ASIA – Human rights advocates have expressed grave concerns over a push for legislation in Indonesian Papua that would require people with HIV to be micro-chipped. The move appears designed to enable authorities to track the people’s movements and to prevent them from having sex. It is feared that the legislation, if introduced, will force those living with HIV underground and away from services that have been proven to help in the fight against the spread of the epidemic.
Police in Bangalore, India, are continuing what some are calling a campaign of ‘social cleansing’ primarily directed against working class hijra (transgender) Indians. The police have been using the common folk myth that hijra kidnap children, conduct sex changes on them and then force them into sex work as justification for the systematic arrests and harassment that has been occurring. Police have also arrested and beaten gay and human rights activists who have attempted to assist the hijra.
Europe – The Vatican has released new ordination guidelines that require candidates for the priesthood to undergo psychological tests to check whether they have homosexual inclinations. Refusal to undertake the test will result in a candidate being barred from the priesthood, whilst those that show homosexual inclinations will be required to demonstrate that they have been celibate for at least three years.
United Kingdom – According to PinkNews.co.uk, London Lord Mayor Boris Johnson has declared that he is ‘thrilled’ that London has been chosen to host World Pride during the summer of 2012. The two week festival will be held during the summer immediately preceding the London Olympics, with the main parade to be held on July 7.
South America – Patrons attending ‘Our Gay Beauty’ an event organized by local organization to promote HIV prevention have been attacked with a tear gas bomb in Guatemala. It is the second time in a year that GLBT events have been targeted in this manner. Activists are calling on the police to conduct a thorough investigation into the attack.
Despite opposition from local health authorities a Buenos Aires Province has passed an ordinance requiring hospital staff to respect transgender patients’ gender identity by using their chosen names. Passed unanimously by the local council, the ordinance required the special support of the Mayor to be implemented in the face of refusal of hospital chiefs.
