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

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.

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

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/

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.

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, allow me to introduce myself as "Lei" (definitely not my real name), a young gay guy software engineer working in the Philippines.

I'd like to share to you my first ever true gay love story. I say "true", because it was my first time to experience being loved back as who I am. :-D
This happened during my second year of working as a professional. I remember during my elementary and high school days I've always had male crushes in all the schools I've been into.
Again, I say "all the schools I've been into", because starting from 1st grade, my family have always been moving from place to place, all around the Philippines,
from Luzon, to Visayas, and then Mindanao. And in all those places, I've always had at least one crush from among my classmates. :-D
But anyway, to get to that love story, let's just cut this short.

It was the Christmas season of the year 2012, I was all alone in our home - my family had to go somewhere else for the Christmas break,
but I decided to just stay at home and enjoy the holiday season just by myself. It was 23rd of December, I was online in FB, sending greetings to my friends,
since I've nothing to do. And then all of a sudden, there was this guy who chatted me, just making kumusta (asking how I am doing).
And then, of course, as friendly as I am, I did not ignore his message and I told him that I'm just at home, etc.
Let's just call him "Ken" (not real name). This guy added me as his FB friend two years ago, and for that span of two years,
I never really had a talk with him except for some few instances. One instance I remember was year 2011, when he asked me what type of work I am doing,
and from that conversation he told me that he is an electronics engineer, and then he asked me if I know C++ (a programming language),
because he, as an engineer, has been studying it too as a course. And then that conversation just ended there which I think was not really something memorable at all. :-D
By the way, Ken and I graduated from the same high school, and, the reason I added his as a friend was that his name is familiar,
even if I didn't really remember his face. However, during that Dec23 2012 chat of ours, he reminded me that we were actually high school batchmates,
and, all of a sudden, he told me that I was his high school crush. I could not believe what I was reading on my chat box that time.
Never in my life it crossed my mind that some guy would have a crush on me. I was really impressed with his guts to tell me that on our first interesting chat hahaha. :-D
He went on to tell me that after graduation, there was a Sunday afternoon when he accidentally met me inside a bookstore,
and we exchanged numbers simply because I recognized him as my high school batchmate, a guy from the other section, just a few doors away from my classroom.
And yes, I forgot to mention that we were not classmates - he belonged to another section, and he used to peek from their classroom's window just to see me.
Ahm, please do take note that Ken is not a feminine gay - in fact, no one believes him whenever he tells his friends that he is gay hahaha!
And, according to him, I am a good-looking and intelligent person. Graduated Magna Cum Laude from the university.
But anyway, he recalled that when a committee was looking for someone who would collect contact info of every class officer for the yearbook, he volunteered to do the task,
because I was the class president of our class, and by him doing so, he'd have a reason to go to our classroom to finally meet me in person.
When he told me this, I did not want to believe, but even if those events happened six years ago in Cagayan de Oro city, it was still very kilig for me! :-D
By the way, year 2012, I was in Cebu, and Ken was in Manila for work. To proceed with the story, we kept on talking via fb chat for the entire night.
We exchanged numbers, and immediately we were textmates. He asked me then if we could have a date.
In my mind I was saying, oh this guy's so fast huh? Asking for a date on the first night, but anyway, it was his birthday just a few weeks ago at that time,
and when he teased me for some birthday present, I don't know why I did it, maybe because I got overwhelmed by the feeling that some guy out there has ever liked me,
I offered to get him a round trip to Cebu, thanks to Cebu Pacific's Piso Fare. I told him that if you'd like a date with me and come here in Cebu,
then let's make it a good one - I take you to Cebu beaches. He thought that I was just joking but I really meant that one.
I mean, if for all the guys I liked before, it has been customary for me to be extra kind to them, how much more for someone who likes me for who I am?
I'd be willing to buy tickets for him. I told him that I just want to make him happy, because his my friend, and i just wanted his company,
that's why I wanted to buy him tickets. So January 2013 I did buy him plane tickets.

So, that was the first night of our reunion. The succeeding events came by so fast. We were so grabe in texting one another,
I remember consuming my P500 worth of text messages in less than four days. We just talk about anything - from high school memories,
to our common interests like music and me playing piano and him playing violin, etc. We used to talk about traveling -
me having gone to many places for residency and vacation, also his plans to go to different places in the Philippines.
I talked to him about my barkada, how we spend our nights together partying,looking for fun things to do as a group, or even chatting the night away.
I remember us sharing our dreams - him becoming an excellent IC engineer, me becoming a software engineer in a research-based facility and going to the academe to teach.
It was also fun to know that he is studying French, and me studying Japanese.
I don't know if by coincidence or fate, we shared a lot of things in common. He was also a geek - I remember one time we were talking on the phone,
he was talking about physics but we were both having fun because we both can relate. There were also those days when he would "interrogate" me -
ask me about my family, my attitude in life, my insecurities, my preferences, everything. It was my first time to have somebody interested in me that much.
Although yes, I've had a girlfriend when I was in college, but this was different, because this time, I felt like I was the girl :))

This friendship thing we had, went on for many weeks. One particular thread of conversation we had which I can never forget was when i was telling Ken that,
if ever I'd buy my own house in the future, I'd choose to be in Cebu. Then he asked me, how about Europe? Then I asked him, why Europe?
He replied, because that's where I want to be. I was struck with those words. My understanding was that, he wants me to be in Europe with him.
Ken is good-looking and intelligent and a good-hearted person, but I fell in love with him for those lines.
In a romantic sense, no one has ever made me feel important the way he did. We were already like lovers during that time.
The only thing lacking was the official status that we are boyfriends. I loved him, and I knew that he loved me.
In such happiness of mine, I finally told my friends that I have a "suitor".

But that was what I believed.

Our relationship, whatever it was, went on until early February. Now he is making me aware that he's got some friends from out of the country.
And when he said "friends", I started to have a doubt. I was beginning to sense something weird - whenever he needs assurance from me,
I lavished it upon him, but if it's me finding assurance from him, ahem, no crystal-clear answer came to me.
All he said was, don't be jealous, but if asked why, he won't tell me why.
And then I told myself that this is it, I knew it, either he has a boyfriend already or he has somebody whom he loves better than he loves me.
From then on, our friendship turned sour. I started to get jealous whenever he talks about any "friend" that he has,
and then there were weeks when I would not hear any word from him may it be text of fb chat or gmail chat or email.
Sometimes he'd send me messages but in my anger I won't reply immediately and just make him wait and ignore him.
It was very sudden, and it was painful for me. Really painful. At first I convinced myself that it would be ok, maybe he was just busy,
or maybe, well, the kilig moments are not meant to stay all the way, and at least the commitment from Ken is still there.
But later on I just moved on with my life, and chose to prepare myself to hear that Ken is with some other guy already, and not me.
I was really affected by those turn of events - during times like these I tend to be easily irritated and grumpy, and I dive into overworking.

So, one week more to go, and it's gonna be our schedule for our first date. In my mind I wanted to cancel our date,
but decided not to, because I wanted to know for sure if my doubts are real. So during that week, miraculously, our friendship was somehow restored,
we get to laugh whenever we call each other.

And finally, our long weekend began. He arrived to Cebu early morning, so I went to the airport to fetch him and take him home,
good thing family's not in town again ahaha. Made him sleep because the day before he was in NAIA for the entire day too excited waiting for the plane
that he waited for 10 hours ahead of schedule. At first it was awkward at the airport and at the taxi. But at home, after we had our breakfast,
we lied at the bed, and he hugged me, and I just hugged him in return. It was like all the pain I've had was suddenly gone.
We talked and talked for the entire day. Embraced one another, kisses here and there ahahha.
But take note, he did not want us to have sex because he doesn't want me to think that he came to Cebu just for sex.
So I was just ok with it. I prepared lunch and dinner for the two of us and it was a nice feeling to take care of somebody who also cares for you.
On the following day, I took him to a beach far from the city. We had fun, swimming in the beach, eating exotic food, taking pictures.
And finally, we talked about our status. I was right. There is another guy whom he loves and loves him in return.
He did not hide from me the details. He even showed me pictures of the guy from his cellphone.
He met that guy just a few months before we had our first chat in fb.
That was the other reason he did not want to have sex with me. That was the reason why he could not give me any assurance before.
Although I was emotionally prepared for this, I was not able to take it so I cried, while he was embracing me, and I was leaning on him.
He told me that he's guilty of giving me false hopes, and I admitted that I gave in too quickly. Although it really did hurt me a lot,
for me our date was still worth it all, because I felt free from having to believe in an illusion that we can be together.
So, for the last night, we slept together, now only as special friends. But the hugging and kissing were still there ahha!
On the following day, we went back to the city and I sent him to his long-time-no-see uncle,
which was out of our original plan and sort of took away our precious time together and became a reason of our quarrel and I felt really bad about it but still
I decided to send him to the airport before him boarding the airplane back to Manila.
He apologized for his mistake of allowing our time together to be cut short by his sudden meeting with this uncle,
but anyway, I forgave him, and we were ok before we parted.

From then on, Ken and I became special friends and kept in touch with one another. Special, in the sense that, although the two of us could not be together
because he's got somebody to love who also loves him, the two of us have left a mark on each others' lives.
He thanked me for everything and told me that no one has ever done what I have done for him - love him the way I did,
bought him a round trip ticket, prepared every detail of our date without expecting anything in return,
and treated him as a gay friend unto whom he can just be himself, without pretensions.
I also thanked him for accepting me with all my imperfections and insecurities, for making me feel loved,
even if it all ended so soon, at least it's way much better than loving someone who will never love you in return,
just like all the other guys I've had a crush on.

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

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/

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.

Kirsty tries out different looks at the early stages of her transexual transition

<a>http://www.livingwithatransgender.com/transexualkirsty-experiments-2/>/a></a>

Read about the story of Steven transitioning to Kirsty

<a>http://www.livingwithatransgender.com/why-transexual-steven-preferred-barbie-to-ken/</a>

Dear..Renee can ihave ur mail id...So that i can contact u..

Could not reveal that I am GAY. No one understands what is gay, TG, L and CD etc..No awarness. Even doctors are not sensitive in this issue...So terrible to be here...Still i have to est my self am I gay or can Probably a Bi???

Is there any organisation in india (TamilNadu) so hat i can discuss my feel to a scientific person who knows about gay.

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

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 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-

ILGA is an education in homofascism. ILGA discriminates against people based on sexual orientation - the ultimate hypocrisy. ILGA sucks.

To whom it may concern.
We, aware people of Polish society are writing to you, looking for help with our national issue. Last few days have shown us that Polish government and some politicians cannot see all of public needs, which especially nowadays become very necessary. On Thursday and then on Friday, January 25 and 26 in our Seym took place a reading and also voting about Civil Partnership Act. To our surprise, the law made ​​by the ruling party have not only been implemented, but also denied even the right to be the subject of the debate. This prompted us to take matters into our own hands and seek help from LGBT organizations in the world and among the foreign media.
From the beginning - it was the first time in Poland, when this kind of social problem was analyzed in the parliament. To the Polish Seym were given three projects of acts, which could change life of thousands LGBT people in this country, but it would be helpful for lots of heterosexual people, living in partnerships as well. But all projects had to face themselves as rejected. Why? Because of personal opinions, poor knowledge, biases, and hate of our politicians, what they have been showing since anyone had the audacity to say something about homosexual people law. One day before voting took place a debate, which was straight signal how our representatives of the authorities (do not) care about society.
The main argument to reject all of the three acts was that, it is allegedly inconsistent with polish constitution, especially 18th article, which exactly says: Marriage as relationship of one man, and one woman, family, maternity and parenthood are protected by Poland. But why Civil Partnership is disobeying this act? Answer for this question was given by Krytyna Pawłowicz (one of our politicians, party: Prawo I Sprawiedliwość): ‘From homosexual relationships we cannot expect prolongation of existence, because they are not geared to procreation. Homosexuals are completely useless, because they do not any procreation.’ What does it mean? We should not allow infertile people to get married, because they bring no procreation, and should be canceled from society. What is scary that politicians can say such things as these without any trouble during debates about law important for many people in our country. Mrs. Pawłowicz was asked by one reporter that, what would she do, if her son had told her, he is gay. She said, she would bring him for the therapy, because psychiatrists can cure it, and such a trouble must be cured! (in fact, there is no doctor after medical studies, who would try to cure homosexuals). And it was told to Mrs. Pawłowicz, that The World Health Organization stopped regarding homosexuality as a disease many years ago, but she replied, they are against people, and they lie, so she will never listen to them. In the day of voting she said again that the projects are the attack on the family, marriage and the Constitution.
However, article 2nd says that Poland is democratic country, existing with all rules of the social justice. So where is the justice here? Article 32nd : ‘All the people in Poland are equal’. So why some of them cannot legalized their relationship? In this case the lack of Civil Partnership Law is disobeying the Constitution!
‘Homoerotic relationships (whatever it means) in all their unnaturalness are just the expression of hedonism, and they are nothing good for Poland’ said Tadeusz Woźniak (party: Solidarna Polska). And he said such thing straight before voting.
Next politician voting for leaving all the acts before works have been started was Tomasz Latos. He said that being gay is only about to pray for changing that “awful situation”, and if someone has no faith in God, should just keep himself in hope, that it is going to change. In fact, there is no scientifically confirmed episode of changing sexual orientation. Politicians can lie, and talk whatever they want, without any consequences!
And people as them, with no knowledge, with no competences to talk about homosexual people, and full of biases (religion, society, upbringing, and manners) are allowed to decide about people for whom Civil Partnership is only way to have better life. Without it two people after twenty years of being together are totally strangers to each other in law. So they have no possibility to get information about the partner in hospital, in the case of death, they cannot decide about funeral of the partner, inheritance is like for strangers so partner will get his part of property, but with the biggest tax. There is also no possibility to get life annuity after partner’s death, and no chance to have common property(if they live together, the house belongs to only one of them. So when owner-in-law dies, his partner is forced to pay for this house if his partner gave it to him in his testament. If not his family(parents for example), can tell him to move out, and he has no chance to stay there because in law it is not his house.).
But it is not the only problem for Homosexuals. There are many Heterosexual pairs for which Civil Partnership would be helpful. For example when two people are in love but they do not want to get married and also want to live together with protection in many cases. This can also bring some help for friends, when they live together (in the other side of country, far away from hometown), and take care of each other. They could use this law to have easier life. To pay taxes for home together, get information in the hospitals, as close first contact.
This is a great solution for all the people who live together, but cannot, or just don’t want to get married.
We decided to write to you because we cannot stand this horrible way of treating our social problems as ‘way of hiding things that have a real matter’, how it was said in parliament three days ago. Talking in our country is going to change nothing. Please publicize this fact in your country. We are full of hope, that you might help just a bit or at least will not let members of the Government talk something unreal, wrongful, and prejudicial things without any consequences.
Your faithfully,
Konrad Kwiecień
Krzysztof Piszczek

Report of illegal detention of two staff members of Parwaz Society

This report is compiled in response to the un-lawful and un-ethical detention of the 2 staff members of Parwaz Society on November 2, 2012 at Aziz Bhatti police station, Gulshan-e-Iqbal. Karachi. This turn out to be a quite serious situation. Below are the facts:

· The complained lodged by Ali Omer Tahir ails Sarah Gill and Riffi Khan is totally baseless and uncalled for. In their claim they mentioned that at illegal activities are going in Parwaz Society office, and misinformed the police. The complaint include the names of Kamran Anwar Choudhry, Drop In Center coordinator and Syed AkberRizvi, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of Parwaz Society.

· The police investigation officers visited the Parwaz Society on November 1, 2012. During their visit the police persons informed that they were told that there is free sex room in the office and when they will entered the office, they will find a sign board of free sex room. The Local Project Manager and Field Supervisor of Parwaz Society give detail information about the services deliver and prevention about HIV / AIDS, and working in close collaboration with Sindh AIDS Control Program (SACP), Government of Sindh.

· The police personal informed us that due to the Kamran Anwar and Abker Rizvi have to visit Police Station to clarify the matter, and we agreed to bring them to police station on November 2, 2012.

· Around at 3:30 pm, Local Project Manager and Field Supervisor went to the Aziz Bhatti Police Station to clarify the baseless allegation of Sarah Gill and Riffi Khan. We started the proceeding in front of the investigation officer Additional SHO Mr.Farooq. LPM and FS while discussion with Sarah informed that what we are doing is for the betterment of community and should keep our personal grudges out of the services deliver of CBO and NGO.

· Sarah Gill started black mailing and use unethical practices of disclosing the identities of CBO staff and demanded in frot of the police personals, disclose the sexuality of CBO staff are they MSM or TGs, in response to her demands, LPM & FS told her that you are also rights activist of sexual minorities and attended so many international and national conferences / seminars / workshops and know the norms of disclosing the identity of sexual minorities. But instead of listening to our suggestions, she continues insisting of disclosure the sexual identities of the CBO staff. Sarah also bought the printout of the facebook page of GIA where different members of NMHA family posted their comments. Sarah and Riff both pointing out different staff posting and claim that they admitted being MSM, so they will file case against Pakistani law.

· Local project manager (LPM) and field supervisor (FS) tried with to diffuse their unethical demand of disclosing the sexuality, but both Sarah and Riffi used their pressure tactics to disclose the same. Just to close the arguments it was decided to bring the Kamran Anwar Choudhry and AkberRizvi to police station for clarification.

· The Other complain they were highlighting that Kami was sent as TG to attend the international conference, LPM and FS showed police the email sent by the organizer of the Youth Voice Count (YVC) which clearly states that kami was invite to represent the sexual minorities and it was not invited as TG represented.

· When Kami and Akber reached Police station, Sarah and Riffi, along with other TGs presents (Anjo, Natasha, Zeeni, Rani, Naseebo and Sapna) in the police station tried to provoked kami to get angry and do something harsh which will go in their favour but both Kami and Akber showed their professional attitude and remain calm and respond to their queries calmly.

· During the discussion, Kami told Sarah that think of community we are giving, and all those delivering services are saving through advocacy and behavioural change communication (BCC) in prevention of the HIV / AIDS, and also think about those HIV positive clients who are getting medications and allied services to them, instead of listening to kami’s comments, she replied she don’t care how many more people get positive and don’t care If HIV positive peoples will die. This showed that Sarah has its own personal agenda and don’t care for the right so TGs and also other sexual minorities.

· Due to the pressure of police personals and emotional and mental torcher, Kami and Akber were force to write apology to Sarah Gill and Riffi otherwise they will put Parwaz staff in lockup.

· Kami was also abused and beaten by the police personals in the police station.

· This is also the violation of basic human rights to forcefully get the disclosure of sexuality and apology.

Conclusion
After more than 5 hours of mental and emotional ordeal at Aziz Bhatti Police Station, all the Parwaz staff members were back to the office. The Staff members after the assessment of the traumatised incidence came to the conclusion that how some TGs are in the name of community creating stigma and discrimination and labelling the sexual minorities and promoting their own personal agenda. They are also crossing all civilised limits and using unethical practices and violating the basic human rights. They are also creating hurdles to achieve MDG 6: combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

Prepared by
Kamran Anwar Choudhry, DIC Coordinator, Parwaz Society
Syed Muhammad Akber Rizvi, M&E; Officer, Parwaz Society
akber_rizvi@yahoo.com

I'm 40, professor, and live in a State capital city in southern Brazil. I "came out" in 1992, all my family, my friends, the people in the University know about my condition. I experienced a minor episode of homophobia in the University in 2003, when I was excluded from an evaluation comission, but in general the conditions are very positive. The students are more tollerant than the professor, because young people grew up in more tollerant times. But I never faced any overt manifestation of homophobia. In my city the general attitude about LGBTI people is relativelly positive. Of course, there are some hostile attitude, but you can see [not so common, but you can see] gay couples with hand in hand, and kissing. Some months ago, I young man related in Facebook that he suffer a verbal menace, when he kissed his boyfriend in a mall, from a straight man. I would say that is not so safe to kiss in public... My region is more conservative than Rio de Janeiro, for example, but we have much less urban violence. In any case, you must not see to Carnaval scenes in TV and believe that common people in the streets behave like that. That's very far away from the reality...

International Summer School
In July 2013, We are going to be running for the 4th year, our International Summer School 8-13th July 2013. In previous years we've had people from Brazil, Colombia, Croatia, Denmark, Eire, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, USA.

The five day non-residential course will be held in central London and is aimed at counsellors and psychologists and others engaged in mental health support work across the world who wish to update themselves in contemporary thinking around work with LGBT people.

Places are strictly limited and early application is advised as we expect this course to be filled up quickly. We welcome people of all genders and sexual orientations from across the World.

Full details are on our website http://www.pinktherapy.com/Training/tabid/82/ctl/ViewCourse/mid/422/CourseId/118/language/en-GB/Default.aspx

Pink Therapy is the UK's largest independent specialist therapy training organisation and has been running for 14 years. Our website hosts the Directory of Pink Therapists an online database of LGBT friendly counsellors/psychotherapists. We welcome therapists overseas who wish to list their practices advertising with us. We also have an extensive KNOWLEDGE base of recommended books and articles. and an International Library of some of our most recent papers have been translated by a team of volunteers into most of the world's major languages and you can download them for free here:
http://www.pinktherapy.com/en-gb/knowledge/translations.aspx

Hi, my name... it is not important. I am gipsy from Bulgaria. one country who is in eurpean comunity, but not every thing is "European". My parrents are muslim. when I was 23 started to impose on me verbal abuse. in religious communities such as Muslims or among Gypsy ethno what people say and relatives is important. one year later, my father tried to marry me strength. left me no choice other then to leave home and try to rebuild my life from scratch. and so alone, with only 10 euros in my pocket arrived in Belgium. year and a half has passed since then. often cry because miss me my mom. I think about suicide. but then I loose the bad thoughts and say, one day it will be over.

It getting better in Myanmar!

Though law does not expressly condone same sex marriage and/or relationships between women, it does expressly make it illegal for men and have also been used on a couple of occasions to harass lesbians in Zimbabwe. It is usually used as a political campaigning tool by politicians, despite the fact that a lot of politicians are in fact gay. a number of times people have been victimised for being lesbians and deemed worse that commercial sex workers. Families force women into marriage because they fear being in turn victimised by society for harbouring gay people or merely being related to lesbians. A number of women have been displaced from home and have often been left stranded by families who have found out about their sexuality and unfortunately some have turned into sex workers for survival. a lot have not been trained, educated or supported by family and the society at large for being gay and some even lost their jobs. Because there is no law protecting lesbians, there is no protection against such harassment and person embarassment. i was arrested, beaten, lost my job, and family threw me out after finding out about my sexuality.

Hello,
I'm a lesbian and singer. Me and my wife have suffered together a lot of prejudice in Brazil, and have fought together for our rights. So we decided to make a video clip with lesbian issues, â&euro;&tilde;cause we believe that the LGBT issue must be released and itâ&euro;&trade;s a chance to be closer to a reality in which the world may consider being gay as natural as being straight. And we think entertainment music videos is a good way to show it to a lot of people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abqOV6l_5G4

Best Regards
Julia Zelg

Hi. Am going to use the name *ANNA* am 30 years old woman, working and living the life am expected to live by society.Am i lesbian woman who is married in order not to bring, what my father calls shame to the family. i even have a child.

My country bans and makes it unlawful to be gay and it saddens me that am in the legal sector and i watch as this law that affects me operate.

I live in a closet, afraid of each day that someone somewhere will report me and if am caught. I have refrained from having any relations with other women for fear of what repercussion maybe involved.

Am thinking of living my marriage and relocating because i do not want to live this fake life anymore, my husband has no clue as to my sexual orientation and my father made me swear never to ever reveal it. My mother pretends like she does not know yet she does.

i live a life of solitude, praying each day that my day will come when i will live free to love who i want and how i want. I teach my child every day not to judge people yet i live a lie.

My life,my story, my everyday routine.

Kaweesi Joseph was arrested by Kawempe police officers for mere posting on face book and now he's being charged for homosexuality
Gaysandlesbiansrightsuganda

Good, at least if I'm in hell, I'll be warm and far away from your homophobic ramblings. Many people on other country's pages have explained personal experiences or supported one another, you however choose to tarnish the UK's page with bigotry and hate.

As for caring about me, I don't want/ask you to and I certainly do not need it. I do not believe in any God(s) either and reject your beliefs which you attempt to force upon me.

The UK is on the whole a tolerant country for LGBTI people (although not perfect, like many countries).

SOS NEED URGENT HELP!!!
Everyone has the right to happiness and to be free to live their own lives. But for every moment of happiness there is a price to be paid. We are Anna and Anya, a gay couple, one of us was born in the UK + the other from Russia. In July of this year, we fell deeply in love, when we met in Athens, Greece. We decided from that moment we will always be together, but we were not prepared for what lies ahead. Since one of our nationalities is British, we decided we would apply for a UK visa and go back together to England to start a family. But the UK visa was denied. It was a terrible blow and shock to us. In ordet to make a new application for a UK visa, we have to wait after 6 months from date of refusal. In Greece, we could not stay because Anyas visa in Greece was due to expire. Since Anna ( who'd from UK) has dual citizenship by birth and family is Greek Cypriot from Cyprus, we decided to go there. In Cyprus, we are faced with new challenges related to the fact that only one of us is European. Cyprus is in a very homophobic Country where Gays face persecution beatings and being killed. Also the Global crisis has hit badly here and the Cypriots are losing their jobs every day, shops offices and factories closing every minute. We tried many different ways past few months, but in vain asthere is no work here for locals let alone foreigners. According to the law of Cyprus, to have a job you need to have a work permit. A work permit can only be obtained from the employer, another vicious circle. However, if we were a heterosexual couple, or had gay rights marraige and equality here then this problem, would not have arisen for us. We could get married, and Anna and I would have the opportunity to live and work in Cyprus. To date, we morally, psychologically and financially exhausted. Because of the inequality of rights, to be together, we are forced to move from country to country, as if we are outcasts. We now have only 6 days left in Cyprus. After 6 days, the visa expires (for Russians visa-free entry is for 3 months). We are now desperate and an urgently need to leave this country. We cannot go to England, because Anya didn't get a UK visa. We cannot go to Russia, because there is the terrible laws for gays and human rights there, which are viruslly non-existent. We recently learned that Argentina is the only country where marriages between foreigners and Gays are allowed. This is our only chance now! So we decided to go to Brazil as it's next door and we have friend there and then to marry in Argentina, to increase our chances for a UK visa in March as they cannot refuse us if we are married as they do have some equal rights there. If we don't leave Cyprus on 20th December, Anya will be blacklisted and this will affect all future European visa applications especially the one we need to eventually live in the UK! But sadly we now have no funds to leave this country, as we have 2 Euros left. Friends and family have helped as much as they could, but we are not out to everyone we know being Russian and Greek Orthodox being Gay is the worst sin against our religion! We have tried everything we can to raise funds to leave here and have now realized it is time to tell the world and the public about our situation. As we desperately need help! We have both helped so many people in our past and are owed monies we cannot collect, we wanted to borrow it but have been let down, so now we are on our knees and need all the help we can get! We really need money to buy tickets to Brazil and the means of life for the first time. This is not such a big amount, but it affects our future. As Christmas is the season of good we are praying for an act or acts of kindness and a miracle so we can spend this Christmas and the rest of our lives together! We hope that in this big wide world there is someone for whom the two people, (women) who love each other and want to be together mean something. It's time to find out if anyone really cares and if anyone is prepared to help us!!! Please... Please... please... Support us!
We are grateful for any help and support!!!
contact us
Tel:00357 96491327
Email: annamkyr@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sosgayrights
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SOSGayRights

I've been to South-Africa, it was an exchange program,
and I was pretty scared because I didn't know how homosexuality was in South-Africa.
Well, the area where I went (Pretoria) , was totally okay with it. Even their religion accepted gay people. (I felt really good about the religion-part, it's something catholicism has to work on...)
I have to admit I had a feeling it must not be easy for a South-African to come out. I think a lot of gay South-Africans struggle to come out.

Also, I've only been 'integrated' within the 'whites', so I don't know about homosexuality for 'blacks'.

I felt accepted and even normal in South-Africa as (obviously) gay.

Piet

I'm born and raised in Belgium and being a gay teenager hasn't been a problem for me yet. I think Belgium and most of Western-Europe is like a gay heaven.
I have to say though the phenomenon gay-bashing, that has been coming up the last few years, also in Brussels, Belgium, scares me. I don't want to be racist, but it's a fact that most of the gay-bashing in Brussels was done by imigrants, so I'd suggest not to defy them.

Transgenders are completely legal here, but it's not that accepted among Belgians. I actually think it's more of a taboo.
But the transgenders here don't really care.

This is how I, as a young Belgian, experience it!

Piet

Hi, my name is adi(not my real name) and i'm from indonesia.(sorry if my english sounds weird and bad grammar) Well this is my life story.
i live in a democratic country, indonesia. most of foreign people said that indonesia is a friendly gay country, but that's not true, i know there is no laws against gay in here but we have community law which our society looks don't care about gay people in indonesia but they keep away from gays and talking quietly behind, they think that gay is disease and disgusting, even worse.

how can i became gay?? it's all about my past, when i was kid, about 5 years old, a man who i think i can trust abuse me sexually, i don't know that's a wrong thing to do because i was just a kid( but i still remember about the incident, when he locked me in a room in the kindergarten school, and he did that. and when i was 12, my older cousin rape me, he threatened me, my heart can still feel the pain. i never tell anyone about this humiliating secret.

i live in a muslim conservative family, i never told anyone about my sexual orientation especially my father, if he knew about it, he wouldn't hesitate to kill me because being gay is the worst thing, so sinful, so it's obligatory to kill gay people like me. feel sad, but there's nothing i can do.

I will never be able to feel love and be loved. many people think that gay just need penis,sex. but we should deserve love too, if i have a choice: i can love and have him, but we both must cut off our penis, then i'll choose it, love is blind, but sex isn't.


i've last thing to do in my life, i will coming out to my family, i don't care if they hate me or want to kill me, though after it i'll end my life
because i can't live without love, "pefedict?" yes, but you don't know what pain i have, all this time.

you have done a good and brave thing coming out and showing in public especcially with the way people are about us transgenders. all i can say to them is we are human to and we are not going anywhere so they had best get used to it .

well i dont tell long stories im 28yrs.got in a Fight with my boss becaiuse she wanted to pay me ne to nothing coz according to her gay people should be glad they getting a job. i cant go to the police for that. 2. trying to access public tranport. wow. ive been pleted with bottles many times and recently as well just for being at the park to catch the buss to go home and the moile police outpost is right their and the guy the police man just came out and close his door. i figure coz he realize im gay being the people are ccreaming our burn battiman. 3. its rediculas to get health care in guyana when u r gay. first they dont want to look at you and then when you turns comes which is way after they arrast you. 4.human rights is not even a issue in guyana when it should be.5. im a gay male and Guyana had scuccesslly made me know that im a outcast. thanks Guyana.6. I was a christian un till i was trown out o my church they should e somthing that monitors that coz it has had a real impack on my social life. who is to e heald responcible? but then again im gay, its my fault

http://klug.cfsites.org/custom.php?pageid=38064

Speaker Kadaga promises to revive shelved gay Bill

The Speaker’s promise follows her experience in Canada, where foreign officials asked her to block the bill.


Entebbe

Days after her defence against a Canadian minister’s attacks on Uganda over homosexuality, Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has promised to expedite the debate on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.

Ms Kadaga made the assurance while addressing religious leaders and journalists at Entebbe International Airport on Monday. “They said I should stop the debate on the Anti-Homosexuality Bill but I assured them there is no way I can block a private members Bill,” she said.

At the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting in Quebec, Canada, Ms Kadaga was involved in an altercation with that country’s Foreign Affairs minister, Mr John Baird, after the latter accused Uganda of trampling on human rights.

The accusation saw Ms Kadaga tell the minister to stick to the day’s theme and respect Uganda’s sovereignty. “I will not accept to be intimidated or directed by any government in the world on matters of homosexuality,” she said, adding that she was not aware she was speaking for many people in the world, some of whom were in the conference.

“I was surprised when colleagues came and thanked me saying that’s what they have always wanted to say but they had never gotten the courage to. That when it came to me that I had spoken for the whole of Africa, for the Arab world and Asians,” she said.

The welcome ceremony and press briefing was organised by religious leaders, former Ethics and Integrity Minister Nsaba Buturo and the mover of the Bill, Mr David Bahati, all of whom are pushing for the enactment of the anti-homosexuality Bill.

A large procession comprising members of different Pentecostal churches, Makerere University students and boda boda cyclists camped at the airport from 10am to after midnight when Ms Kadaga emerged to greet them as they ululated and waved placards appreciating her boldness in Canada.

“You are our saviour, we want the bill now,” one of the placards read.
Pastor Michael Were, who spoke on behalf of the religious leaders, called on other national leaders to follow Ms Kadaga’s footsteps for the sake of the country’s culture and traditions.

Asked whether she was not mindful of Uganda being denied aid and her being denied entry visas to pro-gay countries, Ms Kadaga said such countries were welcome to keep their aid and visas.

BREAKING FREE is a landmark film project that attempts to bring in change for the LGBT community in India by highlighting the pain & trauma as well as hope & happiness.

With more than 100 interviews across India of LGBTQH persons as well as activists, advocates, changemakers, etc; the film weaves poignant personal stories with the landmark events and huge changes in the community space.

Post production is now in progress and we NOW NEED YOUR SUPPORT MORE THAN EVER to complete the project.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT. Every small bit help. And there are fabulous incentives.

Please contribute to our project through below links. EVERY CONTRIBUTION IS VALUABLE and greatly helpful.

International Supporters: http://www.indiegogo.com/breakingfreeindia

Contributions can be ANONYMOUS too. There is also facility for paying by CASH OR CHEQUE through GharPay option. See right hand top on the site.

Get regular updates about the film at www.facebook.com/breakingfreeindia

WATCH TRAILER:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3uRelpzJIM

My name is Dr. Mark S. Simpson. I am a living example that homophobia is alive and well. I was a career educator at some of the finest institutions in the United States, including Director of the Upper School at Windward in Los Angeles and Trinity in New York. A very sad event occurred in 2008. The head of Trinity School, a friend, mentor and amazing leader passed away. I decided to ease my pain by moving on. I was offered a job as the headmaster at a school in Morocco. It seemed like destiny – to serve a school in an area of the world where so many were denied education. To lead an institution towards that most honorable goal – educating the young and giving them hope for a better future. This choice would ultimately lead to the devastation of my stunning career, the shattering of my personal well being and the destruction of my life.

When I arrived at the school, it was instantly apparent that it was infiltrated with shady, dishonest and criminal characters. Not a safe environment for children, and come to find out, not a safe environment for a person like me (while I had a genius IQ), unfortunately, I went through life without ever learning (what my partner calls) street smarts. So many horrible things happened; I did not even survive the first year. The major event that occurred; and for which I had no participation - a dual national (American and Moroccan) person was fired by the Board of Directors. Sadly for me, this religious fanatic and true homophobe, decided to focus his intense revenge on me - for three years now. He sent communications to schools I applied to; contacted the agency that represented me and put out terrible lies; most notably that I was a pedophile. Needless to say, in the world of education, even a lie about that issue ends your career. He didn’t stop there. He stalked me on email, Facebook and my blogs; he had infiltrated my computer in Morocco and obtained my contact lists and has also written 30 page diatribes about me; or in some cases pretended to be me – writing to former students saying I was sexually interested in them. I have continuously relocated around the world, concerned about my personal safety.

All of this has more than devastated me. I am being treated for PTSD, and in my mental state, I am unable even to search for or hold a basic (non-education) job. As if destroying my professional career and my personal life is not sufficient, he has now taken to filing suit against me for slandering him (what a joke that is).

Homophobia is alive and well. The one thing I have remaining is my ability to write. Truth be told, I am a good writer and it brings me some semblance of satisfaction. I write this story, not because I am looking for empathy but to tell gays and lesbians that not only is homophobia alive and well, but that it takes on many different faces. I have a strong and loving partner who gets me through each day. However, by sharing this story I hope I can give some support to others who share life altering experiences because of who they are.

I invite anyone that wants to read my blog (http://www.whitmanandrimbaudkissing.com/) and to join me as I continue to battle this deep rooted hatred and bigotry because of who I love.

hola acabo de tener un bebe... y ahora resulta que el padre no esta de acuerdo con que yo este con mi pareja... y todo porque el quiere estar y formar una familia con migo... mi madre esta en completo desacuerdo con que yo tenga una pareja mujer... a pesar de que fue ella la que estuvo con migo en el embarazo y el padre no... el padre dice que se quiere hacer cargo de mi y mi bebe... el problema es que hablo con mis padres y ahora se complico todo... mi familia espera que yo me case con el... mi padre ya no me apoya económicamente para mis estudios a pesar de que era para lo único que me daba dinero... y todo porque el padre de mi bebe les dijo que el se haría cargo de todo y ni siquiera da lo necesario para los gastos del bebe y ya tiene un mes que no se aparece solo llama para decir que vendrá a ver al bebe por no viene... y aun así quieren quitarme la custodia de mi bebe... por el momento ando buscando accesorias para ver de que formas me pueden quitar a mi bebe y que puedo hacer al respecto... SI ALGUIEN TIENE UN PROBLEMA ASÍ MEJOR BUSQUEN ACCESORIA Y AYUDA EN VEZ DE TIRAR LA TOALLA CON SU PAREJA...

Hi,
Actually, it is possible to adopt a child in Kenya even if you are lesbian or gay.
OUTINKENYA
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK

I moved to London 7 years ago, only 6 months after moving here I came out to myself and others as a lesbian. Now being here and feeling free about who I am, I now look back in horror of how closeted Latvian LGBTI community has to be to survive. I remember Gay pride in Latvia couple years ago when I was visiting. Protestors would throw eggs at prideâ&euro;&trade;rs, not to mention gay bars being monitored by straight no-lifers ready to unleash their anger and confusion onto people who just want to be themselves. There is no mention of LGBTI in school systems and most of grownups see being gay as lifestyle choice, as some kind of perverted lifestyle; if anything kids there might live most of their lives feeling that there is something wrong with them for years, simply because there is no guidance. Exploring your sexuality is considered as something perverted even with straight couples. I think Latvia needs a big massive rainbow slap :) I think it is getting better as Latvia now is more and more influenced by Europe and it is getting more and more diverse. So there is sunshine behind that rainy cloud which hopefully then creates an amazing rainbow :)

Hi, I'm Turkish and a lesbian and it really bothers me to see others of my ethnicity act like this towards the LGBT community. I have to wait at least 2 more years until I can even tell my parents about my sexuality...my girlfriend's mom already knows about her sexuality and all of my friends know that we're together, except for my parents. It's just not right when you can't go to your parents for help. They're your PARENTS. They're supposed to have your back no matter what you're like. Your parents are supposed to love you no matter what...what if that prosecutor had a gay child? Would he arrest his own child or beat him or something of the like? It's just unbelievable how homophobic someone can be...I recently watched a Turkish movie called Zenne Dancer that was made as a tribute to a gay man who was killed by his own father for being gay. We need to get some in the closet homosexuals into the Turkish government...

hello, well, i am 20 years old, and i have a perfect life(good parents, good education), but i started to realized the true sexuality of mine, i realized that im into women, well i am a muslim girl, so no one ever knows about that, i mean my sexuality, because as you know islam considers homosexuality a wrong thing!! so i need some help and i want to know if i can contact with any other girl who's having the same trouble i have, and it's better if she's lebanese, thank you

Hello,
I'm in need of help . My husband and I are married in Germany . I'm an American and he is German . We got married in Germany and now being that I'm a
Department of defense commissary agency  employee ( i work for the usa army europe ) It has come time for me return to the USA . I can not get a green card for him due to DOMA . It all started march 18, 2011 my husband and I got married then 8 day later I was told by my grocery manager that I wouldn't be given an over seas tour extension, no reason was given and after talking to the store deputy ( who I told about my problem in detail) he said that he was told that a reason doesn't need to be given to me. I have made 2 EEO complaints dealing with discrimination and harassment. Because Deca ( commissary ) refused to. Help me in my problem . I was told that it was my fault for marrying a local national ( my husband is German) I should have thought about the consiquences before hand. Since then I have been fired while on sick leave . While fighting to keep my family together and to get my job back I still suffer from my work related sickness . I wait for help from any legal group willing to help us . My email is centilyen@yahoo.com

Reading all those people suffering because of their sexual orientation in countries like Morocco, Uganda, etc. makes me sad; But it also makes me realize that my problems are nothing compared to them. I live in mexico. Recently they allowed, in mexico city (Federal District), marriage between gay couples and also adoption. Though is a big step in gay rights, the thing is that people still are not very fond of this idea yet. I live in a very religious family and even though i know my parents will never inflict any kind of physical abuse on me, if i were to come out, i know they'll give me their back. My parents laugh at gay people, judge gay people, and feel happy reading articles that justifies "gay behavior" as some psychological illness. I don't feel with the strength or courage to come out; i hope one day i can come out with someone by my side giving me strength.

Sorry if it was too long, just wanted to let it out.

Hello,
my story is a little bit heartbreaking .... for me ! well i am only 16 and i am gay living in morocco !! we all know that in morocco if you are gay FIRST you get picked on even though nobody knows it ! you ge tpicked on because of your bejavior , because of what you like, because you love art and stuff ! SECOND OF ALL,you never get to be yourself, i mean you are always lying to your family saying that you like that girl or that you will get married to one girl one day ! personnally when my grand mother says to me that she would find the perfect girl for me so that i can marry her i say to myself : if only i was normal ! i know my dad SO much ! one day we talked about gays and he was like : if i ever catch one of those people i would kill them ! so i know if he ever discovers my secret for sure i am going to be a dead boy ! i know that and we all know that in morocco it's legal to beat the hell out of your kids ! so i just want someone to come and tak eme away to the USA where i can be myself ! live my life as i want to ! please come and get me ! PLEASE ! i am BEGGING YOU !