Gay Kingdom

UK's Stamp Magazine is reporting on-line that a 'micronation' set up by gay and lesbian activists off the coast of Australia has begun issuing its own stamps.

The Gay & Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands was set up on June 14, 2004, in protest against a ban on same-sex marriage by the Australian Parliament.

According to the publication, "The Kingdom's website states that its stamp issuing policy is conservative, 'with the aim of creating a high and distinctive reputation among the philatelic fraternity'. The stamps are denominated in euros because 'trade is carried out in this currency'."

A spokesman for the Kingdom's philatelic bureau is quoted in the article as saying, "At the moment, the stamps are being produced as a way of promoting the concept of the Gay & Lesbian Kingdom. Stamps help to reinforce the sovereign rights of any nation, and whilst there is currently only a limited service from Heaven to the Australian mainland, it is our intention for this to improve as the main island develops as a tourist destination."

To read the entire article, click here.