Sunday, August 22, 2010

Thousands Protest Ireland Civil Partnership Act Alleging It Creates Second Class Of Citizens, Growing Gay Marriage Acceptance In America, Emmerdale Star Attacked For Portraying Gay, Neil Patrick Harris Earns Two Emmy Awards And Betty White Wins One, Alan Cumming, Jane Lynch, Wanda And Alex Sykes

In Ireland, over 2,000 participated in a protest organized by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender campaign group Noise meant to underline the disparities in the civil partnership legislation introduced last year and signed into law last month. The Civil Partnership And Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2009, extended benefits to gay and lesbian couples in certain areas of property, social welfare, succession, maintenance, pension and tax akin to those enjoyed by opposite sex married couples. However, the Act fails to address the rights of children of same sex couple, and gay activists, including Noise, contend that the government is simply attempting to pacify the gay community in Ireland with the introduction of the legislation. Sunday’s peaceful protest through the streets of Dublin called on the government to introduce an act allowing gay and lesbian partners to marry, thereby granting gays full equality. Organizer Max Krzyzanowski said that the legislation excludes the LGBT community from a fundamental civil and human right, and in effect creates a second class of citizens. “One of the most outrageous aspects of the partnership scheme is the complete lack of any rights for gay parents and their children,” adding that “a separate system is not an equal system.”

Gay marriage, according to several polls, continues to gain approval in America, nearly 20 states now showing support at majority levels.

19 year old Danny Miller, who stars on Emmerdale portraying the gay character Aaron Livesy, was attacked Friday night by two men allegedly because of his portrayal. According to reports, Miller, who is straight, was in Manchester, England watching his father Vince, a comedian perform, when “he was attacked by two drunken thugs over his controversial role as a gay teenager.”

Neil Patrick Harris, seen below with boyfriend David Burtka –the two expecting twins this October – earned two Emmy Awards Saturday night, best guest actor in a comedy series for an appearance on Glee and for his work hosting the Tony Awards, which won best special class program. Betty White earned her fifth Emmy for her appearance hosting Saturday Night Live as best guest actress in a comedy series. The Emmy Awards honoured the Old Spice Body Wash “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” advertisement as best commercial.

Actor Neil Patrick Harris (R) and David Burtka arrive at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on August 21, 2010.   UPI/Jim Ruymen Photo via Newscom

Also in attendance Saturday night were Alan Cumming, Jane Lynch, and Wanda and Alex Sykes.

21 August 2010 - Los Angeles, California - Alan Cumming. 62nd Annual Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards - Arrivals held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. Photo Credit: Byron Purvis/AdMedia

Actress Jane Lynch arrives at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on August 21, 2010.   UPI/Jim Ruymen Photo via Newscom

Actress Wanda Sykes (R) and Alex Sykes arrive at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on August 21, 2010.   UPI/Jim Ruymen Photo via Newscom

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