In Rome, authorities estimated one million or more people crowded a massive piazza to demonstrate against proposed legislation that would grant legal rights to unmarried couples, including gays and lesbians.
The bill requires parliamentary approval and has divided Italy's ruling center-left coalition, angered the powerful Roman Catholic church and stirred passionate debate.
Pope Benedict XVI is opposed to the proposed legislation and sent a none-too-subtle message from Brazil, where he was traveling, railing against pop culture for promoting sexual immorality and destroying "the sanctity of marriage."
Meanwhile, in the former Soviet republic of Latvia, even more hateful comments disguised as "family values". In an open letter entitled "Defending Family Values", Cardinal Jānis Pujāts tells railed against the upcoming Pride festivities and defined homosexuality as a “total corruption in the sexual arena” and an “unnatural form of prostitution.”
Rally in Rome Against Unmarried Couples Law [WaPo]
Catholic Cardinal Calls Gays ‘Prostitutes’ [UK Gay News]
Europe is facing conservative times, the gays' and other minorities' struggle will be very important. Unfortunately less people are ready to fight for their rights. Frightening evolution.
Posted by: kris b | 13 May 2007 at 04:11