Fridae

The Australian Capital Territory's hopes of being the first state to legally recognise same-sex civil union ceremonies have been snuffed out after the Rudd Government announced on Sunday that it would override the planned laws despite earlier promises that it would not use it powers to do so.

During a busy lunch hour on Valentine's Day in Beijing's central business district, six lesbians and gays handed out 200 red carnations wrapped in leaflets calling for the acceptance of gay love and marriage. A Beijing exclusive by Dinah Gardner.

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 Meanwhile, South Australian MP Mark Brindal has officially withdrawn from the March state election after it was revealed he was secretly bisexual; and more.

Canada has become the fourth nation - after Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain - to grant full legal rights to same-sex couples after a landmark bill was signed into law.

Gays and lesbians in Hong Kong will be covered by sexual orientation discrimination legislation sooner rather than later if a survey to be conducted by early next year indicates more than 50 per cent of the public supports such a law. Tim Cribb reports.

After snagging a place as a celebrity grand marshal in San Francisco's June 27 gay pride parade, Mayor Gavin Newsom will be honoured at a fund-raiser staged by Hollywood heavyweights.

Are heterosexuals who vehemently oppose gay marriages hypocrites? Paul Tan articulates the argument.