Category: Around the World

Feb 03
Trans Woman Stars in for First Time in Pakistani Music Video

In a mainly Muslim country, Rima Ali, has made a major first by starring on Soch’s music video for their song ‘Dhola’. Ali usually makes her money by being a dancer and modelling, which is already tough enough in a country where female models do not regard her to be a ‘real’ woman. Although Pakistan […]

Feb 03
Chelsea Handler Vows to Keep Fighting for LGBT+

Chelsea Handler has taken to Instagram to say that she will not stop fighting for minorities and that she will not stop being political or aggressive. The comedian and talk show host says, from her room in Mumbai, “I am a white women of a lot of privilege. I make a lot of money and […]

Feb 02
Texan Mayor Comes Out in an Open Letter

Jess Herbst, mayor of New Hope, Texas, has penned an open letter to her town’s residents coming out as a trans woman. Herbst, who previously served as alderman, road commissioner and mayor pro tem (the person who takes on the duties of mayor in case of a mayor’s sudden incapacitation), took on the role after the […]

Feb 01
Massive Drop in HIV Cases in Brisbane

Article: Star Observer New cases of HIV have dropped dramatically in Brisbane, one of only a few cities in the world to record a significant reduction, alongside San Francisco. State government data shows just 94 new cases in Brisbane last year, the lowest rate since 2008 and a reduction of over a third in two years.  […]

Feb 01
Obama’s Executive Order on Trans Employees to Remain

Rumours have been flying around the media recently around whether President Trump will rescind Obama’s executive order to protect trans federal employees from discrimination.  A statement from the White House says, “the President is proud to have been the first ever GOP nominee to mention the LGBTQ [sic] community in his nomination acceptance speech, pledging then to […]

Feb 01
UK Posthumously Pardons Thousands of Gay and Bisexual Men

A new law in the United Kingdom received royal assent on Tuesday, allowing all dead men who were convicted of having sex with other men to be pardoned. Justice Minister Sam Gyimah says, “this is a truly momentous day. We can never undo the hurt caused, but we have apologised and taken action to right these […]

Jan 31
Potential LGBT+ Prison in Thailand

Officials in Thailand’s government are considering erecting a prison, just outside of Bangkok, especially for those who identify as LGBT+. Since 1993, Thailand has separated LGBT+ inmates during sleeping time – in the daytime, all inmates socialise in the same space. Pattaya Remand Warden Watcharavit Vachiralerphum tells AP, “if we didn’t separate them, people could start fighting […]

Jan 31
Premier Andrews Calls for Marriage Equality in 2017 at Pride March

Article: Star Observer Members of Victoria’s LGBT+ community flocked to St Kilda over the weekend for the city’s annual Pride March, which saw thousands of marchers take to the streets to celebrate their diverse identities. The 22nd march attracted a number of high-profile politicians including Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, State Premier Daniel Andrews, and Minister […]