359 articles
Community
Japan’s ban on same-sex marriages deemed unconstitutional for 7th time
On Wednesday, the Tokyo High Court declared Japan’s ban on same-sex marriage as “groundless legal discrimination” and a violatio...
Ryan General
Civil Rights
Taiwan registers its first cross-strait same-sex marriage
In a historic move for marriage equality, Kaohsiung City registered Taiwan’s first cross-strait same-sex marriage on Tuesday. The couple, Ry...
Carl Samson
Entertainment
‘Mean Girls’ actor says his character ‘secretly wanted’ Aaron Samuels
Rajiv Surendra, who played Kevin Gnapoor (“Kevin G”) in the 2004 “Mean Girls,” recently reflected on the film’s lasting impact, suggesting t...
Home
Philly Gayborhood group joins Chinatown in opposing 76ers arena
On Sept. 26, the grassroots group No Arena Gayborhood held a press conference at City Hall to oppose the proposed 76 Place arena, which they...
Michelle De Pacina
George Takei calls out Chappell Roan for ‘both sides’ stance on elections
American pop star Chappell Roan is facing backlash for comments in which she refused to endorse any presidential candidate in the upcoming e...
Thailand makes history as 1st SEA country to legalize same-sex marriage
Thailand has legalized same-sex marriage, becoming the first country in Southeast Asia to do so. The landmark bill, which received royal end...
Crime
Queer Asian man assaulted in possible hate crime in San Francisco
On Sept. 17, Pat Karaphat, a queer Thai man, was walking home in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District when he was allegedly assaulted by a ma...
Taiwan recognizes same-sex marriage between Taiwanese and Chinese
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) announced on Thursday that same-sex marriages between Taiwanese and Chinese nationals can now be reg...
China
Chinese mother granted visitation rights in landmark same-sex custody case
The Beijing Fengtai People’s Court granted a 42-year-old Chinese woman, known as Didi, visitation rights to her daughter in May, four years ...
IOC defends women boxers accused of being transgender athletes
The International Olympic Committee issued a statement on Friday defending Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting and Algeria’s Imane Khelif, two women boxers...
South Korea grants rights to same-sex couple in landmark ruling
South Korea’s Supreme Court on Thursday granted a same-sex couple spousal coverage under the state health insurance program. The historic ru...
Film & TV
Japan’s first gay romance reality show ‘The Boyfriend’ debuts
“The Boyfriend,” Japan’s groundbreaking first same-sex romance reality series, premiered Tuesday on Netflix. Set in a seas...
California sees drop in Asian hate crimes, surge in LGBTQ+ bias incidents
On Friday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta released the 2023 Hate Crime in California Report, noting a 7.1% decrease in overall report...
Filipino student tells Pope Francis to stop using anti-LGBTQ language
Jack Lorenz Acebedo Rivera, a senior psychology student from Ateneo de Manila University — a Catholic university — in the Philippines, urged...
Canada
Japanese lesbian couple granted refugee status in Canada
A Japanese lesbian couple has been granted refugee status in Canada after enduring discrimination in Japan. Key points: ...
Gay actor’s anti-bullying speech at Pennysylvania school reinstated amid backlash
After facing intense backlash, a Pennsylvania school board reversed its decision to cancel a gay actor’s scheduled speech on bullying....
Taiwanese American queen Nymphia Wind eyes ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ crown in finale
Asian American drag queen Nymphia Wind has secured a spot in the finale of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 16. Key points: ...
Bay Area
Evan Low, Joe Simitian tie for second place in Bay Area House race
The primary election for California’s 16th Congressional District has ended in a tie between Assemblymember Evan Low and Santa Clara County ...
Evan Low in neck-and-neck Bay Area House rep race
The race for the chance to represent California’s District 16 in the House has come down to the wire, with the outcome hinging on a ha...
Government
Thailand’s parliament passes bill to legalize same-sex marriage
Thailand’s lower house of Parliament overwhelmingly approved a marriage equality bill that legalizes same-sex unions. Key points: ...
Hawaii lawmakers honor Bretman Rock for positive impact
Filipino American influencer Bretman Rock was recently honored while visiting the Hawaii State Capitol for his positive impact on the Hawaii...
Bryan Ke
Ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, Japan court rules
A Japanese high court made a landmark ruling on Thursday, saying the country’s lack of legal support for same-sex marriage violates th...
Business
AsiaSF restaurant, a beacon for the SF transgender community, to close after 26 years
AsiaSF, a bar and restaurant that also serves as a beacon for transgender inclusivity in San Francisco, is closing its doors permanently nex...
Canada rapper goes viral for new song with LGBTQ+ slang
A Canada-based rapper has sparked controversy over the lyrics of his recently released track. How it started: To promote his new song “Suki,...
10% of hate crimes occur at schools, FBI report reveals
Schools or college campuses are the third most common location of hate crimes, according to a new FBI report. Key findings: The report, rele...
‘Survivor’ winner Erika Casupanan comes out as lesbian
“Survivor 41” winner Erika Casupanan came out as a lesbian in a recent Instagram video, drawing support from fans and members of the LGBTQ+ ...
Thailand on the brink of legalizing same-sex marriages
The bill aims to grant LGBTQ+ couples the same legal rights and benefits as heterosexual couples, including healthcare, inheritance and prop...
Bay Area may see its first LGBTQ+ Capitol Hill rep in Evan Low
U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo’s (D-CA) decision to retire has prompted Democrat Assemblymember Evan Low to vie for her Silicon Valley congressi...
Issues & Racism
Hate crimes in Los Angeles county reach highest levels in 21 years: report
In 2022, reported hate crimes in Los Angeles County reached a 21-year high, according to a report by the LA County Commission on Human Relat...
Thailand a step closer to becoming 1st Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage
Thailand’s Cabinet recently approved a bill to amend the Civil and Commercial Code, redefining marriage as between any two “individual...
Asia
Nepal makes history with first registration of same-sex marriage
Nepal registered its first same-sex marriage on Wednesday. How it happened: Surendra Pandey, 26, and Maya Gurung, 36, registered their marri...
Coldplay Malaysia concert proceeds after ‘kill switch’ warning from officials
British band Coldplay held their first concert in Malaysia after being warned of a “kill switch” that would cut it short if ther...
Music
Queer Filipino dance group reacts to feature in Troye Sivan dance video
Queer Filipino dance group Femme MNL revealed that they were in disbelief after their routine was featured in Troye Sivan’s Southeast Asia d...
Events
San Francisco shows off LGBTQ+ pride amid APEC summit with ‘Gaypec’ party
Amid the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in San Francisco, the city’s LGBTQ+ community held a midweek party called “Gaypec” t...
Nico Santos, Zeke Smith tie the knot in ‘big gay wedding’
Nico Santos and longtime partner Zeke Smith have officially tied the knot in a “Big Gay” wedding that coincided with Pride Weekend in Palm S...
Taiwan draws nearly 180,000 in Asia’s largest Pride march yet
An estimated 176,000 people attended this year’s Pride parade in Taiwan, marking the largest Pride march in Asia to date. About the event: T...
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