25 Senators Urge Obama to Stand Up for LGBT Rights Worldwide

Senators are pressuring President Obama to step up and appoint a special envoy for LGBT rights to the U.S. Department of State to protect LGBT people internationally.

President Obama got a letter Friday from 25 Democratic senators urging him to make a change on his global LGBT policy before the end of the year.

“In nearly eighty nations around the world there exist laws that criminalize homosexuality, prohibit public support for the LGBT community, or promote homophobia,” wrote the senators, asking the president to appoint a special envoy for LGBT human rights in the U.S. Department of State. “In seven countries, homosexuality is punishable by death. Even more troubling, though, is the recent trend of countries passing barbaric laws that deliberately try to persecute the LGBT community.” Read More

Wake Up Where the Clouds Are Far Behind

After July's International AIDS Conference ended, dozens of African delegates remained in Melbourne to seek asylum, fleeing countries that face not only widespread and generalised HIV epidemics, but violent and systemic homophobia. Benjamin Riley interviewed one of those people, learning it's hard to feel safe when the one you love is left behind.  Read More

Argentina grants first refugee status to Russian gay, victim of President Putin's non tolerance policies

A young 28 year old became the first Russian gay to be given refugee status by Argentina, because of discrimination and violence at his home country. The positive reply to the year-long request was sponsored by Argentina's Federation of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and trans, FALGBT. Read More

Number of Russian Asylum Seekers to U.S. Spikes in Wake of 'Antigay' Law

U.S. asylum applications from Russian nationals have jumped 15 percent for the second straight year, a rise that asylum seekers and attorneys attribute to Russians fleeing their homeland due to fears of persecution and antigay violence. Read More

Tens of thousands march for gay rights in Taiwan

In carnival splendor participants in the 2014 Taiwan LGBT Pride Parade posed for selfies with onlookers, comfortable and extravert in their lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender skins.

The parade attracted tens of thousands of LGBT rights supporters from across the globe, who took to Taipei's streets for "A Walk in Queer Shoes", celebrating the diversity of LGBT groups. Read More

Sri Lanka tells the United Nations that LGBTIs are protected in its constitution

Representatives of the Government of Sri Lanka have admitted to the United Nations Human Rights Committee that LGBTI people are protected under its constitution – though they maintain their country’s anti-sodomy law is not discriminatory. Read More

Real Religious Liberty is not Oppression

Religious liberty is one of the defining issues of our time — offering distinct challenges and historic opportunities for LGBTQ people and everyone who is struggling to create a more just society. As the Christian Right continues to use the term to frame their issues, we must not concede the definition of religious liberty to interlopers. Read More 

CARICOM Joins Gay Activist Maurice Tomlinson In Suit Against Belize & Trinidad

Activist Maurice Tomlinson has challenged the Immigration Acts of Belize, Trinidad, and Tobago  which ban the entry of homosexuals, mentally challenged, and physically disabled people. 

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) now joins with Tomlinson's suit to the Caribbean Court of Justice and will provide supporting evidence to his cause. They have become involved because the treaty deals with the right to free movement of non-nationals and the CARICOM Secretariat argues that all CARICOM states must treat all the nationals of CARICOM the same. Read More

Ugandan court dismisses case against activist Sam Ganafa

High-profile LGBTI rights activist Samuel K. Ganafa and three colleagues had been charged with “unnatural offenses,” a crime that is punishable by as much as a life sentence.

He was subjected to forced HIV testing and then, as the trial against him proceeded, the prosecution repeatedly requested delays.  On Oct. 8, nearly a year after his arrest, the prosecution asked for another delay, but the court has rejected the request and dismissed the charges. Read More

Amnesty International launches report "Rule by Law: Discriminatory Legislation and Legitimized Abuses in Uganda."

This report documents the human rights impact of three pieces of legislation: the Public Order Management Act, the Anti-Pornography Act, and the Anti-Homosexuality Act: in particular, the impact that these laws have had on the ability of civil society to organise, on discrimination against women, and on the lives of people who are or are believed to be LGBTI.  Read the report here

Egypt: New legal guide for LGBT communities

In response to Egypt’s ongoing crackdown on LGBT people, Egyptian activists and legal experts have drawn up a guide on how LGBT people can reduce their chances of being arrested and how to act if they are arrested. Read More