Gay Today: World

Fiji : Pressure from Abroad
Needed for Fijian Gays

India: Lucknow Park
is Put Off-Limits to Gay Males

By Rex Wockner
International News Report

Fiji : Pressure from Abroad
Needed for Fijian Gays

Religious Groups Imperil Protections in Constitution

Only two countries in the world ban discrimination based on sexual orientation via their constitutions: South Africa and Fiji. But all is not well in Fiji.

Right-wing political forces and conservative church groups have convinced the government to alter the new constitution to ensure that the gay protections do not lead to legalization of gay sex or gay marriage.

A missionary preaches to natives of Fiji in the 1920s. Today, a new group of Christians are attempting to remove protections gays and lesbians enjoy on the island nation.

Unless strong pressure comes from abroad, Parliament's Committee on Consequential Legislation is expected to override the constitutional protections (which are in Section 28 of the Bill of Rights) with a new homophobic amendment.

It will "remove any doubts and fears about same-sex marriages and unnatural offenses being allowed," said Attorney General Ratu Etuate Tavai.

Fijian activists and the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission urgently request letters supporting the Constitution's provisions.

Write:

(1) Prime Minister's Office
Parliament Complex
Box 2352
Government Buildings
Republic of Fiji.
Fax: 011-679-305-204.

(2) Leader of Opposition
Opposition Office
Box 2352 Government Buildings
Republic of Fiji.
Fax: 011-679-305-317.

Send a copy to:

Fiji Women's Crisis Centre
88 Gordon Street
P.O. Box 12882
Suva, Fiji.
E-mail: fwcc@is.com.fj.

Indian Gays Banned from Parks

Meanwhile, on December 30, the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association denounced what it called Jamaica's escalating anti- gay atmosphere.

Police in Lucknow, India, have taken a unique approach to the matter of gay men having sex in public parks: They banned gays from cruisy GPO Park altogether, local newspapers reported December 30.

"Police will not allow male couples into the park if they know they are gays," spokesman R.S. Tomar told reporters. "Policemen will ask them if they are gay. If they hold hands or are demonstrative about their affection, we'll suspect them of being gay."

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State prosecutor S.K. Saluja said the local approach violates human-rights laws but Tomar said, "The rights of others are as important as those of the gays."

A spokesman for a Bombay gay group said the organization hopes to stage a demonstration and sit-in at the park.

Lucknow is the capital of the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.