KEVIN Rudd has been presented with his first major challenge on gay law reform from within his own party, with ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope challenging him to allow gay and lesbian civil unions in the territory.
Mr Stanhope said the Prime Minister - a self-described social conservative - should allow the move, arguing that if Mr Rudd could demand China respect the human rights of Tibetans he should defend the rights of his own citizens at home.
It is the first time Mr Stanhope has spoken publicly about the federal Government’s intervention to see the ACT laws blocked.
The Rudd Government is in discussions with the ACT Government to remove clauses in its civil partnerships bill that would allow gay couples to hold a public ceremony marking their union.
In a speech to lawyers, Mr Stanhope said a national bill of rights could protect Australian citizens against such interventions. The Rudd Government has committed itself to an inquiry on a charter of rights, but has ruled out any model that would undermine the authority of parliament.
“I have hopes that a Prime Minister and a Government capable of advocating for the basic rights of the Tibetans will - must - comprehend the justice of formally extending each of those same basic rights to folk back home,” Mr Stanhope said.
“I have hopes that this Prime Minister … will respect the right of the component parts of our federation to legislate as they are constitutionally empowered to do and as they have received a mandate to do.”
He said legislating for civil partnerships was within the powers of the states and territories. “We know that what the ACT is attempting to do is no more than to extend to same-sex couples equality with other Canberrans, under ACT laws,” he said. “Not commonwealth laws: that would require a national bill of rights. Just ACT laws … in the community to which they contribute, and to which they belong.”
But Mr Stanhope said that unfortunately for the men and women in the ACT who desire recognition of and respect for their long-term “enduring primary relationships, efforts by the ACT Government to deliver these things have been thwarted”.
“The evidence suggests the rights of a significant number of Canberra’s men and women cannot be guaranteed by my Government, because of church disapproval,” he said. “This in a nation that has committed … to a separation of church and state.”
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The Liberal Democrat candidate for Mayor of London is to ‘tie the knot’ with his boyfriend.
Brian Paddick told the Pink Paper of his civil partnership plans in an interview published yesterday.
The 49-year-old was until May last year the most senior out gay policeman in the country in his former role as Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan police.
His boyfriend, Petter Belsvik, 36, is originally from Norway. The couple live in Vauxhall, south London.
Asked if he was planning a civil partnership, Mr Paddick replied:
“Yes, we are – that’s an exclusive!
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For a while now, Luke Macfarlane has been reported as being gay and in the past, romantically linked (dating) Wentworth Miller. It’s true they are friends, but Luke has taken that bold step in Hollywood to come out as gay. Well done Luke! He is probably shitting himself right now about the media revelation (no surprise I think Luke).
“I don’t know what will happen professionally … that is the fear, but I guess I can’t really be concerned about what will happen, because it’s my truth.
Luke Macfarlane: ‘I can’t really be concerned about what will happen, because it’s my truth.’
Ontario borm actor Luke Macfarlane is currently filming hit television series Brothers & Sisters in Los Angeles where he plays a gay character Scotty Wandell. If you have been following it (and we havent as we are in London) the season finale is the wedding of Lukes character Scotty Wandell, to Kevin Walker
Speaking in an interview to Ann Johansson for The Globe and Mail, Luke is quoted a saying
“There is this desire in L.A. to wonder who you are and what’s been blaring for me for the last three years is how can I be most authentic to myself - so this is the first time I am speaking about it in this way.”
The episode, which started shooting yesterday and will air on May 11 on ABC and Global, is a monumental step in television culture, he says.
Luke holds ambitions to be married to a gay partner one day (which is perfectly possible in Canada for both citizens and in some states non citizens).
In the interview with Ann Johansson, Luke speaks about relationships and the importance of the person not the sexuality and his personal aspirations.
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Former Amazing Race contestant Reichen Lehmkuhl is once again dipping his toes into the “acting pool,” with a cameo on smutty gay drama Dante’s Cove. You not only see his butt, but also him simulating oral sex and simulating an orgasm. What do you think of his acting chops?
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Kylie’s new video by Marco de Silva is out. Kylie has just finished the video promoting her new single “All I See”. The song was produced in and for the US as Kylie breaks into that market. Marco de Silva produced the video. Shes doing the rounds of the US TV networks.
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Thanks Sonny Tong for this DNA photo shoot of hunk Marco Dapper with beard. Much better with a beard I think than those old photos of Marco Dapper Naked .
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Benjamin Godfre is the new God. male model Benjamin Godfre is also the new Timoteo model and has recently appeared in DNA magazine. Godfre appears near naked here in this shot by Tom Cullis
Dieux Du Stade Calendar 2008
The 2008 Calendar of your favourite rugby team: Dieux Du Stade (Gods Of The Stadium), the French Rugby Champion team from Paris, France has arrived!
