Global gay news briefs
Spain opposition contradicts leader on marriage
Popular Party (PP) Madrid Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón (pictured) has contradicted a pledge by his own party’s presidential candidate to end same-sex marriage in Spain.
Presidential candidate Mariano Rajoy had promised to overturn the legislation even if it was found to be constitutional by the courts.
Ruiz-Gallardón, a powerful figure in the PP, said his party would abide by decisions of Spain’s Constitutional Court and retain same-sex marriage laws whether Rajoy liked it or not.
Lesbians refused African Union Status
The Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL) has denounced a decision by the African Union’s Commission on Human & People’s Rights to refuse them observer status and will appeal the decision.
CAL applied for observer status in 2008 and had to wait until October this year for a response from the head of the commission, who gave no reasons for their exclusion.
30 men arrested in Malaysia gay spa raid
More than 30 men between the ages of 20 to 50 were caught in police raids on two gay spas in the Malaysian state of Malacca on November 5.
Five different state agencies participated in the raids, which came after a week of surveillance, including the Chief Minister’s Department, the Immigration Department and the State Islamic Department.
