[Espanha]
Ativistas espanhóis fazem campanha contra doações à Igreja

A Federação Estatal de Lésbicas, Gays, Transexuais e Bissexuais (FELGTB) espanhola inicou sua campanha "Nem um centavo a quem te discrimina; na declaração de imposto de renda, marque outros fins sociais". A campanha, realizada desde 1999 e que se repete a cada ano, coincide com o início das declarações de imposto de renda para pessoas físicas.

[UK]
Foreign Office instructs embassies to push LGBT rights

The British government has adopted an official programme to support the human rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans people in other countries.

[UK] [Blog/Commentary]
Reasons why it’s fairly useful being a transsexual

As opposed to any other sort of transsexual.

Christ (who, incidentally, I don't believe was the son of god) knows why I decided to post these, but I thought they'd be interesting facts.

I realised today I was grateful to have my career, not just because it involves a lot of interesting thinking and also helping people, though mainly thinking to be honest. But also because it makes being trans sooo much easier.

[Itália]
Governo italiano se nega a patrocinar Parada Gay

A ministra italiana Mara Carfagna anunicou hoje em um comunicado que o governo não patrocinará a marcha anual do Orgulho Gay, por considerar que a manifestação corresponde mais ao exibicionismo do que a outros temas.

[Turkey]
Rights Group: Gays in Turkey Face Climate of Violence

Excerpt: "There is still vaguely written laws to arrest and harass anyone they chose. In Ankara the capital, there is a special police team called Balios which means hammer, and again and again transgender people told us that they've been beaten, that they've been raped by this police team and it's goal is to clean the center of the city of transgender people. And most conspicuous of all, the government does not intervene to stop it."

EU Told Turkey Should Be Required To End Abuses Against Gays Before Joining

Excerpt: The report examines a wide range of human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Several transgender people told Human Rights Watch how police tortured and raped them.

[Ecuador] [Blog/Commentary]
Ex-Gay Torture Chambers In Ecuador

Andrés Duque at Babbleando has provided some valuable translations from two newspaper articles from Ecuador chronicling ex-gay and ex-transgender ministries in that country. According to El Universo, there are more than 140 such unlicensed treatment centers operating throughout Ecuador. Operating under the guise of alcohol and drug rehab centers, these ministries engage in barbaric practices which are nothing short of torture. One transgender "client" describes her experience.

[USA]
What's 'normal' sex? Shrinks seek definition

This month the American Psychiatric Association announced the names of "working group" members who will guide the development of the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM, the codex of American psychiatry.

[IL, USA]
Forum focuses on trans community and sexism

Julia Serano, the author of Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity ( Seal Press, 2007 ) was recently in Chicago to present her thoughts on "Transsexual and Trans Feminine Perspectives on Sexism."

[CO, USA]
Groups protest gay-rights bill

SB200 was promoted as a civil rights measure to ban discrimination in Colorado against homosexuals, bisexuals and transgenders when buying a home, renting an apartment or using public accommodations.

But Focus on the Family and Colorado Family Action call it an invitation for sexual predators and transgendered people to use restrooms meant for the opposite sex.

[USA] [Blog/Commentary]
The Inevitability of Transition

This is a blog I've hesitated on writing for the last few days. You see, a few days ago my wife and I were discussing our openness with each other, and I felt it necessary to just pour my heart out to her. I'd been extremely sad for several days primarily because of my desire to live full time as a woman, as my true self. Repressing these feelings continue to hinder me, and I've been feeling like I may never get to the point where I can be free to be myself.

[NY, USA]
Trans Bill Clears Albany Hurdle

The Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), a measure that would provide basic civil rights protections for transgendered and other gender-variant New Yorkers, may finally get a vote this spring in the New York State Assembly.