Please help!! My country Georgia is under severe homophobic backlash, there is a hunt on LGBT people here after IDAHO day on may 17th, the government is NOT doing anything to protect us, LGBT community people are afraid to go out into the street because they are being attacked for the way they look, there have been over 20 cases of attacks on women and men with severe consequences!!! Please join out protest near the embassy in Berlin and pass this on to those who could join you too, for more information please visit: https://www.facebook.com/notes/zaal-andronikashvili/pressemitteilung-gegen-die-homophoben-ausschreitungen-und-f%C3%BCr-einen-s%C3%A4kularen-un/10151495475028773

Protecting Transgender Rights in Hong Kong: Equal Marriage Rights

This morning Hong Kong took a giant leap forward in protecting transgender rights in a judgment of the Court of Final Appeal which will allow a trans* woman to marry her partner. In a judgment that some Irish politicians could do well to take note of the Court concluded that in multicultural jurisdiction such as Hong Kong, the nature of marriage as a social institution had undergone many alterations in that the importance of procreation as an essential constituent “has much diminished”. In a 4-1 running, the Court held that it is “contrary to principle to focus merely on biological features fixed at the time of birth and regarded as immutable” and held in favour of the Appellant.

Full Article: http://humanrights.ie/gender-sexuality-and-the-law/protecting-transgender-rights-in-hong-kong-equal-marriage-rights/

Hello! My Name is Victoria Jones, but people who love me call me V.v., and I am 20 years old. I am going into my third year at Azusa Pacific University, but in order for me to register for the Fall Semester (where I will be a Resident Advisor), I need to pay the school an outstanding balance of $19,280.00. The reason why this has just arisen is because for my first three semesters, my mother paid for school. But at the beginning of this year, I just came out to her as being a lesbian. She cut me off. I work over 35 hours weekly now, but sustaining myself AND paying off my balance is actually impossible. I am asking that you good people PLEASE help me. APU is my life, and if I can’t go back, I don’t know what I will do.

Thank you so much!!!
I have a page where you can donate funds. Anything counts!!
https://www.youcaring.com/lgbtquniversity

Press Release to ILGA from LGBTI Uganda
The month of May started on a tough note concerning LGBT rights for gay Ugandans. Two groups of athletes registered to participate in Gay Sports in France and Germany were denied visas in spite of fulfilling all requirements established by both embassies.
LGBTI Uganda had registered a women’s volley ball team to compete in the Saaleperlen Games in Leipzig, Germany, between the 15th -20th May 2013. Out of the 8 applicants; including a Badminton Team for men, only 3 persons were granted visas! These included two men, for Badminton, and 1 woman, the captain, for the Volley Ball Women’s team.
This was a great shock to the 5 women who had spent weeks under intense training. The team immediately hired a lawyer to help with the appeal process, since the games were about 2 weeks away. To the team’s surprise, the embassy insisted the appeal process would last 4 weeks, a time frame which wouldn’t allow them participate in the games and a workshop organized for them on: How to Survive in an Extremely Homophobic Environment.
As expected, the organizers too where not impressed by the decision. But to their further surprise, most of their protest emails got no feedback except one that made it categorically clear that the embassy ‘deals with applicants, not third parties’. Protest letters to the German Foreign Affairs ministry were met with excuses too; all authority, with regards to visas is handled by local embassies.
In earlier correspondences between the organizers and the LGBTI Uganda team, one of the organizers noted that there could be some local staff at the German embassy that were opposed to Gay Rights and that the team should exercise the necessary precautions. Unfortunately, the team didn’t take the caution seriously until a senior native employee at the German embassy called some of the female players and preached to them for several minutes begging them “in God’s name to repent”. At the end of their submission, another called one of the two male players and told him that the team was not “presentable enough”.
The reasons given for the denial of visas were:
1. Lack of sufficient proof of means to sustain themselves while in Germany.
2. Lack of proof that the team would leave Germany upon completion of the games.
3. Lack of sufficient attachment to their country to enable them return home etc….
But team LGBTI Uganda has been to Sweden, Netherlands and in several parts of Uganda. This team had gotten a local sponsor for the German games who offered to buy return air tickets and 200 Euros per participant in pocket money. The organizers in Leipzig too, sent letters confirming the availability of meals and full accommodation for the team. Besides, every team member had health travel insurance worth the required 30,000 Euros.
Then, with the help of the team’s lawyer, affidavits were sworn by all athletes pledging to leave Germany upon the end of the games. And family photos were attached together with properties, birth certificates of dependants, personal bank statements etc…
Up to today, however, there is no word on the fate of the 5 female volley ball players from the German Embassy in Kampala. Why is this so? We are sure they are waiting for the mandatory 4 weeks to expire.
On the side of the French Embassy, all three LGBTI Uganda athletes were turned down. The same reasons were given like the Germans. Yet even after proving that 2 of the 3 were student finalists who couldn’t just abandon their studies, the embassy remained adamant. Even when the remaining athlete proved that he had a stable job with a very good remuneration package and assets, the answer was a resounding no!
The 3 had been registered by LBTI Uganda to participate in Mountain Biking and Squash in the Tournoi International de Paris 2013 happening between 14th -20th May 2013 in Paris. The organizers gave full proof of accommodation and meals, and the participants equally proved their capacity to attend, return home and continue with their life here in Uganda. The team’s sponsor too accepted to offer air tickets and ample pocket money on condition that LGBTI Uganda guaranteed participants would honor their obligations.
It’s a pity that the German and French Embassies have turned their backs on gay Ugandans despite of the fact that they are in full knowledge of the high levels of homophobia in this country. The teams strongly believe, that in sports, they would interact with their like; exchange ideas and draw support from one another. The teams believe that participating in these sports would be a huge blow to homophobia in Uganda. The teams strongly believe that sports would defeat hate with love, condemnation with compassion, discrimination with understanding.
And while the teams remain in the depths of the dark corners of homophobia itself; they remain strong in spirit and forever indebted to the organizers in France, like Antoine Le Blanc and Hubert Quarantel-Colombani together with Matthias Lendner of Germany. Thank you for all your efforts.

Elvis Kiwanuka
National Coordinator
LGBTI Uganda

The information contained in the world-wide homophobia is wrong. Homosexuality was decriminalised in 1977, along with the rest of Yugoslavia. This is a significant oversight of the author's part and should be fixed.

Madagascar has no law against homosexuality, however the age of consent for same-sex intercourse is different of that of heterosexual relations (21yrs vs 16yrs).
Despite this, homophobia is still very present in the general population which consist largely of low or non educated very poor people viewing homosexuality as a "fady", a "forbidden" state of things. At best it is ignored, shunned and not recognised, homosexuals are often married with children and have hidden intercourse. At worst it is despised and homosexuals are banned from society.
Police forces play a large role in this state of things as well, not paying attention to the fact that homosexuality is not against the law.

Hi, I just began blogging about my experience as a USA Olympic Style Boxer at http://ProBoxingFitness.Net the blog is for LGBTQ and allies.

The blog will soon offer postings that target the physical, mental, and emotional well being of it’s readers.
The content will specialize in general fitness, the Sport of Olympic Style Boxing, and the topic of “Winning In Life.”
Blog visitors benefit from free fitness tips, advice, and an opportunity to get their fitness or boxing related questions answered by a Licensed Coach at no cost and NO DISCRIMINATION.

Stay Encouraged,

Allied NATO Government is hiding millions of infectious NON HIV AIDS cases (like mine) under the "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)" ICD-code.

My case goes up through the White House, NIH, CDC, WHO, to the United Nations. I recently testified on a federal-level in Washington, DC, and have been published 12 times on 4 continents.

UK PROGRESSIVE published one of my letters about NON HIV AIDS. This topic has been censored from mainstream media since 1992 (i.e., circa Gulf War I).

www.ukprogressive.co.uk/the-aids-like-disease-seldom-mentioned/article20891.html

I hope that you will support this humanitarian issue, and spread-the-news too (e.g., write a story, add to your e*Newsletter and/or post on Facebook/Twitter).

In the fight for humanity,
k



My life with NON HIV AIDS (including my federal testimony):

www.cfsstraighttalk.blogspot.com


Or simply google "NON HIV AIDS"

I am a documentary filmmaker, gay, and have just completed a film called STRAIGHT LINE CURVE. It showcases seven successful gay men of the USA Southwest who do not fit the stereotypes often associated with homosexuality. Each man has a high profile and is fulfilled, optimistic, inspirational and proud.

I believe this film offers the world a wonderful and motivational look at the gay journey, which few people in the general populace knows exists...but it does! This 32-minute film is available on DVD.

Ed Breeding, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA
email: breeding4051@comcast.net
www.ed-breeding.artistwebsites.com

I'm a openly homosexual male, currently studying to become a teacher (ages 16-19) in the city of Gothenburg, Sweden. I have been adviced by other students to not make my sexual orientation public in my profession.
I feel that teachers are seen as heterosexual until proven otherwise. Does that meen I need to go back into the closet as long as I'm a teacher? I want to be free to say things like: "I was discussing the topic of corrective eye surgery with my boyfriend last week and he told me that..." and not having it be a big deal (which it is as long as teachers are kept in the closet.

Very interesting film depicting the passing of same-sex marriage legislation within London and the UK in 2013. Worth a look!! http://youtu.be/NZaBse2hrQU

Ethiopian LGBTs need help to halt abuses

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Rainbow Ethiopia

Ethiopia has one of the world’s most restrictive laws governing attempts to protect the rights and health of women, children, LGBT people, the sick and the disabled.

As a result, those people’s rights and health are endangered, and too little is being done to change that.

A law called the Charities and Societies Proclamation (CSP) 621/2009 bans any advocacy and human rights work seeking to end violence against women and children or to promote the rights of people with disabilities, people living with HIV, or other marginalized populations.

Further, grassroots organizations and front-line activists working for the rights and sexual health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Ethiopia are in danger both because of CSP 621/2009 and because of anti-homosexuality Proclamation No. 414/2004.2012, which provides for prison sentences of up to 15 years for consensual same-sex sexual activity.

As a result, little progress has been made in suppressing violence against LGBT individuals, which is inflicted both by police and by mobs. LGBT people tend to keep their sexual orientation a secret to avoid arrest and social stigma. LGBT activists fear for their safety, because a number of them have been detained, interrogated and tortured.

The U.S. and other countries don’t do enough to push for an end to such violations. Although they know that change is needed, they don’t make it a priority. Every year the U.S. State Department copies and pastes the same two paragraphs in its Ethiopian Human Rights Report under the heading “Societal Abuses, Discrimination, and Acts of Violence Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.” This is the wording from the newly released 2012 report:

Consensual same-sex sexual activity is illegal and punishable by imprisonment under the law. There were some reports of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals; reporting was limited due to fear of retribution, discrimination, or stigmatization. Persons did not identify themselves as LGBT persons due to severe societal stigma and the illegality of consensual same-sex sexual activity. Activists in the LGBT community stated they were followed and at times feared for their safety. There were periodic detainments of some in the LGBT community, combined with interrogation and alleged physical abuse.

The AIDS Resource Center in Addis Ababa reported the majority of self-identified gay and lesbian callers, the majority of whom were male, requested assistance in changing their behavior to avoid discrimination. Many gay men reported anxiety, confusion, identity crises, depression, self-ostracism, religious conflict, and suicide attempts.


Ethiopia’s location in East Africa

A first step toward would be for the U.S. embassy and U.S. human rights missions in the country to work closely with local LGBT activists and community leaders to flesh out the 2013 report. It’s important to record the specifics about the degrading and so-far-unreported human rights violations that Ethiopian people experience on the basis of their sexual identity and gender orientation.

A similar shortcoming applies to the U.K.’s 2012 Human Rights and Democracy Report, which mentions nothing about the human rights abuses targeted at LGBT people in Ethiopia.

Along the same lines, a conference of African Union health ministers is being held this week in Addis Ababa to discuss ways to combat the continent’s diseases. The pressing issue of LGBT people and HIV in Africa is not in their agenda.

It’s not because the foreign governments don’t know what’s going on. HIV activists and LGBT human right workers continually report incidents of social justice and human rights abuses to the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor and to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The hope is that international organizations such as those will investigate and work with the Ethiopian government to address the issue.

For more information visit our website:

http://www.rainbow-ethiopia.org/

Ethiopian LGBTs need help to halt abuses

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Rainbow Ethiopia

Ethiopia has one of the world’s most restrictive laws governing attempts to protect the rights and health of women, children, LGBT people, the sick and the disabled.

As a result, those people’s rights and health are endangered, and too little is being done to change that.

A law called the Charities and Societies Proclamation (CSP) 621/2009 bans any advocacy and human rights work seeking to end violence against women and children or to promote the rights of people with disabilities, people living with HIV, or other marginalized populations.

Further, grassroots organizations and front-line activists working for the rights and sexual health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Ethiopia are in danger both because of CSP 621/2009 and because of anti-homosexuality Proclamation No. 414/2004.2012, which provides for prison sentences of up to 15 years for consensual same-sex sexual activity.

As a result, little progress has been made in suppressing violence against LGBT individuals, which is inflicted both by police and by mobs. LGBT people tend to keep their sexual orientation a secret to avoid arrest and social stigma. LGBT activists fear for their safety, because a number of them have been detained, interrogated and tortured.

The U.S. and other countries don’t do enough to push for an end to such violations. Although they know that change is needed, they don’t make it a priority. Every year the U.S. State Department copies and pastes the same two paragraphs in its Ethiopian Human Rights Report under the heading “Societal Abuses, Discrimination, and Acts of Violence Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.” This is the wording from the newly released 2012 report:

Consensual same-sex sexual activity is illegal and punishable by imprisonment under the law. There were some reports of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals; reporting was limited due to fear of retribution, discrimination, or stigmatization. Persons did not identify themselves as LGBT persons due to severe societal stigma and the illegality of consensual same-sex sexual activity. Activists in the LGBT community stated they were followed and at times feared for their safety. There were periodic detainments of some in the LGBT community, combined with interrogation and alleged physical abuse.

The AIDS Resource Center in Addis Ababa reported the majority of self-identified gay and lesbian callers, the majority of whom were male, requested assistance in changing their behavior to avoid discrimination. Many gay men reported anxiety, confusion, identity crises, depression, self-ostracism, religious conflict, and suicide attempts.


Ethiopia’s location in East Africa

A first step toward would be for the U.S. embassy and U.S. human rights missions in the country to work closely with local LGBT activists and community leaders to flesh out the 2013 report. It’s important to record the specifics about the degrading and so-far-unreported human rights violations that Ethiopian people experience on the basis of their sexual identity and gender orientation.

A similar shortcoming applies to the U.K.’s 2012 Human Rights and Democracy Report, which mentions nothing about the human rights abuses targeted at LGBT people in Ethiopia.

Along the same lines, a conference of African Union health ministers is being held this week in Addis Ababa to discuss ways to combat the continent’s diseases. The pressing issue of LGBT people and HIV in Africa is not in their agenda.

It’s not because the foreign governments don’t know what’s going on. HIV activists and LGBT human right workers continually report incidents of social justice and human rights abuses to the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor and to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The hope is that international organizations such as those will investigate and work with the Ethiopian government to address the issue.

For more information visit our website:

http://www.rainbow-ethiopia.org/

Allied NATO Government is hiding millions of infectious NON HIV AIDS cases (like mine) under the "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)" ICD-code.

My case goes up through the White House, NIH, CDC, WHO, to the United Nations. I recently testified on a federal-level in Washington, DC, and have been published 12 times on 4 continents.

UK PROGRESSIVE published one of my letters about NON HIV AIDS. This topic has been censored from mainstream media since 1992 (i.e., circa Gulf War I).

www.ukprogressive.co.uk/the-aids-like-disease-seldom-mentioned/article20891.html

I hope that you will support this humanitarian issue, and spread-the-news too (e.g., write a story, add to your e*Newsletter and/or post on Facebook/Twitter).

In the fight for humanity,
k


My life with NON HIV AIDS (including my federal testimony):

www.cfsstraighttalk.blogspot.com

Or simply google "NON HIV AIDS"


My federal testimony about NON HIV AIDS from a recent CFS/ME advisory committee meeting (Washington, DC via conference call) posted (5 minutes):

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubjGm5dILpY&list;=PL600CB038194B4593&index;=11&feature;=plpp_video

Being gay in my country is same as being a sheep in a pack of wolves. If you are not an open gay, and you are a classic lesbian (NO ONE RECOGNIZES YOUR SEX ORIENTATION BY LOOKING AT YOU)Then you are fine. But if someone knows what kind of sexual relationships you have, well the picture in this case is different. The government tries to be fine towards them,well they are tying to integrate to Europe and adopt its culture and belongings, it is quite an open fact, but People, hmm , society is wild about this. Now a very strong Islamization is spread, those Mollas are washing up people's brain with different religious stuff, not letting people think independently and democratically. I remember me being a schoolkid, wearing like a boy, my classmates used to call me in different ways, like homo idiot, hermaphrodite or the stuff like that. There are some gay people killed and abused over there too. It is not a safe and good place to be gay, not at all

Hi I'm a lesbian from Yemen Aden,I'm a lawyer and i know what punishment waits for lesbians and gay people if they had sex .. i know whats my punishment.
its men world even when it come to this gay people get less punishment than lesbians i can get to 2 years in jail when gay can get to one year..of curse that if you weren't married and that if you could escape from your family's punishment ,they have a right by the law to kill me for having sex.
i loved a girl who's lesbian too but married if any one of her family knew she will be dead,i try to be careful but shes not,I'm afraid to cause her pain or something worse .. i cant ask for asylum unless i traveled to another country that support lgbt rights .. and i can't continue living like this without right to have the woman i love n protect her.

First off, this story is not about me. It involves me, but you should focus on the other persons involved. This person is a friend. Let's call her Danielle.

Danielle is bisexual, and openly so. People gossip about her, but nobody hates her openly, because thankfully, many people from my school are neutral about LGBTs. But, she had a crush on someone in the school. Who was well. Me.

She confessed, and I had to tell her that I didn't feel the same way. A normal rejection, and a promise to remain good friends. But people heard, and people judged. That is what I'm angry about today.

Is it wrong to have a crush? Is it wrong to feel? Would you look down on a girl who had confessed to a boy instead and gotten rejected? Is it wrong?

And this was in a mono-gender school. My co-ed school is much worse now.

PS I am a tomboy and they charged me as a man!!!

My girlfriend and I was in Beijing club today on 19 April 2012 and we had a very bad experience. They didn't charge my girlfriend but only me to the club and we were stuck on the 3rd floor and did not let us down to the 2nd floor. It is ridiculous when they tell us it is crowd control when it is just homophobic shit!!! If their practice is not have girls to pay should this not be for all girls?? I do not understand the logic behind this... And we have videos to prove it as we asked for a receipt and they asked us to go home!!!!! We need to spread the word for this!!

Making Our Struggles Visible: Advances in LGBTI rights demand courage and solidarity

These weeks of early spring 2013 gay rights have made the headlines in newspapers across the globe. Equal marriage bill is being debated in United States, Brazil, Colombia and Finland.
12 countries have granted the equal right to marry to same-sex couples after Uruguay's decision to legalise same-sex marriage. Earlier this week the French national assembly approved "Marriage to all" bill increasing expectations of equal marriage.

At the dawn of a brighter future, I was reminded of the importance of providing media coverage to these advances; for worldwide the battle for equality is nowhere near to be finished. LGBTI rights are a question of survival and a pending human rights issue. I will share you a story which happened to me this late March in 2013. The event took place on diplomatic grounds in Finland, hence, beyond the reach of local anti-discrimination measures.

I had written a solid application for a job, and was soon called for a round of interviews. I made it to the last stage. At first it seemed very promising. I was being congratulated for an excellent application, my broad experience and language skills. Soon the awkward question popped up: "Are you married?" I answered simply "No, I am not." This led my high-ranking interviewer onto the follow-up: 螯覚 you have a boyfriend?The seemingly obvious response "Yes, I am in a relationship" did not occur at that instant. Instead, I opted for the gender-neutral choice "Yes, I have a life partner." My interviewer got slightly confused. After confusing the pronouns him/her in his speech, he looked at me and said: "So, you do have a boyfriend or what?" Feeling puzzled about what my relationship actually had to do with the position in question, I decided to be frank and not lie about who I am. He had, in fact, asked me a straight-forward question and deserved an honest response: "I have a girlfriend", I said.

From there on, my interview turned into an odd quiz about [my] sexual orientation. Despite my ongoing efforts to steer the conversation back into the topic, my experience and professional strengths, I found myself with no resorts. Over the next 45 minutes, I was directed with questions that ranged from the age in which I had discovered my orientation (if I knew what was meant with it) to the citizenship and life interests of my girlfriend, and further along to whether I had preferred female or male teachers, if I got along with people regardless their gender, if I held grudge against some women, and which one of us two was the dominating one in the relationship.

My interviewer kept on assuring me that my sexual orientation was not a decisive factor. Yet, in the midst of it, I was never given the chance to defend myself for the job. Somehow, my private life had become the factor that defined me as a professional. I could have interrupted him. But I knew that this was a well-educated bigot who was not going to offer me the job. Instead, this was my chance to set some miss-guided presumptions straight.

This experience forced me to ask myself a question, pondered by many others before me: where should we draw the limit between acting professional and being political? How far can we go in respecting our privacy? Can we actually afford to stay quiet?

I am someone who considers private life private. I firmly believe that our personal lives should have no bearing over how we are perceived as professionals. That it is no concern of our employer's with whom we share our lives. I also think that office hours are office hours, and that personal issues are best left outside. However, we are social beings and sooner or later one of your colleagues will want to know a bit more about you. Then if an acquaintance assumes you straight, is it alright for us to stay quiet?

Recent evidence in United States shows that people seem more willing to support equal right to marriage if they know personally someone who is gay. I know this. Still, I am ashamed to confess that I have confided in separating the private from the public and hidden behind my deceiving appearance as a straight woman. Twice have I found myself cornered up and closeted at work. This has made me feel like a liar and a cheat. It has really made me question my values and beliefs, for I know that the advances in LGBTI rights have come about because ordinary people have had the courage to stand up and fight. I know that if we want to improve our status as equal, worthy and capable citizens and professionals, we must make our lives and battles visible. We must turn the private into public.

In contrast to the 12 countries with equal right to marriage, a third of the countries world-wide consider homosexuality a crime. In nine countries it is punishable by death. Many others have approved anti-discrimination measures to varying degree. No matter which end of the spectrum, there are no guarantees that we are not discriminated against.

My story is not unique. Around the world people are killed, attacked, harassed, bullied and many are at risk of losing their work because of their sexual orientation or gender. The denial of equal rights and the lack of effective anti-discrimination measures threaten the lives and livelihoods of many people like me. Being outspoken probably cost me the job. Paradoxically, it made me more determined to make my life count. I was reminded that LGBTI rights are human rights. They are a global issue. And that advances towards equality can be achieved only through tremendous acts of courage and solidarity.

the following is my friend Tom's story, in his own words

I committed statutory rape with a 15-year old male when I was 51. He was my student. I loved and love him whole-heartedly and completely, and promised him unconditional love, long before any sex took place. Human behavior is complicated and has many varieties. This is an unusual story. The government told a cartoon story with broad strokes of black and white.

I was imprisoned without bond, and had my freedom of speech taken away before I had been convicted of any crime. Newspapers printed government press releases without any checking of any facts. If necessary, I will submit to a polygraph on any statement I make, from any independent administrator. Ask those who contradict my statements if they will do the same. If a statement was proved by evidence or the victim's statements, I will put (P). I have discovered that the police falsify information, and distort and manipulate facts and testimony. My belief in the United States has been shaken.

The young man, a South American adopted into an Orthodox Jewish family, was cutting himself in September of 2009 when we met. He told me it was from the frustration with his home life, and not being allowed to be Latino or social, and being forced to observe a religion he found oppressive. He said one sister attacked him physically several times. He is a remarkable, bright, witty, and kind human being, with a fierce urge for freedom. I found him to be extraordinary. He came to see me most days, even more often after he was warned by his parents that I was homosexual, I found out later.(P) He brought a chess board in for lunches when he found out I played chess. We talked about history, religion, politics, psychology. He eventually he told me about the cutting.

I called his father, talked to the rabbis, called a psychologist, put him in touch with a former student with whom I thought he might click (heterosexual), gave him a copy of The Road Less Travelled, the best book I thought on how one gets happy. He kept cutting. I was frantic to help. I promised to love him unconditionally, forever. We loved talking, and I hoped I could make up whatever he lacked. I promised to do anything in my power to help him be happy. I sent him affirmation texts. (Know you are loved, you are great as you are, say "I am a wonderful person," etc.)

Some months later, on the phone, he said we should have sex. I told him that was a "really bad idea."

Some time later, he said he was playing tennis next to my building, and he would come by to work on a project. He came up, and said he was not there to work on the project, but to have sex. I tried to talk him out of it. (P) I said I could love him without sex. (P) He said I didn't have to. I said he did not owe me sex for love. He said he knew he did not owe, he wanted it, and he said I did too. I said sex was not that important, that he should not ask such a thing just for sex. He said it was for true love, that we were soul mates, we would be together forever. I said if we were soul mates then, we would be so in a few years. He said, true, but since we were we did not have to wait. Many times, he said he needed it to live. He confirmed at trial that he believed that. (P) He believed he loved me and that I loved him. (P) I said he should be with someone his age. He said he was attracted to older men. (P) I said everyone would assume it was my fault when it came out (even years later if we were together). He said he would tell them he picked me, and besides, we would be together. He said he had known what he wanted for a long time. He said such things happened all the time. Nothing happened that day (Feb,. 13 2010) We agreed to work it out. The conversation continued the next day with many more reasons for no on my part. He finally said if it was not me, it would be some other older white guy. (P) I agreed on February 14.

I have tried to be a good person my whole life. I try not to manipulate people. I love people without sex; sex and love are not the same thing. I do not even like to have sex with someone drunk, even a boyfriend because of the consent issue. I have always tried to tell the truth. Even in teaching, I would tell students the reason I was doing something (quizzes are designed to force you to read, etc.) I have tried to help the outcasts, with chess and theater. Many students said I saved lives, saved souls.

No combination of things could have made me give in like those. I had to save the life of someone I loved, a soul mate with love so true that 35 years made no difference, and if I didn't do it he would go do it somewhere else. I justified it by saving his life, not denying true love, and protecting him from those who did not love him. It was clearly wrong, but has anyone been subject to such arguments in such a situation? He said, trust me, believe me.

I thought that rejection just might kill him. I thought he wanted to be trusted and believed. I rationalized that the release of sex with someone he loved might stop the cutting. I let myself believe. He said in a statement later he did it for power and control. (P) The cutting stopped for four months until another fight with his sister.

Once I agreed I did whatever I could to make him happy. He was very advanced sexually. He claimed that I was the first, but close examination of his statement excluded from trial makes that claim dubious. He wanted to try light bondage and spanking. I always did what he asked. The prosecutor loved to say "penetrated with objects." I was the far more often penetrated. Everything done was done mutually. He was very happy, almost giddy. Only he could arrange meeting times. I came when he called, and did what he asked. He estimated 50 to 60 times in 5 months. The frequency with which he chose should have been proof of a loving if wrong relationship; I had no ability to arrange to see him. The schedule was his. He repeatedly texted and told me "You saved my life."

I had to move to Virginia to make more money. He said he wanted us to be together, so I remained faithful. I saw him that Christmas break, once, and it was clear he was no longer interested. He had been sleeping with a number of other older men. (P This is factual from his statements, not speculation.) I did not know that until my arrest. He called me to officially end the relationship in January. I was heart-broken, but I never raised his vow of eternal love. I tried to continue loving him as a friend. We soon emailed, and I never asked to renew the sexual relationship. I offered to be a best friend (my choice) or never talk to him if that was what he needed. (P) His emails say things like "Thank you...for everything," and "Not worry about you? Not possible." The emails are available.

He broke contact in early June of 2011. I heard by email from someone claiming to be him in October of that year, but it was not him. I denied the sex, thinking it was his family. I promised to do anything to help him if HE asked, and ended contact with the impostor. It was a Florida law enforcement agent. That was my first offer to turn myself in.

He got in trouble for his sexual contact with men. He refused to cooperate with police. (P) He was locked in psychological facilities for a year. He was brainwashed into changing the facts of what happened, (P) and his attitude was reversed. As far as I can tell, he was locked up for being actively gay. He was 17 for most of that time. In May 2012 he cooperated with police, and contacted me. When he called, I said I was ready to come tell the truth if that was what he needed. My second offer. He said he wanted me to come see him (reversed by police) and that he could not wait until he was 18. (P) I was confused by his previous rejection and now reversal. The policeman, as the young man, sent me sexually suggestive texts and emails, begging for me to renew the relationship, and made me promise to say something on the phone. It was the young man on the phone. I promised, and the young man initiated phone sex at the behest of the police. (P) I tried to decline; he said he had "needs." (P) I came to Florida and was arrested, after telling him twice more on the phone I would come and tell the truth. He was three months away from his 18th birthday at this point. The federal age of consent is 16, but they charged me under the Florida age of 18, but using a federal charge that carried a sentence of 10 to life.

The young man's police statement on which the indictment was based was largely disproved at trial. (P) The federal government charged me under an internet predator law, convinced that there were other victims. The police directed or suggested the false testimony. (P) They said I showed him child porn, which makes no sense. This was dismissed on sentencing, but they used it twice in trial to disgust the jury. They kept hinting at trial and sentencing about other victims, who do not exist, in spite of running a hotline number that was carried in the US and England. I find men from the age of maturity to 30ish more attractive sexually than older men, though not exclusively. Do heterosexuals do this as well? Does a 50 year old heterosexual fantasize about 50 year-ld women? I tried NOT to see students outside of school. I would never seduce anyone; the greatest attraction for me is someone's desire for me.

When the other victims did not appear, they brought in the FBI grooming expert to say I groomed him, since the evidence of persuading, enticing, inducing or coercing was slim. No grooming scenario exists in which the "groomer" waits for the "victim" to ask for sex, and then tries to dissuade the "victim." As unlikely as my story sounds, at trial he admitted that he, not I, proposed sex, that I tried to talk him out of it (and thus he talked me into it), that he BELIEVED he needed it to live, that I said I could love him without sex, and that he said he would find another older white guy if I said no. He AFFIRMED these at trial.

The interpretation of the law for induce as "cause" is to "allow to happen," when it should mean force. Under this absurd reading, this law has a LOWER threshold of guilt than statutory rape; a text message saying "OK, I will pick you up," would convict, without any contact. If every gay teen who texted an older lover were to be found in South Florida, there would be an army in prison. Statutory rape under federal guidelines carries a 41-51 month sentence. I was given 200 months under the persuasion statute. I had offered to plead guilty to statutory rape and it was rejected; they blamed me at sentencing for putting him through the trial.

Most heterosexual women in the same situation are sentenced to probation to two years. The application of this statute was arbitrary and unequal. The prosecutor announced to the jury that he granted that the "sex was consensual." The age of consent in Israel is 15, so in that civilized a country I would not even have committed a crime at all. The rich are sued for this. Where is the moral fairness?

Why was I prosecuted this way? Conservative politics and homosexuality. The family is Orthodox Jewish, the investigator who fashioned the testimony is Catholic, the prosecutor is Republican, and the judge voted for Rick Santorum.

I believed saving his life, or both of us believing it, would mitigate the statutory rape charge. I believed telling the truth and offering to turn myself in would mitigate. Telling the truth was the worst thing I could have done. Had I denied him when he called, and lied, nothing would have happened. I tried to be honest; rejecting him seemed to violate my vow of love.

I do not "blame" him for sleeping with other men. I do not love him less. I would have done anything for his happiness. I would have gladly NOT slept with him. I rationalized that I was being courageous to save his life and risk my own. I felt he was testing to see if my vow of eternal, unconditional love was real. He convinced me we were breaking convention for our mutual happiness. I thought I could serve some years to save him. If it truly saved his life, I wish I could say that knowing what I do now, I would still have been loyal enough to say yes. I would not have had the courage. I am sorry it happened either way.

Does love matter? Does fairness matter? Does the truth matter? When does a person have sexual and religious freedom? Can a conservative family change those by locking someone in psychological units, to change attitudes and alter facts? Does gay sex justify any level of charges, and any lying by the government?

I hope the young will save my life some day.

Please tell my story.

Thomas Patrick Keelan 98219-004
FDC Miami

Hi to everyone,

My girlfriend and I has been together since 2010; however she went to her country to get a turist visa, in order to be legal in USA where I am leving at this moment, the cituation is getting very bad, because she did something that were not suppos to do, and she follow other people to get fake papers, in order to obtain turist visa to enter USA, however in the embassy they figure out that all the papers presented in the embassy were fake, so since them she could not return to USA and the sad part she wanted to comit sucide.
I was able to see her for two weeks I went to her country, but the moment I left she was very sad and she does not want to see me till everything is ok, I decide to star looking for a job in Canada for two reasom since and her country and where I leave in USA are not allow to get marry.
Since I am USA citizens,I could have better opportunity, I am try very hard in order to go over there and take my girlfriend with me, since we want to get marry in the near future, I am getting a little desperate, if some one please could help me or to oriented me where to go I will apreciated. my email is ebo6966@yahoo.com

MEGALOMANIA IN A HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATION: THE CASE OF NEPAL’S BLUE DIAMOND SOCIETY AND SUNIL BABU PANT
Kedar Maharjan
1. Issue
As a Nepalese-born gay man who’s suffered discrimination – and watched others close to me also suffer because of that – I’ve everything to gain from supporting a local gay rights NGO as well as a South Asian gay games that this NGO is organizing for Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. What compels me then to call on the international lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender identified (LGBTI) community across the globe to boycott the games and why should I denounce their chief organizer as a phony?
The NGO concerned is Nepal’s Blue Diamond Society (BDS). This organization was spawned a decade ago in a whirlpool of national politics when overnight the small Himalayan kingdom was precariously yet peaceably transformed, not just into a republic, but an inclusive one could potentially embrace the country’s remote populations, its multiple ethnicities, its women, and its social minorities.
The BDS was the brainchild of Sunil Babu Pant (nicknamed ‘Panties’ behind his back) the objects of which were dedicated ostensibly to attainment of civil equality for Nepal’s historically oppressed sexual minorities. Given the reality that vestiges of feudalism and patriarchy would persist in Nepal’s national psyche long after the monarchy’s removal, it was predictable that the BDS would court controversy. Although political modernisation has successfully unpeeled layers of tradition in several areas of Nepalese life, the country’s LGBTI people are still largely ignored and unrepresented.
The political activism of the BDS has frequently caught spotlights in international human rights advocacy circles. It’s also heightened Nepalese awareness of the existence (and plight) of sexual minorities. Paradoxically, the everyday quality of life for Nepal’s LGBTI people stays unchanged – in fact, their oppression might be worsening. While this turnaround can be partly attributed to the fragility of Nepal’s neonate democracy, the organization’s corporate dysfunction, disturbing reports of which are published with increasing frequency, is rapidly sabotaging both the public credibility of the BDS and the cause of Nepalese LGBTI rights.
The picture of the BDS that has latterly emerged is sickening. The organization has degenerated into shop-front of drag-queens who camouflage Pant’s parasitic pursuit of political ambition. The most obvious of several unanswered questions is why the BDS’s record in protecting Nepal’s LGBTI people is so abysmal when overseas funding in support of its objects seems limitless? Another is why only a coterie of transgendered (TG) people, who are also on the BDS payroll and beholden to Pant for their jobs, seems to comprise the organization’s main beneficiaries?
2. Background
At first glance, reasons for the BDS’s scant effectiveness in achieving LGBTI rights could be multiple. There are indications that the organization wants for strategic vision and agenda, this being attributable to inadequate leadership and managerial skill. There is likelihood that BDS research and field workers are unqualified for their roles. It’s probable that there’s too often a mismatch between noble objects of donor-backed projects and grass-roots needs which a majority of Nepalese LGBTI people faces on a daily basis.
Fingers also point to the corporate governance of the BDS, together with its underpinning culture which, contrasted with NGOs in the advanced democracies of the West, is characteristically autocratic, hierarchical, and secretive. In such an environment, it’s expected that harassment, abuse, falsification of data, financial manipulation and sham services will flourish. As with many a dysfunctional organization - be it entrepreneurial or eleemosynary - the cronyism and nepotism metastasizing within the BDS are ineradicable cancers.
Pant, who’s unchallenged as the public face of the BDS, has successfully marketed Nepalese LGBTI people and causes abroad among writers, activists, journalists, and lawyers. Prey to a glamorous but superficial media charade of fabricated case stories, presumably spun from Pant’s pen, these generous and sincere international donors back the movement, gullibly believing that their largesse will enable delivery of positive societal outcomes.
From my experience of the past year, the BDS has become wholly ambivalent to the oppression of gay, lesbian and bisexual people and now focuses its attention largely on the TG community, which the Indian subcontinent euphemistically calls the ‘third gender’. This is the face of same-sex engagement with which Nepalese in particular are traditionally comfortable, the notion being that a homosexual man is a woman who’s coffined in a male body. As it utterly defies modern scientific understanding of same-sex attraction to the point of denial, the concept of ‘third gender’ is not only farcical; it's also one that I steadfastly refuse to recognize.
3. The ‘Spice Girls’ and their ‘Panties’
‘Panties’ professes to be gay with a liking for silver-maned sugar-daddies. While presenting himself to the global press as Nepal’s first openly homosexual parliamentarian, he stops at nothing to keep his homosexual ‘daddy-son’ liaisons hidden from the gaze of the Nepalese public, for whom an unscientific world view still holds sway.
Rumours abound among his gaggle of bisexual lovers that his political drive compensates for an underperformance on the mattress. So dependent is ‘Panties’ supposed to be on poppers and potions, the joke among his detractors is that the BDS is no more than a paper contrivance through which he can clandestinely exchange ‘blue diamonds’ for ‘blue pills’.
In my own associations with the BDS and Pant, I’ve hardly met any gay, lesbian or bisexual person but I’ve certainly seen trains of TGs approach BDS for various kinds of services. It was the case that the BDS organised a beauty contest for Nepalese TGs as a publicity stunt but, by not advertising the event nationally, Pant’s payroll puppets ensured that contestants were confined to BDS employees and their hangers-on.
Many TGs who are on the BDS payroll are paid a monthly wage of US $40, which is scarcely enough to cover rent, let alone buy food and clothes. I was therefore unperturbed when one underpaid TG employee blatantly boasted that he/she frequently tricked from BDS headquarters and other public venues to support himself/herself.
BDS has provided vocational training to certain of its staff in the fields of beautician, three-wheeler tempo driving, and basic frontline management. There’s no apparent evidence of providing entry-level employment skills to other LGBTI people. Given the paucity of professional qualifications, broad-based job-enriching experiences, and attested skill among current BDS employees, my personal summation is that none would win a post in any other NGO involved with human rights advocacy or public health promotion.
In such an environment it’s those BDS employees who pander to Pant that are rewarded with promotion and appointments to better paid jobs. As it’s comprised of meaningless foreign material that’s mechanically translated into Nepali – with no cultural contextualization or tailoring to address local challenges, empowerment training he currently provides to his lackeys is yet another device in Pant’s propaganda toolbox by which he entices his foreign audience to loosen its purse-strings. Rather than generate enduring empowerment, the training will inevitably sabotage Nepal’s LGBTI human rights cause.
Employees have claimed that, under Pant’s watch, the BDS introduced two sets of accounts, one set yielding a financial report for overseas donors’ benefit and the other for that of local employees. The donors’ report perpetuates the myth of the BDS’s commitment to social justice, as shown in the comparable salaries ostensibly paid to all staff members. The employees’ report reflects a totally different situation.
4. Child Abuse Allegation
Pant’s Jekyll-and-Hyde character surfaced when Nepalese TV news broadcast an allegation that he’d physically and psychologically abused an underage male domestic. As Pant was a sitting MP at the time, the news was of public interest. Despite repeated denials and attempts at its suppression, this particular allegation continues to dog Pant.
The allegation was repeatedly aired on Nepalese TV news but was kept from Pant’s international donor network. If the veracity of the allegation were judicially tested, the child rights organisation that represented the victim holds sufficient evidence to confirm the incident.
5. HIV/AIDS Prevention
In the crucially pivotal area of HIV and STD prevention, the BDS does little to promote safe sex practice amongst LGBTI Nepalese. Workers engaged to distribute condoms and lubricants, as well as perform outreach education trick whilst on the job. BDS management is aware of this practice but does nothing to prevent it.
In mobilising support for LGBTI rights across the nation, the BDS has had a woeful impact. Project and program evaluation is an anathema to BDS leadership. Tragically, while the LGBTI community has had only a handful of confirmed HIV/AIDS cases, those sufferers who are other than TG have been too embarrassed to approach the BDS for advice on treatment and support. The BDS has never explicitly refuted claims that it has actually processed only about 300 HIV sufferers instead of the published throughput of 5,000. There are allegations of the BDS providing HIV clinical and support services to heterosexual people (sometimes to the disadvantage of LGBTI sufferers) so as to conflate BDS statistics.
By excluding stakeholder interests in BDS governance and resisting external scrutiny of organizational activities and finances, Pant’s intransigence has led the local reputation of the organization to irreversibly nosedive: in the eyes of local LGBTI people, the BDS is an object of ridicule, and its leadership, embodied as it is in Pant’s duplicitous personality, a laughingstock. Pant’s ‘my way or the highway!’ style of control, typifies corporate megalomania and organisational psychopath (who often cling on the position for financial benefits rather than making organisation grow as a credible and accountable one same time knows how to falsify testimonies towards donors to gain sympathy, knows how to disconnect from donors to other staff, very savvy to talk in languages to persuade his position and have sex drive which he conduct even at his office).
6. Kathmandu’s LGBTI Games
For some time, the BDS has advertised LGBTI games as a South Asian-wide event. Even though none pursues any kind of sport day-to-day, the BDS has sponsored several of its own employees as prospective competitors but failed to enable, engage, encourage or welcome other LGBTI sports people (especially those with natural sporting prowess or talent) to join the event. This is yet another strategy designed to impress donors and, at the same time, quarantine Nepal’s LGBTI people who aren’t on the BDS payroll.
The reality will be that the games are a private event that’s depicted across the airwaves of the wider world, not only as a public one, but also as one which is inclusive of all LGBTI athletes and competitors from Nepal, as well as other Asian countries.
7. Lesbians
The BDS has never repudiated the allegation that a lesbian organization, Mitini Nepal, made concerning its plan to organize an event as part of the LGBTI games. In Mitini Nepal’s case, Pant is alleged to have blatantly rejected the plan for the laughable reason that lesbian competitors would ‘dishearten’ BDS employees.
BDS indifference to the plight of Nepal’s lesbians is pitiless. In September 2012, a violated mother and self-identified lesbian, Rajani Sahi, endured indescribable trauma that also entailed multiple violations of universal human rights. Owing to widespread ignorance of human sexuality that prevails in Nepal, her extended family and caste community had Rajani forcibly restrained, institutionalised, medicated and deprived of liberty. Whereas the BDS ignored Rajani’s case, the Maiti Nepal organization came to her aid. This response aligns with what most international aid workers have long known: it’s a developing country’s most vulnerable women who often provide quality leadership in times of crisis.
Another instance of the BDS’s appalling mistreatment of lesbians was recently shown when, in response to a sexual assault on a BDS lesbian worker by a senior female employee, the victim was dismissed because she sued the perpetrator. No action was apparently taken to eliminate future workplace sexual harassment within the BDS. Worse, the BDS provided no special protection or support to the victim. Recently one of the prominent member of BDS and a key person (Badri Pun) of board member has been sacked because she has been asking for transparency and accountability towards LGBTI community of Nepal. According to Badri Pun, She has been emotionally traumatised and pressured to get a third gender citizenship without understanding the real implications of having third gender identity in the country as well as internationally. The real question arise here is has Sunil acquired third gender identity himself? Probably not because he is a savvy communicator who has successfully enticed global LGBTI funders by their not because he leadership is credible just because he knows how to sell his ass to so called industrialised ass holes of the international aid business, the real culprits of the human rights who not only blatantly funded such organisation without scrutiny but also trying to suppress the LGBTI movement who are asking for transparency and accountability. Although these donors did try to meet the concern people or victims of BDS in reality these were act of showing teeth not the munching teeth.
8. Suicide
In many countries, the oppression of vulnerable LGBTI people leads to their suicide; Nepal is no exception and here the incidence appears to be rising. Although most of these deaths are reported as intoxication, cirrhosis of the liver and other alcohol-related abuse, the BDS has been spineless in investigating the extent of this trend and its underlying causes.
9. Research
Over the decade of its existence, the BDS has neither produced nor supported nor funded any independent systematic credible research into Nepal’s LGBTI communities. The BDS has no links to any Nepalese university or overseas research centre which specializes in gender studies or human rights. The view that’s widely shared among BDS critics is that the organisation’s leadership clique is paranoid over what shams, scams, and related racketeering independent researchers might expose. With no employment security or ethos of protected disclosure, the numerous BDS employees who fear Pant are terrified of retribution should they dare criticize his leadership.
In televised presentations (especially on Nepal’s NTV ‘Pahichan’ - ‘identity’ – program), Pant has had ample opportunity to openly share struggles stemming from his own sexuality and has never done so. He avoids debate and discussion with notable local and global commentators and experts involved with the politics of sexuality and gender identity. With financial support from international activists, Pant has mounted a challenge in Nepal’s Supreme Court seeking removal of a range of civil disabilities under which the LGBTI population labours. The Court is still awaiting (and may wait yet for a long time) for the submission of population and other relevant data that confirm claims of inequality.
This delay stems from Pant’s incompetence and inability to commission any credible project that would enable collection and analysis of the material that Court has predictably requested. As these data would need to include statistics pertaining to oppression suffered by lesbians and female-to-male TG people, Mitini Nepal would necessarily become involved, a prospect which Pant strenuously wants to avoid.
The rampant practice of intimidation and bullying that’s become a byword for BDS management and operations has eroded the BDS ‘brand name’ to a point where it would destroy the credibility of any research or investigative report published under its auspices.
This leadership of Sunil Babu Pant if not corrected will pulverised not only the organisation itself but also the burning activism of LGBTI people in this country. The leadership and contribution of Sunil Babu Pant towards LGBTI people is very trivial if analysed properly. He is merely a high class sex worker within international industrialised assholes who has skilfully directed his ass towards powerful people nationally and internationally to get the wealth and fame accordingly. The poor TG community who are supporting his leadership are merely scapegoats of his psychopathic nature to retain the position unconditionally forever.
10. Appeal
I earnestly request those in the media and civil societies to press the Nepalese Government to instigate a public inquiry into alleged abuses occurring in the BDS and lobby for urgently needed organizational reform. For the donors, I request them to cross-check all the testimonies presented in the documentaries made by TV channels, news articles and radios. I am agreeable to discuss these issues and where possible verify allegations mentioned.
For further information, see:
• Khoj Khabar (search news, 14 August 2012): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn4otTu_VDs
• Khoj Khabar (search news, 15 August 2012): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2FQXDoQQxI
• Khoj Khabar (search news, 27 September 2012): Why so? Where is our right? -- Nepal's LGBT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmziIhz7j1I.
• Khoj Khabar (search news, 24 December 2012): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC-iswA0Jh8
• Khoj Khabar (search news, 25 December 2012): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcIN83_egFc
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kedar Maharjan attained a bachelors degree in Medical Sciences from the University of Technology, Sydney, and a masters in International Public Health from Sydney University.
In 2011, Kedar was awarded a European Union scholarship to complete Sydney’s innovative masters’ degree in Human Rights and Democratisation in Asia and the Pacific. He’s Nepalese born and belongs to the country’s minority Newar community. Kedar has worked professionally for NGOs in Dhaka, Bangladesh and Katherine, Australia.

Dear Sir and Madam

It is good that you are initiated some activities to know the realities of LGBTIQ issues in Nepal but I am sad to say that this is not relevant since 90% of LGBTIQ are computer illiterate and rest do not give a damn about LGBTIQ activism.

My recent research on LGBTIQ findings shows that Blue diamond society who is working towards HIV/AIDS has failed in number of ways;
1. it has hardly done anything to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS,
2. The staff members are too busy falsifying services given about HIV/AIDS awareness, treatment and prevention and research.
3. BDS has successful trafficked transgender people from around the Nepal into sex trade which has caused heavy budget to bile out illegal sex workers from the police,
4. BDS supports this because Sunil Babu Pant ( president of blue diamond society) as misued these community for his benefit including becoming a CA member 2008-2012.
5. BDS has mis-infromed international activists about HIV/AIDS status of LGBTIQ people to secure further funding.
6. 99% of LGBTIQ people neither trust BDS nor visits BDS to take any service because of its corrupt leadership.
7. Even 90% staff of BDS hates its key leader of BDS and leadership but unable to raise the voice simply because of fear of losing job and livelihood ( they are neither qualified to do anything apart from working here for tokenism)
8. BDS has focused its activities on unnecessary projects which raises more hype (internationally) than impact.
9. BDS recruits its key staff not based on merit but on his (sunil Babu Pant) link so that he can manipulated further international activist and donors,
10 Any news or research came from the orgnisation is 99% fulsified which is not related to the field stories and issues.
11. I can challenge and prove that HIV/AIDS data represented by BDS is untrue.

11. The government not willing to renew the organization not because the government of Nepal is homophobic because our government have enough evidence of corruption, misused, Human rights abuse and falsification occurring at the current leadership.
12. Sunil Babu Pant is powerful because he has formed sexual relationship with powerful people like Peter O' Neal and other UN staff who can not be challenged by average people.

This is all for this I will update further later when I have time.

Kind regards

K Maharjan

well I am a young Moroccan gay, I die of loneliness, I try my solmate, here in my country gays are not acceptable, I hide my truth, I want to find my travel solmate, I give all my life to study and work, and now I'm organizing my life, and I do not know how? help me,? I want a real relationship with a love sex do not have essential by that when you talk to someone, automatically, the sex talk, but most love, I do not like relationships in the Vertuel, ,

my email: secteur.pro@gmail.com

The NZ government is about to have voted in LGBT marriage. There is 100% chance that this will be passed! Good on you NZ

john, if you want to see homophobias then let invite you to my country cameroon where i live.
you certainly will be served.
if you are interested then let me know through this same forum and we will exchange ids and get to venture together
witing to read from you as soon as received.
fleur

hi ilga,i will not like to be identified.
i am a caameroonian, female i have always had difficulties in sharing my identity for fear of repraisals. but since i grew older i have developed some courage which makes me express my views without fear or favour. but about my sexual orientation, i am receiving alot of discrimination of recent. it is affecting my job as a journalist. something very complecated to manage. i sometimes am compelled to think of going on exile but, how do i do it? i realy wish i would feel free in my nature and interact with others normally, why not find someone to love and live with. but i don't know how to go about it. can someone help me please...
in my country cameroon there is alot of discrimination towards people of complicated nature like gays, lesbians... i was last week witness to a humiliating confrontation visa vis a gay who openly dmitted his sexual orientation. i felt bad but sad to note that somoany cameroonians are in asimilar situation but do nothave the courage to declare. others areforced into marraige which ends up being a lifetime uneasiness.
but i will not like to do something forcfully but, i don't know how to go about it...

in my society i can not tell anyone i am a lesbian, because i live in a society where the islam control people`s mind . i`m afraid not be accapted by the people,

I left the UK in 2011, to travel around the world with my civil partner, we are still on the road and there is no end to our journey. I must say we have not experienced any hate crimes or homophobia on our trip so far. You can see the countries we visited and follow our journey around the world at our travel blog http://flashpackatforty.com/

Denuncia Fundacion Remar Colombia y Remar Internacional por Corrupcion, Percurio, Fraude, Evasion de Capital, Contrabando Internacional y HOMOFOBIA.
http://jusremar.blogspot.com/

I am a keralite. i am persuing my master of social work in a well known institution of our country. As all of us know that lesbianism is treated as a sin or which is against the will of the society. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE I DONT THINK THAT WHAT I AM DOING IS NOT RIGHT. i only feel sad when i think of telling about it to my parents. may be they will beat me or punish me.it wil break down all those dreams they had seen regarding my marriage and future.they may at their best hide this fact and marry me to another man. after all how many years they wil be with me? do they be a part of my life for ever? isn't it a cheating that i am doing to my husband by being physically satisfying him and keeping another person in my heart? i chose this because i am more satisfied physially as well as mentally with another lady than that of a MAN. as i am a student of MSW i know the other aspect of my ORIENTATION. Our sexual orientation is channelised during our teenages.
it is an individual right and freedom its not a society that is affected. like other love marriages happens in our society the same happens in this case too. when i cohabit with my partner i am not fighting against the society.if two people are happy in living together without disturbing the other societal people, what is the problem in that? the only 'UNNATURAL" that is happening is that the pocreation aspect is not happening in that particular relationship.we all are human beings. we have our own likeness and wishes.. so let us be what we are.. we are not curtailing anybody's freedom ,not harming anybody..as anyother human beings we just want to live a happy normal life. what is the point in living life without happiness???

Why is being yourself so wrong? Lesbian, gay, bisexual, straight, and transgender will always find love no matter how much it is hated upon. You are you, I am me, and everyone is who they are, not what they choose. Is our society really that crooked that its thought of as a choice and we can be "saved" because its not a choice, we don't want or need to be saved. We are happy the way we are. I can honestly say I live and love that I am lesbian. I have been me through all the crap I have been put through. I lost a relationship with my mother, that one person you so desparately want to understand and be there for you no matter what. She wasn't there for me. She hated that I was and will always be lesbian. It hurts to lose someone, but It kills to lose your very own mother. I move forward though because I know that I need to make my life MY life. We will always have those people who won't understand, but if we stand together and never stop fighting for our rights and own love they can't do anything to stop us. We will be the ones sleeping comfortably at night.

Con Francisco I la Iglesia Católica ha perdido una oportunidad histórica para realmente renovarse y abrirse a la inclusión e igualdad.

Como colectivo latinoamericano en la defensa de los derechos humanos nos alegra el reconocimiento a una región mayoritariamente católica. Pero al tiempo, con tristeza, debemos registrar la elección del Cardenal Jorge Mario Bergoglio - ahora Papa Francisco I -como conductor de una de las principales aglutinadoras de fe en el Mundo.

Estamos en la obligación de recordar que en un pasado no muy lejano cuando se desempeñaba como Arzobispo de Buenos Aires, el nuevo Papa fue un injusto opositor que uso su investidura cardenalicia para emitir conceptos contrarios al matrimonio entre parejas del mismo sexo y al otorgamiento de derechos plenos a ciudadanos pertenecientes al sector poblacional de lesbianas, gays, bisexuales, transgéneros e intesexuales (LGBTI).

El ahora Sumo Pontífice, dijo que legalizar uniones homosexuales era "movida del Diablo”; mensaje a todas luces homofóbico e injusto sobretodo viniendo de una institución fundamentada en la tolerancia, la comprensión y el amor.

También preocupa su cómplice silencio sobre el robo de menores en los tiempos de la dictadura argentina y otras posiciones fundamentalistas contra la autonomía de la mujer, que en nada contribuyen a la sana convivencia en los tiempos actuales.

Con su elección, el cónclave Vaticano insiste en sembrar el prejuicio y odio contra unas personas que más que el repudio, merecemos la comprensión y la inclusión social en condiciones de igualdad.
Daremos un compás de espera a las acciones del recién elegido Papa, y esperamos que en vez de ver la paja en el ojo ajeno, vea la viga en el propio, y reconozca los errores de una institución eclesiástica sumida en escándalos de abuso sexual por cuenta de curas pederastas.

Ojalá esas virtudes de caridad, austeridad y servicio que dicen tiene el nuevo Pontífice primen frente a sus comprobadas acciones conservadoras en contra de la libertad, la igualdad y la diversidad sexual.

RICARDO MONTENEGRO VÁSQUEZ
Abogado, Director Orgullo LGBT Colombia


Bogotá DC, 13 de marzo de 2013
@r_Montenegro www.orgullolgbt.net
cel 3126707269 fijo (1) 4704371

Hello ILGA friends, I wonder if you could help my 2 girlfriends gain some support and attention by posting the following link to your webpages and any social networking page you oversee. They are about to marry each other and have invited someone special to their wedding!!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152635449140554&set;=o.26012002239&type;=1&theater;&notif;_t=photo

The more attention we get the more exposure and chance of the girl's dreams come true! Please read. Thank you for taking interest, as this is in all our interests!

Kind regards,
Leigh Johnston

My firm, www.mazzeschi.it, successfully assisted a same-sex US partner of an Italian national in obtaining one of the first long term Permits of Stay issued by the Italian authorities to same-sex couples. The application was filed pursuant to Decree 30/2007 and, to avoid any challenge with the authorities and expedite the processing time, was supported by the Directive of the Ministry of Interior of October 26th validating same-sex marriages as well as the recent judgement of the Reggio Emilia’s Court. The Permit of Stay, valid for five years, has been issued in less than one month. Marco Mazzeschi

it happened to me: i am stadying in a school in 12 th standard. allthe in our g had arranged for a party in whihc i was also invited. i also went to the party. All the girls were given cool drinks. were enjoying the chatting and suddenly i felt giddy after some time. i was made to lie in the sofa near by
after half an hour i got to see my pantees were taken and all the girls were kissing me one by one

read your story , was interesting would love to chat with you....if you would too then leave a sign or a message - la

Hi Saudi Gay guy...personally I wish for a world where one day we did not have borders, division & hatred among people & where all LGBTQI people were free, accepted & respected...but until that time, have you thought of the idea of marrying a lesbian in Saudi? Read these posts & in many places on the internet & you will see your troubles are shared by many in your country. This is sometimes a solution for some people in similar situations. I wish you well.

Hope I like naughty!!!contact this cutie at 678 850 1097!!!!

I love to go party but whdn I was lil I saw gay guys and lesbians and just normal boy and girls so I didn't know what I wanted to be so I'm both

HIV-Negative AIDS: CFIDS or AIDS?

Allied NATO Government is hiding millions of infectious NON HIV AIDS cases (like mine) under the "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)" ICD-code.

BEST GAY NEWS published one of my letters about NON HIV AIDS.

This marked it’s 12th publication on 4 continents. This topic has been censored from mainstream media since 1992.

www.bestgaynewsmagazine.com/2013/02/17/hiv-negative-aids-disease-vs-chronic-fatigue-syndrome.aspx?ref=rss

I hope that you will support this humanitarian issue, and spread-the-news too (e.g., write a story, add to your e*Newsletter and/or post on Facebook/Twitter).

In the fight for humanity,
k


Or simply google "NON HIV AIDS"

Hello my name is Daria and I am a producer in the NYC area, I am currently working on my latest project which I believe may interest you! I am currently in pre production of my latest film called "The Honor" this film is a heart wrenching, dramatic story about the love of a bi racial lesbian couple, whom despite the scrutiny from their peers and family they pursue their relationship anyway. After much tirany the protagonists mother ends up having her lover and soul mate killed, this story goes through the very struggles of bi racial and homosexual couples do today, and ends with a triumphant and revelating reveal. I am personally a huge advocate for gay/lesbian rights as well as bi racial and bi ethnical rights, this movie is my baby and the script was given to me along side of a dozen others and I immediately knew which story I would then make come to life. If you could be of any assistance with this project I would be more then happy to mention your organization in our film and of course give you credits. This is a story very close to my heart and getting this film the recognition it deserves is my number one priority. If you would like a copy of our script I would be more then happy to send it to you, or any more information! I truly truly hope to speak with you soon! Thank you for you time.

Sincerely, Daria
Producer of "The Honor"
Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands?
-Ernest Gaines

Rigth Love at the Wrong Time
by : Iyaji

"We have the right love at the wrong time"

yan ang sabi s kantang "Somewhere Down the Road". Alam ko marami sa atin ang nakakaranas na magmahal sa maling pagkakataon o tao. Pero kailan ba natin masasabi o malalaman ang tamang pagkakataon? o sa tamang tao?

Ako nga po pala si Iyajii (hindi ko tunay na pangalan). Isa akong tomboy, tibo o kung anuman ang tawag ng ilan sa amin. Minsan na ako nagmahal at nasaktan pero pagkatapos ay hindi na nasundan pa. Oo, first time ko magkagirlfriend. Masasabi ko na masaya ako sa naging girlfriend ko kahit na sobra ako nasaktan. Gusto ko sana ibahagi sa lahat ang love story na 'to, sana ay magustuhan nyo.

Una ko nakilala si Rosa (hindi nya tunay na pangalan) sa kompanyang una kong pinagtrabahuan. 20 y/o palang ako nun at siya naman ay 24 y/o. Una ko palang siyang makita ay nalove at first sight na ako sa kanya. Hindi siya ganun kaganda pero napakasimple nya at mahinhin pa, pero may pagkamataray ang dating nya kaya medyo nahirapan ako makipagclose sa kanya.

One time nagkaroon ako ng pgkakataon makausap siya nung nagkasabay kami umuwi. Nung time na yun ay nkapagbiro ako at dun ko unang narinig ang tawa niya. Sa hindi ko malaman ang dahilan, lalo ako nainlove sa kanya dahil sa tawa niya. Para kasing ang sarap pakinggan. Simula nuon, walang araw na dumaan nang hindi ko siya napapatawa. At dahil dun naging malapit kami sa isat' isa. Lagi na kami magkasabay sa lahat ng bagay. Sa lunch, sa paguwi at kahit sa pagpunta lang ng C.R ay sabay pa kami. At dahil dun ay inakala ng mga kaofficemate namin na may relasyon na kami.

Isang araw kinausap ako ng tita nya na katrabaho din namin. Sinabi nito sa akin na engaged na daw si Rosa sa boyfriend nito. Nagulat ako pero hindi ako nagpahalata kasi alam ko na kaya niya ito sinasabi sa akin ay para iwasan ko si Rosa.

Kinabukasan, naisipan namin ni Rosa na tumambay muna sa Park (sa d'fort). At dun ko na din nabanggit sa kanya ang tungkol sa kasal.

"ikakasal ka na pla?" sabi ko habang nakatingin sa malayo.

"pano mo nalaman?" sagot nito na may pagtataka.

"sinabi sa akin ng tita mo kahapon"

"ahh.. oo, pero di ko nga sure kung tuloy pa yun eh"

"bakit?" para ako nagkaroon ng pagasa.

"kasi halos hindi na kami nagkikita at naguusap" may lungkot sa tono ng pagsasalita. "pero kung sakaling matuloy yun, gusto ko nandun k" nakangiting tumingin sa akin habang naghihintay ng isasagot ko.

"huh?! ayoko!" sa isip isip ko.. "putek! ano ba 'tong nasabi ko?!"

"bakit???" nakataas ang kilay ni Rosa.

"aahh.. try ko pero di ko sure ah hehe" balisa kong sagot

"basta asahan kita ah!"

ngumiti lang ako pero sa loob loob ko, sobrang nasasaktan ako. Kasi parang di ko ata kakayaning makitang naglalakad patungong altar ang babaeng mahal ko at ikakasal sa iba.

Nung mga oras na yun pakiramdam ko, para niya ko sinaksak sa dibdib at ibinaon pa niya. Gusto kong umiyak sa sobrang sakit. Gusto ko sabihin sa kanya na hindi ko kaya kasi mahal ko siya.. Pero hindi ko magawa. Tatlong buwan mula nung makilala ko siya ay itinago ko sa kanya na gusto ko siya dahil na din sa takot na baka iwasan niya ko at magbago siya sa kin.

Parang sasabog ang puso ko sobrang bigat dahil di ko masabi sa kanya ang totoo. Kaya inilabas ko na lang cp ko, binuksan ang calendar, at gumawa ng note sa petsa ng araw na yun at dun ko ilagay lahat ng gusto ko sabihin sa kanya ng mga oras na yun. At napansin niya ito.

"ano yan?" nakatingin sa cp ko

"huh?" gulat. "hindi wala 'to"

"sino ba yang katext mo?" sabay hablot sa cp ko.

"naloko na" pabulong habang hinihintay ang magiging reaksyon nya.

Matagal niyang hawak ang cp ko. Sa pagsulyap ko s cp ko, nakita ko na inililipat niya ang petsa ng calendar kung saan na may notes na nakalagay. Lahat kasi ng mga masasaya, lungkot, inis na nararamdaman ko sa tuwing magkasama kami ay inilalagay ko sa calendar ng cp ko.

Pagkatapos niyang basahin lahat ay nag aya na siyang umuwi. Habang naglalakad patungo sa sakayan jeep ay wala itong imik. Kinabahan ako sa reaksyon niyang iyon dahil baka nagalit siya sa nalaman niya.

"Para!" bigla ako nagising sa pagkakatulala ng marinig ko siya hudyat na bababa na siya ng jeep. Bago bumaba ay tumingin siya sa akin ng nakangiti "bye". Nagtaka ako bakit ganun. Ibig sabihin hindi siya nagalit?? Ang dami kong tanong ng mga oras na yun. Sobrang nalilito ako.

Pagdating ko sa bahay nakatanggap ako ng text galing sa kanya.

"Hi, asan ka na? nakauwi ka na ba? lam mo nakakainis ka, ganyan na pala nararamdaman mo sakin bakit hindi mo agad sinabi? tatlong buwan mo pang itinago, nakaya mo yun? hehe"

"pasensiya ka na, natakot kasi ako na baka iwasan mo ko eh"

"huh?! bakit ko naman gagawin yun? kaw na nga lang kasundo ko sa office eh"

"hindi ka ba galit sakin?"

"hindi, ang totoo niyan ang saya ko nga eh, kasi importante ka din sakin.. higit pa sa kaibigan"

"talaga?! ibig mong sabihin.. gusto mo din ako?"

"hmm siguro.. basta masaya ako pag andiyan ka., naiinis ako pag nakikita kitang may kausap na iba, pero alam naman natin na hindi pwede di ba?"

"ok lang kahit hanggang dito lang tayo, masaya na ko ngayong nalaman ko na importante din ako sayo.."

"basta promise mo na walang magbabago ah, promise mo din na diyan ka lang"

"PROMISE!"

Simula nuon, mas lumalim pa ang pagkakaibigan namin. At sa sobrang close namin, kumalat sa office ang tsimis na may relasyon kaming dalawa. Hindi naman namin yun pinansin dahil alam namin na walang katotohanan lahat ng yun. Pero ang tsismis na yun ay nakarating sa boyfriend ni Rosa.

Isang araw, sinabi sakin ni Rosa na hindi na muna siya sasabay paguwi dahil susunduin daw siya ng boyfriend niya. Nalungkot ako bigla dahil mukhang nagiging ok na ulit sila.

Makalipas ang ilang oras, dumating nga ang boyfriend niya. Pinapasok niya ito sa loob ng office at pinaupo sa tabi niya na katabi ko lang din. Hindi ako mapakali dahil naiilang ako at halos hindi ako makahinga dahil pakiramdam ko, sobrang liit na ng mundong ginagalawan namin. Kaya naisipan kong sumaglit muna sa rest room at dun magpakalma. Makalipas ang ilang minuto pabalik na ko sa office nang makita ko ang boyfriend ni Rosa sa labas ng office na para bang may hinihintay. Pagkakita nito sa akin ay agad ako nitong nilapitan.

"ikaw c iyajii di ba?" iniabot nito ang kanyang kamay para makipagkamay.

"ako nga bakit?" parang nagkaidea na ako kung bakit siya nandito., yun ay para kausapin ako.

"ako nga pala yung boyfriend ni Rosa at malapit na kami ikasal"

"ahh oo nabanggit na nga niya sakin"

"hmm siguro naman alam mo na kung bakit ako nagpunta dito? may mga naririnig kasi ako tungkol sa inyong dalawa ng girlfriend ko na hindi maganda, gusto ko lang malaman kung may relasyon nga ba kayo ng girlfriend ko"

"hahaha naku! hindi noh! binibigyan lang kasi nila ng ibang kahulugan yung pagiging malapit namin, wag kang maniwala dun"

"ganun ba? sana nga kasi hindi ako magdadalawang isip na bumalik dito para kausapin ka ulit pag napatunayan kong totoo yun, dahil sa tingin ko eh.. hindi mo magugustuhang magkita tayo ulit"

"wag ka magalala.. magkaibigan lang talga kami"

"sige.. salamat sa oras mo ah"

at nagkamayan kaming dalawa tanda ng magandang usapan.

Pagkatapos nuon ay minabuti kong umiwas na lang muna ke Rosa para na din makaiwas sa gulo. Kahit na mahirap iyun para sakin. Kinakausap ko pa din siya paminsan-minsan basta tungkol sa trabaho lang. Hindi ko na siya madalas na nakakausap, nakakasabay sa pagkain o paguwi gaya ng dati. Lahat nagbago. Nakikita ko siyang laging malungkot, matamlay at nagiisa. Halata na nasasaktan siya sa ginagawa kong pagiwas sa kanya.

Gamit ang skype, chinat niya ko.

"kailangan mo ba talaga ko iwasan?"

"oo para walang gulo"

"wala naman tayong ginagawang masama ah"

"pero iba ang nakikita nila sa atin pag magkasama tayo"

"nahihirapan na ko"

"mas lalo ako! kung alam mo lang"


ipagpapatuloy. . .

Good Hope Metropolitan Community Church (GHMCC), an inclusive and affirming Christian Church in Cape Town, has moved to its new home at Central Methodist Mission on Greenmarket Square in Cape Town. Good Hope MCC Worship services are held every Sunday evening at 18h00.

Although Good Hope MCC serves a predominantly gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender congregation, the membership is diverse and goes beyond the social constructs of gender, beyond race and sexual orientation. Good Hope MCC traces its roots back to 1983, when a few Christians founded the "Gay Christian Community". Subsequently Good Hope MCC became a member congregation of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), an affirming Christian denomination with churches and ministries in more than 37 countries.

MCC are at the vanguard of civil and human rights movements by addressing important issues such as racism, sexism, homoprejudice, ageism and other forms of oppression. MCC has been on the forefront of the struggle towards marriage equality worldwide and continues to be a powerful voice in the movement for LGBTI equality. Across the globe Metropolitan Community Churches are also known as the “Human Rights Church”.

Core values are Inclusion, Community, Spiritual Transformation and Social Action.

Good Hope MCC recognises that people are not one dimensional and orientation, whether LGBTI or straight is only aspect of who we are ~ but for so many LGBTI’s, this can be something that deeply conflicts with our spirituality because of what is so commonly preached. It is GHMCC’s mission to serve God among those who are seeking and celebrating the integration of their spiritually and sexuality. We know that many have been deeply hurt by organised religion and GHMCC is a place, where people are able to have their faith and their love for God restored, whilst still being true to all of who they are, with no fear, no shame and no guilt.
At Good Hope MCC, we know that we are created in the image of God. We also understand that God is not limited by our understanding of God. God is not bound by any of our cultural or personal biases. God is beyond gender, beyond race, beyond nationality, beyond any church or religion, beyond any culture or time. We are created in the image of God – we do not create God in our image.

For further information, please visit www.goodhopemcc.org or e-mail welcome@goodhopemcc.org.

the story i am going to say is related to three years ago on the 3rd Friday of July (23rd July 2010) in Iran.
It was long before that, that my friends and I had conversation on how we can have a National LGBT day in Iran while it is quit dangerous and riskful. we planed to announce a day for this (which is 3rd friday of July and its celebrated 3 times now). we had an small party in a friends apartment full of rainbow stuff that we created ourselves and we published the news and anonymous pictures on the net after.
you can see some of the pictures of it here: http://chrr.biz/spip.php?article10324
although we faced lots of risks after and some of us was blackmailed but it was a hopeful story that i liked to say which can be a hope among all dark story from the country i live in.

hi sunita
would like to be ur friend....

Hi everybody, i dont know how to explain da situation here ,day after day i feel losing hope in life and feeling really destroyed.
I present myself, my name is EMy "nickname", born in 1985 and I live in Morocco, a Muslim country where there is no gay rights at all, we are now in 2012 and there is any homosexual law reform expected !!
Since i was teenager i always felt that my choices and my way of thinking is like a girl, I dressed as a woman (in privacy) and so far I shaved all my body parts regularly .. in recent years I did my eyebrows and I tried to wear feminine clothes .. but i was firmly confronted by my family and entourage and I lost my job and all my friends just because i tryed to be me.
I avoided having homosexual relationship just because the law is not tolerant;
My life is wasted; prisoner in men clothes I find no taste to continue this life, get outside my room and see the world, nobody understands me, it's taboo to talk about homosexuality here coz of religion beliefs !! I lost hope to live and I swear i start to think about suicide.
I tryed several times to contact many gay rights comitee in several countries but in vain, they all told me that i have to be in that country in ordre to deal with me, i was seeking for a humain asylum.
My relationship with my surroundings have become worse especially with my family, and one day I'll leave home without knowing where to go.
i need some one to help me to live my life in a country where there is gay rights, I want to live and work in peace, get dressed with respect and freely.
my email: bi.cool@live.com -sincerly-

I would like to share with you some of my concerns about the degree of threats that our LGBTQ group in Tunisia are facing. In fact, since the 14th of January (the spark date of the Jasmine Revolution) which swept the demi-god presidents in the Arab countries, we discovered that we have become the target of all those who wish to score goals at the expense of our oppressed group. Homophobic remarks, physical attacks and discrimination are adopted by the public against us and we don’t feel safe in our own country anymore. Certain stances of the Tunisian society like the Salafists and some other religious fanatic groups amplified stigma against us and even started to invest the Quran to gather support for the elimination of gays. It is really sad to notice that our group went invisible and most of the notorious members of the LGBTQ community refrained from criticizing the government, leaving this task to the most daring ones. Not long ago (around half a year ago), we were invited to participate in a TV program to discuss the issue of minorities in Tunisia. As expected, the minister of Human Rights (who is remotely connected to them), clearly mentioned that as an entire group we are a psychologically disturbed segment of society and we have to seek treatment. This was very depressing news. Worst, the minister was accompanied by the minister of Family Affairs and she did well to confirm the views of her idol. The debate was very poor and homosexuality was encapsulated in sex and sexually transmitted diseases. We have been betrayed by our MPs who withdraw to drink coffee and gossip each time the issue of the LGBTQ community in Tunisia is brought into debate. Our situation is very critical and we will soon hear of some kind of witch hunting of gays to take them for forced correction in the army or jailing them until their views about their sexual identity changes to meet what the government really wants.


written by Seif Benjacob. An LGBTQ militant

NB: I would like to send you a video containing a direct analysis of the pathetic situation of the LGBTQ community in Tunisia. I know that the government is constantly intercepting all e-mails sent from my account and erasing and closing entire blogs on which I identify myself as an active member and as a reporter. I would like to send you a video and I hope that you explain to me what questions you wish me to answer. Besides if I send you a video with my uncovered face , I will expect the secret police or the moral police (up dated and activated by the homophobic Islamist element of Al Nahda Party). We may arrange a Sype interview or a short discussion about where we are now with the gay issue. I wish to make my voice heard to the world precisely after the open threats and accusations communicated to us by Mr Dilo (The Human Rights Minister) and ironically he was brought to hold his office after the fake Jasmine Revolution. I would call this revolution the Salafist Revolution or the Parade of Angry Salafists. A new chapter of terror was opened and, worse, the true believer and the misguided youth generation are blindly flirting with the Afghani talibani culture and praising throat-cutting as the best punishment for difference and unorthodoxy as far as their culture is concerned. Thanks.

recently decided to write to you. Situation that is happening in my country is terrible. especially for people like me. My president completely free hand to tens of thousands of stupid and cruel people. In many parts of the country enacted laws "On the promotion of homosexuality" We pretty much have had no rights, and now we have selected last.According to the law, I can not even aloud to talk about my sexual orientation, kissing my girl somewhere outside of our apartment, and even hold her hand. If I break the law at best I'll pay a huge fine, and in the worst case, I'll take the camera up to 15 days. Or I will beat. And maybe even killed.In the town where I live with my girlfriend a lot of bands that specialize in cleaning the city on such as we. We have no rights, we do not normally open living, human rights law is violated at every turn. I want to say to those who can speak openly about themselves. You damn lucky! I would gladly left the country with my girlfriend, but it's very hard. But every day I'm more afraid for his life and the life of my girls