Fridae

New law requires Taiwan hotels, saunas to offer condoms
Taiwan has passed a new law on Jan 14, 2005, requiring all hotels and saunas to make condoms available to their customers, local media reported in January. The move is in line with the island's latest attempt to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS. Under the new law, which will come into effect in 2006, owners who fail to provide them through vending machines or on demand face a maximum fine of 150,000 Taiwan dollars (USD$6,875).

The report cited a survey conducted by Taipei's National Yang Ming University last year which found that some 6.4 percent of gay sauna patrons were HIV carriers and only 40 percent of the customers used condoms when having sex with partners there.

A high profile case of a drug raid at private gay orgy in January 2004 reported that 28 of 92 attendees were found to be HIV positive. In another gay orgy and drug raid in early October 2004, police found 15 of the 29 participants to be HIV-positive. As of December 2004, the fatal syndrome had killed 1,025 Taiwanese out of 6,762 recorded HIV carriers since the first case involving a local person was found in 1986.

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Taipei gay rights group slams legislator over remarks
In Taipei, gay rights groups protested on Tuesday against newly elected Legislator Wang Shih-chien's criticism of Taipei City's `Gay Citizens Movement' budget and described the local gay parade as "disgusting" and "immoral."

Led by the Taiwanese Tongzhi Hotline Association (TTHA/ www.hotline.org.tw), a small group of protesters stood next to the Legislative Yuan, chanting slogans such as "Open debate and offer formal apology!" in an attempt to invite Wang to a debate on issues relevant to the gay community. He had reportedly described a proposed allocation for the "Gay Citizens Movement," proposed by the city's Department of Civil Affairs, as "ridiculous" and criticised the Taipei City Government for listing the allocation as a normal item in the annual budget plan. He then threatened to block the budget. He had also reportedly described the parade during the Taipei Queer Festival as "disgusting" and "immoral."

According to the Taipei Times, TTHA director of public affairs Ashley Wu said that the recent election of Wang as a legislator sparked concern among gay rights advocates that he may abuse his rights to block laws or budgets that protect gay rights. The TTHA said that it would hold forums to discuss those issues with other legislators should Wang failed to offer an apology or to accept invitation to a debate.

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Canada unveils plans to legalise same-sex marriage
Canada's minority Liberal government has unveiled draft legislation on Tuesday to permit gay marriage. The bill follows various provinces across the country launching their own same-sex marriages, after courts ruled to bar ceremonies would be unconstitutional.

Prime Minister Paul Martin says Ottawa had to act after courts in seven of the country's 10 provinces ruled that prohibiting same-sex marriages is unconstitutional. To do nothing, he argued, would mean gays and lesbians were being discriminated against in the remaining three provinces.

Although the draft legislation would grant gays and lesbians the right to full civil marriages, while making clear that religious officials would not be forced to marry same-sex couples, church groups and the main opposition Conservative Party, maintain that the law is an attack on organised religion and suggest gay marriage could lead to the legalisation of polygamy and have vowed to do all they can to defeat the bill.

If passed, Canada would become the third country after Belgium and Holland, to permit same sex marriages. Parliament is expected to vote on the proposals, which has already been backed by the Supreme Court, later this year. The US state of Massachusetts also allows access to marriage, while Spain is in the process of drawing up it's own legislation. Civil union laws are currently available in France and Germany, as well as the UK.

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