THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

—D-I-V-O-R-C-E: The Canadian Department of Justice told a court in Ontario that a lesbian couple from the United States and England who obtained a marriage license there in 2005 should not be granted a divorce because they were not legally married in Canada. The government eventually introduced an amendment to the Civil Marriage Act that addressed same-sex divorce.

—Injustice in Kuwait: A new report by the Human Rights Watch concluded that, in Kuwait, transgender women have been arrested, tortured and sexually assaulted in increasing numbers. The report, "They Hunt Us Down for Fun: Discrimination and Violence Against Transgender Women in Kuwait," documents abuses since 2008.

—Petitioning sterilization: Swedish transgender activists met with a representative of prime minister to petition the leader to take a stand against a law that forces transgender persons in Sweden to undergo sterilization in order to legally change their gender. Shortly thereafter, Sweden moved to end the law.

—Uganda's bill: The week of Feb. 6, a highly controversial anti-gay bill was re-introduced in the Ugandan Parliament by conservative MP David Bahati Then, the bill dropped the death penalty for the "crime" of "aggravated homosexuality," but retained provisions that require citizens to report LGBT people to the proper authorities or face prosecution themselves. However, a stiffer version of the measure—which would sentence LGBTs to death—was being considered as of December.

—Confronting a crime: Survivors UK—which aims to raise awareness about sexual violence against men—has launched a campaign around London with the line "Real Men Get Raped." The ads, which feature a punctured rugby ball and the words "Real men get raped—and talking about it takes real strength," were placed in Tube stations Feb. 20 during the Six Nations rugby tournament.

—Russia's anti-gay bill: In Russia, St. Petersburg legislators officially adopted a bill that would impose fines of up to $16,700 for the "promotion of homosexuality." The bill criminalizes reading, writing, speaking or reporting on anything related to LGBT people.

—"Tomboy" killings: The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission wrote to the government of Thailand to demand an immediate investigation into the pattern of gruesome murders of lesbians and gender variant women—those who identify as "toms," between 2006 and 2012.

—There she is: Jenna Talackova—the first-ever transgender contestant to compete in the Miss Universe Canada pageant—lost the contest. Talackova, 23, was initially denied entry to the pageant because she was not born female; however, that decision was overturned.

—How sweet: U.S. ice-cream business Ben & Jerry's changed the name of one of its product flavors in support of marriage equality in the UK. Oh! My! Apple Pie! became Apple-y Ever After, with tubs featuring a gay couple atop a wedding cake decorated with rainbows.

—Arrested in Nicaragua: Plans to build Nicaragua's first gay resort community were suspended following the arrest of the project's two proprietors, Francis DeFranco, 50, and Jan Van Den Broek, 50, of Belgium. In addition, a 55-year-old Canadian, a 65-year-old U.S. citizen and the hotel's 18-year-old bartender were arrested and detained as well.

—Let's talk about sex: In South Korea, actor Hong Seok-cheon, 41, became the first out gay man in the country's history to discuss sex and sexuality on television. Hong was once the host of children's show that was the country's equivalent of Sesame Street.

—Hillary's honor: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton received the World LGBT Award at the World Pride in London. The award was in recognition of her efforts to protect the rights of LGBT people worldwide.

—The Dane event: In Denmark, Copenhagen gay bar Never Mind has banned heterosexual couples from kissing in the establishment. A bouncer added that straight couples kissing was "unacceptable" while the owner said, "In Never Mind we don't want heterosexual guests to dance, strip, kiss or behave inappropriately."

—Disturbing situation: Luka Rocco Magnotta, a Canadian gay-porn actor, was accused of killing and dismembering Lin Jun, a Chinese international student, and then mailing the victim's limbs to the offices of Canadian political parties and to elementary schools in another province. He was apprehended in an Internet cafe in Berlin while reading news stories about himself. His preliminary hearing is slated to begin in March 2013.

—Paolo pride: In Brazil, organizers estimated more than 3 million people attended Sao Paolo's pride parade June 10 in the world's biggest pride celebration.

—Beck dies: Gad Beck, the last known gay Jewish survivor of the Holocaust, died June 24 in a German senior citizens' home at age 88. The gay activist is reported to have once worn a Hitler Youth uniform to rescue then-lover Manfred Lewin from a deportation center.

—No salvation: In Australia, Major Andrew Craibe—a senior official with the Salvation Army—said that non-celibate LGBT individuals should be put to death. Truth Wins Out reported that the Army later apologized to the LGBT community, saying that Craibe's answers were a "miscommunication."

—Anja comes out: Swedish Olympic gold-medal skier Anja Parson recently came out, telling a radio program that she has been in a relationship with another woman for five years—and that they were expecting a child.

—Laos and found: The country of Laos recently held its first gay-pride event. Approximately 100 LGBT people gathered on a U.S. embassy sports field in the capital, Vientiane. There, the attendees watched performances and sipped beers provided by the capital's handful of gay-friendly bars.

—Games people play: London's Summer Olympics featured at least two dozen out participants—the most ever. Among those where four lesbians on the Dutch field-hockey team; cycling German Judith Arndt, who won a silver medal; American Lisa Raymond, who won a bronze medal with partner Mike Bryan in mixed-doubles tennis; and 2008 gold medal-winning diver Matthew Mitcham of Australia, who failed to medal this time. In addition, singers such as George Michael and Annie Lennox were featured in the Games' ceremonies.

—Vargas passes away: Mexican entertainer Chavela Vargas—known for defying gender stereotypes—died in Cuernavaca, Mexico, at age 93. Vargas, whose music was featured in many Pedro Almadovar films, didn't come out until publishing her autobiography Y si quieres saber de mi pasado (If You Want to Know About My Past) at age 81.

—Revelation: Gay Australian Olympian Ji Wallace publicly revealed his HIV status in a letter sent to the Star Observer. Wallace—a trampolinist who won a silver medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games—said an interview U.S. diver Greg Louganis gave about being a gay Olympian and his battle with HIV inspired him.

—Banned for a century: In Russia, a city court in Moscow upheld a decision to ban LGBT pride parades for the next 100 years. The decision affirms a Moscow municipal government ruling that bans the events until May 2112. Gay-rights activist Nikolay Alekseyev said he planned to appeal.

—Riot cooled: A Russian judge found three members of the punk band Pussy Riot guilty of hooliganism and they have been sentenced to two years in jail. The women were arrested in March after a guerrilla performance in Moscow's main cathedral calling for the Virgin Mary to protect Russia from Vladimir Putin. The members of the group include Yekaterina Samutsevich, described by Wikipedia as a 30-year-old computer programmer interested in LGBT issues.

—Hong Kong history: Former TV personality Raymond Chan has become the first openly gay representative in Hong Kong's 70-person legislative assembly. Among other things, Chan plans to work aggressively to implement the Sexual Orientation Discrimination Ordinance.

—Under fire: Controversial Australian Sen. Cory Bernardi pulled out of a speaking engagement in England after some anti-gay remarks he made came under fire. The senator (who's with the Liberal Party) found himself in hot water after suggesting that legalizing same-sex marriage could lead to polygamy and bestiality being legal as well.

—Brazil tragedies: Murders of trans women were on the rise in Brazil in 2012. Among those was a woman who was found in a dumpster in Sao Paulo; she had been murdered and mutilated, with an ear and her genitals removed.

—Rainbow recognition: South Africa became the first country in the world to recognize the rainbow flag as a national symbol. South Africa's department of arts and culture announced the registry of the flag following an application by the South African version of the rainbow flag's designer, Eugene Brockman.

—Trans rules: In Canada, transgender individuals in Ontario can now change their sex on their birth certificates without first undergoing gender-reassignment surgery. New rules now allow trans people to apply to have the document amended by submitting a letter from a practicing physician or psychologist.

—The great walk of China: More than $20,000 was raised at the first AIDS walk in China. The event took place along the Great Wall near Beijing and raised funds for the Chinese Foundation for the Prevention of STD and AIDS. More than 100 people took part, walking in teams or individually along the wall at Jinshanling.

—Bad meth: Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham, a gay Australian, revealed in his new autobiography, Twists and Turns, that he battled an addiction to crystal meth in the years leading up to the London Olympics. Eventually, he became addicted; he recovered with the help of Narcotics Anonymous, a drug rehabilitation clinic, hypnotherapy and the support of his inner circle.

—Stepping down: Tony Briffa, the first openly intersex mayor in Australia, planned to stepping down despite being re-elected to the Hobsons Bay city council, in the western suburbs of Melbourne. However, Briffa planned to continue serving the Hobsons Bay community as a city council member.

—Reversal: The United Nations Human Rights Committee reversed a ruling by Russia's Ryazan Law on Administrative Offences that convicted Irina Fedotova of spreading gay propaganda. In doing so, the committee (among other things) ordered the Russian Federation to reimburse the fine paid by Fedotova as well as her legal costs.

—Trans-formative: In Cuba, Adela Hernandez—a biologically male Cuban who has lived as a female since childhood—has made history by becoming the first known transgender person to hold public office. Hernandez recently won election as a delegate to the municipal government of Caibarien in the central province of Villa Clara.

—We need a resolution: A United Nations committee overseeing human-rights issues approved a draft resolution that, for the first time, acknowledges the need to protect individuals from executions on the basis of their gender identity.

—Confirmation: British Prime Minister David Cameron has confirmed that he supports same-sex marriage for religious institutions. However, he added that he would not attempt to force any church, synagogue or mosque to host a same-sex wedding.

—Choosing my religion: In France, Europe's first gay-friendly mosque opened in the suburbs of Paris. According to its founders, its doors are open to Muslims of all backgrounds and sexual orientations, including those who are transgender. Women will also be allowed to lead the congregation in Friday prayers.

—Banning a ban: Mexico's supreme court unanimously ruled that a law in southern Oaxaca state that bans same-sex marriages is unconstitutional. The court said in its ruling that to condition marriages to the union of one man and one woman "violates the principle of equality."

—A fine mess: Russian conservatives threatened to fine Lady Gaga $50,000 for spreading "pro-homosexual propaganda" in the country. Madonna was sued for $10.5 million in August for "moral damage" after the singer spoke out against anti-LGBT legislation during a concert; however, that suit was later dismissed.

—Wed reckoning: Ian Hunter became the first gay Australian politician to marry, as he wedded artist Leith Semmens in Spain. Hunter, the social inclusion minister for the state of South Australia, said he and Semmens were sorry their home country wouldn't recognize their union; however, they couldn't wait for it to enact a marriage-equality law.

—Blood brothers: Mexico reportedly became the first country in the Eastern Hemisphere to allow gay people to donate blood. Under the new law, the only people banned from donating blood would be HIV-positive individuals or their partners, people with hepatitis and people who engage in "risky sexual practices," regardless of their sexual identity.