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Gay/Lesbian Island Kingdom Declared
By Islomaniac | April 8, 2007
I just read this great article (its a little old though) about the enterprising spirit of gays and lesbians in light of the discriminatory practices of the Australian government. The group formed an independent Gay Kingdom separate from Australia on Cato Island off of Queensland in the Coral Sea. As an older well traveled gentlemen, who considers himself well experienced in the areas of politics and social justice I applaud people for having the courage to protest against the oppressive practices of their government. I am normally against the declaration of sovereignty by a group of individuals. However, in this case the purpose is more symbolic then colonial.
365 gay.com, Sydney
Its a tiny coral island off the coast of Australia but it could become the center of a major battle at the United Nations.
Cato Island is technically part of territorial Australia. But, last year, after the Australian government passed a law banning same-sex marriage (story) a group of gay activists in a bid to embarrass the government, sailed out to Cato and planted the rainbow flag, declaring it to be sovereign territory
The group renamed the island the “Gay & Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands”. Dale Anderson, the group’s leader declared himself emperor. But, the Australian government failed to blink.
The stunt would have gone unnoticed except for the constant needling by Emperor Dale. The island is hardly of strategic importance, and it is only about 3 miles square.
There is no human habitation on the island - Emperor Dale lives in Australia.
But, now he is upping the ante by going to the United Nations.
Dale and his “subjects” are preparing to ask the UN to declare the island an independent nation, and they are doing it by using the world body’s own rules to do it.
The group is preparing to submit a case to the International Court of Justice arguing that under Australian law the “gay Tribe” is an “oppressed people, and the island is ruled by an overseas colonial power. That overseas power is Australia. The submission argues that under the UN charter the Gay Kingdom has the right to self determination.”
The new nation is already issuing passports and postage stamps available through its Website. It says that the money raised will help its legal fees and “build an infrastructure” on the island.
After the establishment of the “gay homeland” the island leaders say that “our nation will welcome GLBT refugees from around the world like Israel does for Jews”.
However, the island could only support a few dozen people. There is no economy. There isn’t even a port.
Nevertheless, the International Court of Justice could be forced to deal with the application - embarrassing internationally the Australian government and angering Islamic nations.
The UN Commission on Human Rights has failed on two occasions to add sexuality to the list of categories protected by the world body following intense pressure from the Vatican and Muslim nations.
The Vatican and the 56 member nations of the Islamic Conference also fought Secretary General Kofi Annan’s plan to give the partners of some gay and lesbian UN workers the same benefits as the spouses of heterosexual employees.
If the UN did recognize the gay nation the Rainbow flag would fly outside UN headquarters in New York along the flags of all other member states.
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Topics: Sovereignty, Island Cultures, Islands and Politics |
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