[UK]
Number of NHS sex change operations triples
The number of sex change operations carried out on the NHS has almost tripled in the last eight years.
Sex-Swap Ops Treble In 9 Years

[Uganda]
Govt softens anti-homosexuality Bill
A Cabinet committee has recommended changes to Ndorwa West MP David Bahati’s anti-gay legislation that preclude the possibility of discarding it, Daily Monitor has learnt.
But the report, which is yet to be discussed by Cabinet, indicts Mr Bahati for not applying the kind of sophistication that would have anticipated the international condemnation that came after the draft legislation was tabled in Parliament last year.

[South Africa/Spain]
Semenya sets date to run again
World athletics champion Caster Semenya said she planned to resume her international career on June 24 at an international athletics meeting in Spain

[India]
One is custody for Saidapet murder
The Saidapet police have taken one local resident into custody in connection with the murder of an unidentified man inside the veterinary hospital. The arrested person, one Vel alias Rajaraman (39), has reportedly confessed to the police that he had committed the murder under the influence of alcohol.

[Australia]
Sex change killer Maddison Hall walks free
These are the first pictures of one of Australia's most notorious killers since he had a sex change behind bars.
Maddison Hall, 46, walked free from jail this morning on parole after serving more than 20 years for murder. (Photo)
NSW transgender killer released

[USA]
Answers About Transgender Issues
Following is the first set of responses from Dr. Laura Erickson-Schroth, who is working on “Trans Bodies, Trans Selves,” a resource guide for transgender and other gender-variant people, covering health, legal issues, cultural and social questions, history and theory.

[USA]
Obama's Hospital Memo Also Protects Transgender Folks
President Obama's memo that bans hospitals from discriminating against gay men and lesbians also protects transgender folks, but activists say obstacles remain.

[USA]
ENDA Could Open ‘Every Classroom in America’ to Cross-Dressing Teachers, Conservative Group Says
Homosexual activists are pressuring the House to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). They want a vote on the bill as early as this week.

[USA]
Bullying of LGBT youth not a priority
From the beginning of the Obama administration, the general attitude of the LGBT community was that things would be better for them than they were under the administration of President George W. Bush.
But even in the early days of the new administration, there were signs that protections for LGBT youth might not be better and that safe schools might not be a priority for the Department of Education.

[CA, USA]
Cuts threaten SF transgender employment initiative
A program in San Francisco that helps transgender people with employment needs is being threatened by budget cuts from the city.
The Human Services Agency has proposed eliminating funding for the Transgender Economic Empowerment Initiative, effective July 1.
The Human Services Commission will vote on the proposal today [Thursday, April 22] at its meeting at 170 Otis Street in Ronald H. Born Auditorium. The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m.

[DC, USA]
Gay Activist Robin McGehee Disrupts Committee With ENDA Demand
Gay activist Robin McGehee and six other members of the gay rights group GetEQUAL were detained Wednesday after they interrupted a House committee hearing demanding movement on a federal gay protections bill.
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) would ban workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity (transgender protections).

[FL, USA]
Church Leaders React to Proposed Human Rights Ordinance
Leon County Commissioners will be deciding on Tuesday whether to go forward with a revised Human Rights Ordinance that would extend protections for the gay and lesbian community.
However, the issue is already stirring up members of local churches.

[FL, USA]
Transgender Running Against Wasserman Shultz for Congress
Donna Milo is a Congressional candidate unlike any South Florida politics has seen.
Sure, she has a background similar to some of the most successful pols in the area. Her family fled from Cuba in the 1960s and arrived on Miami's shores with nothing.
Milo used hard work to start a successful construction company and has raised a family.
And by the way, she was once a he.
Transgendered Woman Kicks Off Congressional Campaign Against Wasserman Shultz

[MA, USA]
Transgender debate hot topic for govenor candidates
The question of whether transgender people deserve legal protections in Massachusetts is turning out to be an early issue in the race for governor.
Transgender Bill Divides Mass. Gov. Candidates
[Commentary] Lacking definition: Transgender legislation poses dangers
Transgender bill becomes hot button issue
[Blog/Commentary] Hate Group MassResistance Wigging Out Over Massachusetts Governor’s Race

[ME, USA]
Family values advocates claim victory
Delays in 'gay' march, hearing on 'transgender' rules cited

[NY, USA]
Tribeca Film Festival Preview: What To Catch At This Year's Fest
This weekend marks the beginning of this year's Tribeca Film Festival, which brings film lovers from all over to the cavernous streets of downtown Manhattan, and sends your trusty Cinema Blend correspondents running all over creation to cover it. Eric Eisenberg, Perri Nemiroff and myself will be covering Tribeca over the next ten days, seeing all kinds of indie films, doing all kinds of interviews, and trying to sleep once in a while in the meantime.

[TN, USA]
Crowd Pays Respects to Transgender Victim
About 30 people, most holding candles in plastic cups, gathered yesterday evening outside the federal building to remember transgender violence victim Duanna Johnson. Johnson was beaten inside the Shelby County Jail lobby in early 2008 by former Memphis Police officer Bridges McRae after Johnson said she refused to answer to his taunts of "he/she" and "faggot." (Photo)

[VA, USA]
Video: McDonnell’s Former Brother-in-Law Publicly Speaks Out As Transgendered
Dozens gathered for today’s “Don’t Hate, Legislate” rally at Capitol Square despite the rain. Delegate Adam Ebbin and Senator Donald McEachin spoke out against Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and Governor Bob McDonnell’s actions since taking office.
Former McDonnell brother-in-law addresses gay-rights rally

[Puerto Rico]
Reina el silencio tras muerte de Ashley
El activista de derechos humanos Pedro Julio Serrano criticó nuevamente el “silencio ensordecedor” de los líderes y religios del País.
Sigue por la libre el asesino de Ashley
Pedro Julio Serrano reitera sus críticas a políticos y religiosos que no condenaron asesinato de Ashley
Ciudadanos cooperan con la Policía para encontrar al asesino de Ashley
Las autoridades no dan con el asesino de Ashley
Dolor e incomprensión en Corozal
Exhortan a identificar a Ashley como una mujer transexual
Transgender woman stabbed to death in Puerto Rico home
Sin rastros del asesino de Ashley
Alcalde de Corozal pide investigación del asesinato de transexual
Ciudadanos Puerto Rico colaboran con la policía para encontrar al asesino de la mujer transexual estilista

[El Salvador]
Presentan documental de transexuales en El Salvador para impulsar derechos humanos de esta comunidad
El documental fue producido en Perú pero contiene imágenes de nueve países de América latina, entre ellos El Salvador.
El documental “Translatina” que narra la realidad de los Transexuales, fue presentado esta mañana en el auditorio del Ministerio de Gobernación. El evento fue organizado por la Asociación Solidaria para Impulsar el Derecho Humano de los Trans (ASPIDH/ARCOIRIS TRANS) y auspiciado por la Organización Panamericana de la Saludo (OPS), el Ministerio de Salud y el PNUD.

[Dominican Republic/Bolivia]
RD debatió relacíón pollos y gays
La alarma provocada en Bolivia por las declaraciones del presidente de esa nación, Evo Morales, en torno a que el consumo de pollos de granja podría inducir a la homosexualidad y la calvicie, fue tema de debates en República Dominicana hace 34 años, cuando el diputado reformista por Santiago, Andrés Mendoza Pepín, hizo una advertencia similar.

[Bolivia]
Bolivia president under fire for linking chicken to deviance
Bolivian President Evo Morales was under fire on Wednesday for suggesting that eating hormone-injected chicken could provoke male deviance at a global climate change summit.
[Documento] Carta a Evo Morales del Colectivo TLGB Bolivia
Aseguran los gays: El pollo no es el culpable de la homosexualidad
Comunidad Gay boliviana está indignada con Mandatario Evo Morales
Morales, pollos y Coca-Cola
[Editorial] Pobre vocero
Opinion: …de granja
Las comunidades homosexuales y avicultores critican dichos de Evo
“Un jefe de Estado no puede ser tan ignorante ni homofóbico” como Evo
[Editorial] El discurso del Presidente
Colectivos gays exigen una "rectificación" y Greenpeace salva parte de su discurso
Palabras de Evo Morales cosechan burlas y críticas en España
[Opinion] Algunos activistas padecen paranoia
Chicken Makes You Gay and Other Food Wisdom From Bolivian President Evo Morales
Las declaraciones de Morales son trasnochadas y absurdas, dicen homosexuales peruanos
[Blog/Commentary] Does Hormone-Hopped Chicken Make You Gay?