Fridae

Members of Singapore's LGBT community and allies are are expected to gather at 6pm on Aug 24 to take a stand against Russia's anti-gay law which bans so-called gay "propaganda", and express solidarity with LGBTs in Russia.

Gary Lim and Kenneth Chee, plaintiffs in the recent S 377A constitutional challenge, will appeal the recent High Court judgment. Friends and supporters have launched a fundraising appeal to raise S$50,000 to help meet court costs.

In dismissing one of two legal challenges in which plaintiffs sought to have the country's anti-gay sex law declared unconstitutional, the judge concludes that while anal and oral sex in private between a consenting man and woman is considered "acceptable," the same conduct was "repugnant and offensive" when carried out between two men, "therefore no reason to strike down... s 377A... as arbitrary or discriminatory."

A gathering held to mark the end of this year's International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) celebrations in the Cameroonian capital of Yaoundé turned violent after a mob forced their way into the venue.

Over 1,000 people joined an anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rally last Saturday.

Commonwealth countries will be urged to repeal anti-gay laws, which are still on the books in 41 of 54 Commonwealth member countries, at a leaders' summit to be held in Perth, Australia this week.

Eight months the suicide of American student Tyler Clementi that got the country talking about the issue of bullying on school campuses and anti-bullying efforts, his former roommate, who faces a 15-count indictment of hate crime charges, stood in court for the first time on Monday.

BeLonG To Youth Services in Ireland has launched a new campaign, Stand Up! LGBT Awareness Week! to provide an annual focus for promoting friendship amongst young people as a way to combat homophobic bullying.

While it is easy, and often necessary, to express our anger and abhorrence at laws motivated by homophobia, we have to ask where does this bigotry come from...

Activist David Kato, whose name and photograph was published in a tabloid story that promised to out 100 homosexuals next to a headline reading 'hang them', was bludgeoned to death in his home near the capital; tabloid editor says he has no regrets about the story despite Kato's death.