“Traditional sexual relations are relations between a man and a woman, which … are a condition for the preservation and development of the multi-ethnic Russian people. … It is precisely these relations that need special protection by the state.”  Russian legislator Yelena Mizulina speaking to the Duma in support of a law banning “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations.” The bill ... [Read]

"We won't allow these sick people to hold gay parades in our country. It's against our traditions and our morals." Zhuzhuna Tavadze, speaking to Reuters as she and thousands others confronted an LGBT-rights rally marking the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) and Transphobia in Tbilisi, Georgia, earlier today. About 50 pro-LGBT activists were forced to flee the scene as ... [Read]

English: Andy Murray, Australian Open 2010 Quarterfinals. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)   “I would hope there are no issues on the tour. You know, there have to be some players who are probably gay but I don’t think other players have any issues with it.” -- British tennis player Andy Murray, ranked No. 2 in the world, responds to a ... [Read]

"These results do not change the fundamental view that an AIDS vaccine remains critical to any long-term strategy to end the AIDS epidemic." Matthew Rose, a D.C. participant in the HVTN 505 HIV-vaccine trial, which was halted today. The trial was called off after an independent review board found the vaccine neither prevented HIV infections nor reduced the amount ... [Read]

“This partnership leverages the financial resources and skills of each partner to further inclusive development and increase respect for the human rights of LGBT people around the world. It can be a real game-changer in the advancement of the LGBT human rights.” Claire Lucas, senior advisor for public-private partnerships in the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Office of Innovation ... [Read]

"We do not want to create hatred towards LGBT but it's just that we need to convince people not to get involved in such activities." Malaysian deputy education minister Mohd Puad Zarkashi defends the performances in schools of the anti-gay musical Abnormal Desire, which depicts LGBT people with offensive stereotypes until the end of the play when the characters ... [Read]

"Bob is 15 years old, and the only openly gay Scout in a Boy Scout troop. Is it acceptable or unacceptable for the troop leader to allow Bob to tent with a heterosexual boy on an overnight camping trip?" "Tom started in the program as a Tiger Cub, and finished every requirement for the Eagle Scout Award at 16 years ... [Read]

"Parliament is due to pass legislation shortly to allow for the first child of Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge to rule as monarch regardless of whether they are a boy or a girl. Now Labour MP Paul Flynn is gathering support for an amendment that will extend the protection to include the ... [Read]

"CBS, the television network airing the big game this year, is now using an outspoken homosexual actor to mimic Tim Tebow's style of trumpeting messages in eyeblack on his face. One football fan who watched the CBS promo Sunday made the connection between Harris and Tebow, saying, 'They're pushing a gay agenda by using him, and they're mocking Christians ... [Read]

“Thank you for helping him see that not only DOES it get better, it gets AMAZING.” Excerpt from a letter sent by the mother of a 12-year-old gay youth, Colin, who she says is bullied in school. That letter was sent to Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Brent Ridge, aka the Beekman Boys, the gay couple who were shown winning the 21st ... [Read]

“The constitution will not allow the majority to oppress the minority.” Ladislaus Rwakafuzi, a human rights attorney, responding to news that the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of the Ugandan Parliament earlier today passed a notorious anti-homosexuality bill out of committee. The bill, originally dubbed the “Kill the Gays” bill when introduced in 2009, has removed the provision of execution ... [Read]

“This bill won’t stop us. We will continue to fight until we are free of this legislation. We cannot have oppression forever.” Frank Mugisha, executive director of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), as quoted in a Nov. 21 statement from AllOut.org, reacting to a renewed and expedited effort in the Ugandan Parliament to pass what would become one of the world’s ... [Read]

“The United States will fight to ensure that the remarkable progress the UN has made on LGBT issues in the last four years is not rolled back. Today’s vote on gender identity is evidence that we are, in fact, expanding international support and moving forward.”  Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations, from a Nov. 20 ... [Read]

“I’m very much in love w/u.” For sending this text message to another man, Roger Jean-Claude Mbédé of Cameroon has already spent a year in prison. The group AllOut.org, a global LGBT-equality group, has launched an online petition calling for Mbédé’s release ahead of a Sept. 17 hearing at which Mdédé faces the possibility of another two years in prison. ... [Read]

“It is critical for all Ugandans – the government and citizens alike – to speak out against discrimination, harassment and intimidation of anyone. That’s true no matter where they come from, what they believe, or whom they love.”  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, speaking Friday in Kampala, Uganda, to the nation’s Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and ... [Read]

“It’s saying that we as a military community are looking to more to the future, that we’re not quibbling about the past, what was or what wasn’t, that we can take a leadership role to help move our students to a more enlightened future.”   Michael Kelly, vice president of Norwich University, the nation’s oldest private military academy, on the ... [Read]

Three important state legislators helped to rally support for Maryland's same-sex marriage bill on Sunday, Jan. 29, at a church in the city of Frederick. Delegate Galen Clagett, Senator Ron Young, and Senator Rob Garagiola (all Democrats) were joined by Attorney General Doug Gansler. Together they addressed a capacity crowd of 200, most of whom were there to represent a ... [Read]

"It is with sincere regret that I announce I must step down as a GOProud advisory member. On numerous occasions I have spoken with [GOProud leaders] Jimmy LaSalvia and Chris Barron of the significant impact the practice of 'outing' had in my evolution from the political left to the right. I was under the absolute impression that both agreed. I ... [Read]