Nine trans women arrested in Indonesia for cross-dressing

Nine transgender women have been arrested for cross-dressing in Indonesia’s Islamic Aceh province, according to the state-owned Antara news agency.

Some of the women were detained in the beauty salons where they work in the city of Meulaboh, after they were reported by local residents who suspected them of prostitution. Others were picked up at a contraceptive store.

‘They, these transgenders, were caught for violating Islamic Sharia law, but they are not violating Qanun Aceh (local bylaw),’ head of West Aceh Sharia police Ika Suhannas said on Monday (21 September).

‘After we caught them and checked their identity, we allowed them to return to their hometowns.’

No evidence of sex work was found.

Cross-dressing is not illegal in Indonesia and some public tolerance is given to transgender people working in beauty salons. However, there are no laws protecting transgender people from discrimination or harassment.

Aceh is the only province in the Muslim-majority country that has Sharia law and gay sex is punishable there by up to 100 lashes and up to 100 months in prison.

Police warned the women to start dressing in men’s clothing and stop working in beauty salons.

‘Their activities caused public unrest because they hung out until midnight wearing female outfits even when they’re male. These activities caused public unrest and residents told us to take action,’ Suhannas said.

h/t: Rappler

The post Nine trans women arrested in Indonesia for cross-dressing appeared first on Gay Star News.

Darren Wee

www.gaystarnews.com/article/nine-trans-women-arrested-in-indonesia-for-cross-dressing/

Prince William Speaks Out Against Anti-LGBT Bullying

In what is apparently a first for the royal family of the United Kingdom, Prince William has spoken out strongly against homophobia.

Attending an antibullying workshop at a British school Monday, the prince (pictured above) said that if he witnessed anti-LGBT bullying, he would comfort the victim and confront the attacker, U.K. website Pink News reports.

“Referring to a chart of how to tackle homophobia, he said: ‘I would start on that side [comfort the victim] and end up here [confront the bully],’” the site reports.

Members of the royal family have historically avoided discussing LGBT issues, Pink News notes, partly because 90 percent of the population of the British Commonwealth lives under some form of anti-LGBT law. The commonwealth is a voluntary association of 53 independent nations, many of which were once British colonies. No royal has even spoken in support of same-sex marriage, which is legal in most of the U.K.

Accompanying Prince William to the Hammersmith Academy were Education Secretary and Equalities Minister Nicky Morgan and staff of the Diana Award, named for the prince’s late mother. Staff members run antibullying workshops around the nation.

“Though the comments may seem minor, they are a strong statement of intent from the future Monarch — who may one day be charged with deciding to ‘confront’ anti-gay leaders from across the Commonwealth,” Pink News reports. William, who holds the title Duke of Cambridge, is second in line for the British throne. His father, Prince Charles, Duke of Windsor, is first.

The site also notes that while in the Royal Air Force, William served with a transgender pilot.

Trudy Ring

www.advocate.com/world/2015/9/21/prince-william-speaks-out-against-anti-lgbt-bullying

Man tries to marry Jesus at Kim Davis’ office, gets rejected

No have couples have been denied a marriage license in Rowan County, Kentucky since Clerk Kim Davis was jailed for turning away gay couples two weeks ago.

Well, except for one man who tried to marry Jesus.

‘The only denial of a marriage license application that has occurred within the last two weeks was to a gentleman who stated that he wanted a license that would permit him to marry “Jesus,”‘ according to a status report one of Davis’ deputy clerks submitted to a federal judge on Monday (21 September).

‘When it was explained to the individual that both parties had to be present, he stated, “Jesus is always present.”

‘After being denied, the gentleman returned later and presented a type of power of attorney document issued by his church granting him authority to sign “Jesus’” name. Since both parties were not present these requests were denied.’

No information about the man was given in the report.

The post Man tries to marry Jesus at Kim Davis’ office, gets rejected appeared first on Gay Star News.

Darren Wee

www.gaystarnews.com/article/man-tries-to-marry-jesus-at-kim-davis-office-gets-rejected/