Fridae

Representatives of organisations working on HIV prevention, treatment, care and support among MSM have announced at the International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP), held Aug 9-13, the formation of a subregional network to coordinate and expand their efforts in Brunei, East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

The second sexuality rights festival will be held at the Annexe Gallery with the launch of Body 2 Body, the first anthology of Malaysian queer short stories and essays on Aug 15.

Avoid telling clients they can change their sexual orientation through therapy or other treatments, the world's largest association of psychologists tells mental health professionals.

While same-sex marriage supporters stage rallies across Australia on Saturday, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's Labor Party voted on the same day to retain the country's ban on same-sex marriage.

Siew Kum Hong, a former Nominated Member of Parliament who came under fire for presenting a petition which sought to repeal the law that criminalises gay sex in Parliament in 2007, tells Fridae about what winning the second Dignity Prize means to him.

A masked gunman walked into community center on Saturday night and "fired all over the place", killing a 16-year-old teen and 26-year-old youth counsellor.

Just days ahead of Saturday's same-sex marriage right rallies to be held in its seven capital cities, PM Kevin Rudd says that his government will not change its stance in only recognising marriage as being between a man and a woman.

After three men were reportedly attacked last Friday in what has been classified a hate crime, an athlete has been treated for his injuries after a man fired two explosives at a track and field event on Tuesday.

Australians in the capital cities of Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart and Canberra will take to the streets on Aug 1 to demand equal marriage rights for all regardless of sex and sexual orientation.

Singapore's fifth gay pride season is back with a bumper crop of events, and the announcement of the winners of the inaugural Rascals Prize and 2nd Dignity Award.