Following an allegedly 'premature' report in the Jerusalem Post and a subsequent denial from organizers, Jerusalem WorldPride 2005 is, in fact, being postponed—until 2006.
The events, planned for Aug. 18-28, are being rescheduled due to concerns that police could not simultaneously protect the pride celebrations and the planned Aug. 16 evacuation of Jews from Gaza.
'Tolerance, pluralism and equality are WorldPride's guiding principles,' said organizer Noa Sattath, chairperson of the Jerusalem Open House gay center. 'Holding WorldPride during the Gaza pullout would do injustice to those values. We have taken this decision out of consideration to the most difficult political climate expected in Israel this August. As a community we are deeply engaged in the complex reality surrounding us.'
Local Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders have strongly denounced WorldPride and called on the authorities to ban it.
The celebration—which was last held in Rome in 2000—is licensed by InterPride, the International Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Coordinators.
Amsterdam issues warning to gay tourists
The Amsterdam Tourist Board has issued a warning to gay visitors following the high-profile gay-bashing of Washington Blade/ Window Media Executive Editor Chris Crain.
Early on April 30, Crain was called a 'faggot' and severely beaten by five Moroccan men as he and his boyfriend walked hand-in-hand through central Amsterdam.
'It seemed like every direction I turned, I got another punch to the face, and when they kicked me to the ground, time seemed to stop,' Crain said.
On May 13, the Tourist Board's Herman Terbalkt announced: 'Gay visitors should be careful and alert. Some people in Amsterdam are not tolerant of other people. It is a social problem.'
A spokesperson for the main Dutch gay-rights group, COC, agreed. 'The feeling of insecurity in Amsterdam is rising,' Rene Soeren told The Times of London. 'Gays and lesbians are less willing to walk hand-in-hand because they might be beaten up.
'The group that causes the problem is more dominant in the center of town than 20 years ago—there is a struggle for public space,' Soeren said. 'The gay middle class is leaving Amsterdam and living in smaller towns.'
Chilean Supremes rule against lesbian mom again
Chile's Supreme Court May 12 refused for the second time to give lesbian Karen Atala's three children back to her.
After the first ruling, Atala appealed to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
The commission accepted the case and instructed Chile's government to justify the decision.
The Supreme Court then reaffirmed its ruling, saying due process had been followed, and sent the affirmation to the government so it can reply to the commission.
In its original decision, the court found that the children's development could be harmed by Atala's lesbian relationship, resulting in their being confused about sex roles.
Atala was stripped of custody and sees her kids only one weekend a month.