Category: News

Apr 28
Brazilian Tourist Convicted After Using Grindr to Lure Gay Men

Otago Daily Times reports that Diego Marques-Santos has been found guilty and sentenced to three and a half years imprisonment for drugging 5 men over a period of one month and then taking a total of $10,300 from their bank accounts. Brazilian Marques-Santos arrived in New Zealand in May 2017 on a 3 month visitor […]

Apr 27
Health Ministry Admits to Failing Trans People

An advocate has called the current system “a few bits and pieces here and there that aren’t talking to each other”. Article by Jesse Jones, StarObserver.com.au New Zealand’s Ministry of Health has admitted it is failing to provide adequate healthcare for trans people. An internal memo obtained by the media said that demand for trans […]

Apr 17
China’s Twitter Reverses Decision To Ban LGBTI Content After Backlash

Users flooded Sina Weibo with the hashtag #IAmGay, prompting the site to reverse its LGBTI ban. Jesse Jones, StarObserver.com.au Chinese social media site Sina Weibo has reversed its decision to ban LGBTI content. The site yesterday announced it would no longer include LGBTI material in its ban of violent and pornographic content, CNET has reported. Users flooded […]

Apr 17
British Man Claims Painkillers made Him Gay

“I’m not angry because [the painkillers] made me who I am” Jesse Jones, StarObserver.com.au A British man says he was turned gay by the pain pills he was prescribed for a broken foot. Scott Purdy said he was straight until he started taking the medication Lyrica for pain following the fracture, Pink News has reported. He said […]

Apr 10
Weightlifter Laurel Hubbard Injured at Commonwealth Games

Earlier this year the head of the Australian Weightlifting Federation called for her to be banned from the women’s division. Article by Jesse Jones, StarObserver.com.au New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard has withdrawn from competition at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games after an injury yesterday afternoon. After having been a favourite to win the gold, Hubbard […]

Apr 05
Gay and Bisexual Men Taken by Authorities in Chechnya Still Not Found

More than a year after the first reports of Chechnya’s ‘gay purge’, most of the men taken by authorities have still not been found and are feared to be imprisoned or dead. Article by Jesse Jones, StarObserver.com.au More than a year after the first reports of gay and bisexual men in Chechnya being tortured in […]

Apr 05
Grindr Slammed for Sharing HIV Status Data with Other Companies

Grindr has said HIV status will no longer be shared with other data as of the app’s next update – whenever that may be – and defended itself, calling the app a “public forum”. Article by Laurence Barber, StarObserver.com.au Gay dating and hookup app Grindr has been sharing sensitive data that includes users’ HIV status […]

Apr 04
Presidential Election in Costa Rica Big Win for LGBT+ Rights

Carlos Alvarado wins the presidential election in Costa Rica on a pro–gay rights message against conservative evangelical pastor Fabricio Alvarado Munoz who campaigned against same-sex marriage. “Costa Rica once again delivered a beautiful democratic message” Alvarado, 38, told supporters. My commitment is to a government for everybody, in equality and liberty. There is much more […]