In a message that avoided politics, Grammy-winning Mexican band Mana pleaded with its fans to embrace same-sex couples and gay marriage, according to SouthFloridaGayNews.com . In a statement on the band's Facebook page, vocalist and guitarist Fher Olvera asked the band's 8 million followers to reject discrimination, indifference and prejudice, and embrace tolerance, respect and understanding. "Full recognition for same-sex couples is not just a question of equality; it is also a matter of justice," Olvera wrote.
Business Insider has listed 13 countries that it considers more LGBT-friendly than the United States. Among the nations are the Netherlands (the first country to legalize same-sex marriage), Belgium, South Africa, Denmark, Argentina and Germany. So far, 11 countries have legalized same-sex marriage, according to the Pew Research Center, and seven of them are in western Europe or Scandinavia.
In Zambia, tribal chiefs have called for a crackdown on gays in the African nation after four gay couples sought to have their marriages recognized by a state registrar—with the chiefs calling for them to "be caged," according to Gay Star News. Chief Madzimawe of the Ngoni and Chief Shakumbila of Mumbwa wrote to the Zambia Daily Mail to condemn LGBT people after they heard of the development regarding the couples. Additionally, Zambia's minister of home affairs, Edgar Lungu, told the paper that police should arrest the eight men who tried to register their marriages during the Easter weekend.
Two Dubai men have been jailed for three years each for posing as male prostitutes over a social-media network, WhosHere, and offering their dancing and sexual services for money in the United Arab Emirates, Gay Star News reported. Two men were caught after being monitored on the Internet and then entrapped in a hotel by a police agent posing as a client.
The UK's first teenage crime commissioner has apologized in the face of calls to resign—despite not having even started in the role—because she posted a string of anti-gay, racist and violent tweets, according to Pink News. Paris Brown, 17, posted several offensive tweets from her personal Twitter account @vilulabelle, in which she use the words "fags," "Illegals" and "pikeys" to describe gay people, immigrants and travelers, respectively. Brown released a statement apologizing for the tweets, that her views were not represented in the tweets, and saying she was "showing off."
Rainbow flags across Amsterdam were flown at half-mast April 8 to mark the arrival of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, in protest against the proposed bill that would make promotion of homosexuality among youths punishable in Russia, according to Pink News. Putin visited the Dutch capital to showcase the economic ties between the two countries, worth $83 billion in bilateral trade last year. The Russian State Duma voted 388-1 to support the bill January 25; it will return for a second reading later this year.
Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the first woman to become British prime minister, has died at the age of 87 after suffering a stroke. Thatcher served from 1979 to 1990 as leader of the Conservative Party, CNN.com reported. Regarding gay rights, Thatcher regressed in the eyes of some. In a 2011 Daily Mail item, Michael McManus wrote, "As a young, new MP in 1960, Margaret Thatcher had been one of a tiny minority of Tory MPs to support gay rights, but now she turned back the clock and gays became second-class citizens." Also, Thatcher's government introduced Section 28 in 1988, banning the "promotion" of homosexuality within schools, Gay Star News noted.
The first openly gay man to be elected to Sweden's Parliament was the subject of an anti-gay attack while on holiday in Greece, according to Gay Star News. Three masked men confronted Tasso Stafilidis, 41, and a friend on an Athens street; the attackers then hurled anti-gay slurs at them before kicking and punching them. Stafilidis later told Sweden's Aftonbladet newspaper he was worried about the effect that Europe's economic woes might be having on tolerance for minorities.
Tasmania's Lower House has approved a bill giving same-sex couples and unmarried straight couples the right to adopt on the same basis as married heterosexual couples, according to Gay Star News. Tasmanian Gay and Lesbian Rights Group spokesperson Rodney Croome praised the state's Liberal Party for allowing its members of Parliament (MPs) a conscience vote on the issue; half of them voted with the state's Greens MPs and the ruling Labor Party in favor of the measure.
Zambian LGBT-rights activist Paul Kasonkomona was arrested directly after he appeared on television to discuss gay rights, and authorities even tried to stop him speaking mid-broadcast, Gay Star News noted. Kasonkomona had been attempting to leave in a vehicle with colleagues, including his lawyer, but was removed from the car for interrogation. Zambian writer Roy Clark said, "There is no such offense in the Penal Code. Paul Kasonkamona can only be arrested for homosexuality if he is caught in a homosexual sexual act."
In Australia, officials have ordered the removal of a rainbow pedestrian crossing painted on a street in Sydney's main gay district, setting off a fierce debate in a city known for its annual Mardi Gras gay pride event, according to NBC News. Controversy over the crossing—painted in February to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the annual gay festival—is pitting those proud of Sydney's reputation for tolerance, such as lesbian former tennis star Martina Navratilova, against government officials who say it is a safety hazard.
In Austria, officials in Vienna have announced a strategy to attract gay and lesbian travelers to the city, according to Gay Star News. Viennese authorities plan to promote the country's music, culture and history. The plan to court LGBT tourists came after a study among gay and lesbian travelers from outside Vienna revealed their average household income was 385 euros (approximately $500) higher than that of other tourists to Vienna. LGBT leisure travel is forecast to rise almost 10 percent to 141 billion euros ($184 billion) in 2013.
In Kingston, Jamaica, a brawl between drag queens and bystanders disrupted the road march climax of carnival activities and resulted in injury to several persons, according to the Jamaica Observer. Bystanders apparently took offense to the drag queens' behavior and started hurling bottles, stones and other missiles at them. However, they responded by throwing their own missiles before eventually retreating.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) unveiled a public-private partnership designed to promote LGBT rights around the world, the Washington Blade reported. USAID will work with the Swedish International Development Corporation Agency, the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice, the Gay and Lesbian Victory Institute, the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law and Olivia Companies on the LGBT Global Development Partnership. The partnership will contribute $11 million over the next four years to advocacy groups in Ecuador, Honduras, Guatemala and other developing countries.
Singapore's High Court has rejected a petition to repeal a law criminalizing sex between men, Pink News reported. The court, which is part of the Supreme Court, said it was up to parliament to repeal a provision in the penal code known as Section 377A—with a gay couple questioning the law's validity. The law dates back to British colonial rule in Singapore and carries a maximum penalty of two years in jail for same-sex acts.
