babble home
rabble.ca - news for the rest of us
today's active topics


Post New Topic  Post A Reply
FAQ | Forum Home
  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» babble   » current events   » international news and politics   » Gay & Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands declared!

Email this thread to someone!    
Author Topic: Gay & Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands declared!
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 25 September 2004 11:52 AM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
This is for real!

A group of gays and lesbians, fed up with all the BS of the Australian government, has seized uninhabited Cato Island and declared independence!

From their website


quote:
Welcome
This, the official web site of the Gay Government is dedicated to those in our community who envisioned a homeland for gay people. It chronicles the building of our small gay nation. Within these pages are moments of transcendent greatness, national unity, and extreme sadness. There are stories of struggles that had to be fought, losses that had to be endured, and ongoing internal and external conflicts that grind the gay soul.

It recounts the Gay Kingdom's brightest and darkest hours on its upward climb for independence through narrow escapes and stunning breakthroughs. This, the gay government's official web site, captures the spirit and drive and unbelievable fortitude of this place born of extraordinary circumstances to lead an extraordinary life.

“Let the sovereignty be granted us over
a portion of the globe,
the rest we shall manage ourselves.”
Dale R [Emperor]


[ 25 September 2004: Message edited by: Hephaestion ]


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 25 September 2004 12:01 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
August Newsletter from the Gay Kingdom

August 2004 Edition,

Aug 2: His Majesty the Emperor declared open the historic sitting of the first Gay Government in the Capital Heaven on Cato Island.

1. Discussed was ways of achieving the kingdoms Independence. As to date it was reported by the Minister of Foreign Affairs that the Gay Government had received no response from Australia with regards to the Kingdoms Declaration of Independence. The Foreign Minister informed the Gay Government that he had on legal advise from a university professor of constitutional law in Sydney that the Australian Government was at a loss of what to do as the gay government had indeed found a loop hole in the law and had good grounds for arguing its case for independence in the Australian High Court. The Defence Minister also informed the house that the Gay Kingdom should declare war on Australia as it would offer further legal protection as there is a British case law that states should a territory declare independence and war is declared and the enemy does not fight then that territory and its government must be recognised as an Independent Sovereign State. The Gay Parliament asked the Defence Minister to look into that particular case law more closely.

2. The gay government approved the following 7 Public Holidays to be celebrated each year within the borders of the Gay Kingdom. Jan 1 New Years Day, May 13 The Crown Prince's Birthday, June 14, Independence Day, July 1 Stonewall & Pride Day, August 25 The Emperor's Birthday, Nov 11 Holocaust & Remembrance Day, Dec 1 World Aids Day.

3. The Royal Palace confirmed reports that His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince has a boyfriend. The 18 year old heir to the throne and crown prince of the gay realm is currently studying political Science at University, there are no plans at this stage of a royal wedding.

4. The Gay Government also approved legislation that enabled a gay trust fund to be established for use by the government to help build infrastructure in the kingdom. Laws were also passed that stated the Imperial Family must be self-funding and not be a burden on the kingdom or its people.

5. The Gay Government also discussed ways to promote the kingdom and approved laws that would give any interested gay person in the world who wanted to help promote the kingdom in their home city the official role as the Gay Kingdoms Consulate General to that city and that a curtesy title of Lord or Lady (Surname) of the kingdom should be given. By doing this it is hoped that the kingdom will then be official represented in every country and major city in the world. Interested people should email the gay government at [email protected] so that the government may keep the records of all the Consular Generals and no qualifications are required, just only a desire to help promote the Kingdom and the gay governments cause.

6. The Kingdoms declaration of Independence was also today e-mailed to the United Nations in New York by the Gay Minister of Justice.

7. The Government asked that the Minister of the Treasury to look into and report back to parliament next month on the problems faced by other small Island nations and how they went about developing their economies for ideas that could be implemented within the Gay Kingdom. The Pacific Island nation of Tuvalu and the Republic of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean were chosen for the case study.

8. The Gay Government past legislation banning the use of the Australian dollar and has chosen the Euro as its official currency until the `Pink Dollar' is made available, the Treasure also announced that the pink dollar would remain pegged to the Euro and that enquiries were under way to have the coins and notes printed. The Government also called for ideas from the wider gay community on who or what they would like to see on the pink dollar, the Kingdoms future official currency interested peoples should e-mail their suggestion's to [email protected]

9. The Prime Minister indicated today that he will start to e-mail every hetro newspaper in Australia and as many gay media outlets overseas to help promote and bring worldwide attention to our cause.

10. The Gay Government sent its declaration of Independence to the Australian High Court in Canberra.

[ 25 September 2004: Message edited by: Hephaestion ]


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 25 September 2004 12:21 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
UPDATE FROM THE GAY KINGDOM:
September 21, 2004

quote:
"On the 13th of September 2004, the Gay Kingdom declared war on the Commonwealth of Australia. Notification of acceptance and notification of the Geneva Convention of August 12, 1949, were given to the Prime Minister of Australia John Howard, both directly and through the Swiss Federal Government. This is a ratified Law of Australia, and conveys the responsibility to Govern to the Occupying Power.

Therefore, by the Law of Australia, only the Gay Government is the Authority to Govern the Territory and the people of the Coral Sea Islands.

The 1 week state of War, which was Officially declared, brought into effect the Law of War, under whose Sovereignty goes automatically to a State undefeated in a State of War."



From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 25 September 2004 12:24 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Letter from Prime Minister David Smith of The Gay Kingdom

quote:
September 24, 2004
Thanks so much for your email and for your kind words; they mean a lot to me. My government is very serious about what we are trying to achieve and that is a homeland for gay & lesbian people and legal recognition for gay partners. We chose the Coral Sea Islands for political and legal reasons due mainly because it is an uninhabited overseas territory (colony) of Australia.

After months of hearing Australian politicians trying to justify why same sex couples should not be equal under law, and after witnessing the national parliament of Australia effectively say that same sex relationships are less loving, committed and worthwhile than their heterosexual counterparts, many of us in the gay community had a gutful, we had enough.

The Australian parliament introduced and approved legislation banning gay marriages and gay adoptions and also banned Australian courts from recognising same sex marriages that have taken place legally overseas and have banned gay couples from accessing the courts to have there marriage recognised. This law also applies to same sex couples who are not citizens who say visit Australia on holidays, they are now not recognised as being married.

Fed up with this homophobic political bullshit and being denied justice and unable to access the high court because of legislation banning us from taking court action, a small group of gay people sailed over to Australia's nearby uninhabited Coral Sea Island territory on the ship "Gay flower" named after the "Mayflower" who took the first settlers to America who were trying to escape the religious restraints of England 400 years ago and we raised the gay rainbow flag and declared the 1 million square mile territory the worlds first independent sovereign gay & lesbian nation. The issue for us is one of equality and hence the kingdoms declaration of independence is based on America's declaration of independence from England. Gay people in Australia are not treated equally in laws regarding marriage, adoption, taxation, superannuation, next of kin, immigration, hospital visits the list is endless.

We are deadly serious in our declaration and we have tried hard to cover everything we can possibly think of, every politician in Australia including the Prime Minister as well as the Governor General were sent copies of the declaration of independence as well as being issued with the necessary paperwork that formally succeeds our territory from Australia and that outlines our reasons for doing so.

This has caused a major embarrassment and problem for Australia because the Coral Sea Islands were uninhabited until we gay people settled here in 2004 and as there is only homosexuals legally living in the territory, we are entitled to a government and Australia must under international law provide the people of the territory with a government and legally recognise it. Our gay government is the only government speaking on behalf of its people and it has been established as a self preservation government and so Australia is in a political and legal corner and we have them by the balls.

We have also wrapped our declaration of independence in case law so we have done our home work and it is this case law that resulted in the Coral Sea Islands territory being declared a kingdom rather than a republic, on legal advise we were told had we declared the Coral Sea Islands a gay republic Australia could have just declared war and tried to win the Islands back and so could just invaded the Islands arrested those involved and the whole thing would have been a very expensive and costly waist of time that achieved nothing.

By declaring the nation a Kingdom Australia has to obey certain laws and rules as it is also a Kingdom and there is an ancient British law that states that a person can not be charged with treason if they are assisting a defacto prince from trying to claim his crown and goes further to say that any one hindering those people or the prince from attaining his crown can themselves be charged with treason. So hence the Coral Sea Islands became a Kingdom and the resident with the "most" royal blood became the prince/emperor which unfortunately much to his embarrassment happened to be Dale because his grandmother is directly descendant from the British royal family.

3 months on Australia has still not formally recognised the kingdoms independence but in saying that, they have not said that they don't recognise the gay kingdom either. The Australian government's official response is that the matter raised in the Gay Governments declaration of Independence is one of international law and that the Governor General as Australia's head of state is "looking into it."

The Gay Parliament also has just passed a resolution calling on Australia to provide the gay government with documented evidence and proof that the Coral Sea Islands were ever officially claimed by the British Crown in the first place. It is our belief that whilst Australia claims the Islands in writing (the Coral Sea Islands Act of 1967) as they were gifted to Australia by England, they do not `own them legally" as no flag has ever been raised in the territory except for the gay rainbow flag and England has never clamed them in the first place and hence had no right to gift them to Australia. The Islands also have remained uninhabited until the gay migration here in 2004. The Gay Kingdom is also preparing a submission to the International Court of Justice to have a ruling on the validity of our Independence and to force Australia to recognise it.

I can assure you that we won't go away, we are witnessing the birth of the worlds first gay & lesbian nation and I and my government will move heaven and earth and do everything humanly possible to rub Australia's nose in it.

Thank you for remembering His Majesty the Emperor, my government and our people in your thoughts and prayers it is truly comforting to know that we have your support and are not alone in our struggle.

God Bless You

David Smith



From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
aRoused
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1962

posted 25 September 2004 12:25 PM      Profile for aRoused     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
The 'Law of War' page is the best, especially the action shot of Heaven's Imperial troops staging a helicopter landing.

Simply brilliant. More power to them.


From: The King's Royal Burgh of Eoforwich | Registered: Dec 2001  |  IP: Logged
Reality. Bites.
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6718

posted 25 September 2004 01:31 PM      Profile for Reality. Bites.        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
My favourite part:

Every lesbian citizen, irrespective of birth, station, or property, shall be required, for a certain length of time, to carry arms in defence of her country.


From: Gone for good | Registered: Aug 2004  |  IP: Logged
oldgoat
Moderator
Babbler # 1130

posted 25 September 2004 01:51 PM      Profile for oldgoat     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I say we picket their embassy until they sign the Kyoto accord.
From: The 10th circle | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 25 September 2004 02:24 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
His Royal Majesty, Emperor Dale

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/Hephaestion/HRHEmperorDale.jpg

[ 26 September 2004: Message edited by: Hephaestion ]


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 25 September 2004 02:26 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince Lachlan

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/Hephaestion/CrownPrinceLachlan.jpg

[ 26 September 2004: Message edited by: Hephaestion ]


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064

posted 25 September 2004 02:30 PM      Profile for 'lance     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
[ quibbling ]

I just wish they'd stuck with calling their King a King, and hadn't called him an Emperor. No good ever comes of such titles. Ah well, perhaps it will work out better this time.

[ /quibbling ]

Otherwise, good on 'em. Fight the power, etc. D'you suppose a Labor government, if such comes to power, will recognize their independence?

[ 25 September 2004: Message edited by: 'lance ]


From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 25 September 2004 02:35 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Cato Island, as seen from beyond the offshore reefs

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/Hephaestion/TheKingdomfromoffshore.jpg

Incidentally, the abbreviation for the Kingdom á la the UK, is GLK...

[ 26 September 2004: Message edited by: Hephaestion ]


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 25 September 2004 02:37 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
The Flag of the Kingdom, as seen in Heaven

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/Hephaestion/TheFlaginHeaven.jpg

[ 26 September 2004: Message edited by: Hephaestion ]


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064

posted 25 September 2004 02:37 PM      Profile for 'lance     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Beautiful.

quote:
I say we picket their embassy until they sign the Kyoto accord.

Something tells me they'd likely be enthusiastic supporters of Kyoto. The highest point on the island is only 6 m above sea level.

[ 25 September 2004: Message edited by: 'lance ]


From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 25 September 2004 02:41 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
The Unspeakably Ugly, Ghastly Weather Station

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/Hephaestion/TheGhastlyWeatherStation.jpg

We really MUST ask His Majesty Dale to force the Evil Aussies to remove their trash from our island! — I'm planning on asking Emperor Dale to make me a Consular Official!

Edited to add:

Maybe I should ask Prime Minister Smith. It might seem awfully forward to be seeking official positions from a reigning monarch, and all!

[ 26 September 2004: Message edited by: Hephaestion ]


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064

posted 25 September 2004 02:43 PM      Profile for 'lance     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
A distinctly unfabulous station, all right.

Such sites are sometimes contaminated with fuel and what not. So if you should need any technical advice on cleaning that up, Hephaestion, just send me a PM, won't you? My rates are reasonable and I'd be perfectly happy to go down there economy class, rather than first.

[ 25 September 2004: Message edited by: 'lance ]


From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 25 September 2004 02:51 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by 'lance:
A distinctly unfabulous station, all right.

Such sites are sometimes contaminated with fuel and what not. So if you should need any technical advice on cleaning that up, Hephaestion, just send me a PM, won't you? My rates are reasonable and I'd be perfectly happy to go down there economy class, rather than first.



That would be up to The Unspeakable Evil Aussies, wouldn't it? I mean, after all, it IS their trash!


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064

posted 25 September 2004 02:53 PM      Profile for 'lance     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Well yeah, but on the offchance they won't take responsibility, and the Kingdom has to do it -- let's just say I'd rather work for the Kingdom than TUEA. I mean, even a consultant has his pride, you might say.
From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 25 September 2004 03:16 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by 'lance:
D'you suppose a Labor government, if such comes to power, will recognize their independence?

Here's your answer, 'lance —

quote:
(Sydney) The Australian Labor Party has agreed to support government legislation that would ban gay marriage and prevent the government from recognizing same-sex marriages from abroad.

The agreement is an about face for Labor which has a history of moderately supporting LGBT issues. Equal Rights Network spokesperson Rodney Croome accused Labor of a backflip and of trying to "wipe gay marriage off the electoral agenda".


From here...


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064

posted 25 September 2004 03:25 PM      Profile for 'lance     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Bleah. Even as I was asking that, I was remembering there was an Aussie election thread elsewhere, which I then looked up.

When I visited Australia I thought I wouldn't mind living there, but I just know I'd hate the politics.


From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 25 September 2004 03:48 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
It's kinda funny... I've never been there, but from the people I've met, I've found the Aussies roughly analygous to Yanks, and Kiwis comparable to Canucks.

I've since been told by a friend that I would vastly prefer NZ to Australia because, to use his words, the Kiwis tended to be "less brash and in your face," which rather matched what I'd noticed about the people I'd met...


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064

posted 25 September 2004 03:52 PM      Profile for 'lance     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
It's not a bad analogy, and not an unfair generalization about personal style, either. Having visited both places I'd rather live in New Zealand, myself.

[ 25 September 2004: Message edited by: 'lance ]


From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
CMOT Dibbler
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4117

posted 25 September 2004 04:01 PM      Profile for CMOT Dibbler     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I do know that New Zealand treats its native people better than Australia does. They have have a lot of mauri parliamentarians.
From: Just outside Fernie, British Columbia | Registered: May 2003  |  IP: Logged
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064

posted 25 September 2004 04:13 PM      Profile for 'lance     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
That's right. In New Zealand there are something like 500,000 Maori people in a total population of maybe 4,000,000. In Australia, there are about 400,000 Aborigines, but the total is around 20,000,000. So in New Zealand, Maori just weren't pushed to the margins in quite the same way as aboriginals in Australia or for that matter Canada.

There's a lot more to it of course, but by Canadian or Australian or American standards the country seems a marvel of cooperation.


From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
NDP Newbie
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 5089

posted 25 September 2004 06:41 PM      Profile for NDP Newbie     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Yay!

Chen Shui-bian has a new ally to brag to the international community about. :-P

Seriously though, more power to them. I hope they kick right-wing Aussie ass.


From: Cornwall, ON | Registered: Mar 2004  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 25 September 2004 08:27 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Forgive my abominable ignorance, NDPN...

WTH is "Chen Shui-bian"???


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064

posted 25 September 2004 08:39 PM      Profile for 'lance     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
President of Taiwan, Heph. Our friend seems to have, shall we say, strong views on that subject.
From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
Albireo
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3052

posted 26 September 2004 12:23 AM      Profile for Albireo     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Say, I wonder if they have a National Anthem yet. If not, I humbly propose Come Out, Come Out, from the Wizard of Oz. With some good orchestration and lyrics (and the really lame bits edited out), it could be an inspiring and stately anthem.

[ 26 September 2004: Message edited by: Albireo ]


From: --> . <-- | Registered: Sep 2002  |  IP: Logged
aRoused
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1962

posted 26 September 2004 10:53 AM      Profile for aRoused     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Their national anthem has already been decided: 'I Am What I Am'
From: The King's Royal Burgh of Eoforwich | Registered: Dec 2001  |  IP: Logged
Hinterland
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4014

posted 26 September 2004 10:57 AM      Profile for Hinterland        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Oh, I hate that song (...as I embarrassingly recall it bringing me to tears at a GCDC dance in 1983(?)...Ok, I was young...sue me.)

[ 26 September 2004: Message edited by: Hinterland ]


From: Québec/Ontario | Registered: Apr 2003  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 26 September 2004 12:43 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Fellow babblers—

My friends and I have been in communication with Prime Minister David Smith, and I quite sincerely believe that they are all dead serious in their efforts here. (Accordingly, I plan to ask for status and accredition as a Consular General. Seriously.)

I also received, late last night, the latest news release from the Coral Sea Kingdom (which is too long to reproduce in its entirety here, but contact them via their website if you'd like to have it e-mailed to you.)

I would post a URL if there was one, but unfortunately it is only available via e-mail at the moment. In a nutshell, they are creating a court system, and are looking for gay jurists who are willing to commit to a cause (no, you don't have to move there!)

I will post part of the release here, and I will keep it as brief as possible, but there's a lot there. (Sorry Audra!)

I would suggest that most babblers would actually quite enjoy reading this, as parts of it are a friggin' SCREAM!!!

quote:
THE SCHEDULE

September 2: His Majesty the Emperor declared open the historic second sitting of the Gay Government in the Capital Heaven on Cato Island.

*snip*

4. Parliament assembled also confirmed the appointment of Bill Freeman as the Lord Chief Justice of the Gay High Court with all the powers, obligations and responsibilities

Appurtenant thereto.

William J. Freeman

A lifelong resident of Alabama, the forty year old Civil Law Notary an Attorney, whose principal office is located in Birmingham, was Appointed by Dale Rex, Regis of the Gay Kingdom of the Coral Sea, as The nations Chief Justice on September 3, 2004. The High Court of the Gay Kingdom has established an organizational website available at www.gaycourt.org, through which members of the Unified Gay Tribe may Access the Court.

Freeman's principal duties include the formation of a gay notariat to assist the crown in the formation of its High Court, which has been charged with the responsibility of advising the crown in this capacity, along with the interim responsibilities of administering development of a system of naturalization and issuance of passports and the creation of a diplomatic service loyal to the crown. Freeman is presently assembling the world's best gay jurists and will be marshaling these and other resources in the service of the Kingdom.

Freeman is forty years old and was born with cerebral palsy. He created the American Disability Association and the Disability Law Foundation in 1991, an organization which received the Computerworld Smithsonian Award recognizing heroic achievement in information technology. Shortly thereafter he was selected as the keynote speaker to the Rehabilitation Technology Association and also received a formal commendation from the State of Alabama regarding these efforts.

In 2004, Freeman created the Alabama Hate Crimes Center, available on the web at www.alabamahatecrimes.org, as a response to Alabama's policy of not officially reporting any of the hate crimes against any of the bias groups for which reporting has been federally funded. Freeman has also engaged the government of the United States regarding its recent passage of laws forbidding its courts to render justice to citizens aggrieved on the basis of their sexual orientation, and its continuing efforts to pass the Hate Amendment to its Constitution, a document which, if enacted, will formally have the effect of declaring a state of war to exist between the Gay Kingdom and its subjects residing in the territorial boundaries of the United States of America.

Freeman said that he finds his motivation and conscience which guides his efforts on behalf of the Gay Kingdom in his childhood. As a seriously disabled child, Freeman says that other children, long before any of them had any basis to judge their own sexual identities, and certainly before he had any appreciable understanding of his own, regularly called him "fag" and "queer", and engaged in other hateful assaults. He says he believes that this conduct proves a societal hatred of Queer Culture and was used as hate speech to marginalize him as a disabled child.

"I just can't say in words how these attacks made me feel. I didn't know what a fag or queer was, but I did feel horror and terror when I was dealing with these attacks. These memories are the basis of my moral conviction that the gay subjects of the Gay Kingdom should find protection from historical persecution in international law."

The Parliament approved the Chief Justice’s role as counsel to the crown, as further service to the kingdom, and to insure that the crown and it's judiciary function in harmony and with a unified vision.

DUTIES OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Administrative Responsibilities:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-Institute fair and impartial court system
-Supervise personnel in day-to-day operations
-Direct administrative duties among court staff
-Develop funding sources
-Maintain accurate accounting system
-Develop in-house training for associate judges and staff
-Develop necessary court rules

Major Responsibilities:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-The legal preservation of the crown, either personally or by appropriate designation
-The legal protection of the kingdom, either personally or by appropriate designation
-Management of the court, either personally or by appropriate designation
-Coordination with other tribal systems, state, national and international organizations
-Preside over court proceedings
-Develop procedures for court proceedings and court staff duties
-Maintain knowledge of current case law
-Attend training sessions

Specific Duties:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-Sign court documents, vouchers, requisitions, and leave slips
-Complete case dispositions
-Assign associate judge cases and court docket responsibilities
-Meet with Law, Justice, Trial and other related Committees or Councils, as required
-Assure that court schedule runs smoothly and efficiently
-Assure that judicial officers maintain respect due to the Court
-Monitor court officer conduct to maintain respect due to the Court

Qualifications:
~~~~~~~~~~
-Must be an enrolled member of the Gay Tribe
-Must be over 21 years of age
-Must have never been convicted or found guilty of a felony, or within one year past of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude
-Must be of high moral character
-Must be a resident of the Kingdom, be willing to relocate or otherwise eligible for residential deference from the crown
-Must satisfy the parliament that he is familiar with the Constitution and other Charter Documents of the Confederated Gay Tribe, all tribal ordinances and laws of the Kingdom


Responsibilities of the Chief Justice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The chief justice of the high court should provide leadership for the court, direct its administration, and be the principal intermediary between the court and the crown, of which it is an integral part.

(a) The chief justice shall:

(i) Set an example in performance of judicial and administrative functions;
(ii) Call and preside over meetings of the court;
(iii) Appoint committees and councils of the court;
(iv) Initiate policy concerning the court's internal operations and its position on external matters affecting the court and the crown;
(v) Represent the court, in its relations with the crown, other agencies of the government, the bar, the general public, the news media, and in ceremonial functions;
(vi) Counsel and assist other judges in the performance of their responsibilities in the administration of the court;
(vii) Supervise caseflow management;
(viii) Assign judges to specialized departments and geographic divisions;
(ix) Appoint associate justices and deputy chief judges of inferior courts, where necessary;
(x) Supervise orientation and continuing education and training programs for members of the court;
(xi) Implement regulations concerning such matters as hours of court, the timely disposition of matters under submission, leaves of absence, attendance at meetings and conferences, and vacations;
(xii) Supervise the court's financial affairs, including financial planning, preparation of budgets, and financial reporting;
(xiii) Supervise and regulate the performance of the court's administrative office.

(b) In performing required functions, the chief judge should act in conformity with policies adopted by the court as a whole and should freely solicit the advice and suggestions of associate judges on the court. The chief justice is responsible for assuring that the activities of the court conform to the rules, policies, and regulations of the high court pursuant to duly adopted Standards Relating to Court Organization.

(c) In administrative matters the court administrator shall consult with and act under the direction of the chief justice.


Commentary
~~~~~~~~~~

Each trial court should have a chief judge who is selected by the chief justice, and shall serve subject to the general direction of the chief justice.

As leader of the court, the chief justice is the spokesperson and representative for the court's judges. Effective leadership depends especially on tact, the ability to listen, attention to the interests of others, and persuasiveness. As administrator of the court, the chief judge must have, in addition, aptitude for planning and coordinating complex series of events and the ability to make prompt and well-reasoned decisions.

Assignment of Judges
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In courts having specialized departments, assignment of judges to such departments should be governed by the following principles:

(a) Assignments should be for a period of not less than one year and usually for not more than four years.

(b) Consideration should be given to the preferences and specialized experience and aptitude of individual judges and the ability of particular judges to work well together. Apart from such considerations, assignments should be made by rotation.

(c) Judges given assignments, involving specialized areas of law, procedure, or court services with which they are not familiar should participate in suitable programs of orientation and education before beginning their assignments.

Assigning judges to specialized departments should achieve stability and efficiency through specialization while avoiding the stagnation and departmental isolation that can result when specialization is overdone. Assignments of less than one year have little practical utility. They result in administrative discontinuity and the costs of orienting judges and staff to new working relationships; and may result in court staff exercising, by default, dominant influence on policy and practice in the department. Rapid rotation of assignments also can lead to "judge shopping" by litigants through the mechanism of delaying in a case until judicial assignments have been rotated. If any judicial assignment is so burdensome or unattractive that judges are unwilling to accept it for as long as a year, then the nature of the assignment itself should be reexamined and revised. (For example, an assignment that involves mostly case roll-calling may be entirely unnecessary if caseflow management is improved.)

On the other hand, assignments for long terms tend to create departments that are in effect courts of specialized jurisdiction, with their attendant limitations. In usual circumstances, the four-year upper limit on assignments is designed to prevent this consequence. The interval at which assignments are rotated should in any event be prescribed and regular.

Subject to the primary requirement of periodic rotation of all judges, consideration should be given to the special experience, skill, training, and interests of individual judges. Attention should be directed not only to a judge's substantive competence-criminal law, domestic relations, etc.---but also to abilities in such respects as dealing with juries, conducting settlement conferences, and handling complicated factual and legal issues. Similarly, where an assignment arrangement requires that judges work closely with staff, or that several judges work closely with each other, consideration should be given to their individual aptitude for doing so. Training for judges assigned to specialized areas with which they are unfamiliar should include education in applicable law and procedure as well as orientation to the functions and responsibilities of staff providing court services such as social casework and psychological and psychiatric diagnoses.


5. Parliament also approved the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Chief Justice to form a special committee to further study, evaluate and make recommendations to the crown regarding the security of the crown and its current holdings, to anticipate future challenges to the right of the crown to said holdings, and the general preservation of the kingdom through all necessary and/or essential legal means, including but not limited to the formation of a constitutional monarchy. Said committee shall exist for the period of three years before again requiring parliamentary mandate, and shall have the authority of the parliament to establish such further, other or different governmental structures as shall please the crown and inure to the service of the subjects of the Gay Kingdom of the Coral Sea.

In addition, the gay parliament also approved the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Chief Justice to immediately establish legal methods for members of the gay tribe, wherever dispersed, to secure such documents, passports and other things by which the crown may identify it's subjects with security and confidence. Said authority shall vest in the High Court of the Gay Kingdom of the Coral Sea or it's designee, subject to it's advice and consent regarding all matters of subjects wishing to affiliate with their tribe in the service of the crown.

The Gay Government In addition, approved the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Chief Justice to immediately establish legal means whereby subjects of the crown, wherever dispersed, may grieve and seek refuge from hate crimes committed or threatened to be committed against them by virtue of their allegiance to the crown as members of the unified gay tribe.


6. The Gay Government in parliament assembled gave approval for the Foreign Minister to sign a letter of acceptance of the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice and the United Nations that will put Australia on notice which will in effect give the Gay Kingdom the right to self determination. This letter was airmailed to the Chief Justice of the Gay Court in Birmingham and was forwarded by his office to the UN in New York.


7. The Gay Government approved a Ministry of Fashion/Camp so as to ensure the Kingdom would always retain its gay identity. Imelda Marcos’s former hairdresser, Lord Lorenzo a Pilipino was appointed to the position. The Gay Parliament approved all the Minister of Camps suggestions which include such things as:

a. the banning of fluorescent lighting in the Kingdom
b. naming the Kingdoms 2 main street’s Faaabulous Street and Diso Drive.
c. having don’t walk, and mince signs at traffic lights (when they are installed) and a red stiletto & a green stiletto light at pedestrian crossings.


8. The Gay Government approved the appointments of Honoree Consular General’s to the cities of London, Bangkok, Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne.


9. On the 8TH of September the Gay Capital of Heaven was hit by a severe tropical storm, resulting in much damage, the governments only computer was damaged by the storm resulting in the loss of all data in the hard drive. This included all government records, 4000 email addresses and contacts with various media organizations, none of the information was backed up. The Kingdoms web site is proving to be very popular and it is hoped that many of those who had contacted the Kingdom prior to the storm will do so over the next month or two.


10. On the 14th of September the Kingdom was thrown into a constitutional crisis when the gay parliament voted to declare war on Australia and HM refused to sign the declaration or give it his royal assent. Horrified at what the parliament had done the Chief Justice and His Majesty expressed to the parliament in writing their displeasure at such an irresponsible and stupid move. Both the Emperor and the Chief Justice offered their resignation and parliament rejected both resignations for fear if the Emperor abdicated Australian could charge the entire gay government with treason and if the Chief Justice resigned the Kingdoms case before the ICJ would flounder. His Majesty bowed to the pressure from parliament when the Prime Minister ordered him to sign the proclamation on the grounds His Majesty was a constitutional monarch and must by law approve all bills presented before him for royal assent. Three months after the Kingdom declared its Independence from Australia it found it’s self officially at war.

Very distressed at what was happening and the seriousness of the crisis the Emperor and the Chief Justice remained in their positions on the grounds that a new constitution be adopted to ensure that such a thing never happens again. The Gay Parliament apologized and expressed its sincere sorrow for the distress it had caused its Sovereign and Lord Chief Justice. The declaration of War did have the following effect

Notification of acceptance and notification of the Geneva Convention of August 12, 1949, were given to the Prime Minister of Australia John Howard, both directly and through the Swiss Federal Government. This is a ratified Law of Australia, and conveys the responsibility to Govern to the Occupying Power.

Therefore, by the Law of Australia, only the Gay Government is the Authority to Govern the Territory and the people of the Coral Sea Islands.

The 1 week state of War, which was Officially declared, brought into effect the Law of War, under whose Sovereignty goes automatically to a State undefeated in a State of War.

PROCLAMATION

By the Grace of God His Imperial Majesty Dale,
Emperor reigning of the Gay Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands.

The Government of the Gay & Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands has used every effort to bring about a peaceful settlement since the beginning of the recent homophobic, anti gay legislation introduced into the Australian Parliament and feels that the Commonwealth of Australia has committed unprovoked acts against its gay & lesbian people.

The government of the Commonwealth of Australia not having answered in a satisfactory manner the note of the declaration of Independence of June 14th 2004, presented to the Governor General of Australia in Canberra, the Imperial Gay Government is compelled to see the safeguarding of the rights and interests of its gay people, and with this object, to have recourse to force of arms. The Gay & Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands consequently considers herself henceforward in a state of war with Australia.

Given under My Hand at the Royal Palace, Heaven, Cato Island.

Dale R
14 September 2004


Australia did not respond and the Kingdom remains undefeated in the war so hence the Law of War now applies giving the gay government absolute control over the territory.


11. The Chief Justice advised the crown he was preparing a case that would bring Australia before the International Court of Justice in the Hague on the grounds the Gay Kingdom has under international law the right to self determination because its gay people were discriminated against by the government of Australia and that the Kingdom was an oppressed people and a colony administered by a foreign imperial power. The Chief Justice also will put a case before the ICJ that Australia has never legally formally claimed the territory of the Coral Sea Islands, as no records exist, no formal proclamation was ever made, and no Australian Flag has ever flown over the territory. In fact the first flag to ever fly in the uninhabited territory was the gay rainbow flag when it was raised on Cato Island on June 13th and the declaration of independence was made on behalf of the Gay & Lesbian people of the world.


12. The Gay Parliament approved the request that all the kingdoms beaches be clothing optional and that the following locations be named. Screech Beach will be the name of the kingdoms main beach. Dicks Dock will be the name of the harbour jetty when it is built.

The government also approved the entire nation of close to 1 million square kilometres with all its many islands and coral reefs with the exception for waters surrounding the Capital will become a marine reserve and shall hence forward be known as the FREEMAN Marine Park in honour of the Lord Chief Justice.


13. Parliament will sit in future on the first Monday of each month and on Sunday the 26th of September approved a new constitution that is currently before the Sovereign and the Chief Justice. Should the Judiciary and the Crown approve the new constitution, copies will be forward to all interested parties.


14. The gay government commissioned a memorial plaque that will commemorate the kingdoms proclamation of independence from Australia and will be built in the exact location on the highest point of the Capital where the gay flag was first raised.

Finally the Prime Minister asked parliament for a vote of thanks to the many 1000’s of gay people from around the world who have contacted the kingdom expressing their hopes and prayers for the gay nation. The Gay Government is aware of its responsibilities and it has in its hands the very real possibility of witnessing and being responsible for the birth of the worlds first gay state and thanks everyone for remembering the kingdom and its people in their thoughts and prayers.


PARLIAMENT HOUSE
THE GAY KINGDOM OF THE CORAL SEA ISLANDS
SEPTEMBER 2004
www.gaykingdom.org

Postal:
Embassy of the Gay Kingdom
PO Box 1251
Southport QLD
4215
Australia


[ 26 September 2004: Message edited by: Hephaestion ]


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
skdadl
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 478

posted 26 September 2004 12:56 PM      Profile for skdadl     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Heph, if you get to be consul, could you get the PM to post fraternal/sororal greetings to babble?

That would be so groovy.

Go, Heph.


From: gone | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 26 September 2004 01:16 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Hee-hee! Sure thing, 'dadl!

We just had the PM join our private Yahoo Group last night, and I look forward to prolonged conversations with him on a variety of topics, so I will bring it up.

He is aware of this thread, as well — I sent him the URL — so you never know... PM Smith may well become a full-fledged babbler in the not-too-distant future!

Possibly (looking around conspiratorially) we could even entice HRH Emperor Dale to join! Now wouldn't that have FD in an uproar, if we had a jen-yoo-wine MONARCH as a babbler! That'd beat them all hollow, huh?!

Anyway, even if he doesn't formally join, I am quite sure that there will be long and harmonious relations between the kingdoms of Emperor Dale and Queen Audra.

[ 26 September 2004: Message edited by: Hephaestion ]


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
Patrick Mundy
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6576

posted 29 September 2004 01:21 AM      Profile for Patrick Mundy     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Slow day in the news
From: Toronto | Registered: Jul 2004  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 29 September 2004 01:55 AM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Patrick Mundy:
Slow day in the news

Not at all. I think this is as monumentous as the creation of the State of Israel was to the Jews. This gives us somewhere on the planet where our wishes and considerations on our concerns are the norm. This is great news for the entire LGBT community, especially since the Coral Sea Kingdom is not only legal, it's legitimate. Communications have already been sent to The Hague, and hopefully soon the GLK will be joining the United Nations.

Simply put, this gives us a home where we know we will always be welcomed. And even if we don't travel there, that is an invaluable psychological lift. The GLK has been swamped with responses from the gay community, and support has been tremendous. Never underestimate the power of the LGBT dollar, and the love of many in the gay community to perform "make-overs"... I predict the GLK is soon going to be making lots of waves, even for an island kingdom.

I love it!!!!


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
Patrick Mundy
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6576

posted 29 September 2004 02:53 PM      Profile for Patrick Mundy     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
They'll need so much money to get started.
From: Toronto | Registered: Jul 2004  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 29 September 2004 05:08 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
No denying that. But they have over a million square miles of territory (most of it ocean, granted, but there are numerous islands as well.) They are already in discussions with people about making enormous improvements, from constructing a permanent, stable moorage to a desalinization plant.

Yes, it will take time, yes it will cost money, yes it will not be easy. And yes, it can be done. They are receiving support and encouragement from around the globe, from LGBTs and straights alike. I am thrilled with what these folks are doing, and am willing to help them out in any way that I am able. Hint: There are a lot more LGBTs who feel the same way I do, but who have considerably more disposable income.

I am confident that the Kingdom can overcome the many difficulties. They are gays and lesbians, and they have had to overcome difficulties all their lives. This is nothing new, and I am glad they are getting so much support.

So why do you seem so eager to rain on their parade?


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
googlymoogly
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3819

posted 29 September 2004 05:36 PM      Profile for googlymoogly     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
they are creating a court system, and are looking for gay jurists who are willing to commit to a cause (no, you don't have to move there!)

If they were willing to wait 3-4 years, I'd be glad to sign up, but I doubt that they would..


From: the fiery bowels of hell | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged
HeywoodFloyd
token right-wing mascot
Babbler # 4226

posted 29 September 2004 05:43 PM      Profile for HeywoodFloyd     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
If they're looking to get Dicks Dock build a little quicker, they could maybe make a deal with the cruise ship lines. The lines build a dock in exchange for no harbor fees until the equivalent investment in the dock is met.

These guys and gals are friggin awesome in my books.


From: Edmonton: This place sucks | Registered: Jun 2003  |  IP: Logged
Mr. Magoo
guilty-pleasure
Babbler # 3469

posted 29 September 2004 05:50 PM      Profile for Mr. Magoo   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
May 13 The Crown Prince's Birthday

As that's my b-day, I am so moving there. Also, I can't even seem to get in on the ground floor of trends, much less sovereign countries!

If anyone asks, I'm as queer as a three dollar bill, and Mrs. Magoo is my lesbian euchre partner, k? Also, does anyone have season 1 of Queer Eye on DVD? I can't go in these jeans.


From: ø¤°`°¤ø,¸_¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸_¸,ø¤°°¤ø,¸_¸,ø¤°°¤ø, | Registered: Dec 2002  |  IP: Logged
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064

posted 29 September 2004 05:53 PM      Profile for 'lance     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Also, I can't even seem to get in on the ground floor of trends, much less sovereign countries!

Ooog. Tell me about it. My motto: "Jumping Someone Else's Train Since 1983."


From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 29 September 2004 06:55 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Ha-hahahahaha

Magoo, I suspect they might make an exception to the rules, and grant you honorary citizenship just so you could be Court Jester.


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
DrConway
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 490

posted 29 September 2004 08:46 PM      Profile for DrConway     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Do they have a Minister of Public Works?
From: You shall not side with the great against the powerless. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 29 September 2004 11:50 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Y'know, I don't know, Doc. Did'ja have someone in mind?
From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
DrConway
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 490

posted 30 September 2004 12:00 AM      Profile for DrConway     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
*halo forms over head* Who, humble ol' me?
From: You shall not side with the great against the powerless. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 30 September 2004 12:41 AM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
*snerk* I really don't know, Doc, but I'll ask David in my next letter.
From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
Patrick Mundy
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6576

posted 30 September 2004 01:17 AM      Profile for Patrick Mundy     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
More power to them then
From: Toronto | Registered: Jul 2004  |  IP: Logged
Gir Draxon
leftist-rightie and rightist-leftie
Babbler # 3804

posted 30 September 2004 01:51 AM      Profile for Gir Draxon     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Maybe I'm just tired, but I honestly can't tell if this is for real
From: Arkham Asylum | Registered: Feb 2003  |  IP: Logged
Willowdale Wizard
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 3674

posted 30 September 2004 04:30 AM      Profile for Willowdale Wizard   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Qualifications:
~~~~~~~~~~
- Must be an enrolled member of the Gay Tribe

that's what that junk mail was. "30 days left, Don't Forget To Re-Enrol" ... "Last Chance, Don't Be Left Outside The Tribe". i thought it was VISA pestering my ass.

in the gay tribe, who holds the conch?


From: england (hometown of toronto) | Registered: Jan 2003  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 30 September 2004 05:19 AM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Gir Draxon:
Maybe I'm just tired, but I honestly can't tell if this is for real

Gir—

I know it sounds goofy as hell, but it's real, and the Australian Governor General is not sure what the fuck to do. These guys have the Autralian government by the short and curlies, just by playing by all the rules— granted, some of the "rules" are ancient ones dredged out of the history books — ie: the Law of War — but they are still valid laws, and Australia, as a constitutional monarchy operating under British Common Law, is bound by them. They have done their research (and they had some very crafty legal beagles on their side, helping them) and, not to put too fine a point on it, they have John Howard by the nuts.

Here is a quote from a recent posting from my friend Ron. It might give you a hint of how utterly pissed off Aussie LGBTs are at Howard AND the Labour party opposition. (And by the way, "GLK" in the first line stands for Gay & Lesbian Kingdom.

quote:
Rodney Croome, Down-Under gay activist extraordinaire and alleged inspiration for the GLK offered this observation today:

-----------------
Great candidate forum in Hobart last night. About forty people, lead candidates from the Democrats, Greens and Socialist Alliance (the Liberals were all too busy to come) and lots of questions, especially of the sitting Labor MP in Denison, Duncan Kerr.

Members of the audience were understandably angry about the same sex couples marriage ban. But in the end Kerr is probably the wrong person at whom to direct this anger.

He not only advocates strongly for equality within the ALP. He also provides immense support to LGBT community organisations and events within and beyond his electorate. Within the contraints of being a member of the ALP he is perhaps the best local member of parliament LGBT Hobartians could hope for.

In an unguarded moment, the honesty of which was appreciated by LGBT people present, Kerr firmly answered "no" when questioned whether an ALP Government will repeal the same sex marriage ban.

Can't get much clearer than that.
-----------------

Should gays in Australia continue to support the Labour Party? My rather jaundiced opinion is that they most definitely should *not*, certainly not if they expect any progress in gay rights. I must admit though that his honesty is quite refreshing. Should they support the Greens? Rather depends on what they bring to the table.


So, are the Aussie LGBTs gonna go Green? Well, according to David (GLK Prime Minister David Smith), a lot of them are giving up on Australia all together and concentrating on the GLK, especially when they see the overwhelming positive reaction it is getting from around the globe.

It's real, Gir. It's crazy, it's risky, it's extreme, it's hair-brained, it's exhilerating, it's daring, it's audacious, it's bloody mad... but it *is* do-able, and it *IS* happening. It is real.

And, if you'll excuse the phrasing, I — for one — am tickled PINK!!

As soon as they get their ducks in order, I am applying for dual citizenship and a passport, as well as getting accredited as a Consul. And as soon as I can swing it, I'm heading for the Coral Sea Kingdom to check out my homeland. (I'd LOVE to retire there!)

Yeah, it's real, and I haven't been this stoked over something in a loooooong time!


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
andrean
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 361

posted 30 September 2004 11:31 AM      Profile for andrean     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I'm quite charmed by this whole endeavour as well. The folks involved seem to be approaching it with equal parts gravity and goofiness, and though it's a little roll-your-eyes at some points, the effort they've already put into it is admirable. I really do hope they succeed (and that they appoint a Minister of Copy Editing!).
From: etobicoke-lakeshore | Registered: Apr 2001  |  IP: Logged
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064

posted 30 September 2004 12:26 PM      Profile for 'lance     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
I really do hope they succeed (and that they appoint a Minister of Copy Editing!).

Perhaps you should apply for this, andrean! Technology being what it is these days, you could still work from Toronto.


From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
Gir Draxon
leftist-rightie and rightist-leftie
Babbler # 3804

posted 30 September 2004 11:19 PM      Profile for Gir Draxon     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
The only thing I am worried about is what might happen if the Aryan-nation types get wind of this. What would happen if they took over some uninhabited island to build a white supremacist kingdom?

I'm not saying that homosexuality = nazism, not at all. I am saying that seriously messing with land grabs and the law of war like that might not be funny anymore if an utterly evil group tries it.


From: Arkham Asylum | Registered: Feb 2003  |  IP: Logged
Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560

posted 30 September 2004 11:24 PM      Profile for Michelle   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I don't know, I don't think I'd have a problem with it if all the white supremacist types would bugger off and go inhabit a deserted island somewhere.
From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064

posted 30 September 2004 11:27 PM      Profile for 'lance     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
I am saying that seriously messing with land grabs and the law of war like that might not be funny anymore if an utterly evil group tries it.

There was a little item in the latest Harper's about this. In truth it was about different options for Americans should they feel themselves unable to live with the results of the election -- going to Canada or Mexico, moving to an Indian reservation, etc. It was funny. Anyway one option is forming a "micronation" -- claiming some uninhabited island or other.

This was obviously written before the founding of the GLK, which seems to have found workable loopholes. But the gist was, it's almost impossible to do this nowadays, given that practically all uninhabited islands and even rocks in the ocean are legally owned by one country or another.

Of course, neo-nazis, white supremacists etc. don't give a toss for law unless it suits them, so they might say damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead. But with any luck they'd just get hosed off by the local navy or whatever it might be.

Edit:

quote:
I don't know, I don't think I'd have a problem with it if all the white supremacist types would bugger off and go inhabit a deserted island somewhere.

A good point. Perhaps their boats would get wrecked in a storm, then their wells would run dry. I mean, a person can dream.

[ 30 September 2004: Message edited by: 'lance ]


From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
UTQueer
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4703

posted 03 October 2004 12:27 PM      Profile for UTQueer   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
This is great news for the entire LGBT community, especially since the Coral Sea Kingdom is not only legal, it's legitimate. Communications have already been sent to The Hague, and hopefully soon the GLK will be joining the United Nations.

I think it's interesting how you think this is great for "the entire LGBT community", when in fact the site makes no mention of bisexuals or trans people that I can see. Even lesbians seem to be no more than an afterthought.

It seems pretty typical of a certain kind of gay marriage activist - usually white guys who are otherwise privileged - to be so focused on gaining ground for themselves, they can't even be bothered to do something as simple as recognizing the existence of other parts of the community.

The whole thing... the joke about lesbians, using imperialist terms like 'Emperor', the god-talk in their constitution etc.... to me it seems like these are people who haven't thought about, or don't care about anti-oppression generally as long as they can secure some privilege for themselves.

It's all in good fun, I'm sure, and as a bit of political theatre it's quite clever; but to have this 'Kingdom' held up as some sort of role model for equality rights doesn't sit right with me.

Edited to add... on further reflection, even the political theatre aspect of this is a bit troubling. For a bunch of white guys to draw attention to their issue by colonizing an island, is pretty tacky in an Australian context, where Aborigines are still fighting for redress for the lands that were stolen from them.

[ 03 October 2004: Message edited by: UTQueer ]


From: Toronto | Registered: Nov 2003  |  IP: Logged
Reality. Bites.
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6718

posted 03 October 2004 12:57 PM      Profile for Reality. Bites.        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by Michelle:
I don't know, I don't think I'd have a problem with it if all the white supremacist types would bugger off and go inhabit a deserted island somewhere.

This just reminded me of a stand-up comic telling about a bigot in New York for the first time saying "They ought to round up all those queers and put them on an island somewhere."

The comic then said "Merry Christmas, moron. You're standing on it!"

This may not be politically correct to say, but I think that bisexuals and trans people need to form their own activist groups if they see the need for them, and gay men's groups need to stop attempting to speak for people they have no real connection with, apart from all being victims of discrimination that involves sex in some way.

Whether it's the street, the bars, or even babble, the numbers are the same: gay men vastly outnumber lesbians and bisexuals, and transgendered and transsexual people are vastly outnumbered by lesbians and bisexuals.

For the gay movement to attempt to speak for the transgendered is really as silly as expecting the feminist movement to speak for gay men. Sympathy and support, sure. But straight women greatly outnumber gay men and have different issues and priorities.


From: Gone for good | Registered: Aug 2004  |  IP: Logged
Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560

posted 03 October 2004 01:04 PM      Profile for Michelle   Author's Homepage     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Gay men vastly outnumber lesbians and bisexuals? I didn't know that. Is that really true?
From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
Reality. Bites.
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6718

posted 03 October 2004 01:09 PM      Profile for Reality. Bites.        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
In all visible areas of life, yes. There may (or may not be) numeric equality in the closet, but in public life it's nowhere even close.

In my previous post I listed only public places, but I neglected to make clear that this doesn't necessarily reflect reality.

[ 03 October 2004: Message edited by: RealityBites ]


From: Gone for good | Registered: Aug 2004  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 03 October 2004 03:23 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Indeed, RB... And I would add, too, that "transgendered" does not necessarily mean "Gay" or "lesbian", either. Trans people can also be straight.

One of my best friends is transgendered, and I'll give you the simple explanation he gave me:

sex- has to do with your genitals
gender- has to do with your self-identity (ie: how you "feel" or "perceive" yourself)

quote:
Now, in most of us (he told me) the sex and the gender agree, but in some cases they don't. I *knew* I was a boy since my earliest memories. My exterior appearance and my interior plumbing made no difference to me. I was a boy. Now, I *could* have been attracted to either boys or girls when I hit puberty, but that is a completely independent issue. In my case, I was attracted to boys, but remaining a girl and living a "straight" life just was not an option. I was transgendered, AND I was gay. But I've known transgendered people who were straight, as well. It can be confusing to the outside community, and it can be a little lonesome too, because nobody really understands us, even in the gay and lesbian community.

He too was supportive of independent organizations for trans people, that worked under the "LGBT umbrella" but he stressed that gay men and lesbians could never hope to speak FOR trans people, because so many of their issues and concerns are different.

And are there misunderstandings and prejudices within the LGBT community over trans people? You bet there are. When Nick first "came out" as a trans on the 365 board, you could'a heard a pin drop, so to speak. Things were sketchy for a day or two— some people felt, rather unreasonably, IMHO, that Nick had somehow been "dishonest" with them for not "coming clean" earlier. Finally, a week or so later, it began to come out in snotty remarks from one particular poster (things like Nick being "more woman than he would ever acknowledge" and shit like that). I called that person on his BS, and we had a fight that raged on all afternoon.... and surprisingly everyone else except Nick, me and this person stayed silent. I **know** that there were at LEAST 20 or 30 people reading the board that afternoon, but not ONE of them said anything.

In the end Mr. Insulting stormed off in high dudgeon, and Nick and I moved off into private e-mail to talk. He was pleased and impressed that I had leapt to his defense so rapidly, and I say "impressed" not to blow myself up, but to stress that he'd been through this before and it so rarely happened that a gay man came to his defense. In light of the silence of everyone else on the board, I had to ruefully admit that he had a point. But that's when we really started to get to know one another, and we have become very good friends, since.

So yeah, UT Queer, you have a point, but it is certainly not limited to the GLK folks, or Australia or anything like that. And RB has a point, too, and the "T"s in the LGBT crowd cannot rely on others to speak for them. They would wait a long time, if that was the case, I'm afraid. And although Nick and I are *very* good friends now, I would never presume to maintain that I could speak in his stead. I can lend my voice in support, but I cannot speak *FOR* him and his community.

Does that mean the trans crowd has to go find their own little deserted island? No... that means we need to work on being more inclusive in the LGBT community, and to work on changing some attitudes and prejudices within our ranks— hey, gay men can be sexist, just like straights. In most ways we are no better or worse as a community than the straights. We have sexism, racism, ageism, etc. too, and if The Closet teaches us anything, it should demonstrate that denying something doesn't make it disappear.

So yeah, we need to work on it. I'd be a fool to say otherwise. But that doesn't mean there isn't room in the GLK for trans people. That just means that they need to speak up, and be heard. Even if no one else does (at first) I will certainly chime in with my support. And step one in speaking up is to contact them. There is both e-mail and snail-mail addresses listed above, and they *DO* respond to letters. I encourage you to give it a try.

[ 03 October 2004: Message edited by: Hephaestion ]


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
CMOT Dibbler
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4117

posted 03 October 2004 04:20 PM      Profile for CMOT Dibbler     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
In all visible areas of life, yes. There may (or may not be) numeric equality in the closet, but in public life it's nowhere even close.

So, it's more acceptable for a man to be gay then it is for a woman? I thought it was the other way around.

Do you have statistics on the number of female gays who are out of the closet as opposed to the number of men?


From: Just outside Fernie, British Columbia | Registered: May 2003  |  IP: Logged
Reality. Bites.
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6718

posted 03 October 2004 05:33 PM      Profile for Reality. Bites.        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I said there may be equality in the closet, not that there is. We have no way of knowing, after all.

There aren't any statistics of any kind on how many people are out of the closet. For that matter, there isn't any kind of clear definition of what out of the closet even means.

After all these years of queer visibility, I think there just plain aren't as many lesbians as gay men. The arguments, that women's lower financial status and sexism keep them in the closet, just don't seem enough reason to me, considering that as we all know homophobia is overwhelmingly directed at gay men, not lesbians.

There really isn't any compelling reason that there should be roughly equal numbers of lesbians and gay men, it's just that we're used to there being a roughly 50/50 split between the sexes in our population.

The differing numbers of out lesbians vs. gay men has been true in every place I've ever worked (including workplaces that were mainly female), every queer organization or group I've ever been involved with, and every kind of Internet group I've been on that wasn't queer-oriented (like babble), whether participants were mainly male or mainly female.

Needless to say, whether the queer community is 99% lesbian, 50/50 or 1% lesbian, it makes no difference in terms of rights or individual worth, and the same thing goes for transgendered and transsexual people as well. Where it comes into play is in activism, where non-male, non-white, non-gay groups often get short shrift. The ratio of gay/lesbian population to TT population is probably much higher than the straight/gay ratio, and goodness knows the straight population hasn't exactly done a bang-up job of representing gay interests.


From: Gone for good | Registered: Aug 2004  |  IP: Logged
CMOT Dibbler
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4117

posted 03 October 2004 08:11 PM      Profile for CMOT Dibbler     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
I still find it strange that there should be fewer lesbians then homosexual men. After all, men make up only 48% of the worlds population, whereas women make up 52%.
It's not really worth arguing about anyway. It's just odd.

From: Just outside Fernie, British Columbia | Registered: May 2003  |  IP: Logged
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064

posted 03 October 2004 08:27 PM      Profile for 'lance     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
After all, men make up only 48% of the worlds population, whereas women make up 52%.

Are you sure about this stat, CMOT? It's often repeated -- I've even heard it said that the world's population is 53% female -- but according to this page from the Population Reference Bureau, in 2002 there were 99 women for every 100 men worldwide, making the world's population 49.5% female.

According to StatsCan, incidentally, the population of Canada is about 50.5% female.


From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
Reality. Bites.
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6718

posted 03 October 2004 08:33 PM      Profile for Reality. Bites.        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Yes, but male and female homosexuality don't really have anything to do with each other, so there's no particular reason for balance between them. Whether the cause(s) are genetic, something to do with hormones during gestation, social, a combination or none of the above, they are two separate things. It's not like male homosexuals mate with female homosexuals.
From: Gone for good | Registered: Aug 2004  |  IP: Logged
CMOT Dibbler
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4117

posted 03 October 2004 08:38 PM      Profile for CMOT Dibbler     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Are you sure about this stat, CMOT? It's often repeated -- I've even heard it said that the world's population is 53% female -- but according to this page from the Population Reference Bureau...

I'm not a statistician. I heard the stat from my sister. I'm not sure where she heard it from. However, if the experts say the world's population is 49% female than who am I to disagree?

[ 03 October 2004: Message edited by: CMOT Dibbler ]


From: Just outside Fernie, British Columbia | Registered: May 2003  |  IP: Logged
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064

posted 03 October 2004 09:23 PM      Profile for 'lance     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
It's not a big deal I suppose, I just wonder where the other claim got started.

It's sometimes even put to political use. In around 1987 I went to see Dr. Helen Caldicott, of "If You Love This Planet" fame, speak at Convocation Hall at U of T. (For any, er, younger babblers, she was a great campaigner against nuclear weapons in the 1980s). I was a much greater admirer of hers before the speech. She said a lot of silly things. One started off as a defensible assertion: "It's time we had a matriarchal society..." (meh, whatever -- though at the time I was calling myself an anarchist) "... because women make up 53% of the population."

Well they don't; but even if they did, it wouldn't follow from that that things should be matriarchal.

But I digress, as usual.


From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
CMOT Dibbler
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4117

posted 03 October 2004 09:55 PM      Profile for CMOT Dibbler     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
quote:
Originally posted by 'lance:
It's not a big deal I suppose, I just wonder where the other claim got started.

It's sometimes even put to political use. In around 1987 I went to see Dr. Helen Caldicott, of "If You Love This Planet" fame, speak at Convocation Hall at U of T. (For any, er, younger babblers, she was a great campaigner against nuclear weapons in the 1980s). I was a much greater admirer of hers before the speech. She said a lot of silly things. One started off as a defensible assertion: "It's time we had a matriarchal society..." (meh, whatever -- though at the time I was calling myself an anarchist) "... because women make up 53% of the population."

Well they don't; but even if they did, it wouldn't follow from that that things should be matriarchal.

But I digress, as usual.


was she joking?


From: Just outside Fernie, British Columbia | Registered: May 2003  |  IP: Logged
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064

posted 03 October 2004 10:29 PM      Profile for 'lance     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
If so, it had to be pretty deadpan. But I'm pretty sure she wasn't. She showed no sign all evening of having the slightest trace of a sense of humour. That was another thing.
From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
Reality. Bites.
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6718

posted 03 October 2004 10:43 PM      Profile for Reality. Bites.        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
At last something we can look at statistically.

In Canada, according to the 2001 census, the overall population was 51% female.

Among the 0-19 population females are only 48.8%
In 20-64 females are 50.6%, and a whopping 57.2% of over 65s.

In the U.S., as of the 2000 census, the breakdown was also 51% female.


From: Gone for good | Registered: Aug 2004  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 18 October 2004 01:51 AM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Here come Da Judge!

The High Court of the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea (GLK) now has its own Chief Justice, William J. Freeman, and its own website.

The site features four sections:

a) A Brief Overview
b) The Privy Council
c) The Justices
d) Citizenship

Just doing my bit to keep everyone up-to-date on the Kingdom and its doings....


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 27 October 2004 03:55 AM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Fairytales, Oct. 2004

quote:
Welcome to the official newspaper of the Government of the Gay & Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands.

Fairytales:

The Gay Government of the Coral Sea Islands Gayzette of
October 2004 [Administrative Arrangement Order]

The Gay Kingdom

Administrative Arrangements

Ordered By the Grace of God His Imperial Majesty

The Emperor Dale

I, Dale Emperor Reigning of the Gay & Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands, acting with advice of the Gay Parliament, hereby approve the following administrative arrangements to take effect on and from 25 October 2004 in substitution for the arrangements in operation immediately before the date of this order.

GIVEN under my hand and with the Great Seal of the Gay Kingdom on 25 October 2004.

Dale R
HM Emperor

By his Majesty’s Command

David Smith
Prime Minister

Bill Freeman
Chief Justice

Vol. 2, No. 2 — October 25, 2004
COMMISSIONS

G Ks CUSTOMS AND REVENUE AGENCY

INCOME TAX ACT

Revocation of taxation

The following notice of the Income Tax Act as listed in this notice: "Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the Income Tax Act, that the Gay Legislative Assembly propose to revoke the registration of all income tax, sales tax, capital gains tax, GST tax, payroll tax, and company tax and that the revocation of the registration is effective on the date of publication of this notice."


Vol. 2, No. 2 — October 25, 2004
MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES

PHILATELIC BUREAU

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the Gay Postal Act, that on October 7, 2004, the following documents were deposited with the Legislative Assembly:

Gay Kingdom’s Philatelic Act

On the 7th October 2004 the Government of the Gay Kingdom assumed control of its Postal Services. As an interim measure, Australian stamps will be used until the end of this year 2004. These stamps will then be replaced by the Gay Kingdoms own design in January 2005 (New Years Day). The Kingdom’s stamps will use a Euro value of $2 since trade in Australian currency is banned by the Gay Legislative Assembly. Stamp designs will be rather stereotyped of gay life and will be at the Emperors request, pictorial Definitive.

The first commemorative issue will be in 2005. The release of such issues will be confined to issues of marked events of gay international interest. A predominantly local flavor will be chosen through international events that are featured. The Gay Kingdom will adopt a conservative stamp issuing policy in the hope of maintaining a high reputation amongst the philatelic fraternity.

Stamps & Philatelic Material

Definitive Issues
These will normally used for a period of around five years.

Commemorative Issues
These depict themes relevant to the Gay Kingdom or of general international interest to the gay community. The Gay Philatelic Bureau will maintain a conservative number of issues per year with a face value of $2 Euro dollars per stamp.

First Day Cover Service
For most issues, the Bureau will provide an Official First Day Cover normally bearing a specially designed panel. However if customers would like their own stamps affixed to their own covers this will be arranged.

Presentation Packs
All issues will be made available in a presentation pack, providing ample information on the subject of the issue as well as technical details related to the issue.

Presentation Pack Binder
An inexpensive, economical PVC binder will be designed to accommodate the Official Gay Kingdom presentation packs thus ensuring that the packs maintain the original pristine condition. The binders can be used in conjunction with plastic sleeves (also available from the Bureau) to house first day covers.

Year Packs
A special high quality Year Pack containing a complete collection of commemorative stamps issued during the year will be published annually to coincide with the last stamp issued of that same year. The Pack, Written in four different languages, will offer color photographs with many views of the Gay kingdom, information, images and illustrations relating to relevant issues.

Postal Act dated as of October 7, 2004.

*snip*

Government notices in the Fairytale Gayzette

* ROYAL PALACE – Yesterday at the Royal Palace, His Majesty the Emperor presided at a meeting of the Gay Executive Council. Earlier His Majesty officially opened the Freeman Marine Reserve. In the morning at Rosie’s in Brisbane, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince as guest of the David Kopp Foundation viewed An Impressionist Legacy: Art of the Queensland Gay Community. In the afternoon at Rosie’s in Brisbane, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince and his boyfriend talked with and visited the artists who donated many of the paintings on display for auction. A total of $20,000 dollars was raised and will be donated to the Aids Council and the David Kopp Foundation to help those suffering from HIV and AIDS. On Friday the 15th of October His Majesty was admitted to the Brisbane, Montserrat Private Hospital for 3 days of tests and for an exploratory operation for cancer. On Friday the 8th of October His Majesty toured the Cairns town centre, visited Far North Queensland and met members of the regions gay community. On Monday the 11th of October, His Majesty the Emperor sent the following message to the Australian Prime Minister Mr. John Howard: ”The Crown Prince and I join with Ministers in conveying warm and sincere congratulations from the Government and people of the Gay Kingdom on the occasion of the re-election of your Government for a fourth term in office”. His Majesty also sent separate messages to the families of those affected by the devastating bush fires in Australia and the bombing of the Australian Embassy in Indonesia. The separate messages were sent through the Kingdoms Australian Embassy in Southport, the message to the families said: “I want you to know that you and members of your family are in my thoughts and prayers.”

*snip*

The Fairytale Gayzette:

* is the official newspaper of the Government of the Gay Kingdom
* is produced on the 25th day of each month by the Office at the Department of Gay Internal Affairs.


[ 22 November 2004: Message edited by: Hephaestion ]


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged
Hephaestion
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4795

posted 22 November 2004 07:46 PM      Profile for Hephaestion   Author's Homepage        Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Latest update—

Excerpts from the latest "Fairytales", (the GLK's official newsletter) Vol. 3, No. 3 — November 25, 2004...

Citizenship

quote:
In Parliament assembled the Prime Minister Mr Smith was pleased to announce on this historic occasion, that the Gay Court was now in a position to accept citizenship requests from members of the Gay Tribe, and cordially invited all Gay subjects wherever dispersed World Wide to register for citizenship. This can be done via the High Court at www.gaycourt.org

In addition, the Prime Minister moved an adoption of a resolution to congratulate and give thanks to the Chief Justice for his hard work and dedication to establishing the High Court and for being able to immediately establish legal methods for members of the gay tribe so that in the future all registered citizens wherever dispersed, may grieve and seek refuge in the Gay Kingdom from hate crimes committed or threatened to be committed against them by virtue of their allegiance to the crown as members of the unified gay tribe.


Gay Philatelic Bureau

quote:
The Gay Philatelic Bureau has settled on the final 9 designs for the GK postage stamps that will be printed in London and will be released for world wide sale to stamp collectors in January 2005. The 9 designs are as follow:

1. The Gay Flag

2. The Gay Coat of Arms (Pink Triangle)

3. The Lambda

4. The Jewish Gay Symbol

5. The International Bear Brother hood flag

6. The Bear Pride Flag

7. The Aids Red Ribbon

8. The Leather Pride Flag

9. The Gender Symbols of Gay Men, Lesbianism, and transgender people.

It was with some sadness that the Royal Palace refused all request by the Gay Philatelic Bureau to allow portraits of the Sovereign and the Crown Prince to appear on the stamps. The Palace reported to the Philatelic Bureau that the symbols of the Gay Tribe were important worldwide symbols of the gay community and these gay symbols had a history and a story to tell. The Royal Palace reported however it may agree with the Gay Philatelic Bureaus request of official portraits in the future.


Gay National Anthem Changed

quote:
After a heated debate the Gay Parliament bowed to pressure from the Royal Palaces and agreed to have the National Anthem of the Gay & Lesbian Kingdom changed. The Palace informed Parliament that it was the Sovereigns wish to have the Gay Anthem changed, on the grounds that the disco remix of I Am What I Am was not appropriate for a national anthem of a Kingdom trying to insert it self on the world stage. The Palace proposed that the National Anthem be changed to the more serious regal sounding ZADOK THE PRIEST.

Zadok the Priest is the best known of the four coronation anthems composed by George Handel for the coronation of His Majesty Dales distant relative King George Il of England.

Much of Handel's reputation today rests on only a small body of his work, principally Messiah written in 1741, even though the total amount of music he composed was enormous. This preference for Messiah has meant that much of Handel's work is not heard regularly. Zadok the Priest has had a little more exposure than other of Handel's musical output because it is heard at every coronation of the British Crown.

One of the last acts of King George I before his death in 1727 was to sign `An Act for naturalizing George Frideric Handel and others'. Handel's first commission as a naturalized British citizen was to write the music for the coronation service of King George II later that year. Zadok was one of four anthems written for the service and the only one to survive to be repeated at each succeeding coronation.

The anthem was based on the coronation of King Solomon who came to the throne of Israel when his father, King David, was dying. David's son Adonijah, ambitious to succeed David, made plans to usurp the throne. Bathsheba, Solomon's mother, implored David to give the crown to Solomon.

Zadok had served as priest during David's reign and had fled with David from Jerusalem during Absalom's rebellion. Nathan, the prophet, had rebuked David for his adultery with Bathsheba. Both, however, were loyal subjects to David and did as he commanded.

The recounting of Solomon's coronation is found in I Kings, Chapter 1:"..... and King David said, `Call me Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet ..... and let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him [Solomon] there king over Israel: and blow ye the trumpet and say `God Save King Solomon' ......"

On the 19th of November 2004 at the request of His Majesty the Emperor, in parliament assembled, Zodak the Priest became the official anthem of the Gay & Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands.


Of Time and Tides

quote:
The Minister of Internal Affairs was pleased to report to parliament that Queer Web Space the gay company responsible for hosting the kingdoms official web site has been able to link an up to date weather site to the Kingdoms home page that will enable members of the world wide gay tribe to access local time, weather, temperature and tide conditions in the Gay Capital of Heaven on Cato Island. All information for the site is being fed to the web page via the automatic weather station in the Capital.

and finally, the GLK sends warmest seasonal greetings to scattered members of the Tribe, wherever they may be...


From: goodbye... :-( | Registered: Dec 2003  |  IP: Logged

All times are Pacific Time  

Post New Topic  Post A Reply Close Topic    Move Topic    Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
Hop To:

Contact Us | rabble.ca | Policy Statement

Copyright 2001-2008 rabble.ca