EUROPE
Norway Debates Gay Marriage: The Norwegian government has introduced legislation that would allow same-sex couples to marry and have joint custody over children. Norway currently allows same-sex civil partnerships, but previous moves to legalise same-sex marriage have failed.
European Transgender Council Meets in Berlin: The second European Transgender Council Conference will be held in Berlin, May 2-4. Speakers will include representatives from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Committee for Human Rights – Council of Europe.
Croatian Police Criticized: Several groups in Croatia have criticized the police for their handling of violent attacks on Zagreb’s gay pride march last year. Only one man has been formally charged, and the groups claim the lack of prosecution and the police manner in interacting with injured victims are evidence of widespread homophobia within the force.
Gay Iranian Case Under Review: Following concerted lobbying from human rights organizations and members of the House of Lords, the British Home Office has agreed to review the deportation order on gay Iranian teenager Mehdi Kazemi. Aged 19, he fled first to the UK and then the Netherlands after his boyfriend was arrested and named him as a homosexual to the police before being executed.
AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Morocco Called to Protect Fair Trial: Human Rights Watch has urged the Moroccan Government to repeal laws outlawing consensual homosexual acts. The call comes following the sentencing of six gay men to long prison terms.
New Indictments in Egyptian Crackdown: Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeated warnings to Egypt that the recent arrest and torture of several men on suspicion of having HIV violates basic human rights and stymies efforts to fight the spread of the disease because could potentially frighten Egyptians from seeking treatment.
THE AMERICAS
Tutu Given Outspoken Award: The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission has announced Archbishop Desmond Tutu as winner of the 2008 Outspoken Award. The award is in recognition of the Anglican leader’s outspoken rejection of and apology for homophobia, particularly as promoted by the Church.
‘Ex-gay’ Adverts Forced Off Air: LGBT activists have succeeded in having an advert from the ‘ex-gay’ movement removed from Canadian TV following a concerted online campaign. The Channel that ran the ad has issued an apology.
Jamaican Gays Reject Tourist Boycott: In Jamaica, mobs numbering in the thousands have reportedly been hunting down and attempting to kill gay individuals in recent months. Local LGBTI rights groups, however, have spoken out against a tourist boycott of the island because they are concerned that a boycott would increase the risk of attacks.
Obama Targets Gay Voters: First Hillary Clinton spoke of wanting to be the ‘LGBT community’s President’. Now presidential candidate Barack Obama has bought advertising in gay newspapers, urging LGBT voters to support his candidacy for U.S. President.
Twin Gay Porn Stars Arrested: Online media has been abuzz with the sensational story of twin gay porn actors, arrested this month for a string of burglaries on pharmacies across Philadelphia. Police believe the two men may be responsible for as many as 35 break-ins and robberies.
Sir Elton Parties for a Cause: Sir Elton John’s annual Oscar party drew a who’s who of stars and executives and raised a record breaking $5.1 million for HIV/AIDS programs.
Brazil Launches MSM Initiative: The Brazilian Government will target young men who have sex with men in public service announcements about condom use and safe sex practices. The percentage of new HIV cases among MSM rose from 24.8% in 1996 to 41.1% of new HIV cases in 2006.
