Global gay
UTAH HOMOPHOBIA
A new report shows there significant levels of homophobia and discrimination in the US state of Utah. A study of 939 GLBT workers by the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) found that 67 percent of transgendered and 44 percent of gay, lesbian and bisexual locals said they had either been sacked or denied a job or promotion as a result of their sexuality or gender identity. The research also showed gay men earn 20 percent less than their straight counterparts and found, on average, lesbians earn $10,000 less per year than straight women, despite working longer hours. The report’s release coincides with an attempt by a Democratic state senator to introduce statewide protection from housing and employment discrimination.
court win
COURT WIN
A UK gay couple who took the Christian owners of a hotel to court for refusing them a double room have won their case. The Bristol County Court last week ruled the owners of the Chymorvah Hotel in Cornwell had acted unlawfully when refusing the couple a double room. The hotel owners said as Christians they did not believe unmarried couples should share a room. The couple, who are in a civil partnership, have been awarded £1800 ($A2,882) each in damages.
resolution passed
REJECTION URGED
The European Parliament has urged Lithuania’s Parliament to reject a proposal to criminalise the ‘promotion of homosexual relations’ with a fine of up to €2,900 ($A3,913). A resolution has been passed by the European Parliament opposing Lithuania’s move. During the debate, concerns were raised that Lithuania’s proposed legislation would contradict a fundamental principle of the European Union — freedom from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. ILGA-Europe executive director Evelyne Paradis welcomed the EP’s stand. “This is already the second resolution of the European Parliament since 2009 condemning discriminatory legislative initiatives in Lithuania,” she said. “It clearly demonstrates and confirms a very basic principle of the European Union that the discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation is unacceptable.”
