Fridae

Singer Kevin Aviance victim of hate crime in NYC
Singer Kevin Aviance, who has twice topped the Billboard dance chart in the US, was attacked by four young men while on his way home from a bar in Manhattan's East Village. The men were said to have yelled, "kill the faggot" and other anti-gay slurs at their victim during the attack, said Len Evans, Aviance's publicist.

One of New York's best known drag performance artists, Aviance achieved number ones on Billboard's dance chart with Alive in 2002 and Din Da Da in 1997.

While Aviance performs in drag, his publicist told the media that the 6-foot-3 singer was "dressed like a boy" when he was attacked.

He was desperately trying to hail a cab a about 1.30am when the attackers tossed debris at him. He was punched in the face before being dragged to the sidewalk where he was beaten and kicked. Aviance added that there were several witnesses to the beating who didn't help him. "They were just cold."

After the attackers left, a passerby walked him to nearby hospital where he undergone surgery for a broken jaw and leg injuries. The 38-year-old gay performance artist was released from hospital on Monday.

Two of the men Jarell Sears, 20, and Gerard Johnson, 16, were charged the same day with first-degree gang assault and first-degree assault as a hate crime. The suspects face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

The other two, Gregory Archie, 18, of Manhattan, and Akino George, 20, of the Bronx, were awaiting arraignment Tuesday.

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg described the attack as "a disgrace."

"Anybody that thinks they can get away with a hate crime is sadly mistaken," he said.

Gay rights advocates said the attack was a reminder of the hate crimes gays still face, even in New York City. East Village, where Aviance was attacked, is considered to be one of the most gay-friendly neighbourhoods in the generally tolerant city.

"Kevin is in a lot of pain, mentally and physically. He faces a long road to recovery," his lawyer, Jay Sanchez, said.

"We all know it's happening out there all the time," Sanchez said of violence against gays.

New York police have reported 22 anti-gay bias crimes so far this year compared to 17 for the same date a year ago.

Although his jaw wired shut and is unable to speak, the singer still hopes to perform at Summer Camp at Spirit on Sunday, June 25.

"You don't know how it feels until this happens to you. It feels like someone pulled your soul out," victim Kevin Aviance, 38, said through his lawyer.

"This was his month to shine. He made people feel proud to be gay, to walk the streets and to feel comfortable in their own skin. That was taken away from him." Said Sanchez.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the city's first openly gay councilor, said: "What happened to Kevin over the weekend is just outrageous. I hope the district attorney prosecutes those responsible to the fullest extent of the law, and that this crime is prosecuted fully as the hate crime that it was."

She had equally strong words for the witnesses who allegedly did nothing as Aviance was dragged down the sidewalk.

"When New Yorkers see a victim of a crime, they have a responsibility to pick up the phone and call 911," she said.

"We can't ever go back to the days of people just closing their windows when they hear someone in trouble."

Clarence Patton, the executive director of the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project, said gays were particularly vulnerable during Gay Pride Month when "we are so visible as a community, which can fuel the ire of those folks that hate us."

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ACT civil union laws overturned
The Australian federal government has moved quickly to quash the ACT's bid to introduce gay marriage laws.

On Tuesday, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock called on rarely used Commonwealth powers and asked Governor-General Michael Jeffrey to invalidate the law as of midnight.

The Australian Capital Territory, which includes the national capital Canberra, last month voted to allow civil unions for same-sex couples, a move that ignited fresh debate on gay marriage in a way that has mirrored the US, where President George W. Bush is asking the Senate for a constitutional ban.

The ACT Government had introduced its controversial civil union laws earlier than planned in the hope of creating a loophole period of several weeks in which gay couples could quickly get "unionised."

The ACT also petitioned the Governor-General directly, with ACT Assembly Speaker Wayne Berry presenting himself at Government House to plead that Ruddock's request be ignored.

"This is an exceptional request, which will inevitably form the basis for future precedent, not just in relation to the ACT but in relation to self-governing territories and other polities, including the commonwealth itself," the motion said.

But Ruddock told reporters after visiting Government House that marriage was a Commonwealth issue.

"The measure we have adopted was clean-cut. It put the matter to the end once and for all," Ruddock said.

ACT Attorney-General Simon Corbell said Mr Ruddock's decision was disgraceful.

"The Federal Government's actions are arrogant and undemocratic," Corbell said.

According to media reports, the Labor Party will join the Greens and Democrats in opposing the Federal Government's decision to disallow the ACT's Civil Unions Act.

Related article:
No, you don't: Howard intervenes to scrap ACT Civil Unions laws

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EuroPride 06 in London: 17 to 30 June
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to descend in London from this weekend as the English capital hosts EuroPride 06, Europe's largest gay and lesbian cultural festival.

Held from 17 to 30 June, the two-week festival will showcase the city's vibrant gay and lesbian culture, featuring an unprecedented schedule of around 70 exhibitions, film screenings, sporting events, comedy shows, theatre performances and music concerts.

It will culminate on Saturday July 1 when up to 500,000 people are expected to attend a colourful parade through central London. Oxford Street and Regent Street will be fully pedestrianised so crowds can enjoy the day of solidarity, celebration and pride.

The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone said: "It is great news that London has gained EuroPride status for 2006.

"Pride is one of the key cultural events in London's calendar, celebrating the contribution of London's lesbian and gay community to our city.

"I am delighted that EuroPride 06 is making its way back to London and I look forward to welcoming visitors from all over Europe and the world.

"It will be a great opportunity for people to enjoy London's rich and varied lesbian and gay culture."

EuroPride London 06 Chief Executive, Jason Pollock said: "EuroPride London 06 will be an inclusive event in Britain's cultural calendar in 2006 for people from all walks of life and visitors from around the world to come together to enjoy a carnival atmosphere.

"We have brought together an unprecedented range of support for EuroPride London 06 and it promises to be the biggest gay and lesbian festival London has ever seen."

Chief Executive of VisitLondon, James Bidwell said: "Visit London is delighted to be supporting EuroPride London 06.

"This year's events are going to be bigger and better than ever before and we are looking forward to welcoming all those that are coming to experience our diverse and dynamic city during the Pride Festival.

"Gay and lesbian visitors are very important to London's visitor economy and this summer's EuroPride events will showcase London as a top gay-friendly destination."

Sponsors of EuroPride 2006 include the Mayor of London, the TUC, the Metropolitan Police, VisitLondon and British Airways.