Fridae

The Thai Ministry of Justice announced that it would work with the House of Representatives Committee on Laws, Justice and Human Rights to push draft legislation on civil unions for same-sex couples.

What exactly is happening in Thailand and Vietnam on law reform to recognise same-sex relationships? Doug Sanders, back home in Thailand from two weeks in Hanoi, reports.

One of the top three universities in Thailand has introduced two LGBT courses, a breakthrough in the country and the region. Doug Sanders reports from Bangkok.

A new low-budget comedy continues the Thai film world's love affair with Tom lesbians, and non-lady-boy gay men. There is only one kathoey character in the film, reports Doug Sanders from Bangkok, a departure from the standard Thai queer comedies.

Asia is becoming more LGBTI friendly. Change is not dramatic but incremental, says Douglas Sanders, a long-time activist and Professor Emeritus in Law at Canada's University of British Columbia and Thailand's Chulalongkorn University.

Two historic appeals on marriage are being argued in the US Supreme Court this week. One is a challenge to the federal Defense of Marriage Act. The other is about an amendment to the state constitution in California. Douglas Sanders, Professor Emeritus in Law at Canada’s University of British Columbia and Thailand's Chulalongkorn University, provides a backgrounder to the two cases.

The International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) met in Stockholm, Sweden from Dec 10 to 16. Fridae correspondent Doug Sanders reports.

From snowy Stockholm, Doug Sanders reports on new life in ILGA Asia.

We now know what the draft ASEAN Human Rights Declaration will say. Is it good news or bad news for LGBTI? Douglas Sanders looks at the issues.

A new UN report Born Free and Equal presents the UN's new view that LGBT Rights are part of international human rights law. The report tells many grim stories of abuse – but equally, there are appealing pictures of gay parades and rainbow flags. Douglas Sanders reports.