AUSTRALIA – In an Australian first, marriage equality advocates have met the country’s prime minister, Julia Gillard, to put their case for reform. Gillard has consistently made clear that she does not support the legalization of gay marriage, saying that she believes, “The Marriage Act is appropriate in its current form, that is recognizing that…
ICELAND – The world’s most northernmost capital, Reykjavik, is hosting its annual Bears on Ice weekend Sept. 8-11. This small and friendly four day event (Thursday through Sunday) offers bears, cubs, admirers and friends the opportunity to see a little bit of Iceland and have fun with like minded guys. The weekend of fun and…
SPAIN – The Pope’s visit to Spain has been marked by gay rights protests among others concerned about the economic hardship the country is facing. The Pope’s four-day visit is estimated to have cost the country in excess of $144 million. Thousands took to the streets of Madrid condemning his stance on gay rights and…
MEXICO – Last week, Mexico City’s civil registry performed its 1000th same-sex marriage since ministers in the capital approved such unions back in March 2010. The milestone was reached with the joining together of a 37-year-old Mexican university researcher and a 29-year-old Dutch man. Officials had predicted an influx of tourism when the law was…
AUSTRALIA – The first gay and lesbian retirement village in Australia is to be built in Ballan, a small town in the state of Victoria located on the Werribee River 48 miles north west of Melbourne. The Geelong Advertiser reports that the 120-unit complex for over 55s is being built on the Ballan-Geelong Road, and…
QATAR – A new study has indicated that HIV epidemics are emerging in North Africa and the Middle East among men who have sex with men. The study conducted by researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar is believed to be the first study of its kind in countries where homosexuality and bisexuality are…
ITALY – Gay rights campaigners across Europe are fuming after Italy’s parliament rejected a bill to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people from discrimination. They are calling for the European Union to step in and help as they fear a rise in homophobic violence. The Chamber of Deputies voted 293 votes to 250 not…
INDIA – A court in India has provided police security to a lesbian couple, who fear a backlash from anti-gay family and community members. Savita, a 25-year-old student at Choudhary Charan Singh University and her 20-year-old wife Veena, 20, were married by a court in Haryana, close to New Delhi, earlier this month. The women…
GHANA – A minister in Ghana has reportedly ordered the arrest of all gays and lesbians in the country’s Western Region. Paul Evans Aidoo, Ghana’s Western Region minister has tasked the Bureau of National Investigations and all security agencies to smoke out persons suspected to be engaging in same-sex. He has also enlisted the services…
IRELAND – Gay independent Sen. David Norris is ahead in the race to succeed Mary McAleese as the next president of Ireland, according to the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll. Fine Gael candidate Gay Mitchell is in second place, followed closely by Labour Party candidate Michael D Higgins. According to the poll, Norris has 25…
