What a week, at the start of last week I heard from a friend I hadn't seen in 3 months, someone I missed so very much. I also got chatting with my soul mate who I really miss. She understands me like no other, there are no words to actually describe what my life would be without her.
Anyway, what a fortnight it has been, I was in the UK and caught up with friends. My friend Imogen kindly let me stay at hers, which was nice, I had the pleasure of meeting her dad and finally met Fran too. Monday two weeks ago I went up to Sheffield to see Rachel and Hannah as well as Scoob and the cats. Its nice cause Rachel knows me fairly well and understands how life goes up and down. We went to see Arthour Christmas and for a bite to eat. The next day we all went to a village, it was stunning, a quaint place with ducks on the river and small streets with lovely shops, we went for a bite to eat and got me back to the traiin to get back to Imogen.
On the Wednesday I hit London, met up with a good friend, Nuala, I missed her loads. It was awesome, we went fo a dodgy Italian cafe then did touristy stuff, took photos of the sights and Christmas trees and then went to Hyde Park to the Christmas Market, awesome, so going back next year! They had everything from wooden ties (so cool) to candy floss, a circus to an ice skating rink (yes, I was tempted, ohhh bring on next year). It was freezing, couldn't feel my feet, but so worth it!
I travelled back to Ireland on the Thursday. I really wished I could have stayed longer. Anyway I got the train to the airport and got there in plenty of time. I only had carry on, so went for a look around the shops in the Airport before going to the gate, gate 50, I was brought by the assistance company, the guy remembered me from before. The gate was changed so someone came to help me to the other gate, I don't know if she was new to the job or was having an off day, but she didn't seem all there. However she was there to do a job, which she was doing. She assisted me to and and onto the aircraft and brought my bag for me too. I expected the flight to be rough as it was windy, but it was fine.
It took a while to disembark the aircraft as only the front door could be used due to windy conditions. I was brought down by lift and then brought into the airport. Then I knew I was back, the universe decided yet again to see how far I could be pushed, my carry on bag was missing! I went into baggage reclaim, the crew thought it might have been sent there, no joy! The Ryanair staff were amazing, took a report and details and said they'd track it down. I ended up staying at a friends house, by 9:30 I hadn't heard anything from the airport so rang them, but they had nothing to report! The next morning the Ryanair team rang and informed me my bag had appeard over night. So my friend and I went out to the airport, it was like we were on a secret mission, I had to find a phone by the jump juice bar and dail a digit and wait for instructions, which were to follow the yellow line. We waited at the end of the yellow line for my bag, I got it, I was delighted, opened it to check it, my laptop was missing! Very unimpressed! Yet another report had to be written up so I could claim off my travel insurence. The most gutting part is I lost it because I accepted and trusted the support which was offered!
Anyway I got back to Cork and met up with a friend for yummy food and drinks. Saturday was busy, I had to go shopping for my fantasy ball costume and meet a friend who I hadn't seen in a while and also go to some craft fairs as well as have dinner with the Meetup group, Vixen's Rainbow! I managed it all and arranged to meet my friend the next day too, oh he was selling flags and collecting so I got attacked by stickers, but didn't mind, it's become a yearly tradition and I missed him so much while he was away. I got a really nice hat at the LinC craft Fair too. I decided to go to the fantasy ball as a rock chick, that's right, I had a studed choaker, jeans with leather, tats, leather jacket and my 16 hole boots! It was a great night, much dancing was done. The venue was up stairs and the loos were up more stairs, not easy!
Sunday I went into town, met my friend again and most days this week, except Tuesday. Dad came up Tuesday and put up my decorations for me, the place looks good, not over done. Just not in the mood this year. At the end of September a really good mate of mine (who I am in the process of writing a blog about) past away, it really shook me, since then, my priorities have really changed, and right now, Christmas doesn't feel to be a main one. However having bits up about the house helps as well as Christmas shopping started! Yesterday another really good friend came up from Kerry so we went out for a few drinks which were really enjoyable, nice to see some familer faces.
Now I am off to try and sort out my travel insurance, oh fun!
Showing posts with label Gay. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gay. Show all posts
Friday, December 16, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
As I see It (week 2+)
Yes, two posts in one week, how awesome? Ok ok not very, I just have plenty to say this week. After my first post the reaction surprised me. Last weekend I went up to Dublin, I was getting withdrawals, hadn't been out in Dublin since pride. Seriously, I love it. Dublin feeds my need to have culture and really interesting conversation and people in my life. As soon as I hit Dublin, I am greeted with a familiar smile by one of the guys from customer service, spoken to like a human being, treated with respect and brought to the luas. As opposed to Cork, where I am met by customer service with a 'why are your breaks on, I can't move you'? This is said as I am getting into my chair. It seriously wrecks my head, it feels like I am being spoken down to. Anyway when I got to Dublin after I got off the Luas, I went to Supermacs, where the staff were most helpful.
After grabbing a bite I went to my hotel, again the staff were awesome, helped me up to the room and all. I went out, up to the Front Lounge, where I was greeted by a lovely chatty bouncer, who opened the side accessible door for me. I went in and found the Running Amach gang, it was nice, I met some really nice people. After drinks, chats and laughs, we went around to Klub Diva. I went in the door and instantly saw familiar faces, people who I knew I could join. Then the dancing started, and didn't really stop until the music stopped. Other friends appeared, my blog post was mentioned and there was a genuine sense of awareness about basic things, like where the loo was located (downstairs). It was a brilliant night, lots of laughs, good conversation and awesome moves thrown on the dance floor by many a people. I can't describe the feeling of being in that environment. It's like ability or disability doesn't come into it, its about ones personality and interests, I love it. I was even asked if I had scored with anyone? That surprised me, it surprised me because it is a question never asked if I was socialising on my local scene. Sunday I caught up with a friend, we hadn't spent time with each other in a while so we went for breakfast/lunch to Dun-Laoughaire. It was stunning, clear sunny skies, cold, but not too cold, a nice meal and great catch up.
Wednesday I traveled to the UK via Dublin. Traveling with RyanAir I find so easy, the staff so helpful, once the assistance is booked in advance. Being in the UK with a disability is so different. Ok to give an example, being in a train station in the UK you are asked 'can I help you' as opposed to 'who are you with'?. Saturday, December 3rd was International Disability Day, so my friend Imogen and I went into Cambridge with wheelchair Becky (a doll, barbie size, in a wheelchair), Imogen photographed Becky in random places, like in the Disney Store, outside Kings College, on the conveyer belt in Yo Suchi as well as eating yummy fudge amongst other things. We had a great day, people were so interested and actually wanted to be involved in our fun. Imogen posted pictures and updates up on twitter and the feedback was fab. It is a shame the day still isn't very well known or marked by the general public, but all in time I guess.
It baffles me how attitudes can vary depending what part of the country you are in as well as the world. Is it about education or is it something else, something deeper?
After grabbing a bite I went to my hotel, again the staff were awesome, helped me up to the room and all. I went out, up to the Front Lounge, where I was greeted by a lovely chatty bouncer, who opened the side accessible door for me. I went in and found the Running Amach gang, it was nice, I met some really nice people. After drinks, chats and laughs, we went around to Klub Diva. I went in the door and instantly saw familiar faces, people who I knew I could join. Then the dancing started, and didn't really stop until the music stopped. Other friends appeared, my blog post was mentioned and there was a genuine sense of awareness about basic things, like where the loo was located (downstairs). It was a brilliant night, lots of laughs, good conversation and awesome moves thrown on the dance floor by many a people. I can't describe the feeling of being in that environment. It's like ability or disability doesn't come into it, its about ones personality and interests, I love it. I was even asked if I had scored with anyone? That surprised me, it surprised me because it is a question never asked if I was socialising on my local scene. Sunday I caught up with a friend, we hadn't spent time with each other in a while so we went for breakfast/lunch to Dun-Laoughaire. It was stunning, clear sunny skies, cold, but not too cold, a nice meal and great catch up.
Wednesday I traveled to the UK via Dublin. Traveling with RyanAir I find so easy, the staff so helpful, once the assistance is booked in advance. Being in the UK with a disability is so different. Ok to give an example, being in a train station in the UK you are asked 'can I help you' as opposed to 'who are you with'?. Saturday, December 3rd was International Disability Day, so my friend Imogen and I went into Cambridge with wheelchair Becky (a doll, barbie size, in a wheelchair), Imogen photographed Becky in random places, like in the Disney Store, outside Kings College, on the conveyer belt in Yo Suchi as well as eating yummy fudge amongst other things. We had a great day, people were so interested and actually wanted to be involved in our fun. Imogen posted pictures and updates up on twitter and the feedback was fab. It is a shame the day still isn't very well known or marked by the general public, but all in time I guess.
It baffles me how attitudes can vary depending what part of the country you are in as well as the world. Is it about education or is it something else, something deeper?
Monday, November 21, 2011
As I see it
Now I am finished with studying, for a while anyway, I am putting some time and energy into blogging amongst other things. I have a number of interests ranging from the intellectual side of things to the basic human side.
For quite some time it has bugged me how disability has been ignored, not discussed or even asked about. Also how disability is withing the LGBT Community, a minority within a minority. I feel a lot of people, in general, see me and jump to their own conclusions about what they think they see as opposed to asking if I would having a conversation about it.
I am sure a lot of people, from every walk of life can relate to being out and about and someone asking “how are you”? What gets me is before you can answer that person, they are gone! I mean if you are not going to hang around for the answer, why ask? Imagine going into a shop and being asked “how may I help you? So then you start asking for what you want, and halfway through the shop assistant goes on their lunch!
So I have decided, in the age of the internet this blog entry is going to be about my disability.
First off I should state my obvious disability is completely a physical one and is called “Cerebral Palsy”, CP for short. I will write how CP affects me as there are many different types of it.
CP is not a disease or an illness but a physical impairment affecting muscle control and movement. A person/child with cerebral palsy has difficulty controlling movement and posture; they may have problems walking, talking, eating and playing.
I have nearly all my movements under control, my posture is great, fantastic really. I learned to walk when I was 9 and it improves with practice, I only use the wheelchair when I have to like going out and about on my own I have two, a powered one, johnny 5 and the manual, the batmobele.
Cerebral palsy does not get worse over time. There are different causes of cp, the majority of cases are due to negligence just before, during or shortly after birth. I have CP because I wasn't delivered fast enough and could have been and the cord was around my neck 3 times, so there was lack of oxygen to my brain.
Children with CP have damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle tone and movement. Muscle tone may be too tight (hypertonia) or too loose (hypotonia) or mixed. Infants with CP are often slow to reach developmental milestones such as learning to roll over, sitting, crawling and walking.
Talking is difficult if control of the muscles in the lips, jaw, tongue and other muscles involved in speech is affected. - apparently my lower jaw is paralysed, makes no sense to me. always thought paralysed meant feck all movement, yet I can talk, you might figure that one.
Eating difficulties may arise because of problems with biting, chewing and swallowing. There may be poor growth due to inadequate nutrition. If the child has difficulty closing his mouth he may have a problem with drooling. - Again this is relevant I cut up my food and have mastered the art of chewing, oh I may need a hand to cut up my grub, I do gag at times, usually brushing my teeth, not very sexy.
Epilepsy occurs in about thirty to fifty percent of children with cerebral palsy. – I was one of those fifty percent, but grew out of it and am not on any medication at all.
Right that’s kind of the scientific way CP effects me. Now the social way, yes nearly all people if not all people with all disabilities tend to like to have a social life and be treated with general manners and respect.
I personally enjoy good conversation, a few drinks, dancing, shopping, DIY, photography to mention but a few. As I am Irish, and live in Ireland a huge part of our culture is socialise in pubs and clubs. This can be difficult at times, there are very few places completely accessible. I also find it difficult in Cork more so to find friends who will actually meet other places then a pub. It can be difficult to socialise. Before going out I have considerations to take into account. If going out on my own the venue I choose must have an accessible toilet, if it doesn’t it means I am either coming from somewhere that had and am only having a drink before hitting the road, or I am going somewhere else I can access a loo. I do have to say I feel somewhat lucky that I can hop out of my chair and walk with the lend of an arm to access events, especially within the gay community which are up stairs. Even though I don’t agree with the lack of thought and funding which causes inaccessibility, where possible, I try not to isolate myself any more than I have to, so I walk up the stairs of venues and sometimes just have one drink for the night so the toilet isn’t required. On the other hand.a woman in her 30’s living in Ireland should not have to do that, should she? Should anyone?
For quite some time it has bugged me how disability has been ignored, not discussed or even asked about. Also how disability is withing the LGBT Community, a minority within a minority. I feel a lot of people, in general, see me and jump to their own conclusions about what they think they see as opposed to asking if I would having a conversation about it.
I am sure a lot of people, from every walk of life can relate to being out and about and someone asking “how are you”? What gets me is before you can answer that person, they are gone! I mean if you are not going to hang around for the answer, why ask? Imagine going into a shop and being asked “how may I help you? So then you start asking for what you want, and halfway through the shop assistant goes on their lunch!
So I have decided, in the age of the internet this blog entry is going to be about my disability.
First off I should state my obvious disability is completely a physical one and is called “Cerebral Palsy”, CP for short. I will write how CP affects me as there are many different types of it.
CP is not a disease or an illness but a physical impairment affecting muscle control and movement. A person/child with cerebral palsy has difficulty controlling movement and posture; they may have problems walking, talking, eating and playing.
I have nearly all my movements under control, my posture is great, fantastic really. I learned to walk when I was 9 and it improves with practice, I only use the wheelchair when I have to like going out and about on my own I have two, a powered one, johnny 5 and the manual, the batmobele.
Cerebral palsy does not get worse over time. There are different causes of cp, the majority of cases are due to negligence just before, during or shortly after birth. I have CP because I wasn't delivered fast enough and could have been and the cord was around my neck 3 times, so there was lack of oxygen to my brain.
Children with CP have damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle tone and movement. Muscle tone may be too tight (hypertonia) or too loose (hypotonia) or mixed. Infants with CP are often slow to reach developmental milestones such as learning to roll over, sitting, crawling and walking.
| The type of cerebral palsy I have is Dyskinesia. This refers to involuntary writhing-like movements that cause severe disability. It is also called choreiform or athetoid movement. Now I don’t consider my disability severe, but according to the medics I shouldn’t be as good as I actually am. Muscle tone in people with dyskinesia is variable i.e. too tight at times and too loose at other times. They have trouble sitting upright or walking. - apparently I have this one. I have involuntary movements but they are practically always under control, although at times my right hand/arm goes crazy. Oh and I am a professional dancer too. |
| Others things associated with Cerebral Palsy are |
Talking is difficult if control of the muscles in the lips, jaw, tongue and other muscles involved in speech is affected. - apparently my lower jaw is paralysed, makes no sense to me. always thought paralysed meant feck all movement, yet I can talk, you might figure that one.
Eating difficulties may arise because of problems with biting, chewing and swallowing. There may be poor growth due to inadequate nutrition. If the child has difficulty closing his mouth he may have a problem with drooling. - Again this is relevant I cut up my food and have mastered the art of chewing, oh I may need a hand to cut up my grub, I do gag at times, usually brushing my teeth, not very sexy.
Epilepsy occurs in about thirty to fifty percent of children with cerebral palsy. – I was one of those fifty percent, but grew out of it and am not on any medication at all.
Right that’s kind of the scientific way CP effects me. Now the social way, yes nearly all people if not all people with all disabilities tend to like to have a social life and be treated with general manners and respect.
I personally enjoy good conversation, a few drinks, dancing, shopping, DIY, photography to mention but a few. As I am Irish, and live in Ireland a huge part of our culture is socialise in pubs and clubs. This can be difficult at times, there are very few places completely accessible. I also find it difficult in Cork more so to find friends who will actually meet other places then a pub. It can be difficult to socialise. Before going out I have considerations to take into account. If going out on my own the venue I choose must have an accessible toilet, if it doesn’t it means I am either coming from somewhere that had and am only having a drink before hitting the road, or I am going somewhere else I can access a loo. I do have to say I feel somewhat lucky that I can hop out of my chair and walk with the lend of an arm to access events, especially within the gay community which are up stairs. Even though I don’t agree with the lack of thought and funding which causes inaccessibility, where possible, I try not to isolate myself any more than I have to, so I walk up the stairs of venues and sometimes just have one drink for the night so the toilet isn’t required. On the other hand.a woman in her 30’s living in Ireland should not have to do that, should she? Should anyone?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Ramblings, Events & the like, Edition 4
Hey readers,
Yeah I know it has been a while, so I am thinking a quick general update is in order! It has been a busy few months. When I got back from my amazingly awesome trip to the states, I wasn't well, it took my body a few months to realise it was back in Ireland. I have also been busy dancing, both teaching and performing, both have gone well :)
Social Groups:
Earlier this month I decided to set up a social group for LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, or Questioning) women in Cork and the surrounding areas, who share common interests and want to get to know more women. The idea came from the Dublin based group, Running Amach, through which I joined last year and have made amazing friends and have been made feel very welcome. The group works by event organisers creating events on foot of ideas posed by members in the 'ideas' section of the site. An event is created and members RSVP to the event. The event is hosted by the events organiser and fun is had by all. The groups website also has a discussion board, where members can post discussions. I called the group "Vixen's Rainbow". I felt it was a strong but yet fun name. We had our first meetup at the end of January, dinner at a city centre restaurant, it was yummy and the company was awesome. We met in the Bodega to celebrate international women’s day and get to know other vixens. Nine were in attendance and it was a lovely night.
Dublin has a group of the same nature, Running Amach, it has been a huge success. I joined Running Amach a year ago because I felt very isolated in Cork. During the year I have met some really nice women at really fun events. I spent New Years Eve in Dublin with sixty odd other running amachers and had a ball. That was the kick in the butt I needed to start one in Cork. If you are interested, you can join by searching Vixen's Rainbow on the meetup website.
DJing Gigs:
I will be spinning the tunes in Cork in May at the Cork Womens Fun Weeked on both the Saturday and Sunday night...
Also if you want a dj I am all for doing "recession busting deals". I play a very mixed selection to cater for my audience on that particular night.
I am available for every occasion as well as house parties and parades.
Up Close and Personal;
I have decided that 2011 is the year of magic and it is up to every individual to make that magic happen for them. The year has been good so far; I have taught dance classes in Wicklow, Belfast and Dublin and am about to embark on a new adventure within my career as a professional dancer with a disability. On Friday of this week I start a three week very intensive training in aerial dance. I am a bit apprehensive, a bit scared but yet somewhat excited. I will try to post daily tweets about the experience. So add DJProudMary on your twitter. I am intending to keep a video diary too, but I honestly don’t know how or if it will pan out.
I have been doing a bit of thinking about disability, how it is perceived and how it is understood and whether all of that depends on where you were brought up, as in what part of the country. I was born with a disability but was raised in an able bodied environment surrounded with able bodied people. I also wonder how people with disabilities are seen in different communities. I find the general attitudes of people in relation to disability vary. As mentioned earlier I have started socialising a lot more on the scene in Dublin and that is because I find people on the scene in Dublin are more open to conversation, more open to getting to know regardless of abilities or disabilities. In a way it confuses me, how one can feel so isolated within their own community but yet so included in another only a few hours up the road.
Please feel free to email me on djproudmary@gmail.com
Yeah I know it has been a while, so I am thinking a quick general update is in order! It has been a busy few months. When I got back from my amazingly awesome trip to the states, I wasn't well, it took my body a few months to realise it was back in Ireland. I have also been busy dancing, both teaching and performing, both have gone well :)
Social Groups:
Earlier this month I decided to set up a social group for LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender, or Questioning) women in Cork and the surrounding areas, who share common interests and want to get to know more women. The idea came from the Dublin based group, Running Amach, through which I joined last year and have made amazing friends and have been made feel very welcome. The group works by event organisers creating events on foot of ideas posed by members in the 'ideas' section of the site. An event is created and members RSVP to the event. The event is hosted by the events organiser and fun is had by all. The groups website also has a discussion board, where members can post discussions. I called the group "Vixen's Rainbow". I felt it was a strong but yet fun name. We had our first meetup at the end of January, dinner at a city centre restaurant, it was yummy and the company was awesome. We met in the Bodega to celebrate international women’s day and get to know other vixens. Nine were in attendance and it was a lovely night.
Dublin has a group of the same nature, Running Amach, it has been a huge success. I joined Running Amach a year ago because I felt very isolated in Cork. During the year I have met some really nice women at really fun events. I spent New Years Eve in Dublin with sixty odd other running amachers and had a ball. That was the kick in the butt I needed to start one in Cork. If you are interested, you can join by searching Vixen's Rainbow on the meetup website.
DJing Gigs:
I will be spinning the tunes in Cork in May at the Cork Womens Fun Weeked on both the Saturday and Sunday night...
Also if you want a dj I am all for doing "recession busting deals". I play a very mixed selection to cater for my audience on that particular night.
I am available for every occasion as well as house parties and parades.
Up Close and Personal;
I have decided that 2011 is the year of magic and it is up to every individual to make that magic happen for them. The year has been good so far; I have taught dance classes in Wicklow, Belfast and Dublin and am about to embark on a new adventure within my career as a professional dancer with a disability. On Friday of this week I start a three week very intensive training in aerial dance. I am a bit apprehensive, a bit scared but yet somewhat excited. I will try to post daily tweets about the experience. So add DJProudMary on your twitter. I am intending to keep a video diary too, but I honestly don’t know how or if it will pan out.
I have been doing a bit of thinking about disability, how it is perceived and how it is understood and whether all of that depends on where you were brought up, as in what part of the country. I was born with a disability but was raised in an able bodied environment surrounded with able bodied people. I also wonder how people with disabilities are seen in different communities. I find the general attitudes of people in relation to disability vary. As mentioned earlier I have started socialising a lot more on the scene in Dublin and that is because I find people on the scene in Dublin are more open to conversation, more open to getting to know regardless of abilities or disabilities. In a way it confuses me, how one can feel so isolated within their own community but yet so included in another only a few hours up the road.
Please feel free to email me on djproudmary@gmail.com
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Rambelings, Events and the like Edition 2
As some of you may know, I sell rainbow merchandise, as it is pride week I am running some very special offers on some of my items for pride:
Offers
Offer 1:
Pink Magnet + Ashtray + Shot glass = €15
Offer 2:
Braces + You Too Can Be A Lesbian Magnet + I became a Lesbian Magnet = €20
Offer 3:
Rainbow Tie + Small Rainbow Flag = €20
I am also open to negations
DJ'ing
This is my 5th year DJing, over the years I have played Cork, Dublin and Galway Pride, The Cork Women's Fun Weekend, 18ths, 21sts, 30ths, 40'ths and 50th Birthday parties, I have played at fundraisers, and am very open to doing Garden Parties and house parties too., I will also do themed parties etc. I play music from each decade as well as party tunes, Country, Motown, Rock 'n Roll, dance too mention but a few. My price varies as to how long I play and includes equipment.
Thursday 3rd June
Mna Mna Choir performing at Memorial Service at St. Annes, Shandon Street @ 8PM.
The fantastic WITLESS take to the stage of Chambers, wohhhooo
Friday 4th June 6-9pm @ LinC
BBQ to celebrate Pride 2010 with music provided by DJ Proud Mary, this is a mixed event, all are welcome. (Please feel free to bring your own beer/wine)
Saturday 5th June 12 noon @ LinC
Pre Pride Parade Brunch, with music provided by DJ Proud Mary, this is a mixed event, all are welcome.
Sunday 6th June @ The Savoy.
Closing Party at the Savoy: 4 Rooms of Music and Live performances: Sammy Jo “Scissor Sisters” (dj set), John Broz (so excited) and The Darg Boutique with your host Miss Daisy Drips (Alternative Miss Cork 2010) there will be live performances from Daisy and a host of other well known Cork Drag artists there will also be private booths and some very interesting surprises indeed! The smoking area will also be The Karaoke Lounge” with the karaoke queen herself Jendaria Replacia with all your favorite big power ballads at hand for you to sing your little gay heart out! Tickets are €15 euro and are available from www.tickets.ie (booking fee will apply) The Other Place South Main street and Loafers Bar Douglas Street. Doors Open @ 10:30 pm
Groups
Marriage Equality have moved offices to 105, Capel Street, Dublin 1. Tel: 01-8734183. Their email address and website address are the same as always.
News
An update on last weeks news:
The president of Malawi has pardoned two gay men who were sentenced to 14 years in prison this month for gross indecency and unnatural acts, the country's solicitor general, Anthony Kamanga, said Saturday.
President Bingu wa Mutharika announced his pardon of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga after meeting with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Kamanga said.
Authorities arrested Monjeza and Chimbalanga in December at their home in Blantyre, Malawi after the couple professed their love in a traditional engagement ceremony. Police discovered the couple when local newspapers reported on their engagement ceremony.
The criminal case against them cast a light on prevailing African attitudes toward homosexuality, which is outlawed in more than 30 nations on the continent.
The White House said it is pleased to learn of the pardon, stressing that the people are "not criminals and their struggle is not unique."
"We must all recommit ourselves to ending the persecution and criminalization of sexual orientation and gender identity. We hope that President Mutharika's pardon marks the beginning of a new dialogue which reflects the country's history of tolerance and a new day for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights in Malawi and around the globe," it said.
Welcoming the action, the British government said, "Human rights apply to everyone regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity."
"Britain has a close and strong partnership with Malawi and it is in this spirit that we raised our concerns about these convictions with the Government of Malawi," Britain said in a statement.
Some in the conservative southern African nation of Malawi supported the prosecution, and government officials have said they were simply upholding the law. Human rights groups and advocates for gays and lesbians argued that the arrests violated Malawi's constitution, which outlaws discrimination.
Monjeza and Chimbalanga are in their 20s. While they were awaiting trial, they were subjected to medical examinations intended to find evidence of sodomy, according to Human Rights Watch. They also underwent psychiatric evaluations. All the exams were done without the men's consent, the group said. The director of an organization that helped provide legal support to the couple, Gift Trapence of the Center for the Development of People, welcomed the news. The president's decision provides an example to African governments and the world in general, he said.
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In the news this week:
According to the Gay Liberation Network, on May 29th thirty Russian lesbian, gay and bisexual activists held a 10 minute flashmob Gay Parade on Moscow's Leningradsky Street despite the banning of such festivities.
Carrying a long rainbow flag and placards in Russian and English calling for "Rights for gays", the protesters chanted "No homophobia" and "Russia without homophobes."
The Chicago's Gay Liberation Network stated "Through clever organizing and disciplined execution of their plan, Russian lesbian and gay organizers were able to outwit the vastly superior resources of the Russian state," "Russian gay organizers defied homophobic Mayor Yury Luzhkov's macho bluster, demonstrating great courage and determination. They showed, even in difficult circumstances, people can successfully organize for freedom.
"LGBT activists from Moscow, St Petersburg and Minsk staged today the first-ever successful Gay Pride in Moscow, despite the [government] ban," said Nikolai Alekseev, principal organizer for Moscow Pride. "Though the March was short - it happened. All the Russian media reported that for the first time in five years, the gay parade took place in Moscow without being arrested by the police and assaulted by protesters."
Homosexuality has been decriminalized in Russia since 1993, but is still widely despised.
An unauthorized gay pride parade was held in Moscow in 2007, but police detained gay rights activists, among them European lawmakers, as they tried to present a letter to Luzhkov. It attracted a hostile crowd of people who punched and threw eggs at the activists.
Perhaps when we are freely walking on Saturday, though the streets of Cork in Pride we will cast our minds to those in Russia and all over.
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Ireland is hosting an LGBT music festival, MILK, several artists are already confirmed including Samantha Fox, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Bananarama and Right Said Fred. It sounds like the best of the '80s and early '90s!
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In Hot Press interview, Courtney Love reveals she once had an affair with International supermodel Kate Moss. “It was Kate Moss, It was just a thing that happened in Milan in the 90s. It happened and it was fun. And she talks about it so I hope she doesn’t get mad that I outed her about it….. I feel like such a kiss and tell…. Kate’s great, though! Kate’s a good friend of mine.”
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Matt Lucas of Little Britian accepted undisclosed damages from the Daily Star newspaper after it printed incorrect information pertaining to the relationship between himself and his former civil partner Kevin McGee. According to the BBC, the High Court were told the paper "without foundation" published articles alleging the star was placed on suicide watch and the couple separated because of McGee's misuse of cocaine. The newspaper apologized for the inVasion of privacy and any distress caused by the articles. In October 2009 McGee hung himself following his civil partnership breakup,
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New research by UK gay rights organisation Stonewall has revealed that lesbian and gay asylum seekers are being routinely deported because of institutionalised discrimination within the system.
The report, No Going Back (published today) features detailed evidence from both LGB asylum seekers and staff at the UK Border Agency, who say they have received no solid guidelines on how to question LGB asylum claimants from Jamaica, Malawi and Uganda, reports Pinknews.
The report also details the rape, torture and death-threats that LGB people face in countries worldwide and sheds light on specific disadvantages unique to their cases as a direct consequence of their sexual orientation. Harrison, a Jamaican asylum seeker quoted in the survey said: "As long as you're recognised, you're victimsed. [We live] every day in fear."
The report also reveals that LGB asylum seekers are often assumed to be either lying or capable of modifying their behavior to escape detection, should they be returned to their country of origin.
As a result, Stonewall have issued a set of recommendations to rectify errors of judgment made by UKBA staff. These include robust policy and guidance and training of all UKBA decision-makers to ensure effective questioning and fair case-hearings.
It is also recommended that Home Office Country of Origin services be improved to reflect up-to-date and accurate information about the level and nature of anti-gay persecution in countries where it is currently prevalent – including the 80 member states of the United Nations where same-sex relations between consenting adults is illegal.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Background:
Early 19th century England is usually seen through the eyes of Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters. Sue Perkins explores a very different version of this era, as lived and recorded by the remarkable Anne Lister.
Anne was born in Halifax in 1791. A Yorkshire landowner, she was a polymath, autodidact and traveler who kept a detailed diary. Running to more than 4,000,000 words, deemed to be one of the most important journals in English literature. Parts of Anne's diary were written in code: when broken they reveal graphic details of Anne's many love affairs with women. She was 15 when she started writing the journals, she spent time at a York boarding school for ladies in 804 where she met her first love at the age of 13 with a girl called Eliza.
Anne's hot spot after boarding school for finding women was actually at church! Soon enough she became infatuated with Ms Browne and after two years finally pecked her on the lips. She then became involved with a doctors daughter, Marianna who after three years she married into money, an older businessman and moved the Cheshire. For five years the two women met for nights of passion. Marianne got uncomfortable with Anne's increasingly mescaline physic. Anne’s uncle passed away and inherited Shibden Hall and looked around for an eligible wife and met a young wealthy lady, Anne Walker. In 1834 the ladies got a blessing at church, they actually engineered a same-sex marriage, after which Anne Walker moved into Shibden hall. Anne then got into coal mining and was very successful. After which both women travelled to Europe for some time. The next time people heard of Anne Lister was in the local newspaper in the obituaries section. Anne Walker brought her remains back to Halifax which took six months.
Sue visits Halifax's public library to explore what Anne Lister's life reveals about her society. She meets Helena Whitbread, who spent 25 years cracking Anne's code and who was responsible for the publication of the diaries in 1988. Helena tells Sue the moving and tragic story of Marianne Belcome, the love of Anne's life.
Sue visited Shibden Hall, Anne's ancestral home, and discovers that Regency England was surprisingly tolerant of Anne's chosen lifestyle. Dr Margaret Reynolds and Prof Amanda Vickery told Sue that relations between young women were tacitly encouraged as a useful preparation for marriage. Anne was able to follow her sexual preferences in relative peace. It was only when she sought to profit from the Industrial Revolution by sinking a coal mine on her land that criticism of her private life became public. Anne acquired the capital for the mine from a wealthy female landowner, Anne Walker, with whom she enjoyed a relationship as close to marriage as the times would permit. Sue finds out that what happened to Anne Lister's diaries after her death is almost as remarkable as the story of Anne's life.
A relation, John Lister found the diaries who was a homosexual so buried the dairy’s and died in 1933. A woman called Murial Green found the transcripts two weeks after his death. In the 1960’s a local historian studied the diaries for eight years but publication of her studies were refused by the Halifax town council. In 1988 Helena published her book
-- DJ Proud Mary
Offers
Offer 1:
Pink Magnet + Ashtray + Shot glass = €15
Offer 2:
Braces + You Too Can Be A Lesbian Magnet + I became a Lesbian Magnet = €20
Offer 3:
Rainbow Tie + Small Rainbow Flag = €20
I am also open to negations
DJ'ing
This is my 5th year DJing, over the years I have played Cork, Dublin and Galway Pride, The Cork Women's Fun Weekend, 18ths, 21sts, 30ths, 40'ths and 50th Birthday parties, I have played at fundraisers, and am very open to doing Garden Parties and house parties too., I will also do themed parties etc. I play music from each decade as well as party tunes, Country, Motown, Rock 'n Roll, dance too mention but a few. My price varies as to how long I play and includes equipment.
Thursday 3rd June
Mna Mna Choir performing at Memorial Service at St. Annes, Shandon Street @ 8PM.
The fantastic WITLESS take to the stage of Chambers, wohhhooo
Friday 4th June 6-9pm @ LinC
BBQ to celebrate Pride 2010 with music provided by DJ Proud Mary, this is a mixed event, all are welcome. (Please feel free to bring your own beer/wine)
Saturday 5th June 12 noon @ LinC
Pre Pride Parade Brunch, with music provided by DJ Proud Mary, this is a mixed event, all are welcome.
Sunday 6th June @ The Savoy.
Closing Party at the Savoy: 4 Rooms of Music and Live performances: Sammy Jo “Scissor Sisters” (dj set), John Broz (so excited) and The Darg Boutique with your host Miss Daisy Drips (Alternative Miss Cork 2010) there will be live performances from Daisy and a host of other well known Cork Drag artists there will also be private booths and some very interesting surprises indeed! The smoking area will also be The Karaoke Lounge” with the karaoke queen herself Jendaria Replacia with all your favorite big power ballads at hand for you to sing your little gay heart out! Tickets are €15 euro and are available from www.tickets.ie (booking fee will apply) The Other Place South Main street and Loafers Bar Douglas Street. Doors Open @ 10:30 pm
Groups
Marriage Equality have moved offices to 105, Capel Street, Dublin 1. Tel: 01-8734183. Their email address and website address are the same as always.
News
An update on last weeks news:
The president of Malawi has pardoned two gay men who were sentenced to 14 years in prison this month for gross indecency and unnatural acts, the country's solicitor general, Anthony Kamanga, said Saturday.
President Bingu wa Mutharika announced his pardon of Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga after meeting with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Kamanga said.
Authorities arrested Monjeza and Chimbalanga in December at their home in Blantyre, Malawi after the couple professed their love in a traditional engagement ceremony. Police discovered the couple when local newspapers reported on their engagement ceremony.
The criminal case against them cast a light on prevailing African attitudes toward homosexuality, which is outlawed in more than 30 nations on the continent.
The White House said it is pleased to learn of the pardon, stressing that the people are "not criminals and their struggle is not unique."
"We must all recommit ourselves to ending the persecution and criminalization of sexual orientation and gender identity. We hope that President Mutharika's pardon marks the beginning of a new dialogue which reflects the country's history of tolerance and a new day for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights in Malawi and around the globe," it said.
Welcoming the action, the British government said, "Human rights apply to everyone regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity."
"Britain has a close and strong partnership with Malawi and it is in this spirit that we raised our concerns about these convictions with the Government of Malawi," Britain said in a statement.
Some in the conservative southern African nation of Malawi supported the prosecution, and government officials have said they were simply upholding the law. Human rights groups and advocates for gays and lesbians argued that the arrests violated Malawi's constitution, which outlaws discrimination.
Monjeza and Chimbalanga are in their 20s. While they were awaiting trial, they were subjected to medical examinations intended to find evidence of sodomy, according to Human Rights Watch. They also underwent psychiatric evaluations. All the exams were done without the men's consent, the group said. The director of an organization that helped provide legal support to the couple, Gift Trapence of the Center for the Development of People, welcomed the news. The president's decision provides an example to African governments and the world in general, he said.
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In the news this week:
According to the Gay Liberation Network, on May 29th thirty Russian lesbian, gay and bisexual activists held a 10 minute flashmob Gay Parade on Moscow's Leningradsky Street despite the banning of such festivities.
Carrying a long rainbow flag and placards in Russian and English calling for "Rights for gays", the protesters chanted "No homophobia" and "Russia without homophobes."
The Chicago's Gay Liberation Network stated "Through clever organizing and disciplined execution of their plan, Russian lesbian and gay organizers were able to outwit the vastly superior resources of the Russian state," "Russian gay organizers defied homophobic Mayor Yury Luzhkov's macho bluster, demonstrating great courage and determination. They showed, even in difficult circumstances, people can successfully organize for freedom.
"LGBT activists from Moscow, St Petersburg and Minsk staged today the first-ever successful Gay Pride in Moscow, despite the [government] ban," said Nikolai Alekseev, principal organizer for Moscow Pride. "Though the March was short - it happened. All the Russian media reported that for the first time in five years, the gay parade took place in Moscow without being arrested by the police and assaulted by protesters."
Homosexuality has been decriminalized in Russia since 1993, but is still widely despised.
An unauthorized gay pride parade was held in Moscow in 2007, but police detained gay rights activists, among them European lawmakers, as they tried to present a letter to Luzhkov. It attracted a hostile crowd of people who punched and threw eggs at the activists.
Perhaps when we are freely walking on Saturday, though the streets of Cork in Pride we will cast our minds to those in Russia and all over.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ireland is hosting an LGBT music festival, MILK, several artists are already confirmed including Samantha Fox, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Bananarama and Right Said Fred. It sounds like the best of the '80s and early '90s!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Hot Press interview, Courtney Love reveals she once had an affair with International supermodel Kate Moss. “It was Kate Moss, It was just a thing that happened in Milan in the 90s. It happened and it was fun. And she talks about it so I hope she doesn’t get mad that I outed her about it….. I feel like such a kiss and tell…. Kate’s great, though! Kate’s a good friend of mine.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matt Lucas of Little Britian accepted undisclosed damages from the Daily Star newspaper after it printed incorrect information pertaining to the relationship between himself and his former civil partner Kevin McGee. According to the BBC, the High Court were told the paper "without foundation" published articles alleging the star was placed on suicide watch and the couple separated because of McGee's misuse of cocaine. The newspaper apologized for the inVasion of privacy and any distress caused by the articles. In October 2009 McGee hung himself following his civil partnership breakup,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New research by UK gay rights organisation Stonewall has revealed that lesbian and gay asylum seekers are being routinely deported because of institutionalised discrimination within the system.
The report, No Going Back (published today) features detailed evidence from both LGB asylum seekers and staff at the UK Border Agency, who say they have received no solid guidelines on how to question LGB asylum claimants from Jamaica, Malawi and Uganda, reports Pinknews.
The report also details the rape, torture and death-threats that LGB people face in countries worldwide and sheds light on specific disadvantages unique to their cases as a direct consequence of their sexual orientation. Harrison, a Jamaican asylum seeker quoted in the survey said: "As long as you're recognised, you're victimsed. [We live] every day in fear."
The report also reveals that LGB asylum seekers are often assumed to be either lying or capable of modifying their behavior to escape detection, should they be returned to their country of origin.
As a result, Stonewall have issued a set of recommendations to rectify errors of judgment made by UKBA staff. These include robust policy and guidance and training of all UKBA decision-makers to ensure effective questioning and fair case-hearings.
It is also recommended that Home Office Country of Origin services be improved to reflect up-to-date and accurate information about the level and nature of anti-gay persecution in countries where it is currently prevalent – including the 80 member states of the United Nations where same-sex relations between consenting adults is illegal.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Television:
Last Monday night, The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister were televised on BBC2. It was a bold and passionate drama telling the story of Anne Lister, 1791-1840, a Yorkshire landowner, industrialist, traveller and diarist. She was a lesbian, who, despite needing to keep her orientation secret from society at large, in private defied the conventions of her times by living with her female lover. Anne kept a detailed account of her life, her loves and her emotions in a fascinating and painfully honest 4,000,000-word journal. A sizeable portion was written in code, and the recent deciphering of the diaries provides an astonishing insight into the life of the woman who has been called Britain's first modern lesbian. This programe was followed by a one-hour documentary, presented by the fantastic Sue Perkins, telling the story of Lister and the decoding of her diaries.Background:
Early 19th century England is usually seen through the eyes of Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters. Sue Perkins explores a very different version of this era, as lived and recorded by the remarkable Anne Lister.
Anne was born in Halifax in 1791. A Yorkshire landowner, she was a polymath, autodidact and traveler who kept a detailed diary. Running to more than 4,000,000 words, deemed to be one of the most important journals in English literature. Parts of Anne's diary were written in code: when broken they reveal graphic details of Anne's many love affairs with women. She was 15 when she started writing the journals, she spent time at a York boarding school for ladies in 804 where she met her first love at the age of 13 with a girl called Eliza.
Anne's hot spot after boarding school for finding women was actually at church! Soon enough she became infatuated with Ms Browne and after two years finally pecked her on the lips. She then became involved with a doctors daughter, Marianna who after three years she married into money, an older businessman and moved the Cheshire. For five years the two women met for nights of passion. Marianne got uncomfortable with Anne's increasingly mescaline physic. Anne’s uncle passed away and inherited Shibden Hall and looked around for an eligible wife and met a young wealthy lady, Anne Walker. In 1834 the ladies got a blessing at church, they actually engineered a same-sex marriage, after which Anne Walker moved into Shibden hall. Anne then got into coal mining and was very successful. After which both women travelled to Europe for some time. The next time people heard of Anne Lister was in the local newspaper in the obituaries section. Anne Walker brought her remains back to Halifax which took six months.
Sue visits Halifax's public library to explore what Anne Lister's life reveals about her society. She meets Helena Whitbread, who spent 25 years cracking Anne's code and who was responsible for the publication of the diaries in 1988. Helena tells Sue the moving and tragic story of Marianne Belcome, the love of Anne's life.
Sue visited Shibden Hall, Anne's ancestral home, and discovers that Regency England was surprisingly tolerant of Anne's chosen lifestyle. Dr Margaret Reynolds and Prof Amanda Vickery told Sue that relations between young women were tacitly encouraged as a useful preparation for marriage. Anne was able to follow her sexual preferences in relative peace. It was only when she sought to profit from the Industrial Revolution by sinking a coal mine on her land that criticism of her private life became public. Anne acquired the capital for the mine from a wealthy female landowner, Anne Walker, with whom she enjoyed a relationship as close to marriage as the times would permit. Sue finds out that what happened to Anne Lister's diaries after her death is almost as remarkable as the story of Anne's life.
A relation, John Lister found the diaries who was a homosexual so buried the dairy’s and died in 1933. A woman called Murial Green found the transcripts two weeks after his death. In the 1960’s a local historian studied the diaries for eight years but publication of her studies were refused by the Halifax town council. In 1988 Helena published her book
-- DJ Proud Mary
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