June 2013 turned out to be another month that, in terms of
noteworthy LGBT+ news, was dominated by equal marriage.
In the UK, the House of
Lords debated and approved the Bill; an essential step in its progress; and the
matter was also high on the agenda elsewhere. But whilst some countries were progressing equality in law, others were regressing it.
That, and more, will be explored in our review of...
Putin signs LGBT+ discrimination into law
On the last day of June, Vladimir Putin signed Russia’s controversial
Bill against the promotion of “non-traditional” relationships into law. Despite
earlier warnings from the United Nations that such a law would contravene human
rights, it was passed unanimously by the country’s upper house of
Parliament a few days earlier.
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| Protests against Putin's laws began to gain momentum (scmp.com) |
The law covers so called “gay propaganda” and it’s purpose is said to be the protection of minors. Both individuals and organisations that
breach the law are liable to face financial penalties or even a period of
imprisonment.
The law’s passing signified the beginning of a wide range of
campaigns that aimed to withdraw support for Russia, its economy and for events
it was scheduled to host. Some of these campaigns will be covered in more
detail as the review of the year goes on.
An historic day for equality in America
As the US Supreme Court prepared to rule on the Defence of
Marriage Act (DoMA)—the law that allowed individual States to block well over 1,000 legal
rights to same-sex married couples—a video created by bi-national couple went
viral.
David and Jason married in New York in 2012, but because Jason is British and they are a same-sex couple, he was unable to gain a Green Card. This meant they were regularly forced to spend long periods of time apart.
David and Jason married in New York in 2012, but because Jason is British and they are a same-sex couple, he was unable to gain a Green Card. This meant they were regularly forced to spend long periods of time apart.
Their emotional video explained what an end to DoMA would
mean for them…
David and Jason, along with countless others, celebrated on
June 26th when the Supreme Court voted 5-4 in favour of invalidating DoMA
and no small part of the thanks for that went to a woman named Edith Windsor.
Edie Windsor sued the US Government after she was forced to
pay estate tax following the death of her wife, Thea Spyer. The couple been together for over 40
years and finally married in 2007, but because the US Government did not recognise
their marriage, she had to pay over $360,000 in taxes on properties they co-owned. On that matter, Edie said:
“[I]f Thea had been
Theo, I would have had to pay no estate tax whatsoever. Even if I had met and
married ‘Theo’ one month before he died, I would have had to pay no estate
tax.”
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| (danspapers.com) |
On the same day as the DoMA ruling, the Supreme Court also
ruled on California’s Proposition 8 law. Prop 8 gained notoriety for
banning same-sex marriage in California shortly after the right had been
granted.
When two couples appealed against this and the State didn’t try to
defend the law, those who called for the law in the first place took the case
to the Supreme Court. And when it was heard, the court ruled that there was no
case to answer, which paved the way for California to conduct same-sex
marriages once again.
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| Tegan and Sara pose for NOH8, a photo campaign started in response to Prop 8 (noh8campaign.com) |
Thanks to these two rulings, it was a day that will be
remembered in years to come as one of the most significant in the progress of
equal marriage in America. Although the country still faces a massive journey
before every State recognises same-sex couples as equals, that day will
hopefully come quicker thanks to the events of June 26th.
Scotland says "It's Time" for equal marriage
Coincidentally, on the same day as all of that was happening
in America, equal marriage was progressing closer to home (for me at least)
too.
June 26th saw the Scottish Parliament introduce
its Marriage and Civil Partnership Act (Scotland) Bill. Marriage is a devolved
matter in Scotland, meaning that, although we are also represented by the UK
Government, any laws that are passed regarding marriage in Westminster don’t
apply north of the border.
One of the organisations leading the campaign for equal
marriage in Scotland is the Equality Network. A few days before the Bill was
published, they released a video with a whole host of Scottish faces
(mine not included!) agreeing that “It’s Time” for marriage equality.
As someone who lives in a country that is currently
represented by two parliaments, I’ve felt that it’s been important to raise
awareness of and campaign for equality in both. When I wrote an open letter for
marriage equality last year and lobbied my Westminster MP, it didn’t matter
that any effect they might have wouldn’t change my rights here in Scotland. The
fight for equality is a universal one and although it may start at home, it
shouldn’t end there.
After all, when you don’t know what country your future
husband or wife is living in, it’s important to have equal rights in them all!
YouTube shows its pride
Towards the end of June, YouTube showed it support of the LGBT
community by posting a video called “Proud to Love”. It featured some of the most watched
LGBT-themed videos on the site and included clips of historic news stories, famous
faces, popular “YouTubers” and everyday people too.
The video’s description explains:
“At YouTube,
we believe that everyone has the right to love and be loved. We strive to make
YouTube a place where all communities can feel proud to express themselves and
connect through video. That's why we're proud to stand with the LGBT community
and support equal rights and marriage equality for all.”
Set to the soundtrack of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ “Same
Love”, the video encouraged YouTube users to upload their own videos explaining
who, why or what they were “proud to love”. Some of my favourite YouTubers, including Hannah Hart and Rose Ellen Dix, got involved and even The L Project’s mascot
(and everyone’s favourite cartoon lesbian), Lizzy the Lezzy, got in on the act!
Rose and Hannah are just two of a whole host of LGBT+ people
who have gained massive followings on their YouTube channels, not just because
of their sexuality, but because they are genuinely decent and funny human
beings who are easy for others to relate to.
By looking at the comments beneath their videos and their popularity on sites like Tumblr, it's clear that their presence on YouTube has helped countless young people understand their own sexuality better and has also shown their straight fans that gay people aren't really all that different.
This might seem obvious, but for a young person struggling with their sexuality in a rural town or in a country where LGBT+ people are less than accepted, the internet can become a lifeline. It might be the only place they can go where they feel comfortable being themselves and where they can connect with others who are like them too.
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| Rose Dix and her girlfriend/regular YouTube partner in crime, Rosie (instagram.com) |
What I like about these YouTubers is that they aren’t people that the media have decided to tell us we should like; their videos go online and people decide for themselves. They don't have PR people telling them what wear, what to look like and what not to say. They seem to be everyday people who have
become well-known thanks to the word-of-mouth of their loyal fans and a huge part of their popularity is that they are neither "perfect" (if that were to exist), nor pretending to be. They swear and they mess up
and they discuss bodily functions pretty much ALL the time, and it seems like it's those things that their fans love about them most of all.
Whether you’re lesbian, gay, bi, trans*, something else entirely or you're one of our awesome straight allies, there’s bound to be a YouTuber you’ll fall
in love with. If you’re willing to lose the next twelve hours of your life,
there’s a whole host of LGBT ones you can check out here.
I enjoy nothing more that wasting a day or two down the rabbit-hole that is YouTube, so if you've got a favourite YouTuber or video you think I should check out, send your recommendations this way! And, providing I can tear myself away long enough, I'll be back tomorrow with a review of July. If you've missed any of the 2013 review so far, you can catch up here.
What were your favourite LGBT+ moments of 2013? And what were your personal highlights? Did you come out? Get married? Do something life-changing? Let us know in the comments!
You can follow Julie Price on Twitter, @JuliePee
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