May 21: How anti-gay laws affect refugees, asylum-seekers

London-based Human Dignity Trust has scheduled a “a thoughtful, provocative and in-depth discussion exploring the impact of laws criminalising consensual sexual identity on asylum and refugee claims.” The roundtable discussion, titled “Pride and Persecution,” will run from 6:30 to 8 p.m. May 21 in London. Scheduled topics of discussion include: Are discriminatory criminal laws at … Continue reading →

Laws in Guyana contribute to high HIV rates

Laws against LGBT activities in Guyana have led to harassment, discrimination, vigilante justice and high levels of HIV infection in the LGBT community, according to a report from the University of the West Indies Faculty of Law in Barbados. In Guyana and 10 other Caribbean countries, anti-LGBT laws have contributed to an increase in HIV/AIDS … Continue reading →

New guidebook tells how to welcome LGBTI refugees

“Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) refugees, asylees, and asylum seekers are among the most vulnerable people in the United States today.” That statement introduces a new manual for American organizations, individuals and communities that set out to help LGBTI refugees. “Unlike most people who flee their homes for safety, these individuals often undergo … Continue reading →

Strategy session will focus on LGBTI asylum-seekers

Plans for relieving the plight of LGBTI asylum-seekers will be a focus of a strategy session June 3 in Philadelphia. Groups planning the gathering include the Human Rights Campaign; Interfaith Working Group; the Organization for Refuge, Asylum and Migration (ORAM); TransFaith Online; and the Unitarian Universalist Association United Nations Office. Other participating groups are Integrity … Continue reading →

Iran executes ‘gangster’ for alleged gay sex

A man identified only by the initials “CH M” was hanged in public on April 19 for homosexual sodomy in the Iranian city of Marvdasht in Fars province, the city’s attorney general told the Fars New Agency. The actual reason for the execution remained unclear, because the young man was labeled a “gangster” who “performed … Continue reading →

Efforts to ban ‘gay propaganda’ spread in Europe

Proposals to prohibit “gay propaganda” are spreading from St. Petersburg, Russia, which passed a law in early March banning activities that would promote gay culture among minors. Similar suggestions are being considered by the Russian parliament, the city of Moscow, and in the Eastern European countries Moldova, Lithuania and Hungary. Such bans are already in … Continue reading →

Month in jail without trial for 20 in ‘homosexual’ dance

Eighteen men and two women remain in custody in The Gambia, arrested two weeks ago for alleged homosexual behavior and now forced to wait two more weeks for a trial because a new prosecutor wanted more time to prepare. The trial, scheduled for Monday, April 23, was put off to Tuesday,  May 8. Defense attorneys … Continue reading →

Still no court date for gay man in African prison

Despite the Amnesty International campaign for his release, Jean-Claude Roger Mbede of Cameroon remains imprisoned for violating the country’s laws against homosexual activities. His appeal was scheduled for Monday, April 16, but it was delayed for unspecified “administrative reasons,” according to a source close to Mbede’s defense team.  A new date for the appeal has … Continue reading →

Russian courts fear anti-gay law, victorious protester says

Straight attorney Sergey Kondrashov, who was cleared Monday of violating St. Petersburg’s new “anti-gay propaganda” law, says Russian courts are shying away from enforcing the new law. “The courts are afraid of applying this law and do not want to take responsibility for its further enforcement,” Kondrashov said, as reported by Gay Star News. “The … Continue reading →

Pro-LGBT protests fizzle; anti-LGBT rally screams

It wasn’t a good weekend for LGBT activists. Anti-LGBT protesters assembled en masse in Malaysia, where homosexuality is illegal, while pro-LGBT forces fell short in their attempts to organize worldwide protests in favor of LGBT rights. Judging by online press coverage, plans fell flat for Saturday’s “first-ever Worldwide LGBT Civil Rights March … in over … Continue reading →