Fridae

The Thai resort city of Phuket is set to host Nation - Asia's largest gay and lesbian party - as originally scheduled to be held from November 4-6 as organisers met with the Phuket Governor and Mayor of the local council last week.

The law under which defendants under 21could be sentenced to up to life imprisonment for sexual acts between men was overturned in a court ruling as High Court judge Michael Hartmann declared the provisions unconstitutional.

A recent Bangkok study, which reveals a high and rapid increase as compared to 2003 figures, also suggests more than one in four local MSM could be HIV positive. A Fridae exclusive from the HIV Prevention and Care Interventions for MSM in the Greater Mekong Region - Regional Consultative Forum in Bangkok.

In Japan, a lesbian politician comes out at Tokyo's Gay Pride while gay activists protest say sex law in Mumbai. Meanwhile in Sydney, a new study has revealed that syphilis has become an epidemic among gay men in the inner city and in Shanghai, undergraduates can now take a course on homosexuality for the first time.

As the Kata-Karon Council is now reconsidering their decision at the Governor's request, Fridae will evaluate several alternatives with the help of the Governor's office in view of the possibility that Karon Stadium may not be a feasible venue for Nation.

Gay activists in Australia organise rallies nationwide to protest year-old Marriage Amendment Act which defines marriage as strictly heterosexual. Meanwhile, South Australian MP Mark Brindal has officially withdrawn from the March state election after it was revealed he was secretly bisexual; and more.

Faisal Alam, founder of Al-Fatiha, warns against the gay media's failure to accurately report on stories which fuels growing Islamaphobia and hatred towards Islamic world; and urges gays and lesbians to view the queer liberation movement through a broader lens of social justice and human rights.

More than three hundred people celebrate gay pride in Sri Lanka's capital city of Colombo.

Gays and lesbians in Singapore celebrate "IndigNation" as the Australian govt on Monday warned its citizens that they could face imprisonment if they are caught having gay sex in the city-state. Elsewhere, the California Supreme Court ruled that businesses must recognise registered same-sex couples and in Australia, a gay man is challenging the legality of a ban on gay blood donors.

Thai police clampdown and blacklist Thai pornographic sites; owners and operators face prison terms and/or fines.