Asia
Taiwan’s same-sex marriage bill falls short
Taiwan’s premier asked the country’s ‘homosexual friends’ to ‘wait a bit longer’ Taiwan on Thursday (21 February) became the first country in Asia to submit a same-sex marriage bill to parliament. But as the details emerged, the government, lawmakers, and activists admitted it fell short of true marriage equality. Lawmakers from both major parties have… Read more »
South Koreans opposing gay rights are less than 50% for the first time
And more people identify as liberals than ever before The portion of South Koreans opposing LGBTI rights has decreased, dipping below 50% for the first time in history. A 2018 report suggests 49% of South Koreans said that they cannot accept homosexuals. The number has decreased from 57.2% tallied in 2017, according to the Korea… Read more »
Japan’s former defense minister takes up fight for LGBTI rights
Tomomi Inada has said she wants to promote LGBTI issues as fierce debates over the acceptance of LGBTI rights continue A former defense minister of Japan has said she aims to ‘promote understanding’ of LGBTI rights issues. Tomomi Inada has described LGBTI rights as a ‘human rights issue’ which transcends left or right political beliefs.… Read more »
Falling in love at a Myanmar high school
Inspired by real events, A Blue-sky explores sexuality and gender identity as a young person in a country where gay sex is illegal A movie exploring sexuality and gender at a Myanmar high school stunned audiences when it was screened at Myanmar’s LGBTI film festival last week. A Blue-sky, directed by Hein Htwe Maung, follows… Read more »
This is why Lunar New Year is a time of massive anxiety for LGBTIs in China
‘Sometimes our parents are more like children than we are,’ one gay man in China said Justin doesn’t plan to return to his hometown in southern China this Lunar New Year. As a closeted gay man, Justin said he could not face the ‘worry and uncertainty’. Over the festivities, his parents and other relatives would… Read more »
Thousands march in first Mumbai Pride since decriminalisation
Thousands of people in Mumbai have taken to the streets to celebrate the first Mumbai Pride since homosexuality was decriminalised last year. Photos shared on social media of the event show huge numbers of people taking to the streets to celebrate the LGBT+ community. The pride event has a renewed poignancy this year, as it… Read more »
At least 13 couples will now sue Japan’s government over same-sex marriage
This is the country’s largest ever push for marriage equality A lesbian couple in northern Japan became the 13th couple to join a nationwide campaign to sue the Japanese government to recognize same-sex marriages. The two women submitted their marriage registration documents to Sapporo’s Chuo Ward office this week, according to Asahi Shimbun. They expect… Read more »
Trans women led Indonesia’s LGBTI movement and this is why it’s important
Stonewall 50: As New York celebrates 50 years since the Stonewall riots, Indonesia celebrates 50 years of the country’s first trans activist group In the 1960s, I grew up in Pasuruan, East Java in Indonesia. During this time, I learned that trans women in Jakarta started organizing action groups. The first trans women organization was… Read more »
Japan’s Supreme Court rules transgender people still have to get sterilised
The Supreme Court of Japan has upheld a law which forces transgender people to get sterilised before they can legally change their gender. The panel of four justices ruled unanimously on Thursday (January 24) to reject an appeal filed by Takakito Usui, a trans man who wants to change the gender on his official documents,… Read more »
UK soap star announces engagement in Sri Lanka, where gay sex is illegal
Opinion: Jimmy Essex and outlets covering his happy news make no mention of Sri Lankan legals. That’s a problem Actor Jimmy Essex, who starred on British soap Hollyoaks until last year, has gotten engaged to his musician boyfriend of six years. Sharing the news on social media yesterday, Jimmy said in a romantic Instagram announcement:… Read more »
South Korea slipping on LGBTI rights, activists warn
In the last year, conservative groups have violently protested a number of LGBTI pride events South Korea’s fledging LGBTI movement has triggered a conservative backlash, Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned this week. In it’s 2019 world report, HRW said leaders had done little to protect the rights of LGBTI people in South Korea. The rights… Read more »
Partnerships, politics, and Japan’s own Stonewall Riot
Stonewall 50: With elections, lawsuits, and a swell in visibility, 2019 could be a milestone year for LGBTI Japan In July last year, a lawmaker from Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Mio Sugita, said LGBTI people were ‘unproductive’. It caused a big problem. Around 5,000 people protested outside the party headquarters in Tokyo. The… Read more »
A touching and intimate video of Transgender life in Pakistan:
Source – YouTube.com
Anti-gay Singapore is leaving LGBTI people without a home
In Singapore, where gay sex is illegal, LGBTI people are often pushed from family homes and do not qualify for government housing LGBTI Singaporeans are struggling to find somewhere to live in one of the world’s most affluent cities. Conservative attitudes centered on a heteronormative family can push LGBTI Singaporeans from their family home. What’s… Read more »
Asia’s largest ever LGBTI art exhibition to open in Bangkok
Spectrosynthesis II will open later this year with 200 works from more than 50 artists Thai capital Bangkok will host the largest ever exhibition of Asian LGBTI art later this year. Hong Kong-based charity, the Sunpride Foundation, has curated more than 200 works from over 50 artists in the region. The exhibition, titled Spectrosynthesis II,… Read more »
Vietnam’s ‘femme queen on the streets, dom top in the sheets’
Twenty-four-year-old Dan Ni tears apart gender codes with lace, sequins, fishnet and bold lipstick ‘My existence is a story to be told about gender politics, about defying what society says is masculine, feminine, what’s accepted and what is not’ says Vietnamese graphic designer Dan Ni. In a new documentary, Dating with Dan Ni, the 24-year-old… Read more »
Nine percent of Japan’s population is LGBT, research finds
The estimated LGBT population also rose by 1.3% since 2015 Research has found 8.9 percent of Japan’s population identify as LGBT. Dentsu, Japan’s largest advertising agency, surveyed 60,000 Japanese residents between the ages of 20 and 59 in October 2018. Importantly, 8.9 percent identified as LGBTI. What’s more, this is up from 7.6 percent in… Read more »
Laws to ‘ban’ LGBTI people in Indonesian city are illegal
Indonesia’s Constitution says all citizens must be protected from discrimination regardless of sexuality Indonesia’s leading human rights organization said plans to ban LGBTI people in a major city goes against the country’s laws. The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) said police actions in the city of Depok goes against the country’s mandate to… Read more »
Indian army’s gay sex ban will continue, says top general
This is despite gay sex becoming legal in India last year A top general in the Indian army said a ban on gay sex will stay in effect, despite the Supreme Court lifting a general ban on it last year. ‘[The Indian] Army will not allow LGBT activities in the force,’ Chief of Army Staff,… Read more »
China shuts down two LGBTI organizations
Activists say it is becoming increasingly difficult for LGBTI groups to operate Regional authorities in China shut down two LGBTI organizations on Tuesday (8 January). The Municipal Affairs Bureau in the southern metropolis Guangzhou labeled the Guangzhou University Rainbow Group and the Guangzhou Gender and Sexuality Education Center as ‘illegal social organizations’. The organizations provided… Read more »
In China, at least 130 places still offer LGBTI conversion therapy
Results of a new survey reveal just the tip of the iceberg, activists warn A new survey conducted by LGBTI advocates and NGOs in China has revealed at least 136 locations offering LGBTI conversion therapy in the country. A ‘heat map’ published by Matters shows 134 confirmed locations in hospitals, clinics, and psychiatric centers across… Read more »
Cambodia’s government says it has a good record on LGBTI issues
HIV rates are on the rise among LGBTI people Cambodia’s Human Rights Committee says it has done a lot to help LGBTI people. The CHRC’s director, Keo Remy, made the comments at a special event on the weekend. The event marked the ten year anniversary of LGBTI organization, Rainbow Community Kampuchea (RoCK). Remy said Cambodia’s… Read more »
Azerbaijan is the worst place to be LGBTI in Europe and here’s why
Stonewall 50: Javid Nabiyev is a gay activist who had to flee Azerbaijan and now tells his story Let’s imagine a society where you live with such a frightful secret that if you are to reveal it, your family could disown you. The neighbors will call you sick and look at you as a source… Read more »
Why legalising gay sex in India is not a Western idea
The decriminalisation of gay sex was arguably the biggest news story of 2018 in India. So, it wasn’t surprising when it became a hotly debated topic at one of the year-end parties I recently attended in Delhi. The common consensus was that the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a colonial-era law has pushed the… Read more »
Turning a Chinese classic into a look at the gay scene in Taiwan’s capital
The Story of the Stone gives a raw portrayal of Taipei’s LGBTI scene with a modern take on a classic Chinese love story It’s a Happy New Year feast for the eyes with Taiwan’s recent addition to Asia’s leading LGBTI film streaming service. The Story of the Stone is now available on LGBTI film streaming… Read more »
Trans people held the first ever trans pride march in Pakistan
Transgender people and their allies took to the streets of Lahore Transgender people gathered in Lahore for the first ever trans pride march in Pakistan this weekend. Taking place on Saturday (29th December), transgender people and their allies took to the streets in support of trans rights. The event kicked off with a press conference… Read more »
A LGBTI activist in Malaysia speaks out
Interview: LGBTI rights advocate Numan Afifi discusses how entrenched homophobia is in Malaysia A 96-second video of an apparent homophobic attack has been circulating in Malaysia this week. A group of individuals verbally abuse, then violently attack, two men. The group accused the two of having a sexual encounter in a car. A Malaysia-based LGBTI… Read more »
Same-sex couples to sue Japan’s government over marriage equality
The 10 same-sex couples say that not recognizing marriage equality in unconstitutional Ten same-sex couples in Japan are planning to file a lawsuit against the government for not recognizing marriage equality. The couples’ lawsuit states that the government’s position on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, The Japan Times reports. The suit refers to a passage in… Read more »
Malaysian LGBTI rights group calls for investigation into homophobic attack video
A video circulating in Malaysia appears to show a group attacking two men for allegedly having sex in a car An LGBTI rights group has called on the Malaysian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into an apparent homophobic attack. The Pelangi Campaign has requested police to look into a video that appears to show… Read more »
Thailand cabinet approves the first draft of same-sex civil union bill
What does it mean for the local LGBTI community? Thailand is moving forward in recognizing same-sex couples. Today the cabinet approved the first draft of a bill regulating civil partnerships. This paves the way for Thailand to become the first country in Asia to endorse same-sex marriage. In the current version of the bill, same-sex… Read more »
Protests against transgender bill erupt in India
Transgender protesters gathered outside the town hall in Bengaluru Transgender Indians on Wednesday (19 December) protested against a bill claiming to protect their rights. India’s lower house of parliament, the Lok Sabha, passed the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill on Monday. But, the transgender community has slammed it. They claim it infringes their rights… Read more »
Gay Singaporean man wins landmark appeal to adopt surrogate child
A gay Singaporean man has won a landmark court case which will allow him to adopt a child he fathered through a surrogate. The man, 46, and his long-term partner carried out the process in the US at a cost of $200,000 (£159,000), as surrogacy is illegal in Singapore. He tried to legally adopt the… Read more »
Trans woman beaten to death in Malaysia
She suffered 32 different injuries including a fractured skull A gang of men beat a transgender woman to death in the city of Klang in Malaysia, according to local media. The 32-year-old woman died from injuries caused by blunt weapons on Wednesday (12 December) night, the Star Online reports. A local police chief told the… Read more »
LGBTI ‘exorcisms’ on the rise in Indonesia
Religious conversion therapy can include being dunked in cold water and forced to eat ash Islamic exorcisms of LGBTI Indonesians are on the rise in Indonesia. Known as ruqyah, the practice uses prayers and, at times, physical torture to drive out evil spirits. Medical experts denounce conversion therapies because they cause serious psychological damage. Dede… Read more »
Almost 4,000 same-sex couples have registered in Taiwan
Almost 4,000 same-sex couples have registered in Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Interior. This figure comes after Taiwan voted against the constitutional legalization of same-sex marriage in a referendum on 24 November. A total of 3,951 same-sex couples registered over a period of three-and-a-half years. While LGBTI rights activists said that the increasing number… Read more »
The first Bangalore pride since decriminalization of homosexuality was epic
The photos of a mum and her gay son dressed in rainbow saris are beautiful One of India’s major Pride marches has wrapped up in Bangalore as revellers celebrated this year’s historic decision to decriminalize homosexuality. Thousands of people joined the 11th Namma Pride parade and danced in the streets in colorful outfits to celebrate… Read more »
Doctor to face High Court for giving electric shocks to gay people in India
Dr PK Gupta thought homosexuality was a ‘genetic mental disorder’ The Delhi High Court in India has ordered a doctor who allegedly gave gay and lesbian people electric shocks to convert them to face it. The court summoned Dr PK Gupta to face charges of violating norms and contravening the Indian Medical Council Act. Gupta… Read more »
India held its first androgynous fashion show and it looked amazing
Organizers wanted the event in Jaipur to bring gender diversity into mainstream society The inaugural Feronia Fashion Night celebrated gender diversity with androgynous collections by established and up-and-coming designers. Organizer Shruti Drolia told Gay Star News the night ‘aimed to avoid gender stereotypes ingrained in our society’. After contemplating the everyday fear gender-diverse people face,… Read more »
Trans candidate in India polls says she was held at knifepoint, drugged
Chandramukhi Muvvala went missing for 36 hours last week but has vowed to continue her election bid The only transgender candidate in the Telangana Assembly election in India said she was abducted at knifepoint and possibly drugged last week. Chandramukhi Muvvala has, however, vowed to continue campaigning, according to scroll.in. ‘Though this may affect my… Read more »
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