Brokeback Mountain director Ang Lee said that he feels Asian audiences are more "accepting" of gay subject matters in films than American audiences. In the US, a gay media watchdog has criticised American Idol judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson for their questionable comments in the premiere. In Singapore, a court has spared a Thai transsexual drug dealer the cane in light of her post-op status.
People Like Us, Singapore's LGBT advocacy group, has issued a statement on Jan 19 urging the government to explain its rational on funding a "disguised religious cause based on unscientific psychotherapeutic approaches" and its failure to spot its religious agenda.
In benefit of Action for AIDS Singapore, Shaw and Fridae presents Brokeback Mountain on Feb 8, 2005. The film won Best Picture (Drama), Best Screenplay, Best Original Song and Best Director at the Golden Globes!
A group which claims to help gays and lesbians "understand" their sexual identity has received a S$100,000 (US$61,500) grant from the Singapore government. Fridae has however uncovered that the group, an advocate of reparative therapy, is linked to an international Christian group which dedicates itself to "correcting" homosexuality.
Taiwan gay groups have called for the abolition of laws which bans the sale, circulation and public display of obscene publications after the conviction of a gay bookstore owner. Meanwhile in India, the Human Rights Watch has renewed its call for India to repeal its sodomy laws after recent arrests.
While many have predicted that Hong Kong will lower the legal age for gay sex from 21 to 16 following the High Court's decision last August, the government has responded that it will appeal the case. In the UK, same-sex couples can now adopt children, meanwhile a top Muslim cleric has condemned gay civil partnerships in a radio programme.
2005 was a banner year for advocates of gay unions, as gay rights groups celebrated victories with same-sex marriage and partnership laws taking effect in several countries. However, discrimination and oppression still continued in many countries, as observers of rights movements prepare to greet the new year with guarded optimism.
Australia Prime Minister John Howard has ruled out following Britain's lead by introducing civil unions for same-sex couples. Elsewhere, Rosanna Flamer-Caldera of Sri Lanka and Dr Peter Jackson, a well-known Australian academic have been named winners of the 2005 Utopia Awards.
Sir Elton John has "wed" his long-time partner, David Furnish, on Wednesday in the UK, the same day legislation goes into effect legalising civil partnerships in England and Wales.
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