Second Wachowski filmmaking sibling “forced” to come out as trans
Lilly Wachowski, sister of transgender director and producer Lana Wachowski, best known for their The Matrix films, has also come out as transgender. In a piece for the Windy City Times, Lilly wrote, “I’m transgender… And yeah, I’ve transitioned.” The filmmaker revealed that she decided to open up about her identity after being repeatedly harassed […]
Does the Queen disapprove of same-sex marriage?
Contrary to what was previously believed, it’s been claimed that Queen Elizabeth II was not in favour of legalising same-sex marriage in the UK. According to The Daily Mail, a “friend” of the queen has revealed that while she supported civil partnerships for gay and lesbian couples, marriage equality was a bridge too far for her. […]
SA tells UN that hate crimes bill is coming later this year
The South African government has told the United Nations Human Rights Committee that a long-awaited hate crimes bill will be presented to Parliament later this year. The Citizen reported that the news was included in a written report to the committee for its review of the country’s human rights record. “The bill is intended to […]
Here are the South African gay ads they don’t want you to see
The WeTheBrave campaign targeting gay men and other men who have sex with men is facing stiff opposition to the airing and publishing of its risqué HIV awareness ads. The sometimes racy video and print ads were designed with the aim of “addressing HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in a way that is honest and direct, yet […]
US Supreme Court rules for adoptive lesbian mother
The US Supreme Court has overturned the Alabama Supreme Court’s refusal to recognise an adoption by a non-biological lesbian mother. The case concerned a same-sex couple, known only as V.L. and E.L., who were in a relationship for 16 years, during which E.L. gave birth to their three children (a girl, now 13, and boy […]
Koyo Bala from SA’s first gay pop group 3Sum passes away
Singer and socialite Koyo Bala, best known for his part in the groundbreaking openly gay Afro-pop group 3Sum, has passed away. The much loved Bala, 37, reportedly lost the battle with cancer at the Groote Schuur hospital in Cape Town on Monday. Housemate, friend and designer Ephraim “Ephymol” Molingoana told Sowetan Live: “We are devastated and […]
US football team slammed for asking player if he’s gay
An American football (NFL) team is in hot water after a recruit was asked if he likes men during his interview. Eli Apple, from Ohio State University, was being interviewed for a place with the Atlanta Falcons when he was faced with the question from an unnamed coach. “The Falcons coach, one of the coaches, […]
Britain pledges £1 million to fight LGBT bullying
Britain’s Education Secretary and Minister for Equalities Nicky Morgan has announced new funding to tackle LGBT bullying in schools. The government says it will allocate £1 million to fight the scourge in Britain. This is in addition to £2 million allocated to eight anti-LGBT bullying projects last year. “Even a single child having their time […]
Watch: Gay son comes out to dad in Taiwan McDonald’s viral ad
A moving advert for McDonald’s McCafé in Taiwan that shows a young man coming out to his father has gone viral and generated controversy. In the video, titled Acceptance, the son writes, “I like boys”, on his coffee cup and shows it to his father. The older man seems upset and walks off to the […]
China bars homosexuality on television
Homosexuality is one of the “abnormal behaviours” that are now no longer allowed to be depicted on television in China. New regulations by the China Television Drama Production Industry Association and the China Alliance of Radio, Film and Television were drafted in December last year but were only recently released online. Also banned are depictions of […]