Fridae

Taiwan gay activist tells Fridae that the move may be due to a potential backlash in the run-up to next year's presidential elections and quotes the government as saying that the proposed bill was "just a proposal, a plan, and not a reality." Tim Cribb reports.

Southeast Asia's Anglicans have rejected the consecration of homosexual Bishop Gene Robinson, joining a conservative backlash in the Church and announcing they have "broken communion" with the Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA).

The 13th Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival will be held from Nov 28 - Dec 13, 2003, after almost being cancelled due to the lack of corporate sponsorship caused by the economic downturn. Fridae's Hong Kong correspondent Tim Cribb tracks down festival directors Raymond Yeung and Wouter Barendrech for an exclusive report.

A top mainland China university is offering a graduate course on homosexuality in what is seen as an encouraging sign that the authorities are willing to consider recognising gays and lesbians in the world's most populous country. Tim Cribb reports in Hong Kong.