Feelgood Friday [4] – real men love each other too

This story is a couple of weeks old now, but definitely deserving of a Feelgood Friday spot!

Two gay teenagers were attacked in Anaheim, Holland, for holding hands in public. They were on the way home from a night out when a group started shouting homophobic slurs at them, before launching a physical attack which left them both hospitalised.

It’s all the more shocking as The Netherlands has a reputation for being a very liberal country, and was the first country to legalise same sex marriage in 2001.

In a show of public support for the teens, and in condemnation of the attack, Dutch male politicians took to the streets holding hands.

Alexander Pechtold and Wouter Koolmees holding handsAlexander Pechtold, left, leader of the Democrats D66 party, and Wouter Koolmees, financial specialist of D66, hold hands as they arrive for a political meeting

Read the full story here.

Thanks, as always, for reading! x

Love is love – whatever your gender

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I’ve been buoyed to read about two organisations who are appealing to same sex couples as well as the more “traditional” heterosexual man and woman relationship in the celebration of love.love-is-love

The first is Lush, who’s Stateside advertising campaigns have included two men and two women. It’s a shame that the first thing many people notice is that the people in the adverts are the same gender, rather than that the people in the adverts are quite clearly in love, but I guess this is part of what Lush is trying to do – make same sex relationships more “normal” by representing them in the public eye. It’s only unusual because it’s unusual, if that makes sense? Were we surrounded by images of same sex couples in the same way as hetero couples – out furniture shopping, eating out, buying a car – then there wouldn’t be such a big deal because the general public would be used to it.

Secondly is Sainsbury’s who are selling same sex Valentine’s cards. Brilliant! It’s good for people – any people – to see themselves represented in society as it’s a kind of validation that we’re ok, we’re acceptable. This is why soap operas try to include minority characters. And while it’s probably not the most difficult thing to buy a neutral Valentine’s card if you’re in a sae sex relationship, it’s a big step for Sainsbury’s as a high street retailer who could potentially face a backlash from the small minded bigoted people who still have an issue with consenting adults who love each other but have the same parts below the waist.

On that note I think that too many people are caught up in what happens between the sheets in a same sex relationship. Just like with hetero couples, sex isn’t the be all and end all. Why are people so obsessed? Why does it matter? Isn’t it more important that people are happy, content, loved, looked after, caring, nurturing and nice to each other? Isn’t that what any relationship is about? Is it anyone’s business who puts what (if anything) in what hole?

A friend of mine got married to his long term partner of 16 years at the weekend. And that’s joyous. Not only that they have found each other, but that society has now progressed to a point where their union can be recognised in law and in love. That they can openly celebrate and enjoy the same benefits as other married couples – taxes and inheritance and entitlements. That they can hold hands and kiss and profess their love to each other in front of family and friends.

Because, ultimately, that’s what it’s all about. Love.

And anyone who is against love must be bonkers.

Thanks, as always, for reading! x

Marriage equality in America – the best bits

Common sense has prevailed in America. Brilliant.

Brilliant for the couples who can now cement their love for each other when they’ve previously been forbidden.

Brilliant for the couples who will now enjoy equal rights around insurance, welfare and health in relation to their partners.

Brilliant that a few rogue states with delusions of power have been firmly put in their place and over ruled.

Brilliant that the Whitehouse was bathed in multi-coloured lights to celebrate such a momentous decision.

Rainbow Whitehouse marriage equality

Rainbow Whitehouse marriage equality

Rainbow Whitehouse marriage equality

Brilliant that Niagra Falls followed suit.

Niagra Falls same sex marriage

Brilliant that President Obama tweeted about it.

President Obama Twitter

Brilliant that Twitter had a hashtag with a rainbow heart.

Twitter rainbow heart

Brilliant that Facebook had an app to change your profile picture to a rainbow version.

Facebook rainbow profile picture

Some great stories about bigoted pastors who vowed to set themselves on fire if same sex marriage became legal…

…who then furiously backpeddled because he didn’t really mean it (roll eyes).

Americans who planned to move to Canada if the law changed (Canada legalised same sex marriage in 2005)

But this story here, with pictures, sums up what it’s all about – marriages that took place immediately after the ruling that would have previously been impossible.

Who can deny love like this?

Jack Evans, 84, left, and George Harris, 82, right, show their marriage license after being the first couple to receive it from the Dallas County Clerk Friday, June 26, 2015, in Dallas. Evans and Harris, who have been together for 54 years were the first couple married after having their license issued. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Jack Evans, 84, left, and George Harris, 82, right, show their marriage license after being the first couple to receive it from the Dallas County Clerk Friday, June 26, 2015, in Dallas. Evans and Harris, who have been together for 54 years were the first couple married after having their license issued. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Jaque Roberts,  left, and her partner of 31 years, Carmelita Cabello, right,  show off their marriage license at the Travis County building after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that  same-sex couples have the right to marry nationwide, Friday, June 26, 2015, in Austin, Texas. The court's 5-4 ruling means the remaining 14 states, in the South and Midwest, will have to stop enforcing their bans on same-sex marriage.(AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Jaque Roberts, left, and her partner of 31 years, Carmelita Cabello, right, show off their marriage license at the Travis County building after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry nationwide, Friday, June 26, 2015, in Austin, Texas. The court’s 5-4 ruling means the remaining 14 states, in the South and Midwest, will have to stop enforcing their bans on same-sex marriage.(AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Of course the fact that a decision got made by 9 individuals in the Supreme Court is ridiculous. But that’s a whole other story. Had the decision gone the other way then I’d have been more vocal about the process.

All that matters is that love wins.