Via New Scientist, by Andy Coghlan. Stigma and homophobia against gay men is hampering efforts to manage a growing epidemic of HIV in Islamic countries, warn epidemiologists this week. “The stigma is a barrier to HIV prevention services,” says Laith Abu-Raddad of the Weill Cornell Medical College-Qatar in Doha. He heads up a team that is assembling, Read More >>

via LGBT Asylum News, by Edna Nelson “As you know, the Muslim faith doesn’t look kindly upon homosexuality, which is why I’m building this bar. It is an effort to break down barriers and reduce deadly homophobia in the Islamic world. In fact, [their] accusations of Islamophobia are meant to hide [their] cowardice concerning gay rights. Think Read More >>

via Fridae, by Bramantyo Prijosusilo The recent cancellation of a planned Asian-wide conference of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people in Surabaya reveals how far our society is from respecting human rights — and how close it is to slipping into religious fascism, writes Bramantyo Prijosusilo. The police, who had earlier issued a permit — which is Read More >>

Interview via SPIEGEL ONLINE International In the run-up to the Frankfurt Book Fair, German-Turkish writer Seyran Ates discusses her new book, which describes the necessity of a sexual revolution in the Islamic world, the recent integration debate in Germany and the arrogance of German women’s rights activists. Excerpts: “Part of the process is that sexuality has to Read More >>

“Many men who had anal sex with men before marriage want the same thing with their wives, because they don’t know anything else,” Ms. Lootah said. “This is one reason we need sex education in our schools. Challenging Sex Taboos, With Help From the Koran via the New York Times, by Robert F. Worth WEDAD LOOTAH does Read More >>

via pinknews.co.uk A sociologist at an Iranian university has presented a new study that shows high levels of homosexual experiences among the country’s population. Iran has strict laws against sex outside marriage and other sexual acts such as masturbation. Adultery and same-sex acts are punishable by death. Startling new research from sociologist Parvaneh Abdul Maleki found that Read More >>