Fridae

Senator Penny Wong has been appointed Australia's first climate change and water minister - making her both the country's first openly gay and Asian-born cabinet minister.

HIV infection rates in some Asian cities in the MSM community are estimated to be anywhere from 5 percent to as high as 32 percent, according to a recent survey. The following report was issued by the Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health.

As LGBT communities across the globe commemorate the 19th annual World AIDS Day on Dec 1, the Osaka sexual health community reflect on a decade of achievement.

A prominent gay activist in Bangkok who complained earlier this month that his application to purchase a term insurance policy was rejected solely because of his sexual orientation wants the company to categorically confirm that it does not discriminate against gays. Fridae's Bangkok correspodent Vitaya S. reports.

Once barred by the Singapore authorities, Jason and deMarco - an American gay pop duo and real life couple - has been given the go ahead to perform at a concert to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS.

South Korean queers have responded forcefully to the anti-gay Christian fundamentalist lobby's efforts to remove them from a landmark non-discrimination bill currently being reviewed by lawmakers. Matt Kelley reports from Seoul.

Following the recent raid of a fitness centre in Penang where 37 men were arrested, it has emerged that contrary to media reports, there was no "sex party" in progress when police raided the establishment. SH Lim gives readers an insight of the case and how the community has responded.

Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu has criticised his own church - in a BBC radio programme to be aired next Tuesday - for being "obsessed" with homosexuality at a time when the world is beset with other pressing problems such as poverty, HIV and conflict.

Celebrating its 18th anniversary, the Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film Festival will feature over 60 films at Palace IFC, Broadway Cinematheque and AMC Festival Walk from Nov 22 to Dec 02.

While the world's attention has been focused on Burma's bloody crackdown of human rights protests, judges in Hong Kong were considering whether to award the top prize of a new literary competition to a Burmese gay novel. Dinah Gardner was in Rangoon to bring you this report.