Russia President Vladimir Putin has refused to confirm a meeting with Elton John, with the Kremlin claiming they have not received an official invitation, Gay Star News reported. The openly gay star defied protests and performed two concerts in the country last year amid the controversy over the country's law banning the promotion of homosexuality. Even though John had said in recent interviews he had asked for a meeting with Putin, press secretary Dmitry Peskov has reportedly said a meeting is unlikely to happen.
In a historic announcement, U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice announced a $2.7-million partnership between the U.S. Agency for International Development ( USAID ) and the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce ( NGLCC ) to encourage and support LGBT business owners and entrepreneurs in developing countries, according to a press release. The initiative creates an avenue for U.S. businesses to become trading and strategic partners with LGBT owners in program countries Mexico, Colombia and Peru. It also will encourage program country businesses to serve as suppliers to multinational corporations, in-country companies and government agencies.
Gay UK singer Will Young was the victim of homophobia in London—at the same time the UK capital celebrated gay pride, according to Gay Star News. 'Would you believe on the day of Gay Pride I have been the victim of homophobia. I am SO mad. #pride2014,' tweeted the singer, 35. He added, "I shower love on the ignorant, hope for the bigots and light into the dark crevices [of] their unfortunate minds."
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has announced his support for the gay-rights movement, reversing his previous stance, according to Pink News. Berlusconi, who has always previously opposed extending rights to same-sex couples, has now declared that it is "everyone's responsibility" to fight for gay rights. The move comes after the politician's current girlfriend Francesca Pascale and Vittorio Feltri—who runs a newspaper Berlusconi owns—both joined the gay-rights group Arcigay.
Same-sex couples will still be able to enter into civil partnerships in the United Kingdom, but straight couples are still banned from the legal union, according to Gay Star News. And following a consultation, the UK government has announced the date couples in civil partnerships are able to convert their unions into marriage: Dec. 10. More than 120,000 people have entered into a civil partnership since it was made law in 2004.
Thousands gathered in Kingston, Jamaica, to show support for the country's strict sodomy law, which prohibits same-sex intercourse, according to Chinatopix.com . The protest was organized by a local church group called Jamaica Churches Action Uniting Society, gathering approximately 25,000 people to take a stand against what religious leaders have termed a "homosexual agenda." LGBT-rights advocate Maurice Tomlinson stated that the rally could not have come at a worse time as violence against LGBT people in Jamaica has been on the rise lately, and mobs have even gathered to attack LGBT individuals.
Mexican actor Diego Luna is speaking out against anti-gay chants during World Cup matches, The Latin Post noted. Fox News Latino reported that the award-winning actor ( Y Tu Mama Tambien ) said it is regrettable that homophobic terms like "puto," a common cry heard at Mexico's soccer stadiums, are used to insult players during games. FIFA recently decided that Mexico's soccer federation no longer faces potential fines over its fans' use of the insult during goal kicks. The Netherlands defeated Mexico two to one on June 29, knocking the country out of the World Cup competition.
Lord Mayor of London Fiona Woolf welcomed actor Sir Ian McKellen as a guest of honor to a Pride in London gala, according to Pink News. Woolf hosted the dinner at Mansion House, and noted in her keynote address that homophobia is still prevalent in the city, but that diversity must be accepted if businesses are to thrive. She also announced that McKellen will receive the Freedom of the City later in 2014. The actor was also made an honorary doctor of letters by Cambridge University.
Singapore's National Council of Churches ( NCCS ) urged Christians to show restraint in engaging with the LGBTI community, according to Gay Star News. The announcement came as the city-state prepared to hold the LGBTI pride Pink Dot festival ( which drew a record 26,000 people ). However, in urging Christians to be graceful in their approach to LGBTI people, the council also reaffirmed its view that people who are transgender or engage in same-sex relationships are sinning.
The owner of a gay sauna in south London has told a coroner that its drug searches have become "more aggressive" following several fatal overdoses, Pink News reported. Among recent deaths, Konstantinos Bampatzis was found dead in a locked private room at Pleasuredrome in Waterloo after taking mephedrone and GHB in 2012. The coroner said, in part, that it was "possible" the sauna's zero-tolerance policy to drugs was not being implemented "aggressively" enough at the time, but was assured changes had been made.
The African country of Gambia has revealed a new bill to ban all LGBT individuals and charities, Gay Star News reported. Secretary General and Minister for Presidential Affairs Momodou Sabally has said a bill has been submitted to parliament, saying it will "strengthen" Gambian culture. If the bill passes in parliament, it is likely President Yahya Jammeh will support it.
An Iranian lesbian has said the country's authorities tried to force her into having gender-reassignment surgery to "fix" her sexuality, according to Pink News. The woman, known as Sara, said she was ordered to undergo the "treatment" by a psychologist after coming out to her family at age 20. A report from Justice for Iran and 6 Rang stated that Sara's practice is common, and lesbians are regularly told to undergo gender-reassignment surgery.
Legislation that would recognize gay and lesbian couples with civil unions was introduced in the Italian Senate, according to On Top Magazine. MP Monica Cirinna, a member of Italy's Democratic Party ( Partito Democratico ), introduced the measure June 24. The bill would also create a "cohabitation contract" with limited benefits available to same-sex and opposite-sex couples.
Opera Australia has announced the replacement for a singer dropped over an anti-gay rant on her Facebook page, according to Pink News. Georgia-born soprano Tamar Iveri had been rehearsing for Opera Australia's upcoming performance of Othello, but attracted criticism after the message surfaced online. The rant, addressed to the Georgian president, read in part: "I was quite proud of the fact how Georgian society spat at the [pride] parade, organized by your team." Armenian soprano Lianna Haroutounian has been announced as the singer's replacement.
Players from Sweden's Kiruna IF ice-hockey club will wear uniforms decked out in the colors of the gay pride flag for the next 12 months in a bid to become the first sporting association to receive certification from the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights, according to Gay Star News. Kiruna's participation in the process has been welcomed by the Swedish Ice Hockey Association for pushing its core value that anyone who wants to participate in ice hockey should be allowed to do so on equal terms and with the proper respect.
