Brazil`s Supreme Court has criminalised discrimination and hateful acts against gays and transgenders.

The court on Thursday ruled with eight votes in favours out of 11 for the law.&nbsp;

According to the court`s ruling, the homophobic and transphobic violence falls under the existing anti-racism laws.

Justice Carmen Lucia, who supports the new policy, said the court can`t deny protection "to those who have at times been denied the right to life, and most often to the right to liberty and dignity, by the absence of legislation," the Hill reported.

The court ruled unanimously in 2011 that every state in Brazil had to recognize same-sex civil unions.&nbsp;

However, the country has not passed reinforcing legislation.

Along with that, there is no provision to protect the LGBT community from harassment.

Some gay groups have earlier said that they have faced more threats of violence and hostility following the election of the country`s president, Jair Bolsonaro, last year.

Brazil has one of the world highest murder rates when it comes to individuals in the LGBT community. In 2018, 420 LGBT people were killed across the country.

Brazil`s Supreme Court has criminalised discrimination and hateful acts against gays and transgenders. The court on Thursday ruled with eight votes in favours out of 11 for the law.

Brazil`s Supreme Court has criminalised discrimination and hateful acts against gays and transgenders. The court on Thursday ruled with eight votes in favours out of 11 for the law. According to the court`s ruling, the homophobic and transphobic violence falls under the existing anti-racism laws. Justice Carmen Lucia, who supports the new policy, said the court can`t deny protection "to those who have at times been denied the right to life, and most often to the right to liberty and dignity, by the absence of legislation," the Hill reported. The court ruled unanimously in 2011 that every state in Brazil had to recognize same-sex civil unions. However, the country has not passed reinforcing legislation. Along with that, there is no provision to protect the LGBT community from harassment. Some gay groups have earlier said that they have faced more threats of violence and hostility following the election of the country`s president, Jair Bolsonaro, last year. Brazil has one of the world highest murder rates when it comes to individuals in the LGBT community. In 2018, 420 LGBT people were killed across the country.

Brazil criminalises anti-LGBT discrimination

Batting colourful lashes and swinging their silky wigs, drag artists danced to a cheering crowd at a Nepali restaurant in the country's first such show.

The floor of the Pink Tiffany, Nepal's first LGBTI-friendly restaurant, was packed on Tuesday evening to applaud the debut performances, with many in the audience also wearing glittery make-up and vibrant outfits.&nbsp;

Meghna Lama, the restaurant's owner and a transgender woman, said she was excited to host the groundbreaking event.&nbsp;

"We wanted to organise programs to show that LGBTIs also exist here, so for the first time we are trying to do the drag show," Lama told AFP.&nbsp;

The show was headlined by American artists, but Lama hopes it will open doors for Nepali drag enthusiasts to take to the stage.&nbsp;

"This is exciting, I feel very free here. It is so good to see others enjoy (transforming) as I do," said a 20-year-old Nepali participant who goes by the name of Peachy Pie.

Nepal has some of South Asia's most progressive laws on homosexuality and transgender rights.&nbsp;

Landmark reforms in 2007 prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and recognised gay Nepalis, at a time when homosexuality was still illegal in neighbouring India.&nbsp;

Transgender Nepalis were also granted the right to tick "other" when voting, applying for a passport, or other official documents.

But gay and transgender Nepalis and rights activists say action has not matched the rhetoric. More than a decade on, the community still faces discrimination in the conservative society.

"In Nepal, we didn't have specific spaces for LGBTIs even now. So when you are doing certain things that are aimed to be queer you are also reclaiming space, not just as space but also a space in society," said Rukshana Kapali, a transgender woman who came to watch the show.

More than 900,000 of Nepal's roughly 26 million population identify as a sexual minority, according to LGBTI rights group Blue Diamond Society.

Batting colourful lashes and swinging their silky wigs, drag artists danced to a cheering crowd at a Nepali restaurant in the country's first such show. The floor of the Pink Tiffany, Nepal's first LGBTI-friendly restaurant, was packed on Tuesday evening to applaud the debut performances, with many in the audience also wearing glittery make-up and vibrant outfits.

Batting colourful lashes and swinging their silky wigs, drag artists danced to a cheering crowd at a Nepali restaurant in the country's first such show. The floor of the Pink Tiffany, Nepal's first LGBTI-friendly restaurant, was packed on Tuesday evening to applaud the debut performances, with many in the audience also wearing glittery make-up and vibrant outfits. Meghna Lama, the restaurant's owner and a transgender woman, said she was excited to host the groundbreaking event. "We wanted to organise programs to show that LGBTIs also exist here, so for the first time we are trying to do the drag show," Lama told AFP. The show was headlined by American artists, but Lama hopes it will open doors for Nepali drag enthusiasts to take to the stage. "This is exciting, I feel very free here. It is so good to see others enjoy (transforming) as I do," said a 20-year-old Nepali participant who goes by the name of Peachy Pie. Nepal has some of South Asia's most progressive laws on homosexuality and transgender rights. Landmark reforms in 2007 prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and recognised gay Nepalis, at a time when homosexuality was still illegal in neighbouring India. Transgender Nepalis were also granted the right to tick "other" when voting, applying for a passport, or other official documents. But gay and transgender Nepalis and rights activists say action has not matched the rhetoric. More than a decade on, the community still faces discrimination in the conservative society. "In Nepal, we didn't have specific spaces for LGBTIs even now. So when you are doing certain things that are aimed to be queer you are also reclaiming space, not just as space but also a space in society," said Rukshana Kapali, a transgender woman who came to watch the show. More than 900,000 of Nepal's roughly 26 million population identify as a sexual minority, according to LGBTI rights group Blue Diamond Society.

Artists light up Nepal's first drag show

Bhutan's LGBT community celebrated Saturday after the tiny Himalayan kingdom's parliament became the world's latest to decriminalise homosexuality.

The lower house overwhelmingly voted late Friday to repeal two sections of the 2004 criminal code which made "unnatural sex" illegal.

"A lot of us cried," said Tashi Tsheten of Rainbow Bhutan that represents the country's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

"We are a small and marginalised community and when our rights are discussed in parliament, it makes us extremely happy," Tashi said.

The law had never been used, but Finance Minister Namgay Tshering, who submitted the recommendation to repeal sections 213 and 214 of the penal code, said they had become "a stain" on the country's reputation.

Namgay Tshering said the sections had become redundant since Bhutan became a constitutional monarchy in 2008. "There is a high degree of acceptability of the LGBT community in our society," he said.

The minister added that he was optimistic that the code sections would be definitively scrapped when the upper house in the country of 750,000 people votes on Monday.

Tashi said some ministers had been social workers with contacts in the LGBT community and Prime Minister Lotay Tshering is a surgeon. "So we had lot of hopes in this government."

There is no annual Gay Pride rally or other public display in Bhutan.

And while Tashi said there was a general acceptance of transgenders, especially in rural areas, they still face much discrimination, especially in schools.

"There are lots of barriers and our education system does not understand LGBT," Tashi said, adding that most LGBT youths drop out of school.

Once the bill is passed by the National Council, the upper chamber, it will be sent for royal assent.

Bhutan's LGBT community celebrated Saturday after the tiny Himalayan kingdom's parliament became the world's latest to decriminalise homosexuality. The lower house overwhelmingly voted late Friday to repeal two sections of the 2004 criminal code which made "unnatural sex" illegal.

Bhutan's LGBT community celebrated Saturday after the tiny Himalayan kingdom's parliament became the world's latest to decriminalise homosexuality. The lower house overwhelmingly voted late Friday to repeal two sections of the 2004 criminal code which made "unnatural sex" illegal. "A lot of us cried," said Tashi Tsheten of Rainbow Bhutan that represents the country's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. "We are a small and marginalised community and when our rights are discussed in parliament, it makes us extremely happy," Tashi said. The law had never been used, but Finance Minister Namgay Tshering, who submitted the recommendation to repeal sections 213 and 214 of the penal code, said they had become "a stain" on the country's reputation. Namgay Tshering said the sections had become redundant since Bhutan became a constitutional monarchy in 2008. "There is a high degree of acceptability of the LGBT community in our society," he said. The minister added that he was optimistic that the code sections would be definitively scrapped when the upper house in the country of 750,000 people votes on Monday. Tashi said some ministers had been social workers with contacts in the LGBT community and Prime Minister Lotay Tshering is a surgeon. "So we had lot of hopes in this government." There is no annual Gay Pride rally or other public display in Bhutan. And while Tashi said there was a general acceptance of transgenders, especially in rural areas, they still face much discrimination, especially in schools. "There are lots of barriers and our education system does not understand LGBT," Tashi said, adding that most LGBT youths drop out of school. Once the bill is passed by the National Council, the upper chamber, it will be sent for royal assent.

Bhutan's LGBT community celebrates after homosexuality decriminalised

Hundreds of members of the LGBT community and activists gathered in India's western Pune city for the first pride march of the pride month on Sunday (June 02).

LGBT community in India holds colourful parade, seeks social acceptance

Kenya's high court on Friday upheld a law banning gay sex, keeping same-sex relations punishable by 14 years in jail in the East African nation and drawing strong criticism from the United Nations and rights activists.

Same-sex relationships are a crime in more than 70 countries around the world, almost half of them in Africa. Neighbouring Uganda once enacted a law imposing a life sentence for certain acts of gay sex although it was later nullified by the court.

South Africa is the only African nation to have legalised gay marriage.

"We hereby decline the relief sought and dismiss the combined petition," Justice Roselyn Aburili told a packed courtroom in Kenya's capital Nairobi, relaying the unanimous opinion of the three-justice panel.

"We find that the impugned sections are not unconstitutional, accordingly the combined petitions have no merit."

Some gay rights activists wept outside the courtroom after the verdict while supporters of the ban clapped, congratulated each other and yelled "thank you" at the judges' bench.

Other people backing the ban held placards outside the court with messages, including "homosexuality is an abomination."

Campaigners who filed the petition to decriminalise gay sex argued that the law violated Kenya's 2010 constitution, which guarantees equality, dignity and privacy for all citizens.

"We will appeal. We expect that the court of appeal will overturn this erroneous decision which in our view is very biased," said Eric Gitari, one of the petitioners.

Traditional values

The justices, who began hearing the case last year, threw out the petition on the grounds that gay sex clashed with broader, traditional moral values encapsulated in Kenya's constitution.

Aburili said the constitution still outlaws same-sex marriage but that allowing gay sex would "open the door for same-sex unions."

"We cannot be another Sodom and Gomorrah," Alfred Rotich, a Catholic bishop, told Reuters at the court after the verdict.

In September last year, India's top court scrapped a similar colonial-era law that punished gay sex with up to 10 years in jail, raising hopes among activists worldwide, including in Africa, for similar reforms.

New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW)'s senior LGBT rights researcher, Neela Ghoshal, said the Nairobi court verdict reduced Kenya's gay people to "second-class citizenship."

"Rights cannot be trampled upon in the name of social disapproval. The Court of Appeal should revisit this ruling urgently," she said.

UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said the ruling "encourages hostility and even violence against LGBT individuals.”

Due to a lack of legal protection, rights campaigners in Kenya say sexual minorities are routinely abused, assaulted by mobs, raped by vigilantes or enslaved by criminals.

Kenya arrested 534 people for same-sex relationships between 2013 and 2017, according to the government.

The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, one of the petitioners against the law, has recorded more than 1,500 such attacks against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Kenyans since 2014.

Christian and Muslim groups support the law and the attorney general has argued that decriminalising gay sex could lead to legalising same-sex marriage.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has said, "gay rights is really a non-issue", while Deputy President William Ruto said Kenya had "no room" for gays. Legislator Aden Duale once told parliament that homosexuality was "as serious as terrorism".

Kenya's high court on Friday upheld a law banning gay sex, keeping same-sex relations punishable by 14 years in jail in the East African nation and drawing strong criticism from the United Nations and rights activists.

Kenya's high court on Friday upheld a law banning gay sex, keeping same-sex relations punishable by 14 years in jail in the East African nation and drawing strong criticism from the United Nations and rights activists. Same-sex relationships are a crime in more than 70 countries around the world, almost half of them in Africa. Neighbouring Uganda once enacted a law imposing a life sentence for certain acts of gay sex although it was later nullified by the court. South Africa is the only African nation to have legalised gay marriage. "We hereby decline the relief sought and dismiss the combined petition," Justice Roselyn Aburili told a packed courtroom in Kenya's capital Nairobi, relaying the unanimous opinion of the three-justice panel. "We find that the impugned sections are not unconstitutional, accordingly the combined petitions have no merit." Some gay rights activists wept outside the courtroom after the verdict while supporters of the ban clapped, congratulated each other and yelled "thank you" at the judges' bench. Other people backing the ban held placards outside the court with messages, including "homosexuality is an abomination." Campaigners who filed the petition to decriminalise gay sex argued that the law violated Kenya's 2010 constitution, which guarantees equality, dignity and privacy for all citizens. "We will appeal. We expect that the court of appeal will overturn this erroneous decision which in our view is very biased," said Eric Gitari, one of the petitioners. Traditional values The justices, who began hearing the case last year, threw out the petition on the grounds that gay sex clashed with broader, traditional moral values encapsulated in Kenya's constitution. Aburili said the constitution still outlaws same-sex marriage but that allowing gay sex would "open the door for same-sex unions." "We cannot be another Sodom and Gomorrah," Alfred Rotich, a Catholic bishop, told Reuters at the court after the verdict. In September last year, India's top court scrapped a similar colonial-era law that punished gay sex with up to 10 years in jail, raising hopes among activists worldwide, including in Africa, for similar reforms. New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW)'s senior LGBT rights researcher, Neela Ghoshal, said the Nairobi court verdict reduced Kenya's gay people to "second-class citizenship." "Rights cannot be trampled upon in the name of social disapproval. The Court of Appeal should revisit this ruling urgently," she said. UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said the ruling "encourages hostility and even violence against LGBT individuals.” Due to a lack of legal protection, rights campaigners in Kenya say sexual minorities are routinely abused, assaulted by mobs, raped by vigilantes or enslaved by criminals. Kenya arrested 534 people for same-sex relationships between 2013 and 2017, according to the government. The National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, one of the petitioners against the law, has recorded more than 1,500 such attacks against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Kenyans since 2014. Christian and Muslim groups support the law and the attorney general has argued that decriminalising gay sex could lead to legalising same-sex marriage. President Uhuru Kenyatta has said, "gay rights is really a non-issue", while Deputy President William Ruto said Kenya had "no room" for gays. Legislator Aden Duale once told parliament that homosexuality was "as serious as terrorism".

Kenya's high court unanimously upholds ban on gay sex

Taiwan's first official same-sex weddings kicked off Friday in a landmark moment for LGBT rights in Asia as gay couples took the historic step of registering as married, the culmination of a three-decade fight for equality.

Shane Lin and Marc Yuan, a couple who fell in love at college, were the first to arrive at a government office in downtown Taipei.

Dressed in matching suits, they embraced and kissed in front of a huge media scrum before signing their marriage certificates.

They were followed by playwright LiYing Chien and her girlfriend, a cartoonist who goes by the pen name Cynical Chick.

Taiwan made history last week when it became the first place in Asia to legalise gay marriage, sparking jubilation among huge crowds of gay rights supporters on the streets of Taipei.

But the issue has also caused deep divisions on an island that remains staunchly conservative, especially outside of the cities and among older generations.

Some 300 same-sex couples are expected to register on Friday, according to local authorities, around 150 in the capital Taipei which boasts a thriving and vocal gay community.

The city hall will co-host an outdoor wedding party near the famous Taipei 101 skyscraper, with local and foreign dignitaries expected to attend.

'Nervous'

Among those planning to tie the knot on Friday was social worker Huang Mei-yu, marrying her partner You Ya-ting.

"I am feeling nervous even though we already had a ceremony in 2012," she told AFP, referring to a religious blessing conducted by a progressive Buddhist master.&nbsp;

"But I am also very happy as it's faster than I had expected. I had thought I would have to wait 10 more years," she added.

Legal recognition of their love, Huang said, was a crucial step and might help others accept the relationship.

"Now that same-sex marriage is legally recognised, I think my parents might finally feel that it's real and stop trying to talk me into getting married (to a man)," she said.

For veteran gay rights activist Chi Chia-Wei, Friday's weddings are the culmination of a three-decade-long fight trying to persuade successive governments to change the law.

It was Chi who eventually petitioned Taiwan's Constitutional Court leading to a 2017 judgement that denying same-sex couples the right to marry was unconstitutional.

Facing an imminent court deadline, parliament finally passed a bill last Friday allowing same-sex couples to form "exclusive permanent unions" and another clause that would let them apply for a "marriage registration" with government agencies.

"I feel very happy that same-sex couples can finally register and be listed as each other's spouse. I am honoured to witness Friday's marriage registrations," he told AFP.

Conservative pushback

In the last decade, Taiwan has placed itself at the vanguard of gay rights in Asia but the issue has polarised society.

Conservative and religious groups mobilised after the court ruling and comfortably won a series of referendums last November in which voters comprehensively rejected defining marriage as anything other than a union between a man and a woman.

Conservative lawmakers put forward rival bills that offered something closer to limited same-sex unions but those measures failed as parliament comfortably passed the gay marriage law.&nbsp;

However, the new law still has restrictions not faced by heterosexual couples.&nbsp;

Same-sex couples can currently only adopt their partners' biological children and can only wed foreigners from countries where gay marriage is also recognised.

Gay rights groups say they are willing to accept partial equality for now in the hopes of winning later legal battles over issues such as adoption, surrogacy and marrying foreigners.&nbsp;

Opponents have vowed to punish President Tsai Ing-wen and the lawmakers who supported the gay marriage law at January's elections when Taiwanese will elect both a new president and a new parliament. &nbsp;

&nbsp;

Taiwan's first official same-sex weddings kicked off Friday in a landmark moment for LGBT rights in Asia as gay couples took the historic step of registering as married, the culmination of a three-decade fight for equality.

Taiwan's first official same-sex weddings kicked off Friday in a landmark moment for LGBT rights in Asia as gay couples took the historic step of registering as married, the culmination of a three-decade fight for equality. Shane Lin and Marc Yuan, a couple who fell in love at college, were the first to arrive at a government office in downtown Taipei. Dressed in matching suits, they embraced and kissed in front of a huge media scrum before signing their marriage certificates. They were followed by playwright LiYing Chien and her girlfriend, a cartoonist who goes by the pen name Cynical Chick. Taiwan made history last week when it became the first place in Asia to legalise gay marriage, sparking jubilation among huge crowds of gay rights supporters on the streets of Taipei. But the issue has also caused deep divisions on an island that remains staunchly conservative, especially outside of the cities and among older generations. Some 300 same-sex couples are expected to register on Friday, according to local authorities, around 150 in the capital Taipei which boasts a thriving and vocal gay community. The city hall will co-host an outdoor wedding party near the famous Taipei 101 skyscraper, with local and foreign dignitaries expected to attend. 'Nervous' Among those planning to tie the knot on Friday was social worker Huang Mei-yu, marrying her partner You Ya-ting. "I am feeling nervous even though we already had a ceremony in 2012," she told AFP, referring to a religious blessing conducted by a progressive Buddhist master. "But I am also very happy as it's faster than I had expected. I had thought I would have to wait 10 more years," she added. Legal recognition of their love, Huang said, was a crucial step and might help others accept the relationship. "Now that same-sex marriage is legally recognised, I think my parents might finally feel that it's real and stop trying to talk me into getting married (to a man)," she said. For veteran gay rights activist Chi Chia-Wei, Friday's weddings are the culmination of a three-decade-long fight trying to persuade successive governments to change the law. It was Chi who eventually petitioned Taiwan's Constitutional Court leading to a 2017 judgement that denying same-sex couples the right to marry was unconstitutional. Facing an imminent court deadline, parliament finally passed a bill last Friday allowing same-sex couples to form "exclusive permanent unions" and another clause that would let them apply for a "marriage registration" with government agencies. "I feel very happy that same-sex couples can finally register and be listed as each other's spouse. I am honoured to witness Friday's marriage registrations," he told AFP. Conservative pushback In the last decade, Taiwan has placed itself at the vanguard of gay rights in Asia but the issue has polarised society. Conservative and religious groups mobilised after the court ruling and comfortably won a series of referendums last November in which voters comprehensively rejected defining marriage as anything other than a union between a man and a woman. Conservative lawmakers put forward rival bills that offered something closer to limited same-sex unions but those measures failed as parliament comfortably passed the gay marriage law. However, the new law still has restrictions not faced by heterosexual couples. Same-sex couples can currently only adopt their partners' biological children and can only wed foreigners from countries where gay marriage is also recognised. Gay rights groups say they are willing to accept partial equality for now in the hopes of winning later legal battles over issues such as adoption, surrogacy and marrying foreigners. Opponents have vowed to punish President Tsai Ing-wen and the lawmakers who supported the gay marriage law at January's elections when Taiwanese will elect both a new president and a new parliament.

Taiwan holds first gay marriages in historic day for Asia

Indian sprinter Duttee Chand said that her sister is blackmailing her because of which she&nbsp;came out in public about her same-sex relationship.&nbsp;

Duttee said, "My own sister is blackmailing me, she asked me for Rs 25 lakh. She had once beaten me, I'd reported to the police."

"Since she was blackmailing me, I was forced to come out about my relationship," she added.&nbsp;

Earlier her eldest sister Saraswati, who is also an athlete had <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/dutee-chand-was-pressurised-and-blackmailed-for-admitting-same-sex-relation-claims-her-sister-220068">threatened to not only expel her from the family</a> but also send her to jail.&nbsp;

Saraswati even claimed, "With great sorrow, I have to say that the decision taken by Dutee is not of her own. She's been pressurised and blackmailed into marriage by that girl and her family. All of this has been done to grab the property and wealth of Dutee."&nbsp;

"Dutee's life and property are in danger. That's why I request the government to provide protection and security to Dutee," Saraswati added.&nbsp;

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Dutee won a landmark 'gender' case against the IAAF in an appeal to the Court of Arbitration in 2015 and she was allowed to compete after being banned for one year.&nbsp;

The CAS suspended the IAAF's policy on hyperandrogenism for two years.&nbsp;

Later the world body changed the policy, which applicable only on female athletes competing in the range of 400m to 1500m, leaving out Dutee, who competes in 100m and 200m, from its ambit.

Indian sprinter Duttee Chand said that her sister is blackmailing her because of which she came out in public about her same-sex relationship. Duttee said, "My own sister is blackmailing me, she asked me for Rs 25 lakh.

Indian sprinter Duttee Chand said that her sister is blackmailing her because of which she came out in public about her same-sex relationship. Duttee said, "My own sister is blackmailing me, she asked me for Rs 25 lakh. She had once beaten me, I'd reported to the police." "Since she was blackmailing me, I was forced to come out about my relationship," she added. Earlier her eldest sister Saraswati, who is also an athlete had threatened to not only expel her from the family but also send her to jail. Saraswati even claimed, "With great sorrow, I have to say that the decision taken by Dutee is not of her own. She's been pressurised and blackmailed into marriage by that girl and her family. All of this has been done to grab the property and wealth of Dutee." "Dutee's life and property are in danger. That's why I request the government to provide protection and security to Dutee," Saraswati added. × Dutee won a landmark 'gender' case against the IAAF in an appeal to the Court of Arbitration in 2015 and she was allowed to compete after being banned for one year. The CAS suspended the IAAF's policy on hyperandrogenism for two years. Later the world body changed the policy, which applicable only on female athletes competing in the range of 400m to 1500m, leaving out Dutee, who competes in 100m and 200m, from its ambit.

Dutee Chand: My own sister is blackmailing me, she asked me for Rs 25 lakh

Indian sprinter Dutee Chand recently <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sprinter-dutee-chand-faces-expulsion-from-family-after-revealing-same-sex-relationship-219884">opened up about her same-sex relationship</a> with a younger relative, however, the revelation did not go well with her family.&nbsp;

She said that her parents have not yet raised any objection to her relationship but her eldest sister has threatened to not only expel her from the family but also send her to jail.&nbsp;

Now, the elder sister Saraswati, who is also an athlete, is claiming that the sprinter's partner "pressurised and blackmailed" her for wealth and property.&nbsp;

"With great sorrow, I have to say that the decision taken by Dutee is not of her own. She's been pressurised and blackmailed into marriage by that girl and her family. All of this has been done to grab the property and wealth of Dutee," Saraswati Chand, elder sister of the Asian Games medalist told ANI.

"Dutee's life and property are in danger. That's why I request the government to provide protection and security to Dutee," she added.&nbsp;

When asked if the family is supportive of Dutee's relation, Saraswati said, "She is an adult. It's her decision whether she wants to marry a girl or a boy. But Dutee has been forced to speak all this. Otherwise, a decision about marriage could have been discussed later."&nbsp;

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"Those people who claim to have played a role in Dutee's success are the culprits. It's them who are deviating her from sports and miring her into controversy. She's been led into a trap. Instead of focusing on the 2020 Olympics and World Championship, she's been dragged into this. Every government department has been encouraging her for sports," she added.&nbsp;

"When a child excels, family members are happy. They get social prestige and people congratulate parents as well. On the contrary, if a child commits wrong deeds then the only family will take the responsibility," Saraswati opined. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Indian sprinter Dutee Chand recently opened up about her same-sex relationship with a younger relative, however, the revelation did not go well with her family. She said that her parents have not yet raised any objection to her relationship but her eldest sister has threatened to not only expel her from the family but also send her to jail.

Indian sprinter Dutee Chand recently opened up about her same-sex relationship with a younger relative, however, the revelation did not go well with her family. She said that her parents have not yet raised any objection to her relationship but her eldest sister has threatened to not only expel her from the family but also send her to jail. Now, the elder sister Saraswati, who is also an athlete, is claiming that the sprinter's partner "pressurised and blackmailed" her for wealth and property. "With great sorrow, I have to say that the decision taken by Dutee is not of her own. She's been pressurised and blackmailed into marriage by that girl and her family. All of this has been done to grab the property and wealth of Dutee," Saraswati Chand, elder sister of the Asian Games medalist told ANI. "Dutee's life and property are in danger. That's why I request the government to provide protection and security to Dutee," she added. When asked if the family is supportive of Dutee's relation, Saraswati said, "She is an adult. It's her decision whether she wants to marry a girl or a boy. But Dutee has been forced to speak all this. Otherwise, a decision about marriage could have been discussed later." × "Those people who claim to have played a role in Dutee's success are the culprits. It's them who are deviating her from sports and miring her into controversy. She's been led into a trap. Instead of focusing on the 2020 Olympics and World Championship, she's been dragged into this. Every government department has been encouraging her for sports," she added. "When a child excels, family members are happy. They get social prestige and people congratulate parents as well. On the contrary, if a child commits wrong deeds then the only family will take the responsibility," Saraswati opined. (With inputs from agencies)

Dutee Chand was 'pressurised and blackmailed' for admitting same-sex relation, claims her sister

Unapologetic about her same-sex relationship with a younger relative, India's fastest woman Dutee Chand is facing a tough battle of acceptance in her family.&nbsp;

Dutee, who won two silver medals at the 2018 Asian Games, became one of the few athletes in the world to openly admit same-sex relationship.&nbsp;

"I am having a relationship with a 19-year-old woman from my village for the past five years. She is studying B.A. 2nd year in a Bhubaneswar college. She is a relative of mine and whenever I come to home, I spend time with her. She is a kind of soul-mate for me and I want to settle down with her in future," Chand, 23, told PTI from Hyderabad where she is training.&nbsp;

The landmark judgement of the Supreme Court last year had made the same-sex relationship between consenting adults a non-criminal act though marriage between such individuals is still not legal in India.&nbsp;

Dutee, the 100m national record holder (11.24 seconds), says while her parents have not yet raised any objection to her relationship, her eldest sister has threatened to not only expel her from the family but also send her to jail.&nbsp;

"My eldest sister kind of wields power and authority in my family. She has thrown out my elder brother from home because she does not like his wife. She has threatened me that same will happen to me. But I am also an adult who has individual freedom. So, I decided to go ahead with this and make it public.&nbsp;

"My eldest sister feels that my partner is interested in my property. She has told me that she will send me to jail for having this relationship," she said.&nbsp;

Dutee said her partner is free to marry whoever she wants to if she decides to do so in future.&nbsp;

"I will continue my athletics career. I am going to take part in the World University Games next month and hope to qualify for the World Championships later this year. My aim to qualify for next year's Olympics, so I am training hard," she said.&nbsp;

While Dutee refused to name her partner, she said the Supreme Court judgement on the issue gave her the courage to go public. &nbsp;

"My partner also agreed that we should make this public and face whatever repercussions it may bring to us. I believe in individual freedom and right to decide how and with whom I will live my life."&nbsp;

She said another reason for coming out in the open was that she did not want something which happened with sprinter Pinki Pramanik, who was accused of rape by her live-in partner.&nbsp;

Pinki was a member of the 2006 Asian Games 4x400m relay gold winning team.&nbsp;

"We did not want this kind of situation happening in future," Dutee said.&nbsp;

Dutee, who was banned for one year by the international athletics federation in 2014 for having higher testosterone (male sex hormone) level than permissible, hails from Chaka Gopalpur village at Jajpur district of Odisha and she was born to Chakradhar Chand and Akhuji Chand.&nbsp;

Dutee won a landmark 'gender' case against the IAAF in an appeal to the Court of Arbitration in 2015 and she was allowed to compete after being banned for one year.&nbsp;

The CAS suspended the IAAF's policy on hyperandrogenism for two years.&nbsp;

Later the world body changed the policy, which applicable only on female athletes competing in the range of 400m to 1500m, leaving out Dutee, who competes in 100m and 200m, from its ambit.

Unapologetic about her same-sex relationship with a younger relative, India's fastest woman Dutee Chand is facing a tough battle of acceptance in her family. Dutee, who won two silver medals at the 2018 Asian Games, became one of the few athletes in the world to openly admit same-sex relationship.

Unapologetic about her same-sex relationship with a younger relative, India's fastest woman Dutee Chand is facing a tough battle of acceptance in her family. Dutee, who won two silver medals at the 2018 Asian Games, became one of the few athletes in the world to openly admit same-sex relationship. "I am having a relationship with a 19-year-old woman from my village for the past five years. She is studying B.A. 2nd year in a Bhubaneswar college. She is a relative of mine and whenever I come to home, I spend time with her. She is a kind of soul-mate for me and I want to settle down with her in future," Chand, 23, told PTI from Hyderabad where she is training. The landmark judgement of the Supreme Court last year had made the same-sex relationship between consenting adults a non-criminal act though marriage between such individuals is still not legal in India. Dutee, the 100m national record holder (11.24 seconds), says while her parents have not yet raised any objection to her relationship, her eldest sister has threatened to not only expel her from the family but also send her to jail. "My eldest sister kind of wields power and authority in my family. She has thrown out my elder brother from home because she does not like his wife. She has threatened me that same will happen to me. But I am also an adult who has individual freedom. So, I decided to go ahead with this and make it public. "My eldest sister feels that my partner is interested in my property. She has told me that she will send me to jail for having this relationship," she said. Dutee said her partner is free to marry whoever she wants to if she decides to do so in future. "I will continue my athletics career. I am going to take part in the World University Games next month and hope to qualify for the World Championships later this year. My aim to qualify for next year's Olympics, so I am training hard," she said. While Dutee refused to name her partner, she said the Supreme Court judgement on the issue gave her the courage to go public. "My partner also agreed that we should make this public and face whatever repercussions it may bring to us. I believe in individual freedom and right to decide how and with whom I will live my life." She said another reason for coming out in the open was that she did not want something which happened with sprinter Pinki Pramanik, who was accused of rape by her live-in partner. Pinki was a member of the 2006 Asian Games 4x400m relay gold winning team. "We did not want this kind of situation happening in future," Dutee said. Dutee, who was banned for one year by the international athletics federation in 2014 for having higher testosterone (male sex hormone) level than permissible, hails from Chaka Gopalpur village at Jajpur district of Odisha and she was born to Chakradhar Chand and Akhuji Chand. Dutee won a landmark 'gender' case against the IAAF in an appeal to the Court of Arbitration in 2015 and she was allowed to compete after being banned for one year. The CAS suspended the IAAF's policy on hyperandrogenism for two years. Later the world body changed the policy, which applicable only on female athletes competing in the range of 400m to 1500m, leaving out Dutee, who competes in 100m and 200m, from its ambit.

Sprinter Dutee Chand faces expulsion from family after revealing same sex relationship

Cuban police on Saturday broke up an unauthorised pro-LGBT rights march in Havana, held as an alternative to the government-sanctioned <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/cuba-suspends-gay-parade-216962">Gay Rights parade</a> that authorities cancelled earlier in the week.

To the cries of "Yes we can!" the demonstrators, several waving rainbow flags and carrying signs with slogans like "Diverse Cuba," managed to march a mere 400 meters along Havana's downtown Paseo del Prado before being dispersed by police.

The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activists, numbering around 100, were protesting the cancellation of the parade against homophobia organised by the government's National Center for Sexual Education (Cenesex), an office under the Ministry of Health, and held for the past ten years.

The colourful parade, or "conga," used to kick off activities educating people about homophobia and transphobia that is nevertheless taking place.

At least three protesters who refused to obey orders to leave were arrested, according to AFP journalists.

Laydel Alfonso, a 31-year-old restaurant waiter who marched with his face concealed by a silver mask and waving a rainbow flag, was upset that police had broken up the march.

"I don't believe this is right because we're doing nothing wrong," he told AFP.

In a first for Cuba, where there is tight government control, the march was organised on social media.

Cenesex is led by lawmaker Mariela Castro, the daughter of former president Raul Castro, who at the age of 87 is still the first secretary of the island's ruling Communist Party.

Earlier in the week, Cenesex announced that the official march was cancelled due to unspecified "new tensions in the international and regional context." The office urged people to respect the official calls for unity.

Cuban police on Saturday broke up an unauthorised pro-LGBT rights march in Havana, held as an alternative to the government-sanctioned Gay Rights parade that authorities cancelled earlier in the week.

Cuban police on Saturday broke up an unauthorised pro-LGBT rights march in Havana, held as an alternative to the government-sanctioned Gay Rights parade that authorities cancelled earlier in the week. To the cries of "Yes we can!" the demonstrators, several waving rainbow flags and carrying signs with slogans like "Diverse Cuba," managed to march a mere 400 meters along Havana's downtown Paseo del Prado before being dispersed by police. The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activists, numbering around 100, were protesting the cancellation of the parade against homophobia organised by the government's National Center for Sexual Education (Cenesex), an office under the Ministry of Health, and held for the past ten years. The colourful parade, or "conga," used to kick off activities educating people about homophobia and transphobia that is nevertheless taking place. At least three protesters who refused to obey orders to leave were arrested, according to AFP journalists. Laydel Alfonso, a 31-year-old restaurant waiter who marched with his face concealed by a silver mask and waving a rainbow flag, was upset that police had broken up the march. "I don't believe this is right because we're doing nothing wrong," he told AFP. In a first for Cuba, where there is tight government control, the march was organised on social media. Cenesex is led by lawmaker Mariela Castro, the daughter of former president Raul Castro, who at the age of 87 is still the first secretary of the island's ruling Communist Party. Earlier in the week, Cenesex announced that the official march was cancelled due to unspecified "new tensions in the international and regional context." The office urged people to respect the official calls for unity.

Cuban police break up unauthorised LGBT rights march in Havana

Cuban gay rights activists are planning to hold an unprecedented independent march against homophobia on Saturday despite several reporting they had received warnings not to attend and the Communist government saying it was an attempt at subversion.

Whether they manage to hold it could be a sign of Cubans` growing ability - or not - to mobilize for certain causes even in the face of resistance from the one-party state that has for decades tightly controlled public spaces.

The state-run National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX), headed by Mariela Castro, the daughter of Communist Party leader Raul Castro, earlier this week abruptly cancelled its 12th annual conga, which is Cuba`s equivalent of gay pride.

CENESEX said in a statement that certain groups were planning to use the event to undermine the government, emboldened by the escalation of aggression by the Trump administration against Cuba and its leftist ally Venezuela.

The United States has for decades financed often covert programs to promote democracy on the island and undermine the Communist government.

Activists who say the conga is an important and rare space to advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights quickly organized an alternative event and spread the word on social media.&nbsp;

CENESEX denounced this as a 'provocation' and several activists say they received threats either anonymously on social media or from state security in person not to attend it.

The expansion of the internet in Cuba over the past year has seen increasing numbers of Cubans mobilize online over certain issues, sometimes apparently managing to influence policy.

The government, for example, postponed the full implementation of a decree clamping down on the arts after an online campaign protesting the law and stepped back on regulations governing the private sector after entrepreneurs and experts complained.

So far, however, the government has retained tight control over physical public spaces, mostly restricting marches to expressions of support for the government, like the recent Labor Day parade.

The conga in Havana was an exception that became a regular occurrence and a reminder that the government, which once sent gays to work camps in the early days of Fidel Castro`s 1959 revolution, had made considerable advances in LGBT rights in recent years.

The country guarantees rights such as free sex-change operations and forbids discrimination on the basis of sexuality, in a region where some countries still have anti-sodomy laws.

Some LGBT activists feel like the cancellation of the conga was a sign those rights are being eroded, possibly because a recent public consultation over a new constitution revealed that there was more opposition to the community than previously thought.

Many Cubans expressed their opposition to a change in the draft constitution that would have explicitly opened the door to gay marriage.

Evangelical churches, which have become increasingly vocal and have growing followings, also ran unprecedented campaigns against the change, which was eventually watered down.

Cuban gay rights activists are planning to hold an unprecedented independent march against homophobia on Saturday despite several reporting they had received warnings not to attend and the Communist government saying it was an attempt at subversion.

Cuban gay rights activists are planning to hold an unprecedented independent march against homophobia on Saturday despite several reporting they had received warnings not to attend and the Communist government saying it was an attempt at subversion. Whether they manage to hold it could be a sign of Cubans` growing ability - or not - to mobilize for certain causes even in the face of resistance from the one-party state that has for decades tightly controlled public spaces. The state-run National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX), headed by Mariela Castro, the daughter of Communist Party leader Raul Castro, earlier this week abruptly cancelled its 12th annual conga, which is Cuba`s equivalent of gay pride. CENESEX said in a statement that certain groups were planning to use the event to undermine the government, emboldened by the escalation of aggression by the Trump administration against Cuba and its leftist ally Venezuela. The United States has for decades financed often covert programs to promote democracy on the island and undermine the Communist government. Activists who say the conga is an important and rare space to advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights quickly organized an alternative event and spread the word on social media. CENESEX denounced this as a 'provocation' and several activists say they received threats either anonymously on social media or from state security in person not to attend it. The expansion of the internet in Cuba over the past year has seen increasing numbers of Cubans mobilize online over certain issues, sometimes apparently managing to influence policy. The government, for example, postponed the full implementation of a decree clamping down on the arts after an online campaign protesting the law and stepped back on regulations governing the private sector after entrepreneurs and experts complained. So far, however, the government has retained tight control over physical public spaces, mostly restricting marches to expressions of support for the government, like the recent Labor Day parade. The conga in Havana was an exception that became a regular occurrence and a reminder that the government, which once sent gays to work camps in the early days of Fidel Castro`s 1959 revolution, had made considerable advances in LGBT rights in recent years. The country guarantees rights such as free sex-change operations and forbids discrimination on the basis of sexuality, in a region where some countries still have anti-sodomy laws. Some LGBT activists feel like the cancellation of the conga was a sign those rights are being eroded, possibly because a recent public consultation over a new constitution revealed that there was more opposition to the community than previously thought. Many Cubans expressed their opposition to a change in the draft constitution that would have explicitly opened the door to gay marriage. Evangelical churches, which have become increasingly vocal and have growing followings, also ran unprecedented campaigns against the change, which was eventually watered down.

Cuban LGBT activists plan alternate parade in defiance of government

Brunei's sultan has announced death by stoning for gay sex and adultery will not be enforced after a global backlash, but critics Monday called for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brunei-defends-sharia-law-says-law-is-for-prevention-and-not-punishment-209945">harsh sharia laws</a> to be abandoned entirely.

In a speech late Sunday, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said a moratorium on capital punishment that already applies to Brunei's regular criminal code would also extend to its new sharia code, which includes death by stoning for various crimes.&nbsp;

The code, which also punishes theft with the amputation of hands and feet, fully came into force last month in the small sultanate on Borneo island, making it the only country in East or Southeast Asia with sharia law at the national level.

The move <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nz-pm-ardern-says-bruneis-new-death-penalty-for-gay-sex-fly-in-the-face-of-human-rights-207827">sparked anger from governments</a> and rights groups, the United Nations slammed it as a "clear violation" of human rights while celebrities led by actor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/brunei-gay-sex-stoning-ellen-degeneres-george-clooney-others-ask-for-hotels-boycott-207956">George Clooney called for Brunei-owned hotels to be boycotted</a>.&nbsp;

In a televised address, the all-powerful sultan made his first public comments about the furore and took the rare step of addressing criticism, saying there had been "many questions and misperceptions" regarding the sharia laws.

"Both the common law and the sharia law aim to ensure peace and harmony of the country," he insisted, according to an official translation of his speech.

Some crimes in Muslim-majority Brunei including murder and drug-trafficking were already punishable with death by hanging under the regular criminal code -- which is enforced alongside the sharia code -- but no one has been executed for decades.&nbsp;

Hassanal said that "we have practised a de facto moratorium on the execution of death penalty for cases under the common law.

"This will also be applied to cases under the (sharia penal code), which provides a wider scope for remission."

'Human rights monstrosity'

But rights groups said the announcement did not go far enough.

"It really doesn't change anything," Matthew Woolfe, founder of rights group The Brunei Project, told AFP.

"This announcement does nothing to address the many other human rights concerns about the (sharia code)."

The maximum punishment for gay sex between men under the sharia code is death by stoning, but perpetrators can also be sentenced to lengthy jail terms or caning.&nbsp;

Women convicted of having sexual relations with other women face up to 40 strokes of the cane or a maximum 10-year jail term.

Whipping and jail terms, as well as the severing of limbs for theft, under the new code, was not affected by the sultan's announcement.

It was not clear how far other sharia punishments would be enforced.&nbsp;

The sultan also vowed in his speech Brunei would ratify the United Nations convention against torture which it signed several years ago.

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said that "the entire law is a human rights-abusing monstrosity that should be scrapped.&nbsp;

"It's a quaint but unrealistic idea that a temporary moratorium on the death penalty is worth something in a royal dictatorship where the sultan's word is law."

LGBT stigma still strong

While gay Bruneians were relieved the death penalty for homosexual sex would not be enforced, they said the law still encourages discrimination against LGBT people in the former British protectorate of about 400,000 people.

"There will still be hate against LGBT people," Khairul, a gay man in Brunei who gave only one name, told AFP.

"This law should be changed -- as long as it exists, there will always be stigmatisation against LGBT people and non-Muslims in Brunei."

The sultan -- one of the world's wealthiest men, who has been on the throne over five decades -- announced plans for the sharia penal code in 2013.

The first section was introduced in 2014 and included less stringent penalties, such as fines or jail terms for offences including skipping Friday prayers, but introduction of the harsher penalties was delayed after criticism.

Analysts say he is seeking to burnish his Islamic credentials and shore up support among the country's conservatives due to the waning fortunes of the oil-dependent economy, which has been ravaged by a recession in recent years.

Brunei's sultan has announced death by stoning for gay sex and adultery will not be enforced after a global backlash, but critics Monday called for harsh sharia laws to be abandoned entirely.

Brunei's sultan has announced death by stoning for gay sex and adultery will not be enforced after a global backlash, but critics Monday called for harsh sharia laws to be abandoned entirely. In a speech late Sunday, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said a moratorium on capital punishment that already applies to Brunei's regular criminal code would also extend to its new sharia code, which includes death by stoning for various crimes. The code, which also punishes theft with the amputation of hands and feet, fully came into force last month in the small sultanate on Borneo island, making it the only country in East or Southeast Asia with sharia law at the national level. The move sparked anger from governments and rights groups, the United Nations slammed it as a "clear violation" of human rights while celebrities led by actor George Clooney called for Brunei-owned hotels to be boycotted. In a televised address, the all-powerful sultan made his first public comments about the furore and took the rare step of addressing criticism, saying there had been "many questions and misperceptions" regarding the sharia laws. "Both the common law and the sharia law aim to ensure peace and harmony of the country," he insisted, according to an official translation of his speech. Some crimes in Muslim-majority Brunei including murder and drug-trafficking were already punishable with death by hanging under the regular criminal code -- which is enforced alongside the sharia code -- but no one has been executed for decades. Hassanal said that "we have practised a de facto moratorium on the execution of death penalty for cases under the common law. "This will also be applied to cases under the (sharia penal code), which provides a wider scope for remission." 'Human rights monstrosity' But rights groups said the announcement did not go far enough. "It really doesn't change anything," Matthew Woolfe, founder of rights group The Brunei Project, told AFP. "This announcement does nothing to address the many other human rights concerns about the (sharia code)." The maximum punishment for gay sex between men under the sharia code is death by stoning, but perpetrators can also be sentenced to lengthy jail terms or caning. Women convicted of having sexual relations with other women face up to 40 strokes of the cane or a maximum 10-year jail term. Whipping and jail terms, as well as the severing of limbs for theft, under the new code, was not affected by the sultan's announcement. It was not clear how far other sharia punishments would be enforced. The sultan also vowed in his speech Brunei would ratify the United Nations convention against torture which it signed several years ago. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said that "the entire law is a human rights-abusing monstrosity that should be scrapped. "It's a quaint but unrealistic idea that a temporary moratorium on the death penalty is worth something in a royal dictatorship where the sultan's word is law." LGBT stigma still strong While gay Bruneians were relieved the death penalty for homosexual sex would not be enforced, they said the law still encourages discrimination against LGBT people in the former British protectorate of about 400,000 people. "There will still be hate against LGBT people," Khairul, a gay man in Brunei who gave only one name, told AFP. "This law should be changed -- as long as it exists, there will always be stigmatisation against LGBT people and non-Muslims in Brunei." The sultan -- one of the world's wealthiest men, who has been on the throne over five decades -- announced plans for the sharia penal code in 2013. The first section was introduced in 2014 and included less stringent penalties, such as fines or jail terms for offences including skipping Friday prayers, but introduction of the harsher penalties was delayed after criticism. Analysts say he is seeking to burnish his Islamic credentials and shore up support among the country's conservatives due to the waning fortunes of the oil-dependent economy, which has been ravaged by a recession in recent years.

Brunei won't enforce gay sex death penalty after global backlash: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

Australian cricketer James Faulkner Tuesday cleared the air after being misunderstood as gay when he shared a picture with his "best mate" on the occasion of his 29th birthday.&nbsp;

On Monday, the Australian cricketer shared a photo posing with his mother and friend Rob Jubb. The caption read, "Birthday dinner with the boyfriend (best mate!!!)" and added #togetherfor5years with his post. &nbsp;

The caption led many to think that Faulkner has revealed his sexual orientation and was widely interpreted as a landmark coming-out statement.&nbsp;

The post prompted hundreds of positive messages, including from fellow Australian cricketers Glenn Maxwell, Brett Lee and Shaun Tait.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw1epixh7hN/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Birthday dinner with the boyfriend (best mate!!!) @robjubbsta and my mother @roslyn_carol_faulkner ❤️❤️❤️ #togetherfor5years</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jfaulkner44/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> James Faulkner</a> (@jfaulkner44) on <time datetime="2019-04-29T10:10:44+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Apr 29, 2019 at 3:10am PDT</time>
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Maxwell said, "Happy Birthday mate! Great courage."

"Great courage mate, bet u feel better," Tait wrote.

But as reaction to Faulkner's post gained momentum, he took to social media again saying "there seems to be a misunderstanding".

"I am not gay... (Jubb) is just a great friend. Last night marked five years of being house mates!" he wrote.

He also praised the response to the coming-out that never was.

"It has been fantastic to see the support from and for the LBGT community. Let's never forget love is love," he wrote.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw2-aefB63J/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">There seems to be a misunderstanding about my post from last night, I am not gay, however it has been fantastic to see the support from and for the LBGT community. Let’s never forget love is love, however @robjubbsta is just a great friend. Last night marked five years of being house mates! Good on everyone for being so supportive.</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jfaulkner44/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> James Faulkner</a> (@jfaulkner44) on <time datetime="2019-04-30T00:07:32+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Apr 29, 2019 at 5:07pm PDT</time>
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Cricket Australia denied Faulkner's post was a misguided attempt at humour, saying both the player and the organisation recognised coming out could be "an incredibly emotional time".

"The post was not in any way meant to make light of this and, though the support from the community was overwhelming and positive, Cricket Australia apologises for any unintended offence," it said.

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Cricket Australia statement regarding James Faulkner Instagram post: <a href="https://t.co/9d7jBTYx58">https://t.co/9d7jBTYx58</a>
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) <a href="https://twitter.com/CricketAus/status/1123036541465419776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Faulkner has played one Test, 69 one-dayers and 24 Twenty20 matches for Australia, last representing his country in late 2017.

He was man-of-the-match when Australia won the Cricket World Cup final against New Zealand in 2015, taking three crucial wickets.

Faulkner still plays T20 for the Hobart Hurricanes in Australia and Lancashire in England.

The incident comes as Australian rugby moves to sack Wallabies star Israel Folau over a social media post saying "hell awaits" gays, with the matter set to go before a code of conduct hearing this weekend.

(with inputs from AFP)

Australian cricketer James Faulkner Tuesday cleared the air after being misunderstood as gay when he shared a picture with his "best mate" on the occasion of his 29th birthday.

Australian cricketer James Faulkner Tuesday cleared the air after being misunderstood as gay when he shared a picture with his "best mate" on the occasion of his 29th birthday. On Monday, the Australian cricketer shared a photo posing with his mother and friend Rob Jubb. The caption read, "Birthday dinner with the boyfriend (best mate!!!)" and added #togetherfor5years with his post. The caption led many to think that Faulkner has revealed his sexual orientation and was widely interpreted as a landmark coming-out statement. The post prompted hundreds of positive messages, including from fellow Australian cricketers Glenn Maxwell, Brett Lee and Shaun Tait. View this post on Instagram Birthday dinner with the boyfriend (best mate!!!) @robjubbsta and my mother @roslyn_carol_faulkner ❤️❤️❤️ #togetherfor5years A post shared by James Faulkner (@jfaulkner44) on Apr 29, 2019 at 3:10am PDT × Maxwell said, "Happy Birthday mate! Great courage." "Great courage mate, bet u feel better," Tait wrote. But as reaction to Faulkner's post gained momentum, he took to social media again saying "there seems to be a misunderstanding". "I am not gay... (Jubb) is just a great friend. Last night marked five years of being house mates!" he wrote. He also praised the response to the coming-out that never was. "It has been fantastic to see the support from and for the LBGT community. Let's never forget love is love," he wrote. View this post on Instagram There seems to be a misunderstanding about my post from last night, I am not gay, however it has been fantastic to see the support from and for the LBGT community. Let’s never forget love is love, however @robjubbsta is just a great friend. Last night marked five years of being house mates! Good on everyone for being so supportive. A post shared by James Faulkner (@jfaulkner44) on Apr 29, 2019 at 5:07pm PDT × Cricket Australia denied Faulkner's post was a misguided attempt at humour, saying both the player and the organisation recognised coming out could be "an incredibly emotional time". "The post was not in any way meant to make light of this and, though the support from the community was overwhelming and positive, Cricket Australia apologises for any unintended offence," it said. Cricket Australia statement regarding James Faulkner Instagram post: https://t.co/9d7jBTYx58 — Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) April 30, 2019 × Faulkner has played one Test, 69 one-dayers and 24 Twenty20 matches for Australia, last representing his country in late 2017. He was man-of-the-match when Australia won the Cricket World Cup final against New Zealand in 2015, taking three crucial wickets. Faulkner still plays T20 for the Hobart Hurricanes in Australia and Lancashire in England. The incident comes as Australian rugby moves to sack Wallabies star Israel Folau over a social media post saying "hell awaits" gays, with the matter set to go before a code of conduct hearing this weekend. (with inputs from AFP)

Australian cricketer James Faulkner clarifies after being misunderstood as gay

How Inclusive is India to 'Third Sex'. Do Transgender take part in Election? To know more, watch the video.

India Election Watch: The Story of India's Transgender Voters

Life has never been easy for 53-year old Ramanujam (alias) Radha, but she has chosen a tougher path for herself, a path that nobody from her community in Tamil Nadu has taken. She is the first transgender candidate from Tamil Nadu to be contesting in the upcoming Lok Sabha Polls. She is contesting as an independent and has been allotted the Computer Mouse symbol.&nbsp;

We caught up with her on her campaign trail, as she traversed the busy lanes of T.Nagar, the commercial hub that falls under the South Chennai Parliamentary constituency. She walks along with her friend Nila, casually chatting with passersby and curious onlookers and urging them to vote for a member of the third gender, that has been neglected and ignored by society.&nbsp;

Speaking fluently in English, Radha recalls that she is a proud post-graduate, with a BA in Economics and MA in English. However, her nomination papers mention only 12th standard as her qualification, as her college certificates were damaged during the 2015 Chennai Floods. Radha laments that despite their educational qualification, jobs are hard to find for a&nbsp;trans person. She makes ends meet by working as&nbsp;a cook and housemaid and is cheerful about her culinary skills.&nbsp;

"I can cook a variety of North Indian and South Indian dishes, but continental would be a little difficult as I haven’t had any formal training", she says with a smile. Speaking of her decision to take the political plunge, she says that the rampant sexual violence against women and children, society remaining passive about it is what disturbs her the most. As a transgender, I will fight to ensure health penalty for those behind these crimes.

The other issues that she highlights are the water woes in several areas across her constituency, unchecked disposal of garbage and the lack of adequate toilet facilities outside the famous Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore. While the landmark Supreme Court verdict to strike down Section 377 was a boon to the LGBTQ community, she says that they wish to actively campaign for marriage rights, property rights, adoption etc.&nbsp;

Expressing enthusiasm about her campaign, she says, "there has been a very good response from the public and the fishermen community embraced me and performed aarti, but there are few exceptions where people walk away due to apprehension. I am happy that transgender people are being acknowledged and are able to contribute to society by taking up jobs in the fields of medicine, law, police. So why not politics then?"&nbsp;

Radha will be up against the AIADMK’s incumbent MP J Jayavardhan and DMK’s Thamizhachi Thangapandian and Makkal Needhi Maiam’s Rangarajan and several other candidates from small parties, independents. Referring to the electoral battle that lay ahead, she confidently says, "I am bestowed with a man’s strength and woman’s compassion".

Life has never been easy for 53-year old Ramanujam (alias) Radha, but she has chosen a tougher path for herself, a path that nobody from her community in Tamil Nadu has taken.

Life has never been easy for 53-year old Ramanujam (alias) Radha, but she has chosen a tougher path for herself, a path that nobody from her community in Tamil Nadu has taken. She is the first transgender candidate from Tamil Nadu to be contesting in the upcoming Lok Sabha Polls. She is contesting as an independent and has been allotted the Computer Mouse symbol. We caught up with her on her campaign trail, as she traversed the busy lanes of T.Nagar, the commercial hub that falls under the South Chennai Parliamentary constituency. She walks along with her friend Nila, casually chatting with passersby and curious onlookers and urging them to vote for a member of the third gender, that has been neglected and ignored by society. Speaking fluently in English, Radha recalls that she is a proud post-graduate, with a BA in Economics and MA in English. However, her nomination papers mention only 12th standard as her qualification, as her college certificates were damaged during the 2015 Chennai Floods. Radha laments that despite their educational qualification, jobs are hard to find for a trans person. She makes ends meet by working as a cook and housemaid and is cheerful about her culinary skills. "I can cook a variety of North Indian and South Indian dishes, but continental would be a little difficult as I haven’t had any formal training", she says with a smile. Speaking of her decision to take the political plunge, she says that the rampant sexual violence against women and children, society remaining passive about it is what disturbs her the most. As a transgender, I will fight to ensure health penalty for those behind these crimes. The other issues that she highlights are the water woes in several areas across her constituency, unchecked disposal of garbage and the lack of adequate toilet facilities outside the famous Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore. While the landmark Supreme Court verdict to strike down Section 377 was a boon to the LGBTQ community, she says that they wish to actively campaign for marriage rights, property rights, adoption etc. Expressing enthusiasm about her campaign, she says, "there has been a very good response from the public and the fishermen community embraced me and performed aarti, but there are few exceptions where people walk away due to apprehension. I am happy that transgender people are being acknowledged and are able to contribute to society by taking up jobs in the fields of medicine, law, police. So why not politics then?" Radha will be up against the AIADMK’s incumbent MP J Jayavardhan and DMK’s Thamizhachi Thangapandian and Makkal Needhi Maiam’s Rangarajan and several other candidates from small parties, independents. Referring to the electoral battle that lay ahead, she confidently says, "I am bestowed with a man’s strength and woman’s compassion".

'I am bestowed with a man's strength and a woman's compassion', says Tamil Nadu's first Transgender candidate

George Clooney calls to boycott Brunei-owned hotels

Indonesia's communications ministry said on Wednesday that Instagram had taken down an account displaying comic strips depicting the struggles faced by gay Muslim men after authorities labelled it "pornographic".

The ministry said in a statement that it had requested the removal of the account, under the name @Alpantuni, because it breached regulations.

The action is the latest example of government and public hostility towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country.

Communications Minister Rudiantara had earlier warned that Instagram could be blocked in Indonesia if the account was not removed.

"Materials promoting LGBT are against health rules, religious rules and cultural norms. It is not in accordance with Indonesia," the minister told CNN Indonesia.

The comic strips reviewed by Reuters before they were taken down portrayed a young gay man from a religious Indonesian family struggling with his identity.

They included an image of two men in bed and the main protagonist later being bullied over his sexuality. The account had more than 6,000 followers.

Andreas Harsono, a researcher for Human Rights Watch, said Instagram should have defended its own community guidelines.

"Instagram should have not removed that account. It's a healthy comic on the daily struggle of being a gay in Indonesia, how they're facing social pressures, fearing arrests, and nervous about having their houses raided," he told Reuters.

Instagram did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Indonesia's communications ministry said on Wednesday that Instagram had taken down an account displaying comic strips depicting the struggles faced by gay Muslim men after authorities labelled it "pornographic".

Indonesia's communications ministry said on Wednesday that Instagram had taken down an account displaying comic strips depicting the struggles faced by gay Muslim men after authorities labelled it "pornographic". The ministry said in a statement that it had requested the removal of the account, under the name @Alpantuni, because it breached regulations. The action is the latest example of government and public hostility towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country. Communications Minister Rudiantara had earlier warned that Instagram could be blocked in Indonesia if the account was not removed. "Materials promoting LGBT are against health rules, religious rules and cultural norms. It is not in accordance with Indonesia," the minister told CNN Indonesia. The comic strips reviewed by Reuters before they were taken down portrayed a young gay man from a religious Indonesian family struggling with his identity. They included an image of two men in bed and the main protagonist later being bullied over his sexuality. The account had more than 6,000 followers. Andreas Harsono, a researcher for Human Rights Watch, said Instagram should have defended its own community guidelines. "Instagram should have not removed that account. It's a healthy comic on the daily struggle of being a gay in Indonesia, how they're facing social pressures, fearing arrests, and nervous about having their houses raided," he told Reuters. Instagram did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Instagram deletes gay Muslim comic strips after pressure from Indonesian authorities

Rainbow flags flew high and gay anthems blasted out over Yangon’s river as a flotilla of boats took to the water of Myanmar’s biggest city on Saturday for the country’s first-ever Pride boat parade in a sign of growing acceptance for LGBT rights.

Some 600 revellers partied under a blazing sun as the discreet community slowly emerges into the limelight in a country where gay sex remains illegal.

Compared to just five years ago when the festival got off the ground, "Myanmar LGBT people, especially young people, are now more courageous and more 'out'," said Hla Myat Tun, co-director of &amp;Proud, which organises the celebration and other events across the country.

Last year marked a milestone after authorities granted permission to hold the event for the first time in a public park with some 12,000 people coming along.

Flushed with their success, organisers re-branded this year’s event as a true 'Pride', even if a full march through the streets remains an elusive goal in a country still wary of protests.

Billboards sporting huge photos of LGBT couples were plastered across the city in the build-up to the festival.

The boat party kicked off the packed programme of events that will include films, debates and the much-anticipated drag queen Olympics, featuring handbag throwing and stiletto races.

But there is a very serious message beneath the flamboyance.

Perceptions can be very different away from the main cities and many LGBT people often still face discrimination in the socially conservative country.

"Most non-LGBT people are not understanding LGBT persons," said 28-year-old activist and transgender woman Shin Thant, adding that a lot more work is needed to combat the comical stereotypes of LGBT people reinforced by TV and film. &nbsp;

The festival’s theme this year is "Heroes" to celebrate those who are standing up to fight for the community.

Macho actor Okkar Min Maung was recognised as a role model after shocking the country with his coming out in a&nbsp;Facebook video last year.

He was travelling in the US, but his mother accepted the award on his behalf, saying she was happy to have a gay son.

With rainbow flags painted on his cheeks and pink beads around his wrist, make-up artist Thu Yar Zaw, 25, told AFP how much the festival means to him.

"At work people didn’t accept me being gay. I was quite depressed, but I don’t have that feeling any more."

Rainbow flags flew high and gay anthems blasted out over Yangon’s river as a flotilla of boats took to the water of Myanmar’s biggest city on Saturday for the country’s first-ever Pride boat parade in a sign of growing acceptance for LGBT rights.

Rainbow flags flew high and gay anthems blasted out over Yangon’s river as a flotilla of boats took to the water of Myanmar’s biggest city on Saturday for the country’s first-ever Pride boat parade in a sign of growing acceptance for LGBT rights. Some 600 revellers partied under a blazing sun as the discreet community slowly emerges into the limelight in a country where gay sex remains illegal. Compared to just five years ago when the festival got off the ground, "Myanmar LGBT people, especially young people, are now more courageous and more 'out'," said Hla Myat Tun, co-director of &Proud, which organises the celebration and other events across the country. Last year marked a milestone after authorities granted permission to hold the event for the first time in a public park with some 12,000 people coming along. Flushed with their success, organisers re-branded this year’s event as a true 'Pride', even if a full march through the streets remains an elusive goal in a country still wary of protests. Billboards sporting huge photos of LGBT couples were plastered across the city in the build-up to the festival. The boat party kicked off the packed programme of events that will include films, debates and the much-anticipated drag queen Olympics, featuring handbag throwing and stiletto races. But there is a very serious message beneath the flamboyance. Perceptions can be very different away from the main cities and many LGBT people often still face discrimination in the socially conservative country. "Most non-LGBT people are not understanding LGBT persons," said 28-year-old activist and transgender woman Shin Thant, adding that a lot more work is needed to combat the comical stereotypes of LGBT people reinforced by TV and film. The festival’s theme this year is "Heroes" to celebrate those who are standing up to fight for the community. Macho actor Okkar Min Maung was recognised as a role model after shocking the country with his coming out in a Facebook video last year. He was travelling in the US, but his mother accepted the award on his behalf, saying she was happy to have a gay son. With rainbow flags painted on his cheeks and pink beads around his wrist, make-up artist Thu Yar Zaw, 25, told AFP how much the festival means to him. "At work people didn’t accept me being gay. I was quite depressed, but I don’t have that feeling any more."

Myanmar’s first LGBT pride boat parade sets sail

Lady Gaga is the latest celebrity to have called out US President Donald Trump over US government shutdown. The singer took a moment in the middle of her show in Las Vegas on Saturday night to adress the issue and criticised Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.&nbsp; 
 
The incident happened during her performance of ‘Million Reasons’, The Hollywood Reporter posted. She said, “If the f@#$ing president of the United Sates could please put our government back… there are people who live paycheck to paycheck and need their money.” 
 
Gaga also took an aim at Pence, whose wife Karen has been criticised for accepting a job at a school that excludes LGBT children, adding, “And to Mike Pence, who thinks it`s acceptable that his wife works at a school that bans LGBTQ — you`re wrong. You say we should not discriminate against Christianity. You are the worst representation of what it means to be a Christian." 
 
She further added, "I am a Christian woman, and what I do know about Christianity is that we bear no prejudice and everybody is welcome. So you can take all that disgrace, Mr. Pence, and you can look yourself in the mirror and you`ll find it right there." 
 
Gaga is the latest celebrity to have voiced her opinion on the government shutdown. Earlier celebrities like Cardi B, Snoog Dogg, &nbsp;Cher, Mia Farrow and others.&nbsp; 
 
The &nbsp;US government partially shut down on 22 December, 2018 after Republicans, Democrats and the President failed to reach an agreement over the funding for a wall that he has proposed at the US- Mexico border to help curb illegal immigration. 
 
Meanwhile, Lady Gaga won the 2019 Critics` Choice Awards for best actress along with Glenn Close recently. She also took home the Critics` Choice Award for best song for `Shallow'.&nbsp;

Lady Gaga is the latest celebrity to have called out US President Donald Trump over US government shutdown. The singer took a moment in the middle of her show in Las Vegas on Saturday night to adress the issue and criticised Trump and Vice President Mike Pence.

Lady Gaga is the latest celebrity to have called out US President Donald Trump over US government shutdown. The singer took a moment in the middle of her show in Las Vegas on Saturday night to adress the issue and criticised Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. The incident happened during her performance of ‘Million Reasons’, The Hollywood Reporter posted. She said, “If the f@#$ing president of the United Sates could please put our government back… there are people who live paycheck to paycheck and need their money.” Gaga also took an aim at Pence, whose wife Karen has been criticised for accepting a job at a school that excludes LGBT children, adding, “And to Mike Pence, who thinks it`s acceptable that his wife works at a school that bans LGBTQ — you`re wrong. You say we should not discriminate against Christianity. You are the worst representation of what it means to be a Christian." She further added, "I am a Christian woman, and what I do know about Christianity is that we bear no prejudice and everybody is welcome. So you can take all that disgrace, Mr. Pence, and you can look yourself in the mirror and you`ll find it right there." Gaga is the latest celebrity to have voiced her opinion on the government shutdown. Earlier celebrities like Cardi B, Snoog Dogg, Cher, Mia Farrow and others. The US government partially shut down on 22 December, 2018 after Republicans, Democrats and the President failed to reach an agreement over the funding for a wall that he has proposed at the US- Mexico border to help curb illegal immigration. Meanwhile, Lady Gaga won the 2019 Critics` Choice Awards for best actress along with Glenn Close recently. She also took home the Critics` Choice Award for best song for `Shallow'.

Lady Gaga calls out Trump over government shutdown, says Mike Pence is the 'worst representation of a Christian'

The government of Thailand has approved draft legislation to allow same-sex civil union, a step which could make it the first Asian country to recognize such partnerships once the bill is passed, official sources said on Wednesday.

Apichat, an official of the government spokesperson's office, told EFE that the government approved the Civil Partnership Bill on Tuesday.

The official said no date had been fixed yet for the legislation to be presented in the National Legislative Assembly for debate and approval as the State Council was reviewing its details.

The bill is not expected to face any problems in its passage in the parliament as the country has effectively been under military rule since a coup led by General Prayut Chain-ocha - the current prime minister - on May 22, 2014.

The parliament on Tuesday also approved the legalization of marijuana for medicinal and research purposes, making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to do so, joining Canada, Australia, Mexico, Brazil and some states of the United States.

Thailand, where all political activities were banned until recently, is set to hold general elections in the first half of 2019.

Prime Minister Prayut has not ruled out contesting the upcoming elections.

The government of Thailand has approved draft legislation to allow same-sex civil union, a step which could make it the first Asian country to recognize such partnerships once the bill is passed, official sources said on Wednesday.

The government of Thailand has approved draft legislation to allow same-sex civil union, a step which could make it the first Asian country to recognize such partnerships once the bill is passed, official sources said on Wednesday. Apichat, an official of the government spokesperson's office, told EFE that the government approved the Civil Partnership Bill on Tuesday. The official said no date had been fixed yet for the legislation to be presented in the National Legislative Assembly for debate and approval as the State Council was reviewing its details. The bill is not expected to face any problems in its passage in the parliament as the country has effectively been under military rule since a coup led by General Prayut Chain-ocha - the current prime minister - on May 22, 2014. The parliament on Tuesday also approved the legalization of marijuana for medicinal and research purposes, making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to do so, joining Canada, Australia, Mexico, Brazil and some states of the United States. Thailand, where all political activities were banned until recently, is set to hold general elections in the first half of 2019. Prime Minister Prayut has not ruled out contesting the upcoming elections.

Thai government approves bill to legalise same-sex civil union

The Miss Universe pageant in Thailand's Bangkok was one of the firsts on Sunday after the&nbsp;event had its first ever-transgender woman competing for the title.

Spain's Angela Ponce made history&nbsp;after she walked on the runway of the star-studded event. However, she did not make it to the list of top 20.

"I thank you for joining me on this wonderful journey, for believing in me, for giving me the opportunity to put a grain of sand for a society that deserves change, " Ponce wrote on Twitter.

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Les doy las Gracias por acompañarme en este maravilloso viaje, por creer en mí, por darme la oportunidad de poner un granito de arena por una sociedad que merece cambios 🇪🇸<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MissUniverse?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MissUniverse</a> <a href="https://t.co/GOEpX0eXJz">pic.twitter.com/GOEpX0eXJz</a>
— ANGELA PONCE (@angelaponceof) <a href="https://twitter.com/angelaponceof/status/1074348855913783297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Twenty-seven years old, Ponce became Miss Spain in June after beating 22 competitors before earning her spot in the Miss Universe pageant.

Ponce also volunteers with a non-profit in Spain that works with children and families dealing with gender identity issues. 
&nbsp; 
The Miss Universe Organisation, which owns the beauty pageant, lifted a ban on transgender contestants in 2012. Before this, the pageant participation was limited to "naturally born" women only.

The participation is also limited to women who are unmarried and women who have never given a birth.&nbsp;

They should also be at least 18 years old and under 28 years old before January 1 in the year, they are participating.

At the time of her victory in June, she had told media that she would try to the use the platform to promote tolerance and respect towards transgenders.

She also hoped that with her making history, a conversation will begin&nbsp;within families about transgender issues, given the competitions' wide reach.

The program airs in more than 190 countries, with an estimated half a billion viewers annually.

The pageant took place in Thailand at a time when the country is preparing to pass a landmark bill that would allow civil partnerships of same-sex couples, becoming the first Asian country to do so. 
&nbsp;

The Miss Universe pageant in Thailand's Bangkok was one of the firsts on Sunday after the event had its first ever-transgender woman competing for the title. Spain's Angela Ponce made history after she walked on the runway of the star-studded event.

The Miss Universe pageant in Thailand's Bangkok was one of the firsts on Sunday after the event had its first ever-transgender woman competing for the title. Spain's Angela Ponce made history after she walked on the runway of the star-studded event. However, she did not make it to the list of top 20. "I thank you for joining me on this wonderful journey, for believing in me, for giving me the opportunity to put a grain of sand for a society that deserves change, " Ponce wrote on Twitter. Les doy las Gracias por acompañarme en este maravilloso viaje, por creer en mí, por darme la oportunidad de poner un granito de arena por una sociedad que merece cambios 🇪🇸#MissUniverse pic.twitter.com/GOEpX0eXJz — ANGELA PONCE (@angelaponceof) December 16, 2018 × Twenty-seven years old, Ponce became Miss Spain in June after beating 22 competitors before earning her spot in the Miss Universe pageant. Ponce also volunteers with a non-profit in Spain that works with children and families dealing with gender identity issues. The Miss Universe Organisation, which owns the beauty pageant, lifted a ban on transgender contestants in 2012. Before this, the pageant participation was limited to "naturally born" women only. The participation is also limited to women who are unmarried and women who have never given a birth. They should also be at least 18 years old and under 28 years old before January 1 in the year, they are participating. At the time of her victory in June, she had told media that she would try to the use the platform to promote tolerance and respect towards transgenders. She also hoped that with her making history, a conversation will begin within families about transgender issues, given the competitions' wide reach. The program airs in more than 190 countries, with an estimated half a billion viewers annually. The pageant took place in Thailand at a time when the country is preparing to pass a landmark bill that would allow civil partnerships of same-sex couples, becoming the first Asian country to do so.

Angela Ponce becomes first transgender woman to compete in Miss Universe

Nepal was hailed as a leader in LGBT rights when it became the first country in conservative South Asia to recognise a third gender and assure equality for its sexual minorities.

But more than a decade later, that trailblazing reputation has lost its lustre, with gay and transgender Nepalis still confronting obstacles to jobs and schools, and marriage equality a distant prospect.

More than 900,000 of Nepal's roughly 26 million population identify as a sexual minority, according to LGBT rights group Blue Diamond Society.

On paper, they enjoy some of the most progressive protections and rights guaranteed by law in the immediate region.

Landmark reforms in 2007 prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and recognised gay Nepalis at a time when homosexuality was still illegal in neighbouring India.

Transgender Nepalis identifying as neither male nor female was also granted the right to tick "other" when voting or applying for a passport or other official documents.

But gay and transgender Nepalis and rights activists say action has not matched the rhetoric, and more than a decade on, the community still faces discrimination.

"The government recognised our identity but has not been able to put forward a concrete policy or plan to give us rights that all citizens enjoy," said Blue Diamond Society president Pinky Gurung.

"It is heartbreaking that to enjoy one right (citizenship), we have to be deprived of other opportunities."

Rukshana Kapali, a transgender woman, has been allowed to study at university but not formally register as a student because her high school transcript identifies her as male under a former name.

The bureaucratic glitch means she may not be able to graduate.

"I feel like I am in limbo," the 19-year-old told AFP.

"I want to be a linguist, but right now I am worried I won't be able to study here at all."

Tribhuvan University, Nepal's oldest, says it hopes to find a solution but until then, Kapali is off the books.

"We are optimistic, but it is not possible to register her under the current regulations," said Pushpa Raj Joshi, the university's exam controller.

Hopes dashed

Every year, Nepal's LGBT community take to the dusty streets of the capital Kathmandu for a vibrant gay pride parade to demand an end to all forms of discrimination.

Despite much-celebrated gains, there is still plenty to shout about.

Nepal in August adopted a new civil code defining marriage as between a man and a woman, dashing hopes for same-sex unions to be legally recognised any time soon.

Other laws in the new statute have also been criticised for narrowly defining core rights in terms of male and female -- leaving no room for people of the "other" gender.

"We were hoping for change so we could marry and maybe even start a family. But we've been disappointed so far," said Armand Rana, 23, a gay man who lives with his partner of six years.

Rana's family has accepted his partner but many in conservative and patriarchal Nepal still hide their sexuality and gender identity.

"The amount of progress Nepal has experienced... is enormous, and yet implementation of the various pledges from government entities over the years continues to lag," said Kyle Knight of Human Rights Watch.

The government says it is working to make laws more inclusive.

"If any law discriminates, people can point it out so we can seek ways to improve," said Bharat Raj Sharma, who oversees LGBT issues at the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens.

But for transgender citizens like Kapali, the wheels of Nepal's bureaucracy are turning too slowly.

"Being recognised as a third gender is important and I am proud of my identity," she said.

"But I don't want it to limit what I can do in my life."

Nepal was hailed as a leader in LGBT rights when it became the first country in conservative South Asia to recognise a third gender and assure equality for its sexual minorities.

Nepal was hailed as a leader in LGBT rights when it became the first country in conservative South Asia to recognise a third gender and assure equality for its sexual minorities. But more than a decade later, that trailblazing reputation has lost its lustre, with gay and transgender Nepalis still confronting obstacles to jobs and schools, and marriage equality a distant prospect. More than 900,000 of Nepal's roughly 26 million population identify as a sexual minority, according to LGBT rights group Blue Diamond Society. On paper, they enjoy some of the most progressive protections and rights guaranteed by law in the immediate region. Landmark reforms in 2007 prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and recognised gay Nepalis at a time when homosexuality was still illegal in neighbouring India. Transgender Nepalis identifying as neither male nor female was also granted the right to tick "other" when voting or applying for a passport or other official documents. But gay and transgender Nepalis and rights activists say action has not matched the rhetoric, and more than a decade on, the community still faces discrimination. "The government recognised our identity but has not been able to put forward a concrete policy or plan to give us rights that all citizens enjoy," said Blue Diamond Society president Pinky Gurung. "It is heartbreaking that to enjoy one right (citizenship), we have to be deprived of other opportunities." Rukshana Kapali, a transgender woman, has been allowed to study at university but not formally register as a student because her high school transcript identifies her as male under a former name. The bureaucratic glitch means she may not be able to graduate. "I feel like I am in limbo," the 19-year-old told AFP. "I want to be a linguist, but right now I am worried I won't be able to study here at all." Tribhuvan University, Nepal's oldest, says it hopes to find a solution but until then, Kapali is off the books. "We are optimistic, but it is not possible to register her under the current regulations," said Pushpa Raj Joshi, the university's exam controller. Hopes dashed Every year, Nepal's LGBT community take to the dusty streets of the capital Kathmandu for a vibrant gay pride parade to demand an end to all forms of discrimination. Despite much-celebrated gains, there is still plenty to shout about. Nepal in August adopted a new civil code defining marriage as between a man and a woman, dashing hopes for same-sex unions to be legally recognised any time soon. Other laws in the new statute have also been criticised for narrowly defining core rights in terms of male and female -- leaving no room for people of the "other" gender. "We were hoping for change so we could marry and maybe even start a family. But we've been disappointed so far," said Armand Rana, 23, a gay man who lives with his partner of six years. Rana's family has accepted his partner but many in conservative and patriarchal Nepal still hide their sexuality and gender identity. "The amount of progress Nepal has experienced... is enormous, and yet implementation of the various pledges from government entities over the years continues to lag," said Kyle Knight of Human Rights Watch. The government says it is working to make laws more inclusive. "If any law discriminates, people can point it out so we can seek ways to improve," said Bharat Raj Sharma, who oversees LGBT issues at the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens. But for transgender citizens like Kapali, the wheels of Nepal's bureaucracy are turning too slowly. "Being recognised as a third gender is important and I am proud of my identity," she said. "But I don't want it to limit what I can do in my life."

Nepal stalls on LGBT rights despite early strides

LGBT drama troupe in Siliguri stages play to sensitize society

A referendum to change Romania's constitution to prevent same-sex couples from securing the right to marry failed to draw enough voters to validate the result on Sunday, after a campaign that led to a rise in hate speech against the gay community.

The vote has also been seen as popularity test of the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) that supported the change and whose attempts to weaken anti-corruption legislation have drawn criticism from the European Union's executive.

Data from the national election bureau showed voter turnout stood at 20.4 per cent when the polls closed at 1800 GMT, below the 30 per cent required for it to be valid.

The two-day referendum, which cost $40 million, aimed to change the constitution to define marriage as strictly between a man and a woman from the current gender-neutral "spouses."

Religiously conservative Romania, which decriminalised homosexuality in 2001 decades after neighbouring countries, bars marriage and civil partnerships for same sex couples.

Civil society group Coalition for the Family secured 3 million signatures to trigger the vote aimed at preventing gay couples winning the right to marry in the future.

The Coalition received backing from the Orthodox Church and other religions as well as all but one parliamentary parties.

"Romanians rejected being divided and hating each other, it is a victory for Romanian democracy and moreover, Romanians rejected the involvement of the Orthodox Church in the state’s secular affairs," said Vlad Viski of LGBT rights group MozaiQ.

"We believe politicians must now legalise civil partnerships for same-sex couples," he said at a party to celebrate the outcome.

Dozens of human rights groups had said a successful referendum would embolden further attempts to chip away at the rights of minority groups and push Romania onto a populist, authoritarian track.

They have encouraged people to boycott the ballot, with several companies and popular musicians and artists following. A library chain even offered a book discount over the weekend for those who wanted to stay in and read rather than vote.

In villages across the country, people were quoted saying they had better things to do, such as canning food and making wine.

"The PSD staked everything on the referendum, by associating with it and trying to capitalise on it," said Sergiu Miscoiu, a political science professor at Babes-Bolyai University.

"What remains is the fact that many citizens have associated the initiative with the PSD and that is why they boycotted it. Either way, it is a major sanction against the government."

Senior PSD member Codrin Stefanescu accused opposition parties and centrist President Klaus Iohannis of misinforming Romanians in the run-up to the vote.

PSD leader Liviu Dragnea, whose appeal against a criminal conviction in an abuse of office case starts on Monday, told reporters after voting "Yes" to the change on Saturday that Romanians had to decide the kind of country they wanted.

"We all know that for years we’ve been told others know what is best for us better than we do. I believe it is time we decide what kind of society and country we want to have and how we want to live in our country," Dragnea said.

Days before the vote, the government relaxed anti-fraud monitoring and limited options for challenging the result.

Romania ranks 25th out of 28 EU states based on legislation, hate speech and discrimination against LGBT people, an annual study by ILGA-Europe, an umbrella organisation advocating equality, showed.

A referendum to change Romania's constitution to prevent same-sex couples from securing the right to marry failed to draw enough voters to validate the result on Sunday, after a campaign that led to a rise in hate speech against the gay community.

A referendum to change Romania's constitution to prevent same-sex couples from securing the right to marry failed to draw enough voters to validate the result on Sunday, after a campaign that led to a rise in hate speech against the gay community. The vote has also been seen as popularity test of the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) that supported the change and whose attempts to weaken anti-corruption legislation have drawn criticism from the European Union's executive. Data from the national election bureau showed voter turnout stood at 20.4 per cent when the polls closed at 1800 GMT, below the 30 per cent required for it to be valid. The two-day referendum, which cost $40 million, aimed to change the constitution to define marriage as strictly between a man and a woman from the current gender-neutral "spouses." Religiously conservative Romania, which decriminalised homosexuality in 2001 decades after neighbouring countries, bars marriage and civil partnerships for same sex couples. Civil society group Coalition for the Family secured 3 million signatures to trigger the vote aimed at preventing gay couples winning the right to marry in the future. The Coalition received backing from the Orthodox Church and other religions as well as all but one parliamentary parties. "Romanians rejected being divided and hating each other, it is a victory for Romanian democracy and moreover, Romanians rejected the involvement of the Orthodox Church in the state’s secular affairs," said Vlad Viski of LGBT rights group MozaiQ. "We believe politicians must now legalise civil partnerships for same-sex couples," he said at a party to celebrate the outcome. Dozens of human rights groups had said a successful referendum would embolden further attempts to chip away at the rights of minority groups and push Romania onto a populist, authoritarian track. They have encouraged people to boycott the ballot, with several companies and popular musicians and artists following. A library chain even offered a book discount over the weekend for those who wanted to stay in and read rather than vote. In villages across the country, people were quoted saying they had better things to do, such as canning food and making wine. "The PSD staked everything on the referendum, by associating with it and trying to capitalise on it," said Sergiu Miscoiu, a political science professor at Babes-Bolyai University. "What remains is the fact that many citizens have associated the initiative with the PSD and that is why they boycotted it. Either way, it is a major sanction against the government." Senior PSD member Codrin Stefanescu accused opposition parties and centrist President Klaus Iohannis of misinforming Romanians in the run-up to the vote. PSD leader Liviu Dragnea, whose appeal against a criminal conviction in an abuse of office case starts on Monday, told reporters after voting "Yes" to the change on Saturday that Romanians had to decide the kind of country they wanted. "We all know that for years we’ve been told others know what is best for us better than we do. I believe it is time we decide what kind of society and country we want to have and how we want to live in our country," Dragnea said. Days before the vote, the government relaxed anti-fraud monitoring and limited options for challenging the result. Romania ranks 25th out of 28 EU states based on legislation, hate speech and discrimination against LGBT people, an annual study by ILGA-Europe, an umbrella organisation advocating equality, showed.

Romanian constitutional ban on same-sex marriage fails on low vote turnout

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Saturday said he did not agree with the portion of the historic Supreme Court judgment decriminalising consensual gay sex that called sexuality a part of free speech, as he felt it raises questions on restraining any form of homosexual or bisexual activity in a school hostel, prison or army frontier.

He also differed on a portion of the apex court ruling on adultery, saying it may end up converting the Indian family system into a Western family system.

On the Supreme Court allowing women's entry into the Sabarimala shrine, he said such a ruling cannot happen on select practices as it may have many social consequences.

Speaking at the HT Leadership Summit, Jaitley said the judgment decriminalising gay sex was fine but "the problem comes when writing these historical judgements, you get carried away and want to be part of history and therefore you go a step further".

He said he fairly agreed with the reasoning given by the court in the judgement that sexual activity is part of Article 21 of the Constitution that guarantees right of life and that no discrimination on the basis of sex should be there, but added that he completely disagrees with the reasoning that sexual activity is part of free speech.

"Because I think that's little excessive and consequences of that may not be on decriminalisation. Free speech is entirely a different gambit, it can be restrained on the reasons of sovereignty, security, public order and so on and mind you there is tendency of creating new fundamental rights everyday.

"So when you convert this into a fundamental right and say its free speech then how do you restrain any form of sexual activity, homosexual or bisexual in a school hostel, prison, army frontier," he said.

Stating that this requires further debate, he said this reasoning was not necessary for deciding the case of Section 377 which decriminalised gay sex. 
On the Supreme Court ruling on adultery, he said some of the judges said these are matrimonial offences and personal wrongs and not public wrongs.

"So therefore it is outside the purview of criminal law. Would that cover bigamy or polygamy also which are personal wrong? Would that cover cruelty? Would that cover dowry offences? Now this logic covering them, then it would be a wholly anti-women judgement," he said.

He said he was not in dispute that the "very badly worded section" on adultery needed to be quashed but "the later view may find a reference in some western journals very favourably but it may end up converting Indian family system into Western family system where the fragility of marriage as an institution itself will increase.

"Therefore you probably require to debate the second part of the observation which again was not necessary for deciding this case."

On the Sabarimala ruling, Jaitley said if you want to take a progressive step, then Articles 14 and 21 will apply against all religions.

"It can't happen that you select a practice and apply it because that will have many many social consequences in pluralist society like India. If you start stepping into the religious practices and customs and say (Article) 14 must be tested on... Personal law and (Article) 14 must be tested in Article 21, then will it apply to polygamy? Will it apply to oral divorces? Will it apply to other religions where ladies are not allowed to enter religious places?

"If you have a selective practice and then you use an argument to say well we will decide this issue in some other case every time it arises. If you are being progressive and bold then it must be uniformly so and that does not seem to be happening....If you are willing to proclaim you must be willing to strike," he said.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Saturday said he did not agree with the portion of the historic Supreme Court judgment decriminalising consensual gay sex that called sexuality a part of free speech, as he felt it raises questions on restraining any form of homosexual or bisexual activity in a school hostel, prison or army frontier.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Saturday said he did not agree with the portion of the historic Supreme Court judgment decriminalising consensual gay sex that called sexuality a part of free speech, as he felt it raises questions on restraining any form of homosexual or bisexual activity in a school hostel, prison or army frontier. He also differed on a portion of the apex court ruling on adultery, saying it may end up converting the Indian family system into a Western family system. On the Supreme Court allowing women's entry into the Sabarimala shrine, he said such a ruling cannot happen on select practices as it may have many social consequences. Speaking at the HT Leadership Summit, Jaitley said the judgment decriminalising gay sex was fine but "the problem comes when writing these historical judgements, you get carried away and want to be part of history and therefore you go a step further". He said he fairly agreed with the reasoning given by the court in the judgement that sexual activity is part of Article 21 of the Constitution that guarantees right of life and that no discrimination on the basis of sex should be there, but added that he completely disagrees with the reasoning that sexual activity is part of free speech. "Because I think that's little excessive and consequences of that may not be on decriminalisation. Free speech is entirely a different gambit, it can be restrained on the reasons of sovereignty, security, public order and so on and mind you there is tendency of creating new fundamental rights everyday. "So when you convert this into a fundamental right and say its free speech then how do you restrain any form of sexual activity, homosexual or bisexual in a school hostel, prison, army frontier," he said. Stating that this requires further debate, he said this reasoning was not necessary for deciding the case of Section 377 which decriminalised gay sex. On the Supreme Court ruling on adultery, he said some of the judges said these are matrimonial offences and personal wrongs and not public wrongs. "So therefore it is outside the purview of criminal law. Would that cover bigamy or polygamy also which are personal wrong? Would that cover cruelty? Would that cover dowry offences? Now this logic covering them, then it would be a wholly anti-women judgement," he said. He said he was not in dispute that the "very badly worded section" on adultery needed to be quashed but "the later view may find a reference in some western journals very favourably but it may end up converting Indian family system into Western family system where the fragility of marriage as an institution itself will increase. "Therefore you probably require to debate the second part of the observation which again was not necessary for deciding this case." On the Sabarimala ruling, Jaitley said if you want to take a progressive step, then Articles 14 and 21 will apply against all religions. "It can't happen that you select a practice and apply it because that will have many many social consequences in pluralist society like India. If you start stepping into the religious practices and customs and say (Article) 14 must be tested on... Personal law and (Article) 14 must be tested in Article 21, then will it apply to polygamy? Will it apply to oral divorces? Will it apply to other religions where ladies are not allowed to enter religious places? "If you have a selective practice and then you use an argument to say well we will decide this issue in some other case every time it arises. If you are being progressive and bold then it must be uniformly so and that does not seem to be happening....If you are willing to proclaim you must be willing to strike," he said.

SC ruling on 377: Disagree with reasoning that sexuality is part of free speech, says Arun Jaitley

South Korea held its first ever drag parade this weekend, a small but significant step for rights activists in a country that remains deeply conservative when it comes to gender and sexuality.

Dozens of drag queens and kings marched through Itaewon on Saturday, a suburb of Seoul best known for its nightlife and a nascent but vibrant gay scene.

Carrying rainbow flags, they cheered and strutted their best outfits, receiving shouts of support and the odd baffled look from those they passed.

While homosexuality is not illegal in South Korea, same-sex marriage is not recognised and people cannot legally change their birth gender.&nbsp

The country is home to a large evangelical Christian community and LGBT people feel pervasive pressure to to stay closeted.&nbsp

"When it comes to South Korea, human rights guarantees for sexual minorities are insufficient," Yang Heezy, a drag queen and the organiser of Seoul Drag Parade, told AFP.

"Today's drag parade and more queer culture festivals should take place to bring attention to sexual minorities and help those who are not from those minorities learn more," he added, sporting a flame red wig and floral dress.

Both South Koreans and foreigners participated in Saturday's parade.

One participant, who gave her drag queen name Lola Bank, said there was a feeling of exhilaration among marchers.

"The fact that we are able to be in public in drag is a huge milestone to queer acceptance in Korea," Lola enthused, dragging on a cigarette.

"I’ve always struggled with my masculinity and my femininity. And when I get in drag I’m saying kind of like a 'fuck you' to society’s expectations of how I should behave as a male."

Gay pride parades have been a fixture in South Korea for years but have often been protested by religious groups, who have held rival anti-homosexuality rallies while trying to physically block marchers.

Even left-leaning South Korean President Moon Jae-in -– a former human rights lawyer –- said he "opposed homosexuality" during a campaign debate last year.

Gay rights activists claim that some progress has been made in recent years, with surveys showing increasing tolerance -- particularly among young people -- and growing participation at gay pride events.&nbsp

Saturday's small parade saw no counter-demonstration.&nbsp

Lee Hyang-soon, an elderly street vendor, smiled and waved to participants as they passed.

"It's really cool. Seeing all the foreigners join in, it feels like Korea is becoming world famous," she said. "I'm happy. It's fabulous."

Dozens of drag queens and kings marched through Itaewon on Saturday, a suburb of Seoul best known for its nightlife and a nascent but vibrant gay scene

South Korea held its first ever drag parade this weekend, a small but significant step for rights activists in a country that remains deeply conservative when it comes to gender and sexuality. Dozens of drag queens and kings marched through Itaewon on Saturday, a suburb of Seoul best known for its nightlife and a nascent but vibrant gay scene. Carrying rainbow flags, they cheered and strutted their best outfits, receiving shouts of support and the odd baffled look from those they passed. While homosexuality is not illegal in South Korea, same-sex marriage is not recognised and people cannot legally change their birth gender. The country is home to a large evangelical Christian community and LGBT people feel pervasive pressure to to stay closeted. "When it comes to South Korea, human rights guarantees for sexual minorities are insufficient," Yang Heezy, a drag queen and the organiser of Seoul Drag Parade, told AFP. "Today's drag parade and more queer culture festivals should take place to bring attention to sexual minorities and help those who are not from those minorities learn more," he added, sporting a flame red wig and floral dress. Both South Koreans and foreigners participated in Saturday's parade. One participant, who gave her drag queen name Lola Bank, said there was a feeling of exhilaration among marchers. "The fact that we are able to be in public in drag is a huge milestone to queer acceptance in Korea," Lola enthused, dragging on a cigarette. "I’ve always struggled with my masculinity and my femininity. And when I get in drag I’m saying kind of like a 'fuck you' to society’s expectations of how I should behave as a male." Gay pride parades have been a fixture in South Korea for years but have often been protested by religious groups, who have held rival anti-homosexuality rallies while trying to physically block marchers. Even left-leaning South Korean President Moon Jae-in -– a former human rights lawyer –- said he "opposed homosexuality" during a campaign debate last year. Gay rights activists claim that some progress has been made in recent years, with surveys showing increasing tolerance -- particularly among young people -- and growing participation at gay pride events. Saturday's small parade saw no counter-demonstration. Lee Hyang-soon, an elderly street vendor, smiled and waved to participants as they passed. "It's really cool. Seeing all the foreigners join in, it feels like Korea is becoming world famous," she said. "I'm happy. It's fabulous."

In a first, South Korea holds drag parade with Rainbow flags and high heels

Chinese microblogging website, Sina Weibo, announced removing "homosexual" content from its platform. The move has enraged the online gay community in China prompting a storm of online protests. The hashtag "I am gay" has now taken over the Chinese social media.

In a statement, Weibo said that it has begun a clean-up campaign that aims to remove "illegal" content that is suggestively pornographic in nature and may promote violence.&nbsp;

The campaign will run for three-months and will also crackdown on video games, like Grand Theft Auto,&nbsp;with violent themes.

The ruling Communist Party has been aiming to purge the Internet of content that deviates from its "core values of socialism".&nbsp;

Weibo, so far, is reported to have removed some 56,240 items in a bid to implement China's new cybersecurity law. The Twitter-like platform registers around 400 million active users every month.&nbsp;

The announcement and the removal of homosexual content from the platform have provoked a flood of reactions&nbsp;from Chinese internet users. Many&nbsp;have been protesting online using the hashtag "I am gay".&nbsp;

Users have described Weibo's move as discriminatory. Some opine that the Mangas removed from the platform were not pornographic.&nbsp;

Despite decriminalising&nbsp;homosexuality in 1997, China continues to hold conservative attitudes. President Xi Jinping is believed to advocate a stronger promotion of socialist ideology in society.

The Chinese kingpins, who sought to get rid of the presidential term limit for General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, made headlines a few months back for reportedly banning the English alphabet 'N' and recently the world-famous cartoon character, the honey-loving bear Winnie the Pooh from its online territories.&nbsp;

Letter 'N' was temporarily banned. Many suggested Chinese censors targetted the mathematical expression of disapproval -- as the expression “N > 2” in mathematics has 'N'&nbsp;as an unknown signifier for an unknown quantity, here referring to Xi’s possible presidential tenure.&nbsp;

Microblogging website Weibo announced banning 'homosexual' content on its platform

Chinese microblogging website, Sina Weibo, announced removing "homosexual" content from its platform. The move has enraged the online gay community in China prompting a storm of online protests. The hashtag "I am gay" has now taken over the Chinese social media. In a statement, Weibo said that it has begun a clean-up campaign that aims to remove "illegal" content that is suggestively pornographic in nature and may promote violence. The campaign will run for three-months and will also crackdown on video games, like Grand Theft Auto, with violent themes. The ruling Communist Party has been aiming to purge the Internet of content that deviates from its "core values of socialism". Weibo, so far, is reported to have removed some 56,240 items in a bid to implement China's new cybersecurity law. The Twitter-like platform registers around 400 million active users every month. The announcement and the removal of homosexual content from the platform have provoked a flood of reactions from Chinese internet users. Many have been protesting online using the hashtag "I am gay". Users have described Weibo's move as discriminatory. Some opine that the Mangas removed from the platform were not pornographic. Despite decriminalising homosexuality in 1997, China continues to hold conservative attitudes. President Xi Jinping is believed to advocate a stronger promotion of socialist ideology in society. The Chinese kingpins, who sought to get rid of the presidential term limit for General Secretary and President Xi Jinping, made headlines a few months back for reportedly banning the English alphabet 'N' and recently the world-famous cartoon character, the honey-loving bear Winnie the Pooh from its online territories. Letter 'N' was temporarily banned. Many suggested Chinese censors targetted the mathematical expression of disapproval -- as the expression “N > 2” in mathematics has 'N' as an unknown signifier for an unknown quantity, here referring to Xi’s possible presidential tenure.

'I am gay' protests break out in China

A scion of Thailand&#39;s biggest auto parts group launched a new political party in Bangkok on Thursday as an alternative to established parties, promising to bridge a festering political divide in the country.

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, 39, who serves as the executive vice president and director of the Thai Summit Group, an autoparts maker, launched the &#39;Future Forward Party&#39; in Bangkok&#39;s up-and-coming Chinatown neighborhood.

Thanathorn said he hoped to appeal to younger voters and disenfranchised citizens.

&quot;Give democracy a chance,&quot; he said in English at the launch.

&quot;We don&#39;t need governance through guns,&quot; he added in Thai, referring to the ruling military, which took power in 2014.

The launch comes two weeks after Thailand&#39;s Election Commission opened registration for new political parties, one of the first signs of a halting return to democracy.

Thailand has been under military rule since a 2014 coup toppled an elected government.

Since the coup, the generals running Thailand have banned political activity. They have also repeatedly delayed a general election with the latest date pinned on February 2019.

The country has been largely divided since a 2006 coup against then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a businessman turned politician who gained a loyal following among rural voters but made many enemies among the military-royalist elite.

Following a period of democracy, the military again intervened in 2014 to topple a civilian government led by Thaksin&#39;s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra.

Critics of the junta say it has failed to deliver on its promises and that political divisions remain steadfast.

Growing impatience with the junta has been manifest in protests calling for a quick return to democracy.

The demonstrations come as Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, 63, who as army chief led the 2014 coup, appears to be undertaking his own campaign to stay on as prime minister.

Thanathorn, whose family also has a major stake in the Matichon Pcl, which publishes newspapers, resigned from Matichon&#39;s&#39; board on Wednesday but remains on the board of Thai Summit, a privately held company.

Some have questioned the family&#39;s ties to Thaksin. Thanatorn&#39;s uncle, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, held various senior positions in Thaksin&#39;s now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party.

Thanatorn has been described by some as the &quot;next Thaksin&quot;, but on Thursday said he did not side with any existing group.

&quot;We have our own stance,&quot; he said.

He did not list his party&#39;s policies because formal political campaigning is still banned by the junta, but said he hopes to attract &quot;ordinary people&quot; to support the party.

&quot;People who are not famous ... but who want to shape our country&#39;s future together,&quot; he said.

Thanathorn introduced other party co-founders on Thursday, including a filmmaker and a number of activists involved in LGBT and environmental causes, among other issues.

Party co-founder Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a law lecturer at Bangkok&#39;s Thammasat University, said the party hopes to transcend Thailand&#39;s political divide, a sentiment echoed by the student-led groups that have held anti-junta protests across Bangkok in recent weeks.

But some say the party might find it difficult to appeal to grassroots voters.

&quot;Will they, academics and NGOs ... be able to connect with grassroots people, which is a large part of the electoral base?,&quot; asked one Twitter user.

'Give democracy a chance,' Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit said in English at the launch

A scion of Thailand's biggest auto parts group launched a new political party in Bangkok on Thursday as an alternative to established parties, promising to bridge a festering political divide in the country. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, 39, who serves as the executive vice president and director of the Thai Summit Group, an autoparts maker, launched the 'Future Forward Party' in Bangkok's up-and-coming Chinatown neighborhood. Thanathorn said he hoped to appeal to younger voters and disenfranchised citizens. "Give democracy a chance," he said in English at the launch. "We don't need governance through guns," he added in Thai, referring to the ruling military, which took power in 2014. The launch comes two weeks after Thailand's Election Commission opened registration for new political parties, one of the first signs of a halting return to democracy. Thailand has been under military rule since a 2014 coup toppled an elected government. Since the coup, the generals running Thailand have banned political activity. They have also repeatedly delayed a general election with the latest date pinned on February 2019. The country has been largely divided since a 2006 coup against then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a businessman turned politician who gained a loyal following among rural voters but made many enemies among the military-royalist elite. Following a period of democracy, the military again intervened in 2014 to topple a civilian government led by Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra. Critics of the junta say it has failed to deliver on its promises and that political divisions remain steadfast. Growing impatience with the junta has been manifest in protests calling for a quick return to democracy. The demonstrations come as Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, 63, who as army chief led the 2014 coup, appears to be undertaking his own campaign to stay on as prime minister. Thanathorn, whose family also has a major stake in the Matichon Pcl, which publishes newspapers, resigned from Matichon's' board on Wednesday but remains on the board of Thai Summit, a privately held company. Some have questioned the family's ties to Thaksin. Thanatorn's uncle, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, held various senior positions in Thaksin's now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party. Thanatorn has been described by some as the "next Thaksin", but on Thursday said he did not side with any existing group. "We have our own stance," he said. He did not list his party's policies because formal political campaigning is still banned by the junta, but said he hopes to attract "ordinary people" to support the party. "People who are not famous ... but who want to shape our country's future together," he said. Thanathorn introduced other party co-founders on Thursday, including a filmmaker and a number of activists involved in LGBT and environmental causes, among other issues. Party co-founder Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a law lecturer at Bangkok's Thammasat University, said the party hopes to transcend Thailand's political divide, a sentiment echoed by the student-led groups that have held anti-junta protests across Bangkok in recent weeks. But some say the party might find it difficult to appeal to grassroots voters. "Will they, academics and NGOs ... be able to connect with grassroots people, which is a large part of the electoral base?," asked one Twitter user.

Thai auto heir launches new party, promises to heal political rift

The Supreme Court to hear the writ petition filed by trans-woman Shanavi Ponnusamy, who alleged Air India, refused her a job due to her gender, on March 5.

On February 14, Ponnusamy wrote a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind, seeking permission for mercy killing as she was allegedly refused the job of cabin crew in Air India due to her gender.

Sanavi Ponnusami has alleged that Air India rejected her, telling her that they don&#39;t have a category for trans-women.

She had said that her living condition is not great and can&#39;t afford advocates to fight a case, as the Supreme Court listens to cases like hers.

She approached the Apex Court against the alleged discrimination in 2017.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

On February 14, Ponnusamy wrote a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind, seeking permission for mercy killing as she was allegedly refused the job of cabin crew in Air India due to her gender

The Supreme Court to hear the writ petition filed by trans-woman Shanavi Ponnusamy, who alleged Air India, refused her a job due to her gender, on March 5. On February 14, Ponnusamy wrote a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind, seeking permission for mercy killing as she was allegedly refused the job of cabin crew in Air India due to her gender. Sanavi Ponnusami has alleged that Air India rejected her, telling her that they don't have a category for trans-women. She had said that her living condition is not great and can't afford advocates to fight a case, as the Supreme Court listens to cases like hers. She approached the Apex Court against the alleged discrimination in 2017.

Supreme Court to hear writ petition by trans-woman Shanavi Ponnusamy

The UN human rights chief warned today that possible acts of &quot;genocide and ethnic cleansing&quot; against Myanmar&#39;s Rohingya Muslim minority could fuel a religious-based conflict that spreads beyond the country&#39;s borders.

&quot;Myanmar faces a very serious crisis -- with a potentially severe impact on the security of the region,&quot; UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra&#39;ad Al Hussein said during a speech in Jakarta.

His remarks follow the publication of a report last week about mass graves of Rohingya in Myanmar&#39;s crisis-hit Rakhine state, where government troops have been accused of waging an ethnic cleansing campaign against the minority.

Nearly 700,000 Rohingya have fled to bordering Bangladesh since last August.

Myanmar denied the mass grave report and wider allegations of rights abuses, saying it launched a proportionate crackdown on Rohingya rebels.

But it has blocked reporters and UN investigators from independently accessing the conflict zone and investigating refugee claims about a genocide.

Zeid on Monday said Myanmar had enjoyed strong growth including a focus on socio-economic development in the Rakhine region, but that this could not mask &quot;institutionalised discrimination&quot; against the minority.

The UN rights chief is due to meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo as well as top government officials and rights groups during his three-day visit.

Among the issues expected to be discussed is a crackdown on the LGBT community in Indonesia, the world&#39;s largest Muslim-majority country.

Parliament is set to pass a long-dormant bill to make sex outside marriage illegal. Gay marriage does not exist in Indonesia, meaning homosexual relations would be effectively outlawed.&nbsp;

'Myanmar faces a very serious crisis -- with a potentially severe impact on the security of the region,' said Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein

The UN human rights chief warned today that possible acts of "genocide and ethnic cleansing" against Myanmar's Rohingya Muslim minority could fuel a religious-based conflict that spreads beyond the country's borders. "Myanmar faces a very serious crisis -- with a potentially severe impact on the security of the region," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said during a speech in Jakarta. His remarks follow the publication of a report last week about mass graves of Rohingya in Myanmar's crisis-hit Rakhine state, where government troops have been accused of waging an ethnic cleansing campaign against the minority. Nearly 700,000 Rohingya have fled to bordering Bangladesh since last August. Myanmar denied the mass grave report and wider allegations of rights abuses, saying it launched a proportionate crackdown on Rohingya rebels. But it has blocked reporters and UN investigators from independently accessing the conflict zone and investigating refugee claims about a genocide. Zeid on Monday said Myanmar had enjoyed strong growth including a focus on socio-economic development in the Rakhine region, but that this could not mask "institutionalised discrimination" against the minority. The UN rights chief is due to meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo as well as top government officials and rights groups during his three-day visit. Among the issues expected to be discussed is a crackdown on the LGBT community in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country. Parliament is set to pass a long-dormant bill to make sex outside marriage illegal. Gay marriage does not exist in Indonesia, meaning homosexual relations would be effectively outlawed.

Rohingya abuses could spark regional conflict: UN rights chief

8th January 2018 was the day when the Supreme Court of India, in the case of Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India, rekindled the hopes in the minds of the members of LGBT community who, for long, had been considered criminals in the statute book and was seen as outcast in the eyes of many. This was the day when it was decided by the Apex Court to reconsider it&#39;s 2013 decision, whereby, Section 377 of the IPC was reinstated in the statute while setting aside the judgment of Delhi High Court in the Naz Foundation Case.

&nbsp;

As a brief overview, Section 377 also criminalises the sexual relationship between two consenting adults which is against the order of nature. The provision became a part of the Indian legal system at the time of introduction of the Indian Penal Code in 1860 when India was still a colony of the British.

&nbsp;

While debating upon this issue, it becomes abundantly clear that the primary thrust of the supporters of homophobic regulations rests upon the abstract principles, such as public morality and order of nature. A deeper analysis, thereof, would reveal that India is, in fact, labouring under the weight of someone else&rsquo;s misjudgment.

&nbsp;

Pre-colonial India never recognised any discrimination based on someone&rsquo;s sexual inclination, let alone criminalising the same, and our ancient scriptures and sculptures are a testimony to the fact that homosexuality was an accepted facet of our culture.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

On the contrary, the western world, particularly the United Kingdom, which laid the foundation of the modern Indian legal fa&ccedil;ade, was averse to homosexuality owing to both social and religious considerations.

&nbsp;

As the Delhi High Court recounted in its judgment, the earliest records of homosexuality as a crime in the English common law were chronicled as early as 1290. Subsequently, under the Buggery Act of 1533, homosexuality came to be penalised by hanging. By mid-1800&rsquo;s, the death penalty on homosexuality was abolished but it still remained a crime, &lsquo;not to be mentioned by Christians&rsquo;.

&nbsp;

At the time the Indian Penal Code was enacted in 1860, India was still a colony of the British and it was, actually, the English morality on the subject which came to be enforced upon the Indian society. Even after 70 years of independence, we still consider ourselves shackled in the Victorian mindset.

&nbsp;

Order of nature is another argument that is advanced to defame homosexuality on every forum. In extending the same order of nature argument, we can say, members of LGBT community are born different and, for them, that is their respective order or nature.

Unfortunately, in the world of humans, laws of nature no more hold good and it is only the likings and dislikings of a select few that become the touchstone for the remainder. In the wisdom of our legislature, which, at times, gets claustrophobic, sexual intercourse is meant only for the purpose of procreation and nothing else. This sentiment is reflected in the very language of the section when it speaks about carnal intercourse against the order of nature.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

However, the Supreme Court seems to be opening up to the wider connotation of this concept. In Navtej Singh Johar case, it was observed that order of nature is not a constant phenomenon. Social morality also changes from age to age. The law copes with life and, accordingly, change takes place. Morality which public perceives, the Constitution may not conceive of.

&nbsp;

Indian lawmakers, on the other hand, have failed to come to terms with the positive aspects of their own ancient culture and, even now, are consistently digging their heels against the legal developments across the world which have been introduced to meet the genuine demands of society.

&nbsp;

In the light of above, it would be worthwhile to analyse as to what is the stand towards homosexuality in the United Kingdom now. While India continues to carry the burden of a negative perception and the corresponding law which was enforced upon her by her conqueror, it has already become redundant in UK. Interestingly, United Kingdom had decriminalised homosexuality in 1967 onwards and, in 2014, gay marriages also became legal in England, Wales and Scotland.

&nbsp;

This head-in-the-sand attitude of the Indian system is not new and was witnessed in the past too when age-old and fossilised arguments were advanced in order to scuttle some revolutionary developments at the hands of Courts.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

It is high time that India begins to drive away from age-old legislations which snatch the basic fundamental rights of citizens. It is possible only when we let the realities of the time sink in and open up to changes required to deal with them. Hopefully, the Supreme Court would, finally, open the doors of acceptance to LGBT community and confer upon them their right to live with dignity.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pre-colonial India never recognised any discrimination based on someone’s sexual inclination, let alone criminalising the same.

8th January 2018 was the day when the Supreme Court of India, in the case of Navtej Singh Johar vs Union of India, rekindled the hopes in the minds of the members of LGBT community who, for long, had been considered criminals in the statute book and was seen as outcast in the eyes of many. This was the day when it was decided by the Apex Court to reconsider it's 2013 decision, whereby, Section 377 of the IPC was reinstated in the statute while setting aside the judgment of Delhi High Court in the Naz Foundation Case. As a brief overview, Section 377 also criminalises the sexual relationship between two consenting adults which is against the order of nature. The provision became a part of the Indian legal system at the time of introduction of the Indian Penal Code in 1860 when India was still a colony of the British. While debating upon this issue, it becomes abundantly clear that the primary thrust of the supporters of homophobic regulations rests upon the abstract principles, such as public morality and order of nature. A deeper analysis, thereof, would reveal that India is, in fact, labouring under the weight of someone else’s misjudgment. Pre-colonial India never recognised any discrimination based on someone’s sexual inclination, let alone criminalising the same, and our ancient scriptures and sculptures are a testimony to the fact that homosexuality was an accepted facet of our culture. On the contrary, the western world, particularly the United Kingdom, which laid the foundation of the modern Indian legal façade, was averse to homosexuality owing to both social and religious considerations. As the Delhi High Court recounted in its judgment, the earliest records of homosexuality as a crime in the English common law were chronicled as early as 1290. Subsequently, under the Buggery Act of 1533, homosexuality came to be penalised by hanging. By mid-1800’s, the death penalty on homosexuality was abolished but it still remained a crime, ‘not to be mentioned by Christians’. At the time the Indian Penal Code was enacted in 1860, India was still a colony of the British and it was, actually, the English morality on the subject which came to be enforced upon the Indian society. Even after 70 years of independence, we still consider ourselves shackled in the Victorian mindset. Order of nature is another argument that is advanced to defame homosexuality on every forum. In extending the same order of nature argument, we can say, members of LGBT community are born different and, for them, that is their respective order or nature. Unfortunately, in the world of humans, laws of nature no more hold good and it is only the likings and dislikings of a select few that become the touchstone for the remainder. In the wisdom of our legislature, which, at times, gets claustrophobic, sexual intercourse is meant only for the purpose of procreation and nothing else. This sentiment is reflected in the very language of the section when it speaks about carnal intercourse against the order of nature. However, the Supreme Court seems to be opening up to the wider connotation of this concept. In Navtej Singh Johar case, it was observed that order of nature is not a constant phenomenon. Social morality also changes from age to age. The law copes with life and, accordingly, change takes place. Morality which public perceives, the Constitution may not conceive of. Indian lawmakers, on the other hand, have failed to come to terms with the positive aspects of their own ancient culture and, even now, are consistently digging their heels against the legal developments across the world which have been introduced to meet the genuine demands of society. In the light of above, it would be worthwhile to analyse as to what is the stand towards homosexuality in the United Kingdom now. While India continues to carry the burden of a negative perception and the corresponding law which was enforced upon her by her conqueror, it has already become redundant in UK. Interestingly, United Kingdom had decriminalised homosexuality in 1967 onwards and, in 2014, gay marriages also became legal in England, Wales and Scotland. This head-in-the-sand attitude of the Indian system is not new and was witnessed in the past too when age-old and fossilised arguments were advanced in order to scuttle some revolutionary developments at the hands of Courts. It is high time that India begins to drive away from age-old legislations which snatch the basic fundamental rights of citizens. It is possible only when we let the realities of the time sink in and open up to changes required to deal with them. Hopefully, the Supreme Court would, finally, open the doors of acceptance to LGBT community and confer upon them their right to live with dignity. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Superpower India treats LGBTs as per discriminatory colonial laws

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