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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 3, 2006)
18 JU StOUt FEBRUARY 3. 2006 ......... A world South Africa Commission Supports Gay Blood Donors KAREN M. SWEIGERT, MD Phone 503 274-9936 Obstetrics and Gynecology Donor Insemination 1040 N.W. 22nd, Suite 330, Portland, OR 97210 South Africa’s Human Rights Commission said Jan. 20 that gay men should not he automatically barred from donating blood. “Everybody practicing unsafe, high-risk sex should be excluded from donating blood, and a spe- .cial emphasis should not be placed on rhe sexual activities of gay men," said commissioner Leon Wessels. He said the South African National Blood Services should be taken to court if it refuses to change the policy. According to several reports, black South African women might have a higher rate of HIV infection than white South African gay men. Nigeria to Ban Same-Sex Marriage It’s a you parade. Herzog-Meier D. Fulps/George Kettner 503-644-9121 ‘cars @ herzogmeier.com Tm. AVAILABLE,,, when f are’ Careful and energetic handling of all your home financing needs MORTGAGE A Advocates 6700 SW 105th Ave., Suite 2<X) Beaverton. OR 97005 Toll Free (K77) K26-9900 Fax (508) 297-0824 E-Mail: collcenwtz rntgarhiK’ales.coin wn.nitgadvtxate5.corn don valerio, md board certified internal medicine general adult healthcare new patients are always welcome. fanno creek clinic 2400 sw Vermont, portland 503-452-0915 Call to schedule an annual check-up. Rapid HIV testing now available. Drivers wanted. The Nigerian government’s Federal Executive Council approved a measure banning same-sex Rodney Croome says Tasmania has failed to marriage Jan. 17 and sent it to the National promote the relationship register. Assembly for consideration. The proposal would punish anyone entering pensions, taxes, insurance, health care, hospital vis into a same-sex relationship or marriage with five itation, wills, property, parenting and bereavement years in prison. The same penalty would apply “if leave. you aid or support in any way anybody of the same sex to contract a relationship or marriage,” said Australian Tennis Star Comes Out Justice Minister Bayo Ojo. Australia’s most accomplished women’s doubles The measure also calls for a ban on gay organi tennis player came out Jan. 16 in the Australian zations and rallies. gay newspaper Melbourne Community Voice. “In most cultures in Nigeria, same-sex relation Renrtae Stubbs, 34, who has won the ships, sodomy and the likes of that is regarded as Australian Open abominable," Frank Nweke, minister for informa and Wimbledon, tion and national orientation, told the British said she was Broadcasting Corp. inspired by U.S. Gay sex is already illegal nationwide; in several basketball player northern states ruled by Islamic Sharia law, it is Sheryl Swoopes’ punished with stoning. coming out. Nigeria, population 130 million, is Africa’s most “When I read populous nation. The northern parr of the country that, 1 remember is mostly Islamic, and the southern half is mostly thinking, wow, it Christian. would ’just be great to be out in A the public eye just Rennae Stubbs has won N.Z. Gay Men Banned so I didn’t have to the Australian Open and from Donating Sperm answer any ques Wimbledon. Gay men in New Zealand cannot- donate to tions carefully or sperm banks, local media reported in mid-January. worry' about it anymore—that I could do my job,” The policy persists even though the nation has a she told MCV. “1 thought maybe 1 can make a bit of sperm shortage that forces women to wait up to two a difference here and try and get the-general public years for artificial insemination. The Reproductive to think that their kids can look up to me and aspire Technology Accreditation Committee uses a to be me—but I’m gay and it’s not a big deal." lifestyle declaration to reject men who have had sex with men, arguing that they are at higher risk for Australia Tries to Stop Citizens from Marrying Overseas infection with HIV and other diseases. Australia’s government is trying to stop its citi Tasmanian Partner Law Unpopular zens who live overseas from entering same-sex mar Only 58 couples have taken advantage of the riages in countries that allow them, The Age news relationships register in the Australian state of paper reported Jan. 14. Tasmania during its two years of existence, The The tactic being utilized is refusing to provide Mercury newspaper reported Jan. 16. written proof to the other nation that the Forty-three couples got hitched in 2003 and 15 Australian in question is free to marry. in 2004- Forty-six were same-sex couples and 12 In one case, Peter Kakucska, an Australian living opposite-sex. Of the same-sex couples, 24 are male in Vienna who wanted to marry his Austrian partner and 22 are female. in the Netherlands, where same-sex marriage is Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group allowed, was given stamped certifications of the anti- spokesman Rodney Croome blamed the slow take gay policies by Australia’s Austrian embassy. up on the government, saying it has failed to pro One certification said: “Following the advice of mote the register. the Australian Attorney-General’s Department we The register also is available to nonsexual part herewith certify that Australian law doe»not allow nerships, such as when one person is a caregiver to the issue of a Certificate of No Impediment to another. It grants spousal rights in areas such as Marriage to persons wishing to enter into a same-