200 Million Living Victims

Today is the International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation 2017 (FGM).

The UNICEF estimates that there are at least 200 million women and girls now living with female genital mutilation.

Although female genital mutilation is carried out in many countries, the report says that more than half of those who have undergone it live in just three countries -- Indonesia, Egypt and Ethiopia. 

Data shows the highest rates of genital mutilation among women between the ages of 15 to 49 are in Somalia, Guinea, and Djibouti. In most countries, the majority of girls subjected to the practice are younger than 5. About one fourth of all cases worldwide were girls under the age of 14.

UNICEF hopes that with the support of governments, communities and religious leaders, the practice will be widely abandoned by 2030.

Karadzic Sent to the Slammer

Marlise Simon at the New York Times reports:

"Radovan Karadzic, the former Bosnian Serb leader, was convicted of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, by a United Nations tribunal on Thursday for leading a campaign of terror against civilians that included the slaughter of 8,000 Bosnian Muslims at Srebrenica in 1995 and the nearly four-year siege of Sarajevo.

Mr. Karadzic, 70, was sentenced to 40 years in prison.

The United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia convicted Mr. Karadzic of genocide for the Srebrenica massacre, which aimed to kill “every able-bodied male” in the town and systematically exterminate the Bosnian Muslim population there. The bodies were dumped in a mass grave.

(...) Mr. Karadzic was (also) convicted of persecution, extermination, deportation, forcible transfer and murder in connection with a campaign to drive Bosnian Muslims and Croats out of villages claimed by Serb forces during the country’s 1992-95 civil war.

In addition, Mr. Karadzic was found to have been “instrumental” in a campaign of sniping and shelling that terrorized the civilian population of Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital. And he was convicted of leading the taking of United Nations employees as hostages, to obstruct NATO from carrying out airstrikes on behalf of besieged Bosnian Muslim civilians."

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It's great to see that one of the world's worst war criminals is condemned for the atrocities he has committed while he is still alive. Hopefully it will be a warning for a couple of other villains.

So one down, and hopefully Bashar Al Assad of Syria will follow soon.

"Republicans May Vote For Bock", Laird Says

If you ever needed final proof that The Much Honored Bock McMillan, laird of Southern Charm etc. etc, is a softy, you got it today when the Laird's Household released the following statement. 

"My heart goes out to my Republican friends in the United States of America as they must choose a presidential candidate  among the bigoted, neo-fascist and despicable losers that have offered their names for consideration. They face the choice between pestilence and cholera, and there is no lesser evil among them.

After much contemplation and soul searching I have come to the firmly held belief that I must act to give the G.O.P. a reasonable and sane candidate at the upcoming convention. 

Although I do not share the usual Republican belief that economical issues and taxes are more important than human rights, I still feel they need to offer ya'll a better lineup to choose from.

Here are my positions on a couple of the issues in this year's political conversation. 

I am for

• equal rights and opportunities for all human beings

• a separation of state and church (incl. the removal of references to God on money)

• a woman's right to choose anything that concerns her body

• universal and comprehensive health care and expanding the ACA further

• very strict gun control

• same-sex marriage and adoptions

• a photo ID being required to vote

• continued government funding of Planned Parenthood

• health control providers being required to offer free birth control 

• requiring that businesses have both women and men on their board of directors

• the military allowing both women and men to serve in combat roles 

• legalization of marijuana

• raising the debt ceiling

• raising the minimum wage

• businesses being required to provide paid maternity leave for full-time employees

• trade unions

• affirmative actions

• increased government environmental regulations to prevent global warming

• the U.S. remaining in the United Nations

• declaring war on ISIS

• increased foreign aid spending

• government funding of stem cell research

I am against

• the death penalty

• secular business being able to deny service due to their religious beliefs

• states displaying the racist Confederate flag on government property

• cuts in public spending to reduce national debt

• juveniles being sent to prison and the use of solitary confinement for them

I believe in 

• the theory of evolution

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To avoid any "birther issues", please let me refer you to Second Life, who can attest to the fact that Bock McMillan was born on March 11th, 1997, on a server placed in California, U.S.A. I am therefore a "natural born citizen" of the United States of America. 

I offer my name with pride and confidence that you will do that right thing! Now the ball is in your court. It's easy peasy, just write me in next time you vote!

Yours always,

Bock McMillan

Laird of Southern Charm etc. etc. 

UN Issues LGBT Themed Postage Stamps

"The United Nations Postal Administration has released six new postage stamps promoting equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

The colourful stamps by artist and UNPA art director Sergio Baradat are also meant to celebrate the diversity of the gay community and marks the first time the global body’s post office has issued stamps with an LGBT theme.

(Source: theguardian.com)

Faces - Can You See Beyond the Label?

(via J.M.G.)

Clip info

""Lesbian", "gay", "bisexual", "transgender", "intersex", "queer": can you see past the labels?

This video from the United Nations Free & Equal campaign celebrates the contributions that millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people make to families and local communities around the world. The cast features "real people" (not actors), filmed in their workplaces and homes -- among them, a firefighter, a police officer, a teacher, an electrician, a doctor and a volunteer, as well as prominent straight ally and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon."

World AIDS Day 2014

“On this World AIDS Day, I call on world leaders to unite in our common cause. We have started to turn the tide. We have set a bold target. Let us end AIDS together by 2030.” — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
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World AIDS Day 2014 is an opportunity to harness the power of social change to put people first and close the access gap.

Ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 is possible, but only by closing the gap between people who have access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services and people who are being left behind.

Closing the gap means empowering and enabling all people, everywhere, to access the services they need.

• By closing the HIV testing gap, the 19 million people who are unaware of their HIV-positive status can begin to get support.
• By closing the treatment gap, all 35 million people living with HIV will have access to life-saving medicine.
• By closing the gap in access to medicines for children, all children living with HIV will be able to access treatment, not just the 24% who have access today.
• By closing the access gap, all people can be included as part of the solution. 

Closing the gap means that ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 is possible.

For more information please visit UNAIDS

Unite to End Violence Against Women

"The United Nations General Assembly has designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women  The premise of the day is to raise awareness of the fact that women around the world are subject to rape, domestic violence and other forms of violence; furthermore, one of the aims of the day is to highlight that the scale and true nature of the issue is often hidden. For 2014, the official Theme framed by the UN Secretary-General’s campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women, is Orange your Neighborhood.

Historically, the date is based on date of the 1960 assassination of the three Mirabal sisters, political activists in the Dominican Republic; the killings were ordered by Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo. In 1981, activists marked November 25 as a day to combat and raise awareness of violence against women more broadly; on December 17, 1999, the date received its official United Nations (UN) resolution. The UN and the Inter-Parliamentary Union have encouraged governments, international organizations and NGOs to organize activities to support the day as an international observance. For example, UN Women (the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women) observes the day each year and offers suggestions for other organizations to observe it. For 2014, the focus is on how violence cuts across all 12 of the critical areas of concern of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which turns 20 next year."

Crazy in love's staff, Bora Bora Club, is pleased to invite you to a party to celebrate the International Day For The Elimination of Violence Against Women on the 25 of november. Live music from 1.30 pm SLT thanks to Dj Lorenvox and Dj Vaan Artis at 18.30pm SLT.

Given the importance of the subject we would like to give the attendees a little gift made by Dario Waddington ( RGDW Shop ).

We would like to remind you that when you arrive http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Green%20Farm/104/51/53  you will find a link to donate to Amnesty International (An association focused on the defense of human rights), and all the references to the principal associations that deal with violence against women.

Sweden's National Day 2014

June 6 is Sweden's National Day and the Swedish Flag's Day in first life.

In SecondLife it has also been proclaimed to be the International Kiss-A-Swede Day by The Much Honored Bock McMillan, laird of Southern Charm, prince of Cascade Falls, Sovereign Ruler of the Commonwealth of The Southern Enchantment Region and Outer Territories and by the United Nations appointed Protector of the Solace Island and Mount Whitney sims. 

To celebrate the day I am - as has become my habit - going to share with you the song that should rightfully be Sweden's National Anthem (if everyone would just listen to me).



This is a lousy concert version. Ulf is most likely more than a little drunk and is taking far too many liberties with his own beautiful song, but all other versions on the Internet have limited permissions and could not be viewed by International audiences. I am indebted to my friend Petr Hastings-Vanbeeck for helping me find this video, as something is better than nothing!

I Feel Best In Open Landscapes
music and lyrics by Ulf Lundell (lyrics translated to English by Bock McMillan)

I feel best in open landscapes, close to the sea I want to live
A few months throughout the year, so I can get peace within
I feel best in open landscapes, where winds are blowing full
Where the larks fly free up to the sky, and singing wonderful
There I make my own aquavit, and flavor it with St. John´s Wort
And drink it with pleasure, with herring and homemade bread
I feel best in open landscapes, close to the sea I want to live.

I feel best in peace and freedom, for both body and soul
No one comes too close to me, who shuts in and steals
I feel best when the day is breaking, where fields are filled with light
When cocks crow far away, where it´s far to the closest house
But still so close, that one quiet silent night
When you're sitting under the stars, you can still hear the laughter
I feel best in peace and freedom, for both body and soul

I feel best when the sea is swelling, and gulls are crying high
When the beach is filled with seashells, with the oceans sound inside
When the clear and the simple, can exist the way it wants
Where yes is yes, and no is no, and doubt is lying low
Then I tie a ring of leafs, and lay it on the closest rock
Where runes were cut for our sake, once so long ago
I feel best when the sea is swelling, and the gulls are crying high

I feel best in open landscapes, close to the sea I want to live.

The Power of Sharing

(via my friend Benja Aquila's blog)

This is a powerful message by The United Nations Free & Equal campaign which was presented on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT).

Three wonderful quotes from this short video, "Share your story and change hearts and minds", "...we are all the foundation for this movement for equality." and "Change your world, and inspire someone else to do the same"

Urgent Appeal

This is an appeal from All Out that I choose to share with you and ask you to support!

"In 5 days the United Nations is set to elect Russia to the most powerful human rights body in the world. That's right – in Russia, lesbian, gay, bi and trans people are being arrested... shot... humiliated...and now Russian leaders will be in charge of global human rights?!

All Out members aren't going to let that happen without a fight. Russia's expecting to breeze through the vote and they haven't planned for anyone opposing this sham process.

But, if we can get to 500,000 signatures by Monday, we'll deliver our petition straight to the UN offices of every member country so they'll know the whole world is watching this vote. We're already over 385,346, so we know we can get there fast. Tell world leaders that they can't quietly let Russia get away with the anti-gay crackdown AND lead on human rights. Sign now:

https://www.allout.org/russia-attacks

Before running for the Human Rights Council, Russia published a pledge that claims they ban "any form of restriction on the rights of citizens on social, racial, gender, ethnic, linguistic, religious or any other grounds." But those words don't match what's actually happening in the country – Russian authorities are failing to protect people from discrimination and violence and to take action even in the most blatant cases. Check it out:"

FIRED for coming out at work

ATTACKED by thugs this week at a meeting of LGBT activists

BULLIED by an extremist hate group who has claimed hundreds of victims

TORTURED for being gay

BEATEN at a Pride parade

Straight and DETAINED for standing up for LGBT rights...

In Anticipation of a Punitive Attack

The Americans and the French have said that they are planning an attack to punish Syria for using chemical weapons in a "crime against conscience" that killed 1,429 people on August 21, 2013. This action is expected to take place during the weekend.

In response to this Vladimir "Little Father" Putin, President of Russia, has urged the Americans and the French to rethink their plans and consider the future victims that may follow on such a military action.

This is totally absurd and hypocritical coming from a bigoted bastard who has supported the murderous Bashar al-Assad, President of Syria, and his clansmen during the last two years while they have been slaughtering close to 150,000 of their own countrymen.

Putin and Russia have throughout the two years of bloodshed successfully blocked any action being launched by the United Nations against the atrocities and thus made the world stand helplessly by and witness the continued murdering and butchering going on, day after day, week after week, month after month for two whole years. 

UN Recognises Palestinian State

The UN resolution A/67/L28 granting Palestine non-member observer state status has been passed in the United Nations general assembly with the votes 138-9, with 41 abstentions.

The distinguished representative of Southern Charm to the UN, prince Wild Zepp, in a brief comment said. "Southern Charm welcomes the outcome of the vote. We, like the UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon, believe that Palestinians have the right to its own state, just as Israel has the right to exist and to peace and security."

Ban Ki-moon: "The Time Has Come"

It's not every day that a major world figure speaks out forcefully in defense of equality. But earlier this month, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon did just that when he made an incredibly powerful speech at the U.N. in Geneva. But most people didn't even hear about it.

Why? After the speech, the media focused on a handful of delegates who stormed out of meeting in protest. Their story - that gay people should be denied human rights - is the one that dominated the day's news. But with your help, we're going to change that.

Our friends at the U.N. let us REMIX Ban Ki-moon, so we took his speech and created this video. We hope you like it! After you watch, please share with your friends and family, helping this inspiring message reach the audience it deserves.", from All Out; UN Secretary General Says "The Time Has Come" 

We have another straight ally, WTG Ban! 

"Gay Rights are Human Rights", Clinton Says

Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a wonderful speech at the International Human Rights Day held yesterday at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, about the Obama administrations new policy to fight discrimination against gays and lesbians abroad by using foreign aid and diplomacy to encourage reform.

"Some seem to believe it is a western phenomenon and therefore people outside the west have grounds to reject it. 

Well, in reality gay people are born into and belong to every society in the world. They are all ages, all races, all faiths, they are doctors and teachers, farmers and bankers, soldiers and athletes.  

Whether we know it, whether we acknowledge it, they are our family, our friends and our neighbors.  

Being gay is not a western invention, it is a human reality." 

Hillary Clinton spoke in front of an auditorium full of ambassadors, many of them representatives from countries where homosexuality is a criminal offence.

You can see the full speech here (but you can find it all over the Internet)

I do not think her hairdo is particularly flattering - and I feel soooo gay and simpleminded when I write that - but do not let that unimportant fact distract you from listening to this great speech, focus on her eyes and words instead. (And yes Vanadis, I actually would say something like that even if it was a man speaking!)