Australia/UK
¡Emperor Dale of the
Gay
& Lesbian Kingdom of
the Coral Sea Islands
The Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands
Commentary
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On the face of it, the seizing of a small uninhabited
island off the coast of north east Australian by a group of gays from
Queensland sounds like something straight from a Peter Sellers movie or an
April 1 spoof supplement in the Guardian. (In actual fact, it came
from the Sydney's gay weekly, the Star Observer, and is "for real" - link to
article is below).
But the underlying reason for declaring the island of
Cato, in the Coral Sea, the Gay & Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands has
a deadly serious message for not only the Australian government which has
banned same-sex marriage, but also other governments who refuse to recognise
gay and lesbian human rights and equality.
At the end of the day, there is nothing like a little
“humour” to get a message across.
However, having said that the guys in Queensland are
deadly serious. They have a Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
And here, memories of history lessons are awakened when more than 300 years
ago Europeans sailed west when they were fed-up of persecution of
church-inspired governments.
Also, they have done considerable homework and come up
with what amounts to case-law from both Australia and Great Britain that
legitimises their actions.
To say that the news of the Gay & Lesbian Kingdom of the
Coral Sea Islands has generated a few emails to us since we posted the
Sydney Star Observer article would be an understatement.
“Who are you kidding,” one correspondent asked? Another
inquired: “Is this for real?”. The answers are “no one” and “yes”.
All power to our gay and lesbian friends “Down Under”.
May you continue to press home your point.
No doubt gay and lesbian organisations around this planet
will “recognise” this new Kingdom. UK Gay News certainly does, especially
as Prime Minister David Smith recognises us to the extent of sending us an email of
thanks for “helping the cause” and a few photographs.
Watch this space …
Broadcasting their "Declaration of Independence"
to the world
Map and photos courtesy Prime Minister David Smith
Sydney Star Observer's original report
Official website of the Gay & Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands
19 August, 2004
