Fridae

Malaysia's former DPM Anwar Ibrahim has threatened to sue his former boss Mahathir Mohamad for defamation after the latter accused Anwar of being gay. Following a deepening a rift over homosexuality, the Church of Nigeria has deleted all references to its British "mother" church from its constitution. In New York, a pair of famously gay penguins have spilt up after six years.

In receiving an Arts Supporter Award from the National Arts Council this week, Fridae has become the first gay organisation in Singapore to be recognised and honoured for its contributions to the local arts scene.

LA-based celebrity photographer, Kal Yee talks about his new photo book, Slide featuring male models from Los Angeles, New York and Miami.

The UK Ministry of Defence has announced that lesbian and gay personnel in registered civil unions would now be able to access married quarters. In California, activists and politicians have delayed sending Gov. Schwarzenegger the bill in a bid to change his mind after he vowed to veto the same-sex marriage bill.

Lesbian group Women's Coalition of Hong Kong has reported receiving an anonymous abusive and threatening letter last Tuesday.

The highly anticipated gay cowboy film Brokeback Mountain by Academy Award-winning Chinese director Lee Ang, won the top award for best film at its premiere at the Venice Film Festival last week.

In its latest move to curb increasing HIV infection rates, China's Vice Health Minister said that his government must admit that MSM exist and cannot neglect the population. In California, Govornor Arnold Schwarzenegger must now decide whether to sign the gay marriage bill after the legislature approved it.

Fridae speaks to Jeffrey Tan, resident choreographer and assistant ballet master with the Singapore Dance Theatre. The SDT is presenting the visually spectacular epic, Reminiscing The Moon, this weekend at the Esplanade Theatre.

Last week, an appeals court in Fiji overturned a gay sex conviction on constitutional grounds shortly. In the US, anti-gay groups have called for a botcott of Starbucks over a gay quote used on a coffee cup, meanwhile New Orlean's Southern Decadence has become another casualty of Hurricane Katrina.

The Thai resort city of Phuket is set to host Nation - Asia's largest gay and lesbian party - as originally scheduled to be held from November 4-6 as organisers met with the Phuket Governor and Mayor of the local council last week.