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©R. Melero
New Hungarian Consitution comes into effect sparking fears of LGBT discrimination SCOTLAND, ENGLAND, NEW YORK and Australia are a few of the states and counties world wide attempting to tackle some of the anti-lgbt legislation within their constitutions. Hungary, however, seems to have missed the memo. Rather than considering equal marriage, the country’s leaders have turned against the reforming tide and introduced a constitution which bans same sex marriage and doesn’t offer any explicit protection for gay people who find themselves discriminated against. The document – which was passed in April last year but came into effect on the 1st January 2012 – is very conservative. As well as specifically saying marriage is between a man and a woman, the constitution suggests that abortions will be banned as foetuses are now protected from contraception onwards. Furthermore, citizens are no longer guarded from discrimination as a result of age or sexual orientation, a move which Amnesty International suggests will not satisfy international human rights law. This new constitution has been received with anger from a significant proportion of Hungarian society. With a backdrop of economic recession, thousands have taken to the streets demanding a protection of rights. While the government insists the new condition is based on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, many activists have questioned why LGBT people are not protected from discrimination when race and gender are. With Hungary’s economic problems intensifying social unrest, the government is certainly has a lot to address. With the international community slowly moving towards LGBT equality, it will definitely be interesting to see how both the Hungarian people and government deal with the new constitution and the issues it throws up.
BLAST FROM THE PAST SNAPSHOT: Amelie Mauresmo is a French former World No.1 tennis player who won two Grand Slam singles titles. before retiring in 2009. She decided to be open about being a lesbian from the beginning of her professional career. We look back at the immmediate reaction and find out why she chose to make her sexual orientation public knowledge. AMELIE MAURESMO TOOK THE DECISION early on in her career that she was not going to hide her sexuality from the public. The French tennis player made it to the finals of the 1999 Australian Open after beating World No.1 Lindsay Davenport and a number of other big name players. She was to face World No.2 Martina Hingis in the final and the press were suddenly very interested in the 19 year old unseeded player. Aware that there would be a great deal of public interest into her private life and lots of questions from the media she decided not to hide the fact that she had come to the tournament with her coach and her girlfriend. Some of the other female players however were not so comfortable with Amelie’s orientation and felt the need to make offensive comments to the press. Before the final Hingis was in a press conference and when asked about her competition in the upcoming match said “She’s here with her girlfriend. She’s half a man.” Hingis later claimed her comments were a joke and that she only meant that Amelie played like a man. Although Mauresmo lost to Hingis in the final she later went on to be World no.1 and won a number of Grand Slam titles. The controversy didn’t affect Amelie on the court and she said that she didn’t even think about it when she was playing. Although she was happy that her pictures were on the front pages of the papers, she was disappointed that it was for the wrong reasons. Amelie has said that the reason she was so public about her sexuality was because she didn’t want to have to dance around the subject for her entire career. She also hoped that she may serve as an example to other young players who may be having a hard time dealing with deciding whether or not to disclose their sexuality to the public. Considering that her major sponsors, which included Nike and Dunlop, stuck with her after she came out as a lesbian it seems that being honest and open from the start is not a bad option.
Lisbeth Salander: An Unlikely Heroine HOLLY RICHARDSON EXAMINES THE PHENOMENON THAT IS LISBETH SALANDER.
LISBETH SALANDER MAY SEEM AT FIRST GLANCE TO BE AN UNLIKELY ROLE MODEL FOR YOUNG WOMEN. SHE IS PALE, HEAVILY TATTOOED, EXTENSIVELY PIERCED AND DRESSES ONLY IN SHADES OF BLACK, GREY AND KHAKI. SHE IS SULLEN, QUIET AND DISTURBED. A ward of the state since she was a young girl the 24 year old has spent years in institutions due her violent and antisocial tendencies. She is a bisexual woman who works as a professional computer hacker for a security firm. She is brilliant at her job and it suits her perfectly, her ability to be inconspicuous despite her appearance allows her to easily shadow her targets and her quick mind brings her to conclusions that end up saving lives. The character of Lisbeth, created by the late Swedish author Stieg Larsson, is one of the most original and fascinating I have ever come across in fiction. I have always
enjoyed reading crime novels and the Millennium Trilogy is a well written series which captivates the reader and takes them on a dark and murderous journey around the frozen north to uncover secrets and solve mysteries. Of all the characters in the books it is Lisbeth who is the breath of fresh air, a woman who is essentially the antithesis of the archetypal female protagonist in the majority of popular books and movies. The reader or the viewer really connects with her, we feel her pain and her anger and we gradually understand why she is the way she is and why she does the things she does. She has not had an easy life and she trusts few but she vehemently stands up for what she believes in and doesn’t take shit from anyone. Noomi Rapace makes a brilliant Lisbeth in the Swedish movies and many, myself included, were sceptical about how Rooney Mara would compare in the new David Fincher adaptation. Mara dramatically transformed herself to become Lisbeth, including getting her nipples pierced and bleaching her eyebrows. Her dedication to the role was great and
The two Lisbeths, Noomi Rapace (left) and Rooney Mara (right)
her portrayal was too, I found her com- better have some serious cash to spare. pelling and although her take on the character was very different to Rapace’s The reaction by some to the clothing it was nevertheless undeniably Lisbeth. range was surprising with a small number of people claiming it was ‘irresponsible’ and that it glamorized surviving rape. One rape victim accused the range of putting a ‘chic, consumerist finish’ on sexual violence. People are clearly missing the point. Lisbeth doesn’t make rape cool, nor does she glamorize violence, sexual or otherwise. She is a survivor of some terrible events but she doesn’t make any of them seem enviable and they certainH&M’s Dragon ly aren’t anything you would wish upon Tattoo range. yourself. For anyone who has seen either movie they will know that the rape scene Visually Lisbeth is very distinctive; her jew- is shocking and the new movie in particuellery is punkish and gothic, her clothes lar definitely warrants its 18/Rated R clasare casual with a utility feel to them. In the sification. Lisbeth is a heroine because of new movie there is a memorable scene her intellect, her strength, her loyalty and when Lisbeth first meets Blomkvist and her fierce determination, not because her t-shirt is emblazoned with the words she is a rape survivor. I wear black skinny ‘Fuck you, you fucking fuck.’ Her clothes jeans, boots, hoodies and leather jackets; reflect the way she is; they’re no nonsense does the way I dress glamorize sexual vioand hard-wearing. Trish Summerville was lence? It’s certainly not a message I try to the costume designer for the new movie send out when I get dressed in the mornand as a result of her collaboration with ing. People dress in certain ways for many Swedish clothing chain H&M you can now different reasons and if people want to take your pick from around 90 Lisbeth dress like Lisbeth then that’s their own inspired items in a special women’s col- choice. Dark colours and utility wear are lection called Dragon Tattoo. Or at least in no way unique to sexual abuse surviyou could, the collection sold out online vors and certainly not to the character of in minutes and people swarmed like bees Lisbeth. Lots of people will have bought upon it in the Oxford Circus store that I the clothes because they are inspired by went in and it sold out in most stores a Hollywood movie and because people within hours. It seems Lisbeth is more want to emulate Lisbeth’s style, not beinfluential than people realised. The lim- cause they necessarily want their clothes ited edition collection is now completely to say ‘stay the fuck away’. I think it’s great sold out but if you desperately want to that there is a female lead in a movie who get your hands on an item check out e- has a face full of piercings and who prefers bay, but beware, the current selling price rucksacks and scuffed boots to handbags of a £20 hoodie is around £90 so you’d and heels. It makes a refreshing change.
The Secret Lesbian: Coming out in a religious household For many ‘out’ LGBT people today it may be hard to remember what it was like struggling with thier sexuality or trying to hide secret girlfriends from their parents. However, while in todays society many people feel comfortable enough to tell friends and family about thier sexuality, for some it is not an option. One woman tells B.I.D about why she still feels unable to introduce her partner as anything other than ‘my friend’. NEXT MONTH I WILL HAVE BEEN WITH MY GIRLFRIEND FOR 3 YEARS. AFTER SUCH A LONG TIME YOU’D ASSUME MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS WOULD ALL KNOW THIS. HOWEVER, IN REALITY ONLY THOSE WHO NEED TO KNOW, LIKE MY HOUSEMATES, OR THOSE WHO ARE VERY CLOSE FRIENDS, KNOW. Those who are aware of my relationship always ask why I am not more open about my sexuality. I wish I could be, but it isn’t as simple as some people suggest it is. Despite living in a tolerant and diverse capital city, I grew up in a very traditional and religious household. Whilst at university this wasn’t really a problem but now that I’m back living under their roof I can’t imagine telling them and still being welcome. My family has very frequently made comments about gay and lesbian people, making it more than obvious that
I would not be greeted with open arms at home if I was to come out. Not only do they not approve of homosexuality, but they also seem to have a particular dislike of lesbianism. Gay men are seen by them in the stereotypical way of fun and friendly, and especially great to go for a coffee and gossip with - lesbians are never described in a positive way. Going to a Catholic school means that some of my friends are also highly religious and conservative in their outlook. It may seem patronising to say that there-
fore they wouldn’t understand, but I have lived in a certain role for so many years that a revelation of this kind, when they have assumed my sexual identity as straight, would be shocking. Obviously there are those who wouldn’t care about my sexuality, but those are not the ones that I’m worried about. Instead, there are people in my friendship group that, whilst not entirely homophobic, are uncomfortable and awkward around LGBT people, and very much subscribe to the ‘Not In My Back Yard’ principle. You might ask why I am still friends with these people. Perhaps it is because it is easier this way, it causes less conflict and maintains the status quo. Maybe it is because I am too scared to risk losing friends who have been in my life for so
long. Or maybe I am not ready to fully let go of my public persona as a heterosexual woman, severing myself entirely from the perceived mainstream of society. Whichever reason it turns out to be, I would hope that when, rather than if, I tell them that my insecurities and worries are unfounded. Homosexuality can test whether unconditional love between friends and family actually has ideological boundaries. I have accepted my own sexuality, but seeking the acceptance of others is not as simple. Not conforming to the heterosexual norm raises complex issues personal to each individual, of which my case is just one of many. Essentially, those who matter the most will be those for whom unconditional love does not have any boundaries.
Advice, support and information: Call: 08453303030 Website: http://www.lgf.org.uk/Get-support/
B.I.D ZINE Issue 3
With Thanks To: Holly Richardson Lotte Murphy-Johnson Danielle Malinen