Gay pop couple allowed to perfrom in Singapore
An American gay pop duo previously barred by Singapore authorities have been given permission to perform at an HIV/AIDS awareness concert.
Jason Warner and deMarco DeCiccio, a couple in real life, were stopped from performing their act Jason and deMarco in 2005 when a similar event was being organised by Safehaven, a ministry of the equal rights for all Free Community Church.
Amy Tsang, the MDA's director for arts and licensing said that the 2005 concert had been prohibited because it was "open to general members of the public."
Korean activists unite to fight for orientation protection
The South Korean government removal of 'sexual orientation' from its Anti-Discrimination Bill has galvanised activists in the csountry.
The Alliance against Homophobia and Discrimination of Sexual Minorities (AHDSM) was formed earlier this month in response to the changes are outraged by the u-turn.
They claim that an investigation conducted by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea showed that discrimination based on sexual orientation, education background and national origin form the basis of most discrimination in South Korea today.
Lesbian couple admit murder of 16-year-old
A lesbian couple in Australia face 15 years imprisonment for murdering a British teenager because she irritated them, according to The Sun.
Jessica Stasinowsky, 20, and Valerie Parashumti, 19, beat 16-year-old Stacey Mitchell to death with a concrete block before dumping her body in a wheelie bin.
She was found by police in a shed after her parents had reported her missing in December last year.
HIV infections in Estonia five times Euro average
Startling new figures reveal that Estonia has the highest rate of new HIV diagnosis in Europe.
According to the data, 504 new cases were reported per million inhabitants in 2006 compared to the average rate of new diagnosis across Europe of 111 per million inhabitants.
Countries in the European Union have a lower average rate of 67 per million inhabitants.
Hungary considers new rights for unmarried couples
Gay and unmarried couples in Hungary may soon be able to register their "domestic relationships" following draft legislation which the government is submitting to parliament this week.
According to a government spokesman, David Daroczi, the proposed law, which would take effect from 1st January 2009, would give couples many of the same benefits as married couples, including rights of inheritance and taking each other's name.
They would not, however, be able to adopt children.
Birmingham police criticised over gay pub raid
Police in the West Midlands have failed in their efforts to get a gay pub's licence revoked.
Their request followed an earlier attempt to raid The Fountain Inn for pornography and drugs after receiving an anonymous tip-off.
Police bungled the raid when they went to an Irish family pub, The Fountain, a mile down the road. The pub's drinkers were highly amused by the blunder.
Stonewall Cymru community liaison officer honoured
A Stonewall officer has won an award for "outstanding commitment to diversity" in her work tackling issues of homophobic hate crime.
Jenny Porter, Stonewall Cymru's community liaison officer, received the award at the North Wales Criminal Justice Board Volunteer and Justice Awards Ceremony this week.
Ms Porter works with the police and criminal justice agencies in Wales to develop ways of dealing with homophobically motivated hate crimes
Life sentence for teenager guilty of homophobic murder
A teenager was sentenced to life imprisonment today for murdering a gay council officer in a homophobic attack.
David Meehan, 19, admitted to murdering James Kerr, 51, in South Inch public park and leaving him for dead while he and his accomplices went to a party.
According to Mr Meehan, the three walked past Mr Kerr on their way back but ignored their victim who was still breathing.
Americans warm to same-sex unions
More than half of Americans support civil unions according to the latest ABC News/Washington Post polls.
In total, 55 per cent approve of legalising civil unions and giving same-sex couples the same rights as those who are married in matters such as insurance, inheritance and pensions.
The latest figures are up from 45 per cent in the same poll in 2006.
New Polish PM pressed on civil unions
Gay rights activists in Poland have asked incoming Prime Minister Donald Tusk to discuss legalisation of civil unions, the introduction of comprehensive sexual education in schools and the ban of discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Mr Tusk is head of the centre-right Christian-democratic Civic Platform Party (PO), which won the election on 21st October.
According to Catholic World News PO member Stefan Niesiolowski said: "I will not agree to homosexual marriage."
Gay rabbi hits out at Bible-inspired homophobia
An Orthodox American rabbi spoke out against using the Bible to justify prejudice in a sermon yesterday.
Steven Greenberg, America's first openly gay rabbi, shared his belief that the Bible is open to interpretation and should not be used to condemn homosexuality.
According to The Columbus Dispatch, Mr Greenberg said: "No one can say, 'It says in the Scripture,' to ground any policy."
Lesbian group's transgender ban challenged
An Australian transgender psychotherapist has taken a lesbian support group to an equal opportunities tribunal on the grounds of discrimination.
Tracie O'Keefe in Sydney, claims that she was refused an invitation to an event organised by the gay organisation Sappho's Party because of their strict policy excluding transgender people.
The group only allows those who were female at birth to join.
Army sexual orientation discrimination tribunal begins
A lesbian soldier's life was made hell by a male sergeant who vowed to "convert" her, an employment tribunal will be told.
According to Lance Bombardier Kerry Fletcher, 30, the senior officer told her that she had not yet experienced a "real man."
He also added, "You don't know what you're missing."
Her case is being heard at an employment tribunal in Leeds today. The Ministry of Defence said: "We take allegations of sexual discrimination seriously."
Daughter of homophobic activist is out and proud
The daughter of a vehemently anti-gay activist has revealed that she is a lesbian.
Claudia Contrada, whose mother Amy Contrada forms one half of the US hate group MassResistance, has stood up for young people struggling with homophobia in their homes or communities.
In 2005, Mrs Contrada attended a conference which advocated sending gay teenagers to conversion camps. MassResistance is a homophobic organisation in Massachusetts, which has campaigned zealously against all pro-gay developments since its inception in 1995.
Gay teenagers are homecoming couple
A gay couple have made school history in the United States by being the first-ever elected homecoming prince and prince.
Brandon Raphael and Kiernan Gatewood, both 16, wore sashes proudly proclaiming their royalty as they rode through the city of Davis, California, in the school's annual homecoming parade.
According to the Sacramento Bee, "They stood in the back of a pick-up truck, arm-in-arm, smiling warmly despite the rain."
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