human rights. As a British Overseas Territory, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has ultimate responsibility for ensuring Gibraltar’s compliance with human rights law. Why was the legislation suddenly rushed through parliament, when a number of MPs were overseas and when there was insufficient time for a considered debate and amendments?"

________________________________________________________________________

One Day to go

The South West LGBT Greens

____________________________________________________________________

With less than 24 hours to go the South West LGBT Greens will be officially launched tomorrow, Monday 2nd Feb. The work starts from today making sure everything is in place, We now have a dedicated discussion list (Thank-you Nigel).

Tomorrow I plan to visit the Bournemouth Daily Echo offices to see whether they will cover the story I also plan to send the release to BBC South and also Meridian News (ITV Local). Then its all go trying to get new members to the party and also associate members as well.

If you are part of the Green Party and wish to be kept uptodate with what's going on and take part in discussions you can join the list:-

How to join the discussion list-

Subscription is easy. Members can send a blank email to with "mailing list in the subject field :
swlgbt-subscribe@lists.brightonandhovegreenparty.org.uk

I am the list moderator so if you have any questions you can mail me -:

swlgbtgreens@gmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you

Regards

Ryan