Weekly Mix Masala

An HIV-positive woman from Pakistan has been shunned by her in-laws who have taken away her children. She contracted HIV from her husband, now deceased, who was a drug addict.
The News

Gay Penguins! Need I say more?
Telegraph

Over 200 condom vending machines to be installed in Lucknow, India
The Times of India

Across the border love - a Pakistani student created a website to find more gay men has fallen in love with a man in India he met through the internet. Frustratingly, the article doesn't link to his website, but I think we found it. Hit us up - we're "Queer Desi." The site ripped off facebook (hey, all's fair in love...), and the only statement in it's Terms & Services is "Be decent and nice."
NDTV.com

Despite Prop 8, GLAAD has released a poll that shows a majority of US Adults favor legal protections the LGBT community. Unsuprisingly, the poll shows that those under 65, and especially people 18-34, are more supportive of LGBT rights.
GLAAD

Everybody and their mother is in this skit against Prop 8, but all I see is Margaret Cho
Funny or Die

The Maldives is, uhh, sinking...
CNN

Cyprus grants resident status to gay Iranian asylum seeker
Pink News

Weekly Mix Masala

A recently wed lesbian couple committed suicide in Madhya Pradesh.
India eNews

A gay couple's experience traveling in the Maldives
Sun Island, Maldives

Queer Desi Films! (films exploring sexuality, Islam, Hinduism)
Rediff

When Kiran Met Karen - indie flick about interracial lesbian relationship
Independent Films Direct; Trailer #1; Trailer #2

Interview with Bobby Darling, Bollywood trans actor
MSN India

Gay men in India are barred from donating blood
Medindia

India launches a new scheme to curb female feticide
ABC News Report

Irish poet Cathal O Searcaigh set up charity fund to help "penniless" families in Nepal and apparently used that money to pay young Nepali men for sex
Irish Independent

Queer Health: The tie between oral sex, HPV, and oropharyngeal (throat) cancer
U.S. News & World Report

For Queer Dummies: LGBT Rights in South Asian Countries

All around the world, queers in different countries face different issues. While some are currently fighting for the right to marry or adopt, others are busy fighting against imprisonment and even death. Here's a quick breakdown of how LGBT rights in South Asia measure up.


Bangladesh:
Homosexual acts are punishable by deportation, fines and imprisonment up to 10 years, or imprisonment for life. Although rarely enforced, there are incidents of queer individuals being sentenced to death by fatwa, or Islamic law. LGBT have been granted asylum by other countries.




Bhutan:
Engaging in homosexual acts is considered a petty misdemeanor and, under the penal code of Bhutan (Art. 213 & 214), is punishable by imprisonment between one month and one year.






India:
Section 377 deems "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" to be punishable by imprisonment of up to 10 years with a fine, or imprisonment for life. Although enforcement of the law is rare, it is frequently used to harass the queer community. Judicial review of the law is being sought.





Maldives: Only male homosexual acts can lead to imprisonment for life.









Nepal:
Homosexual acts may be punishable by imprisonment. However, in December 2007, the Supreme Court ruled that the government must create laws to protect the LGBT community and change old laws that discriminate against them. Nepal is going through some exciting changes right now!









Pakistan:
Since 1990, homosexuality is punishable by up to 100 lashes or death by stoning. Honor killings (murders towards individuals who dishonor their family or community) are commonplace towards LGBT individuals. LGBT have been granted asylum by other countries.





Sri Lanka:
Male homosexual acts can lead to imprisonment for up to 10 years.








Interactive Map of Legal Status of LGBT People

LGBT Rights By Country