Fridae

A debate is brewing about whether David Laws is trying to use his sexuality which he says he prefers to keep secret (until the scandal broke that is) to explain away a controversial expenses claim.

Media reports say the pair was reportedly forcibly separated and taken to their respective home villages after their release from prison.

Thai director Apichatpong Weerasethakul wins the top prize at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival with his sixth film, Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, which was described by Tim Burton, head of the jury, as being a "beautiful strange dream" and "full of surprises."

Days before the raid, TV3's 999 programme showed a 7-minute clip of a reporter going undercover with a concealed camera in a gay massage centre and a raid on an establishment in Cheras where the authorities stormed occupied private rooms.

A judge has sentenced a gay couple in Malawi to the maximum 14 years in prison for unnatural acts and gross indecency.

Shanghai is the only city in Asia to mark IDAHO with a Kiss-in event.

The British Embassy and Queer Comrades, a Beijing-based LGBT awareness group, marked International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia with an event and debut of a short documentary, The Story of Mr Gay China, following the cancellation of China's first gay beauty pageant.

Gay media watch group Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is demanding an apology from Newsweek magazine for a recent article that the group says suggested gay actors can't play straight characters.

The former first lady Laura Bush said in a CNN interview that she supports gay marriage and thinks same-sex marriage "will come".

The video which shows a 19-year-old contestant Liu Zhu standing his ground despite being repeatedly interrupted and verbally abused by a judge during his performance during a TV singing contest has caused a minor stir in China.