Gay Web Sites under Threat of a New Law in Belarus

A new law forces gay sites to emigrate out of the .By domain name

The editors of the main LGBT websites in Belarus have already registered new domain names outside Belarus in fears that a new law would prevent them to be accessible via their usual .by adress.

Belarus officials fear promotion of gay lifestyle at Elton John gig

Officials in Belarus have asked the organizers of an upcoming Elton John concert in Minsk to prevent the promotion of homosexuality.

Slavic Gay Pride March in Minsk met by Police Violence + photo

Minsk finally had its non authorized gay pride march on Saturday afternoon at 2.30 pm local time. For around 10 minutes, a group of approximately 40 Russians and Belarusians walked 400 meters in the center of the city waiving a 12 meters long rainbow flag. But while the event was going on peacefully, the Pride marchers were met by several vans full of anti riot police at the first crossing point.

Opening ceremony of Slavic Pride in Minsk met homophobic resistance [photo]

At the place of opening a gay parade in Minsk gathered from 30 to 50 people chanting slogans against the gay parade.

The first ever LGBT camp is to take place in Belarus

The first ever LGBT camp named “Legal and organisational issues and HIV organisation” will take in Belarus . More than 40 people from all the regions of the country will participate in this project. They are representing various groups and organisations that work with homosexual and transsexual people in the field of HIV prevention, which is going to become the major discussion topic along with analyses of national and international legislation and its practical use in communication with government authorities.

Month Against Homophobia will take place in Belarus for the third time

From 17 April to 17 May 2010, a human rights information campaign known as “Month Against Homophobia” will take place in Belarus for the third year running. During this month, a number of Belarusian initiative groups and organisations will hold a series of events aiming to inform the people of Belarus about the LGBT community and issues that homosexuals face in every day life.

Belarus in the Greenwood Encyclopedia of LGBT Issues Worldwide

The chapter on Belarus was included in the Greenwood Encyclopedia of LGBT Issues Worldwide published earlier this year. The three volumes account for more than 1300 pages of important and timely information. This set has an ambitious scope with the goal of offering the most up-to-date international overview of key issues in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Eighty-two countries are represented. Belarus chapter was written by Viachaslau Bortnik, Belarusian human rights defender and LGBT activist.

Descending on Saalbach, Austria; Europe's Sexiest Ski Town

It's a happy fact that the award winning ski town of Saalbach, Austria plays host to the 2010 EuroSki Pride ski week. A modern and stylish resort with a host of gay friendly venues, there's much to do even for non-skiers and as for fans of boarding and skiing the resort offers a layout of over 200 kilometres of well prepared ski slopes, 55 modern cable cars and lifts. And your lips whisper a silent; geeeeee!

3 activists were sentenced to pay penalty for participating in a humanistic action near the Embassy of Iran in Minsk

On Wednesday, December 23, in a court of Soviet region of Minsk a took place a judicial process over Sergey Androsenko and Sergey Praded for taking part in an action for defense of Iranian gays sentenced to death. Participants got a penalty at the rate of Br 875 000 (211 euro) andBr 350 000 (85 euro) for taking part in not authorized picket action.

Tyranny and Homophobia of Grodno Police

Two residents of Grodno addressed the Chief of Police of Grodno Octiabrski district and the Office of Public Prosecutor with the request to investigate the unlawful behavior of the police officers. The incident took place on the 18th of October 2009 near “Flint” Club and later at Octiabrski Police Department.

The journalists who illuminate LGBT topics in Belarus were awarded “Pierrot” premium

October 14th 2009. Minsk. At the “Minsk” Hotel of the Belarusian capital the ceremony of “Pierrot” premium took place. This premium acknowledges the works of the journalists who add to the development of the tolerant attitude, decrease of homophobia and homosexual discrimination in the society. The premium was nominated in Belarus for the first time and it has become a symbol of acknowledgement of the journalistic work and professionalism in advocating the rights of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people and in informing the population about the problems of LGBT community. More>>>

In Belarus will hand over awards to journalists for advocacy  the rights and informing  population about homosexuals life

The Belarussian portal Gay.by and Belarusian initiative by sexual and gender equality has announced for the first time in 2009 the awarding of the Belarusian professional premium for the journalists who illuminate LGBT topics. More>>>

LGBT-Conference against Homophobia Held in Minsk

Several activists of Belarusian Association of Journalists took part in the 5th LGBT-conference under the title of "The LGBT-movement and NGOs. Perspectives of cooperation with the Third Sector and Active Civil Community for the Sake of Eliminating Homophobia in Belarus," held under the auspices of IDAHO – in Miensk on September 26, 2009. MORE>>>

More than a half of gays and lesbians in Belarus want to leave their country

About a half of visitors of Gay.by who were participating in the survey on the topic «Have you ever thought of leaving Belarus because of homophobia?» have answered yes. Moreover a fifth of participants are ready to do so at the first opportunity. In all there were 408 people who took part in the survey.

Research of Stigmatization Index of people living with HIV is being carried out in Belarus for the first time

The research of stigmatization index is being currently carried out for the first time not only in Belarus but also in post-Soviet countries. This project was elaborated by HIV people in order to improve their life conditions by estimating stigmatization in our society.

Fine for using the word «FAG»

We were already writing about the case which was considered in the Court of Pervomaiski district of Minsk and was about the insult and vulgar language of homophobian nature. Recently this case has been finished

The first Family Camp for People living with HIV and their families was held in Belarus

The first family camp for people living with HIV and their families was held in Belarus . Among the participants there were the HIV residents from Mozyr, Minsk , Bobruisk and Svetlogorsk, reports hiv.by.

Andrey Cherkas “I am happy to have represented Belarus !”

On the way from Oslo to Minsk at the international airport of Riga the correspondent of gay.by managed to record an express interview with Andrey Cherkas, the Belarusian participant of the contest «Mister Gay Europe – 2009», which was held in the capital of Norway from 19 till 23 of August 2009.

There can appear a Health Centre for men having sex with other men and “ Social ” Hotel in Belarus

The Chief of Republican Social Youth Community “Meeting”, Oleg Eremin said in the interview for Gay.by, that there can appear in Belarus a Health Centre for men having sex with other men and “Social” Hotel for those of them who found themselves in a difficult situation.

The preparation for the International LGBT conference continues in Minsk

In Minsk there continues the preparation for the international conference «LGBT-movement and non-state organizations. The perspectives of the cooperation with non-state organizations sector and active civil society for overcoming homophobia in Belarus ». The conference is planned for 26 th of September in Minsk .

Gay Parade in Minsk won't be allowed. Is it really so ?

Next year gay parade is planned to be held in Minsk. Some public figures already state that the authorities won't let such an event happen. Orthodox Christians are categorically against such a parade. Nevertheless some gay-activists are sure that gay-parade will take place in the Belarusian capital. What are the chances of such an activity and what are the problems that both the opponents might face? These issues we have tried to analyze in this material.

Research of Stigmatization Index of people living with HIV is being carried out in Belarus for the first time

The research of stigmatization index is being currently carried out for the first time not only in Belarus but also in post-Soviet countries. This project was elaborated by HIV people in order to improve their life conditions by estimating stigmatization in our society.

Igor Rybin, MD of Belarusian Medical Academy of Post-Graduates claims: “Homosexual behaviour turns people into beasts”

Igor Rybin, associate professor of physiotherapy and balneology department at Belarussian Medical Academy of Post-Graduates, MD, considers that homosexuality leads to bestiality, pedophilia and necrophilia. He also thinks that demographical problems of Slavic nations are connected with the fact that homosexuality aims at coming in these countries disguised as democracy and freedom.

Hunt for gunman after killings at gay club in Tel Aviv

Andrey Cherkas will present Belarus at competition Mr. the Gay Europe [photo]

Historical flag to Mr. Gay Europe

Black men at higher risk of HIV

Research has suggested that black men have an increased risk of HIV due to having fewer partners to choose from. Previous research has shown that there is racial disparity in rates of HIV infections, with black Americans accounting for nearly half of all HIV/AIDS cases diagnosed in 2006 - four times the national average.

Lithuanian President blocks homophobic law

Gays meet Obama at White House

Belarusian Opposition does not want Gays at its Chernobyl Remembrance March

The Chernobyl remembrance march is one of the only public events allowed by the Belarusian authorities in which the political opposition can take part. Freedom of Assembly is almost non existing in a country that the US diplomacy portray as the “last European dictatorship”.

Here comes the second annual campaign “Month against Homophobia” in Belarus

It is going to be two years on end when Belarusian enterprising LGBT-groups are carrying on a campaign to resist homophobia and homosexual discrimination in Belarus. The campaign “Month against Homophobia” will be conducted from the 17th of April till the 17th of May in Minsk, Grodno and Luninets.