News :: World News

Pope: Gay priests, nuns need not apply

Pope: Gay priests, nuns need not apply

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Dec 5, 2018

Pope Francis clarified his stance on gay priests and nuns serving as Catholic clergy with the release of his new book, "The Strength of a Vocation: Consecrated Life Today."

Taiwanese voters cast a blow against marriage equality

Taiwanese voters cast a blow against marriage equality

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Nov 28, 2018

Taiwan voters struck a harsh blow to the Southeast Asian country's LGBT community last weekend when voters rejected referendums on same-sex marriage and LGBT curriculum in schools.

Costa Rica poised to legalize same-sex marriage

Costa Rica poised to legalize same-sex marriage

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Nov 20, 2018

Costa Rica is poised to become the first Central American country to legalize same-sex marriage.

LGBT migrant caravan arrives in Tijuana

LGBT migrant caravan arrives in Tijuana

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Nov 14, 2018

A migrant caravan of nearly 80 people, many identifying as LGBT, arrived in Tijuana, Mexico, across the border from San Diego, November 11, surprising local community organizations.

After outcry, Tanzania backs away from LGBT crackdown

After outcry, Tanzania backs away from LGBT crackdown

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Nov 7, 2018

On the eve of expected mass arrests of LGBTs, the Tanzania government publicly backtracked after intense international pressure.

Brazil elects homophobic president, fuels LGBT fears

Brazil elects homophobic president, fuels LGBT fears

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Oct 31, 2018

Called the "Trump of the Tropics," Jair Bolsonaro captured 55 percent of the vote against left-wing opponent Fernando Haddad in Brazil's presidential runoff election October 28.

Zurich mayor celebrates 15 years as SF sister city

Zurich mayor celebrates 15 years as SF sister city

  • by Alex Madison
  • Oct 24, 2018

The lesbian mayor of Zurich, Switzerland is in town this week to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the sister city relationship between her city and San Francisco.

Parliament group nixes discussion of LGBT issues

Parliament group nixes discussion of LGBT issues

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Oct 24, 2018

Uganda and Lebanon's parliamentary speakers Rebecca Kadaga and Nabih Berri declared victory after leading the charge October 18 to ban discussions about LGBT issues at the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva, Switzerland.

Ugandan lesbian activist speaks about troubled times and her faith

Ugandan lesbian activist speaks about troubled times and her faith

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Oct 17, 2018

Ugandan LGBT activists have been on edge this year.

Gay Iraqi's story hits Bay Area film festivals

Gay Iraqi's story hits Bay Area film festivals

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Oct 10, 2018

Gay Iraqi Ghazwan Alsharif's story about his journey to freedom has been a decade in the making. Next week, Bay Area audiences will have the opportunity to see the award-winning documentary "From Baghdad to The Bay."

Romanian court ruling contradicts proposed referendum

Romanian court ruling contradicts proposed referendum

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Oct 3, 2018

Same-sex Romanian couples should have the same family rights as straight couples, Romania's Constitutional Court ruled September 27.

Trans Bangladeshi official signals changes

Trans Bangladeshi official signals changes

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Sep 26, 2018

Transgender Bangladeshi activists saw the fruits of their labor pay off last week when the South Asian country's government appointed its first-ever transgender person to a national position.

UN rep speaks to SF LGBT business leaders

UN rep speaks to SF LGBT business leaders

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Sep 19, 2018

Rikke Hennum, a queer woman who is manager of the United Nations Free and Equal campaign, addressed members of San Francisco's Golden Gate Business Association about the important role businesses and corporations play in human rights work.

India Supreme Court strikes down sodomy law

India Supreme Court strikes down sodomy law

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Sep 12, 2018

India's LGBT citizens celebrated the country's Supreme Court decision last week that struck down the 150-year-old British colonial era law criminalizing homosexuality.