News

Australia seeks to ban schools from expelling gay students

Lidia Kelly, Reuters
Posted at Oct 13 12:29 PM

Australia aims to ban private or religious schools from expelling students on the basis of their sexuality, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Saturday. Read more »

Jennifer’s fight

Aaron Favila, AP Photo
Updated as of Oct 12 03:16 PM

Protesters destroy an two-faced effigy of US President Trump and President Duterte as they mark the 4th commemoration of the killing of Filipino transgender Jennifer Laude by U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton, during a rally outside the U.S. embassy in Manila, Philippines on Thursday. Read more »

Love lost, love found: Moving film captures redemption of love denied

Close-Up Philippines
Posted at Oct 11 06:11 PM

Love is a many splendored thing, so goes a song. But what happens when love cannot be? Read more »

Study says not all young people feel they are free to love

Close-Up Philippines
Posted at Oct 11 06:09 PM

Despite the countless films, books, and TV shows promoting the freedom to love, a recent study has shown that barriers have not all been broken. Read more »

Hong Kong eases visa rules for same-sex couples

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Sep 18 07:16 PM

It is a step forward for LGBTQ rights in Hong Kong, which has been criticized by campaigners for lagging behind on equality issues.    Read more »

'Kinky Boots' musical encourages Chinese drag queens to 'be themselves'

Leo Ramirez and Lillian Ding, Agence France-Presse
Posted at Sep 16 06:17 PM

The Tony award-winning musical "Kinky Boots" has broken new ground in the socially conservative nation. Read more »

When blindness gives you vision

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Sep 12 03:17 PM

Hannah Aldeza was born blind. With the help of her family, she strives to live a normal life. But it's in this same atmosphere of love that she experienced heartbreak.   Read more »

India's Supreme Court ends colonial-era ban on gay sex

Abhaya Srivastava, Agence France-Presse
Updated as of Sep 06 05:28 PM

India's Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a ban on gay sex after a decades-old campaign against a colonial-era law used to hold back LGBT rights. Read more »

Two Malaysian women caned under Islamic law for lesbian sex

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Sep 03 01:38 PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, Malaysia - Two Malaysian women were caned Monday for having lesbian sex in violation of strict Islamic laws, despite an outcry from activists at the "cruel and unjust" punishment. Read more »

Should companies, schools allow cross-dressing?

Trishia Billones, ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Aug 30 11:48 AM

Company policy against cross-dressing is not necessarily a form of discrimination, Senator Joel Villanueva explained Thursday amid accusations that he is delaying the passage of a bill that would protect members of the LGBT community from discrimination. Read more »

Discrimination vs 'KaladKaren' a wake-up call to pass LGBT rights bill - Hontiveros

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Aug 29 02:02 PM

MANILA - The alleged discrimination that comedian Jervi Li, better known as "KaladKaren Davila," recently experienced at a Makati bar is a wakeup call for the Senate to approve a bill protecting the LGBT community from hate crimes and prejudice, Senator Risa Hontiveros said Wednesday. Read more »

Transgender solon seeks probe on alleged discrimination vs 'KaladKaren'

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Aug 28 05:48 PM

Li and her friends were allegedly barred from entering a bar in Makati City over the weekend because of their gender.  Read more »

20-day paternity leave, same-sex partner benefits offered at Unilever

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Aug 28 04:22 PM

Unilever said Tuesday it would offer a 20-day paid leave for fathers, healthcare benefits for same-sex partners and paid absences for adoptive parents in response to a diverse workforce. Read more »

5 charged with murdering transgender prostitute in Paris

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Aug 28 01:39 AM

Five people were charged Monday with murdering a transgender prostitute who was allegedly trying to stop them robbing her client in a Paris park, a case that has sparked fury amongst LGBT rights groups. Read more »

Pope Francis: Psychiatrists can help gay children, parents

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Aug 27 11:34 PM

Pope Francis has recommended parents seek psychiatric help for children who show gay tendencies, during a press conference on his plane taking him back to Rome from Ireland. Read more »

Pushing against closed doors: LGBT activists do battle over toilets

Sonia Elks, Reuters
Posted at Aug 23 03:32 PM

Access to toilets has split opinion most sharply. Read more »

Paris Jackson sorry for Harper's Bazaar Singapore cover

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Aug 21 06:07 PM

Paris Jackson has apologized for appearing on the front cover of Harper's Bazaar magazine in Singapore, which has laws against homosexuality, after the bisexual actress came under fire for hypocrisy. Read more »

Malaysian women to be caned for lesbian sex

Agence France-Presse
Posted at Aug 14 07:09 PM

Two Malaysian women have been sentenced to caning after they admitted having sex in contravention of strict Islamic laws, an official said Tuesday, sparking outrage from rights groups. Read more »

Dancing for equality, LGBT Pinoys make history at Gay Games

Anna Gabrielle Cerezo, ABS-CBN News
Posted at Aug 12 04:33 PM

Members of the Filipino LGBTQ+ community swept the world off their feet as they made history at this year's Gay Games. Read more »

Paris Gay Games a respite for oppressed athletes

Brice le Borgne, Agence France-Presse
Posted at Aug 12 06:18 AM

The Gay Games which are under way in Paris are not just a chance to celebrate sport and diversity: they offer crucial respite to gay athletes forced to hide their sexuality in their home countries. Read more »