HAPPY BIRTHDAY OUT-15 years and still going strong!

I have to date not come across an organization that is so fully dedicated to helping the LGBTI community, in ALL its facets, needs and concerns, as OUT is. With their involvement in the advocacy of the LGBTI community in the realm of equality in SA, OUT has shown that they truly stand as representatives of the entire community and are a Presence to the general public and an organization which stands firm in its beliefs and serves to protect the rights of its community.

With regards to work on grassroots level, OUT has proven to be a definite forerunner when it comes to research on the Health and Well-being of the LGBTI community with Projects such as their PRISM Project, which is aimed at not only the distribution of prevention methods, but also educational tools such as pamphlets, flyers and open days, while also offering support groups and counselling (both via web-access, telephonic or personal) to members of the public. Along with this they offer comprehensive treatment at their PRISM Lifestyle Centre where services such as HIV Testing, Counselling and General Physical Examinations are conducted by trained and friendly staff.

As Mr Gay South Africa 2009/Mr Gay World 2010, it truly is an Honour to be associated with OUT. As the nature of my work is on a global scale, it is not always easy to touch base on ground level as much as I would like and I am grateful to organizations such as OUT for their ability to reach out to the community in such a great manner.

On behalf of the Mr Gay South Africa and Mr Gay World organizations I would like to congratulate OUT for their incredible service to the LGBTI over the past fifteen years and wish them luck in their future endeavours! Happy Birthday and may the next fifteen years be even more successful than the last!

Charl van den Berg

Visit them at http://www.out.org.za/

SAME SEX PARENTS GAIN VICTORY AT HOME AFFAIRS

We (Desmond & I) finally have our Unabridged Birth Certificates in hand, that reflect both our names. It's been an uphill battle with Home Affairs the past 3 months, but with perseverance and support from family, friends and other parents we got it done.


I have been informed by Home Affairs official that the changes made on the system will be permanent and that the changes will apply to all citizens of South Africa.

Now same-sex parents would be able to register their children without complications.

The unabridged birth certificate will reflect Parent 1 and Parent 2.

Further to the above, new forms are available at all DHA (Department of Home Affairs) offices, we are liaising with Home Affairs to inform us of the documentation numbers, e.g. DHA 24 so that when you do go to DHA you can ask for the forms and get things done right from the start, without having to go back and forth.

Regards
Rudi & Desmond

MR GAY SOUTH AFRICA 2010 TOP 12 FINALISTS

In a Gala event held in Pretoria's Brooklyn Theatre, The Last Regional Final was held for the Mr Gay South Africa 2010 Competition. After months of travelling and organizing the Directors made the Top 12 Finalists know to South Africa yesterday. Here they are South Africa!

 THE FINAL TWELVE ARE (IN ALPABETICAL ORDER):


ANDRé LAMMERS-CAPE TOWN                                                        

                                       











BARRY MEYER-JOHANNESBURG

DUSTIN CARR-JOHANNESBURG

ERNEST M GRAVETT-CAPE TOWN

ERROL STROEBEL-CAPE TOWN                                                                                                        

FRANCOIS NEL-CENTURION

JARED LEE SMIT-PRETORIA

ROSS ERLANK-PRETORIA

TSHEPO CHUENYANE-PRETORIA

SHANNON C REX-PRETORIA

KARL-HEINZ MICHEL-PRETORIA 

PRINCE MKHIZE-DURBAN

All twelve will be at Joburg Pride on 2 October and on the cruise from 15 – 19 November on the MSN Sinfonia to Mozambique. 

THE CRITERIA FOR THE WINNER:
The directors have stated again that the criteria of Mr. Gay World (http://www.worldwidemrgay.com/) , to which Mr. Gay South Africa is licensed and must adhere, are as follows:

1. The primary purpose of Mr. Gay World is to identify leaders who will take responsibility of being a spokesperson not only in his own community but on a global stage speaking out for equal and human rights. WMG is a positive role model and will work on humanizing being gay in the media both queer and mainstream.
2. Regional producers are responsible for selecting which delegates will represent their region as the best possible spokesperson for local culture, ideas and equal and human right challenges.
3. The Competition includes athletic tests and extensive interviews with our panel of judges. Judging points are based on a diverse set of criteria including qualities in charisma, leadership, personality, appearance and communication.

The SMS competition, which counts for 25% of the marks, and where the community chooses their favourites, will be launched in the next few days.

Barry Vorster, one of the directors said: “This leg is extremely important as the community will get to have their say and makes out such a huge part of the score that it could determine the ultimate winner. The results of the vote will be made known by the SMS provider at the GRAND FINALE in a transparent and open manner.”

Profiles with the background and photos of each finalist will be posted on the website (http://www.mrgaysouthafrica.co.za/) in the next week.

CALIFORNIA GAY MARRIAGES BANNED UNTIL 2011

"A California appeals court has extended the ban on gay marriages until the end of the year. After US District Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that the ban was unconstitutional, weddings were meant to begin on Tuesday at 5pm. Opponents of same-sex marriages made a last minute dash to the 9th District Court of Appeals last night, successfully arguing that the ban should stay in place until they have appealed. The court demanded that gay marriage opponents must argue why they have the legal standing to bring the case to court.


Pink News reports California Governor Arnold Scwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown are the legal defendants in the case but both have refused to support it. Last week, they both called for Judge Walker to lift the ban immediately."-DNA Magazine, http://www.dnamagazine.com.au/

COULD THEY MAKE UP THEIR MINDS ALREADY!

THE BIRDS, THE BEES AND THE...BOYS!

BABYLON THE CLUB SOUTH LAKE CENTRE LENCHEN ROAD NORTH
Centurion, South Africa
August 28 at 8:00pm - August 29 at 4:00am
http://www.babylontheclub.co.za/

Hello my sweets Blossoms.

The birds are doing it, the bees are doing it. And even educated fleas are doing it! Let’s party and fall in love- because spring is in the air.Ahhh we can finally put away those winter jackets and layers of close, and dress like we always do. As little as possible! This means hot boys without shirts on the dance floor shaking what their mammas gave them for our delight to watch and drool!

if you’re in... the party mood and want to celebrate spring with us, they don’t miss our spring party this Saterday-28 August as we warm it up and celebrate the beginning of life and all that’s hot and sexy in the world! Babylon is the place to be this spring as we promise to bring you the best in clubbing entertainment that will not only warm up your nites,but will leave you begging for more! We have a great line up of events for the next two months which includes the event of the year-Gay Pride 2010.But we will keep you posted on that!

Get ready for our Flower Power party this Saturday and dress the theme as we will be giving away prizes for the best dress and hottest guy on the dance floor! Invite your friends and don’t be a Pansy (and we don’t mean the flower) and make Babylon your number 1 clubbing choice as you know we won’t let you down. We still have the best music and funky club vibe around and with our affordable drinks you are sure to have a good time.

There are Bone Wear give-aways from Mr Gay South Africa/World 2010, Charl Van den Berg and there will be a Tatoo artist tatooing non- permanent tatoos, You can stand a chance in winning permanent tatoos!!!

                                                   HAPPY HOUR!!!

Buy one drink and get one FREE on selected drinks before 10 pm.

We hope to see you all this Saturday as we Celebrate Spring the only way we know how-THE GAY WAY!!!!!

Remember-Power to the flower!

Doors open at 20h00pm.Entrance fee is R50.

South Lake Centre, Cnr Lenchen North and South Road, Centurion.

Babylon-A new Dimension in Gay Clubbing. We will Rock You!

No gays in Iran, says Ahmadinejad

THE AVTIVIST:

"I grew up in fear, and I'm used to it. After a while, the fear becomes a part of life and you stop being afraid."

This is a statement made by an Iranian Gay Rights Activist. In a short article written on Gay life in Iran, some of the people tell of having secret social meetings where they are able to be open to each other and share their stories, while other speak of being set up, kidnaped and raped by Iranian militia.

 When he recalls what he went through, he describes it as if it was a nightmare.


"At that moment when they blindfold you, even though you expect terrible things to happen, you still don't believe it," he says. "I simply cried. When they beat you it's like a dream, you think you'll wake up at any moment."
He almost can't recall the rape, because he fainted almost immediately and woke up to find himself naked and alone in the room.
In an attempt to explain Ahmadinejad's 2007 claim that there are no homosexuals in Iran, Faruh says, "According to religion, there can't be homosexuals – that's what they believe. Religion says we're all the same, we're all normal, get married, have children, and only a few choose to amuse themselves with other things."
"According to Iranian law", he continues, "the only illegal aspect is the act itself of sexual intercourse between men, but in order to be charged, someone needs to witness the act."

Recently they had their version of PRIDE, a quiet meeting in a house, after which they went for a drive, with rainbow flags waving proudly...inside the car.