Fridae

Oogachaga Women, a support group for lesbian and bisexual women in Singapore, is launching a second run of its support programme from June to October. Application is open from now till May 20.

A new study has found that lesbians' brains reacted somewhat, though not completely, like those of straight men to specific odours. In HK this weekend, some 600 gay men and lesbians are expected to party on boats off Lamma Island in the first event of its kind. Spring Fling is set for Saturday, where hundreds of "red-shirted" gay men and lesbians are expected to gather at Disneyland.

Do gays and lesbians really recruit? They will be this Saturday as gay community groups gather at the relaunch of Singapore's only LGBT resource centre. On Sunday, gay men and lesbians are invited to a forum where lesbian daughters and mothers of gay and lesbian children share their experiences.

Asia's most renowned gay and lesbian party, Nation, will be back in Phuket, Thailand this year. In addition to an unforgettable partying experience, partygoers can look forward to a unique weekend featuring top DJs, the luxurious Hilton Phuket Arcadia, private daytrips and even an exclusive Fridae flight on Jetstar Asia to Phuket - if you're departing from Singapore!

Hong Kong's Radio 2 will launch a new weekly gay radio talk-show from Saturday, May 6, hosted by veteran radio host Brian Leung. In Moscow, a gay party was cancelled as protesters including skinheads and Russian Orthodox Christians hurled abuse and stones at partygoers last weekend.

With the general elections scheduled for May 6 in Singapore, three Workers' Party candidates revealed their positions on homosexuality in a newspaper interview.

A popular pop star in Thailand has become embroiled in a "he said, he said" scandal after news reports revealed that he had received gifts worth over Bt7 million (US$185,000) from a wealthy businessman who appeared on a TV talk show on Wednesday night. Fridae's Bangkok columnist Vitaya Saeng-Aroon has more.

British nationals who live in Hong Kong have been barred from entering into same-sex civil partnerships as the British consulate complies with the SAR government's wishes. In Taipei, same-sex couples have been asked to join in a group wedding in the city's upcoming gay pride parade, scheduled for September.

Held over Bangkok's wettest, hottest and most celebrated festival, Songkran which is also known as the Water festival, the aptly named Squirt and Slurp parties drew over 1,500 and some 2,500 attendees respectively.

In Singapore this week, Singapore gay web site, Sgboy.com, is turning seven and they are having a "Prom King" contest and party. In Hollywood, Charlize Theron, Melissa Etheridge and "Transamerica" win the 17th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. In Hong Kong, "Brokeback" has inspired a new gay slang.