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☆ In photos: The queer ‘renegades’ of 1990s San Francisco
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Suyin Haynes | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Photographer Chloe Sherman had rarely used social media, until a chance discovery by her daughter prompted her to revisit her work documenting the queer community in 1990s San Francisco. Although she had previously exhibited some photographs from her time in San Francisco, the majority of her work, which she shot on 35-millimeter film, only existed as negatives. So, after Sherman’s daughter and a friend helped create an Instagram account for her, she began digitizing and uploading her photos onto the platform. In this context, San Francisco was widely seen as a safe haven, with a long history of welcoming LGBTQ people. For Sherman, who had grown up making photographs and later studied at the San Francisco Art Institute, it felt important to document the moment.

Persons: Chloe Sherman, Sherman’s, ”, ” Sherman, Sherman, Paula, Carmen, San Francisco, Brandon Teena, Matthew Shepard, Castro, America’s, Harvey Milk, Chloe Sherman Sherman, “, ’ ”, Anna Joy, lounging, isn’t, —, San Francisco — Organizations: CNN, “ Renegades, San Francisco’s Mission, Fair, San Francisco Art Institute, Anna Joy Post, Sherman, Mission Locations: San Francisco, City, San, Schlomer, Berlin, Germany, San Francisco’s, Francisco, Folsom, Folsom St, California, Portland , Oregon, ”, Mission

☆ Hong Kong court rules that gay couples get equal housing rights
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Jessie Pang | Thomson Reuters | Jessie Pang Joined Reuters In After An Internship. She Covers Hong Kong With A Focus On Politics | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aerial view of residential housing seen through the window of an airplane in Hong Kong, China October 24, 2020. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG, Oct 17 (Reuters) - A Hong Kong court on Tuesday dismissed a government bid to deny same-sex married couples the right to rent and own public housing saying that it was "discriminatory in nature" and a complete denial of such couples' rights. The ruling by Hong Kong's Court of Appeal is the latest in a series of legal breakthroughs for gay rights advocates in the global financial hub this year. A Hong Kong court in September sided with a married lesbian couple who argued that both women should have parental status over their child born via reciprocal IVF. Activists in other parts of Asia are watching Hong Kong's courts in the hope that their rulings could influence campaigns for reform elsewhere.

Persons: Tyrone Siu, Hong, Jeremy Poon, Aarif Barma, Thomas Au, Henry Li, Kong's, Jessie Pang, James Pomfret, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Hong, Facebook ., Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, Hong Kong's, Canada, Britain, Asia

But Curtis Chin's parents urged their six kids to ask customers at their Chinese restaurant about their background. Recent hate crimes have evoked comparisons to Vincent Chin's beating death at the hands of two white autoworkers outside his bachelor party. Curtis Chin's uncle was Vincent Chin's best man. Asian American and Pacific Islander groups are behind several upcoming events. “I just can’t impress upon it enough how much I feel like my whole community is rallying behind me for this book,” Chin said.

Persons: Curtis Chin's, —, Chin, “, ”, “ Vincent Who, Vincent Chin, Curtis Chin, it's, ” Chin, Chung's, ” Roland Hwang, Vincent Chin's, Hwang, there’s, George Floyd's, I’ve, Lily Chen, Curtis, Chen, we've, it’s, ___ Tang Organizations: Detroit, Asian American Writers ’, The Washington Post, The, American Citizens, Justice, Detroit Historical Museum, ”, Pacific, Associated Press Locations: Los Angeles, The, Detroit, Chinatown, Detroit's, Cass, The Cass, That's, ”, Asian American, Phoenix, @ttangAP

☆ Hong Kong court backs same-sex married couples on equal housing rights
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A Hong Kong court has dismissed a government bid to deny same-sex married couples the right to rent and own public housing, saying that it was “discriminatory in nature” and a complete denial of such couples’ rights. The ruling by Hong Kong’s Court of Appeal on Tuesday is the latest in a series of legal breakthroughs for gay rights advocates in the global financial hub this year. The government had challenged two High Court rulings that it was “unconstitutional and unlawful” for the city’s housing authority to exclude same-sex couples who married abroad from public housing. A Hong Kong court in September sided with a married lesbian couple who argued that both women should have parental status over their child born via reciprocal IVF. Activists in other parts of Asia are watching Hong Kong’s courts in the hope that their rulings could influence campaigns for reform elsewhere.

Persons: Hong, Jeremy Poon, Aarif Barma, Thomas Au, Henry Li Organizations: CNN, Facebook ., Hong Locations: Hong Kong, Hong Kong’s, Canada, Britain, Asia

☆ A Russian dissident journalist who is recovering from a suspected poisoning attack explains why Russia must lose in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Her new book, "I Love Russia: Reporting from a Lost Country" is out this week. The Russian dissident journalist and gay rights advocate has been telling her country's untold stories since she was a teenager. So, I went back to Ukraine to work and I was working there for five weeks before I left Ukraine. I don't really remember the first four weeks after I left Ukraine. Kostyuchenko left Russia to report on Ukraine soon after the war started.

Persons: Elena Kostyuchenko, Kostyuchenko, —, Russia, Alexander Welscher, Putin, They're, KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV Organizations: Russia, Service, Novaya Gazeta, Novaya, Getty Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Kostyuchenko, Beslan, Ukrainian, Munich, Germany, Russia, Novaya, Soviet, Soviet Union, AFP

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, whose trailblazing career embodied the rise of women in politics, the movement for gun safety and, finally, a determination to keep serving her California constituents despite illness and advancing age, has died. In the past two years, it was apparent Feinstein was having memory issues, and sometimes appeared befuddled on Capitol Hill. Tributes from lawmakers in both parties flowed Friday morning, as somber Senate lawmakers mourned the loss of their colleague. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat and House speaker emeritus, sat in the Senate gallery, listening to the tearful tributes with Feinstein's daughter, Katherine. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Alaska Republican, lauded "the beauty of Dianne Feinstein" and chastised those who pressured Feinstein to step down, not appreciating the sacrifices the ailing California lawmaker made to serve her state.

Persons: Sen, Dianne Feinstein, Feinstein, Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, Feinstein's, Katherine, Republican Sen, Susan Collins of, Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Murkowski, Patty Murray, Murray, Joe Biden, Dianne, –, Biden, Jill, ”, George Moscone, Harvey Milk, Dan White, Anita Hill, Clarence Thomas, Thomas, Barbara Boxer, GOP Sen, Pete Wilson, Feinstein –, Ted Cruz, I've, Sandy Hook, John McCain, Barack Obama, Gavin Newsom Organizations: Capitol, demurred, New, New York Democrat, California Democrat, Republican, Alaska Republican, Washington Democrat, San Francisco City Hall, San Francisco, California, GOP, Democratic, CIA, Gov, Democrat, California Democrats, Democrats Locations: California, New York, Susan Collins of Maine, Alaska, Washington, San Francisco, San, Delaware, Ted Cruz of Texas, –, Connecticut, Iraq

☆ Donatella Versace slams Italian government’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Marianna Cerini | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Milan CNN —Just days after Milan Fashion Week, Donatella Versace is making headlines not for her — albeit well-received — Spring-Summer 2024 collection but for her stance on the Italian government’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies. Our government is set on taking away the rights of individuals to live as they wish,” Versace said. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s far-right-led coalition has pushed for ongoing measures to restrict LGBTQ rights. Many Italians are with us.”Versace, however, has long been a vocal advocate for gay rights. During her speech on Sunday, the designer recalled her late brother Gianni Versace coming out to her as gay when she was 11 years old.

Persons: Milan, Milan CNN —, Donatella Versace, Giorgia Meloni’s, Versace, ” Versace, Meloni’s, Andrzej Iwanczuk, Alessandro Zan, Zan, Donatella Versace’s, ”, ” Gabriele Piazzoni, “ Versace, Giorgia, ” Fabrizio Marrazzo, “ She’s, hasn’t, “, Marrazzo, Gianni Versace Organizations: Milan CNN, Milan, Catholic, CNN, Italy’s Gay Party, Capri Holdings, Versace Foundation Locations: Milan, Italy, Padua, Italian

If elected, Thurmond, the state superintendent of public instruction, would be the first Black person to become California's governor. California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and former state Controller Betty Yee, both Democrats, also announced their 2026 bids for governor. Democratic State Treasurer Fiona Ma, who previously said she would run for governor, announced earlier this year that she is running for lieutenant governor. California Attorney General Rob Bonta sued the Chino Valley district over the policy, saying it discriminated against students. The school board later reversed course.

Persons: —, Tony Thurmond, Thurmond, ”, Eleni Kounalakis, Betty Yee, Fiona Ma, Gavin Newsom, Rob Bonta, Newsom, Harvey Milk Organizations: Tuesday, Democratic, Democratic California Gov, West Contra Costa School Board, Richmond City Council, Politico Locations: SACRAMENTO, Calif, “ California, California, Richmond, Philadelphia, Southern California, Chino Valley, San Francisco

Gavin Newsom signed a bill Monday to ban school boards from rejecting textbooks based on their teachings about the contributions of people from different racial backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identities. Many of the new restrictions enacted by conservative-dominated school boards have been over textbook representations of sexuality and LGBTQ+ history. A 2011 state law requires schools to teach students about the historical contributions of gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. After it was blocked, Newsom weighed in with his disapproval of the bill's failure to advance, and lawmakers revived it. Republican state Sen. Shannon Grove, who authored the bill, later amended the bill to protect victims from being criminalized.

Persons: Gavin Newsom, Newsom, ” Newsom, —, Harvey Milk, Sen, Shannon Grove Organizations: —, Public, Republican Locations: SACRAMENTO, Calif, — California, Temecula, Tallahassee, U.S, California, Southern California, San Francisco

☆ Rapinoe retires from soccer with no regrets on activism
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"The off-field stuff is what is most meaningful (to me) and I think what I'm most proud of leaving this team and leaving the game," she said. "I'm very excited to continue to be a part of the growth of women's sport, not just football. I want to use my platform and my leverage, but now I'll have more time to do that." Rapinoe will play her final NWSL regular season game with the OL Reign on Oct. 6 against the Washington Spirit in Seattle. Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Megan Rapinoe, Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, Colin Kaepernick, Donald Trump, we've, Naomi Girma, Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, Angelica Medina, Josie Kao Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, REUTERS, NFL, U.S ., Washington Spirit, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Sweden, United States, Melbourne, Australia, South Africa, Seattle, Mexico City

The 35-year-old Frenchwoman brought back two bronze medals from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games on the track and she now looks set to take part in the Paris 2024 Olympics after claiming the paracycling road race world title last year. Sport, however, is also a platform for Patouillet, also a gay rights activist, to raise awareness against discrimination on any basis, be it gender, sexual orientation or disability. In 2022, she sported rainbow-coloured hair at the 2022 UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships in a bid to spark conversation on LGBTQIA+ rights. "Athletes who left an impression on me through their activist commitments to fight against discrimination, they are rather Anglo-Saxon. "I hope that the (2024) Games in Paris will give rise, or at least be an opportunity for certain athletes, to speak out on these subjects and that, after that, there will be changes on this."

Persons: Marie Patouillet, Frenchwoman, Patouillet, Dykes, I've, it's, Julien Pretot, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Tokyo Paralympic Games, French, Reuters, Paralympic, Paralympics Games, French national Institute of Sport, Physical Education, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Paris, France

☆ Nigeria frees on bail 69 arrested over alleged gay wedding
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Tife Owolabi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Some of the men charged with public displays of affection with members of the same sex are seen gathered outside a court in Lagos, Nigeria October 27, 2020. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsYENAGOA, Nigeria, Sept 19 (Reuters) - A court in Nigeria has released on bail 69 people who were arrested last month in connection with an alleged gay wedding, which is illegal in the country, their lawyer said on Tuesday. So, the 69 suspects have been granted bail and I am processing their paperwork," Ohimor said. State prosecutors had opposed bail but the court ruled that the suspects should be released because they were not facing a capital offence, said Ohimor. The anti-gay law in Africa's most populous nation includes a prison term of up to 14 years for those convicted, and bans gay marriage, same-sex relationships, and membership of gay rights groups.

Persons: Temilade, Ochuko Ohimor, Ohimor, Tife Owolabi, MacDonald Dzirutwe, Jon Boyle, Hugh Lawson, Christina Fincher Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Lagos, Nigeria, Africa, Warri, Africa's

☆ What I’m Reading: Eclectic Edition
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Amanda Taub | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend” has long been a well-known saying, but now, thanks to this interesting new paper in the American Political Science Review, it’s also political science. The authors investigate whether hostility to immigrants, particularly Muslims, has actually helped to generate support for L.G.B.T.+ rights among otherwise conservative nativist voters. They found that citizens “strategically liberalize” their stance on L.G.B.T.+ rights when they are told that people from an ethnic out-group — for example, Muslim immigrants in Europe — oppose such protections. (Here again, Trump is a useful exemplar: Although he embraced gay rights in the Pulse speech as a cudgel against Muslims, in practice his administration dismantled L.G.BT. protections, including rolling back rules against workplace discrimination and banning transgender people from the military.)

Persons: Bethany Allen, Ebrahimian, Allen, smartly, “, ”, it’s, Donald Trump, Trump Organizations: Science Locations: Beijing, China, “ Beijing, Europe

☆ Chick-fil-A returns to UK after gay rights backlash forced a retreat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —Chick-fil-A is making another foray into the United Kingdom after gay rights campaigners forced the fast-food chain to close a pop-up site in the country in 2019. Each restaurant will be owned and operated as a franchise, Chick-fil-A said, and each is expected to create between 80 and 120 jobs. Chick-fil-A opened a temporary store in Reading, a town west of London, in 2019, triggering protests by local LGBTQ+ rights activists. For years, the restaurant chain has faced criticism from LGBTQ+ rights activists for its past donations to Christian organizations, including the Salvation Army and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which have expressed opposition to gay rights, including same sex marriage. However, in 2019 the restaurant chain changed the focus of its charitable foundation.

Persons: London CNN —, Dan Cathy, Chick, Truett Cathy, we’ve, ” Joanna Symonds, ” Organizations: London CNN, Berkshire, Salvation Army, of Christian Athletes, Baptist Press Locations: United Kingdom, North America, Reading, London, Asia

☆ US Senate issues subpoena to PIF subsidiary regarding PGA Tour deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A view shows the logo of PGA Tour during the Canadian Open’s Championship Pro-Am after news was released of a new partnership between the PGA Tour and Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit, at Oakdale Golf and Country Club in Toronto, Ontario, Canada June 7, 2023. REUTERS/Nick Lachance/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 13 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate has issued a subpoena to the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund's (PIF) U.S. subsidiary over its planned partnership with the PGA Tour, it said on Wednesday. The subpoena calls for the release of documents related to PIF's framework agreement with the PGA Tour and other investments throughout the United States, the U.S. Senate said in a news release. The announcement came ahead of Wednesday's hearing by the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), which is expected to focus on PIF's investments and efforts to gain influence in the United States. "The Saudi's Public Investment Fund cannot have it both ways - if it wants to engage with the United States commercially, it must be subject to United States law and oversight," Senator Richard Blumenthal, chair of the PSI, said.

Persons: LIV, Nick Lachance, Richard Blumenthal, Blumenthal, Greg Norman, LIV Golf, Yasir al, Jamal Khashoggi, Frank Pingue, David Holmes Organizations: Tour, Canadian, PGA Tour, Oakdale, Country Club, REUTERS, U.S . Senate, Saudi Arabian Public Investment, PGA, Investigations, Public Investment, United, Senate, Saudi, LIV Golf, Washington Post, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Toronto , Ontario, Canada, United States, Washington, Saudi Arabia, Toronto

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — It took more than a day of flying, including two refueling stops, for Vice President Kamala Harris to reach this year’s summit of Southeast Asian countries. Political Cartoons on World Leaders View All 226 ImagesPolitical Cartoons View All 1146 ImagesThis was her third trip to Southeast Asia since taking office — Harris heads back to Washington on Thursday — and she's visited more countries here than any other region. Harris' approval ratings remain underwater, and her announcements in Southeast Asia tend to be counted in the millions of dollars rather than the billions. “Everybody works their own way.”Harris' travel to Southeast Asia began in her first year in office, when she visited Singapore and Vietnam, but the trip almost didn't happen. But she’s put in the work," said Gregory B. Poling, who directs the Southeast Asia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Harris, ”, ” Harris, — Harris, she's, “, Jake Sullivan, Joe Biden’s, she’s, Sullivan, Dinna Prapto, Phil Gordon, ” Gordon, Gregory B, Poling, David Rothkopf, Bill Clinton, there’s “, Biden didn't, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, it’s, Edna Tarigan Organizations: United, Associated Press, Lowy Institute, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, U.S, ”, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Economic Cooperation, AP Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, United States, Washington, Southeast Asia, China, Central America, Asia, Australia, Beijing, Jakarta, Singapore, Vietnam, Afghanistan, South China, Thailand, Philippines, U.S, Philippine, Palawan

The legislation would rezone land owned by nonprofit colleges and religious institutions, such as churches, mosques, and synagogues, to allow for affordable housing. An affordable housing project in a San Jose church had to go through a rezoning process that took more than two years before it could break ground in 2021. It would only apply to affordable housing projects, and the law would sunset in 2036. Supporters of the bill said it could help add hundreds of thousands of affordable housing units to the state’s housing stock. Republican lawmakers and Democratic Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil voted against it.

Persons: Democratic Sen, Scott Wiener, Gavin Newsom, Democratic Assemblymember Sharon Quirk, Silva, ”, Newsom, Tony Thurmond, ” Thurmond, Harvey Milk, Susan Talamantes Eggman, Republican Sen, Rosilicie Ochoa, Marie Alvarado, Gil, Ochoa Bogh, Lena Gonzalez, ” Gonzalez, ___ Austin, Austin @sophieadanna Organizations: U.S, Democratic, Democratic Gov, University of California, Terner, Housing Innovation, Temecula Valley Unified, Gov, California Legislative, Caucus, Republican, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: SACRAMENTO, Calif, California, ”, San Jose, Orange County, Berkeley, Southern California, Temecula Valley, San Francisco

☆ How Brad Polumbo Sees the Rise in Anti-L.G.B.T. Rhetoric on the Right - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Jane Coaston | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

community, though, I always joke when people talk about the Black community, I’m like, what? Polumbo: I think I’ve accepted the rhetorical framing of the L.G.B.T. I also think that I’m completely supportive of the rights of transgender adults to live their best lives however they see fit. But I’ve never truly understood the lumping in or connection of transgender issues and gay rights issues. What would a conservatism that was more — embracing isn’t the right word — but more congenial to L.G.B.T.

Persons: they’re, It’s, I’ve, it’s, I’m Organizations: Republican Party Locations: Ohio, New York, Silicon

☆ Nigerian court remands dozens in prison over alleged gay wedding
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Tife Owolabi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

YENAGOA, Nigeria, Sept 4 (Reuters) - More than 60 people arrested last week in Nigeria in connection with an alleged gay wedding, which is illegal in the country, have been remanded in prison, the police and their lawyer said on Monday. “The suspects have been arraigned in court today and the judge has ruled that they be remanded in prison for two weeks," Delta state police said in a statement. It did not say how many had been remanded, but police last week said 67 people had been arrested. He put the total number of those remanded at 69, adding they are facing charges connected to allegations that they were celebrating a gay wedding. The anti-gay law in Africa's most populous nation includes a prison term of up to 14 years for those convicted, and bans gay marriage, same-sex relationships, and membership of gay rights groups.

Persons: “, Ochuko Ohimor, Tife Owolabi, Elisha Bala, William Maclean Organizations: Thomson Locations: YENAGOA, Nigeria, Warri, Delta, Africa, Africa's

Participants march with a banner with rainbow colours during the annual pride parade in Hong Kong, China, November 7, 2015. "Hong Kong has a real opportunity to take the lead here and give a clear message," said Gigi Chao, the vice chair of listed Hong Kong property firm Cheuk Nang Holdings and a prominent gay rights advocate in Asia. "WAKE UP"Business groups in Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan have become increasingly vocal in making the case that Asia's leading economies must do more to encourage diversity. A poll this year by Kyodo news agency of just over 1,500 people showed that nearly 70 percent supported same-sex marriage. While corporates rarely lobby Asian governments directly on LGBTQ rights, activists say they show their support through sponsorship of LGBTQ events and Pride-themed marketing.

Persons: Bobby Yip, Janet Ledger, Jimmy Sham, Asia's, Gigi Chao, Chao, Kida, Kiyong Shim, Dyson, Nomura, Kathy Teo, Singapore's, they're, Teo, Revolut, Jessie Pang, Justin Fung, Xinghui, Hyonhee Shin, Hyunsu Yim, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, Kong's, Community Business, Gay Games, Nang Holdings, Reuters, American Chamber of Commerce, Fortune, Kyodo, Liberal Democratic Party, EY, FINANCE, Rights Watch, Gallup, WeWork, Standard Chartered Bank ., Google, IBM, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, TOKYO, Tokyo, Singapore, Asia, Taiwan, Nepal, India, South Korea, York, Japan, EY Japan, Korea, Seoul, Standard Chartered Bank . Singapore, Xinghui Kok

☆ Nigerian police raid alleged gay wedding, arrest 67 people
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Tife Owolabi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

YENAGOA, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Nigerian police raided an alleged gay wedding, which is illegal in the country, in the southern city of Warri in Delta state, and arrested 67 people, authorities said in a statement, following a tipoff from a person who knew of the event. The statement didn't say when the raid took place. In Nigeria, like in most parts of Africa, homosexuality is generally viewed as unacceptable, and a 2014 anti-gay law took effect despite international condemnation. "The policemen chased and arrested a total number of 67 suspects" for allegedly conducting and attending a same-sex wedding ceremony, Bright said. Africa's most populous nation's anti-gay law includes a prison term of up to 14 years for those convicted, and bans gay marriage, same-sex relationships, and membership of gay rights groups.

Persons: YENAGOA, Edafe Bright, Bright, Tife Owolabi, Elisha Bala, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Delta, Investigations, Thomson Locations: Warri, Delta, Nigeria, Africa

☆ Wear Swatch's 'LGBTQ-related' products in Malaysia and you could face 3 years in jail
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The ban comes under the Printing Presses and Publications Act, the ministry added. ‘Political punching bag’Rights groups say the LGBTQ community faces growing intolerance in Malaysia and accuse the government of being at least partly to blame. “It showcases an alarming trend where symbols of pride and acts of solidarity with the LGBTQ community are met with harsh and disproportionate government responses,” Dhia said. As more individuals and groups come forward in support of the LGBTQ community, the state’s pushback grows increasingly aggressive,” Dhia added. By creating an environment of fear and hostility, the Malaysian government does a disservice not only to the LGBTQ community but to every Malaysian citizen.”

Persons: CNN —, ”, Nick Hayek Jr, “, ” Hayek, Phil Robertson, ” Robertson, Dhia Rezki Rohaizad, ” Dhia, Matty Healy, Dhia Organizations: CNN, Swatch, Ministry of Home Affairs, Printing, Malaysian, ” Swatch Malaysia, Asia, Human Rights, “, “ Gay, British Locations: Malaysia, Malaysian

☆ Factbox: DeSantis 2024 campaign's missteps and blunders
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Tim Reid | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

UKRAINE WAR A "TERRITORIAL DISPUTE"In March, even before he had officially launched his campaign, DeSantis called Russia's invasion of Ukraine a "territorial dispute" and claimed the war was not a "vital" U.S. interest. Last week, Robert Bigelow, DeSantis' biggest donor, told Reuters he will not donate more money unless DeSantis moderates his policy positions. Tim Scott, a fellow Republican White House rival who is Black, decried Florida's new standards, describing slavery as "devastating" for Black families. EXTREME VIDEOS THAT EVEN SOME REPUBLICANS COULD NOT STOMACHIn June and July the DeSantis campaign shared videos that were condemned as anti-gay rights and racist, even by some fellow Republicans. On the campaign trail, some of DeSantis' off-the-cuff comments have come off as strange or dissonant.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Kevin Wurm, DeSantis, Donald Trump, Elon Musk, overshadowing, Robert Bigelow, Bigelow, Tim Scott, Christian Bale, Tim Reid, Ross Colvin, Alistair Bell Organizations: Florida, United, Israel Summit, Crystal Gateway Marriott, REUTERS, Republican, White, TWITTER, Twitter, Trump . Political, Reuters, Republican White House, Republicans, Trump, Thomson Locations: Arlington , Virginia, U.S, Florida, UKRAINE, Ukraine, Germany

☆ Red Cross ends blood-donation restrictions that singled out gay and bisexual men
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Spencer Kimball | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The American Red Cross is now allowing gay and bisexual men to donate blood without restrictions that specifically single out a person's sexual orientation or gender, the nonprofit group said Monday. The Red Cross is implementing new Food and Drug Administration screening guidelines that apply to all potential donors and are based on an individual risk assessment. The Red Cross provides about 40% of the nation's blood supply. Under the new FDA guidelines, men in monogamous sexual relationships with other men are eligible to donate as long as they meet other screening criteria. The Red Cross said in a statement that the organization understands the waiting period based on a history of anal sex appears to unfairly target gay and bisexual men.

Organizations: Hoboken Rec, Food and Drug Administration, FDA Locations: Hoboken, Hoboken , New Jersey

☆ Biden and Meloni May Find Common Ground at White House
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Jason Horowitz | More About Jason Horowitz | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Not long ago, Giorgia Meloni rose in Italian politics campaigning against migrants and the European Union while seeking alliances with supporters of Donald J. Trump. Now prime minister of Italy, she would seem to have little in common with President Biden, who once compared the hard-right philosophy she shared with Mr. Trump to “semi-fascism.”But when Ms. Meloni visits Mr. Biden at the White House on Thursday, far from being a collision of worldviews, the meeting will, perhaps surprisingly, mark how much the two leaders are in sync on major international issues, such as support for Ukraine, suspicion of China and the need to strengthen NATO. There are still real fault lines between them, such as gay rights, which, along with migration, originally made Mr. Biden nervous about Ms. Meloni. But the meeting will amount to a recognition of what many analysts see as her shift to the center since she won elections and became prime minister last fall. In Europe’s pitched debate about whether it is better to keep marginalizing far-right forces or bring them into the fold, Ms. Meloni, analysts say, has emerged as Exhibit A in favor of the normalizing powers of governing.

Persons: Donald J, Biden, Trump, Meloni Organizations: European Union, Trump, Mr, White, NATO Locations: Italy, Ukraine, China

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