[Turkey] [Commentary]
No transsexuals or conservatives allowed
İzmir is the third biggest city in Turkey. Its natives often believe that it is the most modern, Westernized part of the country. Yet, I have been thinking on this “modernity” aspect of the city for a long time, and have come to the conclusion that it is one of the biggest Turkish myths.
First, let me tell you a story. It happened in İzmir a few weeks ago. A few lawyers, including a friend of mine, went to a pub just to have a friendly chat. Among them was a transsexual person, who was actually a client of one of those lawyers. However, as soon as they sat down to ask for drinks, a waiter approached them and asked them to send away this transsexual person. Seeing surprised faces, he explained the reason: “Transsexuals and woman with headscarves are not allowed in this pub!” My friends, of course, felt deeply insulted and left the pub altogether.

[Rússia]
Ativistas gays russos querem usar Eurofestival para denunciar pressão homofóbica do governo

Ativistas russos querem usar a mídia que se reúne em torno do Eurofestival para denunciar abusos do governo russo contra os direitos humanos de gays e lésbicas.

[China]
Husband Didn’t Know Wife Has A Penis

Fu Shitou was married to Wei Jinhua for three years before he learned his wife was a transvestite.

[MA, USA]
NTSB: trolley driver will not speak to investigators

The Green Line trolley operator blamed for last week’s crash has decided not to speak with federal investigators on the advice of his lawyer.
Since Friday’s collision, the trolley operator, Aiden Quinn, 24, had previously skipped two scheduled meetings with the NTSB.

T to driver: Meet with boss by Friday or be fired
[Letters to the Editor] Gender identity has nothing to do with Green Line crash
Texting Boston Trolley Driver Fired After Crash as MBTA Union Challenges Cell Phone Ban
T operator: Drop probe and I’ll talk

[FL, USA]
Clearwater transgender man's final steps before car killed him remain a mystery

Excerpt: Julio Silverwolf, a transgender man who lived in Clearwater, was pronounced dead at the scene of the 1:45 a.m. crash.