[Europe]
President of the European Parliament and MEPs pledge support for LGBT rights
EU Parliament president Martin Schulz supports trans rights: “I pledge to call for explicit recognition of the rights of transgender people in EU law, including by ensuring adequate coverage of transgender people in future EU gender equality legislation and policy and by closely monitoring implementation of the Gender Equality Directives with regard to their coverage of transgender people.”
Check out whether your MEP is amongst them.

[Portugal]
Transsexualidade exige intervenção multidisciplinar
A transsexualidade é um dos temas em debate no 13º Congresso Português de Endocrinologia, que começa amanhã, em Coimbra – e terminando no sábado –, reforçando a necessidade da multidisciplinaridade no apoio aos utentes nesta área. “O simpósio tem como objectivo contribuir para a formação e divulgação desta entidade clínica junto dos médicos", disse hoje à Lusa a presidente da comissão organizadora do Congresso, Margarida Bastos.

[España]
Nicky, el gijonés de «Gran hermano», pierde la vista de un ojo tras recibir una paliza
R. G. Nicky Villanueva, el concursante gijonés de la sexta edición de «Gran hermano», ha quedado ciego de un ojo como consecuencia de la brutal paliza recibida en el mes de noviembre a las puertas de un bar de la ciudad, tal y como confirmó ayer el propio afectado en conversación telefónica con este periódico. Villanueva comenzó a ser conocido tras participar en la sexta edición del concurso de telerrealidad que emitió la cadena de Mediaset en el año 2004.
Transexual de Big Brother espanhol perde olho em briga

[Pakistan]
Despite issues, transgenders celebrate voting rights
Transgenders took a giant leap towards becoming fully fledged citizens of the land as voter registration for the community began in Punjab. They were also issued with Computerised National Identity Cards (CNIC) by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
Transvestites get CNICs of their own
Eunuchs registration starts at ECP office
ECP starts enrolment of third gender in voter lists
NADRA starts eunuchs’ registration

[India]
Students, NGO raise money to help transgender community
In an attempt to help the transgender community become financially independent, students of Ramjas College, organised a two-day yard sale. The proceeds will be used for the welfare of the transgender community.

[New Zealand/Australia]
Wellington remembers Carmen
Former friends, admirers and people from all walks of life who encountered Carmen in her Wellington days have gathered to pay their respects to the late diva at a memorial service in Wellington, where Georgina Beyer made the call to current politicians present “no statue to Blanket Man, yes to Carmen”.
Memories of Carmen: Dana de Milo

[Canada]
Girl Guides of Canada considering transgender members
The historic Girl Guides of Canada is wrestling with a very modern question: Whether to allow transgender girls — children who were born male but identify as girls — into their troops.

[Canada]
Rae Spoon: Powerful album reignites the pronoun debate
You could say that Rae Spoon’s year began with a battle.
In reaction to Xtra’s refusal to refer to transgendered comic artist Elisha Lim as Lim’s preferred “they” in an article and because Xtra editor Danny Glenwright used trans woman Lexi Sanfino’s legal name on his Facebook page, Spoon wrote a lengthy, personal, articulate Tumblr post entitled Instead Of An Interview With Xtra.
The Montreal-based transgendered electronic pop maker, who also prefers the plural pronoun, even gave up a cover on Capital Xtra after Xtra refused to issue an apology.
Spoon CD early 2012 must-have

[AZ, USA]
Walmart employee who stole $45K for sex-change operation gets probation
One of the two people who pleaded guilty to stealing $45,000 from a Walmart to pay for a sex change operation and a car on Monday was sentenced to seven years' probation in Yavapai County Superior Court.

[CA, USA]
Online Extra: Political Notes: Milk Club set to elect drag queen president
Should the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club elect Anna Conda as its first drag queen president Tuesday night as expected, it will herald another milestone in the meteoric rise of the late-night leader within the city's progressive political circles.

[CA, USA]
Assembly Member Mary Hayashi Introduces LGBT Specialty License Plate Legislation
Funds from sales of California's first LGBT license plate will support anti-bullying programs.

[DC, USA]
Prostitution Proposal Sparks Debate
Councilmember Alexander's bill to make prostitution-free zones permanent draws both sides to heated hearing
Our Testimony in Opposition to Permanent “Prostitution Free” Zones

[ID, USA]
Activists to join statewide vigil for equal rights
“Add the Words” activists will hold candlelight vigils in towns across the state Jan. 28 in support of including gay and transgendered individuals in Idaho’s Human Rights Act. The Nampa contingent will begin at 6 p.m. near the fountain at 2nd Street South and 12th Avenue.
Anti-discrimination campaign comes to Cd'A

[MA, USA]
Massachusetts Governor Holds Public Ceremony for Transgender Equal Rights Bill
This guest post comes from David Wilson of the HRC Boston Steering Committee:

[MD, USA]
LGBT Rights Advocates Gather In Baltimore
Thousands began to gather in Baltimore on Wednesday for the 24th annual Conference on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality, which is considered one of the biggest gatherings in the nation for LGBT rights advocates.

[TN, USA]
Ignoring Critics, Floyd Repeats Threat Against Transgender People
Gov. Bill Haslam seems sympathetic to fears that anti-gay rhetoric and bills in the legislature could lead to more harassment and violence against GLBT people in Tennessee. Asked at a news conference today whether he shares that concern, the governor said:

[TN, USA]
Father of Matthew Shepard says Tennessee legislation could be harm to gays
The father of slain gay college student Matthew Shepard said Wednesday he is disturbed by legislation in Tennessee that would ban public schools from teaching about gay issues
Matthew Shepard's father urges TN lawmakers to resist gay bills
Haslam: Legislature Shouldn’t Prioritize Bills Seen as Hostile to Gays
Anti-gay bill and Rep. Richard Floyd's remarks draw fire in Nashville

[SC, USA]
Bill would bar prisons from paying for inmate sex changes
A recently proposed bill would bar South Carolina prison officials from paying for inmates to undergo sex-change surgeries.

[TX, USA]
Transgender widow sentenced to 50 days in jail
A Houston judge has sentenced the transgender widow of a fallen firefighter to almost two months in jail after she pleaded guilty to theft involving a wristwatch.
Transgendered widow pleads guilty to stealing Rolex
Firefighter’s transgendered widow sentenced to jail for Rolex theft

[UT, USA]
Harrisville becomes 14th Utah locale to ban anti-gay bias
As two lawmakers ready to push a statewide law that would ban discrimination against gay and transgender Utahns, one more local government has passed such protections.

[WA, USA]
Ingersoll Gender Center Introduces Vocational Support Program
Ingersoll Gender Center announces a new support group for people in the Transgender community who want to find work or improve their career. Seattle Transgender Economic Empowerment Project (STEEP), a program of Ingersoll Gender Center, will meet twice monthly, on the first and third Thursdays. We will address issues related to the challenging job market.

[Brazil]
Sao Paulo Metro launches campaign to combat homophobia
The Brazilian State of São Paulo in partnership with the São Paulo City Metro (Underground) launched yesterday a campaign to combat homophobia entitled: “See beyond prejudice. Respect differences.”

[Colombia]
Uma transexual na política colombiana
É a primeira vez que uma transexual ocupa um cargo político na Colômbia. Com 34 anos, Tatiana Piñeros faz história ao mesmo tempo que gere seis mil funcionários e um orçamento de milhões de euros.