Cut in Kenya – A recent Kenyan study showing a 60 per cent reduction in HIV infections among circumcised men has a Government taskforce to encourage the practice. Early responses to the campaign are promising, though circumcision in Kenya has historically led to violent intertribal clashes.
Brazil, Loud and Proud – At the World’s largest gay pride parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, an estimated 3 million people turned out.
Berlin Immemorial – A memorial to the gay men sent to Nazi concentration camps has opened in Berlin. The memorial includes embedded video footage of two men kissing.
Marching in Romania – After violence marred the 2007 Parade, more than 1000 police officers turned out to protect participants at this year’s Romanian Pride Parade. The event proceeded peacefully, with over 200 people marching.
Get Out Gambia – Gambia’s President Yahyeh Jammeh has been criticized by international human rights organisations for recent statements in which he ordered gays and lesbians to leave the country or risk ‘serious consequences.’
Reform Turkey! – Human Rights Watch has called on the European Union to make Turkey’s membership ambitions subject to gay and lesbian law reform. LGBT people are currently afforded no legal protection.
Marrying Ellen – Ellen Degeneres announced she will marry long-time partner Portia de Rossi. The announcement was made on her daily chat show after the Californian Supreme Court struck down a ban on same-sex marriage.
Malaysia Detained – Police detained 14 men at a fitness and sauna centre on the Malaysian island of Penang. Police said the venue was a front for gay activities and recommended that the venue be permanently closed. It is the third raid on the venue in six months with 34 men detained in November 2007.
Desperately Seeking Refuge – A Ugandan lesbian who says she was raped, tortured and beaten after being imprisoned for homosexuality in her homeland is now planning an appeal to stay in Britain, after the government refused to grant her asylum.
An Italian Front – Italy’s new Minister for Equal Opportunity, Mara Carfagna joined the new Mayor of Rome in attacking gay pride events, saying she did not agree with their promotion of ‘official recognition for homosexual couples.’
Moldovan Mobs – In Moldova Pride marchers were mobbed by hundreds of religious extremists and neo-fascists while police refused to respond to repeated calls for help.
Drawing Polish Blood Lines – Poland’s Blood Donation Centre is considering a ban on blood donations from gay men. Doctors at the centre insist that while they are not prejudiced, they believe the ban will reduce the risk of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis infections from blood transfusions.
Teaching Ireland – The European Commission has provided an exemption to church-run schools from employment equality provisions, ruling that religious schools may sack teachers who are openly gay. With the majority of schools in the Republic of Ireland run by the Catholic Church, teachers unions are worried that the ruling will result in widespread firings of LGBT teachers, even those who remain ‘closeted.’
Crazy Lesbos – Gay activists have labeled a lawsuit by three residents of the island of Lesbos ‘a claim based in serious prejudice and hatred.’ The residents have launched action to get a ban on anyone except islanders and their descendents from referring to themselves as lesbians. The islanders say claims that Sappho, an early resident of Lesbos, had a same-sex lover are a ‘heinous distortion.’
IDAHO in Costa Rico – The Costa Rican Government officially recognised this year’s International Day Against Homophobia. In a joint statement the President and Health Minister stated that government departments ‘must facilitate, promote and support activities directed at the eradication of homophobia,’ emphasizing the importance of this action in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
