Victory for transgender spouses as court rules against Home Affairs (again)
The Western Cape High Court has ordered the Department of Home Affairs to stop forcing transgender spouses to get divorced when they apply to change their sex descriptor. Last week, the court handed down judgment in a landmark case brought by the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) on behalf of three married transgender women and their spouses affected […]
It’s only fair | Aussie prime minister backs same-sex marriage ahead of postal poll
As Australians prepare to vote on legalising same-sex marriage, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said that ensuring marriage equality is a matter of fairness. Turnbull confirmed his support for the “yes” vote in a speech at the launch of the NSW Liberals and Nationals For Yes group in Sydney on Sunday. Australia’s Bureau of Statistics […]
Being a refugee and a lesbian is difficult, says Somali woman
Many gay and lesbian refugees fleeing persecution in other African countries seek asylum in South Africa, says 27-year-old Somali refugee Shamsa Ally Haji. But their path is not easy. “Being a refugee and a lesbian is difficult,” she says. Coming to a new country where often they do not know anyone, often with very little […]
Tech gone bad | LGBTQ groups slam gay facial recognition technology claims
LGBTQ organisations have condemned “dangerous and flawed” claims that a computer programme can identify lesbian and gay people simply by the way they look. It was recently reported that research from Stanford University had shown that artificial intelligence is able to accurately tell if a person is gay or straight based on pictures of their […]
No same-sex couples (yet) for Strictly Come Dancing
Despite growing pressure, the BBC has confirmed that it has no plans to allow same-sex couples to compete on Strictly Come Dancing. The contentious issue once again came to the fore in the show’s latest season after openly lesbian comedian and writer Susan Calman (pictured) was paired with a male professional dancer. Calman was slammed […]
Watch: Here’s the trailer for Lady Gaga’s raw and unfiltered new doccie
Fans of Lady Gaga are in for a treat, with the upcoming release of a revealing and no holds barred documentary exploring the star’s life and work. Called Gaga: Five Foot Two, the film covers a year and documents the events around the production and release of her fifth studio album, Joanne, and her already […]
Amazing! “Smart” PrEP pills remind you when to take your meds
Scientists have created a “smart” PrEP pill that keeps track of when it’s been taken and can remind users to take their next daily dose. PrEP is a game-changing daily HIV prevention medication that’s been recommended for use by sexually active gay, bi and other men who have sex with men (MSM) who are HIV […]
Aussie same-sex marriage postal survey to go ahead, says High Court
LGBT groups are disappointed after Australia’s High Court dismissed two legal bids to halt the government’s postal survey on same-sex marriage. On Thursday, seven high court judges were unanimous in finding that the applications by the plaintiffs, which included individuals and organisations such as PFlag and Australian Marriage Equality, were without merit. The plaintiffs had […]
Indonesia | Twelve “suspected lesbians” evicted from their homes
Police in Indonesia have conducted a raid on the homes of 12 “suspected lesbians”, immediately forcing them from the area. According to Human Rights Watch, officers raided a residential compound in West Java province’s Tugu Jaya village on 2 September. The action was in response to complaints from local Islamic youth groups and religious leaders that […]
Nigeria gay crackdown | 70 arrested for planning “homosexual party”
Following the recent arrest of 40 men accused of homosexuality in Nigeria, up to 70 more individuals have been apprehended by religious police in the north of the country. Reports state that between 52 and 70 accused, primarily minors, were arrested in Kano State for allegedly “planning homosexual frivolities amidst the Eid-il-Mubarak festivities”. The Herald […]