Gay & Lesbian Kingdom
of the Coral Sea Islands

Flag
Motto: tba Musical Anthem: I am what I am
Type of entity:	Micronation
Location:	Coral Sea Islands
Area claimed:	Coral Sea Island Territory
Membership:	Gay & Lesbian people
Date of foundation:	14 June 2004
Leadership:	Emperor Dale I (Dale Parker Anderson)
Purported organisational structure:	Constitutional monarchy
Language:	English
Purported currency:	Euro

The Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands is a micronation established as a symbolic political protest by a group of gay rights activists based in southeast Queensland Australia. Image File history File links Gay_flag. ... Micronations – sometimes also referred to as cybernations, fantasy countries, model countries, and new country projects – are entities that resemble independent nations or states, but which are unrecognized by them, and for the most part exist only on paper, on the Internet, or in the minds of their creators. ... June 14 is the 165th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (166th in leap years), with 200 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Micronations – sometimes also referred to as cybernations, fantasy countries, model countries, and new country projects – are entities that resemble independent nations or states, but which are unrecognized by them, and for the most part exist only on paper, on the Internet, or in the minds of their creators. ... The gay rights movement is a collection of loosely aligned civil rights groups, human rights groups, support groups and political activists seeking acceptance, tolerance and equality for non-heterosexual, (homosexual, bisexual), and transgender people - despite the fact that it is typically referred to as the gay rights movement, members also... Emblems: Faunal - Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus); Floral - Cooktown orchid (Dendrobium bigibbum); Bird - Brolga (Grus rubicunda); Aquatic - Barrier Reef Anemonefish (Amphiprion akindynos); Gem - Sapphire; Colour - Maroon Motto: Audax at Fidelis (Bold but Faithful) Slogan or Nickname: Sunshine State, Smart State Other Australian states and territories Capital Brisbane Government Const. ...

History

Map of the claimed 'kingdom'

On June 14, 2004, the group claimed the Coral Sea Island Territory and seceded from Australia after sailing to the largest island in the group and raising the rainbow flag there. One of the group's members, Dale Parker Anderson (born 1965), was declared Emperor, as Dale I. The "secession" was staged in protest at a decision to ban same-sex marriage made by the Australian federal parliament. Image File history File links Coral_inset. ... Image File history File links Coral_inset. ... June 14 is the 165th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (166th in leap years), with 200 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Six color rainbow gay pride flag flying over the Castro gay village in San Francisco, June 2005 A rainbow flag is a multi-colored flag consisting of stripes in the colors of the rainbow. ... Same-sex marriage is marriage between two people who are of the same sex (i. ...

Since 2005 the Australian group has reportedly been embroiled in internal disputes and secessions by various factions. These include two American-based groups, the Gay and Lesbian Commonwealth Kingdom, headed by Jaix Broox, and the Unified Gay Tribe, led by Bill Freeman and Enrique Pérez, and the German based Gay Homeland Foundation led by Victor Zimmermann. Since none of these groups claims the territory of the Coral Sea Islands, their organisational nature, is unclear.

The kingdom's claims are not recognised by any state, and as no permanent settlement has been established, the Coral Sea Islands remain uninhabited.

References

• "Mini-states Down Under are sure they can secede", by Nick Squires, The Daily Telegraph (UK), 24 February 2005.
• "If at first you don't secede...", by Mark Dapin, The Sydney Morning Herald - Good Weekend, 12 February 2005, pp 47-50

External links

• Official website of the Kingdom
• Website of the "Gay and Lesbian Commonwealth Kingdom"
• Website of the "Gay Homeland Foundation"
• Website of the "Unified Gay Tribe"
• The "Gay and Lesbian Kingdom" discussion group on Yahoo.