[Iran] [Blog/Film]
Gender Neutralized: Be Like Others

It undoubtedly would come as a surprise to most American audiences that sexual reassignment surgeries are not only legal in Iran but also provided free of charge to anyone who seeks them. This is the focus of Iranian-born, American filmmaker Tanaz Eshaghian’s documentary Be Like Others, an intimate examination of the intersection of state power, science and religion, gender and sexuality. In the film, at the vortex of these various forces are the bodies of two young men who opt for the surgery: Ali and Anoosh.

[Rússia]
Autoridades rusas dispuestas a reprimir los eventos del Orgullo

Los organizadores del Orgullo en Moscú han sido advertidos por la autoridades que todos los intentos de celebrar el Orgullo serán “firmemente” detenidos.

[USA]
California debates how to protect transgendered inmates

California legislators are debating how to best protect transgendered inmates in the state prison system according to the Associated Press.

[USA]
Spokesman ducks 'hate crimes' question

The official spokesman for President Obama ducked a question over a measure approved by the U.S. House and pending in the Senate that many opponents fear can be used to criminalize Christian thought and words.

Threat to Pastors? Conservatives claim hate-crime bill will silence people of faith; supporters accuse critics of 'absurd lies'
Lobbying an Inclusive Hate Crimes Bill with Real Grassroots Activists
Hate-crime measure clears House
Hate Crimes Bill Passes

[NH, USA] [Blog/Commentary]
New Hampshire One (More) Step Backwards on Trans Rights

As the New Hampshire Senate passed a bill this week to legalize same-sex marriage, we find trans people's rights were completely fucked on the same day.
While the House rejected a bill in late March that would protect transgender people's rights under the state's anti-discrimination and hate crime law, the Senate is apparently in the same boat:
The New Hampshire Senate today unanimously rejected a bill that would have extended anti-discrimination laws to transgendered people.
House Bill 415 would have protected those with sexual identity issues in areas of housing and employment, much the way the state's laws protects others from discrimination on the basis of color, race, religion or sexual orientation.