There was no mention of it in the pages of Granma, the Communist Party newspaper, but when word came that Cuban authorities were considering the legalization of same-sex civil unions, it was a cause for quiet celebration, CNN World reporting that the announcement was made by Mariela Castro, daughter of Raul Castro and the director of Cuba’s national sex education center, during an interview with Spanish broadcaster Cadena Ser earlier this month. Castro, the island’s leading gay rights advocate, said Cuban authorities are already studying the proposal in preparation for the upcoming Community Party conference on January 28. “This is a historic opportunity, and I think we’re close to having draft legislation,” said Castro, who also revealed in the interview that gay Cubans can serve in the military. “We’ve been working on this issue for a long time, with a lot of activism. We’re starting to see results and a political solution.”
Italy’s parliament Tuesday rejected a bill to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from discrimination, The Associated Press reporting that the Chamber of Deputies voted 293 votes to 250 not to approve the legislation. Gay rights advocates have called on the European Union to step in. Italy already bans discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, ethnicity and nationality but campaigners say rising numbers of homophobic and transphobic attacks means LGBT people need more protection. Paolo Patane, head of gay rights association Arcigay, told AFP that “This parliament has betrayed justice and civility and has decided to support the violent,” and added that the EU should “help us face this extremely dangerous rise in homophobia, xenophobia and racism that the Italian parliament has decided to legitimise.” Nicola Duckworth of Amnesty International said that “In addition to passing the right laws, authorities and politicians should set the example. “They should promote equality and non-discrimination and refrain from and condemn derogatory and discriminatory remarks that foster a climate of intolerance,” adding that the parliament “wasted an opportunity.” Italy also prohibits gay and lesbian couples from marrying or adopting children. Prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is on record for opposing gay rights, although gay campaigners claim his alleged affairs with minors make him a hypocrite. Last year, the Italian leader famously dismissed criticism, saying: “It’s better to be passionate about beautiful women than to be gay.”
Portland, Oregon Mayor Sam Adams said Friday he would not run for re-election in 2012, The Oregonian reporting that in an online posting Friday afternoon, the openly gay Adams said he wanted to focus on his goals for the city, not a re-election effort. "Making progress in this manner -- progress that is accountable, resilient, and ever-improving -- is the reason that I entered public service. We have a lot more work to do, which brings me squarely to my future plans. I am under no illusion of how challenging the race for re-election would be. I’ve been in tough elections before; nobody thought I could win my city council race in 2004. But I believe for me to win re-election as mayor, I would need to fundraise and campaign full-time, starting now. As I have considered the reality of a possible re-election effort, I have come to the conclusion that I have a choice: Move this agenda forward, or campaign full-time for re-election. With the state of our nation in such flux, and so many local issues needing focused and hands-on mayoral leadership, for me, the choice is clear. My best service to Portland will be to complete the platform of change and improvement you elected me to deliver: Creating jobs, increasing the high school graduation rate, and making Portland the most sustainable city, with the most equal of opportunities. This work is well underway, and I’m committed to making every day of the next 17 months count. Thus, I will not seek re-election." City Commissioner Randy Leonard said Friday he was "very surprised" by Adams' decision and that he thought Adams could have won. Adams came into office with broad popularity that stretched from penthouse office suites to working-class neighbourhoods. Portlanders fell for Adams' smarts and energy and his promise to use both traits to recruit green companies, promote Portland on an international stage and lobby Washington for federal stimulus spending, but Adams stumbled badly when he acknowledged that he lied back in September 2007 when he denied rumours that he had had a sexual relationship with a teenager who had been a legislative intern. Adams said that while he first met the intern, Beau Breedlove, when he was 17, the two did not have sex until after Breedlove turned 18. Having survived two recall attempts, he was nonetheless viewed as vulnerable in a re-election campaign. His accomplishments haven't always resonated with the public, and even his supporters worried privately about his ability to lead.
ESPN reports that Pittsburgh Steelers has offered another apology for using an antigay slur when talking about Commissioner Roger Goodell and criticizing teammates for their play in Pittsburgh's Super Bowl loss to Green Bay in a Men’s Journal profile. "The comments I made about Roger Goodell were inappropriate at the least and way out of line," Harrison said. "I was speaking out of anger and frustration at the time and any comments that I may have made that offended anyone with my careless use of words, I apologize." Harrison says he used the slur while expressing his aggravation with the league's new player-safety rules, the 33-year-old earning $100,000 in fines for illegal hits last season. He thought he was venting about the new rules — and not Goodell personally — while calling him a "crook" and a "devil." It did not read like that, and Harrison now says he should have used a "better vocabulary" when talking about the issue and the commissioner. Harrison has not spoken to Goodell since the article was published and isn't sure whether he'll be disciplined by the league. "I don't think [Goodell] is a guy that's going to hold something on a personal level" against him professionally, Harrison said. "I attacked him on a personal level, which wasn't right. I don't expect anything to be done." There's also the question on whether Goodell would even have the power to suspend or fine Harrison. The comments were made during the NFL lockout, meaning technically Harrison wasn't working for the league at the time. Harrison said he wouldn't decide whether to fight any penalty until it is levied. The team has not indicated it will discipline Harrison, though Coach Mike Tomlin agreed with Harrison's assessment that his words were inappropriate. Harrison spoke to owner Art Rooney recently but hasn't been excluded from any team activities as the defending AFC champions opened training camp.
With the lockout over, teams opened training camps, including the Denver Broncos, who sit stocked with a number of quarterbacks, including failed underwear model Tim Tebow.
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