[Malta]
Trans woman's marriage bid appealed by Attorney General
The Attorney General in Malta has appealed a court decision that allows a trans woman, Ms Joanne Cassar, the right to marry a man, reports the Times of Malta.
Court: Attorney General appeals decree giving transsexual the right to marry

[India]
Aravani beaten up by police at Marina
In seemingly hardwired khaki insensitivity and brutality towards the third gender, a young aravani was verbally abused and beaten up by four police personnel on the sands of the Marina on Tuesday.
Recounting her ordeal to Express, Sabitha (21) of Choolaimedu, said four aravanis had come down from Mumbai to visit her and she took them to the Marina Beach on Tuesday.
Transgender alleges harassment by police

[Bangladesh]
Hermaphrodite beaten to death in city
A hermaphrodite died and six others were injured allegedly after being beaten up by a mob in the city's Badda area yesterday.
Following the death of Papia, 32, more than a hundred hermaphrodites staged a demonstration protesting the murder and demanded punishment to the killers.

[Cambodia]
Groundbreaking report looks at LGBT Cambodians
The Cambodian Center for Human Rights released a groundbreaking report on the 9 December titled "Coming Out in the Kingdom: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People in Cambodia."

[Thailand] [Film]
Film board bans 'Insects in the Backyard'
The Culture Ministry's National Film Board yesterday banned the controversial gay-themed Thai film "Insects in the Backyard".
Of the 21 board members, 13 voted against the movie because they felt it was immoral and pornographic.
Only three members thought it should be approved.
Thailand bans 'immoral' transgender film
Thailand bans transgender film after director declines to cut 'immoral' scenes

[Australia]
Brain gene makes a female develop as a male
Australian scientists have discovered that changes to a gene involved in brain development can lead to testis formation and male genitalia in an otherwise female embryo.

[USA] [Commentary]
Let's Talk about "Tranny" - Media Criticisms
This is part two in a three part series. You may want to read part one first, which details the meanings and associations of the term "tranny" when used as a slur. Understanding those meanings provides useful background for understanding the implications of the term in other contexts.

[USA] [Commentary]
Why the “T” is Also Important
With the repeal of the abominable “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy comes some well deserved celebration. Yet in the midst of all of this we must remember that still not everybody has an equal right to serve our country. The policy and therefore the repeal covers Gays, Lesbians and Bisexual individuals but not the Transgendered.

[USA] [Commentary]
Autumn Sandeen On The DADT That Forgot Me
President Obama has signed the repeal of DADT into law. Gee, sure is funny I don't hear cries of 'crumbs' emanating from the predominately vanilla flavored GL peanut gallery aimed at the POTUS since that historic vote happened.
But while the GL community is celebrating their early civil rights Christmas present today, the trans community is still dealing with conflicting emotions.

[MI, USA]
Righting wrongs
As a transgender woman, Denise Brogan-Kator experienced injustices no lawyer could fix. Now she's a lawyer and an advocate.

[MI/NC, USA]
Woman Charged With Killing Transgender Brother's Fiancée
A North Carolina community college teacher is accused of murdering her transgender brother's fiancée, having driven 600 miles last week to do so, according to police in Livonia, Mich.

[Brazil]
Brazil creates national council to protect LGBTs
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Human Rights Secretary Paulo Vannuchi signed a decree Dec. 9 creating the National LGBT Council.
The document says the council's purpose is to "formulate and propose guidelines for government actions, at the national level, aimed at combating discrimination and promoting and defending the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transvestites and transsexuals."