A diverse and inspirational mix of 21 people and organisations from across Asia and the Pacific have been selected as finalists for the HERO Awards, a gala fundraising event in Bangkok in November which will honour the work of HIV and LGBT community heroes from across the region. Read the full story here: 21 HIV &…
Read MoreThere has been growing international concern after a wave of brutal killings targeting secular bloggers, professors, foreigners and religious minorities. Recently the country’s most high-profile gay activist Xulhaz Mannan was hacked to death inside his home. Islamic militants linked to al-Qaeda and so-called Islamic State are said to be behind the violence.
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The founder of Bangladesh’s only lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) magazine has been killed in the latest of a series of horrific murders of bloggers and activists. Read full story here: Founder of Bangladesh’s first and only LGBT magazine killed
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Though Bangladesh’s LGBT community has long been marginalized—with gay sex punishable by life imprisonment—in 2014, a surge of visibility occurred with the launch of the country’s first LGBT publication, Roopbaan. Read the full article here: After Grisly Murders, Bangladesh LGBT Community Is Terrified
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Police detained four revellers attempting to hold a banned “rainbow rally” to mark Bengali New Year in the Bangladeshi capital Thursday, amid heightened security threats. Read the full article here: Four revellers held after Bangladesh bans ‘rainbow rally’
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The group had earlier vowed to press ahead with the colourful New Year event despite online posts by Islamists against the rally, with calls to beat up parade participants posted on Facebook. Read the full article here: Bangladesh ‘rainbow rally’ cancelled over permit issue
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Roopbaan, a group which promotes freedom of love and gender equality in the Muslim-majority nation, says its members will be part of the new year parade to be held in central Dhaka on Thursday Read the full article here: Bangladesh group to hold ‘rainbow rally’ despite threats
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The organisation has arranged the event for the third time following Mangal Subhajatra with a slogan “Boishakh, Boichetra and Bandhutta” (Boishakh, diversity and friendship), says its media release on Wednesday. Read the full article here: Roopbaan to celebrate Boishakh with Rangdhanu Jatra
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This year, thus, the LGBTQ community feared that the rally would be under fire, and rumor was that the extremists would target the participants especially ‘leaders’. However, on the day of the event, the rally saw almost similar number of participants as the last, fewer old faces, and more new and spirited ones! Read the…
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Since there was no apparent LBGT connections, the rainbow rally was applauded by the thousands who came to Dhaka University area to enjoy the festivities of Poila Boishakh, the first day of Bengali New Year. They took photos and selfies as the human rainbow walked from the Faculty of Fine Art building up to Ruposhi…
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