Latest news with #Legislative
HKFP
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- HKFP
Performance artist calls out lawmakers for ‘homophobic slurs,' says LGBTQ community ‘not something to fear'
A Hong Kong performance artist has called lawmakers' discussion of the government's same-sex partnership bill 'homophobic,' saying that the LGBTQ community is not something people should fear. Holok Chen and an activist who asked not to be named staged a performance and spoke to reporters outside the Cotton Tree Drive Marriage Registry in Central on Monday. Both were dressed as monsters, with Chen donning a wedding gown and the activist wearing a tuxedo. Chen said their costumes symbolised the way lawmakers had 'demonised' the LGBTQ community in their discussion of the government's proposed framework for recognising same-sex partnerships. 'It feels almost [as if] I'm talking to my father when I'm reading all those reports from the [Legislative] Council, how they use homophobic slurs… saying that we might harm children and women,' Chen told HKFP. Referring to their costumes, Chen added: 'I want to create a speculative future where monsters, even monsters of different taxonomy, can live, can love, can kiss and can enjoy their divine union.' The government's proposal is currently going through the Legislative Council (LegCo). Since an electoral overhaul in 2021 that required lawmakers to be 'patriots,' the council has been left without an opposition. However, all but one major political party in the Legislative Council has said that they oppose the bill, which proposes allowing couples who married or formed a union overseas to be recognised as a partnership in Hong Kong. Most parties say such a framework threatens traditional family values and could pave the way for the legalisation of same-sex marriage, something the government has denied. Earlier this month, lawmaker Holden Chow said in a LegCo meeting that the framework could encourage 'two fathers' and 'two mothers' to adopt children. 'How can we educate the next generation to uphold family values and the traditional institution of marriage between a man and a woman under such circumstances?' he said in Cantonese. Another lawmaker, Priscilla Leung, warned that the proposal would open 'a Pandora's box.' Chen staged a performance outside the LegCo building on Friday, wearing a rainbow-coloured cape and carrying a 'Pandora's box,' plastered with words like 'love and 'hope,' in an apparent protest against Leung's remark. Chen, who identifies as a non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, said they wanted to use the performance to 'recontextualise our existence: that we are not something that you have to fear, not something that you have to gatekeep.' A dozen police officers watched as the artist and the activist staged their performance, unfurling a white banner that said 'Queertopia.' The officers also asked the pair for their ID cards and cordoned them off from reporters with orange tape before the performance began. 'Toxic' The government unveiled its proposal earlier this month, three months before the deadline to establish a framework for recognising same-sex partnerships, following a top court ruling in 2023 that found the lack of such a mechanism unconstitutional. The case stemmed from a judicial review by pro-democracy activist Jimmy Sham, who married his partner in New York in 2013 and challenged local authorities' lack of recognition of their union. The top court gave the government two years – until October 27 this year – to fulfil the obligation ordered by the court. Ahead of submitting the proposed framework to the Legislative Council earlier this month, the government did not hold any public consultations despite LGBTQ advocacy groups' efforts to reach out to the authorities. No public hearings, where members of the public present their views to officials in LegCo meetings, will be held. There is only a five-day window to send written submissions, which ends at 5pm on Tuesday. Chen said they had few expectations for the framework, which activists have criticised as being limited and offering only protection in the areas of medical issues and after-death arrangements. The artist criticised that the government had two years to work on the framework, but it did not consult the LGBTQ community in the process and only introduced the bill to the legislature in recent weeks. While heterosexual couples have a 'guaranteed house,' the framework offers same-sex couples only a 'tin board,' Chen said. '[The government says] You can build your own house, but I won't even provide a sofa or a place for you to stand on,' they added. 'There are many voices that want to even vote down this tin house.' Earlier on Monday, the Legislative Council's Bills Committee on the Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill completed its clause-by-clause review of the bill, with lawmakers asking officials questions on matters such as issuing registration certificates and how partnerships can be nullified. Chen said they had not paid too much attention to what lawmakers had been saying in the meetings, calling them 'toxic.' 'They do not take up space [in my head],' Chen said in Cantonese. 'Why should I give them space to harm me?' Online petition Chen called on LGBTQ supporters to join an online petition initiated by Sham, which invites people to send in written submissions using a template. The LegCo website, which publishes the written submissions, however, has not been updated since last week. Regina Ip, the only lawmaker on the bills committee who supports the framework, asked committee chair Brave Chan if all submissions received would be viewable online. Chan said yes, except for submissions for which anonymity was requested. Following the completion of the discussion in the committee on Monday, the bill will move to the council meeting for a debate, in which all 89 lawmakers will take part before voting. No date has been set yet for the debate. The Legislative Council will take a summer break in August before resuming in September.
NDTV
27-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Services Down The Drain": M Kharge On When He Missed Out Being Chief Minister
Bengaluru: Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress chief and Gandhi family loyalist, voiced regrets on how he missed being the Chief Minister of Karnataka despite winning an election for the Congress. Speaking at a programme in Vijayapura, Mr Kharge started reminiscing about his time in the state in the late 1990s, when he was upstaged by a new-comer. "As a Legislative Party leader I did everything I could to bring us to power. The government was finally formed. As soon as we came to power, SM Krishna, who joined just four months ago, became Chief Minister" Mr Kharge said. "All my service was washed down the drain. I felt that I worked tirelessly for five years. But the person who came just four months ago got the position of the Chief Minister," he added. SM Krishna was the Chief Minister of Karnataka from 1999 to 2004. Mr Kharge served as a minister under him - and other Chief Ministers till he contested the Lok Sabha elections in 2009. In 2022, Mr Kharge - widely seen as the candidate approved by the Gandhis -- became the chief of Congress, winning the organisational election in a contest against Shashi Tharoor. It was widely believed that caste played a big role in picking SM Krishna for the top post at the cost of sidelining Mr Kharge's SC background despite his seniority and contributions. SM Krishna hailed from the Vokkaliga community -- a historically dominant caste in Karnataka.
Hans India
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Tirupati to host nat'l conference on women empowerment on Sept 14, 15
Tirupati: Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Ch Ayyanna Patrudu has directed officials to make the forthcoming All India Conference of Parliamentary and Legislative Committees on Empowerment of Women, scheduled to be held in Tirupati on September 14 and 15, a grand and memorable event. Chairing a high-level preparatory meeting at the district Collectorate on Wednesday, the Speaker explained the significance of the national conference and called for coordinated efforts by all departments to ensure its success. The meeting was attended by Assembly Deputy Speaker K Raghurama Krishna Raju, District In-charge Minister Anagani Satya Prasad, Assembly Secretary General Suryadevara Prasanna Kumar, TTD Chairman BR Naidu, Executive Officer J Syamala Rao, District Collector Dr S Venkateswar, Assembly OSD Pettanna Choudary, and other senior officials. Addressing the gathering, Speaker Ayyanna Patrudu said the two-day event would bring together legislative committees on women's empowerment from all State Assemblies and the Parliamentary committee, with each State sending a delegation of 5 to 6 members. The participants will deliberate on critical social issues affecting women and are expected to formulate policy recommendations, which will later be discussed in the respective legislative bodies. He urged all officials to extend their full support in making the conference an unprecedented success, befitting the importance of the subject. Deputy Speaker Raghurama Krishna Raju informed that the conference will begin with a spiritual visit to the Tirumala temple on the morning of September 14, followed by the official inauguration at 10 am. Cultural events, including a Sound and Light Show at Chandragiri Fort, will be organised for the delegates. On September 15, efforts will be made to showcase Srikalahasti's spiritual heritage and the famed Kalamkari art, he said. District In-charge Minister Satya Prasad stated that liaison officers would be appointed for the visiting delegates, and arrangements related to security, accommodation and conference venues were being meticulously planned. Collector Dr S Venkateswar assured that accommodation would be arranged across various hotels and that tight security protocols would be in place to ensure smooth conduct of the event. After the conference, on September 16, the delegates will be taken on a tour of Sri City, Sriharikota and other key locations. Among those present were Joint Collector Shubham Bansal, Tirupati Municipal Commissioner N Mourya, trainee Collector Sandeep Raghu Vanshi, Gudur Sub-Collector Raghavendra Meena and MLAs Arani Srinivasulu, Bojjala Sudhir Reddy, N Vijayasree. TDP leaders G Narasimha Yadav, C Diwakar Reddy, M Sugunamma, A Ravi Naidu and others also took part.
Daily Tribune
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain's Ashura Model Praised Abroad
TDT | Manama Bahrain's model of religious tolerance during Ashura received praise at a regional parliamentary session this week in Cairo, with Member of Parliament Dr. Hisham Ahmed Al-Asheeri commending the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa for their support of the annual commemorations. Speaking on the sidelines of the Legislative, Legal and Human Rights Affairs Committee of the Arab Parliament in Cairo, Dr. Al-Asheeri said the royal directives to ensure the safety and dignity of Ashura rituals reflected Bahrain's values of coexistence and mutual respect. 'The annual support from official, security, and service agencies ensures that religious rituals are held in a safe and organised environment,' he said, calling it a reflection of Bahrain's 'civilised approach' rooted in His Majesty's comprehensive reform project. He noted that such efforts not only uphold religious freedoms but also strengthen national unity by respecting sectarian and cultural diversity. The meeting in Cairo formed part of the Arab Parliament's general session. Dr. Al-Asheeri and other members reviewed progress on prior recommendations and discussed regional legal proposals, including a draft law on illegal immigration and a preliminary Arab parliamentary vision for consumer protection. The MP said the discussions were taking place amid rapid global challenges, with the committee working to address them from both legal and humanitarian perspectives. Dr. Al-Asheeri also reviewed resolutions issued during the 34th Arab Summit, held in Iraq last month, as part of the committee's broader legislative agenda.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Louisiana Ten Commandments law ruled unconstitutional by federal appeals court
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled Friday that Louisiana's law to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms is unconstitutional. Louisiana became the first state in the nation to pass the bill requiring public schools and universities to display the Ten Commandments in the 2024 regular legislative session. The law stated that it would be displayed with a large, readable font on an 11-by-14-inch poster or framed document. 'We strongly disagree with the Fifth Circuit's affirmance of an injunction preventing five Louisiana parishes from implementing HB71. We will immediately seek relief from the full Fifth Circuit and, if necessary, the U.S. Supreme Court,' Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a statement. 'The Ten Commandments are the foundation of our laws—serving both an educational and historical purpose in our classrooms. I fully support Attorney General Murrill's decision to seek an en banc panel to review the decision,' said Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. Timeline of Louisiana's Ten Commandments Law: June 19, 2024: A bill requiring public schools and universities to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms was passed during the 2024 Regular Legislative Session. June 24, 2024: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit claiming the law violated students' First Amendment rights. Some religious leaders and activists also voiced opposition to the law. Aug. 5, 2024: Murrill called for the lawsuit to be dismissed, arguing it was premature and that the plaintiffs could not demonstrate actual harm. July 19, 2024: Louisiana agreed to pause implementation of the law until a hearing could be held, initially scheduled for Nov. 15. Oct. 21, 2024: A hearing debated whether the law should go into effect while its constitutionality is litigated. The preliminary injunction allowed arguments on both sides regarding the posting of the Commandments. Nov. 12, 2024: A federal judge ruled the law unconstitutional, prohibiting the display of the Ten Commandments in schools. Dec. 11, 2024: Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill filed an opening brief to defend Louisiana's Ten Commandments law in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Jan. 23, 2025: Oral arguments held in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to address the state's appeal of the preliminary injunction. Can public money flow to Catholic charter school? The Supreme Court will decide US Senator Bill Cassidy take steps to ensure public's trust in vaccines Supreme Court approves swift deportation Under Trump Policy Baton Rouge Police Chief shares vision for safer community as crime rate drops Our Lady of the Lake showcases newest surgical technology Suspect arrested, accused of shooting man after an argument in Baton Rouge Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
