Female Performers Banned From Television and Radio in Afghanistan
Female performers in an Afghan province have been banned from performing on television and radio. According to Reuters, female entertainers have been declared un-Islamic in the Southeastern province. The provincial government, according to Radio Free Europe, ordered state-run television in Jalalabad to stop broadcasting Afghan women singer’s performances.



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Same-Sex Marriage: A Conversation About Coverage
A Free Online Seminar from The Poynter Institute

One of the major coverage challenges facing reporters and editors is how to deal with the social issues around same-sex marriage. This story, fueled by the 2004 election campaign, touches on legal, sexual and culture issues at the local, state and national level. To help journalists think through some of the issues around this story, The Poynter Institute, as part of its News University project, is hosting a one-hour online seminar on Tuesday, May 4, 2004, at 2:00 p.m. EST.

This eSeminar will feature Poynter ethics faculty member Kelly McBride and reporting, writing, and editing group leader Keith Woods. Joining them will be Matt Thompson, online reporter for Poynter.org.
Among the topics that will be explored:

* Which words to use; how language affects coverage
* Conflicts of interest within and outside the newsroom
* Dealing with the diversity question
* Finding the resources to help your coverage


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BUDDHIST LEADERS ACCEPT EQUAL MARRIAGE

Dalai Lama accepts civil marriage, Thich Nhat Hanh goes further

Ottawa, April 22, 2004. In an interview with the Vancouver Sun last weekend, His Holiness the Dalai Lama said that while Tibetan Buddhism frowns on marriage for same-sex couples, "whether or not homosexual couples should be accorded a marriage status, should really be dealt within (a) particular community and country."

"It is heartening to know that such a highly respected religious and moral leader as the Dalai Lama has no problem with equal marriage for same-sex couples," said Gilles Marchildon, Executive Director of Egale Canada. "Regardless of what is right for him, he does not condemn others who have a different perspective. Rather, he believes that love, compassion and altruism are the fundamental basis for peace."

"Some Buddhist leaders support equal marriage within their religious tradition," said Laurie Arron, Director of Advocacy of Egale Canada. "One example is a Vietnamese monk named Thich Nhat Hanh. He fought against the Vietnamese war and was chair of the Vietnamese Buddhist Peace Delegation to the Paris Peace Talks. The Vietnamese government refused to let him back in the country and so he lives in exile in France, in a community called Plum Village. He has authored over 75 books. He is currently 77 years old. In the 'Plum Village Chanting and Recitation book' is a 'Wedding Ceremony'. Under the title, in brackets, it reads 'adapt as appropriate for couples of the same gender'."

"Thich Nhat Hanh is one of the most respected Buddhist leaders in the world," continued Mr. Arron. "He was nominated by Martin Luther King, Jr. for the Nobel Peace Prize and his books have given him a following around the world. His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself wrote the forward to 'Peace is Every Step'."


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this is unbelievable...

Politicians to Hold Hearings on Marriage
JEFFREY McMURRAY
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - Senate Republicans this week will launch a series of hearings to promote the value of traditional marriage, a move some Democrats are calling an election year ploy that is none of Congress' business.

According to a GOP memo obtained by The Associated Press, the hearings will represent a "full-court push to educate the public on the importance of marriage."

Four committees are expected to hold hearings over the next two weeks, beginning Wednesday with a Health subcommittee's discussion on "Healthy Marriage: What is it and why should we promote it?"


"All of this could be very good for America to reacquaint itself with the importance of marriage as an institution for our culture and the danger we face as we move away from them," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., who will preside over the first hearing.