A friend jokingly asked me last week why I always have to write about "gay stuff"? Obviously the title of my column has a lot to do with it. But seriously - the column isn't solely for the LGBT community. From speaking with locals around town, I've found that I have an avid straight following as well, which is good to hear. So here's one for all of you, LGBT and straight alike.
On March 8, 2007, security forces in Iran broke up a gathering of hundreds of people marking International Women's Day in Tehran, Iran. Four days earlier the authorities arrested 26 prominent women's rights activists. The same day they were arrested, the Iranian Judiciary held a trial for four other women's rights activists charged with "acting against national security by participating in an illegal gathering." The gathering at issue was a peaceful demonstration on June 12, 2006 to protest discriminatory laws against women. These arrests go against international and Iranian laws which guarantee freedom of assembly. The majority of the women were released in the following days after being held without any contact from their families or lawyers. Two of these women, Shadi Sadr and Mahbubeh Abbasgholizadeh remained in detention until March 19, when they were finally freed on bail.
On May 21, 2007, 32 young people, African-American and Hispanic, were arrested and detained in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, N.Y. on their way to the wake of Donnell McFarland, 18, who had been fatally shot a week earlier. In a preemptive strike from authorities who feared violence following the murder, the police surrounded the group and charged them with unlawful assembly and disorderly conduct. Although the officers reportedly did not draw their weapons and no drugs or weapons were found on those arrested, the roundup has gotten widespread attention as being a clear example of racial profiling in our communities. Final members of the group, now known as the "Bushwick 32," were released on May 23. At that time more than 50 students, including many of those arrested, demanded an apology from the police department during a news conference held at the headquarters of Make the Road by Walking, a community rights organization in Bushwick.
Early last week, between seven and 20 men were arrested in Dakar, Senegal. The arrests were made allegedly following the publication of a photograph of them attending a gay wedding which took place more than a year-and-a-half ago. A police spokesperson told the pro-government Le Soleil that those arrested were questioned over "gross indecency and marriage against nature." Fear has gripped those in Senegal. "We are afraid for our lives, especially those of us shown in the photographs," a man identified only as Jean R., a Senegalese gay activist, told the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. "Some of us have gone into hiding and others are fleeing the country," he continued. Although five men were released last Thursday, without their charges being dropped, the investigation appears to be continuing and police also say they are searching for others. Senegal is one of the few Francophone African countries that penalize homosexuality and those caught can fact imprisonment of between one and five years and a fine of up to $3000.
I'm sure that all of my readers, both LGBT and straight alike, will agree that these kinds of mass arrests are unjust. "Mass arrests of people simply because they are gay terrorize the entire community," says Paula Ettelbrick, Executive Director of IGLHRC, in a recent letter demanding the release of these men. Inhumane treatment of individuals, whether it's based on race, religion, sex or sexual identity can harm us all. Nearly 70 years ago, the world's eyes were opened to the danger that exists when we allow this to happen. Nearly 11 million people were exterminated because of who they were. As an entire community we have to take notice before similar injustices occur again.
OUT & ABOUT
Saturday, Feb. 16 - CLAWS (Coastal Leather Allegiance to Wisdom and Service) will hold its annual Valentine's Day fundraiser, "Love Hurts" starting around midnight at Time Out, 520 8th Ave. North in Myrtle Beach. Entertainment will be provided and the organization will auction off its popular "Snack and Whack" gift baskets to benefit local charities. For more information call 448-1180.
Until next week, have fun and be safe.
-Chris Rudisill, Weekly Surge