Royal British Legion Apologises for Past LGBTQ+ Discrimination

THE GUARDIAN: Head of veterans’ charity responds to criticism levelled by human rights campaigner 15 years ago

The Royal British Legion has apologised for its historical refusal to acknowledge the sacrifices of LGBTQ+ British military personnel.

For decades, campaigners have accused the organisation of homophobia, claiming it sought to erase LGBTQ+ people’s contributions to British war efforts and to actively oppose queer remembrance efforts. Now, in a letter seen exclusively by the Guardian, the organisation has tried to make amends.

The note came in response to correspondence from the human rights activist Peter Tatchell, who reminded the Royal British Legion (RBL) late last year that he had written to it back in 2007 to complain about the same stance. But, he said, it had declined even to answer.

“I am deeply saddened by your previous experience with the charity, and I can only apologise on RBL’s behalf for not responding and the discrimination shown at the time,” the charity’s director general, Charles Byrne, wrote to Tatchell last week. » Kevin Rawlinson | Tuesday, April 19, 2022

La Hongrie d’Orban attaquée.

Inverti actu : La Hongrie est officiellement menacée d’une procédure d’infraction.

Youpi !

Calmos
a Tutti… Cette action peut mener à une saisine de la Cour Européenne pour une procédure entraînant des sanctions à l’encontre de ce pays. Car la loi anti LGBTIQ+ ou pour le moins discriminatrice contrevient aux règles de l’UE. » | lemarquis | samedi 10 juilet 2021

Discrimination against Muslims May Have Fueled Spain Attacks

The Muslim community in Spain has come under scrutiny after two attacks carried out by immigrants last month killed 15 people.

Most of the attackers were Moroccan-born young men who had been radicalised in Catalonia. That has raised questions about whether migrant communities are integrating into society.

Low wages, poor education and racism are common obstacles to integrating Moroccan immigrant families in the European country.

Al Jazeera's Karl Penhaul reports from the city of Terrassa.

Polish Woman Booed on Question Time after Describing Discrimination

Women Working for Qatar Airways 'Forced to Get Consent from Bosses before Getting Married'

DAILY EXPRESS: WOMEN working for Qatar Airways need management's consent to get married – and can be sacked for getting pregnant, the UN has revealed.

Flight attendants for the Middle Eastern airline have allegedly been subjected to the company's strict policies making their life a living hell.

The staff claim they have faced dismissal for infractions and are bound by strict curfews, even while off duty.

The airline is said to have a policy where female cabin crew cannot be dropped off or picked up from work by men other than their brother, father or husband – which Qatar Airways insists is a "cultural norm".

After a year-long investigation, the UN's International Labour Organisation (ILO) ruled that Qatar breached discrimination conventions by having rules that allow it to sack pregnant cabin crew. » | Jake Burman | Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Israeli Woman Discriminated against by Kuwait Airways

Sep. 29, 2014 - 1:48 - David Lee Miller reports

Muslim Boys’ School Bans Women from Applying for Job as Science Teacher

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: An Islamic school has advertised for a new science teacher but ruled out female applicants

A Muslim boys’ school is facing claims of segregation after advertising for a temporary science teacher but making clear that women need not apply.

The advert published by the outsourcing company Capita requested a “Male Science Teacher” to cover lessons, including some mathematics classes, until the end of the current academic year on a short term contract for up to £150 a day.

Secular campaigners said the advertisement was just the latest in a series of demands for religious customs and practices to be “accommodated” in the education system as a result of giving faith groups the power to run schools.

It follows a storm over allegations that non-Muslim female staff at the Al-Madinah free school in Derby had been forced to wear headscarves in line with strict Islamic practices.

There have also been concerns that girls at other Islamic schools are being required to wear full veils as well as questions over segregation in classes.

Capita argued that the exclusion of women could be legally justified but the advert was later withdrawn after a warning from the Department for Education over the need to comply with equality law.

The National Secular Society said it had been alerted to the advertisement by a female science teacher who had been looking for work in the Leicester area. » | John Bingham, Religious Affairs Editor | Thursday, February 27, 2014

Saudi Airlines Discriminating against Israeli Citizens - Refuses to Sell Tickets to Fliers with Israel Passports, de Blasio Probe Reveals

NEW YORK POST: Airline refuses tix

Something’s not kosher with this airline.

Saudi Arabian Airlines is discriminating against Israeli citizens by refusing to fly them from US airports — even when passengers are simply looking to transfer in Saudi Arabia to another country, The Post has learned.

The airline’s Web site asks for citizenship to book a ticket but has no option on a drop-down menu for anyone holding an Israeli passport. The oversight doesn’t appear accidental — the drop-down menu is so thorough it even has an option for Antarctica.

“No city in the world has closer ties to Israel than we do, and yet Israeli citizens are being discriminated against right here at JFK. It’s not only illegal; it’s an affront to who we are,” said Public Advocate, and mayoral candidate, Bill de Blasio, who conducted a recent telephone sting on the Mideast nation’s airline.

“We won’t stop with just exposing these practices. We’ll pursue this with authorities in Albany and in Washington until Israeli nationals’ rights are respected,” added de Blasio, who is demanding an end to the practice in a letter to the airline that was obtained by The Post. » | Beth Defalco | Monday, July 15, 2013

THE ALGEMEINER: NYC’s De Blasio Threatens to Pull JFK Airport Slot From Saudi Arabian Airlines for Blocking Israelis From Flights: Saudi Arabian Airlines discriminates against Israeli nationals attempting to fly the airline out of New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, the City’s Public Advocate Bill de Blasio said Monday, citing a probe his office conducted of the airline. ¶ At a press conference in Times Square Monday, De Blasio said that he sent a letter today urging Khalid Abdullah Almolhem, Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines, to change the policy or else face consequences. ¶ “Saudi Arabian Airlines uses U.S. airports and yet bans Israeli citizens from being able to fly on their airline,” he said. If the airline does not change their policy, “we will act to make sure they’re excluded from United States airports, starting with JFK,” De Blasio said. » | Zach Pontz | | Monday, July 15, 2013

Report: Discrimination against Jews and Muslims Rising Everywhere
THE JEWISH PRESS: Discrimination against Jews and Muslims is on the rise around the world, according to the annual U.S. State Dept. report for 2012.

The report points to growing antisemitism, especially in Venezuela, Egypt and Iran.

The BBC noted that the International Religious Freedom Report noted that in Egypt, antisemitic sentiment in the media sometimes included Holocaust denial or, perhaps worse, glorification of the mass murder of Jews.

The report says that traditional forms of antisemitism, such as conspiracy theories, blood libel myths and cartoons demonizing Jews continue to flourish. » | Jewish Press News Briefs | Tuesday, may 21, 2013

Israelis Favour Discrimination against Arabs - Poll
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A majority of Israeli Jews favour introducing discriminatory policies against the country's Arab population and would support an "apartheid" system in the West Bank if it were ever annexed, an opinion poll has shown.

With three months to go before a general election, a survey reported in the Haaretz newspaper shows further evidence of a sharp tilt towards nationalism in Israeli society.

More than two-thirds of those questioned by Dialog, an opinion pollster, said they would oppose suffrage for the 2.5 million Palestinians living in the West Bank were it to be annexed to Israel.

Nearly three-quarters -- 74 per cent -- say they also support a system of segregated roads for Palestinians and Israelis in the West Bank, although the majority say they would view such a policy as “necessary” rather than “good”.

Although favoured by some nationalist Jews, the prospect of Israel annexing the West Bank, which it has occupied since the Six-Day War of 1967, remains a distant one.

But with little progress being made in resurrecting the Middle East peace process, the possibility of annexation is viewed by some as increasingly likely. » | Adrian Blomfield, Jerusalem | Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Muslims in Europe Dogged by Bias, Amnesty Says
CNN: Muslims in Europe face discrimination in education, employment and religious freedom, an Amnesty International report said Tuesday.

"Muslim women are being denied jobs and girls prevented from attending regular classes just because they wear traditional forms of dress, such as the headscarf. Men can be dismissed for wearing beards associated with Islam," said Marco Perolini, Amnesty International's expert on discrimination. "Rather than countering these prejudices, political parties and public officials are all too often pandering to them in their quest for votes."

The report, titled "Choice and Prejudice: Discrimination Against Muslims in Europe," details the problem, with a focus on Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland.

Amnesty International raised the issue, as it has done before, of restrictions "on the establishment of places of worship and prohibitions on full-face veils."

The report said employers have been permitted "to discriminate on the grounds that religious or cultural symbols will jar with clients or colleagues or that a clash exists with a company's corporate image or its 'neutrality.'

"Wearing religious and cultural symbols and dress is part of the right of freedom of expression. It is part of the right to freedom of religion or belief -- and these rights must be enjoyed by all faiths equally." Perolini said. » | CNN Wire Staff | Tuesday, April 24, 2012

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL: Muslims discriminated against for demonstrating their faith » | Monday, April 23, 2012

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Heurts contre les coptes: l'Egypte adopte une loi punissant les discriminations
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: L'armée égyptienne a adopté samedi une loi punissant les discriminations religieuses pour éviter de nouvelles violences à l'images de celles contre les chrétiens coptes le 9 octobre derniers.

L’armée, qui dirige l’Egypte depuis la chute du régime de Hosni Moubarak en février, a approuvé samedi une loi punissant les discriminations après les heurts entre forces de l’ordre et chrétiens coptes ayant fait 25 morts le 9 octobre au Caire.

Cet amendement au code pénal prévoit une amende de 30.000 livres égyptiennes (5'000 dollars) pour toute discrimination basée sur "le genre, l’origine, la langue, la religion ou les croyances". » | AFP | Samedi 15 Octobre 2011

Historique! L’ONU s'attaque aux discriminations contre les homosexuels
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: La Haut Commissaire de l’ONU aux droits de l’homme devra ordonner une étude pour documenter les discriminations basées sur l’orientation sexuelle dans toutes les régions du monde. Le groupe africain a fait pencher la balance pour le texte.

Le Conseil des droits de l’homme a adopté pour la première fois une résolution visant à lutter contre les discriminations sexuelles lors d’un vote serré, en dépit de l’opposition de l’Organisation de la conférence islamique (OCI). Le groupe africain a fait pencher la balance. » | ATS | Vendredi 17 Juin 2011

USA: Pilot Refuses to Take Two Imams On Board Flight
MAIL ONLINE: Two Muslim religious leaders were asked to leave a commercial airliner in Memphis - and were told it was because the pilot refused to fly with them aboard.

Masudur Rahman and another imam had already been allowed to board their Delta Connection flight from Memphis, Tennessee, to Charlotte, North Carolina before they were asked to get off the plane.

Ironically, the two men were headed to a North American Imams conference discussing Islamophobia or fears of Islam and discrimination against American Muslims.

'It's racism and bias because of our religion and appearance and because of misinformation about our religion.' Mr Rahman said. 'If they understood Islam, they wouldn't do this.'

Mr Rahman said he and Mohamed Zaghloul, of the Islamic Association of Greater Memphis, were cleared by security agents and boarded the plane for an 8.40am departure.

The aircraft pulled away from the gate, but the pilot then announced the plane must return, Mr Rahman said.

When it did, the imams were asked to go back to the boarding gate where they were told the pilot was refusing to accept them because some other passengers could be uncomfortable. Robed Muslim clerics kicked off U.S. flight after pilot refuses to take off with them (and they were en route to conference on Islamophobia) » | Daily Mail Reporter | Saturday, May 07, 2011

Prada Ordered Manager to Get Rid of 'Old, Fat and Ugly' Staff
THE TELEGRAPH: A senior manager at Prada is suing the fashion label claiming that she was ordered to get rid of "old, fat and ugly" staff in its Japanese stores.

A spokeswoman at Prada's Tokyo headquarters told The Daily Telegraph that the company was currently unable to comment. Photo: The Telegraph
Rina Bovrisse, a senior retail manager at Prada Japan, also alleges that the chief executive wanted her to change her hairstyle and lose weight in order to fit into the company.

Ms Bovrisse, who oversaw 500 staff in 40 stores across Japan, has launched a discrimination and harassment case against the Italian fashion label in Tokyo's industrial tribunal courts.

Her allegations focus on an incident in May last year when she claims that Davide Sesia, the CEO of Prada Japan, allegedly asked her to "eliminate" around 15 managerial staff he described as "old, fat, ugly, disgusting or not having the Prada look," following a tour of 40 stores. >>> Danielle Demetriou in Tokyo | Friday, March 12, 2010

Mexico City Lawmakers Approve Gay Marriage Bill


YOU TUBE: Watch Reuters video: Mexico City legalises gay marriage >>> | Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Head of Russian Orthodox Church Condemns Discrimination against Gays
PINK NEWS: The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, has said that although homosexuality is still a sin, gay people must not be discriminated against.

Kirill met with Thorbjorn Jagland, the secretary general of the Council of Europe, a pan-European human rights body.

According to Russian news agency RIA Novosti, he told Jagland: "We respect the person's free choice, including in sex relations."

Although he reiterated that the majority of religions saw homosexuality as a sin and gay marriage could not be allowed, he added: "Those who commit a sin must not be punished… And we have repeatedly spoken out against discriminating people for their nontraditional sexual orientation." >>> Jessica Geen | Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Christians 'Would Rather Vote BNP Than Labour', Pastor Claims
THE TELEGRAPH: Christians would rather vote for the British National Party than Labour because they are so disillusioned with the Government’s discrimination against them, a pastor has claimed.

Reverend George Hargreaves, who leads the conservative Christian Party, said people were “sick” of “Labour’s anti-Christian, anti-free speech agenda and laws”.

Rev Hargreaves said: “Christians in the past may have voted Labour, but [they] have silenced Christians and their anti-traditional family policies have created a vacuum which Nick Griffin can fill." >>> Andy Bloxham | Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Aisha’d 'ave Known!
MAIL ONLINE: A barrister claiming £33million compensation from her sex-scandal legal firm today warned she could 'lose the will to live' unless she wins.

Aisha Bijlani broke down in tears at the employment tribunal into race discrimination and victimisation which she claims she suffered at prestigious legal chambers Four New Square.

She told the hearing she may never recover from her ordeal at the hands of her bosses.

She has already accused the senior clerk, Lizzie Wiseman, of having extra-marital affairs with two former heads of chambers, Justin Fenwick QC, a Deputy High Court judge, and Roger Stewart QC, a part-time judge.

Dr Bijlani said they had driven her to clinical depression and left her £7million out of pocket in lost earnings to date. In total, she is demanding £33million, plus interest.

Today, she told Central London Employment Tribunal: 'Unless I win my case and am vindicated, I have no doubt I will not be able to work again and I may lose the will to live. What [the] chambers and Roger have done to me should not have been allowed to occur.'

She continued: 'Roger Stewart made my life a misery and exacerbated my condition as much as he could. From being a very hard-working professional who took great pride in her work and her home, I feel I have lost my identity and my life has fallen apart.'

Mr Stewart, 46, a married father of three, was not in the tribunal yesterday. But 44-year-old Mrs Wiseman, a mother-of-four who now lives with him, sat listening to the evidence.

Several times, Dr Bijlani wept in the witness box, and at one point the hearing was halted after she ran from the room crying.

Dr Bijlani accuses the firm of hiring racist legal clerks who regarded her as an 'educated wog' and constantly undermined her, the tribunal has heard.

When in February 2006 she complained to Mrs Wiseman and Mr Stewart, then head of chambers, she says he branded her a 'failure at the Bar'.

She told the hearing: 'I had done him no harm and found it difficult to understand why he could be so cruel for no reason. I have always tried to help people and still can't rationalise his cruelty.'

Indian-born Dr Bijlani, who is in her early forties and trained as a doctor before switching to a career at the Bar, said she was subsequently victimised by Mr Stewart and Mrs Wiseman and now suffered from depression.

She said: 'I still have difficulty getting to sleep and often toss and turn for hours or just cry. Tearful barrister claiming £33m for victimisation says she may 'lose the will to live' if her case fails >>> Sam Greenhill | Friday, October 16, 2009

BNP Members Could Be Banned from Teaching
TIMES ONLINE: Teachers who join the BNP could be banished from the classroom, Ed Balls indicated today as he announced a review of rules against racism in schools.

The Schools Secretary said he considered membership of the organisation “fundamentally incompatible with the values and ethos of teaching profession”.

Mr Balls, who has been under pressure from teaching unions to impose tighter restrictions on racism in schools, has so far stopped short of following the example of the police and prison service with an outright ban on BNP membership for teachers.

But today Mr Balls said he was no longer convinced that existing rules on promoting racial equality were enough. He has asked a former Chief Inspector of Schools, Maurice Smith, to look at strengthening them. >>> Chris Smyth | Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Smokers Are Now New York's Most Discriminated Minority
Michael Rubens Bloomberg
Michael Rubens Bloomberg was born in 1942. His estimated net worth is $16 billion (Forbes). He is of Russo-Polish descent. He is said to be an ex-chainsmoker; and this probably explains why he likes harassing people about their smoking habit. He was the Mayor of New York City who introduced the smoking ban in enclosed spaces there. His new crusade is to ban smoking in open spaces such as parks and playgrounds.

Some would consider this man to be a pesky, self-satisfied pip-squeak, his fortune notwithstanding. In any case, he would do well to go away and enjoy his money and leave others alone to have their own fun. Life is too short for bores like this. By the way, is this man short by any chance? – © Mark

THE GUARDIAN: Mayor Bloomberg is extending the New York smoking ban to outdoor public spaces, so London will probably follow suit in a year or two

Maybe the ferocity against Barack Obama in America is generated less by the colour of his skin than by the fact that he still has the odd cigarette. He has always been splendidly honest about this. Unlike Bill Clinton, who lied about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky, the current president refuses to lie about his smoking (which many may regard as a more grievous offence than a sexual misdemeanour). Even after signing into law a new anti-smoking measure, he confessed to having "sometimes fallen off the wagon" in his struggle to quit.

To say this in the current American climate is brave; for the country seems to be moving inexorably towards prohibition. By admitting to being even an occasional smoker, Obama identifies himself with an minority that is now more likely to suffer discrimination than any ethnic minority group. The Mayor of New York, a former smoker himself, has even encouraged the harassment of smokers by saying that giving them "a not particularly nice look" when passing them in the street has shown that "social pressure really does work".

New Yorkers light up in the street because they are mostly forbidden to do so indoors; but even their right to smoke in the open air is under threat. The city's health commissioner, Thomas Farley, has said that he wants to ban smoking in New York's 1,700 parks and playgrounds, and on its 14 miles of beaches – a first step, one would guess, towards banning it everywhere. The mayor seems to have been taken by surprise by Dr Farley's plan, but he did not rule it out. He said that he wanted first "to see if smoking in parks has a negative impact on people's health", which is just about as verifiable as the existence of God. As he campaigns for re-election, however, he probably just wants to see what the popular reaction is, for he himself is as much an anti-smoking fanatic as Adolf Hitler and King James I of England before him. >>> Alexander Chancellor | Friday, September 18, 2009

Other articles by Alexander Chancellor here

Related:
TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE:
New York songe à bannir la clope de ses parcs et places de jeux >>> Jean-Cosme Delaloye, New York | Jeudi 17 Septembre 2009