Usually, every couple of days, I like to check this Blog's traffic site to tell me what countries are reading / participating in my baking antics.
I can tell you for instance that the Ukraine was spiking hard during the end of 2012, but now Spain seems to be mounting a charge.
It seems almost magical that I have an international platform where I can discuss baking with people on every coerner of the globe, but truth be told........
Sometimes I forget many of you live in different settings than I do.
Recently I receaved a story of the A.P. that I am about to share with you.
It was sent to me from one of the most insperational bakers I know......
A guy from Holland.
A man who is gay.
Now where I live, you don't need to mention a persons sexual orientation.
There might be laws that bind the gay comunity in America, but most members of the American populace don't even think twice about whose people partners are.
But I remeber when I was in Moscow, wearing a light blue Arrow button down shirt, my interpreter alerted me......
"Daniel, if you wear this in public, they will think you like men in a special way."
I kind of laughed, I wasn't all that concered about people perception of who I slept with, but then the interpreter got nervous and informed me.....
"You do not understand perhaps. In my city, if you walk down the streets like that, it is not certain, but possible you will be damaged."
Then she went on to explain to me how just several weeks prior some of Moscows Gay Community had a peaceful march, but were met head on by local police who had allied with skin heads.
The gays were beaten severely, and many, if not most were hospitalized.
Sometimes I hear things like this, and because I live where I live, I assume these stories are few and far inbetween.
But maybe not.
As many of you are aware, the is civil unrest at this moment in India over the torture-gang rape, and eventually murder of a young woman......
Polish Christ.....hear our prayers.
I very much love my Dutch baking friend.
Although we have never met in person, his life has inspired mine.
Therefore I would like to pass on a link he sent to me, and if you like......
Get Mad and Yell at the world.................
We simply cannot permit things like this to occur.
Remember.......DAMAGED AND OPTIMISTIC.........
We can and will make a difference L.A.B. Rats!
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I can tell you for instance that the Ukraine was spiking hard during the end of 2012, but now Spain seems to be mounting a charge.
It seems almost magical that I have an international platform where I can discuss baking with people on every coerner of the globe, but truth be told........
Sometimes I forget many of you live in different settings than I do.
Recently I receaved a story of the A.P. that I am about to share with you.
It was sent to me from one of the most insperational bakers I know......
A guy from Holland.
A man who is gay.
Now where I live, you don't need to mention a persons sexual orientation.
There might be laws that bind the gay comunity in America, but most members of the American populace don't even think twice about whose people partners are.
But I remeber when I was in Moscow, wearing a light blue Arrow button down shirt, my interpreter alerted me......
"Daniel, if you wear this in public, they will think you like men in a special way."
I kind of laughed, I wasn't all that concered about people perception of who I slept with, but then the interpreter got nervous and informed me.....
"You do not understand perhaps. In my city, if you walk down the streets like that, it is not certain, but possible you will be damaged."
Then she went on to explain to me how just several weeks prior some of Moscows Gay Community had a peaceful march, but were met head on by local police who had allied with skin heads.
The gays were beaten severely, and many, if not most were hospitalized.
Sometimes I hear things like this, and because I live where I live, I assume these stories are few and far inbetween.
But maybe not.
As many of you are aware, the is civil unrest at this moment in India over the torture-gang rape, and eventually murder of a young woman......
Polish Christ.....hear our prayers.
I very much love my Dutch baking friend.
Although we have never met in person, his life has inspired mine.
Therefore I would like to pass on a link he sent to me, and if you like......
Get Mad and Yell at the world.................
We simply cannot permit things like this to occur.
Remember.......DAMAGED AND OPTIMISTIC.........
We can and will make a difference L.A.B. Rats!
Cameroon men convicted of 'looking gay' by drinking Bailey's Irish Cream have sentenced overturned
A Cameroon court judge has overturned the conviction of two men who were sentenced for five years in prison for “looking gay” and ordering Bailey’s Irish Cream.
Photograph by: Courtesy , Wikimedia commons
DOUALA, Cameroon — A court has overturned the conviction of two men who were sentenced for five years in prison for “looking gay” and ordering Bailey’s Irish Cream.
The Court of Appeals Monday acquitted the men and ordered their release. The two men had already spent more than a year in jail where they were subjected to abuse from guards and other prisoners, according to human rights advocates.
The new ruling has been hailed by human rights lawyers and gay rights advocates who urged President Paul Biya to release all other prisoners found guilty under the country’s harsh anti-gay laws.
On Dec. 17, a Cameroonian court upheld the five-year-sentence of another man, Roger Jean-Claude Mbede, who was convicted of sending a text message that said “I love you” to another man.
The Court of Appeals Monday acquitted the men and ordered their release. The two men had already spent more than a year in jail where they were subjected to abuse from guards and other prisoners, according to human rights advocates.
The new ruling has been hailed by human rights lawyers and gay rights advocates who urged President Paul Biya to release all other prisoners found guilty under the country’s harsh anti-gay laws.
On Dec. 17, a Cameroonian court upheld the five-year-sentence of another man, Roger Jean-Claude Mbede, who was convicted of sending a text message that said “I love you” to another man.
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