News

PH LGBT business group launches campaign to promote corporate inclusivity

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Nov 08 08:53 AM

The Philippine LGBT Chamber of Commerce launched a campaign seeking to promote diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Read more »

Former child singer reintroduces himself on 'Tawag' as queer for first time

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Nov 07 06:13 PM

Enzo Almario got his first taste of fame when he was just nine.  Read more »

Ex-‘PBB’ housemate’s incredible transformation goes viral

ABS-CBN News
Updated as of Nov 03 07:58 PM

A post documenting Ryan James Bacalla’s ‘transformation’ from a smiling kid from Cebu to someone one could mistake for a girl has gone viral. Read more »

Boy Abunda explains why he doesn't feel threatened by Vice Ganda

ABS-CBN News
Posted at Oct 30 12:38 AM

Boy Abunda celebrated his birthday on Monday. Vice Ganda was his special guest, but the tables turned and Vice ended up asking the questions.  Read more »

Vatican meeting ends with call for greater role for women in Church

Philip Pullella, Reuters
Updated as of Oct 28 05:58 PM

The role of women took center stage at the synod, which was focused on reaching out to young people but has been overshadowed by the scandal over sex abuse in the Church and acrimony between social conservatives and reformers. Read more »

Trump says transgender policy seeks to 'protect the country'

Gabriella Borter and Barbara Goldberg, Reuters
Posted at Oct 23 08:02 AM

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that transgender issues were in flux and he aims to protect the country after a report that his administration was considering defining gender as male or female based on genitalia at birth drew widespread condemnation.   Read more »

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 »