Representin' at Sydney Mardi Gras

A Pakistani Lesbian and an Indian transsexual represent the Desis in BBC's Mardi Gras photos. The theme for this year's event was "Nations United," a tribute to queers living around the world.

In Pictures: Gay Mardi Gras in Sydney

The Pink Visa Scandal

This irritates the hell out of me. Time and time again we hear stories about how openly gay men from countries like Iran, Bangladesh, etc. are forced to plead for their lives by requesting asylum from other countries. Unfortunately, the wonderful country of Australia, which frequently grants asylum to the homos, is getting duped.

"IMMIGRATION officers are investigating claims that a Sydney migration agent hired a gay sex worker in a bizarre bid to gain political asylum for his clients.

On three occasions in May last year, Raymond Solaiman took Indian and Bangladeshi tourists to visit a male prostitute in Kings Cross.

It is alleged Mr Solaiman paid cash to the escort who agreed to be photographed in sexually explicit positions with the men. He later used the photos as supporting evidence in protection visa applications, which claimed his clients were homosexual and had suffered persecution in their homeland.

The Department of Immigration was alerted to a potential problem last year when as many as a dozen applications arrived, all containing photographs with the same backdrop and male partner."

Wow, this whole story sounds like it could make for a really bad movie (ie Chuck & Larry). Thoughts?

The Pink Visa Scandal

Weekly Mix Masala

Trikone Australia puts on its first South Asian Queer film festival! Aug 15-17th!
MCA

Inborn homosexuality or media hype? Islam Online discusses the issue...
Islam Online

Openly gay Ayush Maheshwari sells his 150 kilos to become the next 'big' reality show host
Times of India

Indian Health Minister wants to "give gays a break"
Hindustan Times

Muslim women in India design new marriage contract
Women's eNews

Ahh! Castration law for transgendered triggers outrage in Sweden!
The Local

More News from Sweden - Apparantly they love our prince
NDTV

Queer, South Asian sex advice column!
(Queer)ies: Your Personal Sex Advice Kiosk

The playwright and director, Chetan Datar, has passed away. Chetan used themes of homosexuality and gender bending in many of his plays.

Weekly Mix Masala

Just like always, taboos about sex prevent HIV prevention. This time, in Pakistan.
New York Times

Bombay High Court aquits two Britons of charges on pedophilia
Times of India

In Australia, a lesbian couple tries to sue their doctor when their in vitro results in two babies instead of one...
Times of India

When Kiren Met Karen review. After all the hype before the movie, this reviewer finds the movie disappointing
AfterEllen.com

New book sheds light on gay life in the Muslim world.
PRWeb

Weekly Mix Masala

A British Columbian newspaper publishes article online regarding South Asian queers and their struggles.
The Province

Banker launches blog to give voice to Pakistani gays!
Economic Times

After its historic elections, Nepal still sees no improvement in attitudes towards queers
UK Gay News

Sydney, Australia's first ever GLBT South Asian film festival to take place Aug 15-17!
SX News

160 Organizations Rally to end HIV/AIDS travel ban to the US
The Daily Dish

Archives of Sexual Behavior: A new study on coming out by South Asian gay men in the UK
Ingenta Connect

Indian Council of Medical Research allows gays to use in vitro. How is India so outdated on one hand, and then so progressive on the other?
Times of India

The Gay Wedding Industrial Complex
Jezebel

Meet filmmaker Sonali Gulati - one of the organizers of Delhi's pride parade
Thaindian News

Gurinder Chadha, my feminist hero
Jezebel

Weekly Mix Masala

Australia removes anti-gay discrimination from 100 laws!
Advocate.com

UN slams India on rights of gays
The Times of India

Dear Amma: I'm here, I'm queer, get used to it. An immigrant's journey from being closeted back home, to being out in the states.
The Huffington Post

"We tease them when we see eunuchs. But have we ever thought what are we actually laughing at?" A look into attitudes towards hijras.
Merinews

The government of Bihar finds a niche in society for hijras - employing them as music teachers and as security guards for womens' shelters!
IBNLive

Pakistan's first Queer-orientated publication is launched!
Chay Magazine

NGO reaches out to the hidden lesbian community of Gujarat
NDTV