Sergey Takes A Stand

All Out informs us:

Last Sunday Sergey Kondrashov was arrested in Saint Petersburg, Russia, for holding up a banner that read: “A dear family friend is lesbian. My wife and I love and respect her … and her family is just as equal as ours."

In just five days Sergey will go to court, where he could be fined and even thrown in jail for 15 days for violating Saint Petersburg's new "gay propaganda" law. With lawmakers in Russia's federal legislature (the Duma) looking to extend this "gay propaganda" law to the entire country - Sergey is taking a stand. He is asking Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to denounce the absurd anti-gay law that made him a criminal, and to do everything in his power to stop this unconstitutional law from spreading nationwide.

Sergey doesn't think of himself as an activist. He's just someone who thinks that all Russians - gay or straight - should be treated equal under the law. If you believe that it should never be illegal to defend the dignity of your friends and family who are gay, lesbian bi or trans - please stand with Sergey, and sign this petition to the Russian Prime Minister.

Sign the petition and stand with Sergey at All Out: Stand with Sergey in Russia
...

I, for one, know the benefits and the support that straight allies can give when homophobia raises it´s ugly face. I am so grateful for the support I have received and wish to pay it forward in supporting Sergey - and trying to get you to do so also. (Hell I would most likely have signed anyway, but that is just between you and me!)

Madge In Your Faces, Suckers!

Madonna, photo by Chris Omeara/AP

Madonna (the American singer, songwriter, actress etc., etc.) is by some of her fans lovingly referred to as Madge. She has sold more than 300 million records worldwide and is recognized as the world's top-selling female recording artist of all time by the Guinness World Records.

Madonna on Facebook
(Click to enlarge)

Well dear Madge is now going to Saint Petersburg, Russia, for a show where she has promised to speak out against the anti-LGBT ban that was passed by the local city council not long ago. The ban prohibits any mention of gayness or LGBT-issues which is considered to be propaganda and corruption of the youth.

The bigoted and homophobic city councilpersons of Saint Petersburg (many of whom belong to the United Russia party which is the same as the president-elect Vladimir  "Little father with small wiener" Putin), don't yet seem to fully understand what is going to hit them. They are now making pitiful threats of sending Madge to jail for two months if she should do that, as if that would help.

This has already before Madge even setting down one of her dainty and sweet-smelling little feet in the city meant more to spread information and knowledge about the Russian homophobia to the general public on a worldwide scale than all the petitions and gay bloggers in the world.

There is a huge difference between Madonna going to Saint Petersburg and telling them what´s what than if a normal tourist should try that stunt. The rest of us "everyday tourists" should just stay away from that beautiful place and let the lack of our tourist money tell them what we think about their atrocious policies.

Thank you Madonna, you make me proud to be a human! All the power to you, gurl, get in their faces and let them hear the message loud and clear!

Starbucks - Straight Ally

Hey there!
Starbucks stood up for gay rights, and their support for gay marriage was critical in the passage of gay marriage law in Washington State. Now the Nat'l Organization for Marriage is getting people to boycott them.

I want to thank corporations for doing good things, even if those corporations aren't perfect all the time. Will you join me in signing a thank you card to Starbucks?
http://sumofus.org/campaigns/thank-starbucks/?sub=taf

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! 

Don´t Go There

My friends Zigadena Gabardini and Emarald Harvey have picked up an interesting video with recommendations on where NOT to go this summer or ever. See the video and the recommendation on their blog ZE Design SL.

Hey, why should we gays, or our straight allies, support undemocratic bigots with our tourist money anyway? If they do not want us, stuff them! There are so very many other locations to visit for a vacation.

In my mind, it is always good to do a bit of research before making travel plans, and not only on hotels and travel costs but also on political matters. Tourism is a huge industry and by spending our holiday money consciously and wisely we can make a significant difference in bringing about change.

RELATED and BACKGROUND

You Can Play

(via J.M.G.)

"Locker rooms should be safe and sports venues should be free from homophobia. Athletes should be judged on talent, heart and work ethic, not sexual orientation." (The goal of You Can Play)
Brian Burke and Patrick Burke, honor the memory of their son and brother Brendan Burke by continuing his work against homophobia in sports. The website got operational today You Can Play - Gay athletes.Straight allies. Teaming up for respect.

"It's time to change the way the world thinks about athletes - both straight and gay. Talent, work ethic, and character are all that matters when evaluating a player. It's time for straight allies to show their character by enabling LGBT athletes to show their talents without fear. If you can play, You Can Play." 

Patrick Burke (co-founder)

In this video: Patrick Burke (Philadelphia), Brian Burke (Toronto), Rick Nash (Columbus), Duncan Keith (Chicago), Brian Boyle (New York), Matt Moulson (New York Islanders), Joffrey Lupul (Toronto), Claude Giroux (Philadelphia), Daniel Alfredsson (Ottawa), Scott Hartnell (Philadelphia), Corey Perry (Anaheim), Andy Greene (New Jersey), Dion Phaneuf (Toronto), Henrik Lundqvist (New York).