ERATO November, 2019
from the ILGCN (international rainbow culture network)
Information Secretariat-Stockholm
4th Nordic Rainbow History & Culture Month –
October 2019/1st Nordic Pride
Stockholm/Rakvere -- Preparations continue for the October events for the 4th Nordic
Rainbow History & Culture Month -- inspired by LGBT History Months in the UK, Hungary
and other places. Some of the Nordic events this year will include the 3rd Heartfest LGBT
Film Festival in the Estonian town of Rakvere October 4-6 -- the only such festival in the Baltic
states which are all considered part of the Nordic family. Also a LGBT poetry/music/sound
happening in the Swedish city of Södertälje south of Stockholm at the city's Art Gallery on
October 27
In Stockholm, event will take place on October 28-29 with historic presentations, films, poetry, art, music and song. This will also include the 1st Nordic Pride program -- with the intention of joining the list of regional, Baltic, Europe and World Prides. Organizers are ILGCN, Tupilak
(Nordic rainbow culture network), Nordic Rainbow Humanists and Bears International.
Tupilak, ILGCN, Cyklop Salute UN Day vs. Discrimination
Stockholm -- A two-day event has honored by UN-declared International Day Against
Discrimination -- the anniversary of the Sharpville Massacre of South Africa on March 21 –
organized by Tupilak, ILGCN Information Secretariat-Stockholm, Bears International, Nordic Rainbow Humanists and the suburban, culture house, Cyklopen.
The program included presentations, poetry, art and photography CD music Uganda!), art and Photography from Tupilak & ILGCN international art exhibition with works from over 60
countries. Music and song was provided by Sweden's Elise Street Way.
At the event, Elise received the 2019 ILGCN music diploma -- the "Orfeus & Zelim Bakaev" award – named after the ancient Greek musician and the missing Chechnyan singer -- believed to have been arrested and executed in the recent wave of crack downs on gays in that Russian province. This year's award is also shared with Canadian performer, Lynx Dean, and veteran British singer/song writer, Tom Robinson.
STOCKHOLM SALUTE TO IDAHO DAY & ESTONIA'S 100th INDEPENDENCE
Stockholm -- ILGCN joined Tupilak and others a May 17 event saluting IDAHO Day and
Estonian 101 year-independence at Estonia House in the Swedish capital.
Special guest was Keio Soomelt, manager of the Heartfest LGBT Film Festival in the
northern Estonia town of Rakvere, speaking about the LGBT scene in his country, his film
festival and his new creation -- the first LGBT choir in this Baltic nation.
Other presentations included a look at the long, Nordic LGBT co-operation with rainbow
colleagues in Estonia -- even before independence from Soviet occupation. Art work included newcomers to the Tupilak/ILGCN art exhibition, including striking photos from Patrick McDonald of Germany. Live music was provided by Swedish performers Peter Fröberg and Robert Hill.
BIRTHDAY SALUTE to TOVE, INTERNATIONAL DAY of RAINBOW CULTURE
Stockholm -- ILGCN members in Sweden joined Canadians, Icelanders and other around
the world for a "skål" -- Swedish toast -- to the birthday of Finnish author and painter, Tove
Jansson – creator of the "Mumintroll and a salute to the ILGCN-initiated International Day of Rainbow Culture on August 9.
“The United Nations has some many days honoring events, women, the child, and even trees and animals – so we thought it was high time to honor the LGBT culture workers of today and yesterday,” says Bill Schiller of the ILGCN. “And we decided to choose the date to honor the birthday of one of our Tupilak members, Tove Jansson – a mega star of the Nordic cultural scene whose books about the Mumintroll, his family and the strange characters in his valley are well known way beyond the Nordic region as well.”
No LGBT Films but Gay Touches at Award Ceremonies
SWEDOISH GOLDEN BUG FILM FESTIVAL
Stockholm -- Unfortunately, none of the winners and not even any of the nominees this
year had any LGBT characters or connections -- a not unusual miss by the Guldbagge jury
and by the year's Swedish film production.
But there was a strong gay input nevertheless at the ceremonies. The winner of the best
photo category was presented by one of Sweden's most popular gay graphic artists and television personalities, Lars Lerin and his Brazilian-born man, Junior – who jokingly told the audience and the national television cameras that as a youngster, he had little time for films. Both said it must be difficult for the jury to choose a winner since they two of them have trouble deciding which tv film they should choose at home.
Another highly popular gay personality often on stage was Jan Göransson, chief at the
Swedish Film Institute handing out the Guldbagge awards and smooth co-presenter of a
number of award presenters.
When a filmed greeting was screened from the Japanese film director of "Shoplifters"
-- winning the best foreign film award-- the Japanese director said "he was looking forward to a visit to Sweden" -- sparking a chuckle from the audience and then even from Göransson in front of the tv camera.
Asked later why he also chuckled, Göransson said "it seemed that everybody in the
audience thought that the Japanese film director was suggesting a date with me when he
came to Sweden! And I must have thought so, too!"
"When our Japanese friend comes to Sweden, I'll be happy to bring him to the next Tupilak event." Göransson told Erato with a smile.
NEW ILGCN AMBASSADORS, COORDINATORS
The ILGCN is proud to add new members to its ambassadorial list: Jessica Jayne Martin in
Slovakia, Victor Adeniran - Denver, Colorado USA, Marysol de Pablo and Julieta Brizzi
of the Carpusa Tango duo in Argentina (who performed in Stockholm on their tour of Europe.).
POSITIVE NEWS FROM SOME AREAS IN ASIA
In January 2018, the Indian Prince Manvendra opens his palace for homosexuals. The royal family raged and the world press went haywire. But 9 months later, the impunity for male loveis introduced in India. No more legal pursuit, punishment or persecution.
Pakistan leaps beyond all Muslim shadows and strengthens the rights of trans people and
inter sex people. This development is unprecedented not only in Pakistani history. It is one of the most advanced laws in the world. In Europe, similar laws exist only in Denmark, Malta, Ireland, Norway and Belgium.
The next Mr. Gay World will be elected in Hong Kong, China. A transgender woman has
competed at the Miss Universe competition.
Taiwan is the first Asian country to introduce the gay partnership. Only a few weeks later,
Thailand followed and also introduced legal partnership for same-sex couples.
___________________________________________
SWEDISH AMNESTY PRESS: GOOD NEWS FROM ANGOLA
Angola Decriminalizes Same-sex Relations
The National Assembly of Angola has rejected legislation outlawing “sexual relations which are against nature. By approving the legislation, Angolese President Joao Lourenco has
removed his nation from the list of 69 others which continue to criminalize same-sex relations. The new law also prohibits discrimination in Angola based on sexual orientation.
The information has come from the Sweden’s Amnesty Press has long been covering
LGBT situations around the world – both with news items and longer, feature articles.
The editor, Ulf Andersson has come to a number of ILGCN and Tupilak cultural and
information events and has received the ILGCN award diploma for pro-LGBT journalism
named after the Irish-born human rights researcher Roger Casement – documenting
slavery and inhuman treatment of workers in the Amazons and Africa -- a dangerously risk-filled endeavor over a century ago.
Working later for the liberation of his Ireland, Casement was captured by the British,
imprisoned and executed. Efforts to avoid the death penalty were torpedoed when his
homosexuality recorded in his diaries was widely revealed in the British press.
from the ILGCN (international rainbow culture network)
Information Secretariat-Stockholm
4th Nordic Rainbow History & Culture Month –
October 2019/1st Nordic Pride
Stockholm/Rakvere -- Preparations continue for the October events for the 4th Nordic
Rainbow History & Culture Month -- inspired by LGBT History Months in the UK, Hungary
and other places. Some of the Nordic events this year will include the 3rd Heartfest LGBT
Film Festival in the Estonian town of Rakvere October 4-6 -- the only such festival in the Baltic
states which are all considered part of the Nordic family. Also a LGBT poetry/music/sound
happening in the Swedish city of Södertälje south of Stockholm at the city's Art Gallery on
October 27
In Stockholm, event will take place on October 28-29 with historic presentations, films, poetry, art, music and song. This will also include the 1st Nordic Pride program -- with the intention of joining the list of regional, Baltic, Europe and World Prides. Organizers are ILGCN, Tupilak
(Nordic rainbow culture network), Nordic Rainbow Humanists and Bears International.
Tupilak, ILGCN, Cyklop Salute UN Day vs. Discrimination
Stockholm -- A two-day event has honored by UN-declared International Day Against
Discrimination -- the anniversary of the Sharpville Massacre of South Africa on March 21 –
organized by Tupilak, ILGCN Information Secretariat-Stockholm, Bears International, Nordic Rainbow Humanists and the suburban, culture house, Cyklopen.
The program included presentations, poetry, art and photography CD music Uganda!), art and Photography from Tupilak & ILGCN international art exhibition with works from over 60
countries. Music and song was provided by Sweden's Elise Street Way.
At the event, Elise received the 2019 ILGCN music diploma -- the "Orfeus & Zelim Bakaev" award – named after the ancient Greek musician and the missing Chechnyan singer -- believed to have been arrested and executed in the recent wave of crack downs on gays in that Russian province. This year's award is also shared with Canadian performer, Lynx Dean, and veteran British singer/song writer, Tom Robinson.
STOCKHOLM SALUTE TO IDAHO DAY & ESTONIA'S 100th INDEPENDENCE
Stockholm -- ILGCN joined Tupilak and others a May 17 event saluting IDAHO Day and
Estonian 101 year-independence at Estonia House in the Swedish capital.
Special guest was Keio Soomelt, manager of the Heartfest LGBT Film Festival in the
northern Estonia town of Rakvere, speaking about the LGBT scene in his country, his film
festival and his new creation -- the first LGBT choir in this Baltic nation.
Other presentations included a look at the long, Nordic LGBT co-operation with rainbow
colleagues in Estonia -- even before independence from Soviet occupation. Art work included newcomers to the Tupilak/ILGCN art exhibition, including striking photos from Patrick McDonald of Germany. Live music was provided by Swedish performers Peter Fröberg and Robert Hill.
BIRTHDAY SALUTE to TOVE, INTERNATIONAL DAY of RAINBOW CULTURE
Stockholm -- ILGCN members in Sweden joined Canadians, Icelanders and other around
the world for a "skål" -- Swedish toast -- to the birthday of Finnish author and painter, Tove
Jansson – creator of the "Mumintroll and a salute to the ILGCN-initiated International Day of Rainbow Culture on August 9.
“The United Nations has some many days honoring events, women, the child, and even trees and animals – so we thought it was high time to honor the LGBT culture workers of today and yesterday,” says Bill Schiller of the ILGCN. “And we decided to choose the date to honor the birthday of one of our Tupilak members, Tove Jansson – a mega star of the Nordic cultural scene whose books about the Mumintroll, his family and the strange characters in his valley are well known way beyond the Nordic region as well.”
No LGBT Films but Gay Touches at Award Ceremonies
SWEDOISH GOLDEN BUG FILM FESTIVAL
Stockholm -- Unfortunately, none of the winners and not even any of the nominees this
year had any LGBT characters or connections -- a not unusual miss by the Guldbagge jury
and by the year's Swedish film production.
But there was a strong gay input nevertheless at the ceremonies. The winner of the best
photo category was presented by one of Sweden's most popular gay graphic artists and television personalities, Lars Lerin and his Brazilian-born man, Junior – who jokingly told the audience and the national television cameras that as a youngster, he had little time for films. Both said it must be difficult for the jury to choose a winner since they two of them have trouble deciding which tv film they should choose at home.
Another highly popular gay personality often on stage was Jan Göransson, chief at the
Swedish Film Institute handing out the Guldbagge awards and smooth co-presenter of a
number of award presenters.
When a filmed greeting was screened from the Japanese film director of "Shoplifters"
-- winning the best foreign film award-- the Japanese director said "he was looking forward to a visit to Sweden" -- sparking a chuckle from the audience and then even from Göransson in front of the tv camera.
Asked later why he also chuckled, Göransson said "it seemed that everybody in the
audience thought that the Japanese film director was suggesting a date with me when he
came to Sweden! And I must have thought so, too!"
"When our Japanese friend comes to Sweden, I'll be happy to bring him to the next Tupilak event." Göransson told Erato with a smile.
NEW ILGCN AMBASSADORS, COORDINATORS
The ILGCN is proud to add new members to its ambassadorial list: Jessica Jayne Martin in
Slovakia, Victor Adeniran - Denver, Colorado USA, Marysol de Pablo and Julieta Brizzi
of the Carpusa Tango duo in Argentina (who performed in Stockholm on their tour of Europe.).
POSITIVE NEWS FROM SOME AREAS IN ASIA
In January 2018, the Indian Prince Manvendra opens his palace for homosexuals. The royal family raged and the world press went haywire. But 9 months later, the impunity for male loveis introduced in India. No more legal pursuit, punishment or persecution.
Pakistan leaps beyond all Muslim shadows and strengthens the rights of trans people and
inter sex people. This development is unprecedented not only in Pakistani history. It is one of the most advanced laws in the world. In Europe, similar laws exist only in Denmark, Malta, Ireland, Norway and Belgium.
The next Mr. Gay World will be elected in Hong Kong, China. A transgender woman has
competed at the Miss Universe competition.
Taiwan is the first Asian country to introduce the gay partnership. Only a few weeks later,
Thailand followed and also introduced legal partnership for same-sex couples.
___________________________________________
SWEDISH AMNESTY PRESS: GOOD NEWS FROM ANGOLA
Angola Decriminalizes Same-sex Relations
The National Assembly of Angola has rejected legislation outlawing “sexual relations which are against nature. By approving the legislation, Angolese President Joao Lourenco has
removed his nation from the list of 69 others which continue to criminalize same-sex relations. The new law also prohibits discrimination in Angola based on sexual orientation.
The information has come from the Sweden’s Amnesty Press has long been covering
LGBT situations around the world – both with news items and longer, feature articles.
The editor, Ulf Andersson has come to a number of ILGCN and Tupilak cultural and
information events and has received the ILGCN award diploma for pro-LGBT journalism
named after the Irish-born human rights researcher Roger Casement – documenting
slavery and inhuman treatment of workers in the Amazons and Africa -- a dangerously risk-filled endeavor over a century ago.
Working later for the liberation of his Ireland, Casement was captured by the British,
imprisoned and executed. Efforts to avoid the death penalty were torpedoed when his
homosexuality recorded in his diaries was widely revealed in the British press.
