Iran: ‘We Are Everywhere’
LGBT Iranians have been coming out online as part of a new campaign against the current laws against homosexuality in the country. Launched in May this year, Iranians and people from around the world have been posting their own stories and messages of support on the ‘We Are Everywhere’ Facebook page. A recently released Iranian film also portrays the love story of two young women and has sparked something of a social movement worldwide. The film tells the story of a pair of 16-year-old Iranian girls struggling with their sexuality in the Islamic country. The film producers have asked people all around the world to come together and share what freedom is to them, reminding the rest of us that it is a beautiful thing we are fighting for.
US: President Defends LGBT at UN
Last month US President Barack Obama addressed the United Nations 66th session general debate and defended the rights of lesbians and gay men. President Obama spoke about the pursuit of peace and said the US would ‘always stand up for the universal rights that were embraced by this Assembly’. ‘No country should deny rights of freedom of speech and religion, and neither should people be denied the right to live and love as they pleased. That was why the rights of gays and lesbians should be respected.’ The President also highlighted the right to respect for women and minorities and justice that was equal and fair. The speech came a day after the United States lifted the ban on gay and lesbian people serving in the military.
China: TV show drops trans* dancer
Famous Chinese dancer Jin Xing was dropped as a judge from the reality television singing program. Feitong Fanxiang because she was transgender. Xing was under contract to judge the TV contest for eight episodes until she received a call last month from the show’s director, Chao Chi-tai, who told her that her transgender identity could have negative effects on society. China Daily reported the dancer underwent sex reassignment surgery in 1996. ‘I’m just angry that the officials used such a lame excuse. It’s a personal attack,’ she said. In 2009, China’s Ministry of Health released guidelines on the supervision of sex-change operations to ensure the safety of patients. People now have to be over 20 years old and must waited for at least five years for surgery..
India: Police Fine Gay Party
Mumbai Police fined about 150 men for ‘obscene’ acts last month after a gay party was raided. Police entered the residential party at around 2am after a tip-off. Express India reported the men were fined Rs 1,200 (about AU$24). A police spokesperson said when officers reached the party they found men were found ‘behaving indecently’. Police sources told Express India that when the party was stopped, the guests expressed anger saying that the police action came as it was a gay gathering. Filmmaker Onir felt the incident was an embarrassing reality check. ‘It’s a joke that gay people dancing are called immodest, while heterosexual couples at parties is fine,’ he told the Hindustan Times.
The Netherlands: Calls for Transgender Law review
Human Rights Watch called on the Dutch Government to amend its laws requiring transgender people to undergo surgery and permanent sterilisation before official recognition. The human rights organisation said article 28 of the Dutch Civil Code affected the daily life of transgender people. ‘The Dutch law causes anguish for trans* people who have not had the required surgery,’ Boris Dittrich, the advocacy director in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Rights Program at Human Rights Watch said. ‘Their documents do not match their deeply felt gender identity. This leads to frequent public humiliation, vulnerability to discrimination, and great difficulty finding or holding a job.’ The Netherlands was one of the first European countries to adopt legislation enabling trans* people to change their registered gender in 1985.
US: Drag queen gang arrested
A gang of drag queens were arrested last month for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of fabric, sequins and other accessories from Central Florida stores. The Orlando Sentinel reported on Monday September 19 that three drag queens were charged with retail theft of merchandise worth more than US$300. Amanda Marshall, manager of Jo-Ann Fabrics in Orlando said it was a whole gang of drag queens that were involved: ‘they were real upset when the police made them take their wigs off’. The thefts have allegedly become routine over the past year. Five packs of black feathers, two packs of red feathers, eyelashes, butt pads and gel inserts were found in the handbag of one of the men who was wearing a tank top and multi-colour tights.
Compiled by Benn Dorrington & Vanessa Manivannen
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