Putin claims Berlusconi is being persecuted for being heterosexual

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made the extraordinary claim that former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is being persecuted because of his heterosexuality over claims he had sex with an underage prostitute. ‘Berlusconi is being tried because he lives with women,’ Putin said Thursday in Valdai, Russia. ‘If he were homosexual, no one would lift

Azerbaijan: Gay man found dead in Baku in wake of first gay pride rally

The body of the man, who has been named by police as M Namiyev, was found last night on the side of Sumgayit Highway, in the Baku suburb of Bilacari. Police information indicates that Mr Namiyev, who was openly gay, was murdered, with early reports suggesting that he died after being beaten and stabbed. The

Gay issues are coming out of the classroom closet as teachers put kids first

Openly gay school deputy headteacher, Shaun Dellenty, explains why winning an award for his work as founder of Inclusion For All meant so much: “I first devised Inclusion For All in 2010 in response to endemic levels of homophobic bullying and language in our local schools and the community, at a time when there was a question

Nigerian ‘scientist’ proves same sex attraction is ‘unnatural’

A ‘scientist’ from Nigeria believes he has proved same sex marriage is ‘unnatural’ by conducting simplistic experiments which have no relation to homosexuality. Chibuihem Amalaha, a post graduate student from the University of Lagos, believes that basic laws of physics are God’s way of saying same sex attraction is ‘wrong’. Speaking on his ‘groundbreaking’ discovery

The Lithuanian parliament has opened discussions of the amendment to the Criminal Code which spells out that criticism of homosexuality should not be viewed as discrimination. Initiated by a mixed group of parliamentarians, the amendment suggests that “Criticism or discussion of sexual behaviour, sexual practices, convictions and views, or attempts to persuade to change such

Today the European Parliament adopted two resolutions to simplify legal procedures for international couples in the event of divorce or death. The texts include provisions for equal treatment between spouses and registered partners. Last year the European Commission proposed two new EU regulations to simplify sharing and dividing couples’ property, including real estate and financial assets, when

Sunday afternoon, several dozen young Lithuanian activists staged a rally outside the Russian Embassy in Vilnius, protesting against LGBT rights violations in Russia. Sporting T-shirts saying “To Russia With Love” and badges bearing colourfully made-up portraits of Vladimir Putin, the protesters said the event was not just a sign of support to Russia’s LGBT community,

Russian Straight Alliance for LGBT Equality hold flashmobs across 13 cities

Russia’s Straight Alliance for LGBT Equality has held a series of successful public protests despite being filmed by police, sending the message ‘from Russia with love’ to the global LGBT community. Organizers of the 3 September flashmob event held it in solidarity with other protests held around the world against Russia’s treatment of LGBTs. ‘We,

24-year-old Dmitry Isakov may become the first gay rights activist to be convicted under Russia’s controversial “gay propanda” laws, after he was attacked and arrested by his own parents at a solo campaign in July. On July 30, Mr Isakov staged a one-man protest in the centre of the town of Kazan, Russia, holding up a

Members of the European Parliament are calling on EU leaders and the Council of Europe to denounce Russia’s increasingly forceful crackdown against minorities. In the past year, several laws were adopted to curtail the rights of minorities, and attack non-governmental organisations defending human rights. Latest examples include the Foreign Agents law and several homophobic ‘anti-propaganda’

Fundamental rights for LGBT people in EU: challenges and achievements

Against a backdrop of rising unemployment and increased deprivation, this FRA Annual report closely examines the situation of those, such as children, who are vulnerable to budget cuts, impacting important fields such as education, healthcare and social services. It looks at the discrimination that Roma continue to face and the mainstreaming of elements of extremist

Lebanon on course to legalize homosexuality

Lebanon is closer to making gay sex legal after psychiatrists and psychologists in the country stated homosexuality was ‘natural’, GSN can reveal. The statements are a huge breakthrough because law 534, used to prosecute gay sex, is actually a law against ‘unnatural’ sex acts. And now psychologists and psychiatrists have stated they would be prepared