Second Pride

An 18-year-old Iranian is facing imminent execution on charges of homosexuality, even though he has no legal representation. Ebrahim Hamidi, who is not gay, was sentenced to death for lavat, or sodomy, on the basis of "judge's knowledge", a legal loophole that allows for subjective judicial rulings where there is no conclusive evidence.

Hamidi had been represented by human rights lawyer Mohammad Mostafaei, who has since been forced to flee Iran after bringing to international attention the case of another of his clients, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a 43-year-old Iranian mother of two who has been sentenced to death by stoning for adultery. Mostafaei was due to arrive in Norway yesterday to begin a life in exile while continuing his campaigns on behalf of his clients, including Hamidi.

At the same time, human rights activist Peter Tatchell has written to the foreign secretary, William Hague, urging him to contact the chief justice of Iran and ask that the execution be halted.

"Ebrahim's case is evidence that innocent heterosexual people can be sentenced to death on false charges of homosexuality [in Iran]," said Tatchell, co-founder of the London-based gay rights group OutRage.

Hamidi was arrested two years ago in the suburbs of the western city of Tabriz in the East Azerbaijan province after a fight with members of another family. Three of his friends were also involved in the incident and were subsequently arrested. Later, the four were accused of homosexual assault on a man and of attempting to abuse him sexually.

A person convicted of homosexuality in Iran can be lashed, hanged or stoned to death. The law includes a variety of penalties for different acts: 99 lashes if two unrelated males sleep "unnecessarily" under the same blanket – even without any sexual contact. A boy raped by an adult man would also be lashed if the court decided that he had "enjoyed" the experience.

After three days in detention, Hamidi confessed to the crime, allegedly under torture. The other three were cleared of all charges when promised by officials that they would be freed if they testified against Hamidi.

However, last month Hamidi's alleged victim admitted that he had been under pressure from his parents to make false accusations. Nevertheless the local judiciary has insisted that Hamidi should be executed.

Mostafaei initially wrote an open letter about Hamidi's case to highlight the execution of juvenile offenders. But two weeks ago Mostafaei's wife, Fereshteh Halimi, was arrested and had been kept in solitary confinement in Tehran's notorious Evin prison without charge until late last night, when the Observer understood that she was released.

Mostafaei, whose office in Tehran is now sealed off, is credited with saving at least 50 people from execution during his career, among them many juvenile offenders. A recent client, Ali Mahin-Torabi, 21, was released in July after Mostafaei's efforts commuted his death sentence. With Mostafaei exiled, activists are worried for Hamidi. "It's shocking that although Hamidi's accuser admitted in a recorded testimony that he had lied, he is still facing execution," Mostafaei said.

An online petition calling for the execution order to be rescinded was launched on 8 August.

10,000 Participants - Global Recognition

 source: http://gaygames.com/

Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 Success

Thank you Cologne!

Gay Games VIII Cologne 2010 ended with an incredible celebration at the Tanzbrunnen in Cologne, Germany on August 7, 2010. Tanzbrunnen means “Dance Fountain” in German. The closing ceremony was a highlight of the week. The Co-Presidents of the FGG and Games Cologne spoke and thanked all the volunteers for the many years of work to complete a successful week. Cologne passed the FGG flag to Cleveland-Akron, Ohio, USA, the host city of Gay Games IX Cleveland-Akron 2014.

People arrived at early and people were able to gather and meet friends from their competition and have a final chance to say goodbye, and exchange email addresses. Many people were exchanging team shirts. Team Hamburg shirts were the most requested. Before and after the ceremony, entertainment was provided and the live dance music played to a very crowded Tanzbrunnen. It was an excellent European style celebration.

In Second Life too !

GAYLYMPICS 2010

Every year Brokeback organises The Gaylympic Games to collect funds for its Day Against Homophobia Event.

Get involved and become the next Gaylympic champion!

Simply send back a notecard to Draghan Marksman with your full name on it and the sports u want to compete in and join the Brokeback Mountain Group for  updates
Here is the link of the group:

 secondlife:///app/group/c90792de-3821-5340-310c-990217d50d82/about
 
Below is the list of the various sports you can compete in for the next Gaylympics

Some sports require a team (up to 5 people for soccer or basketball for example), if you want to enter as a team, please send me the name of all contestants :)

1) tennis
2) volley
3) racing
4) street  basketball
5) basketball
6) pingpong
7) balance beam
8) karting
9) horse racing
10) horse jumping
11) boxing
12) mud wrestling
13) arm wrestling
14) monopoly
15) cluedo
16) archery
17) darts
18) fencing
19) sailing
20) iceskating
21) surf
22) biking
23) swimming
24) jetskying
25) rodeo
26) bumping cars
27) bumper boats
28) paddle boats
29) strip poker
30) soccer
31) hammer high striking
32) hangman
33) pistol duel
34) bowling
35) box hunting

We will be training this summer from July 14th to August 15th.
The actual competition is scheduled for November.

All games are freely accessible on the sim and can be reached using the various tps, however Karting and Bumping Cars are located inside the Holodeck.
If u do not know how to beam on the Holodeck, send me an IM.

Don't forget to shut the various engines off before you leave in order to lower lag. Do not leave poseballs on and take back everything you may have rezzed so that the next players find everything in working order. Thanks in advance.

Have fun :)