Christine Jorgensen (May 30, 1926 – May 3, 1989), here, here, and here.

Gay and Christian police in row


The row between the Gay Police Association and the Christian Police Association has been simmering for a while.
A newspaper advertisement taken out by the GPA coincided with London's Europride event a fortnight ago.

The ad featured a Bible next to a pool of blood under the heading "in the name of the father", and claimed that religion was the sole or primary motivation behind most of the homophobic incidents logged by the GPA's staff helpline.

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Romney abolishes governor's commission on gay and lesbian youth


BOSTON --Gov. Mitt Romney issued an executive order Friday abolishing the state's 14-year-old governor's commission on gay and lesbian youth after lawmakers overrode his veto of a bill creating a new commission out of the reach of the governor's office.

A spokesman for Romney said he issued the executive order because there was no need for two commissions both focused on the needs of gay and lesbian youth.

Romney angered many gay rights activists and lawmakers when he flirted with the idea earlier this year of abolishing the commission, the first of its kind in the nation, after a press release announcing a youth gay pride march was issued without the administration's blessing.

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Latvian court upholds gay-rights parade ban


Riga - A district court in the Baltic state of Latvia upheld Friday a ban on a controversial gay-rights parade scheduled to be held in the capital Riga on Saturday.

Permission to hold the parade was denied by Riga City Council on Wednesday, citing security concerns. The security angle means that full details of Friday's hearing cannot be released for five years.
'This is a serious blow to democracy. Riga city council is giving in to the threats of radical groups and is ready to limit fundamental rights in the country,' said Juris Lavrikovs, spokesman for the International Lesbian and Gay Association in Europe.

[LGBTNepal] Harassment and Violence by Security (Police) Personnel in Pokhara, Nepal

Date: 10th July 2006
Victims: Namoona and Bindhyia
Place: Magic Club, Lakeside, Pokhara

Details:

Security Personnel's harassment and violence against Metis (effeminate males) has increased in Pokhara City. On 10th July 2006, two Mettis Bindhyia and Namoona (member of Blue Diamond Society, Pokhara city, Nepal) were dancing in Magic Club, Lake Side in Pokhara. Meantime, A Police personnel (sergeant) from Lakeside Police station in Pokhara asked Namoona to go out with him for sex but she refused. At that time, he went out and returned immediately. Then the police man caught Namoona and accused her of stealing his Mobile phone and Purse. Namoona with the help from Bindhyia tried to defend herself saying she was innocent. But the Police personnel took Bindhyia and Namoona to Lakeside Police station. Both of the Metis were beaten and harassed in side police custody at that night. The Police know the Metis were innocent but he just wanted to take revenge that he couldn't have sex with the Metis. BDS Pokhara staff and the Metis guardians' went police station next morning and put pressure on the Police. After the lobby and pressure the Police released the two Metis without any charge. Blue Diamond Society is extremely concern over the wide spread violence against Sexual Minorities and Gender Minorities in Nepal and very sad the police behavior and attitude has not changed at all after the political change in Nepal where marginalized communities had hope for better Human Rights situation in Nepal.

BDS office in Pokhara has also witnessed more than 30 females arrested from different dance places and believes they are still in detention by the Lake Side Police Stataion, Pokhara. We demand their early release and ask Human Rights Groups and Organization to voice for the Human Rights protection of Marginalized groups in Nepal.

In solidarity

Krishna P. Adhikati
Project Coordinator
Pokhara city office
and
Sunil B Pant
Director
Blue Diamond Society

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.