Activists paint rainbow crosswalk at Russian embassy in Sweden

in: http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2013/08/activists-paint-rainbow-crosswalk-at-russian-embassy-in-sweden.html

Övergångsstället vid ryska ambassaden är nymålat. #gilla

LGBT activists in Sweden are letting the Russian government know exactly how they feel about Vladmir Putin's controversial new anti "gay propaganda" legislation in a way that is simple and peaceful but vibrantly proud.

Swedish newspaper The Local reports that protesters gathered outside of the Russian embassy in Stockholm this weekend to paint over a traditional black and white "zebra" crosswalk with a rainbow of colours.

Utanför ryska ambassaden.
 pic.twitter.com/x3PmchzywX

On Saturday, a group of naked men are reported to have marched back and forth across the rainbow crossing outside the embassy while supporters called on others to boycott the World Athletics Championships which began this weekend in Moscow.

 

“We have no case file on it but it will probably be classified as vandalism or a violation of traffic regulations,” said Ulf Lindgren of the Stockholm Police to Swedish language paper Dagens Nyheter.

 "There's a risk it can create danger for those using the crossing as they should look a certain way. It's confusing if they are different," added Lundgren.

He noted that it is not the police department's responsibility to restore the sidewalk to its regular pattern, but as of Tuesday morning it appears as though someone had arranged for this to be done.

  

Nu tvättas regnbågen bort från övergångsstället vid ryska ambassaden. pic.twitter.com/IN5CH85s3Y

 Nu tvättar de bort regnbågsövergångsstället utanför ryska ambassaden :( foto @UlrikaBy instagram.com/p/c8seB2mjtb/



The colourful crosswalk may have been short lived, but it served as a powerful symbol for Stockholm's LGBT community, which celebrated its annual Pride festival earlier this month.

 Spreading some #gay propaganda outside of the #Russian embassy in Stockholm. http://pic.twitter.com/lQPbv0f4WL



Russia's announcement of a new law cracking down on gay rights activism during the 2014 Olympics in Sochi has sparked international debate over participation in the forthcoming games.

In the wake of this intended crackdown, the Russian embassy in Stockholm has been the target of a series of pro-LGBT rights demonstrations.




Outside Russian embassy, #stockholm demonstration in support of #LGBT rights #sthlmpride2013 #russia http://pic.twitter.com/umkMArWFlO

Standing up against the Putins so called morals. Outside the russian Embassy in Stockholm! #russia #gay #LGBT http://pic.twitter.com/QsyeHVgS1G

Gay pride rally outside of Russian Embassy in Stockholm this morning http://pic.twitter.com/wELTFzCUaV via @claesnyberg #sthlmpride

Before it could be washed away, passersby took photos of the rainbow crosswalk to voice their support on Instagram and Twitter.

Rainbow crosswalk outside the #Russian Embassy in #Stockholm. #Equalrights for all

Snyggt övergångställe utanför #Ryska #Ambassaden

 "Neat crosswalk outside the Russian Embassy," reads the caption above, and below "Hey Russian Ambassador, what has anybody done to you?"




Hej ryska ambassaden vad fint någon gjort hos er ❤️




Civil olydnad får tumme upp. Övergångsstället utanför ryska ambassaden.

 "Thumbs up for Civil disobedience. Crosswalk outside Russian Embassy." reads the caption above. Below, "Outside the Russian embassy right now. Apparently they made this last night."


 
Utanför ryska ambassaden just nu. Applåderar de som gjorde detta inatt #hbtq #lgbt #pride #antigayolympics



 And while the rainbow crosswalk in Stockholm wasn't the first of its kind, it won't be the last either.

Australian LGBT protesters also took to sidewalks outside of the Russian embassy in Sydney this weekend with colourful chalk in a similar fashion.


A beautiful day for chalking! The @DIYrainbows crew outside the Russian Embassy in Woollahra today: http://pic.twitter.com/7Y9M3xh5cc


The #DIYRainbow movement spread beyond Sydney through much of Australia.


And a similar work was spotted in Utrecht, Holland, where this photo was taken, and later posted in response to a photo of the Swedish crosswalk on Street Art Utopia's Facebook page.
 
Cobuz Okhuijsen's Photos | Facebook



 Others are protesting Russia's law in more traditional ways at embassies in Chile...
 
Chile: Volunteers from LGBT-rights org. @IgualesChile decry Russian homophobia outside Russian embassy http://pic.twitter.com/1q7HZtn3Nj via @ahsoffia


Turkey...


Pride march attacked in Russia, sign in Istanbul at the Russian embassy: "Don't worry, homophobia can be cured." http://pic.twitter.com/EPu5u0eLqn



 Scotland...
 
Wee @LGBTScotland afternoon protest for LGBT equality at the Russian Embassy @alchemister @FireCrow69 http://pic.twitter.com/VM2F2Tmi7i

Israel...

"Berlin36 Moscow13" #TelAviv activists protest homophobia in front of Embassy of #Russia #LGBT 972mag.com/tel-aviv-activ… http://pic.twitter.com/QDUCm8OvaJ

And of course, in Canada, where permanent rainbow-coloured crosswalks were installed in downtown Vancouver's west end during the city's Pride Week celebrations earlier this summer.

Rainbow crosswalks show off Vancouver's pride

http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2013/08/activists-paint-rainbow-crosswalk-at-russian-embassy-in-sweden.html

Westboro Baptist Church protesters retreat after being outnumbered in Santa Monica

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/westboro-baptist-church-protesters-retreat-after-being-outnumbered-santa-monica260213

When members of the Westboro Baptist Church showed up at Santa Monica High School today to conduct an anti-gay protest, they were in for a huge surprise.

That surprise was a huge crowd that was on hand to counter-protest the group known to protest at military funerals carrying signs that say such things as 'God Hates Fags.'

The church had protested outside the Oscars on Sunday (24 February) and chose the high school in Santa Monica as its next target because of what it believes is the school's affirmation of LGBT students.

The church members stayed only a brief time as they found themselves faced with scores of students who were well-prepared for their arrival.

Students and others were holding rainbow flags large and small and waving signs with such messages as 'God Cares for All Creation,' 'Ain't Nobody Got Time for Hate' and 'God Hates People Who Say They Know Who God Hats.'

The video below shows the spirited crowd of students and a dispirited small group from Westboro walking away from the scene as someone in the crowd yells: 'Go back to Kansas!'

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/westboro-baptist-church-protesters-retreat-after-being-outnumbered-santa-monica260213

Teacher who said 'gays don't have a purpose' gets a rebuttal

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/teacher-who-said-gays-dont-have-purpose-gets-rebuttal170213

LGBT groups in Indiana launched a 'You Have a Purpose' Facebook page as a response to the special-ed teacher who made homophobic remarks this week

Gay rights groups launched an empowerment campaign in response to the Indiana teacher who said 'gays don't have a purpose'.

Special-ed teacher Diana Medley said earlier this week that she doesn't agree with homosexuality. She was speaking on behalf of a group who wanted to host a 'traditional' prom at Indiana's Sullivan High School that wouldn't allow gay and lesbian students.

To continue encouraging LGBT youth in Indiana and abroad, a Facebook page titled 'You have a purpose' has been created where supporters can post videos with a positive and uplifting message.

Annette Gross, coordinator for Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) compared the new web page to Dan Savage's 'It Gets Better' campaign.

Gross said in an interview: 'We just want to focus on the positive, letting them (gay teens) know that they do have a purpose and there are people out there that care about them'.

The web page will not allow videos about Medley's comments or the 'traditional' prom dispute.

Gross said: 'This is about the kids. This isn't about her'.

The Facebook page, set up by the Interfaith Coalition on Non-discrimination, Indiana PFLAG, Indiana Equality Action and Fairtalk, is open to the public.

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/teacher-who-said-gays-dont-have-purpose-gets-rebuttal170213

Students fight Westboro Baptist Church haters with $40,000 for gay charity

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/students-fight-westboro-baptist-church-haters-40000-gay-charity130213

Students from Vassar College in New York have pledged $100 for every minute the Westboro Baptist Church plans to protest on campus

 

American students have raised over $40,000 (£26,000, €30,000) in counter-protest against gay hate picketers from Westboro Baptist Church.

Students from Vassar College in New York have responded to the church's plans to protest at the pro-LGBT university earlier this month by pledging $100 for every minute the church will be there.

Known for their 'God Hates Fags' signs, the church is well known for picketing pro-gay groups and soldiers' funerals.

Originally students planned to raise up to $4,500 but today (13 February), after word of the fundraising counter-protest spread on social media sites, the total pledge now sits at $40,544.

Money raised will go towards the Trevor Project, an American group which provides suicide prevention and crisis intervention to LGBT youths.

Acting president of the college Jon Chenette posted a message of support on the college's website.

He said: 'In the face of Westboro's statements, we want to celebrate the inclusiveness of our community and the multitude of backgrounds, interests, and preferences that enrich our experiences.'

Meanwhile, similar messages of support have poured in on the Vassar Facebook page.

One comment read: 'I am so proud to be an alumna of a school that stands for people, for diversity, for compassion, and against hate. Thank you for continuing to lead the way.'

Another said: 'Bravo. It's moments like this that make Vassar the great school that it is.'

Last week, GSN reported how two key members of the notorious Westboro Baptist Church left the group and apologized for their past.

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/students-fight-westboro-baptist-church-haters-40000-gay-charity130213

Brasil: Lançado comitê em SP para enfrentar homofobia

in: http://www.spbancarios.com.br/Noticias.aspx?id=3432

Entre os objetivos do órgão está a divulgação do Disque Direitos Humanos e o acompanhamento de casos de discriminação e violência homofóbica São Paulo – Na luta pela preservação dos direitos da população LGBT, foi lançado o Comitê de Enfrentamento à Homofobia no Estado de São Paulo, em evento promovido em parceria com a Secretaria de Direitos Humanos da Presidência da República (SDH), a Faculdade de Direito da USP, a Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CUT) e a Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil.

Com a presença de representantes de diversos movimentos sociais, associações, sociedade civil e movimento sindical, o evento de lançamento ocorreu na noite de terça-feira 18.

Entre outros objetivos, o Comitê acompanhará casos de discriminação e violência homofóbica, além de colaborar para que as questões LGBT sejam discutidas na formação dos profissionais de segurança pública e dos sistemas penitenciário, socioeducativo, de justiça e assistência social.

Outros comitês estão sendo organizados no país. “Essa política é muito importante. Estamos apoiando qualquer iniciativa no Brasil para a criação de comitês de enfrentamento da homofobia”, ressaltou Gustavo Bernardes, coordenador geral LGBT da Secretaria de Direitos Humanos.

Para ele, o maior desafio é provocar as denúncias, já que muitos cidadãos ainda não têm conhecimento do Disque 100, que até 2010 recebia apenas denúncias de abuso e exploração contra crianças e adolescentes, mas desde então, o número recebeu o nome de Disque Direitos Humanos, e passou a receber ligações de crimes contra idosos, violação aos direitos de pessoas com deficiência, violência contra população em situação de rua, descriminação por orientação sexual e contra tortura e outras violações.

Outro objetivo do comitê é justamente contribuir para o aprimoramento da comunicação entre os órgãos que recebem e atuam nas denúncias provenientes do Disque Direitos Humanos em relação ao público LGBT. “Essa articulação é necessária para que possamos fazer frente à violência homofóbica, lesbofóbica e transfóbica. E precisamos mudar nossa cultura. Nossa sociedade ainda tem um machismo estrutural, um racismo estrutural, um homofobismo estrutural”, alertou Gustavo Bernardes durante o evento.

Outro ponto destacado foi a participação da juventude no combate à homofobia. O Comitê de São Paulo conta com a presença da juventude e do movimento estudantil na organização, como, por exemplo, o Grupo Para Todos e o Grupo Graúna. Gustavo alertou que a violência dentro da família, contra jovens, é silenciosa, assim como a violência contra a mulher, e, portanto, não chega aos canais de denúncia do governo federal.

Violência – No ano passado, 278 pessoas foram assassinadas entre LGBTs no Brasil, e 49% das vítimas eram travestis e transexuais. Os dados são do Relatório sobre Violência Homofóbica no Brasil. Para Gustavo Bernardes, existe um grande impasse no combate a esse tipo de violência. “A situação nos preocupa porque não podemos ligar para a polícia e pedir para reforçar o policiamento nas zonas de trabalho ou prostituição. Isso porque muitas vezes é a própria polícia que, historicamente, é responsável por essa violência. Temos que acabar com essa política esquizofrênica”, aponta, ao dizer que este é outro desafio.

http://www.spbancarios.com.br/Noticias.aspx?id=3432

Lesbian couple's anti bullying song is a hit

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/lesbian-couples-anti-bullying-song-hit301112





The YouTube video has won an anti-bullying competition

 

 A lesbian couple’s music video to fight bullying has become a hit with YouTube viewers.

The song, produced by singing duo Bria Airb and Chrissy Chambers, tells the story of a young teenager who commits suicide after being bullied.

It was the winning entry in an anti-bullying competition on YouNow. The song will now be recorded in a professional music studio and will be featured on a soundtrack on a currently unannounced film.

The video has hit a note with YouTube viewers, and has received over 12,000 views.

Viewer Chris Webb left a comment saying: ‘Very powerful and emotional song brought tears to my eyes. Bullying must end. Thank you Bria and Chrissy for making this song.’

Another viewer said: ‘This is the most incredible anti-bullying song I have ever heard. Keep up the great work you both do.’

The couple have also written songs about having two mothers, the anti-gay controversy with Chick-Fil-A and former Republican Presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

Watch the video here:

 

 

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/lesbian-couples-anti-bullying-song-hit301112

Lesbian and gay Mounties tell teens 'It Gets Better'

in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/lesbian-and-gay-mounties-tell-teens-it-gets-better061112



It Gets Better video features 20 officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police telling personal stories of how they overcame prejudice and discrimination

Lesbian and gay Mounties have made a video for the It Gets Better campaign in support of teens facing homophobic bullying.

The video features 20 out and proud Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers sharing their personal stories of growing up gay and how they overcame their struggles to become 911 dispatchers, homicide investigators and anti-gang task force members.

The men and women tell their sometimes moving accounts of when they first realized they were gay, the prejudice they faced at school and how they finally came out to their family and friends.

'I was the recipient of quite a lot of bullying at school,' said Mark Greenfield in the nine minute video.

'A lot of people I went to school with said I was effeminate, I was gay and I was somehow judged for that.'

Maya, a 911 operator, said she was too scared to come out when she was still at high school.

She added: 'I was a strategic planner and I still am to this day, so I strategically plan. When high school is done that's when you can be yourself. Until then, hide it away. So I hid right 'til the day I graduated pretty much.'

The RCMP's video is the latest group message for the It Gets Better campaign, founded in 2010 by columnist Dan Savage as a response to gay teen suicide, reminding teenagers they are not alone.

US police departments in San Francisco and Austin released their own videos earlier this year, as well as US troops and American football's NFL.

In September, project co-founders Savage and Terry Miller won a special award at the Creative Arts Emmys for their It Gets Better television special.

http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/lesbian-and-gay-mounties-tell-teens-it-gets-better061112

Malawi Rejects Homophobia

in: http://www.okayafrica.com/stories/malawi-homophobia-joyce-banda/


 

Browsing through headlines on LGBTQI politics in Africa on the internet can be somewhat redundant. Headlines over the past year have highlighted activity such as:

“Egypt Islamists Use Homophobia to Win Votes”
“Uganda: Police Close Down Gay Rights Workshop”
“Nigeria Criminalizes Gay Marriage”



And finally this week, we have one headline with a glimmer of hope: “Malawi takes bold move and suspends anti-gay laws.”

This week has welcomed perhaps only the second nation in Africa (the first being South Africa) that is addressing and combating legal human rights inequality towards LGBTQI persons. Malawi has temporarily suspended controversial same-sex laws until Malawians through Parliament make a decision on criminalizing same-sex relationships. Malawi’s first female president Joyce Banda has suggested that the ban will promote a discussion amongst Malawians to further contemplate and debate homosexuality.

This is good – for Malawi, and the rest of Africa as it demonstrates that nations through legal doctrine can encourage a more healthy debate around sensitive issues such as LGBTQI rights. However, while the excitement is warranted we also need to be critical of these efforts to open up the conversation. We might even argue that leaving human rights legislation up to the public is a slightly questionable approaches as it opens up for debate what should not be debated: human rights in terms of safety and freedom of sexuality.

Over the past decade, Aid from the west has become inextricably linked to LGBTQI legislation in countries throughout Africa. In 2011 United Kingdom Prime Minister, David Cameron supported a policy emendation, which declared that homophobic countries in Africa would suffer funding fines if they continued to penalize gays and lesbians (specifically in reference to legislation in Ghana and Uganda). Malawi in particular has been navigating its relationship with donor nations such as Germany and the United States for repressive laws against sexual minorities.

 

 

Many have criticized these policies as expressions of homonationalism: short for homonormative nationalism, and in short suggest that we’re in a new era of sexual excellence being deployed by the west as a method of politicking with other parts of the world. Jasbir Puar has written excellent pieces for The Guardian, which look at how homonationalism/pinkwashing is deployed by countries in the West as a testament of their sexual exceptionalism, compared to supposedly less liberal, advanced, and accepting societies in the developing world – say Malawi.

It would seem as though Joyce Banda’s is following her promise to address legislation against homosexuality, and she should be recognized for that. It’s smart for Malawi since they were scheduled to lost a lot of aid earlier this year through said legislation, and even though it’s a controversial approach to LGBTQ population, we might also suggest that Banda’s method of problematizing these laws does not simply aim to appease western donors, but actively engages Malawian citizens, civil society, and the government in a conversation of how to discuss LGBTQ rights as a nation.

As the headlines on any news site demonstrate, there is a lot of work to be done throughout the continent that will address these repressive laws against LGBTQI persons as well as encourage a safe space for individuals to live without fear of intimidation and violence. But seriously, props to Malawi for taking a step forward in the right direction.

http://www.okayafrica.com/stories/malawi-homophobia-joyce-banda/

German footballers kiss in anti-homophobia poster

in: http://www.towleroad.com/



Outsports reports on a German campaign fighting homophobia in sports with this poster and caption: “Would you also beat up your favorite player for this?”



http://www.towleroad.com/

Parada Gay espera milhões a lutar contra a homofobia

in: http://www.dn.pt/

A 16.ª edição da Parada LGBT (Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais e Transexuais) contra a homofobia de São Paulo realiza-se no domingo e espera milhões de pessoas num dos ex-libris da cidade, a avenida Paulista.

O tema da parada deste ano é "Homofobia tem cura: educação e criminalização", uma referência a um projeto de lei que circula no congresso brasileiro para tornar criminalizar a homofobia.

Outra reivindicação do evento é a distribuição a professores do ensino secundário de materiais informativos e didáticos para prepará-los para lidar com a diversidade entre alunos, projeto anunciado pelo governo em 2011, mas abandonado após polémicas com parlamentares religiosos.

Um português de 49 anos, morador em Lisboa, que este ano irá participar pela segunda vez na parada, afirma que o evento é uma grande "festa", mas que desconhece o efeito da manifestação nas políticas brasileiras de inclusão.

"É uma festa, só alegria, sem preconceito, sem discriminação, mas reivindica-se muito pouco", disse à Lusa.

A parada é o principal evento do mês do Orgulho LGBT, que conta com atividades como palestras, debates públicos, festas, feiras culturais e workshops.

http://www.dn.pt/

Holandeses lançam aplicativo anti-homofobia

in: http://www.rnw.nl/

Seguindo o exemplo dos Estados Unidos e da Bélgica, a Holanda lançou esta semana um novo aplicativo para celulares inteligentes: Bashing.eu. A intenção do aplicativo é oferecer uma visão global da violência contra membros da comunidade LGBT.

O aplicativo, uma iniciativa da fundação Vrienden van de Gay Krant (Amigos do Jornal Gay), e é extremamente fácil de usar. Em menos de um minuto, uma vítima pode fazer o upload de onde, como, quando e que tipo de violência foi usada contra ela. Os dados são arquivados e processados para criar um mapa da Holanda mostrando onde ocorreram os incidentes de homofobia.

Henk Krol, presidente da fundação e editor do Gay Krant, explica que usuários do aplicativo também recebem aconselhamento sobre o que fazer quando passam por uma situação assim.

“Se alguma coisa aconteceu, você pode imediatamente fazer um boletim de ocorrência com a polícia via celular. E receberá dicas de onde prestar queixa. Porque cada queixa, é claro, é diferente. Você foi intimidado? Ou ameaçado fisicamente? Dependendo do que você preenche, você recebe dicas de qual o local certo a procurar.”

Registro

A fundação Vrienden van de Gay Krant trabalha em conjunto com a Promotoria Pública e o ombudsman nacional para encontrar a maneira mais eficiente de agir contra a violência homofóbica.

Henk Krol espera que isso leve a uma redução no número de incidentes. Todos os boletins de ocorrência também são registrados no site www.bashing.eu .

Até agora, os resultados na cidade de Utrecht foram animadores. O aplicativo foi lançado lá no final de março com o nome Gay Alert. De acordo com Henk Krol, há um aumento no número de boletins de ocorrência cada vez que a mídia dá destaque ao aplicativo: “Espero um aumento no número de boletins de ocorrência, porque eles podem ser arquivados mais rapidamente desta maneira.”

Inventário

O aplicativo holandês contra a homofobia é baseado em seu similar belga, que foi criado por Bert Vermeire. Ele trabalha numa agência de publicidade em Bruxelas e pensou no aplicativo depois de ter visto uma campanha do movimento anti-homofobia Outrage! no Facebook. “As pessoas eram convidadas a criar uma estratégia para criar um inventário da violência homofóbica”, conta Vermeire.

Números divulgados recentemente mostram que houve um aumento substancial de incidentes de homofobia na Holanda em 2010. O número de casos dobrou em relação a 2009. O COC, grupo holandês de defesa dos direitos da comunidade LBTG, diz que 7 a cada 10 homossexuais na Holanda – tanto gays como lésbicas – sofre violência homofóbica em algum momento de suas vidas.

http://www.rnw.nl/

Chile aprova lei contra discriminação após morte de jovem gay

in: http://g1.globo.com/

A Câmara dos Deputados do Chile aprovou nesta quarta-feira (4) a maioria dos artigos de uma lei que pune a discriminação por orientação sexual ou religiosa, após a morte, na semana passada, de um jovem homossexual atacado por neonazistas.

A lei, que tramitava no Congresso desde 2005, foi votada após a morte de Daniel Zamudio, um homossexual de 24 anos que agonizou por três semanas após ser espancado por um grupo de neonazistas.

Duas meninas observam cartaz com foto de Daniel Samudio no portão do hospital em que ele morreu, em Santiago, após ataque de neonazistas que o deixou 25 dias em coma (Foto: Claudio Santana / AFP)

O texto assinala que "se entende por discriminação arbitrária toda distinção, exclusão ou restrição sem justificativa razoável efetuada por agentes do Estado ou particulares que cause privação, perturbação ou ameaça ao exercício legítimo dos direitos fundamentais".

A lei cita discriminação por "motivos de raça ou etnia, nacionalidade, situação socioeconômica, idioma, ideologia ou orientação política, religião ou credo, participação em organizações gremiais, sexo, orientação sexual, identidade de gênero, estado civil, idade, filiação, aparência pessoal e doença ou incapacidade".

A Constituição chilena consagra o princípio de igualdade, mas não estabelecia sanções específicas contra atos de discriminação.

http://g1.globo.com/

Brazilian leader suspends anti-homophobia campaign

http://news.yahoo.com/

Brazil's president suspended an anti-homophobia campaign Wednesday that had been planned to begin at schools this year because she thought the videos and pamphlets weren't appropriate for children.

Presidential secretary Gilberto Carvalho met with legislators representing religious groups that have opposed the campaign and emerged to say that Rousseff decided to delay the program.

He did not provide details on what material in the videos and pamphlets was considered inappropriate by Rousseff. The materials were to be distributed to children of varying ages across Brazil.

"The government maintains its clear position against any type of homophobia," Carvalho said. "It's important that this material, to be productive and to reach its goals, be the result of extensive consultation with society, to not generate this type of controversy."

The civil rights group Grupo Gay da Bahia says 260 gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people were murdered in Brazil last year. That was up 113 percent from 2005.

Brazil's top court recently ruled that same-sex civil unions must be recognized.

http://news.yahoo.com/