Stories about LGBTQ+ from February, 2009
Jamaica, Guyana: Action or Reaction?
Both Active Voice [Jamaica] and Guyanese blogger C.D. Valere (writing at Baiganchoka) continue the discussion about recent attempts by the Jamaican Broadcasting Commission to “clean up” the airwaves.
Philippines: Praise for “Milk” film
Talinghagang Gala, a student leader in the Philippines, is happy for the Oscar victory of Sean Penn for his acting performance in the film “Milk.” He praises the progressive message of the film.
Jamaica: The Power of Words
“Everybody who has felt the need to prove their Jamaican-ness has said it: gays and lesbians ought to be expelled from the national body…”: Long Bench has had enough of that kind of talk, saying, “maybe we are ready to start acting like we live in a democracy, where every...
Kenya: Gays Set Up Support Group
Gays in Kenya have set up a support group for married gay men, reports Rants and Raves of a Kenyan Gay Man. The support group is expected to be “a place that provides confidential environments where issues surrounding straight spouses, children, the workplace, health, male relationships, gay culture, and coming-out...
Japan: Transgender Man to Receive Compensation As a Male. Surprised?
The Okayama District Court has ruled that calculations of estimated lost earnings for a transgender man suffering severe aftereffects from a traffic accident be based on average wages for an adult male, even though he is registered as a woman in the national family registry. Bloggers reflect on gender identity and sexual identity, income disparities between men and women, and the country's recent "onee boom".
Hong Kong: Network Mobilization Against Religious Hegemony
Yesterday (Feb 15), more than 800 people participated in a demonstration against Christian Right Wing in Hong Kong. The rally has no traditional NGO back up and it is mainly mobilized via facebook groups. Sidekick reported about the rally via twitter during the rally and put the messages together in...
Estonia: National author as gay icon
Itching for Eestimaa reflects over the Estonian 19th century author Kristjan Jaak Peterson and his potential as a gay icon.
Jordan: Empowering Women, Emos and Live Mesh
Discussions on empowering women to the behaviour of teenagers to the latest new software which lets you synchronize your all your data on your computer are taking place at the Jordanian blogosphere this week. Mohammad Azraq brings us the latest.
Georgia: Homphobic TV
Unzipped: Gay Armenia reports that a LGBT organization in the Republic of Georgia has filed a complaint against the deputy head of Public TV for homophobic remarks.
Jamaica: All That Glitters
Homophobic statements from a member of the Jamaica Prime Minister's cabinet prompts Abeng News Magazine‘s Kadene Porter to say: “The abundance of divisive nonsense-statements that he and his band of ministers seem to come up with is drawing more than ribaldry from a nervous and watchful public.”
The Balkans: “Balkan Males” Blog
Belgraded has discovered a blog “that's completely dedicated to good looking Balkan guys.”
Uganda: Behind The Mirror
Sokari writes about the documentary Behind the Mirror, which investigates and advocates for responses to the many challenges faced by the LGBTI community in Uganda.
Armenia-Azerbaijan: LGBT roundup
With the traditional media in the South Caucasus rarely reporting on sexual or religious minority rights maturely, blogs have stepped in to fill the gap and Unzipped: Gay Armenia continues to post LGBT news from the region. Following recent homophobic remarks from local politicians and civil society activists as well as in articles in the local press, the blog says there is actually some good news for a change.
Kenya: Anti-gay blog suspended
Gay Kenyan Man write about the anti-gay blog in Kenya that has been suspended: I am a believer in freedom of expression and actually think that blog helped expose that there are some willing to propagate hate to get their point across. But I draw the line when someone advocates...
Azerbaijan: Breaking Taboos
Nigar [RU] announces the publication of a controversial new book in Azerbaijan. Artush and Zaur: A Legend of Love tells the story of an Armenian and Azerbaijani against the backdrop of the emerging conflict over Nagorno Karabakh. Ромовый дневник [RU] links to a comment made on an Azerbaijani forum, now...
Pakistan: Queer Culture
“Internet, lies, hiding and partying will not give anything to gays of Pakistan. They have to enter a political struggle. Sooner or later,” writes Shaheryar Ali at Pak Tea House while discussing the LGBT movement in Pakistan.
Serbia: Gays in Belgrade
Blogging Balkanistan links to a post on Belgrade's gay and lesbian community at The Belgrade Dispatch.
Bulgaria, U.S.: Sofia Mayor's Harvard Visit Cancelled
Veni Markovski writes about the cancellation of Sofia mayor's visit to John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard – here and here: “I feel relieved that my country will not be exposed by the rabidly gay-bashing Bulgarian politician!”
Armenia: More Homophobic Traditional Values
Following homophobic remarks from leading representatives of the country's civil society and media outlets, Unzipped: Gay Armenia continues to highlight the continuing prejudices against the LGBT community from the most unexpected quarters. In its latest post, the blog comments on the words of an MP, doctor and member of the...
