Asia

 

 

 

An LGBT Centre in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Editors’ Note: The Mongolian LGBT Centre is this year’s awardee of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission’s Felipa de Souza award, which honors human rights defenders working on LGBT rights each year at it’s a Celebration of Courage gala. Today’s guest bloggers are LGBT Advocacy Programme Manager Otgonbaatar Tsedendemberel and Youth Programme Manager… Read more »

Gay Asia News & Reports (All Asia) 2011

1 Global Commission Reviews Legal Barriers Obstructing Progress on AIDS 2/11 2 Top 10 Key Global Policy Developments Concerning MSM & HIV 2/11 3 HIV programs can only be truly effective if…3/11 4 Asia-Pacific Regional Dialogue 3/11 4a In Southeast Asia, no longer silence on LGBT issues 5/11 5 The Courage Unfolds Campaign 5/11 6… Read more »

What’s Gay about Gay?

We may not speak about them a lot, but the presence of homosexuals in our social-cultural settings is apparently significant enough for the Universiti Brunei Darussalam to study them. A writer of a Letter to the Editor section of The Brunei Times applauded the UBDs effort, alleging that homosexuals are being discriminated at, just because… Read more »

Mind the Floodgate

Social change is contagious. Just as peoples movements, street rallies pushing for reforms and even revolutions in a corner of the world can spread through a region, so can changes in norms and social mores spread to farflung areas. In fact, more Bruneians need to be aware that for years we have been facing a… Read more »

Gay Hong Kong News & Reports 2011

1 Hong Kong NGOs to campaign against homophobic bullying in schools 1/11 2 Hong Kong’s theatre pushes wider the closet door 2/11 3 Lies, damned lies and government surveys 2/11 4 Survey: 46% of gay men are ‘proud’ or ‘very free’ 3/11 5 Queer Bangkok 3/11 6 Survey: 46% of gay men are ‘proud’ 3/11… Read more »

Being gay in South Korea

Ten years ago, an actor named Hong Suk-chun became the first mainstream celebrity in South Korea to come out. At the time, many thought that Hong’s revelation might usher in a new era of openness about sexuality in the traditionally conservative country. That hasn’t happened. It’s still very difficult to be gay in South Korea… Read more »

“ I’m Gay..”

Title above is the true confessions of gay men that I’ve met. I will share with you and other readers their true stories in the following paragraphs. You told me to check the my facts if I have any. First, I’ve never said that gay communities in Brunei are all muslims. We are all aware… Read more »

Gay China News & Reports 2011

Utopia Guide to Gay and Lesbian China (first gay and lesbian guide to China) 1 Suzhou: Homosexual Prostitution Ring Exposed in Three Provinces 1/11 1a China announces high-speed rail link to Singapore via Vietnam 1/11 2 Gay men ‘marry’ in Beijing 1/11 3 China’s Sports Illustrated features gay sportsmanship in cover story 1/11 3a Shanghai’s… Read more »

Research tackles gay community

Brunei-Muara – The first initial study on homosexuality in Brunei carried out by Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) revealed the existence of underground gay clubs for men with some paying as much as $400 for a sexual relations with another man. The working paper, titled “Gay in Brunei Darussalam: An initial observation” was presented during the… Read more »

Research tackles gay community

The first initial study on homosexuality in Brunei carried out by Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) revealed the existence of underground gay clubs for men with some paying as much as $400 for a sexual relations with another man. The working paper, titled “Gay in Brunei Darussalam: An initial observation” was presented during the National Seminar… Read more »

South Korea: online haven for gays

Seoul, South Korea — When Suh Eun-pil was being harassed at school last year because of rumors he was gay, the internet was one of the few places he felt safe. One website in particular, called Rateen, provided a haven from critical eyes and verbal abuse. Suh began visiting Rateen regularly, and six months later… Read more »

Gay Nepal News & Reports 2011

1 Human Rights Plan of Government Includes LGBT Rights 1/11 2 Nepal aims to tap valuable gay tourist market 1/11 3 Sunil B Pant’s speech on civil society hearing on HIV 4/11 4 Third gender issued citizenship certificate 4/11 5 Transgender Nepalis Perform Traditional Wedding Blessing for Royal Couple 4/11 6 Nepalese census includes category… Read more »

In Kyrgyzstan, under the law you can change your sex but receiving the right documents proves difficult

In Kyrgyzstan, the law allows sex reassignment, but it is difficult to re-execute the documents. On this December 8 at a roundtable in Bishkek to discuss the HIV epidemic in Kyrgyzstan, told members of the public organization “Indigo”, working with representatives of sexual minorities. According to them, unlike other countries in Central Asia in Kyrgyzstan… Read more »

The 2nd International LGBT festival in Almaty, Kazakhstan

The 2nd International LGBT festival “The Right to Love” was held in Almaty. It was organized by association “Amulet.” Two days of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people acquainted with the works of artists, photographers, dance groups, star transvestite and vocal genre. The festival was released on the Analects, “The Right to Love.” Honorary participants… Read more »

Gay India News & Reports 2010 Oct-Dec

1 The Queer Chronicle 10/10 2 HIV Rate High in MSM of Tamil Nadu, and Higher in Married MSM 10/10 3 Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women concludes 10/10 3b Changing attitudes to sex change 11/10 4 Delhi eunuchs to be given pensions 11/10 5 Mumbai multiplexes ban gay film 11/10 6 2,000… Read more »

Gay Bangladesh News & Reports 2010-11

The oldest, biggest and the most active internet based mailing list of Bangladeshi gays called Boys Only Bangladesh (BOB). Since the group cannot be found out by searching, advertising is the only way it can reach people across the world. And India being our biggest LGBTneighbour, it is believed that we have a lot of… Read more »

Gay China News & Reports 2010 Jun-Dec

1 Personal Visit to LGBT Community of Beijing by Felix of Southeast Asia 6/10 2 Queer China, ‘Comrade’ China 6/10 3 Gay men and lesbians in China marry heterosexually to cover-up 6/10 4 Biggest obstacle for China’s gays: Social pressure for marriage 6/10 5 Selling ‘smiles:’ Inside the world of Shanghai’s male sex workers 6/10… Read more »

Gay and transgender struggle for acceptance in Indonesia

The BBC highlights the challenges faced by gays, bisexuals and transgenders in Indonesia as a growing number of radical Muslim groups are actively campaigning against them. The BBC reported on June 19, 2010: In the corner, instead of a urinal, there is a female toilet, hidden by a modest wall designed to discourage peeping toms.… Read more »

High-Level Conference on Tolerance and Non-Discrimination, Astana, 29-30 June 2010

Welcome Media advisory: High-level OSCE conference in Astana on tolerance and non-discrimination to take place in the end of June This High-Level Conference on Tolerance and Non-Discrimination is being hosted by the Kazakh OSCE Chairmanship in the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (the Pyramid) in Astana on 29-30 June 2010. See below for the conference… Read more »

Gay Cambodia News & Reports 2009-11

1 Brothels, Sex Workers and Torture 1/09 (background story) 2 Cambodia to ban foreign gays from adopting children 2/09 3 Celebrate at Phnom Penh Pride 2009! 2/09 4 A gay-friendlier Kingdom 3/09 5 HIV/AIDS crisis looming among gay men: report 8/09 6 Cambodia: Bloggers discuss LGBT issues 1/10 7 About GK 2/10 8 By Ancient… Read more »

Gay Japan News & Reports 2009-11

1 Japan gives citizens the green light for gay marriage abroad 3/09 2 Political shift gives hope to gays 8/09 3 Tokyo’s Gay Scene – Ni-chome in Shinjuku 2/10 4 Brief History of Gay Culture and Rights in Japan 3/10 5 Tokyo Pride to return after three years 8/10 6 Safer Sex Japanese Video 1/11… Read more »

Gay Taiwan News & Reports 2009-10

1 Have they really come out: gay men and their parents in Taiwan 4/09 2 Thousands march in Taipei for gay marriage 10/09 3 Taiwan pride parade sets new Asian record 11/09 4 More than 100 people protest against government memo in Taipei 3/10 5 School textbooks to introduce gay topics from 2011 3/10 6… Read more »

Gay Nepal News & Reports 2010

1 Nepal to court gay tourism 1/10 2 Sexual Minorities Still Struggling In Nepal 1/10 3 Capital to see first LGBT Centre in region 2/10 4 17 Tibetans land in police net 2/10 5 Beauty and Brains – 2 min trailer 2/10 6 Nepal to Offer Everest Weddings to Attract More Gay Tourists 3/10 7… Read more »

Gay Philippines News & Reports 2007-10

1 Personal Essay: Never too late 4/07 2 NZ AIDS foundation’s new safe sex campaign targets asian gay men 5/07 3 Ramon Magsaysay Award recipients announced 8/07 4 Rustom Padilla’s gay redemption: Urian award 9/07 5 SC junks transsexual’s plea for gender, name change 10/07 6 Being gay not a sin, acting on gay desires… Read more »

Gay Asia News & Reports (All Asia) 2009-10

New book 2007: Gay Travels in the Muslim World, Edited by Michael Luongo (ch. 10 by GlobalGayz owner Richard Ammon) (book review: Gay City News ) Website for America/Canadian Asians: Generasians Together 1 Gay sex "fuelling" HIV infections in Asia warns UNAIDS and WHO 2/09 2 Asian Health Officials Warn HIV Cases Will Increase 2/09… Read more »

Gay Asia News & Reports (All Asia) 2006-08

New book 2007: Gay Travels in the Muslim World, Edited by Michael Luongo (ch. 10 by GlobalGayz owner Richard Ammon) (book review: Gay City News ) Website for America/Canadian Asians: Generasians Together 1 Utopia guide books:    China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea & Taiwan 2 Landmark Guide to… Read more »

Gay Japan News & Reports 2004-08

1 Japan refuses refugee status for gay Iranian 4/04 (see #6 of 2003 News & Reports) 2 Japan’s pioneer gay magazine giving way to cyber sites 9/04 3 Japan in the Footsteps of Yukio Mishima 1-2/05 4 A visiting Brit offers insight into a culture steeped in history and tradition 4/05 5 Homosexuality in Japan… Read more »

Gay Taiwan News & Reports 2004-08

1 Gay Harassment Rampant In Taiwan Study Shows 1/04 2 Bookstore wants gay judge for porn case 1/04 4 In Taiwan, not much ado over gays saying ‘I do’ 2/04 5 Taiwan promises gay marriages.  2/04 6 Taiwan TV hostess says she’s transgender 5/04 7 Taiwan’s 1st gay minister 5/04 8 Gay groups prepare for… Read more »

Gay Philippines News & Reports 2003-06

1 Keeping faith (He loves us, too) 1/03 2 Church clashes with gays in Philippines 1/03 3 Gay robbers steal from and kiss male victims 5/03 4 Silent Discrimination 2003 5 Gays tapped for Bulacan’s tourism, antidrug drive 6/03 6 At Manila ILGA conference, gays decry discrimination in Asia 11/03 7 Church Unduly harsh on… Read more »

Gay Nepal News & Reports 2009

1 Nepalese MP honoured for work fighting homophobia 1/09 2 First transgender choir strikes gay rights chord in Nepal 2/09 3 Nepal’s sexual minorities on the move 3/09 4 Nepal: Kathmandu, Luring Gays as Tourism Destination 3/09 5 Gay Nepalese MP looks towards greater acceptance of gays and lesbians 4/09 6 Nepal becoming haven for… Read more »

Gay Nepal News & Reports 2007-08

1 South African Homo-Politico Helps Nepalese Nancies 1/07 2 Blue Diamond Society Receives International Recognition 1/07 3 Nepal gives legal status to transgender for the first time 2/07 4 Maoists Released Two “Lesbian Suspects” After a Month-long Detention 4/07 5 Lesbians released by Nepal rebels 4/07 6 Finding a Gay-Owned Business in Nepal Just Got… Read more »

Gay Taiwan News & Reports 2003

1 Nostalgia for the bad old days–TV series 2/03 2 Writer keeps aloof from sexual politics 2/03 3 Race and sexuality make a fascinating tangle at film fest 3/03 4 Notes of a Desolate Man’ (book review) 3/03 5 Lesbians in Taiwan–A bed of roses (book review) 7/03 6 Two gay couples marry in Taichung… Read more »

Gay Nepal News & Reports 2006

1 Nepal: Police on ‘Sexual Cleansing’ Drive 1/06 2 Nepal transsexual ‘abuse’ concern 1/06 3 Human Rights Watch petitions Nepal on transgender rights 1/06 4 ‘Sexual Cleansing’ Continues in Nepal, 26 New Arrests 3/06 5 Nepal’s gay community joins anti-king protests 4/06 6 HIV hospice for gay and transgender men offers hope 5/06 6a Nepal’s… Read more »

Gay Nepal News & Reports 2004-05

1 Nepal LGBT Group Supports UN pro-gay Resolution 1/04 2 The Kathmandu Statement on Sexual Orientation… 2/04 3 The latest injustice and violence against Homosexuals in Kathmandu 3/04 4 Many Children are growing up under continuous harassments and assaults 5/04 5 Nepal gay group threatened with closure 7/04 6 Members of Blue Diamond Society randomly… Read more »

Gays stage public action in Kazakhstan

Seven gay men staged a “flashmob” in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on May 17 in conjunction with IDAHO, the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. They gathered near the KazakhTelecom building and handed out flyers and released rainbow balloons into the sky. A report from the participants said other gay people watched the action unfold “from afar.”… Read more »

Gay Afghanistan News & Reports 2007-11

More information about Islam & Homosexuality al-fatiha-news Middle East Youth Gay Islam discussion groups: Muslim Gay Men     LGBT muslim Queer Jihad           Bi-muslims Trans-muslims       Lesbian muslims 1 Boys of the Taliban 1/07 2 Stigma, Lack of Education, Prevention Efforts Fueling Spread of HIV 3/07 3 A New Sorrow for Afghanistan: AIDS Joins List 3/07 4 Dancing… Read more »

Gay Japan News & Reports 2000-03

1 Sex change no cure for torment 6/01 2 Tokyo Disneyland offers gays chance to come out in the sun 8/00 3 Trocks in frocks in Tokyo (Male Ballet Company) 7/01 4 Coming out at the workplace the next big challenge for gays 6/01 5 ‘Selectively out:’ Being a gay foreign national in Japan 3/01… Read more »

Gay Indonesia News & Reports 2010

Also see: More information about Islam & Homosexuality al-fatiha-news Queer Muslim magazines: Huriyah, Barra Gay Islam discussion groups: Muslim Gay Men     LGBT muslim Queer Jihad           Bi-muslims Trans-muslims       Lesbian muslims Gay Bali Rainbow Travel Agency 1 Transsexuals Take to the Stage in Aceh in Rare Beauty Contest 2/10 2 Indonesian police ban regional gay conference 3/10… Read more »

Being Gay and Armenian: The Stigma

This is the first part of a multi-series report dealing with Armenians and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender individuals. On a Spring day in 2008, Herbert Hoover High school in Glendale, Calif. planned a “National Day of Silence.” Organized by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network and held in April since 1996, the day… Read more »

Gay Afghanistan News & Reports 2002-06

  Also see: Islam and Homosexuality More information about Islam & Homosexuality can be found at: www.al-fatiha.org Other articles of interest can be found at: groups.yahoo.com/group/al-fatiha-news Queer Muslim magazine: Huriyah Gay Islam discussion groups: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimgaymen     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lgbtmuslim http://groups.yahoo.com/group/queerjihad          http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bimuslims http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transmuslims       http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lesbianmuslims 1 Startled marines find Afghan men all made up to see them 5/02 Three similar… Read more »