Vietnam to recognise transsexual plight


Transsexuals are to be allowed sex change operations in Vietnam.

A health ministry official in the country announced today that legislation will be prepared for a gender transition law which would allow a transgender person to become the right gender after medical and psychological tests.

Nguyen Huy Quang told the Agence France Presse news agency, "As written in the Civil Code, people have the right to identify their own sex. 

"The new decree would ensure these rights.

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Report: U.S. not doing enough to protect its gay citizens


A new report from a global human rights organization says the United States is not protecting its gay citizens—and the group hopes its findings might prompt questioning from the United Nations. The report, released Monday by Global Rights, came just hours before the United Nations Human Rights Committee's scheduled information session with the United States.

The report cites what it calls "major gaps" in protections for gay Americans. According to Global Rights, "standardized nondiscrimination protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression" are needed at the federal level.

The report also criticizes the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy and notes that 21 states do not have hate-crime statutes based on real or perceived sexual orientation. Global Rights said it had hoped the report might prompt the U.N. Human Rights Committee to question the United States about its treatment of gay Americans.


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Neo-Nazis threaten Latvia Gay Pride


Latvian authorities are considering cancelling this weekend’s Latvia’s Gay Pride in the capital of Riga amid threats of violence from Christians, nationalists and neo-Nazis. 

Responding to these homophobic threats, the Latvian authorities are threatening to ban the Riga Pride march on public order grounds, claiming it is the “biggest security risk” since Latvia won its independence from the USSR. 

Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell of OutRage! will join Saturday’s march in solidarity with Latvia’s beleaguered but defiant lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities.