Curiosity, Confusion and Comfort: The Three C's I Experience When Coming Out As Trans

With November behind us, I want to get something off of my chest. I should have written this sooner. I shouldn't have let it sit on my computer for so long. It's late, but at least it's no longer waiting to be published.

Confusion and curiosity are natural reactions. I get that. Believe me when I say that I'm not trying to deprive you of an education or an understanding. In fact, that's one of the biggest things I advocate for: education surrounding LGBTQ identities. But also please understand that there are some just some questions that don't need to be answered. Instead of dwelling on the negative comments or poorly-worded inquiries I've received in the past, some of which are just too ridiculous to repeat, this piece is really in honor of Transgender Awareness Month -- in appreciation for the years I've been able to exist just as I am. Read More

Student gives excellent answer when school asks ‘how should we punish gays?’

When a school in Korea asked its students in a survey on how it should punish gay kids, one gave a strong answer which may surprise you. The survey was conducted in response to a rumour that there was a lesbian couple in one of the school years, and in an attempt to find out who. 

It assured students that it would enable them to help create “a safe and healthy school environment." Read More

Should You Speak Up When Someone Makes a Gay Slur at a Memorial Service?

Since his death on Nov. 23, Washingtonians have continued to mourn the passing of Marion Barry, Washington, D.C.’s idiosyncratic four-term mayor and longtime city councilmember. Earlier this week, a group of Barry’s colleagues and supporters held a small public memorial service on the steps of the mayor’s office.

But remembering Barry’s life was suddenly sidetracked when the event’s emcee unexpectedly spouted homophobic and sexist sentiments. Some prominent event participants are now taking flack for not intervening. But when is it appropriate to confront a person who unleashes offensive speech? Read More

Documentary about transwoman and her troupe gets warm welcome by cinema-goers in Vietnam

Described by a local newspaper as a 'respectful, true, and positive perspective on the LGBT community' in Vietnam, The Last Journey of Madam Phung tells the story of chi Phung, a trans-woman (another news report however describes Phung as a gay man) who leads a troupe of 'transvestite "social outcasts" just like himself' performing from central to southern Vietnam to earn a living. Read More

First gay-themed series on Aussie television

A landmark new Australian series with LGBTI high school students could potentially appear on national TV screens in the near future.

Should it be successful, it would be the first time a show on national TV where most of the leading characters are LGBTI.

Executive producer and director Daniel Mercieca has said his show, Subject to Change, would be a coming-of-age drama. An online crowdfunding campaign via Pozible for the series pilot was successful, reaching just over $27,000 on the November 27 deadline and surpassing the initial target of 15,500. Read More

Gay Hero of Sydney Hostage Crisis Died a Second Class Citizen

The 16 hour siege of a Lindt coffee shop in Sydney, Australia ended when hostages attempted to flee while hostage Tori Johnson charged the terrorist. Tori Johnson was 34. He managed the Lindt Chocolate Café for two years. Employees and customers all said he was a good man, a kind man. He was also a gay man.

Author James Peron discusses Johnson and other heroes of recent terrorist attacks across the globe who happen to be gay. Read More

Swiss film festival dismisses controversial TV reporter Mona Iraqi

The organisers of a Swiss film festival have sacked their Egyptian representative, Mona Iraqi, because of her role in a recent police raid on a Cairo bathhouse which resulted in the arrest of 26 people. Iraqi, the presenter of an investigative current affairs programme, has been strongly criticised by rights activists for informing the police of alleged homosexual activity at a Ramsis bathhouse and precipitating a police raid.

On 7 December police raided the building and arrested 26 men, stripping them naked and rounding them into police vans. Pictures posted by Iraqi on her official Facebook page show her at the scene, filming events with her mobile phone. After the raid, Iraqi wrote on her Facebook page that “our program was able to break up a place for perversion between men and to catch them flagrantly in the act … My God, the result is beautiful.” Read More

Watch - Living in fear: Egypt's gay community

Two men exchange rings and hug in celebration aboard a Nile boat, as ululations fill the air and a traditional engagement song plays in the background.

But within days, their celebration has turned to shock and sadness: after a video of the "gay wedding" spread across Egyptian social media, the men were arrested and eventually sentenced to three years in prison for distributing pornographic material.

Homosexuality is not mentioned in the Egyptian penal code, and technically it is not illegal, but members of the LGBT community are often arrested and charged with pornography, prostitution or debauchery. Read More

The 15 shocking HIV and AIDS myths people still believe today

The myths about HIV and AIDS grow each year – making the fight against the virus even harder.
So here is the annual GSN myth buster, with help from our friends at National AIDS Trust.
It’s dedicated to breaking down the prejudices and rumors and giving you some surprises, however much you think you know about the virus. Read More

Transgender and transsexual policy launched by The FA Read

The FA has launched a first-of-its-kind policy on transgender and transsexual people playing football – as it continues its drive to make the game open to everyone.

On Tuesday Wembley Stadium connected by EE plays host to a LGB&T-focused workshop where the new guidelines will be discussed.

Any transsexual or transgender person wishing to play in their affirmed gender can seek to do so by contacting The FA to obtain clearance. Read more

Why 'The Gay Athlete' should be Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year

No story dominated the sports year from January to December like conversations of LGBT issues in sports, and no one embodies the year of 2014 in sports like gay athletes. No individual or group of people deserves to be named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year more than The Gay Athlete.

In January, Conner Mertens made headlines when he came out publicly, making him the first publicly out LGBT active college football player. He went on to finish second on the team in scoring and second in the conference in field goal percentage - all as a freshman.

February was a seminal month for the movement, with the coming out of Michael Sam, Jason Collins' first NBA game after coming out and the Winter Olympics that made LGBT issues a centerpiece of our national sports conversation. Ireen Wust, the out Dutch speedskater, led all athletes with five medals.

Read More

Holding Out for a Gay Hero: Are we bucking the cinematic miserable-queers trope at last?

As author Michael Musto says, "Cinema’s track record in handling gay issues has been splotchier than a twink on a high-gluten diet." 

Good news arrives this week with the premiere of The Imitation Game. The film features Benedict Cumberbatch as a real-life gay hero: Alan Turing, the brilliant mathematician who famously broke the Enigma code and, in the process, helped bring about the end of World War II. Winston Churchill later said Turing made the single greatest contribution of anyone when it came to defeating the Nazis.

That’s pretty major, though this isn’t totally a feel-good story. The man who knew secrets had his own, since this wasn’t exactly a time for Pride parades and Drag Race reunions. In fact, Turing (who was socially awkward to an extreme) was prosecuted for homosexuality, suffered chemical castration as a punishment, and was found dead in 1954 in an apparent suicide. It wasn’t until last December that Queen Elizabeth II pardoned him for his transgressions. (Mighty white of her.) But still: He was gay! And a hero! And they made a movie about him! Read More