HONG KONG: Democracy Protest Swells, Police Respond With Tear Gas

Via the Washington Post:

Swelling crowds of pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong on Monday plunged Asia’s normally staid financial hub into a tense standoff with Beijing that strikes directly at China’s expanding political grip in the former British colony. The rapidly escalating demonstrations are aimed at forcing Beijing’s Communist leaders to abandon newly declared powers to weed out any candidates in upcoming Hong Kong elections. Yet many on the streets proclaimed they are fighting for something even bigger: preserving a vision of Hong Kong promised 14 years ago when it reverted to Chinese rule. At the time, Chinese leaders promised a state within a state: allowing special hands-off provisions for Hong Kong such as elections and a degree of self-rule in policy making. But protesters now accuse China of reneging on the deal and trying to exert its control over every aspect of Hong Kong’s political affairs. The mounting protests present a conundrum for Beijing. Too hard a crackdown could drive more people to the pro-democracy cause, and that would embarrass Chinese authorities, who would never permit such a challenge on the mainland. Yet, by the same token, allowing the protesters some room risks encouraging others to question Communist control in the rest of the country over such issues as media freedoms, economic development and minority rights.

Coke Responds To Sochi Complaints

Coca-Cola published a press release today in response to criticism over their sponsorship of the Sochi Olympics, which was protested this afternoon in Times Square by Queer Nation.

As one of the world’s most inclusive brands, we value and celebrate diversity. We have long been a strong supporter of the LGBT community and have advocated for inclusion and diversity through both our policies and practices. We do not condone human rights abuses, intolerance or discrimination of any kind anywhere in the world.  As an Olympic sponsor since 1928, we believe the Olympic Games are a force for good that unite people through a common interest in sports, and we have seen firsthand the positive impact and long-lasting legacy they leave on every community that has been a host.

We support the core values of the Olympic Movement – excellence, friendship and respect – and are proud to continue our role in helping to make the Olympics a memorable experience for athletes, fans and communities all around the world. We are engaging with the International Olympic Committee on this important matter. We believe a more positive impact can be made through continued involvement, rather than by sitting on the sidelines.

The press release goes on to catalog numerous actions taken by the company in support of the LGBT community.  Queer Nation has responded to today's message with the below image.

SUNDAY: Protest Against NC Pastor

From the Facebook event page:

Pastor Charles L Worley of Providence Road Baptist Church in Maiden, NC recently told his congregation that his solution to dealing with lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender people were to send them camps surrounded by electrified fencing to die. The following Sunday, he used the scriptures to justify his call for the death of homosexual & transgendered people, while toning down his rhetoric.

We are organizing a PEACEFUL protest against Pastor Worley's bigoted and hate filled rhetoric. Regardless if you are gay or straight, Christian or not... this rhetoric is dangerous and harmful. Taking a peaceful stand for our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is paramount.

More details about the protest will be posted to this page soon. Please, only RSVP if you plan to come. If you are out of town, and support our cause but will not be coming to the event, please do not RSVP. In lieu of participating in this event, you can email Pastor Worley at pastor@prbcnc.com, to let him know what you think of his rhetoric. Remember, making threats against Pastor Worley will not help our cause and may result in criminal charges against you. Keep your message clean, clear and peaceful.

SUNDAY: Pastor Sean Harris Protest

Facebook page is here.

OCCUPIED: Times Square

SUNDAY: Protest At St. Patrick's Cathedral

This Sunday at NYC's St. Patrick's Cathedral there will be a protest against the Catholic Church's campaign to shield child molesters. Facebook event page here.

Protest this Sunday against Pope's protection of paedophile priests. The Pope must resign over cover up of child sex abuse. "Priests can touch boys, but I can't touch my partner?" Come join us as we protest the Catholic church and their hypocrisy this Sunday. "In a 2001 edict to Catholic Bishops worldwide, the Pope ordered a cover-up of child sex abuse by Catholic clergy. He failed to ensure that priests who raped and sexually abused young people were reported to the police. Pope Benedict has direct personal responsibility for allowing many paedophile priests to escape justice."

This action is scheduled to run from 9:00am until noon.

Friday: LGBT Activists To Protest Obama Speech In Boston

LGBT activists and allies plan to protest President Obama's appearance this Friday at a fundraiser in Boston. Via press release:

President Barack Obama will be visiting Boston on Friday, Oct. 23rd, for a high dollar fundraiser to be held at the Westin Copley Hotel. Outside the hotel, a protest will be held from 12:30pm - 2:30pm urging President Obama to follow through on his LGBT right's promises. The protest will focus upon two issues which President Obama has sole authority over, namely signing a stop-loss order to immediately halt the discharge of openly gay members of the military due to the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

Further, advocates are demanding that President Obama stop working against the LGBT community and against his campaign promise to get rid of DOMA, the Defense Of Marriage Act, by defending the law in Court. Rather, they urge that President Obama direct his Department of Justice to stop defending this law in Court, of which there is no obligation to do so, and allow a Congressionally appointed lawyer to defend the law instead. "We'll be sending a strong message to President Obama that his self proclaimed title of "fierce advocate" for the LGBT community actually requires advocating on our issues. And our community will not let up until he finally follows through on his promises." said Paul Sousa, co-chair of Join The Impact MA.

The protest is being organized by Join The Impact MA. Here's the Facebook page.

Tomorrow: Rally At Atlanta City Hall To Protest Police Harassment At Eagle Raid

At noon tomorrow, Saturday, a massive rally is planned for Atlanta's City Hall in protest of police actions during the raid of the Atlanta Eagle last week. From GLBT/ATL:

GLBTATL, made up of members of Atlanta's LGBT community, and our allies are highly concerned with the Atlanta Police Department in their handling of the police action against the Atlanta Eagle bar on September 10, 2009. We believe that no person, regardless of sexual orientation, race, or other aspect, should be treated in the manners alleged in the official complaints. We are further disappointed in the sluggish response from the Atlanta City Council, and particularly with the abject silence of Mayor Shirley Franklin. We join with other local and national groups in calling for an immediate, transparent investigation into the events. Should the allegations of improper police conduct prove true, the offending parties should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. As community leaders, we want it to be understood that our trust in the protection and dedication of Atlanta Police Department officers has been violated.

No community should live in fear of its protectors in law enforcement, whether in Fort Worth, TX (where a similar raid occurred in June at that city's "Rainbow Lounge"), Atlanta, or anywhere in America. As Atlantans, as Americans, and as humans, we demand respect, fairness, and common sense from our law enforcement and our government. We recognize that this issue represents a gross violation of the civil rights, and likely violation of United States Constitution-conferred rights, of Atlanta's citizens. Though as activists we may represent Atlanta's gay community, these events are a pandemic issue of violation of civil, and basic human, rights.

Facebook action page here. JMG readers attending the rally, please send me any photos and video you take for immediate posting here.

Sunday: NOM Protest In Rhode Island

There will be a protest at the National Organization for Marriage's hatefest in Rhode Island this Sunday. From the Providence Equality Action Committee's Facebook action page.

This Sunday, the National Organization for Marriage is holding a "Marriage Day" at the Aldrich Mansion in Warwick. The purpose of this event is to build support for bigotry and exclusion of LGBT people from basic rights in Rhode Island. The event includes a "wedding renewal ceremony" where (straight) married couples may "renew their vows". The newly-formed Providence Equality Action Committee (PEAC) is calling for a protest outside the event for 5-6pm, during the speech of NOM president Maggie Gallagher. We are renewing our vows--to fight for equality and against hate in our state! Join us with your signs and your body as we work together for full equality for all LGBT people in RI and throughout the country!

Donuts will NOT be served!

Saturday: Great Nationwide Kiss-In

The Great Nationwide Kiss-In, an event created in response to a spate of anti-gay incidents that arose out of gay men being publicly affectionate, takes place this Saturday, August 15th. Activists across the country have signed-on to take part, check out this Facebook action page for times and locations in your town.

Laurie Higgins of the vile Illinois Family Institute has issued a warning to Chicago families, saying they should be alert and avoid accidentally running into kissing homos. Higgins adds: "We're also urging that pro-family organizations find out if this event is taking place in cities near them, and that they would issue the same warning to families [regarding] what time the event will take place and where so that they can avoid this public spectacle."

Tonight In Illinois: Protest Against Exodus International

If you're in the Chicago area, you might want to join the Gay Liberation Network's protest against Exodus International (PDF), who are opening their national "We're totally not gay anymore, we swear!" convention tonight.

Exodus International is the nation's foremost organization claiming to use Christianity to turn LGBT people into "ex-gays." And while they say they "love" us, their fake attempts to change gays into straights is rooted in their hatred of gay people. They oppose all civil rights for LGBT people – equal employment, housing and access to public accomodations, and one of their board members even traveled to Uganda recently to endorse a vicious law which makes gay sex punishable by life imprisonment. Every major, relevant professional association has denounced Exodus's efforts as potentially very damaging to the very people Exodus claims to "help."

The protest takes place at 6:30 PM at Wheaton College. 500 College Avenue, Wheaton, Illinois. GLN is arranging transportation from Chicago and seeks additional drivers.

Livestream: White House Gay Cocktails

Today's LGBT cocktail party at the White House will be livestreamed here beginning at 4:25pm EST.

Americablog's John Aravosis vents:

I'm so proud of our gay leaders today. Getting all spiffed up to go to the White House and "deliver our president a message." That'll be the day. Oh, I'm sure, in the 8 minutes or so that a small select handful of those present will be shuffled into a private ante-room to meet the president, they'll tell him things like "people were hurt" or "people were disappointed." (The overwhelming rest of the invitees will get a whopping 0.5 seconds to deliver their "stern" message to the president as he's shaking their hand and looking to the next person). Obama knows we're hurt and disappointed. Telling him that we have families too, with him nodding, Clinton-like, perhaps even biting his lip to show that he too feels our pain, will accomplish absolutely nothing. The message that our leaders need to send President Obama is that we're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore.

Towleroad's Andy Towle won't be going:

I was invited late last week as a 'plus one' one of the invited guests to this event, and received a late request over the weekend from someone else to reconsider. After some thinking about it and discussion with close friends about whether it would be proper to attend with the attitude of "bringing the message to Obama," I decided against it. While I would love nothing more than to go to the White House and meet the President for a celebration of LGBT people. I'll look forward to the day that happens when we aren't still relegated to the back of the bus.

SLDN Protests At The White House

Video by Americablog's Joe Sudbay.

Despite Protests, DNC's LGBT Fundraiser Yields Record $1M

Although protesters outside Washington DC's Mandarin Oriental shouted, "Shame, shame!" and "Don't go in!" last night's DNC fundraiser netted $1M in donations.

A long list of LGBT activists had also registered their discontent by simply declining to attend the dinner: activist David Mixner, former Clinton advisor Richard Socarides, millionaire Bruce Bastian, prominent Obama supporter Stampp Corbin, blogger Andy Towle, and the entire board of the Stonewall Democrats. Despite the controversy, about 180 people showed up to hear Vice President Joe Biden speak for a price tag of $1,000 to $30,400 per plate. The event brought in nearly $1 million, up from about $750,000 last year, according to a Democratic Party source.
But the scene was not one of total discord between inside and outside. Some DNC staffers working the event were also wearing red, white, and blue “265” buttons as a reminder of the number of gay and lesbian service members who have been discharged from the military since President Barack Obama took office. When Vice President Joe Biden took the stage, he told the crowd that he had specifically asked to speak at the event and that his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, had also requested to address a Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network event earlier this month. “I am not unaware of the controversies swirling around this dinner,” Biden said, “swirling around the speed -- or lack thereof -- that we’re moving on issues that are of great importance to you and, quite frankly, to me and to the President and to millions of Americans.”

(Via Kerry Eleveld @ The Advocate, Photo Credit: Bullneck @ Flickr)

Protest New York's Senate Democrats Tonight At New York City Hall

The New York Senate Democratic Conference will be holding a "Hollywood & Broadway" party tonight at NYC Hall. You know, instead of doing any actual fucking work. An instant protest has sprung up:

With all the chaos that has been occurring in the Senate over the past several days and weeks, it's important that we show our elected officials that we won't stand for it. Join Civil Rights Front, Marriage Equality New York, and other LGBT organizations as we gather outside the gates of City Hall and DEMAND that those who support the Marriage Equality Bill, further show their support by making it their priority to have the bill added back to the Senate agenda during these extraordinary sessions.

For those that are able to arrive at 5:00, we will be handing out flyers to those attending the event as they walk through the gates. These flyers will be encouraging them to call their Senator and Governor and make sure that marriage is brought to a vote before the extraordinary sessions end. Please bring signs with a general message calling for them to "Act Now." As those in attendance exit the event, we want everyone to be holding signs so that the message is clear. We can't wait any longer. It's time to put the power back in the hands of the people!!!!

City Hall (260 Broadway). 5:00-6:30pm

Visit the Facebook action page for this event.

Team Auto-Straddle & Lt. Dan Choi

Lesbian bloggers Auto-Straddle attended yesterday's anti-gay marriage rally and got some great footage along with an interview with DADT casualty Lt. Dan Choi. Hang on until the end for a hawt kiss between Choi and his handsome BF.

TODAY: Massive Pro And Anti-Gay Marriage Rallies Set For Manhattan

The NYPD has been advised to prepare for 10,000 - 20,000 Hispanic evangelicals rallying outside Gov. Paterson's Manhattan office today at 1PM for their self-described anti-gay protest. LGBT folks and our allies are urged to show up too, "not in a fight against our dissenters, but in a gesture of support for Governor Paterson, who has supported us." Gay organizers are requesting "no hostility" towards the other side. Please keep your signs and talking points positive. Those arriving by train are suggested to meet in Grand Central Terminal at the clock by 12:30pm. From there we will gather at 633 Third Avenue between 40th and 41st streets. State Sen. Ruben Diaz and his group have planned their protest to last for one hour.

Then you'll have about four hours to enjoy midtown before the huge pro-gay marriage rally off Times Square put on by Broadway Impact.

This Sunday, May 17, stars of Broadway and Television will come out to perform and rally in support of love, peace and marriage equality. Please join us from 5:00pm - 7:00pm ET on Sixth Avenue at 44th street in Manhattan as we let the sunshine in.

Visit Broadway Impact for a lengthy list stars appearing/performing at the rally. See you there! And feel free to Twitter or Facebook this post and ask your followers to RT it. We need big numbers at both rallies. Tiny URL for this post: http://tinyurl.com/ofxdkx.

Nonviolence 4 Equality

A newly-formed activism group is calling for nonviolent civil disobedience in the furtherance of LGBT rights. From their site, Nonviolence 4 Equality:

It’s time to take it to the streets.

Like never before, there is an urgent national call for social change through the use of nonviolent direct action, including civil disobedience.

We are tired of defeat, token change, defending ourselves against charges of moral inferiority, and being told to “wait” in the land we love while liberation occurs in other countries. Martin Luther King, Jr. acknowledged that real change takes time; yet he also warned against the “tranquilizing drug of gradualism” and instructed the oppressed to demand equality now – not on the convenient time schedule of those doing the oppressing. The nonviolent legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Angela Davis, Audre Lorde, Barbara Deming, Bayard Rustin, Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, Oscar Romero and countless others is deeply rooted in United States and world history. It continues to play a vital role in undermining the power of repressive political regimes.

It's not immediately apparent what kind of civil disobedience is being suggested - check out the site and tell us what you think.

NYC: Protest At Iraq Mission Over Murders Of Gay Men In Iraq

Led by activist Brendan Fay, today a small group of LGBT activists protested in front of NYC's Iraq Mission over the recent spate of gay men murdered in Iraq. What would have been a relatively low-key demonstration turned somewhat ugly due to the NYPD, who at first refused to allow activists to stand on the public sidewalk in front of the Iraq Mission, then threatened to arrest anyone who attempted to ring the building's bell and deliver a formal letter of protest.

Reporter Andy Humm of Gay City News vehemently objected, shouting, "You can't ring a bell and deliver a LETTER in NYC?" Eventually two men appeared from inside and a man who identified himself as Yassar Mohammed accepted and read the letter but said he would have no official comment, as the Mission was observing "Great Friday." Below is my slideshow of the protest and my video of Brendan Fay's passionate speech in support of LGBT people in Iraq.

UPDATE: Wayne Anderson at World Of Wonder has his post up with more photos.

NYC Friday: Protest At Iraq Mission

There will be a protest of the murders of gay men in Iraq at NYC's Iraq Mission at noon on Friday.

Iraq Mission, 14 E. 79th Street in Manhattan
Friday, April 10, 2009 at 12 Noon.

Organizers of Friday’s protest point to the staggering number of gay men killed: over 400 since 2003, and over 85 since 2005. Men have been identified in and around Baghdad’s Shiit slum known as Sadr City with bullet-ridden bodies, some with broken arms and legs, and with the words “pervert” or “puppy” (a derogatory word used by residents in Sadr City to refer to gays) written on their chests. In an act of intimidation, a café frequented by lgbt citizens of Sadr City has been firebombed.

(Via - Petrelis Files)