AFRICA & THE MIDDLE EAST
Somalian First: Somalia has its first website aimed at providing information and support to gay men, following a launch this month. The website seeks to end the isolation felt by many Somali gay men and connect them to an online LGBT community.
Number Crunchers: Canadian and African mathematicians, scientists and health workers have converged on Uganda for a meeting to explore the creation of mathematical models to track the transmission of infections such as HIV and tuberculosis.
Bahrain Digs Deep: The Gulf Daily News reported this month that the Bahrain government has agreed to fully fund 32-year-old Hussain Rabie’s flight, accommodation, and medical costs for reconstructive surgery. Rabie, a former athlete with Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation, says that he is ecstastic with the Bahrain Government’s decision and hopes that on his return his passport will be changed to officially recognise his gender as male.
THE AMERICAS
Buenos Aires Pride: Mid November saw thousands turn out in to celebrate the 16th Gay Pride March in Argentina. The theme was ‘Celebration’ in a country known to be one of the most gay-friendly in Latin America. Argentina first allowed same-sex civil unions in 2002, but activists say there is more to be done – an assertion borne out by the large crowd of Catholic protestors who also turned out on the night.
Nicaraguan Law Reform: Consensual gay sex will be decriminalised in Nicaragua under a new penal code to come into effect in 2008, according to a surprise announcement made by the Nicaraguan National Assembly. Currently anyone who practices or ‘promotes’ same-sex sexual activity can be imprisoned for up to three years.
Anti-Gay Microsoft Takeover Bid: The Rev. Ken Hutchenson, former Dallas Cowboys footballer turned self proclaimed evangelical preacher, has pledged to take over Microsoft by recruiting shareholders to vote to overturn Microsoft’s current policy of advocating gay rights. According to PinkNews.co.uk, Hutchenson has warned Microsoft that if they do not stop promoting a ‘homosexual agenda’ he will become their ‘worst nightmare.’
EUROPE
Custom-fit Condoms: German inventor Jan Vinzenze Kraus is working on developing a spray on condom to overcome the limited sizing variety currently available. Kraus has already developed a chamber that sprays latex directly onto a penis and is now working to reduce the latex drying time to just a few seconds.
Hungary Considers Same-sex Recognition: After rejecting a Free Democrat bill to allow same-sex marriage, Hungary’s main parties are now considering legislation to give limited rights to same-sex couples.
Automatic Parenting Rights: Britain is moving to bring in legislation, known as the Human Tissues and Embryos Bill, that will give equal parenting status to the partners of lesbians who have children using IVF. The bill must still pass through British Parliament and faces strong opposition from conservative family groups.
Anti-Gay Prime Minister Gone: Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski resigned in early November, following his defeat in the recent election. Kaczynski was responsible for banning Pride marches and ordering sweeping investigations into the conduct of ‘homosexuals’ on unspecified allegations of ‘paedophilia.’
ASIA-PACIFIC
Hospital Sit-In: HIV-positive farmers in China have staged a series of sit-ins in hospitals to demand better medical support and access to records that help prove they were infected through hospital blood transfusions. China has responded by calling in the riot police, a move that has drawn criticism from human rights groups.
Lesbian Ban Reversed: Singapore has reversed an earlier decision to ban the computer game Mass Effect because of a brief animated lesbian sex scene. The game has been released on the market with an M18 rating.
37 Arrested: Malaysian police have arrested 37 men, including two foreigners, following a raid on a club in northern Penang. Heavily armed police swarmed on the club, ostensibly operating as a fitness centre and arrested men engaging in sex. Sodomy is illegal in Malaysia and those arrested face public whippings and up to 20 years in jail.
