Fridae

A Singapore court has denied the application by a Singaporean gay couple to have a Queen’s Counsel represent them in their appeal against the dismissal of their challenge to section 377A of the Penal Code which criminalises sex between men.

The LGBTI community in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, now has its own community centre which was built with financial assistance from the Nepal government, Norwegian government, Danish Embassy, US Embassy, and contributions from community members from in and outside the country.

With over 35 events planned, Hong Kong's Pink Season looks set to be Asia's largest LGBT cultural festival spanning over two months from September 12 to November 10, 2013.

Thailand's Bangkok Post last week highlighted that while the country's tourism authorities are trying to market Thailand as a gay-friendly destination urging gay visitors to "Go Thai. Be free", local LGBT activists say the campaign disguises a darker reality that beneath the veneer of public tolerance, conservatism and discrimination remain rife.

Some 1,200 people joined a mock "wedding banquet" in Taipei on Saturday to drum up support for a same-sex marriage bill due to be sent to parliament soon.

Gay South Korean film director Kim Jho Gwang-soo and his partner Kim Seung-hwan symbolically married in public ceremony in central Seoul on Saturday although same-sex marriage is not legally recognised in Korea.

The HKLGFF will screen a total 54 films from around the world – exceeding any previous year's record – including five feature films and one short under the new bisexual category, one feature and four shorts under the lesbian porn category, and two French films to close: Stranger by the Lake, and Winner of this year's Palme d'Or at the Cannes film festival, Blue Is the Warmest Colour.

Just days from the federal elections on September 7, PM Kevin Rudd faced down a Christian pastor, who challenged him on his support for same-sex marriage on a TV talkshow, and argued that a literal interpretation of the Bible would also dictate support for slavery.

Officials of the Russian Embassy in Singapore have refused to accept a petition signed by 200 members of the LGBT community and their allies when four activists visited their premises on Friday morning, say petition organisers.

About 100 protesters gathered last Saturday to take a stand against Russia's anti-gay law which bans so-called gay "propaganda", and express solidarity with LGBTs in Russia; a petition will be delivered to the Russian embassy this week.