Cuban law may recognise same-sex partners, say officials
The Cuban Communist Party is considering granting legal recognition to same-sex unions, as health officials prepare to authorise sex-change operations, the director of the Cenesex sex education centre in Cuba has said.
The proposed change to Cuban family law would put members of same-sex unions on a par with heterosexual couples, psychologist Mariela Castro, who is the daughter of acting President Raul Castro and niece of Fidel, told EFE.
Church refused property insurance over gay-friendly stance
A Protestant church in the US state of Michigan has been deemed too risky for property insurance because of its denomination's support for gay rights.
The West Adrian United Church of Christ, a small church in Adrian, Michigan which has weathered controversies since it was established in 1836.
It was turned down by Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Co. of Fort Wayne, Indiana, because of its national governing body's approval of gay marriage and the ordination of homosexuals, The Wall Street Journal has reported.
Pope orders continuous prayer to cleanse clergy
Pope Benedict XVI has instructed Roman Catholics to pray "in perpetuity" to cleanse the church of paedophile clergy.
All dioceses, parishes, monasteries, convents and seminaries will be expected to organise continuous daily prayers to express penitence and to purify the clergy the Times has reported.
Vatican officials said every day each parish or institution should designate a person or group to pray that the church rids itself of the scandal of sexual abuse by clergy.
Dykes on Bikes trademark approved by US court
A San Francisco women's motorcycle club on Monday gained long-sought legal approval for its trademark of the name "Dykes on Bikes" when the US Supreme Court turned away a challenge from a lawyer who said the term denigrated men.
Without comment, the justices denied review of an appeal by Michael McDermott of Dublin, California, who challenged a decision by the US Patent and Trademark Office to grant the San Francisco Women's Motorcycle Contingent exclusive rights over the commercial use of Dykes on Bikes, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Gay marriage opponents form new advisory group
Opponents of gay marriage in the US state of Vermont are to form an advisory council that will expound the benefits of traditional marriage.
After spending months boycotting legislative hearings on expanding marriage rights to same-sex couples, now several prominent opponents of gay marriage will announce at a Statehouse press conference Tuesday morning the formation of the Vermont Marriage Advisory Council, a group that will hold hearings on the benefits of traditional marriage.
Trans woman denied breast enlargement surgery
A trans woman is suing a Catholic hospital, claiming medical officials blocked her from getting breast enlargement surgery there because she had a sex-change operation.
Charlene Hastings, 57, told The [San Jose] Mercury News that when she called Seton Medical Centre, a Catholic hospital in in Daly City, California, to inquire about breast enlargement surgery, an official told her it wasn't "God's will" for her to have such a treatment, because "God made you a man."
Archaeology museum celebrates LGBT History month
The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology is running an open evening as part of LGBT History month to explore sexuality and gender in the ancient world.
There will be a discussion on the subject, entitled 'Beyond Isis Osiris: Alternate sexuality in Ancient Egypt', hosted by Dr Debbie Challis, followed by an opportunity to explore the museum, which is located on the University College London Campus in central London.
EU reports show increased awareness of LGBT rights
Progress reports released by the European Commission last month show improvements in the monitoring of LBGT rights in countries looking to join the European Union.
Each year the European Commission monitors the achievements and progress of each of the EU candidate (Croatia, Macedonia, Turkey) and potential candidate countries in fulfilling the obligations of the partnership agreements between the country and the EU.
Lesbian mother hits back at sperm donor's claims
The lesbian who had two children with her civil partner after fireman Andy Bathie donated his sperm has said today he had behaved as a full-time father and should take financial responsibility for the children.
Mr Bathie has to pay £450 a month toward bringing up the two children produced using his sperm.
He has insisted he was only a donor and did not want take an active role in raising the kids.
Religious forum pledges greater tolerance for gay Muslims
A gay Muslim last week came out to a group of Muslim scholars at an AIDS conference who had branded homosexuality "unIslamic" and "evil" days beforehand.
Suhail AbualSameed spoke openly about his sexuality to an audience of ulama, distinguished Islamic scholars, at the International Consultation on Islam and HIV/AIDS in Johannesburg, South Africa, IRIN PlusNews has reported.
Mr AbualSameed, a Jordanian living in Canada, said: "As a gay Muslim, I feel unsafe, unloved and unrespected in this space."
Scouts miss deadline to lift gay ban
The Philadelphia chapter of the Boy Scouts of America has ignored a deadline set by the city's officials to publicly renounce its membership bar against people who are openly homosexual or atheists if the organisation wishes to remain in its landmark headquarters on city-owned land.
The scouts have been on notice for seven months that they will be evicted on May 31 if they do not drop the policies.
Australian state laws may help same-sex partners
Gay and lesbian couples in Victoria, Australia will be able to register their relationship to gain easier access to entitlements under laws tabled in parliament, a government adviser has said.
The Victorian government announced in April it would establish the Relationships Register for people who were not married and were in a committed relationship.
Under existing laws, couples may be required to provide evidence to prove their relationship.
Treaty shelved over fears about same-sex marriage
A vote on an international treaty in Peru has been put on hold after a heated debate erupted over whether the treaty would lead to legal support for same-sex partnerships.
A congressional vote on the Iberian-American Convention on the Rights of Youth-an international treaty that establishes a core set of legal standards to protect young people-was shelved and the resolution sent back to the Peruvian Commission of International Relations for further study.
Gulf authorities to pay for gender reassignment
The Bahraini government has agreed to pay for a trans person to undergo gender reassignment surgery in Thailand.
According to daily English-language newspaper, Gulf Daily News, 32-year old Zainab Abdulhafed Rabie is due to fly out to Thailand on Thursday to undergo female to male sex correction surgery on Sunday.
Rabie hopes to return to represent the Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation in the men's shot put and discus.
Gay escort denies link with Senator
A gay prostitute has denied having any current involvement with US Senator Trent Lott, whose abrupt resignation yesterday sparked rumours of a sex scandal.
According to satirical politics blog, BigHeadDC.com, escort Benjamin Nicholas, whose clientele is said to include politicos, celebrities and businessmen, had a working relationship with Senator Lott.
Mr Nicholas says on his website www.benjaminnicholas.com: "First and foremost, I live by the 'Golden Rule' with mutual respect being my priority to each of my guys."
From the Blog