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April 23, 2013
Jackie Chan accused of hypocrisy for supporting LGBT rights in US

Martial arts movie star comes out is support of LGBT rights in the US, but criticized for doing nothing for China's LGBT community

Hong Kong pop star Anthony Wong has questioned martial arts movie star Jackie Chan for starring in an ad for LGBT rights in the US, but doing nothing for the community in Hong Kong (where he was born) or mainland China.

Chan garnered praise for staring in a Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) public service announcement (PSA) campaign for allies to 'come out' in support of LGBT rights.

But in Hong Kong Chan is known for speaking out against individual freedoms and defending China's communist government.

April 17, 2013
Julia Gillard refuses to change mind after NZ passes gay marriage

Australian Prime Minister has renewed her opposition to marriage equality after New Zealand became the first Asia-Pacific country to legalize it

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard refused to change her opposition to gay marriage after New Zealand passed it today (17 April).

The leader of the Labor party said she will not be moved from her stance despite her country having close ties to the Kiwi nation.

She was asked by a member of the public in Melbourne last night (16 April) on why Australia was lagging behind New Zealand when it comes to equality, the AAP reports.

‘I doubt we're going to end up agreeing,’ Gillard said.

April 12, 2013
Activist says UK court is sanctioning trans murder

British journalist Jane Fae says the sentencing of a transgender man for 'obtaining sexual intimacy by fraud' is a slippery slope

An activist has said British authorities are sanctioning the murder of trans people.

Jane Fae, a contributor to national newspapers and the LGBT media, has warned a recent sentencing of a trans man could be a slippery slope.

On 9 April, Chris Wilson was sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of ‘obtaining sexual identity by fraud’.

April 11, 2013
Singapore gay couple respond to judge's ruling against them

Gary Lim and Kenneth Chee say it is 'disheartening' that judge ruled to retain law which criminalizes gay sex between men in Singapore

A gay couple in Singapore who took their government to court over a law that criminalizes sex between men have said the High Court judge's decision to uphold the ban is 'disheartening'.

'We are disappointed that the High Court ruled against us and upheld s377A,' said Gary Lim and Kenneth Chee in a statement.

'Having been together for 15 years, it is disheartening that we are criminals in the eyes of the law because of a segment of society that will not live and let live, but insist on pushing their version of religion and morality on us.'

April 3, 2013
Gay activist arrested for one man protest in Russia

Russian human rights activist was arrested and fined after staging a demonstration against a far-right group in Syktyvkar

A Russian gay activist was arrested and fined for carrying out a one-man protest against an extreme right-wing group on 31 March.

Vyacheslav Slyusarev, head of a Russian LGBT rights group, was fined 30,000 rubles (£629, €740) after protesting 'Frontier North'.

Lesbian activist, Clare Dimyon MBE, told Gay Star News Slyusarev took to the Syktyvkar streets after the group decided to rally in one of the city’s parks.

March 30, 2013
Gay people are satanic, anti god and anti human, rants Gambia’s president

Yahya Jammeh, president of Gambia, attacked gay people and warned: do not ever visit the country or ‘you will regret why you are born’ 

Gambia’s president Yahya Jammeh, ranted against gay people in his speech addressing the country’s parliament.

He called homosexuality ‘satanic’, as well as ‘anti-god, anti-human, and anti-civilization’.

March 24, 2013
Hundreds of pro and anti gay marriage protest in London

Several hundreds of protestors crowded London’s Trafalgar Square rallying against and for marriage equality, this afternoon

Several hundreds of pro and anti marriage equality protestors rallied to London's Trafalgar Square, this afternoon.

The anti-equality protest started today (24 March) at 2pm and was organized by the French La Manif Pour Tous (March For All) campaign group.

Over twenty young children were forced to stand at the base of Nelson’s Column, shouting ‘Uphold Marriage’ as well as anti-gay slurs and holding banners in the freezing cold against gay marriage.

Organizers claimed as many as 2,000 people participated in their protest against gay marriage.

March 15, 2013
Russia defies Europe as ministers criticize banning of Moscow Pride

Council of Europe says Russia must allow LGBT people to hold prides and axe anti-gay propaganda laws but Moscow security chief says there will be no change

Foreign ministers from around Europe have told Russia to allow gay pride parades and to remove laws banning ‘homosexual propaganda’.

March 3, 2013
US religious groups file legal briefs in support of marriage equality

A religious coalition including Jewish, Hindu and Sikh American groups have filed briefs in support of the repeal of the ban on same-sex marriage in California and the Defense of Marriage Act – stressing the dangers of having marriage defined in law according to a particular religion’s definition of marriage

Hindu and Sikh American groups have joined forces with a coalition of Jewish and other religious American groups to form a ‘broad coalition in support of marriage equality.’

The initiative, announced on Friday, has been spearheaded by the Jewish Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and includes the Central Conference of American Rabbis, Women of Reform Judaism, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Rabbis for Human Rights North America and the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism.

February 13, 2013
Gay student challenges Jamaica’s anti-sodomy law

A gay student from Jamaica is set to challenge the legality of the country's anti-sodomy law

Javed Jaghai, a student and Jamaican gay rights activist has initiated a challenge to the country's anti-sodomy law.

AIDS-Free World, a Jamaican advocacy charity, filed a complaint against the law with Jamaica's Supreme Court on behalf of Jaghai on February 7.

Jaghai says his landlord evicted him from his home because of his sexual orientation.

Posting on his Facebook page, Jaghai stated yesterday (12 February): 'It is a reminder that there is much more work to be done to achieve equality for gay Jamaicans.

February 11, 2013
Rumors spread Uganda getting ready for 'Kill The Gays' vote

Uganda's parliament may vote on 'Kill The Gays' bill as early as tomorrow, according to unconfirmed reports

Uganda’s parliament may debate the Anti-Homosexuality Bill (also known as ‘Kill The Gay’s’ bill) as early as tomorrow, according to unverified reports.

The Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law has posted on twitter: ‘JUST IN: #UgandaParliament wants to debate the #AntiHomosexualityBill this week could be any day from tomorrow Feb 12. Follow us for updates’.

February 6, 2013
Uganda set to vote on 'Kill the Gays' bill

Uganda’s ‘Kill the Gays’ bill is back and due to be put to a parliamentary vote this session

Uganda is set to put to a legislative vote during this year's parliamentary session, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, which punishes gays with capital punishment.

The ‘Order Paper’ for parliamentary business 2013 was published yesterday (5 January) and listed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill (known as AHB or ‘Kill the Gays’), 2009.

Its currently listed as the eighth item of 'business to follow' once the rest of the agenda is listed.

February 4, 2013
Top gay Christian says new archbishop’s plan to attack gay marriage is ‘horrific’

Reverend Sharon Ferguson comments as church document claims letting gay wed would destroy ‘traditional institution of marriage’

The head of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) has said new Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s plan to attack same-sex marriage as ‘absolutely horrific’.

Reverend Sharon Ferguson of the LGCM told Gay Star News that Welby shouldn’t use his first day in the job to attack gay and lesbian couples but should be trying to welcome them back into the Church of England he now heads.

Welby is being formally confirmed in his new job today (4 February) at a service in St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

February 1, 2013
Human Rights Watch criticizes Malaysia in annual report

Malaysia is 'backsliding on rights' says international human rights watchdog

Human Rights Watch has criticized Malaysia in its annual report published today.

'The Malaysian government’s promised human rights agenda fell far short in practice in 2012,' said Asia deputy director Phil Robertson.

'As elections approach, the government will need to demonstrate its willingness to uphold the rights of all citizens, whatever their political views.'

January 31, 2013
Russian journalist forced to quit over pro-gay comments

Anton Krasovsky, a founding member of Kontr Tv, leaves his post after speaking against the new law banning the 'propaganda of homosexuality'

A Russian journalist working at Kontr Tv has apparently been forced to leave his post after criticizing a proposed national law against gay 'propaganda'.

The proposed legislation has been debated in the State Duma, the lower chamber of parliament, with most legislators voting in favor of it. It still has to clear other hurdles before it becomes law. It would fine individuals, officials and organizations saying positive things about homosexuality 'to minors'. It's similar to laws already imposed in 10 Russian regions.

December 26, 2012
Kuwait arrests young trans woman and her mother

Kuwait continues with 'morality' campaigns that also target LGBT people, and in particular the trans community, with at least 16 transgender women now imprisoned

A young transgender woman described as ‘mutashabeh’ (‘boy in women clothing’) was spotted and then arrested along with her mother by a police patrol in Salmiya, Kuwait city.

December 24, 2012
Former Ugandan opposition leader condemns anti-gay bill

The former Leader of the Ugandan Opposition who lost his seat in elections last year has used his Christmas message to the Ugandan people to urge them to see sense and stop persecuting homosexuals

A former Leader of the Opposition in the Ugandan Parliament has used a Christmas message to the Ugandan people to condemn attempts to further criminalize homosexuality in the East African nation.

In an article published in Uganda’s The Independent and The Observer newspapers, former MP Prof. Morris Ogenga-Latigo criticized the proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill, writing that it was the product of ‘emotion, prejudice and blunt insensitivity.’

December 14, 2012
'People are people are people,' says Asia's human rights defender

Gay Star News talks to Asia's deputy director of Human Rights Watch, who is heavily involved in defending the rights of LGBT people in the region

As a year of highs and lows for human rights for LGBT people in Asia comes to an end, Gay Star News talks to Phil Robertson, deputy director, Asia of Human Rights Watch.

December 13, 2012
Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist now regrets signing anti-gay marriage petition

Republican-turned-Democrat has been plagued by persistent gay rumors

Former Republican Florida Governor Charlie Crist officially became a Democrat on Thursday (13 December) and was asked about a very un-Democrat decision he made while a member of his former political party.

In 2006, Crist signed a petition pushing for a constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage in Florida.

December 10, 2012
Europe backs ban on visa-free travel if Ukraine passes anti-gay law

The European Commission says 'homosexual propaganda' bill contradicts EU rules on visa liberalization

The European Commission has confirmed it may punish Ukraine for voting for an anti-gay 'propaganda' law by not allowing it visa-free access to member countries.

The Ukrainian Parliament pushed forward the bill, number 8711, with a landslide vote in October.

If it is passed, the new legislation would give up to five years jail to people importing, producing or spreading positive messages about lesbians, gays and bisexuals.

December 10, 2012
Stop the gay gag laws, Europe activists demand on Human Rights Day

ILGA-Europe protests ‘homosexuality anti-propaganda’ law plans in Russia, Moldova, Lithuania and Ukraine

A leading European gay rights group has used international Human Rights Day to condemn gay gag laws now being discussed in Russia, Moldova, Lithuania and Ukraine.

ILGA-Europe says all the planned legislation in Eastern Europe violates basic human rights principles and sees the laws as a new attempt to criminalize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

Known as ‘homosexuality anti-propaganda laws’ they already exist in some states in Russia, most famously in St Petersburg where their introduction this year sparked international outcry.

November 29, 2012
Activists slam Emirates depiction of LGBT rights as ‘evil’ and ‘diseases’

Gay activists criticize the Emirates attempt to ‘pick and choose’ what constitutes human rights 

The United Arab Emirates was elected last month to a seat in the UN Human Rights Council despite criticism from the UAE LGBT rights group.

The group called upon the UAE to respect the universality of human rights of which LGBT rights are inseparable, as well as suggested starting a dialgoue.

November 29, 2012
Turkish gay activist wins Kato Vision and Voice Award

The 2013 David Kato Vision and Voice Award has been awarded to Ali Erol, a leading LGBT activist in Turkey

The 2013 David Kato Vision & Voice Award has been awarded to Ali Erol, a leading LGBT activist in Turkey.

Inspired by David Kato's work, the award recognizes those who strive to uphold sexual rights for LGBTI people. It is named after human rights activist David Kato, who was murdered in his home in Kampala, Uganda on 26 January 2011.

The award was presented to Erol today 29 November at Pan-African Parliament in South Africa.

November 29, 2012
Two trans women arrested in Kuwait

Kuwait continues with 'morality' campaigns that also target LGBT people, and in particular the trans community, with at least 15 transgender women now imprisoned

Two trans women were arrested today (28 November) in Kuwait.

The two, described by Al-Watan daily as ‘cross dressers’, were driving their car, but a police patrol became suspicious and tailed them.

The two tried to escape, by switching to different streets and increased their speed but were chased and apprehended.

The police ‘figured out’ they were in fact men [probably via id] and proceeded to arrest and send them to detention.

November 23, 2012
Uganda drops death penalty from 'Kill The Gays' bill

Unconfirmed reports indicate Uganda's anti-gay bill will no longer include the death penalty as a maximum punishment for 'aggravated homosexuality'

Uganda has reportedly dropped the death penalty from its notorious anti-homosexuality bill.

Member of Parliament Medard Segona told the BBC that 'substantial amendments' had been made to the 'Kill The Gays' bill but refused to give any more details.

According to the unconfirmed report, politicians have, nevertheless, endorsed the legislation which was yesterday (22 November) added to the parliament's schedule of debate.