Russian LGBT Activist Convicted of Promoting Homosexuality

The founder of Moscow’s gay pride movement is the first casualty of the St. Petersburg’s new, draconian anti-LGBT legislation.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Nikolai Alexeyev was accused of spreading homosexual “propaganda” when he picketed St. Petersburg City Hall in April with a poster that read: “Homosexuality is not a perversion. Perversion is hockey on the grass and ballet on ice.”

On May 4, Alexeyev was found guilty and fined $167.

“In a way I am glad they passed a guilty sentence and opened this Pandora's box,” Alexeyev told the LA Times by phone from St. Petersburg. “Now we will fight this homophobic verdict in every court and go all the way to Strasbourg if need be to try and break this caveman mentality which throws Russia back to the dark ages,” he said referring to the European Court of Human Rights in France.

The law, which was approved in November 2011, outlawed “publicly spreading information capable to harm the health, moral and spiritual development of under-age persons including forming in them deformed notions of social equality of traditional and nontraditional marital relations.”

Violations are subject to fines ranging from the $167 Alexeyev was charged to $16,700.

In addition to Moscow, the cities of St. Petersburg, Ryazan, and Arkhangelsk recently approved similar legislation. Two regional capitals, Novosibirsk and Samara, along with the lower house of the national parliament, are considering such laws.

Gay Bar Bans Straight Couples from Kissing

Never Mind, a popular gay bar in Copenhagen, Denmark, has decided that, for the time being, it is unacceptable for heterosexual couples to kiss in the bar.

Jobbe Joller, the founder of the LGBT organization Homosocialt Fællesskab, is at the center of this recent incident. According to Pink News, a member in his party was asked by the bar’s bouncer to refrain from kissing her boyfriend while in Never Mind. Joller, who has fought doggedly to end discrimination, was angry at the move and wrote an email to the bar’s owner, Christian Carisen, voicing his concerns.

Carisen defended the ban, in an email printed in Pink News, arguing that because the Never Mind attracts a lot of straight clientele, LGBT customers might feel less welcome.

“Problems often arise when the girls, late at night, call their straight male friends and think it’s a good idea that they come by and join the party,” he wrote. “They are often quite intoxicated, and most straight guys unfortunately have it a bit difficult with gay men. This often results in a serious situation, which our security people then have to handle.”

Carisen went on to say that “In Never Mind we don’t want heterosexual guests to dance, strip, kiss, or behave inappropriately. There are plenty of places in Copenhagen that are reserved for heterosexuals, but there are only a few gay bars left, and it is probably fair enough that gays and lesbians have bars where they can meet other homosexual people without having to consider whether it is a straight or gay person they are addressing.”

Sixteen-Year-Old 'Tomboi' Murdered in Malaysia

The burned body of a gender non-conforming Malaysian teen was found in a palm oil field on May 4. Fridae reports that Nor Ain Shafnie Mohd, described as a “tomboi” had been missing since leaving school on April 3. Her body was found badly burned about 500 yards from her house in the North-Eastern state of Kelantan. Gua Musang Police Chief Superintendent Saiful said the police are still waiting for the coroner report to find out whether she was burned alive or killed before being burned. According to Fridae, six men and two women, ranging in age from 17 to 30, have been questioned about the murder.

Gay Ugandan Seeking Asylum in UK Wins Small Victory

Felix Wamala, a gay Ugandan seeking asylum in the UK, will not be forced to return home just yet. According to GayStarNews, Wamala’s deportation was scheduled to take place on May 4, but the 41-year-old man’s solicitor was awarded an injunction stating that he could stay at Colnbrook Immigration Removal Center in Slough.

Wamala fled Uganda, one of the most notoriously oppressive countries for LGBT people, after being persecuted for his sexuality. He told GSN that he is concerned for his life if he is forced to return.

“I don’t know that many people in Uganda who can shelter me and I cannot even see myself passing the airport security,” Wamala said. His status in the UK is still tenuous as the UK Border Agency may still apply for the injunction to be lifted.

EU to Potential Members: Improve LGBT Protections

The European Parliament has a message for potential members: amend protections for LGBT people. Turkey, Serbia, and Montenegro are official candidates to join the European Union, and Kosovo is currently considered a potential candidate. All four countries currently have discriminatory laws on the books.

According to an article on PinkNews.co.uk, the Parliament asked that homophobia and transphobia be included in the Turkish hate crime law, that Turkish Armed Forces cease to classify homosexuality as a 'psychosexual illness,' and to condemn prosecutions against LGBT people.

In Serbia, the Parliament "strongly condemns" inflammatory and discriminatory remarks on the topic by some politicians and members of the orthodox clergy. The resolution expresses concerned for "the lack of political will... to ensure the safety of the participants of the Pride Parade" in 2011, which was cancelled by police.

PinkNews.co.uk reports that the resolution on Montenegro "highlights positive developments" in the country, and "welcomes the recent adoption of the Law Against Discrimination, which explicitly mentions sexual orientation and gender identity."

Slovenians Reject Gay & Lesbian Adoption

A national referendum in Slovenia that would allow lesbian and gay couples to adopt the biological children of their partners has been rejected. According to the Associated Press, nearly 55 percent of those who took part in the referendum rejected the law, while about 45 percent supported it.

The results are surprising as Slovenia is known for being more tolerant of LGBT people than its Balkan neighbors. In 2006, the country allowed for official registration of same-sex relationships.

Much of the efforts to defeat the referendum was backed by conservative groups with close ties to the Catholic Church.

Roman Catholic, Serbian Orthodox, and Muslim communities in Slovenia also jointly signed a petition before the referendum, asking Slovenes to reject the law in the name of "[protecting] the values of marriage and family as a community of a husband and a wife, and children."

Due to procedural rules, proponents of the law will have to wait a year before they can formally propose the law again.

Hungarian Officials Ban Pride Event

Police in Budapest canceled a LGBT pride event citing traffic concerns. Amnesty International is now calling on the Hungarian government to lift the ban and allow LGBT people to "exercise their freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression without discrimination." According to Amnesty International, the Rainbow Mission Foundation—the organization in charge of the July 7 event—had proposed using a parade route that is often used for other events, marches, and demonstrations. As a result, Amnesty International alleges that the rejection of this particular event is about limiting the rights of LGBT people.

Madonna Vows to Oppose Discriminatory Russian Law

Madonna has pledged to visit St. Petersburg, Russia to speak out against the city's anti-gay legislation. In an email to Bloomberg reporter Anastasia Ustinova, the pop icon said she will travel to St. Petersburg and "speak up for the gay community" and to "give strength and inspiration to anyone who is or feels oppressed."

On March 7, St. Petersburg Governor Georgy Poltavchenko signed a law that bans LGBT "propaganda" that could give minors "the false perception that traditional and nontraditional relationships are socially equal."

The self-titled "freedom fighter" is set to perform in Moscow on Aug. 7 and in St. Petersburg two nights later. Madonna told Bloomberg that she plans on using the shows as a chance to support the LGBT community in Russia.

"I don't run away from adversity," Madonna said in the email. "I will speak during my show about this ridiculous atrocity."

Nobel Peace Prize Winner Defends Anti-Gay Legislation in Liberia

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, president of Liberia and Nobel Peace Prize winner has publicly defended a law that criminalizes homosexual acts. In an exclusive interview with the Guardian, Sirleaf said, "We've got certain traditional values in our society that we would like to preserve."

Presently, "voluntary sodomy" is classified as a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in prison. Two new bills have been proposed that would impose much tougher penalties for homosexual acts. According to the article, one bill would make gay marriage a crime punishable by up to 10 years in jail, and the second would amend the penal code to make a person guilty of a second-degree felony if he or she "seduces, encourages, or promotes another person of the same gender to engage in sexual activities," carrying a prison sentence of up to five years.

International Human Rights Orgs Pressure Iraq to Investigate 'Emo' Attacks

Human rights organizations are calling on the Iraq government to investigate a targeted campaign of intimidation and violence against Iraqi youth seen as belonging to the non-conformist "emo" subculture.

In a joint statement, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission argue that the government needs to take action against the increased violence and intimidation of those whose behavior is perceived "deviant." They also argue that the LGBT population is particularly vulnerable to this type of policing. According to the statement, victims appear to represent a cross-section of "non-conformists," including people suspected of homosexual conduct, but also people with distinctive hairstyles, clothes, or musical taste.

"The government has contributed to an atmosphere of fear and panic fostered by acts of violence against emos," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.

In America, "emo" is short for "emotional," referring to self-identified teens and young adults who listen to alternative rock music, often dress in black, close-fitting clothes, and cut their hair in unconventional ways.

Some local Iraqi media reports have put the death toll as high as several dozen, but the international rights groups have not been able to confirm that people have been killed as part of an organized campaign.

Moms Awarded Custody of Son

An Israeli court ruled in favor of a lesbian couple, recognizing both women as legal parents. According to an YNetNews.com article, the couple received permission from the Health Ministry in 2006 to undergo a medical procedure, where one of the women's egg was extracted and fertilized with donated sperm, then implanted in the second woman's womb. When their son was born, however, only the woman who gave birth was allowed to register as the child's mother. The Ramat Gan Family Court set a legal precedent when it agreed that the parent who didn't give birth, did not have to go through the adoption process in order to have parental rights.

Scottish Cardinal: Same-Sex Marriage is as Immoral as Slavery

Cardinal Keith O'Brien called same-sex marriage a "grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right." The Independent reports that this year, the Scotland Government has plans to amend marriage laws to include members of the same gender—a move the Cardinal calls "madness." He went on to liken the marriage equality law to the legalization of slavery. "Imagine for a moment that the Government had decided to legalize slavery but assured us that 'no one will be forced to keep a slave'. Would such worthless assurances calm our fury? Would they justify dismantling a fundamental human right? Or would they simply amount to weasel words masking a great wrong?"

According to the article, Margot James—the first openly lesbian Conservative Member of Parliament (MP)—is outraged. "It is a completely unacceptable way for a prelate to talk," said James. "The Government is not trying to force Catholic churches to perform gay marriages at all. It is a purely civil matter." The Government will launch its public consultation on gay marriage later in the month.

"Don't Say Gay" Law Passes in Russia

The St. Petersburg's Legislative Assembly in Russia passed a law penalizing the dissemination of material promoting homosexuality and pedophilia among minors. According to Ria Novosti, the new legislation imposes fines of up to $16,000 on individuals and $160,000 on legal entities for the promotion of LGBT practices among minors, effectively prohibiting LGBT pride events. The article reports that 29 of 50 legislators voted for the law with five against and one abstention.

Following the passage of the law, AllOut.org organized demonstrations at Russian embassies across the globe. A press release from AllOut.org reports that, in solidarity with a coalition of Russian human rights organizations opposing the law, 300,000 signatures were collected worldwide and delivered by flash-mobs to the embassies, demonstrating the level of global opposition to the proposed law. The goal was to send a message to the Governor of Saint Petersburg, who has the power to veto the law.

Historic UN Panel Focuses on Ending LGBT Discrimination

On March 7, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) joined human rights advocates from around the world for the first-ever official inter-governmental panel at the United Nations focused on ending violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Jessica Stern, director of programs at IGLHRC called the panel a demonstration of the world-wide commitment to the "true universality of human rights."

"Today's panel, 'Ending Violence and Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity,' is a tribute to all of the activists who have fought for recognition of homophobic violence and transphobic discrimination over decades, often in the face of extreme hostility," Stern said in a press release from the IGLHRC.

Football Association Anti-Homophobia Plan is Welcome but Vague

The Football Association (FA) — the governing body of football in England — is committed to tackling homophobia and widening LGBT representation in the sport.
In a statement on FA.com, the organization has adopted a new strategy: Opening Doors and Joining In, which is promoting the inclusion in football of LGBT people.

The FA has pledged to:

• Promote a positive, inclusive image and reputation for the game, its participants and supporters.
• Work with LGBT community and football stakeholders to identify boundaries to LGBT participation and work collaboratively and collectively to address them.
• Preserve player and participant welfare.
• Support professional clubs and our County FA network in developing good practice around LGBT inclusion and engagement.
• Amend the Laws of the Game to outlaw homophobic, biophobic, and transphobic language and behavior
• Encourage and support current and future generations of participants from all communities to join the football family, whether as players, match officials, supporters, coaches, or administrators/volunteers.

Not all are entirely convinced that the pledge is enough. Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell—who has campaigned against football homophobia for the last two decades, and is also a member of the Football Association's anti-homophobia working party—calls the effort "commendable," but says lacks specific, concrete proposals.

"To set the agenda and reach the fans, the Football Association should be pressing clubs to include anti-homophobia messages on tickets, in match programs and on stadium screens at half-time," he said in a press release. "This would ensure the FA's new initiative gets high-profile visibility and impacts public consciousness."
He is also concerned that the FA and individual clubs still have no plans in place to support a player who comes out as gay or bisexual.

Venezuelan President's Backers Call Opposition Leader a "Gay Jew"

The Daily Mail is reporting that allies of Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, have started a smear campaign against the country's new opposition leader — by questioning his sexuality and mocking his Jewish roots. Henrique Capriles, decisively won the Democratic Unity primary election Feb. 12, and will face off against Chavez on Oct. 7.

The most vicious attacks reportedly have come from state media commentator Mario Silva, who often targets Chavez's foes on his late night TV show, The Razorblade. According to the Daily Mail, while Silva was on-air, he read a purported police document reporting Capriles was caught in a car having sex with another man in 2000. In another incident, a cartoon, that was retweeted by a senior Chavez aide, showed Capriles in pink shorts with a Swastika on his arm, squaring up to a much larger, muscular Chavez. Capriles' grandparents are Holocaust survivors.

In response to the attacks, Daily Mail reports that the 39-year-old state governor said he "wasn't elected to fight with anyone but to solve problems." He went on to say that "the only confrontation I want is against violence, unemployment, corruption, and other problems in Venezuela."

Sweden Poised to End Forced Sterilization of Transgendered People

On Feb. 18, the Conservative Christian Democrats—members of the governing coalition in Sweden and the primary obstacle to ending the policy of forced sterilizations—publicly declared the reversal of their position.

"It's time to abolish the requirement for sterilization at sex change," leaders of the Christian Democrats wrote in an opinion piece published today in the Swedish press.
At present, the law forces transgender persons to undergo sterilization before legally changing their gender, rendering a person permanently infertile.

"This is incredible news for Sweden. It means that anyone will be able to have their true identity recognized without having to be sterilized," said Ulrika Westerlund, President of the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights. "It's crucial that the new law comes into place as soon as possible."
The announcement comes after several years of mobilization in Sweden and a massive international outcry coordinated by AllOut.org in January.

"Swedish activists have worked for years to lay the foundation for this victory and I am so proud that AllOut.org could build the international momentum that finally pushed Prime Minister Reinfeldt and party leaders to end this cruel practice," says Andre Banks, executive director of the organization. "It's a victory for Sweden, but it is also decisive for Europe. AllOut.org members across the continent will continue to push online and in Parliament until each of these appalling laws are thrown out with the trash."

AllOut.org is a global alliance of over 850,000 LGBT people and their allies.

Islamic States Blast Gays for "Abnormal Sexual Behaviour"

The United Nation's Islamic block sparked outrage after telling the UN's top rights body that its 56 member states would ignore a scheduled UN rights panel on anti-gay violence, saying they were "disturbed" at the "attempted focus on certain persons" on the grounds of their "abnormal sexual behavior," which "have nothing to do with fundamental human rights."

The Islamic announcement has been obtained by the Geneva-based human rights group UN Watch and posted on its website, blog.unwatch.org. The announcement is provoking angry reactions from human rights activists.

"Human rights are universal and there is no religious exemption for barbaric violence against innocent human beings anywhere," said Hillel Neuer, UN Watch director. Neuer also called on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to condemn the "scandalous assault on the right of gays not to be put to death in countries like Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Yemen."

Landmark Judgment in Hate Speech Case by European Court

The European Court of Human Rights delivered a unanimous decision declaring language offensive to homosexuals “hate speech,” and not protected by freedom of expression laws.

In the case of Vejdeland v. Sweden, leaflets were distributed that stated gays and lesbians were “a morally destructive effect on the substance of society” and responsible for the developments of HIV and AIDS, and that “the homosexual lobby” tried to play down pedophilia.

ILGA-Europe welcomes this important judgment which for the first time deals with the hate speech towards homosexual people.

“This is a truly important and landmark judgment,” said Martin K.I. Christensen, Co-Chair of ILGA-Europe’s Executive Board, in a statement on ILGA-Europe.org. “This is a serious signal to a number of organizations and individuals across Europe who continue making defamatory and offensive statements about LGBTI people, that the expression of hatred is unacceptable, and that the Convention’s protection of freedom of expression cannot be used as a pretext not to prevent and punish it by law."

Russia’s Second Largest City Moves to Vote on Gay “Gag Rule”

The Russian city of St. Petersburg is close to passing a bill that would criminalize almost all activity related to defending or promoting LGBT equality.

AllOut.org, an international LGBT rights group, is reporting that if the law passes, speech about gay and transgender issues will be akin to committing acts of pedophilia.

“This bill, which would violate Russia's own constitution as well as any number of international treaties, is an outrageous attack on the freedom of expression for all Russians—straight and gay. It must not be allowed to stand,” AllOut.org Co-founder Andre Banks said.

It would also be a criminal offense to participate in any event, regardless of how small, related to the LGBT lifestyle. The publication of anything relating to LGBT rights or providing assistance or advice, like pamphlets leaflets, books, videos, or blogs would all be considered violations under the new law.

Uganda Government Denies Backing Anti-Gay Bill

Uganda’s government is distancing itself from a controversial anti-gay bill that calls for severe penalties on homosexuality.

According to the AFP, the bill was introduced in parliament on Feb. 7 by David Bahati. Last year, lawmakers voted to automatically pass the issue over to the new session because Members of Parliament (MPs) failed to debate it, and because of “widespread condemnation."

Homosexuality is already illegal in Uganda, but the proposed bill would introduce the death sentence for anyone caught engaging in homosexual acts for the second time, as well as for gay sex where one partner is a minor or has HIV. It also proposes to criminalize public discussion of homosexuality—including by rights groups—with a sentence of up to seven years in prison.

In a statement released to the AFP, the government said that parliament had a right to debate the legislation, but that it “does not form part of the government's legislative program, and it does not enjoy the support of the prime minister or the cabinet.”

LGBT Advocacy Site Banned in Indonesia

The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) website has been banned in Indonesia because of its “pornographic elements.”

An article in the Jakarta Globe states that reporters were able to access the site on mobile devices running on the Indosat and XL networks but not on Telkomsel and IM2, mobile phone operators.

Ricardo Indra, a Telkomsel spokesman, told the Globe that internet service providers block pornographic websites based on a list recommendations by the Communication and Information Ministry.

“[Telkomsel] adheres to the regulations set by regulating bodies and the government regarding the blockage of the websites.”

Cary Alan Johnson, executive director of IGLHRC, called the move an attack to freedom of expression.

“This is not the first time that attempts to organize and educate lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their allies have been met with state censorship,” he said in a statement.

“Oppressive governments can’t stop the tide of LGBT voices—whether they are on the internet, in the media, or on the streets.” Johnson continued. “IGLHRC stands with human rights defenders in Indonesia in their struggle to keep the web free for dialog on basic human rights issues.”

According to the Globe article, the only Indonesian internet service provider refusing to ban IGLHRC.org is First Media.

President of Ecuador Appoints Lesbian to Cabinet

The woman who led the drive against the “clinics” claiming to “cure” gays is now Ecuador’s Health Minister. In line with his LGBT-friendly record, Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa appointed Carina Vance Mafla, who is a lesbian, to the position.

According to Blabbeando, Ecuadoran LGBT-advocacy organization Equal Rights Now (Igualdad de Derechos Ya!) hopes that the newly appointed minister finally take decisive action and shut down the religious “clinics.”

They are also optimistic that Vance Mafla will be proactive in ending current delays in the distribution of HIV medications and creating guidelines to prevent discrimination against LGBT individuals at hospitals and health centers.

German Soccer President Implores Gay Players to Come Out

Outgoing German Soccer Federation President Theo Zwanziger is calling for gay soccer players to come out of the closet.

ESPN.com reports that, at an even organized by soccer federation to specifically address homosexuality in the sport, Zwanziger told attendees that “society [is] more understanding than a few years ago.” While he acknowledged the difficulty, one often faces when coming out, he said that “it is time for gay players to “to have the courage to declare themselves.”

Not everyone agrees with Zwanziger. Most notably, German captain Phillip Lahm, doesn’t think society is ready.

“The politicians can come out these days, for sure, but they don't have to play in front of 60,000 people every week,” Lahm said. “I don't think that the society is that far ahead that it can accept homosexual players as something normal as in other areas.”

Ugandan LGBT Rights Activists Afraid for His Life

A notable Ugandan activist is afraid to go to the store or eat in a restaurant. Frank Mugisha, executive director of Sexual Minorities Uganda and recent recipient of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award, is dogged in his fight for LGBT rights. His December 22 op-ed piece in the New York Times describing conditions for LGBT people in Uganda has, however, once again put his life in danger.

Mugisha told SiriusXM radio station OutQ that when he receives publicity, he has to alter all aspects of his life due to his “fear of stepping out [the] house.” Because homosexuality is criminalized in Uganda, Mugisha has few options when it comes to protection.

“Here, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people suffer brutal attacks, yet cannot report them to the police for fear of additional violence, humiliation, rape, or imprisonment at the hands of the authorities,” Mugisha wrote in the Times. “We are expelled from school and denied health care because of our perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. If your boss finds out [or suspects] you are gay, you can be fired immediately. People are outed in the media—or if they have gay friends, they are assumed to be ‘gay by association.’”

Threats and violence—like the recent murder of famous Ugandan lgbt activist, David Kato—aren’t enough to silence Mugisha.

“Maybe if I keep talking, maybe they will stop, maybe the homophobia will stop,” he said to OutQ.

All Same-Sex Unions Performed in Canada Legal

Canada’s Justice Minister, Rob Nicholson, cleared up the issue of the legality of certain same-sex marriages. In response to reports that Justice Department lawyers claim that a lesbian foreign couple married in Canada could not apply for divorce there because their marriage wasn't valid.

The article, published on CTVNews.ca, also reported that Nicholson also promised that the Canadian government has “no intention of reopening the debate on the definition of marriage,” reiterating that the 2005 Civil Marriage Act stands.

But it will be amended; Nicholson said the Civil Marriage Act will be changed so that all marriages performed in Canada that aren't recognized by the couple's own jurisdiction will still be recognized in Canada.

“The situation where someone can be validly be married in Canada and then not be able to dissolve their marriage because they cannot meet the residency requirement is something we need to address,” he told CTV.

New Jamaican PM an Ally

Newly elected Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has called to end discrimination against LGBT people. Simpson Miller, the first female prime minister, said in a recent election debate that "No one should be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation." She also said that she would be open to appointing a qualified gay person to her cabinet.

A 2006 article in Time called Jamaica one of the "most homophobic places on earth."

Zimbabwe Charter Excludes LGBT Rights

Homosexuality will not be recognized in Zimbabwe's new charter, Newsday reports. The issue of gay rights has been a contentious one during the drafting of the new constitution, with the former ruling party Zanu PF openly opposing them and declaring they would never see the light of day. But Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (Galz) Director Chesterfield Samba feels their mission is misunderstood.

"Galz is in no way advocating for same-sex marriage in its submission to [the charter]," Samba said.

Zimbabwe's Constitution Select Committee (COPAC) co-chairperson Douglas Mwonzora said the select committee, resolved not to recognize gays and lesbians in the new constitution.

"We have sat down as the select committee and finalized some of the outstanding issues that were parked, like freedom of choice and discrimination of people on grounds of sexual orientation," he said. "We resolved homosexuality is not going to be recognized at law, but the issue we are still discussing is discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation." According to Newsday, Mwonzora went on to say that, while homosexuality was not going to be recognized by law, discrimination of gays and lesbians in housing and employment would not be tolerated.

"Discrimination on the basis of one being gay should not be condoned and as Copac we are still to discuss that issue," Mwonzora said.

Tel Aviv Voted Best Gay City

GayCities.com, a travel site specializing in LGBT clientele, has named Tel Aviv the "world's best gay city." GayCity.com calls Tel Aviv "the city that never takes a break," and says the LGBT life is "perhaps the most vibrant in the Middle East." The site also reports that "rarely a month goes by that Tel Aviv isn't celebrating some musical or cultural event," adding that "huge dance parties" host local and European DJs each weekend. They also credit the democratic tradition of Israel, because the gay community enjoys political freedom unparalleled in other middle-eastern countries.

Pope Calls Gay Marriage Threat to Humanity

Pope Benedict XVI warned diplomats from nearly 180 countries that gay marriage is one of several threats to the traditional family unit that "undermines the future of humanity itself." According to the Daily Mail, the pontiff argued that children need to be raised in a "proper setting" and that "pride of place goes to the family, based on the marriage of a man and a woman." He continued: "Policies which undermine the family threaten human dignity and the future of humanity itself. The family unit is fundamental for the educational process and for the development both of individuals and states."

United Nations Releases First Report on Human Rights Violations of LGBT People

In the midst of the growing conflict between African nations and the United States regarding LGBT rights, the United Nations has, for the first time, released a report detailing how LGBT people are treated throughout the world. Released on Dec. 15 by the U.N. Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCR) in Geneva, it outlines "a pattern of human rights violations."

The report, which can be read on UN.org, states that "LGBT people are often targets of organized abuse from religious extremists, paramilitary groups, neo-Nazis, extreme nationalists, and others, as well as family and community violence, with lesbians and transgender women at particular risk."

It also finds that while homophobic and transphobic violence has been recorded in every region of the world with violent acts ranging from murder, kidnappings, assaults and rapes to psychological threats and arbitrary deprivations of liberty, most governments do little or nothing about it.

Charles Radcliffe, the chief of OHCHR's global issues section, told UN Radio that all U.N. Member States have an obligation under international human rights law to decriminalize homosexuality.

"One of the things we found is if the law essentially reflects homophobic sentiment, then it legitimizes homophobia in society at large," Radcliffe said. "If the State treats people as second class or second rate or, worse, as criminals, then it's inviting people to do the same thing."

Radcliffe did add that it was important to persuade Member States to change their position, rather than lecture them. But he also said that "no religious belief or prevailing cultural values can justify stripping people of their basic rights."

Transgender "Icon," Carmen Rupe Died

Carmen Rupe, Australia's first-ever Maori drag performer and LGBT advocate, died of kidney failure on December 15. According to GayNZ.com, Rupe was born in 1935 and spent the first years of her life living as Trevor. At 11 years old, Trevor began dressing in his mother's clothes. As soon as he could, Rupe left school and moved to Auckland and Wellington where he experimented with drag performances while doing compulsory military training and working as a nurse and waiter.

In the 1950s, Rupe moved to Kings Cross and officially became Carmen, based on Dorothy Dandridge's character in the movie Carmen Jones. It was then Rupe vowed to give up men's clothes forever.

In addition to being New Zealand's most-loved transgender performer, Rupe was a fierce advocate of LGBT rights. When she unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Wellington in 1977, she campaigned for hotel bars to be open till midnight or even 2am, the drinking age to be lowered to 18, prostitution to be made legal, homosexual acts and abortion to be decriminalized and nudity on some beaches—all of which are now legal.

"The police were very, very heavy," Carmen recalled in a 2006 interview with the New Zealand Herald. "They hated gay people. They hated drag queens and they hated lesbians. They used to take us into the police station and give us a hiding and beat us up. I was locked up in Long Bay prison about a dozen times. But it made me a stronger person today."

To read more about the life of Carmen Rupe, visit GayNZ.com.

Obama, Hillary Clinton Condemn Global Anti-LGBT Human Rights Abuses

The Obama Administration is taking a tough stance on countries that discriminate against LGBT members of the population. In Geneva on Human Rights Day, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a speech promising "sweeping efforts to confront global anti-LGBT human rights abuses."

"Gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights," she said at the December 6 event. "It is violation of human rights when people are beaten or killed because of their sexual orientation, or because they do not conform to cultural norms about how men and women should look or behave."

"It is a violation of human rights when governments declare it illegal to be gay, or allow those who harm gay people to go unpunished."

President Obama has instructed officials across government to "ensure that U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, and transgender persons around the world."

Under this new initiative, legal, moral, and financial support will be boosted for gay rights organizations. Additionally, emergency assistance will be sent to groups or individuals facing threats, and asylum in the U.S. will be offered to people forced to flee homophobic persecution in their countries.

Prior to delivering the speech, Clinton met with human rights activists from Cameroon to discuss how the U.S. can promote the rights of LGBT residents in Cameroon, where ten people have been detained or arrested by police for being gay in the last year, according to Change.org.

"It's truly remarkable to see how organizations like The Association for the Defense of Homosexuals (ADEFHO) are building international support to fight back against laws that criminalize LGBT people," said Change.org Senior Organizer Michael Jones in a statement on the organization's website.

"In the face of enormous personal risk, ADEFHO has managed to recruit more than 30,000 people to call for the release of these two men in Cameroon, sending a message to the President and Minister of Justice that the world is watching."

Many African countries are not pleased with the Obama Administration's commitment to protecting LGBT rights. John Nagenda, a senior adviser to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, told The Christian Science Monitor that Obama's view would be "anathema" to most African nations.

"I don't like her tone, at all," he said, referring to Clinton's speech, "I'm amazed she's not looking to her own country and lecturing them first, before she comes to say these things which she knows are very sensitive issues in so many parts of the world, not least Africa."

Sentiments were similar in Nigeria, where just last week the Senate agreed to pass a proposed law banning same-sex marriages, imposing 14-year jail terms for people found guilty, and adding a 10-year sentence for anyone who helps homosexuals marry. Columnist Leon Usigbe wrote in the Nigerian Tribune that the new U.S. gay rights policy would provoke a "significant diplomatic confrontation" between Washington and Africa's most populous country.

Church leaders in Kenya responded the most derisively, with Deputy General Secretary of the National Council of Churches of Kenya, Oliver Kisaka, stated, "We don't believe in advancing the rights of gays."
"God did not make a mistake; [being gay] is that person's own perception," Kisaka said in an article by The Monitor. Those who live as gays need help to live right, and we should not be supporting them to live in a wrong reality."

To read more about this issue, visit: CSMonitor.com/World/Africa.

To sign the Change.org petition to release the two Cameroon men who have been sentenced to five years in prison for being gay, visit Change.org/petitions/demand-cameroon-release-gay-men-sentenced-to-five-years-in-prison.

Amnesty International Urges Cameroon to Release Men Charged with Being Gay

Amnesty International is calling for the release of two Cameroonian men who have been sentenced to five years in prison for alleged homosexuality. A third man was sentenced without being present after jumping bail. The men were arrested in July after police alleged they were caught in a sexual act in a car.

"The Yaounde court must overturn this shocking sentence, which punishes these three men solely on the basis of their perceived sexual orientation," Erwin van der Borght, Amnesty International's director for Africa, said in a statement. "People accused of such crimes in Cameroon often face abuse and violence from other detainees or prison officers in detention. The two men must be released immediately and the Cameroonian authorities must repeal the country's discriminatory anti-homosexuality laws."

In addition to prison time, each man was fined 200,000 CFA francs—the equivalent of $400. Homosexuality is currently illegal in the African country, and Amnesty International reports that at least ten others have been arrested under the discriminatory anti-gay laws in the past year.

Bill Banning Homosexual Relationships Passes Nigerian Senate

Gay Life reported in the Nov. 25 issue on Nigeria's kiss-in protest against a bill that would criminalize same-sex relationships. The legislation, called the "Same-Gender Marriage" bill passed the Senate on Nov. 29. It now goes to House of Representatives for approval, after which it will be sent to the president. The language of the bill not only makes it illegal to be in a relationship with someone of the same gender, but also punished those who "witness," "aid," or "abet" such relationships. Amnesty International is speaking out against the bill, and calling for members of the House to kill it. In addition to the potential human rights impacts, the human rights organization is concerned that passage of the legislation will result in LGBT people with HIV, who already suffer stigma for their identity or consensual sexual behavior, will be pushed further underground.

Elections in New Zealand Big Win for LGBTI Community

The general election in New Zealand has been a boon for LGBT candidates after seven were elected to Parliament. Five of the seven are incumbents, and according to GayNZ.com, are extremely highly placed in their parties. One is set to become deputy leader of the Labour Party. GayNZ.com reports that while the candidates were not elected to represent the LGBTI community, their very presence in the house increases the likelihood that LGBTI issues will be taken more seriously. Additionally, their visibility "sends out a reaffirming message to LGBTI New Zealanders from Kaitaia to Oban, and a rebuff to homophobes everywhere."

Pakistan Text Message Ban Includes LGBT Words

On November 14, the Pakistani Telecommunication Authority put out a list of 1,600 words and phrases considered to be obscene, and mandated that phone companies block them in text messages. The list of "dirty" words ranges from mild words like "fart" and "idiot," to words that directly impact LGBT rights. "Lesbian," "homosexual," "fairy," and "condom" are now considered "pornographic or offensive" to Islam, the Huffington Post reports. If phone companies do not cooperate in censoring the 1,600 words, they will be subject to legal action. While homosexuality is not explicitly mentioned in Pakistan's penal code, under Islamic laws in Pakistan, homosexual acts are punishable by whipping, imprisonment, or death, according to the United Nations.

Ugandan Activist Wins RFK Human Rights Award

Frank Mugisha, one of the few openly gay Ugandan gay rights activists, was awarded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award in Washington on Nov. 10. The 29-year-old Mugisha is the leader of the underground group, Sexual Minorities Uganda, whose members must frequently move locations for their safety because homosexuality is considered a criminal offense. Mugsisha told RFKCenter.org that winning the award gives him the courage to continue fighting for LGBT equality in Uganda.

“For me, it is about standing out and speaking in an environment where you are not sure if you will survive the next day,” he said. “It is this fear that makes me strong, to work hard and fight on to see a better life for LGBTI persons in Uganda.”

In related news, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) reported that the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria has denied funding to the country because their policies were “deemed harsh on sexual minorities.” For more on that story, visit: ilga.org

Thousands Support Gay Rights in Hong Kong

Thousands of people gathered to march for gay rights in Hong Kong’s Gay Pride Parade on Nov. 12. Asia One reported that the crowd was mostly members of the LGBT community, gay rights activists from Taiwan, and mainland China and campaigners from the non-LGBT community.

Hong Kong decriminalized homosexuality in 1991, but in June the Chinese government hired a psychiatrist who said that homosexuals can be “cured” to train government counselors. According to Asia One, Hong Kong has not enacted laws barring discrimination against gay men and lesbians, and it doesn’t recognize the unions of gay couples. The military also bans gay troops, and there is no right to legally alter a person’s gender.

Kiss-In to Protest Nigeria’s Bid to Criminalize Same-Sex Marriage

In an effort to protest Nigeria’s Same Gender Marriage Prohibition Bill, a kiss-in took place on Nov. 15 outside of the Nigeria House. The event was organized by Nigerian LGBTIs in the Diaspora Against Anti-Same-Sex Laws, as a “gesture of defiance,” where Nigerian LGBTI people and allies held hands, hugged, and kissed.

“The new Nigerian bill aims to further criminalize same sex relationships,” said Yemisi Ilesanmi, the group’s Nigerian coordinator in a press release. “Already, consensual same-sex conduct between adults is a criminal offense carrying up to 14 years imprisonment and in some parts of the country there is the death penalty under Sharia law.”

The bill will not only outlaw same-sex marriage, but punished anyone who “witnesses, abet and aids” a same-sex marriage.

According to Peter Tatchell, director of the human rights lobby, the Peter Tatchell Foundation, the proposed law violates the equality and non-discrimination guarantees of Article 42 of the Nigerian Constitution. It also violates Articles 2 and 3 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, which Nigeria has signed and pledged to uphold. However, Nigerian lawmakers appear intent on passing the bill.

“Lawmakers are fast tracking the bill. [It] has already passed its second reading,” Ilesanmi said. To sign a petition in support of the Nigerian LGBTQI community, visit chn.ge/q4sHvX

St. Petersburg Passes "Draconian" Anti-Gay Bill

Amnesty International is urging St. Petersburg—the second largest city in Russia—not to enact the homophobic bill St. Petersburg’s city assembly passed nearly unanimously on Nov. 16.

According to Amnesty.org, if enacted, the law would allow authorities to impose fines of up to the equivalent of $1,600 for “public actions aimed at propaganda of sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality, and transgenderism among minors.”

Consensual, same-sex activity was decriminalized in Russia in 1993; however this new law would prohibit all LGBTQI events where children might be present as well as publications anything relating to LGBTI rights or providing assistance or advice.

Nicola Duckworth, Amnesty International’s Europe and Central Asia program director called the bill “a thinly veiled attempt to legalize discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people.”

“The notion that LGBTI rights activists are somehow converting Russia’s youth through ‘propaganda’ would be laughable, if the potential effects of this new law weren’t so dangerous and wide-reaching,” she said in a statement on the organization’s website.

First to Enter Same-Sex Civil Union in Denmark Dies

Gay rights pioneer, Axel Axgil, one of the first LGBT citizens of Denmark to exchange vows, died Oct. 29 due to complications from a fall. He was 96. Axgil is credited with helping Denmark become the first country to legalize same-sex unions, which it did in 1989. He was also one of the founding members of LGBT Denmark. Vivi Jelstrup, a spokeswoman for the organization said in a statement to the Associated Press that Axgil in many ways personified the struggle for gay rights in Denmark.

“But Axel Axgil was a modest man who never cast himself as a lonely warrior,” Jelstrup continued, “he always underscored that there were many involved in the work and that it was a common cause.”

Malaysian Government Bans Pride Event

Malaysian police have vowed to prevent "Seksualiti Merdeka," the annual gay rights festival meaning Sexual Freedom. According to ChannelNewsAsia.com, the festival has taken place in the capitol city of Kuala Lumpur since 2008. Khalid Abu Bakar, deputy national police chief stated that the Sexual Freedom Festival was canceled after Muslims and other groups in the socially conservative country protested that it could “create disharmony, enmity and disturb public order."

The national Bernama news agency reported that Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin called the gay rights festival “immoral” stating, "Any activity that does not benefit the majority of Malaysians should not be carried out. It's a waste of time.”

Festival organizer Pang Khee Pik said the announcement marked a "very tragic day for Malaysia." He told the Agence France-Presse that "we are aware that homophobic polices in Malaysia are not isolated, but [the police decision] is a symptom of a systemic breakdown in human rights in the country.”

Gay Rights Unlikely in Ghana

John Atta Mills, president of Ghana, has promised to block any and all efforts to legalize homosexuality in the West African country. His stance is reportedly in a response to British Prime Minister David Cameron’s remarks that his country will consider withholding aid from countries that don’t recognize LGBT rights.

According to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBCGhana.com) Mills said that Cameron “does not have the right to direct other sovereign nations as to what they should do, especially where their societal norms and ideals are different from those [in Britain].”

Mills, however, received some push back from a member of Ghana’s Parliament. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGBTA) reported that Gifty Ohene Konadu said, “homosexuals are human beings who must enjoy their rights and not to be condemned.”

Zimbabwe Prime Minister Appears to Support LGBT Rights

Morgan Tsvangirai, prime minister of Zimbabwe, is making waves over a statement he made in support of gay rights. According to a report in the Mail & Guardian Online (mg.co.za/article/2011-11-04-tsvangirai-in-a-fix-over-gay-rights), Tsvangirai said on BBC's Newsnight, “I hope the [new] constitution will come out with freedom of sexual orientation.”

The article says that his comments, which not only contradict previous statements regarding gay rights, put him at odds with country's largely conservative views on homosexuality. On the show, Tsvangirai acknowledged that he is dissenting from popular opinion.

“Of course, there is a very strong cultural feeling towards gays in my part of the world, but to me it's a human right. It's something that individuals must be allowed to make a choice.” After outrage from Zimbabweans over Tsvangirai’s shift in ideology, he backpedaled slightly by saying his comments were “only the opinions of an individual and not a collective party position.”

Brazilian High Court Clears the Way for Marriage Equality

Brazil in one step closer to legalizing gay marriage. In a 4 to 1 vote that took place on Oct. 25, the highest federal court ruled that the Constitution “makes it possible for stable civil unions to become marriages.” “Sexual orientation should not serve as a pretext for excluding families from the legal protection that marriage represents,” the members of the Supreme Court said in a joint statement. The ruling, which comes five months Brazil's highest court approved civil unions for same-sex couples, stemmed from the case of two women who have tried to wed in Rio Grande do Sul state. Presently, Argentina is the only country in Latin America where same-sex marriage is legal, experts say that this decision should play some role in discouraging Brazil's states from blocking same-sex marriage.

Councilors from all parties in Reading, England have unanimously backed a motion to provide a local charity, Support U, with a £10,000 grant. According to Lesbilicious.co.uk, the funds will enable the organization to build an LGBT support center in Reading. According to the organization’s website, SupportU.net, the center will “become the hub for the LGBT community, providing various services to you at no cost. The focus of the centre will be to offer advice, support and guidance on LGBT issues to those that need it.”

Hundreds of thousands of LGBTA Brazilians took to the streets Oct. 10 to celebrate Pride, while simultaneously calling on authorities to enact legislation to outlaw homophobia. Marching along the Copacabana beach promenade, people cheered the success of the year’s legislative campaign to allow same-sex marriages in Latin America. According to the AFP, the revelers also voiced support for laws that would ban homophobia in the wake of a spate of violent attacks targeting the gay community.

Robert Beedron has become Poland’s first openly gay Member of Parliament (MP). According to THENews.PL, the co-founder of the organization, Campaign Against Homophobia, will take up one of the seats for the city of Gdynia, Northern Poland. Beedron will join recently elected Anna Gzodzka—the first transgender MP—in representing the liberal, anti-clerical Palikot Movement. Beedron told a reporter from THENews.PL that the historic elections are “a sign that we are a different society now, open and tolerant.”

United Kingdom to Take Leadership Role in Fight for LGBT Equality

Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone, has vowed to become a “champion for gay rights” and is aiming for gay marriage to be legal in the United Kingdom by 2015, according to UK paper, The Daily Mail. Under current law, gays and lesbians can enter into civil partnerships, which have most of the legal protections that come with marriage. However, same-sex couples cannot use the term “marriage” and are prohibited from getting married in a church. Featherstone is introducing a consultation in March that will outline how to implement equal civil marriage for same-sex couples. Prime Minister David Cameron is on board with marriage equality efforts both in the UK and abroad. Recently he gave his support to the Kaleidoscope Diversity Trust, a UK-based LGBT charity, which aims to influence gay rights around the world.

Prominent Kenyan Priest Supports LGBTI Community

Rev. Jepthath Gathaka, executive director of The Ecumenical Centre for Justice and Peace in Kenya has spoken out in support of gays. Gathaka, a priest and known as Kenyan Anglican Archbishop’s “right hand man,” credits the Bible for his support of the LGBT community.

“My understanding of Jesus saying ‘there are other sheep’ convinces me that there are people who believe and are Jesus followers and may not necessarily those who confess the Christian religion,” Gathaka said in an interview with the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex Association. “These people might also be of different sexual orientation and that gives me the mandate to minister and to love and to support to all.”

He goes on to state that religious leaders who vilify those who identify as LGBTI are guilty of misinterpreting
the Bible.

“Jesus loved ‘sinners’ but hated the sin,” he said. “That means that even if you regard LGBTI persons as sinners, you are still obliged to love them, like Jesus did—there are no two ways about this.”

Defense Personnel Enter Boat in Amsterdam Pride Canal Parade

For the first time, around 80 defense personnel—military and civilian—took part in Amsterdam’s gay pride canal parade with their own boat Aug. 6. Joining them was U.S. gays-in-the-military activist Dan Choi. Defense personnel participated in the previous two years’ parades, in uniform, but onboard other groups’ boats. This year’s contingent was organized by the Dutch Foundation for Homosexuality and the Armed Forces. It also included a British Royal Navy lieutenant commander and Dutch generals.

“After years of trying to realize our aim of participating, we are extremely pleased, because visibility, particularly in the case of LGBT defense personnel, is so important,” said Peter Kees Hamstra, chairman of the foundation that organized the contingent. “By increasing this visibility, we aim to be an example to other defense organizations,” he said. “Although social acceptance has improved in the Netherlands too, there is still a great deal of work that must be done to strengthen the position of LGBT defense personnel.”

10 Years of Same-Sex Marriage in the Netherlands

It was 10 years ago April 1 that the Netherlands became the first nation in the world to let same-sex couples marry. Now same-sex marriage is legal in 12 nations, including in five U.S. states and the District of Columbia, and the Netherlands has seen  nearly 15,000 same-sex marriages.

Dutch University Gives Transgender Man New Diploma

The president of the executive board of the University of Amsterdam, Karel van der Toorn, presented transgender activist and alumnus Justus Eisfeld with a new diploma reflecting his correct gender April 6 in New York City. Van der Toorn was in New York, where Eisfeld works for Global Action for Trans Equality, on a business trip. Eisfeld underwent gender transition after graduation from the university. Approval to issue the revised diploma came in November via a ruling from the Dutch Equal Treatment Commission. The decision also applies to other Dutch transgender people.

Gay Activists Rally for Royal Wedding

Same-sex marriage activists presented a giant wedding card for Prince William and Kate Middleton outside the gates of Buckingham Palace on April 25. The card congratulated the royal couple on their wedding, which took place four days later, and urged them to support legalization of same-sex marriage. The United Kingdom currently offers same-sex couples civil partnerships that carry the same rights as marriage.The card said: “We wish you a happy life together. You can get married, gay people can’t. We are banned by law. We ask you to support marriage equality.” Organizer Peter Tatchell said the action was well-received.

“Everyone outside the palace expressed support for marriage equality. We didn’t get a single negative reaction,” he said.

Australian Census to Count Married Same-Sex Couples

The next Australian census will count same-sex couples who have gotten married abroad. “Census night” is Aug. 9.

“It is an important sign of respect that the Australian Bureau of Statistics will allow same-sex partners to indicate if they are married on the census,” said Australian Marriage Equality spokesman Peter Furness. “It also highlights how nonsensical the federal government’s failure to recognize same-sex marriage has become. We urge all same-sex partners who want to indicate they are married to take advantage of the fact that now they can.”

ILGA Achieves UN Status

Following a 17-year battle, the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council on July 25 restored the consultative status of ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. ILGA had ECOSOC status from 1993 to 1994 but was stripped of it following a scandal, orchestrated by the U.S. right wing, in which a small number of ILGA’s 700 member organizations were accused of not taking a strong enough position on age of consent. The group later expelled those members and made the wording of its constitution stronger on the issue.

“ILGA has applied to regain the status ever since ... but a small group of countries sponsoring homophobia had been able to influence the votes in the ... committee examining the applications for a long time,” ILGA said in a statement.

LGBTs Picket Russian Embassy in London

LGBT people picketed the Russian Embassy in London on July 1, urging that Russia’s voting rights at the Council of Europe be suspended. Despite a European Court of Human Rights ruling this year that Moscow’s yearly bans of gay pride violate the European Convention on Human Rights, authorities there prohibited the march again in May. When a small group of people attempted to defy the ban, 18 of them were aggressively arrested, much the same as in previous years, when the activists also were beaten by anti-gay hooligans and assaulted by religious counterprotesters.

“Prohibiting Moscow Gay Pride and arresting the participants is illegal under Russia’s constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly,” said noted British activist Peter Tatchell, who joined the London demonstration. “It defies a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that the event should be allowed to proceed. Some of us are now pressing the Council of Europe to suspend Russia’s right to vote in the Council’s parliamentary assembly. Russia must not be permitted to defy the European Court with impunity.”

Beijing Queer Film Festival Goes Guerrilla

The fifth Beijing Queer Film Festival wrapped up June 19 after five days of guerrilla-style screenings around the city.

Three days before the opening, the authorities ordered the festival canceled and threatened "harsh consequences" if the order was disobeyed.

1,000 March in Tijuana Pride
About 1,000 people joined in the 16th GLBTI Pride parade in Tijuana, Mexico, June 18. Many rode on the beds of semis blasting Mexican and American dance tunes. The colorful, rowdy procession was well-received by onlookers who swelled to a throng at Second Street and Constitution Avenue. Afterward, drag queens performed on an open-air stage in Plaza Santa Cecilia, the city's gayest block, which slants from First Street to Second Street between Revolution and Constitution avenues.

LGBTs March in Turkey

LGBT people marched in Ankara, Turkey, May 22 at the conclusion of the 6th International Meeting Against Homophobia.

Court Overturns Budapest Pride Ban
Hungary's Budapest Metropolitan Court on Feb. 18 overturned city officials' refusal to grant permission for this year's gay pride parade.

Chaos at Gay Activist’s Funeral

Even in death, there was no peace for David Kato, the prominent Ugandan activist bashed to death with a hammer in his home Jan. 26 after a tabloid newspaper published his picture and the pictures of other gay people with the caption "Kill Them" -- and just 23 days after he won a lawsuit against the newspaper over the article.

Euro MPs blast Lithuanian bill
The European Parliament on Jan. 19 called on Lithuania's Parliament to reject a proposed law that would punish "public promotion of homosexual relations" with a fine of up to $3,900.

Gay senator leads Irish president race

A poll has found that openly gay Irish Senator David Norris leads the pack seeking to be the nation's next president.