UN urged to tackle health and well-being of LGBTI people
Countries must address the health of LGBTI people, which is consistently poorer than that of the general population, says a new report. Released by the Global Forum on MSM and HIV (MSMGF) and OutRight Action International, the report argues for a global health and development approach that is inclusive of LGBTI people. Released ahead of […]
Malta overwhelmingly votes for marriage equality
Despite being a predominantly Catholic country, lawmakers in Malta have voted to become the 15th EU nation to allow same-sex couples to marry. In a nearly unanimous decision, MPs voted 66-1 to pass a bill to make Malta’s Marriage Act gender neutral. The words “husband” and “wife” will be replaced with “spouse”. The bill also replaces […]
Home Affairs minister rejects call to amend discriminatory Civil Union Act
Minister of Home Affairs Hlengiwe Mkhize has refused to back an amendment to remove a major discriminatory provision in the country’s same-sex marriage law. Section 6 of the Civil Union Act allows Home Affairs marriage officers to refuse to marry same-sex couples. This means that the service is simply not offered in many Home Affairs […]
Russia | Was Nureyev ballet postponed because of its gay content?
The dance world is abuzz following the shock postponement of a major Russian production about the life of gay ballet legend Rudolf Nureyev. Vladimir G. Urin, General Director of the Bolshoi Theatre, announced the news at a press conference in Moscow on Monday. There have been reports that the highly anticipated premiere of Nureyev was […]
Here’s the UK’s first gay Muslim wedding
A gay male couple in the English town of Walsall have married in traditional Islamic attire, believed to be a first in the UK. Jahed Choudhury, 24, and Sean Rogan, 19, who have been together for two years, tied the knot on 22 June, reported the Express and Star. Choudhury, an openly-gay Muslim man of […]
Church of England moves to welcome transgender people
In another progressive step, the General Synod of the Church of England has given its backing to affirming transgender people and their identity. Meeting in York last week, members of the Synod voted to urge the House of Bishops to consider preparing nationally commended liturgical materials, including prayers, to mark a person’s gender transition. The […]
True Blood star Nelsan Ellis remembered for groundbreaking gay role
True Blood star Nelsan Ellis, who died on Saturday at the age of 39, made a huge impact with his character of Lafayette Reynolds. The actor died as a result of complications from heart failure. Ellis starred as the gay short order cook in the supernatural series from 2008 until 2014. Although not identifying as […]
London Pride marks 50 years of being legally gay (Pics)
Tens of thousands took part in the 45th annual London Pride march to celebrate 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales. In the week preceding the parade, stores and public spaces in the capital were decorated with rainbow flags and messages of support. The Houses of Parliament were also illuminated in […]
Church of England calls for government to ban conversion therapy
The Church of England has joined the growing chorus of voices opposing conversion therapy; the dangerous practice of trying to change LGBT people’s sexuality or gender identity. The church’s General Synod last week passed a motion endorsing the 2015 Memorandum of Understanding on Conversion Therapy signed by The Royal College of Psychiatrists and others condemning the […]
Andrew Garfield under fire for saying he’s a gay man but without the sex
Andrew Garfield, best known for his role as Spiderman, has been hit with a backlash following his flippant comments about his sexuality. The 33-year-old British-American actor is currently starring in the London production of the iconic play Angels in America, about the rise of the HIV epidemic, in which he plays a gay man. During a […]