Stories about LGBTQ+ from May, 2013
Vietnam and Same Sex Marriage
Writing for Tuoitrenews, Valentine Vu explains why Vietnam is not yet ready for the legalization of same sex marriage: …majority of the population still holds prejudice against homosexuality being a disease, in fear of it being contagious, and afraid of losing face value if a friend/family member is gay
Former Croatian PM Tweets on Parliament's Discussion on Marriage
Former Croatian PM Jadranka Kosor decided to use her Twitter account to express her dissatisfaction with one of the debates taking place in the Parliament these days: the definition of marriage to be added to Croatia's constitution. Danica Radisic reports.
LGBTQ Rights in Puerto Rico Slowly Improve Step by Step
A battle is currently unleashing in discussions over LGBTQ rights in Puerto Rico. In recent weeks both advances and setbacks have been seen. Groups in favor of LGBTQ rights and Christian fundamentalist groups intensely lobby to influence the Legislature.
'14 Million: Life, Family & Liberty’ Movement Sparks Controversy in Ecuador
"14 million" is a citizen initiative that seeks to protect the rights of the family by opposing the free distribution of the day-after pill and other family planning policies in Ecuador. Even though part of the citizenry supports the movement, others -including President Rafael Correa- reject the group's ideas.
Jamaica: “Good Gay” vs. “Bad Gay”
In this new discourse of the Good versus the Bad Gay, that what is being policed is class as much as sexuality. Under the Saltire Flag explains.
In Wake of Brutal Murder, Questions About the Roots of Russian Homophobia
Are Russia's members of parliament, who have fostered a climate of homophobia over the past year, to blame for a man tortured to death by drunk hooligans in Volgograd?
VIDEO: South Korean LGBT Protest
A South Korean LGBT rights group, Rainbow Action, staged a protest at Seoul Plaza on May 17, 2013, calling on the government to pass the anti-discrimination law. A video of the protest was posted on the Youtube.
Media's Too Simple View of Japan LGBT
Blogger and activist Masaki C. has something to say about English media coverage of LGBT politics in Japan, arguing that they simplify the issue down to marriage equality: They are, in constructing LGBT politics in Japan as such, erasing local history and ignoring dialogues taking place among queers in Japan.
Ukraine's Freedom Party Crusades Against Gay Pride Parade
On May 25, Ukraine will once again attempt to hold its first gay pride parade ever. The previous attempt failed a year ago, when the event was cancelled shortly before it was to begin and one of its organizers was beaten by a group of masked men. Judging from the online reactions that began to appear as soon as the upcoming Equality March was announced, things may not go very smoothly this year as well.
Domestic Violence Protection for Everyone
Blogger and feminist lawyer Verónica Rivera Torres writes [es] about the piece of legislations that seeks to extend the Law Against Domestic Violence (Law 54) in Puerto Rico to same sex couples: Since our Supreme Court ruled that the Law of the Prevention and Intervention in Domestic Violence, known as Law...
“Mom, I Am in Love With a Woman”
On occasion of the celebration of Mother's Day, tomorrow Sunday May 12, feminist activist Amárilis Pagán writes about the experience [es] of telling her mother she was in love with another woman: The day I told my mom I was in love with a woman, she delivered a long and heartbreaking...
VI Conference Against Homophobia in Cuba
Cuban blogger and LGBT activist Francisco Rodríguez announces the events [es] of the VI Cuban Conference Against Homophobia to be held during the month of May in the island.
Lebanese Police Arrest Four During Gay Club Raid
‘Ghost', a gay-friendly club in Dekwaneh, Matn, Lebanon, was raided by 12 policemen under the order of Antoine Chakhtoura, the municipality's head. Customers were reportedly bullied out of the club and four individuals were arrested in the incident. Online, netizens expressed their outrage.
Côte d'Ivoire: Opinions on Marriage for all
France’s adoption of the ‘Marriage for All’ bill has given rise to incomprehension, sometimes with a jokey tone, in Francophone Africa, Here, we look at opinions of commentators from the Côte d'Ivoire.