Barack Obama ended the policy of preventing gay, lesbian and bisexual soldiers from serving openly in the military. For many, it was too little, too late. But remembering what it did could make our future decisions better.
New information suggests that Omar Mateen, the shooter in the Orlando nightclub shooting, was on a terrorist watch list. And also that his wife tried to talk him out of his attack — but never notified law enforcement.
The Winter Olympics has put a spotlight on Russia's anti-LGBT laws and practices. One gay Russian decided he had seen enough when new laws were passed this summer, so he took the risky course of entering the US illegally to seek asylum.
In many parts of Africa, people don't recognize that gay people exist. Former BBC journalist Kevin Mwachiro is trying to change that with a new book, "Invisible: Stories from Kenya's Queer Community."
Even in relatively tolerant Indonesia, it's difficult to practice Islam if you're transgender. But an Islamic school is giving transgender women a place to pray — and gain acceptance from Indonesian society.
The World Health Organization has issued some strong advice as part of its global campaign to prevent HIV and AIDS. WHO wants sexually active gay men to take antiretrovirals! Even those who are not HIV-positive should know about the preventive treatment, known as PreEP or "pre exposure prophylaxis."
"Homophobia" is pejorative enough that even anti-gay activists in Jamaica are trying to avoid being labeled homophobes. But commentators on the island say they shouldn't be able to dodge the term.
The Anti-Homosexuality Act passed in December in Uganda criminalized being gay or even promoting gay rights. Now a case that might repeal the law is working through the Ugandan Constitutional Court.
Ugandan gay rights activist John Abdallah Wambere faced death threats after he was outed in his own country. Now the US has granted him political asylum, and he's celebrating — but still dreaming of walking safely with his daughter in the streets of his hometown.
It's tough being gay in Russia. That's why an anonymous Russian exchange student sought asylum in the US on the basis of his sexual orientation. Though nobody was supposed to know about his application, an American official recently outed the teen in a piece for the New York Times.
People on the fringes of society — criminals, discriminated-against minorities, rebellious teenagers — often need to speak in code. So they create secret languages, or argots. In Turkey, the LGBT community and others keep their words to themselves with the help of an argot called Lubunca.
The UK is planning to open what's being called its first "gay school." There's a proposal in Manchester, England, for a school focusing on the education of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.
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Conflict & Justice
A gay Russian gets asylum and a new life in the US
The World
February 17, 2014
The Winter Olympics has put a spotlight on Russia's anti-LGBT laws and practices. One gay Russian decided he had seen enough when new laws were passed this summer, so he took the risky course of entering the US illegally to seek asylum.
Lifestyle & Belief
Kenya's gay community comes out, one story at a time
The World
February 17, 2014
In many parts of Africa, people don't recognize that gay people exist. Former BBC journalist Kevin Mwachiro is trying to change that with a new book, "Invisible: Stories from Kenya's Queer Community."
Lifestyle & Belief
Transgender women find a safe place to practice their faith in Indonesia
The World
July 03, 2014
Even in relatively tolerant Indonesia, it's difficult to practice Islam if you're transgender. But an Islamic school is giving transgender women a place to pray — and gain acceptance from Indonesian society.
Health & Medicine
The WHO has simple advice for sexually active gay men: Take your antiretrovirals!
The World
July 11, 2014
The World Health Organization has issued some strong advice as part of its global campaign to prevent HIV and AIDS. WHO wants sexually active gay men to take antiretrovirals! Even those who are not HIV-positive should know about the preventive treatment, known as PreEP or "pre exposure prophylaxis."
Lifestyle & Belief
Jamaica's anti-gay protesters are trying to duck the 'homophobic' label
Global Voices Online
July 17, 2014
"Homophobia" is pejorative enough that even anti-gay activists in Jamaica are trying to avoid being labeled homophobes. But commentators on the island say they shouldn't be able to dodge the term.
Justice
Uganda's anti-homosexuality law could be overturned in the courts
The World
July 30, 2014
The Anti-Homosexuality Act passed in December in Uganda criminalized being gay or even promoting gay rights. Now a case that might repeal the law is working through the Ugandan Constitutional Court.
Justice
A gay rights activist from Uganda gets the green light for political asylum
The World
September 17, 2014
Ugandan gay rights activist John Abdallah Wambere faced death threats after he was outed in his own country. Now the US has granted him political asylum, and he's celebrating — but still dreaming of walking safely with his daughter in the streets of his hometown.
Global Politics
A gay Russian teen has been outed as he seeks asylum in the US
The World
October 08, 2014
It's tough being gay in Russia. That's why an anonymous Russian exchange student sought asylum in the US on the basis of his sexual orientation. Though nobody was supposed to know about his application, an American official recently outed the teen in a piece for the New York Times.
Justice
The secret language of Turkey's LGBT community
The World in Words
January 14, 2015
People on the fringes of society — criminals, discriminated-against minorities, rebellious teenagers — often need to speak in code. So they create secret languages, or argots. In Turkey, the LGBT community and others keep their words to themselves with the help of an argot called Lubunca.
Education
The UK is planning to open its first school for gay and lesbian students
The World
January 19, 2015
The UK is planning to open what's being called its first "gay school." There's a proposal in Manchester, England, for a school focusing on the education of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students.