ASIA
Indonesia – Amnesty International have called for a complete and impartial investigation into the alleged assault of two gay men by Indonesian police in Aceh in January. The two men reported being first beaten by neighbours who eventually tied them up and called the police. Reportedly, the police took the men to the station where they have alleged they were subjected to physical and sexual abuse. Four police officers have been said to have been arrested in connection with the incident and the investigation is still underway.
Indonesia – In Kuta, Bali, a new store, Guard, made Indonesian history when it became the country’s first condom shop. Sarah Bagus, an Australian woman from Sydney, opened the shop with her husband. According to an article in the Australian Associated Press, Sarah said, ‘We wanted to make people aware of same-sex practices, healthy lifestyles and family-planning alternatives.’
Thailand – The Thai Assembly, in drafting a new constitution under the Kingdom’s current military junta, has voted against including Thai lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders. The Assembly debated for two and a half hours whether to include the term ‘diverse sexualities’ in its protections for men and women and to forbid discrimination against ‘sexual diversities.’ Because Thailand has never had neutral official terms for LGBT, part of the debate revolved around whether or not this category was of great enough importance to include and whether it would be clearly understood. (Press release courtesy of www.utopia-asia.com)
India – In late May, hundreds Indians attended the 10-day ‘Nigah Queerfest ’07’ to raise the profile of gay rights in the country and draw attention to India’s anti-gay laws. The festival had a full bill of cultural events, with performances, art exhibits and film screenings.
Pakistan – Transgendered man Shumail Rag and his wife were released in late June on bail. The couple had been imprisoned for perjury when a court accused the couple of lying about Shumail’s gender.
AFRICA
General – American First Lady Laura Bush visited four African nations – Mali, Senegal, Mozambique and Zambia – this month to announce a US$507 million aid package to the continent. In her speeches on HIV/AIDS, the First Lady emphasized abstinence and the role of faith-based organizations in combating the disease.
Sierra Leone – Sierra Leone passed a law this month outlawing domestic violence and establishing the rights of women when it comes to inheritance and the registration of customary marriages. A child rights bill was also passed, but failed to outlaw the practice of female genital mutilation.
South Africa – According to a BBC report, Archbishop Desmond Tutu termed the Anglican Church in Africa’s concern with gay priests and same sex marriages ‘an extraordinary obsession.’ Archbishop Tutu called for more focus on the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Darfur and Mugabe’s rule in Zimbabwe.
EUROPE
UK – Phil Sagar, Wing Commander for the Ministry of Defense, apologized this month for the discrimination against gays and lesbians who served in the military prior to 2000, when the UK military ended its ban on out gays and lesbians serving.
UK – A study for British queer rights group Stonewall said that 41% of gay students have been bullied because of their sexuality, while 17% had received death threats. Stonewall Executive Director Ben Summerskill told 365gay.com that ‘These deeply disturbing figures should serve as a wake-up call to everyone working in education… This remains one of the few sorts of bullying about which too many schools still take no action. It blights the lives not just of gay children but of thousands of pupils perceived to be lesbian or gay too.’
Russia – Moscow Mayor Yuri Lushkov was elected to a 5th term. The mayor has made world news headlines for his stance against gay pride festivals (see OiP’s Standing Proud story on p. 6). His re-election came in the same month that a lawsuit against the mayor for his 2006 ban on gay pride was taken on appeal to the European Human Rights Court in Strasbourg.
THE AMERICAS
US – A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released in June said that 58% of Americans do not believe individuals can change their sexual orientation. This is up 11% from 2001. Moreover, 79% of respondents supported gays serving openly in the military and 57% believed gays and lesbians should be allowed to adopt children. Another poll, the Gallup Poll, found 46% of Americans supported gay marriage.
US – Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton is forming a LGBT steering committee as part of her presidential campaign. The committee has spaces for 65 people and includes such high-profile LGBTs as ‘L Word’ creator Ilene Chaiken and former U.S. Assistant Attorney General Eldie Acheson. Hillary Clinton, in a quote on 365gay.com, said, ‘I am proud to have the support of such distinguished leaders in the LGBT community. Together, we can move our nation closer to the promise of fairness and equality that all Americans deserve.’
US – In the state of Massachusetts, the rights of same sex couples to marry came under fire when a proposed amendment to the state constitution was put to lawmakers. The amendment failed to obtain the necessary votes, meaning gay marriage is safe until at least 2012.
Puerto Rico – The New York Times reported on June 5 that many HIV/AIDS patients in the U.S. territory are not receiving drugs on a regular basis. Doctors say that the $53 million earmarked for AIDS care last year has not been properly managed, leading to late deliveries of drugs and cut services.
