In Indonesia, a lesbian couple has been forcibly separated after one of them posed as a man so they could wed, Pink News reported. The unnamed women married a few months ago, but neighbors reported them to authorities. The couple's marriage was annulled and they have been forced to sign a separation agreement.
In England, the pub landlady Gail Troughton has been given a yearlong conditional discharge for calling a rival hotel owner a "faggot," according to Pink News. Troughton, 53, pled guilty to harassing Robert Dandridge by using threatening, abusive or insulting behavior. Dandridge's attorney, Sonia Oldakowska, said that he "is now worried about going out on errands for fear of being harassed." Laurence Overend, who represented Troughton, said, "She is not homophobic but says her judgement was clouded in the heat of the moment."
In Canada, the Right Honourable Jack Layton, MP, has died of cancer at age 61, Pink News reported. A progressive and committed friend of the LGBT community, Layton—who guided the New Democrat party tinto being Parliament's dominant opposiion party—was a vigorous supporter of HIV/AIDS activism in the early years of the pandemic. In 2005, many credited Layton for the success of Canada's national same-sex marriage bill when he was the only party leader to request supporting votes.
In England, a lesbian doctor told a court she was raped by a rickshaw driver in the city's West End, according to PinkPaper.com . The woman, in her 20s, was alleged attacked after being left alone with Turkish-born driver Murat Durmus, 23, when her friend left the rickshaw. Durmus, whose DNA was found inside his alleged victim, is claiming the sex was consensual.
In a first for an Australian prime minister, Julia Gillard met with representatives from Australian Marriage Equality to hear perspectives on same-sex marriage, according to Pink News. Former Australian Medical Association President Kerryn Phelps and her wife, Jackie Stricker-Phelps; Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) national spokesperson Shelley Argent; Australian Marriage Equality (AME) campaign director, Rodney Croome; and same-sex mental health specialist Paul Martin attended the meeting. A recent poll by the group found three-quarters of Australians believe same-sex marriage will soon happen.
In Uganda, the cabinet has stopped an attempt to revive the measure that called for gays and lesbians to be put to death, according to Reuters Africa. "We discussed that bill in cabinet last week and after views from everyone were heard and debated, a decision was unanimously taken to drop that proposed law," Ugandan Attorney General Peter Nyombi said. A small anti-gay movement tried to have the legislation passed in 2009, but ultimately failed.
Germany's first openly gay Schützenkönig, an honor conferred by a traditional shooting club, will be allowed to participate in a national marksman competition after agreeing not to bring his partner, according to TheLocal.de. Dirk Winter, 44, broke new ground in June by become his club's top marksman, or Schützenkönig, and naming his long-term partner, Oliver, his "queen"—a position usually reserved for the wives of heterosexual members. The marksman association let Winter attend after he consented to leave "Queen Oliver" at home.
The National Presbyterian Church of Mexico has voted to cut ties with the U.S. Presbyterian Church over this issue of gay ministers, Advocate.com reported. Despite a 139-year history and a network of ministries spanning the United States-Mexico border, the Mexican denomination made the decision after the U.S. church voted in May to allow the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy. Leaders of the U.S. Presbyterian Church—based in Louisville, Ky.—said that the break has saddened them; however, they hope there is a way both sides can continue helping those along the border.
German soccer team captain Philipp Lahm—known for his anti-homophobia efforts—has advised players not to come out because of potentially devastating ramifications, according to Advocate.com . In his new autobiography, The Subtle Difference, Lahm writes, "I would not advise any gay professional footballer to come out. I would fear that he could end up like Justin Fashanu, who, after he outed himself, was driven into such a corner that he ended up committing suicide." Fashanu committed suicide in 1998 after coming out reportedly turned fans against him. Lahm has denied rumors that he himself is gay, insisting his marriage is not a sham.
The LGBT-centered Here Media has announced the international expansion of its LGBT brands, according to a press release. Beginning with the December 2011 issue, Here Media and Greek publisher G. Piliouras, Ltd., will produce a Greek-language edition of OUT magazine. G. Piliouras, Ltd., will collaborate with OUT Editor-in-Chief Aaron Hicklin to translate the brand's leading fashion, style and pop culture content for the Greek marketplace.
