Weekly Mix Masala

Sunil Babu Pant, from Nepal, addresses the UN on LGBT issues.
Gays Without Borders

This guy is on fire! Pant also received a "People of the Year Award" from The Advocate magazine!
Advocate.com

Nepal - one step forward, two steps back. Journalist Uma Singh, one of many journalists targeted in Nepal, is hacked to death by 12 to 20 men. One issue Uma covered was women's rights.
SAJA Forum

The Star Screen Awards were very... pseudo-gay this year! Priyanka Chopra wins the Best Actress award for Fashion and Jon Abraham and Abishek Bachchan win the best couple award for Dostana.
Screen India

Which Bollywood stars have Hollywood look-a-likes? These pairings are amazing!!
Ultrabrown

Queer Masti: Bi-sexual Prejudice - Bi Ladki talks about the lack of understanding towards bi-sexuals.
Desiclub.com

Court rules that Bangladeshi trans-persons are full-fledged citizen and are allowed to vote for the first time ever!
Globalgayz.com

What are the HIV related needs of sexual minorities in India? Download the document here:
msmasia.org

Cop torches wife to death in Nagpur, India
Times of India

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