City gays, lesbians yearn for open-mindedness
TIMES NEWS NETWORK


MUMBAI: Amid protests over Karan Razdan's portrayal of a lesbian relationship in the movie Girlfriend , gay rights activists in the city have pointed to numerous problems faced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

"There are now gay cultures coming up which are Indian," says Ashok Row Kavi, chairperson of Humsafar Trust, a Mumbai organisation that reaches out to gay men.

Row Kavi says that while traditionally Indian society is less antagonistic towards homosexuality than Western society, what upsets many Indians is that "gay people are taking a decision about their sexuality as individuals. In India, the basic unit of society is not the individual but the family".

Lesbians face more opposition than gay men, Row Kavi adds: "Single men can usually stay together without a problem, but women living together may be accused of running a brothel."


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Supporters rally for gay rights ordinance
About 4,000 gather for Pride in the Park festival in Allentown.
By Elizabeth Bartolai
Of The Morning Call

Visitors to Sunday's Pride in the Park parade and festival rallied against last week's Lehigh County Court ruling that struck down Allentown's gender rights law.

''We don't want special rights, we want equal rights,'' Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley president Constance L. Kristokik said to about 4,000 people gathered at Cedar Creek Park.

Lehigh County Judge Alan J. Black ruled that Allentown's ordinance, which expanded anti-discrimination protection to people based on sexual orientation and gender identity, violated the state's Home Rule Act by giving businesses more responsibilities. The city is appealing.

''I have followed this court battle, which was not favorable to you, my friends,'' City Controller Frank Concannon said. ''Judge Black is not in any way against the gay and lesbian people. He found a technicality in the law, hopefully that will be fixed.''


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Housing helpline launch helps fight homophobia
Jun 21 2004
Jenny Rees, The Western Mail
 

TRIANGLE Wales is launching a helpline for lesbians, gays and bisexuals who face housing problems.

The helpline will operate for 12 hours a week when it is launched tomorrow.

Callers can contact the Cardiff service in confidence on 02920 454416, on Tuesdays (3pm-9pm) and Thurs-days (10am-4 pm).

Often lesbian, gay or bisexual people seeking housing support have faced discrimination and abuse from their families, their landlords and their partners