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May 22, 2013
HIV rates among transgender people in Asia 'disturbingly high'

New report finds 49% transgender people in Delhi, India, 37% in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and 34% in Jakarta, Indonesia have HIV

A new report highlights the 'serious threat' that HIV remains to transgender people in Asia and the Pacific.

Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN) and the Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM) released the report on Friday for IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia).

May 21, 2013
Map shows how Europe forces trans people to be sterilized

Trans people suffer high levels of repeat victimization and violence and employment discrimination

A new map reveals how transgender Europeans are denied the right to have their gender legally recognized or forced to be sterilized before they can.

The Transgender Europe (TGEU) map reflects European countries’ laws and administrative practices which protect or violate the human rights of trans people.

And its new index provides detailed country information saying 24 countries in Europe require sterilization before trans people can legally change their gender.

May 20, 2013
Nearly 50% of Chinese gay men and lesbians are in the closet at work, survey shows

Survey from Aibai reveals that Chinese employees are not comfortable living open lives at work

The first survey on homophobia in the workplace in China has found that only 6% of gay men and lesbians questioned are fully out at work.

The survey of 2,161 respondents found that 47.62% are fully in the closet at work and around 46% are out to some of their colleagues.

Over 50% had heard offensive words used about LGBT people, over 30% have heard or suffered personal attacks about sexual orientation and over 20% have resigned or considered resigning because of a hostile work environment.

The report, from Aibai LGBT rights group, also found: 

May 18, 2013
China arrests gay activists during IDAHO events

LGBT rights advocates have been detained in at least two cities in China while engaging in IDAHO activities

LGBT rights advocates were detained in at least two Chinese cities when celebrating the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).

Officers detained about a dozen LGBT advocates who were handing flyers about IDAHO in a busy mall in downtown Guangzhou, yesterday (17 May) afternoon.

May 17, 2013
78 trans murders in 2013, mutilation common

New figures claim 78 trans people have already been killed in 13 countries this year and 1,233 in 59 countries since January 2008

New figures published today show 78 trans people were murdered in 13 countries from 1 January to 30 April this year.

There were 1,233 reported murders of trans people in 59 countries worldwide from 1 January 2008 to 30 April 2013.

The new figures were collected as part of the Trans Murder Monitoring project by Transgender Europe (TGEU) and published on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).

TGEU says the murders are often particularly violent, including mutilation and torture.

May 17, 2013
All around Asia, LGBT people are calling for equal rights

Events in Burma, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Singapore Vietnam and India for IDAHO

In Burma gay men are asking to be decriminalized, in Thailand transgender women want to be spared military service and in the Philippines LGBT rights activists are pushing for an anti-discrimination law.

Events are being held across Asia today to bring attention to various anti-LGBT aspects of society for IDAHO (International Day of Homophobia and Transphobia).

May 17, 2013
Anti-LGBT villains of 2013 named by Human Rights Watch

Gambia president, Ukraine MP and American legal center named in Human Rights Watch's IDAHO 2013 Hall of Shame

International rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) released its 2013 Hall of Shame for IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia) today.

Gambian president Yahya Jammeh was named for his 'persistent' homophobia. He directly addressed LGBT people in parliament in March saying 'if you are convicted of homosexuality in this country, there will be no mercy for offenders'.

HRW report that 20 people were charged with committing 'unnatural offenses' in the Gambia in 2012, but were acquitted due to lack of evidence.

May 17, 2013
Gay Star News flashmob brings you sunshine for IDAHO

GSN teams up with London Gay Men’s Chorus and London Gay Big Band to spread the word about fighting homophobia and transphobia

Gay Star News joined forces with the UK capital’s talented LGBT singers and musicians to make a video to mark International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).

While reports out for IDAHO today (17 May) again show the shocking levels of abuse, harassment, discrimination, violence and even murder faced by the world’s LGBT citizens, the GSN video tries to bring some hope.

May 17, 2013
Smoke pellets and stones thrown at gay activists in St Petersburg

Russian city’s LGBT population holds demonstration for IDAHO despite propaganda law. Thugs attack

Over 150 LGBT people and their friends have braved homophobic and transphobic thugs to demand their rights at a protest in St Petersburg, Russia.

The protest for International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) today (17 May) was in the city’s main park, Marsovo Pole.

May 17, 2013
Thousands of anti-gay thugs attack Georgia IDAHO rally, 16 injured

Thousands of anti-gay activists and priests have injured IDAHO supporters and the police in a violent, homophobic counter-protest

Thousands of anti-gay activists have attacked LGBT rights campaigners in Georgia's capital, Tbilisi today (17 May).

A small group of LGBT people were attending a rally for International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) when they were overwhelmed.

GSN believes 16 of them were injured.

Anti-gay activists arrived at the rally hours before the IDAHO supporters. They broke through the barricades and held signs reading ‘Stop homosexual propaganda in Georgia’.

May 17, 2013
UN chief tells world: Scrap your anti-gay laws

Ban Ki-moon speech delivered at The Hague as part of International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO)

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said ending homophobia is ‘critical’ to the UN’s work and called for an end to anti-gay laws and better education.

His comments were delivered today (17 May) at an event in The Hague, The Netherlands, to mark International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).

The speech was delivered on his behalf by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, in the presence of the new Queen of the Netherlands, Máxima.

May 16, 2013
Gay workers still can't be themselves in 'liberal' nations

LGBT citizens from Canada, UK, USA, Netherlands and Japan say homophobia is still rampant and they are uncomfortable to 'fully' come out

Over 100,000 people from nations including Canada, France, UK, USA, Netherlands, Germany and Japan, say they still suffer from discrimination and harassment at home and in work.

The LGBT 2020 Homophobia Report from Out Now Global says homophobia is still endemic – even where gay marriage has been accepted.

May 16, 2013
Shadow equality minister demands positive press for trans people

Kate Green MP, Britain’s Labour party spokesman on transgender issues, comments as trans campaigners meet politicians in parliament

Britain’s shadow equalities minister has called for a press that challenges transphobia, rather than fuels it.

Kate Green made the comments at as transgender campaigners and politicians met in Britain’s Parliament to discuss UK press coverage of trans issues and individuals.

The meeting in the House of Commons last night (15 May) was organized by LGBT Labour, the gay and trans group of the opposition party.

May 15, 2013
Celebrating trans identity on film

Italian Divergenti festival shows trans people are no longer freaks on film but serious subjects with real lives; through debates, cinema and a photo exhibition

Transgender people in film have been much in focus this month, with festivals taking place in Bologna, Italy over the first weekend – and Amsterdam a week later.

The Italian Festival, Divergenti, billed itself as an international festival of transsexual film, and was organized by the Italian Transsexual Movement (Movimento Identitita Transessuale – or MIT, for short).

May 15, 2013
Global call for gay kisses to fight gay hate

Kiss-ins will be held to promote the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on 17 May

It does not matter whether you are gay, bisexual or straight, there is a worldwide call to combat homophobia with a kiss this week.

Across the globe, there will be several 'kiss-ins' promoting the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

In the UK, Manchester's Lesbian & Gay Foundation will 'Kiss Hate Goodbye' with a flash mob on 18 May.

Grahame Robertson, a spokesman from the charity, told GSN: ‘The Kiss Hate Goodbye flash mob and campaign in general is a chance for everyone to make a big statement against LGBT hate crime.

May 15, 2013
Suffering of trans people in Europe exposed in new report

Transgender Europe will launch a Trans Rights Europe Map and Index on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Trans people are still suffering from discrimination,  prejudice and persecution in Europe, a new report has found.

Published on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (17 May), it will expose the 'bleak' legal challenges trans people face across 49 countries in Europe.

Transgender Europe (TGEU) will show which of the countries require sterilization in legal gender recognition and which do not provide for any procedures.

The index will present an in-depth overview of the legal human rights situation for trans people.

May 15, 2013
UN warns world they are breaking law by not protecting gays

United Nations Secretary General features in video promising a ‘free and equal’ world for LGBT people and telling them they are not alone

Countries must protect LGBT citizens from violence or discrimination or they are breaking international law – the United Nations has warned.

A new video released by the UN Human Rights Office puts particular pressure on the 76 countries that still make consensual gay sex illegal.

And it highlights the many others where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are not protected from violent attacks and discriminatory treatment.

May 13, 2013
80% of homophobic discrimination not reported, Northern Ireland Equality Commissioner says

Anti-discrimination organization tries to reach out to LGBT Northern Irish through social media 

Eight out of ten Northern Irish lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people who experienced discrimination did not report it, a study from the Equalities Commission found.

Northern Ireland Equality Commission (NIEC) surveyed LGB people last year and found that half experienced discrimination, but only 20% reported it.

'We have already recognized the need to take special measures to address under-reporting of sexual orientation discrimination,' said equality commissioner Michael Wardlow, speaking at the start of Northern Ireland's Anti-Homophobia Week this week.

May 10, 2013
Catholic churches to pray for victims of homophobia for IDAHO Italy

Vigils and Sunday services will be held by churches of all faith in Italy to support International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Religious Italians are celebrating International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) on 17 May by connecting churches of all faith in a prayer vigil.

For the first time since the vigils began, seven years ago, Catholic churches will host events.

May 8, 2013
Join Gay Star News for our flashmob to mark IDAHO

GSN to film music, dancing and singing to bring home the message of International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Gay Star News is joining forces with the UK capital's talented LGBT singers and musicians to make a video to mark International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).

Our flashmob will be filmed on Saturday (11 May) so the video can be released on 17 May for IDAHO.

The London Gay Big Band and the London Gay Men’s Chorus will be headlining the event and providing the music. And we have teamed up with talented young video artists to make the film.

May 8, 2013
Trans visibility campaign launched in China

Queer Comrades reach out to media, educators and psychologists to spread awareness of trans issues in China

LGBT rights activists in China are launching a campaign to increase transgender visibility.

An event on Friday 17 May (IDAHO - International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia) called lgbT - Increasing Transgender Visibility in China aims to spread awareness about trans issues.

'Chinese society is currently still largely unaware of the plight of transgendered people in China, who face stigma and discrimination on a daily basis,' said a statement from event organizers Queer Comrades,

May 7, 2013
Cross-dresser painter dedicates show to Lucy Meadows

Artist who lives nearby to where transgender primary school teacher Meadows lived and worked dedicates his exhibition to her memory and 'the message of acceptance' 

British Lancashire artist Chris Fittock has dedicated his latest show to Lucy Meadows, the transgender primary school teacher who was found dead after her transition was leaked to the media.

April 30, 2013
Georgia governor told to put the gay back into homophobia day

 Governor Nathan Deal is being urged to change the title of the current 'Mistreatment Awareness Day'

 Georgia's governor has been accused of 'sanitizing' International Day Against Homophobia by changing its name in the US state to Mistreatment Awareness Day.

Now an online petition has been started to urge Governor Nathan Deal to declare 17 May as International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO), as it is around the world.

April 25, 2013
Israeli school to fire a teacher for coming out as a trans woman

An award winning mathetmatics teacher in Israel was told she faces dismissal after coming out to her students as a transgender woman

A high school mathematics teacher who openly talked to some of her students about being a transgender woman was summoned to a hearing for her dismissal.

Marina, who has been for the past three years an outstanding teacher and mentor, says Israel’s Center for Educational Technology (CET) wants her fired for merely discussing her gender identity.

April 24, 2013
Police say Julie Burchill’s trans article was hate, won’t take action

British columnist caused controversy by calling trans people 'dicks in chicks' clothing' and 'shemales'

British police have recorded a transphobic columnist’s article as a hate incident, but have decided to not take further action.

In January, Julie Burchill caused controversy by writing a comment piece in The Observer referring to trans people as ‘shemales’, ‘shims’ and ‘bedwetters in bad wigs’.