Fridae

Hong Kong Tycoon Cecil Chao has doubled his original offer of HK$500 million to the man that successfully marries his daughter, Gigi Chao.

The Australian Capital Territory has become the first jurisdiction in Australia to legalise same-sex marriage.

The Thai Ministry of Justice announced that it would work with the House of Representatives Committee on Laws, Justice and Human Rights to push draft legislation on civil unions for same-sex couples.

Thailand's Bangkok Post last week highlighted that while the country's tourism authorities are trying to market Thailand as a gay-friendly destination urging gay visitors to "Go Thai. Be free", local LGBT activists say the campaign disguises a darker reality that beneath the veneer of public tolerance, conservatism and discrimination remain rife.

Some 1,200 people joined a mock "wedding banquet" in Taipei on Saturday to drum up support for a same-sex marriage bill due to be sent to parliament soon.

Gay South Korean film director Kim Jho Gwang-soo and his partner Kim Seung-hwan symbolically married in public ceremony in central Seoul on Saturday although same-sex marriage is not legally recognised in Korea.

Many lesbians in Indonesia feel the pressure to marry, and like many others in less accepting societies around the world, many consider marrying a gay man, but is it a way to solve their marriage problems? Kate Walton, who works for a national women's organisation in Jakarta, explores the issue.

Just days from the federal elections on September 7, PM Kevin Rudd faced down a Christian pastor, who challenged him on his support for same-sex marriage on a TV talkshow, and argued that a literal interpretation of the Bible would also dictate support for slavery.

At last count, 14 countries have legalised same-sex marriage. In Asia, the issue is gaining steam in Vietnam and Thailand as its governments are considering legalising same-sex marriage and civil unions respectively. Is this a cause all gay people should get behind? Malaysian gay activist and co-founder of Seksualiti Merdeka Pang Khee Teik writes that while this right should be celebrated, it is not the most important right for LGBTs.

The country's Justice Ministry has become the second ministry after the Health Ministry to openly support the legalisation of same-sex marriage; but experts say it will take more time to secure the National Assembly's approval for same sex marriages.