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Asian Gay & Lesbian News Archive
(listed from the oldest to newest in each section)
We would greatly appreciate your assistance in adding missing news items to this archive. Please contact us if you have copies of regional GLBT news not yet on this list.
Milestones in Asia's Gay and Lesbian Communities:
1st Asian Gay Magazine: Barazoku, Japan, 1971
1st Asian Gay Rights Organization: Indonesia, 1981
1st Thai Gay Magazine: Mithuna, 1983
1st Japanese Gay Rights Organization: JILGA, 1983
1st Taiwanese Gay-Themed Novel: Crystal Boys, 1983
1st Thai Lesbian Organization: Anjaree, 1986
1st Singaporean Gay Magazine: OG, 1987
1st Malaysian Gay AIDS Organization: Pink Triangle, 1988
1st Thai Gay AIDS Organization: FACT, 1988
1st Indian Gay Magazine: Bombay Dost, 1989
1st Asian Gay Film/Video Festival: Hong Kong, 1989
1st Taiwanese Lesbian Activist Organization: Women Zhi Jian, 1990
Hong Kong Decriminalization of Homosexuality, 1991
1st International Asian Lesbian Conference: Bangkok, 1991
1st Gay Play in Singapore, Another Tribe by Fong Yong Chin, 1991
1st Japanese International Gay Film/Video Festival: Tokyo, 1992
China Decriminalization of Homosexuality: 1993
1st Taiwanese Lesbian Magazine: Ai Bao, 1993
1st Asian Gay Rights Conference: Indonesia, 1993
1st Gay Art Show in Singapore: Tan Peng & John Goss, Feb 20, 1993
1st Asian Gay Pride March: Manila, Jun 26, 1994
1st Japanese Gay Pride March: Tokyo, 1994
1st Indian Gay Conference: Mumbai, 1994
1st Thai Gay and Lesbian Book Shop: Utopia, Dec 13, 1994
1st Asian Gay and Lesbian Internet Portal: Utopia-Asia.com, Dec 13, 1995
1st Taiwanese Gay Wedding: 1996
1st Officially Authorized Taiwanese Gay Magazine: G&L, 1996
1st Thai International Gay Film/Video Festival: Hearts of Light, Bangkok, Oct 11, 1996
1st International Chinese Tongzhi Conference: Hong Kong, Dec, 1996
1st Asian Lesbian Pride March: Tokyo, 1997
1st Taiwanese Gay Pride Event: Taipei, June 29, 1997
Legal Victory in Gay Discrimination Suit: Tokyo, Sep 16, 1997
1st Korean Gay Magazine: Buddy, 1998
1st Chinese National Lesbian Conference: Beijing 1998
1st Thai International Gay Pride Festival: Bangkok, Oct 31, 1999
1st Indonesian Lesbian Organization: Swara Srikandi, 2000
1st Utopia Awards for Gay & Lesbian Pioneers: Bangkok, Nov 4, 2000
China Officially Declassifies Homosexuality as a Disease: 2001
1st Chinese Gay Film Festival: Beijing, 2001
Thailand Officially Declassifies Homosexuality as a Mental Disorder: 2002
1st Cambodian Gay Pride Event: Phnom Penh, 2003
1st Sri Lankan GLBT AIDS Event: Jul 3, 2003
1st Taiwanese Gay Pride March: Nov 1, 2003
1st Korean Gay Wedding: Mar, 2004
1st Indian Gay and Lesbian Center: Mumbai, Apr 25, 2004
1st Hong Kong GLBT Rights Rally, May 17, 2005
1st Int'l Conference of Asian GLBT Studies: Bangkok, July 7-9, 2005
1st Sri Lankan Pride Celebration: Colombo, July 20, 2005
1st Singaporean Public Pride Festival: Indignation, the month of Aug, 2005
Thailand's 1st National Human Rights Day for Sexual Diversity, Nov 29, 2008
Shanghai's 1st Pride Week, June 7-14, 2009
Dehli High Court Repeals Anti-Homosexual Laws, July 2, 2009
1st Siem Reap Pride Event at Linga Bar, May 2012
Vietnam's first Pride Parade held in Hanoi, Aug 5, 2012
1st Asia/Pacific country to legalize same-sex marriage: New Zealand, Apr 17, 2013
1st Cambodia LGBT magazine: Q, published May 19, 2015
1st Asian country to affirm that its constitution protects marriage equality: Taiwan, May 24, 2017
India's Supreme Court decriminalizes homosexuality, Sep 6, 2018
Taiwan legalizes same sex marriage, May 17, 2019
Bhutan decriminalizes homosexuality, June 8, 2019
Singapore decriminalization of sex between men, Nov 29, 2022
Taiwan regularizes adoption for same-sex couples, May 16, 2023
Thailand: marriage equality becomes law, with full legal, financial, and medical rights, Sep 24, 2024
Asian News Archive and Utopia Special Reports:
ASIA (General)
GLBT movement in Asia -- Where We Stand Now
The First Annual Utopia Awards for Gay and Lesbian Pioneers in Asia
The 2001 Utopia Awards Recognize Asian Community Leaders
Four African Countries Receive Visits from Asian AIDS Groups
2002 Utopia Awards for Gay and Lesbian Pioneers in Asia
Hawaii, First Gay Straight Alliance in the Public School System
Asian Queer Film Festival Organizers Meet in Berlin
2003 Utopia Award Winners Announced
The 2003 annual Utopia Awards Honor Asian Heros
First Gay and Lesbian Drop-In Center Opened in Mumbai, India
Indian Court Refuses to Overturn Antique Sodomy Law
Five Pioneers to be Recognized at Asia's Annual GLBT Human Rights Celebration
The 5th Annual Utopia Awards for Gay and Lesbian Pioneers in Asia.
 
The 2005 Utopia Awards for Asian Gay and Lesbian Pioneers
Gay Comrades in East Asia Emerge From the Shadows
AUSTRALIA
Australian Advances in Gay Rights
Sydney Mardi Gras Tries to Remove Words "Gay" and "Lesbian" from Name
Melbourne University to Teach Secrets of Drag Make-up for Men
Australia Abandons Human Rights of its Gay Citizens Arrested Abroad
BURMA / MYANMAR
Bagan, Burma's Lost City
CAMBODIA
Cambodia's Royalist Party Woos Transgender Voters
Cambodia's King Says Gays Should be Allowed to Marry
Cambodians Celebrate at Their 2nd Annual GLBT Pride Party!
Hun Sen Calls for Tolerance/Disowns Lesbian Daughter
CHINA and HONG KONG
Beijing Court Rejects Woman's Compensation Request Over Gay Husband
AIDS Education Pamphlet Offers Frank Advice for Gays
Groundbreaking Chinese Film Explores the Lives of Gays in Beijing
Hong Kong Gay Scene Magazine Launched
Landmark Study Reveals Sexual Behavior of Gay Men in Hong Kong Saunas
Gay Hong Kong Movie Idol, Leslie Cheung, Dies
Nanjing Gay Bar Owner Arrested for Hiring Male Prostitutes
2004 Hong Kong Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival
Police Hold Panty Raid at Hong Kong Gay Fashion Show
Fudan University Adds a 2nd Course on Homosexuality to its Curriculum
Police Force Closure of Beijing's First Gay Pride Festival
Hong Kong High Court Strikes Down Gay Discrimination
Hong Kong Equalizes Age of Consent for Gays
Hong Kong High Court Strikes Down Anti-Gay Law
High Court Rules in Favor of Gays in TV Controversy
2009 ShanghaiPRIDE Events Announced
ShanghaiPRIDE 2009 shines a bright rainbow in China
INDIA
Dehli Repeals 148-year-old Ban on Gay Sex
Indian Businesses Rush to Tap the Pink Rupee
Kashish - Mumbai Queer Film Festival to Premiere in April
INDONESIA
Indonesian Government TV Shows Transgender Movie
Full Moon Magic in Bali
Candi Sukuh, Java's Ancient Erotic Pyramid
Gay Club Organizes Midnight Candlelight Vigil for Bali Bomb Victims
Durian-scented Condoms Enlisted in the Fight Against AIDS in Indonesia
Indonesian Transgenders Work to Improve Their Lives
Indonesia's 2nd Annual Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Dates Announced
Indonesia Plans to Criminalize Peaceful Citizens' Sexual Relations
Guy Kisses Guy and Indonesian Film Audiences Lap it Up
Report of Police Torture and Abuse of Gays in Aceh
JAPAN
Tokyo High Court Rules in Favor of Gay Group in Discrimination Case
Hundreds of Lesbians March to Celebrate Japan's First Dyke Day
New Book Counters Narrow Japanese View of Gays
Japanese Transgendered Man Allowed to Run for Public Office as a Female
Home Run for Japanese Baseball Player who Starred in Gay Porno
Osaka Legislator Announces That She is a Lesbian
Japan’s First Openly Lesbian Politician Loses National Election
Toyko Pride 2007
Naked Festival Too Naked
Sapporo's 12th Annual Rainbow March Schedule Announced
LAOS
Luang Prabang - Laos' Ancient Royal City
MALAYSIA
Malaysian Film Festival Highlights Lives of Gays, Lesbians, Transgenders and PWAs
Malaysia Joins Forces with Libya to Defeat UN Human Rights Protection for Gays
Malaysia's Most Hated Sodomy Conviction Overturned by High Court
Malay Press Reports Fuel Police Crack Down on Gay Clubs
Malaysia's Ex-Prime Minister Sued for Gay Bashing
Malaysian Fatwa Bans Tomboy Behavior
Life isn't easy for Malaysian gays. And it may be getting worse.
NEPAL
Nepal's First Drag Beauty Contest Highlights Gay Rights Issues
Police Brutality Aimed at Nepalese Gays
Nepal's Second Annual Gay Pride Festival Announced
Nepal's second annual Pride Parade Delivers Powerful Public Message
Nepal's Gay Community Seeks Endorsement of UN Resolution Protecting GLBT Rights
Amnesty International Seeks Release of 39 Members of Nepal's GLBT Rights Group
Nepal's Colorful Pride Parade Calls for Equality and Understanding
PHILIPPINES
ProGay Helps Launch Arts-training Shelter for Unemployed Gays and Lesbians
Philippines to Deny Family Visas for Foreign Gay Couples
Filipino Gays Chide Big Wigs' Bigoted Banter
Filipino Gays and Lesbians Tell Catholic Gathering "We are Family, too"
God Answers Filipino Gay and Lesbian Prayers. "No," says God.
Lesbians not Women According to Philippines' Top Gynecologist
Police and Reporters Entrap and Abuse Victims in "Operation Lollipop"
Gay and Lesbian Film Festival to be Held in November
Philippine Pride 2003 Activities Announced
Pride International Film Festival to be Held in Manila
Manila to Host World Gathering of Gay and Lesbian Activists
Baguio City Witnesses its First Same-sex Wedding
Groundbreaking Anti-Discrimination Legislation Wins Support of Philippine Congress
Philippines Announces 2nd Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
Manila's 2nd Pink Film Festival Celebrates a Decade of Filipino Pride
Chairman of Philippines Movie and TV Board Slammed for Ignorance
Manila Pride March 2009 shines a bright rainbow in the Philippines
SINGAPORE
3rd Singapore AIDS Conference Slated
New Singapore Service Offers Free Sex Advice for Teens via Text Messaging
Singapore Hosts Lecture on the Men-Who-Have-Sex-With-Men Community in China
Gay Themes in Singapore's Arts Scene in the Mid 1990s
Singapore Set to Attract Gay Talent to Bolster its Economy
Singapore's Christian Bigots Lay Plans for Battle Against Homosexuality
Singapore Gays Petition Parliament Over Oral Sex Criminalization
Singapore Government Continues to Thwart Rights of Homosexuals
Singapore Sounds Alarm Over Rise in HIV Infection Rates Among Gays
Singapore Health Minister Slams Local Gay Website
Singapore Police Reject Permit for Annual Gay Dance Party
Singapore Health Officials Blame Gays, Seek to Track Sexual Partners
Singapore Police Arrest Four in Gay Sauna
Singapore Prime Minister Supports "No Gay Pride Parade" Policy
Singapore Gay Website Claim of Police Harrassment Questioned
Singapore Prepares for Second Annual Pride Month
Singapore Government to Allow Straights to Butt Fuck Legally
Lee Kuan Yew Speaks Out Against Criminalizing Homosexuality
Sir Ian McKellen Protests Singapore's Hated British Colonial Anti-Buggery Law
Singapore Fines State Media for Gay Content
Singaporeans Rally for GLBT Love and Tolerance at PinkDot
SOUTH KOREA
East Meets West In Korea's Itaewon Gay Enclave
Korea to Remove Anti-Gay Definitions from Dictionaries
Korean Gays Face Uphill Battle Against Social Conformity and Religious Bigotry
Anti-gay Language to be Removed from Korea's Youth Protection Act
Koreans Step Out at the Rainbow 2003 Korean Queer Festival
Conservative Korean Society Grapples with Gay Marriage
Korean Courts Debate Recognizing Gender Change
SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka's First GLBT AIDS Charity Event Announced
Sri Lanka's First Gay Pride Celebration.
Colombo Pride 2008 Schedule Announced
TAIWAN
Police Raid Well-Known Gay Business in Taipei, Taiwan
Victory for Taipei Gay Sauna in Police Misconduct Case
Taiwanese Lawmakers in Gay Karaoke Scandal
Taipei Woman Honored for Work with Sexual Minorities
Coalition Calls for End to Discrimination in Taipei
Taiwan's Tongzhi (Homosexual) Hotline Association Aims for Public Awareness
Taipei Girls' School Wins Trip to Singapore for Gay-Friendly Musical
Taiwan's First Gay Novel Now a TV Mini-Series
Rave and Home Parties Become Popular with Gays in Taipei
Taiwanese Conservatives Launch Legal Attack on Sexual Rights Scholar and Activist
Taipei Holds First Gay Pride March as Government Considers Human Rights Law
Taiwan Vice President Says AIDS is a Punishment from God
Taipei Police Raid "Gay Drug Orgy"
Gay Activists Slam Media Coverage of Police Raid
Asian AIDS Action Condemns Taiwanese Treatment of Gays in Recent Police Raid
Taiwan Announces Annual Gay Pride Parade Date for 2004
Taipei Mayor Flies the Rainbow Flag Over City Hall
THAILAND
Thailand's Colorful Festival of Naughty Ghosts
Bangkok Gay Festival 2000: Purple Queens Seize Silom Road!
2000 Phuket Gay Festival: Out and Proud in Paradise
Bangkok Gay Festival 2001: Bangkok's Pink Heart Draws Them In
Pattaya's First Gay Festival a Hit
Messages of Hope at Phuket Pride 2002
Thai Theatrical Drama Highlights Gay-Straight Freindship
Bangkok's 4th Pride Parade Gets Official Go-Ahead
Thai Country Music Star in New Gay-Themed Film
Bangkok Celebrates at Pride in the Park 2002
Bangkok Pride 2002 Holds 4th Annual Parade
2002 Pattaya Gay Festival Observes International World AIDS Day
Thai Man Made Scapegoat for Bungled Sauna Raid
Thailand's Health Authority Announces that Homosexuality is not a Mental Disorder
Thailand to Provide Scouts with Free Condoms
Thai Tolerance in Doubt as Police Harass Gay Clubs
HIV Infection Soars Among Thai Youths
2003 Phuket Gay Pride Festival Announces Schedule
Phuket Gay Festival 2003 a Hit with Visitors and Locals Alike
Pizza Hut to Give Away Gay Thai Figurines to Attract Teens
Lesbian Leading Character a First in Thai Feature Film
Phuket Gays Garner Positive Comments from Tourism Authority and Police
Gay and Transgender Men to be Excluded from Military Service
Gay Restaurateur and Philanthropist, Bruno Forrer, Dies in Pattaya
Married Men and Women Found to Frequent Services of Thai Male Sex Workers
Pride in the Park 2003 Celebrated During the Loy Kratong Festival
2003 Bangkok Pride Hosts 5th Annual Parade
UN Slams Removal of Condoms from Thai Gay Saunas
Phuket Gay Festival 2004 Holds 5th Annual Pride Festival
Gays and Lesbians Celebrate Their Union in Chiang Mai
Thai Cultural Ministry "Declares War" on Homosexuals
Gay and Lesbian Groups Denounce Culture Ministry Moves
Thai GLBT Groups Counter Government's Anti-Gay Campaign
International Queer Studies Conference Announced for Bangkok in 2005
Chiang Mai School Creates Transgender Bathroom
Bangkok Pride 2004 Kicks Off a Week of Activities with Gay Fun Fair
Report and pictures from Pink in the Park 2004
Bangkok Governor's Message Opens 2004 Bangkok Pride Week
Bangkok's 6th annual pride parade takes to the streets.
Lower Court Rules That Popular Thai Gay Scene Magazine in Obscene
A Special Post-Tsunami Report from Phuket
2005 Phuket Gay Festival Postponed Until April Due to Tsunami
First International Conference of Asian GLBT Studies to be Held in Bangkok
Report and Pictures from the 6th Annual Phuket Gay Festival.
Thai Military to Stop Labeling Gay Recruits as Mentally Defective
The 7th Annual Bangkok Pride Parade.
Thailand Launches Gay Shopping Zone
Thai Culture Ministry Objects to Foreigners Telling it Like it is
The 7th Annual Phuket Gay Festival.
Dates Announced for the 8th Annual Phuket Pride Festivities
Bangkok's 8th Annual Pride Fest, 2006
Thailand Fails to Include Protection for LGBT in its New Constitution
Thai Constitution Drafters Decide Gays Need Equal Rights
Fading Smiles: One Third of Thailand's Gays Threatened by HIV
Thailand's first National Human Rights Day for Sexual Diversity
Chiang Mai Activists Fight for Annual LGBT Celebration
Taksin's Thugs Force Cancellation of CM Pride Festivities
VIETNAM
Vietnamese Officials Announce Plan to Distribute 60 million Condoms at Universities
Police Raid Saigon Sauna
Safer Sex Message not Getting Through to Men who have Sex with Other Men
Two Saigon Men Jailed for Operating a Gay Brothel
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Phnom Pehn's gay men-only boutique hotel, spa, pool and restaurant...
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QUNCI VILLAS, a gay-friendly, gay-managed tropical resort on the heavenly island of Lombak, just next to Bali...
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At Bangkok Pride 2023 (photo: Amp Puttipong)
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At Bangkok Pride 2023 (photo: Siam Pride)
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At Bangkok Pride 2023 (photo: Siam Pride)
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At Bangkok Pride 2023 (photo: Siam Pride)
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At Tokyo Rainbow Pride
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Dynamic duo at Cambodia Pride
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Special photo exhibition by Mark Leighton!
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