Arrest made in British consul death
A 23-year-old Jamaican man has been arrested over the death of a British honorary consul.
John Terry, 65, was found dead at his home on the island in early September. It is thought the attack may have been motivated by homophobia, as a note was reportedly left on his bed calling him a “batty man,” a derogatory term for gays. It added: “This is what will happen to ALL gays” and was signed “Gay-Man.”
He had a cord tied around his neck and had severe head injuries.
Although Terry’s wallet and phone were stolen, police do not believe robbery was a motive for the killing. They believe he may have been bisexual and are working to establish whether he was in a relationship with a man.
Local police said on Oct. 3 that the arrested man will be questioned but has not yet been charged.
Two other men were arrested but were quickly released.
Terry was the British honorary consul to the Montego Bay area.
Jamaica is known to be one of the most homophobic countries in the world. Sex between men can carry a 10-year jail sentence or hard labor. Sex between women is currently legal but many lesbians still face persecution.
Tasmanian gays get ceremonial
Gay couples in the Australian state of Tasmania will soon be able to have an official ceremony in which to register their relationships.
Currently, couples can have a Deed of Relationship, which is the Tasmanian form of a civil partnership. However, they can only hold informal ceremonies.
The change, which goes into effect Nov. 1, means they will be able to sign their Deed of Relationship in a ceremony presided over by a marriage celebrant in front of friends and family.
Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson Rodney Croome welcomed the initiative.
“This provides same-sex and other couples with a way to have that ‘special day’ on which they officially declare and affirm their relationship in front of friends and family members,” he said. “Tasmania led the nation with the establishment of our registry of personal relationships, and now it is leading with official ceremonial recognition of these relationships. Tasmania’s Relationships Act is a sound body of law based on equity and fairness, but until now that body has lacked a heart.”
Those who have a Deed of Relationship have virtually the same rights as married couples in both state and federal law, and are also recognized as civil partners in countries such as the U.K.
Russia rules against marriage
A Moscow court ruled Oct. 6 against two lesbians seeking to become Russia’s first legally married gay couple.
Irina Fedotova-Fet and Irina Shipitko said the Tverskoi District Court upheld a decision by the city’s civil registry that said Russian law defined marriage as between a woman and a man.
“We want recognition of our relationship by society and the state. We are a family already, we live together and share household chores,” Shipitko said. “We also would like to have children. That is why we want legal recognition of our union.”
Nikolai Alexeyev, a longtime Russian gay-rights activist who is serving as the women’s lawyer, said they plan to fight the ruling.
“We understand quite well that it is a long road that must be taken before such unions will be recognized. But I have no doubt this recognition will come,” he said.
Muslims snub gay football club
A gay football club in France is protesting after a Muslim team refused to play against it.
Paris Foot Gay, of the Parisian suburb Creteil, were due to play against predominantly Muslim team Bebel but the latter called the match off the evening before it was scheduled.
According to PFG president Pascal Brethes, they were sent an e-mail from Bebel, saying the match was “against their principles.”
Brethes said the letter also stated: “Sorry, but because of the name of your team and in keeping with the principles of the team, which is a team of practicing Muslims, we cannot play against you. Our convictions are stronger than a game of football. Sorry to have informed you so late.”
Brethes said the decision was “homophobic” and that the club may press charges.
Raped trans woman harassed
A Welsh trans woman who was raped has said she was forced to move after her identity became public.
The unnamed victim recently saw her attacker, Kiron Singh Chand, jailed for eight years.
Chand forced his victim to perform oral sex on him and beat her in April.
However, the woman has said she received verbal abuse in the street and was subjected to a humiliating poster campaign.
She added that she was vilified on social-networking Web sites such as Facebook.
“I was victimized because of my sexuality,” she said. “If I had been a normal girl, I would not have been treated like this. I had verbal attacks in the street, hurtful things written about me on Facebook and had humiliating posters put up around the town about me.”
Chand told the court she had offered him oral sex and he beat her when he felt “tricked” into the act. However, the jury did not believe his story.
Larry Nichols can be reached at [email protected].