Asia
Brunei temporarily halts implementing law stoning gay people
Brunei’s new law mandating the stoning of gay people has been officially delayed. The new penal code that calls for death by stoning for same-sex relations, robbery, insulting or defamation of the Prophet Mohammed as well as a list of other sexually related offences such as rape and adultery was to come into effect April… Read more »
India Supremes Grant Rehearing of Anti-Sodomy Ruling
Earlier this month, the India Supreme Court indicated an openness to a last-ditch request from LGBT advocates, who asked them to consider holding arguments in court against its earlier ruling recriminalizing homosexuality. Today, the court announced that it will grant that request. BuzzFeed’s J. Lester Feder reports: This is LGBTI rights advocates last chance to… Read more »
Transgender Islamic school reopened
A Pesantren Waria (Islamic boarding school for transgenders) in Yogyakarta has once again opened its doors, and brought the subject of freedom of religion for all — regardless of sexual orientation — back into the public arena. After the death of its founder Maryani last month, the school moved to a house belonging to Shinta… Read more »
Brunei Law To Allow Death By Stoning For Gay Sex
The United Nations has responded to the nation of Brunei, a sovereign state in southeast Asia, where officials are reportedly set to roll out a new penal code including death by stoning as punishment for same-sex acts. Other offenses referenced in the revision of capital punishment regulations reportedly include “rape, adultery, sodomy, extramarital sexual relations… Read more »
Indian Supreme Court legally recognises transgender people for the first time
India’s Supreme Court has issued a landmark verdict creating a new category that allows transgender people to identify themselves as such on official documents Before Tuesday’s judgment, transgender Indians had to identify themselves as male or female in all official papers. The Press Association reports that the court noted it was the right of every… Read more »
UN condemns Brunei over new law allowing gays to be stoned to death
The United Nations has condemned Brunei for adopting a new penal code that calls for death by stoning for same-sex sexual activity. It has long been a crime in Brunei, but the maximum punishment had been a 10-year prison sentence. However, Brunei, a predominately Muslim state, has now adopted a new penal code that calls… Read more »
Thai marriage equality bill unable to proceed due to political crisis
Progress in a marriage equality law in Thailand is stuck more because of the ongoing political crisis than any serious social opposition to same-sex couples marrying. Thailand already was in the forefront of Asian countries with a bill in parliament for acknowledging marriage equality. However, the prolonged fluid situation of current Thai politics which saw… Read more »
Prime Minister of Georgia calls for constitutional same-sex marriage ban
The Prime Minister of Georgia recently introduced an amendment calling for same-sex marriage to be banned in the country’s constitution. Irakli Garibashvili in late March introduced the amendment which would specifically define marriage as between one man and one woman. It was introduced apparently to avoid “misinterpretation” of an anti-discrimination bill which was also introduced… Read more »
Celebrities show support for gay couple’s wedding in Taiwan
Many Taiwanese stars in a show of support for marriage between same-sex couples graced the wedding of a gay couple in Taiwanese showbiz industry. Mandopop divas Jolin Tsai, Tanya Chua and Gigi Leung were among the guests of honor and renowned director Qiu Likuan was the official witness to their marriage, the entertainment.xin.msn.com reported. The… Read more »
Criminal relations
Rulers take a page out of Russia’s intolerant playbook Central Asia’s republics are no bastions of tolerance. But now even the most liberal of the region’s countries is moving to restrict gay life. Rulers in these ex-Soviet states seem to be inspired by Russia’s growing anti-Westernism. Kyrgyzstan is considered the region’s most open and democratic… Read more »
First online Newsletter was relaesed in the history of LGBT Azerbaijan
Online newsletter was relaesed for the first time in the history of LGBT Azerbaijan. First issue includes January, February, March, 2014. In this newsletter issued by Nefes LGBT Azerbaijan the most memorable events relating to LGBT community in Azerbaijan are covered. It will be released periodically in both Azerbaijani and English languages. The newsletter was… Read more »
Nepal: Increased Pressure from China Threatens Tibetans
Authorities Increase Surveillance and Abuses Against Refugees (Kathmandu) – Nepal has imposed increasing restrictions on Tibetans living in the country as a result of strong pressure from China, Human Rights Watch said in a new report published today. The new Nepali government should make it clear to China that it will accept Tibetans who flee… Read more »
Activists file new legal challenge at Indian Supreme Court over gay sex ban
Campaigners in India have begun a new challenge against the Supreme Court’s decision to recriminalise homosexuality. The Naz Foundation, an HIV support group, yesterday filed a curative petition challenging last December’s verdict. It argues that the court made a “mistake” in its judgment and is guilty of a “gross miscarriage of justice”. On 11 December,… Read more »
Pink Dot is coming to Hong Kong in June
The first ever Pink Dot Hong Kong, a non-political LGBT celebration, will be coming to Hong Kong on Sunday 15 June 2014 at Tamar Park. Owing to the success of Pink Dot Singapore, which has been held yearly since 2009, Hong Kong’s LGBT community have felt inspired to hold their own event. Pink Dot Hong… Read more »
High ratings and no complaints for Taiwan’s first gay comedy
Last Sunday, PTS, Taiwan’s public televisions station, aired what is being hailed as the first gay comedy on public television in Taiwan. The broadcast came amidst rival same-sex marriage demonstrations in Taipei. Last week PTS broadcasted Penguins at North Pole, a lighthearted look at homosexual issues within families in the country. PTS has aired gay… Read more »
Japan LGBT news update
Let’s have a look at the latest LGBT updates from Japan. There’s been a revealing poll about the nation’s stance on gay marriage, a HIV awareness billboard causing a stir in Tokyo and an inspirational coming out speech from a teenager. Billboard censored in Tokyo’s gay district Viiiv Healthcare has erected a large billboard in… Read more »
Taiwan TV Airs Its First Gay Family Comedy
Taiwan television made local broadcast history Sunday, airing Penguins at North Pole, a short film that has been billed as the country’s “first gay-themed family comedy.” “In most Asian countries this topic is still quite a taboo,” said Jessie Shih, deputy director of the international department at Taiwan’s Public Television Service. “And many among the… Read more »
Anti-Gay Law Costs India $31 Billion
Anti-gay legislation and homophobia costs India $31 billion annually, according to a new study from the World Bank. Between violence, job loss, discrimination, and tourism, the exclusion of the LGBT community ultimately translates into economic loss for the country in terms of higher health-care costs and social programs in addition to lower economic output. The… Read more »
Same-sex marriage and anti-gay protestors scuffle in Taiwan
Pro and anti-gay-marriage protestors attended rival rallies in Taipei’s Freedom Square on Sunday as a bill to legalize same-sex marriage is before Taiwan’s legislative chamber Protestors rallying to support efforts to legalize same-sex marriage in Taiwan had the support of two Buddhist nuns on Sunday, while a rival family values rally was mainly supported by… Read more »
First Asian Pink Awards honor 15 amazing heroes
Inspirational advocates from across Asia share their stories at landmark awards ceremony in Singapore Asia’s LGBTI heroes have been honored at the first Asian Pink Awards in Singapore. Campaigners and company representatives flew in from all over the region and as far away as Europe for the event last night (16 March), organized by Asian… Read more »
13 arrested at gay orgy in Guangzhou
Guangzhou police have charged five men with ‘group licentiousness’ after they busted a gay sex club at a residential flat in Tianhe district of Guangzhou. The online sex club has nearly 3000 members. The organiser, surnamed Wang, is a 37-year-old from Chongqing and was among those charged. It appears that Wang started the “Comrade Wins… Read more »
Rainbow Defenders
Outrage Magazine launched Bahaghari Media Awards to give recognition to media personalities whose works not only highlight the real plight of LGBTQI Filipinos, but – by doing so – help in the struggle for equal rights. As a move to give recognition to people who assist in the struggle for equal rights by lesbian, gay,… Read more »
Thailand’s Intolerance of Its Own LGBT Community Will Surprise You
The Land of Smiles is a gay-friendly playground of brazen lady boys and sexual license, right? Well, not quite… Written by Per Liljas for Time Magazine. Thailand likes to project itself as an oasis of tolerance in a continent where roughly half of the countries outlaw homosexuality. It is one of only seven Asian signatories… Read more »
Report: 4 lesbians arrested in Cameroon
Four lesbians have been arrested and jailed on homosexuality charges in Ebolowa in southern Cameroon, according to a radio report. The LGBT rights group Camfaids (the Cameroonian Foundation for AIDS) is seeking further information so it can provide assistance, if appropriate. Under Cameroonian law, prison sentences of up to five years are supposed to be… Read more »
Myanmar Holds First Public Gay Wedding
A gay couple together 10 years tied the knot Sunday in conservative Myanmar. Tin Ko Ko and Myo Min Htet exchanged rings in a Yangon hotel in front of hundreds of friends and family. While their ceremony is a sign of growing acceptance of gay rights in the Southeast Asian nation, their wedding was merely… Read more »
Stunning Photos Explore Transgender Life In Mongolia
In Mongolia, the discrimination and violence against transgender peoples is so horrific many chose to live in the closet rather than face the persecution they may otherwise experience. In 2011 photographer Álvaro Laiz decided to capture their heartbreaking and devastatingly beautiful stories in his series “Transmongolian.” “I decided to travel to Mongolia for several reasons,”… Read more »
The Spark
How Sunil Pant ignited a queer rights movement in Nepal |One| On A Monsoon Night In 2005, Sunil Babu Pant was at home in Kathmandu, in the flat he shared with his parents. For the past two days, his phone had been ringing incessantly; doctors at a government hospital across town were calling about an… Read more »
Chinese students send 3,000 letters to urge lawmakers to legalize same-sex marriage
He didn’t get a response after sending 100 letters to lawmakers last year, so he roped in 20 other students to send 2,900 more letters this time Liang Wenhui, a graduate student from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and founder of Chinese Gay-Straight Alliance, with the help of other students wrote and posted 3,000 individually-addressed… Read more »
Activists at the ASEAN People’s Forum call for the protection of LGBT rights in Southeast Asia
ASEAN SOGIE Caucus have been at the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Civil Society Conference and the ASEAN People’s Forum in Yangon, Myanmar. The group has been lobbying the 10 member states to make provisions for LGBT rights. The ASEAN Civil Society Conference and the ASEAN People’s Forum (ACSC/APF) takes place ahead of the… Read more »
India’s gay community scrambling after court decision recriminalises homosexuality
Back in 2009, Lesley Esteves was dancing in the streets after judges in Delhi decriminalised homosexuality. When the Delhi High Court suspended the draconian Section 377 of the Indian penal code which dated from the days of British rule, India’s lesbian,gay, bisexual and transgender community thought there was no turning back. Five years on the… Read more »
India’s gay community scrambling after court decision recriminalises homosexuality
Back in 2009, Lesley Esteves was dancing in the streets after judges in Delhi decriminalised homosexuality. When the Delhi High Court suspended the draconian Section 377 of the Indian penal code which dated from the days of British rule, India’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community thought there was no turning back. Five years on… Read more »
Queer Tokyo, Lost In Translation
Walk through the narrow streets of Ni-Chome on a Saturday night, and you’re forgiven for thinking you’ve stumbled upon a massive impromptu gay-pride festival. That’s because Ni-Chome (pronounced knee-chomay) boasts the highest concentration of gay bars in Asia, if not the world. When I first started coming here 30 years ago, much of the action… Read more »
Chinese activist suing Hunan provincial department over refusal to register gay rights group
Chinese LGBTI rights activist Xiang Xiaohan is suing Hunan Province’s Department of Civil Affairs for discrimination after it refused to allow him to register a gay rights advocacy group because it said homosexuality was against Chinese social norms Chinese LGBTI rights activist Xiang Xiaohan filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the Department of Civil Affairs… Read more »
North Korea: UN Should Act on Atrocities Report
New Video Shows Horrors of North Korea Through Eyewitness Testimony (Geneva) – A new United Nations report has found that crimes against humanity are occurring in North Korea and calls for an international tribunal to investigate and hold perpetrators to account, Human Rights Watch said today. The report, by a UN Commission of Inquiry appointed… Read more »
Hong Kong students pair up in photos for marriage equality
Eight gay and straight uni students go to universities for photo shoots to support same-sex love ‘In every corner on campus, there are always coupless and newlyweds taking daily life photos and wedding pictures. But gays are always absent at these heart-warming moments. This not because there are no gay people in our lives, but… Read more »
South Korea’s LGBT Community Is Fighting for Equal Rights
One prominent couple’s effort to get same-sex marriage recognized is helping to raise awareness in a mostly conservative country Last September, two men held South Korea‘s first same-sex wedding on a bridge in Seoul, to the applause of hundreds of guests and the soaring voices of a choir. The ceremony carried no legal weight —… Read more »
Cambodian Transgender Activist Sou Sotheavy Wins 2014 David Kato Vision & Voice Award
Renowned Ugandan activist Frank Mugisha will present Sou Sotheavy with the award on stage at the prestigious Teddy Awards ceremony in Berlin this Friday The David Kato Vision & Voice Award is proud to announce that the 2014 award will go to Cambodian transgender activist Sou Sotheavy. Now 75 years old, she has spent the… Read more »
Singapore LGBT Update | It’s All Happening in Asia’s Smallest Sovereign State
A lot has been going on in the last few days in terms of gay issues in Singapore. There’s been polls revealed, comments from the Prime Minister, and petitions relating to the Health Promotion Board’s information on homosexuality. A recent survey released by the Institute of Policy Studies has revealed that more than 70 percent… Read more »
Singapore’s Health Promotion Board declares being gay is normal
Singapore’s leading public health organization has declared that LGBTI people are normal and not mentally ill in publishing an online Q&A on LGBTI issues – though homosexuality is still technically banned in the South East Asian nation Singapore’s Health Promotion Board has said that gay people are normal and not suffering from mental illness in… Read more »
The Upside of India’s Renewed Ban on Gay Sex
A community that was in danger of becoming complacent is now galvanized to political action Last Tuesday, India’s Supreme Court reinstated a law that has turned me, along with millions of other Indians, into a sexual criminal. Four years ago, a lower-court decision struck down this same law, which bans “carnal acts against the order… Read more »
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