Last Updated Jun 25, 2017 4:48 PM EDT ISTANBUL -- Turkish police stopped activists for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex rights from gathering in large numbers for LGBT pride in Istanbul on Sunday, but smaller groups made impromptu press statements defying a ban imposed by the governor.Organizers of the 2017 Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride had vowed to march in central Taksim Square, using a Turkish hashtag for "we march," despite the ban on gay pride observances ordered by the Istanbul governor's office for the third year in a row.Police established checkpoints in the area, preventing groups from entering Istiklal Avenue and turning back individuals who were deemed to be associated with the planned march. Small groups assembled on side streets were chased away by officers.At least a hundred protesters gathered in a nearby neighborhood, beating drums and chanting slogans such as, "Don't be quiet, shout out, gays exist!" and "Love, love, freedom, State, stay away!" They carried a banner … [Read more...] about CBS News Logo Turkish police shut down LGBT pride march in Istanbul
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CBS News Logo Turkish police arrest dozens at Istanbul’s banned LGBT pride event
ISTANBUL -- At least 44 people were detained during a march for LGBT rights that the governor of Istanbul had banned, Turkey's state-run news agency reported Monday, while Europe's top human rights organization criticized the country for barring the event for a third year running. Anadolu Agency said 20 people who "reacted against" the march were among those detained Sunday. Ultranationalist and religious groups had threatened the 15th Istanbul LGBTI+ Pride March in the week leading up to it. Organizers said 25 people who tried to go on with the banned event were also detained, including two minors and a Danish activist. They were released after questioning. The governor's office banned Pride for the third year in a row, citing safety and public order grounds. It also listed "serious reactions by different segments of society" as a reason for the ban. Police set up checkpoints to prevent people from entering Istanbul's main thoroughfare and marching en masse. Police also used tear gas … [Read more...] about CBS News Logo Turkish police arrest dozens at Istanbul’s banned LGBT pride event
CBS News Logo Rights group urges China to stop LGBT “conversion” therapy
HONG KONG -- The Chinese government should stop hospitals and other medical facilities from subjecting LGBT people to conversion therapy that in some cases has involved electroshock, involuntary confinement and forced medication, a human rights group said Wednesday. LGBT in China: Living the lie The report released by New York-based Human Rights Watch, based on interviews with 17 people subjected to the widely criticized techniques since 2009, comes as awareness has grown in China regarding the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Homosexuality was removed from China's official list of mental illnesses more than 15 years ago, but stories of families enrolling relatives in treatments seeking to change their sexual orientation remain common. Yang Teng, a Chinese gay rights activist, said a staff member at a private clinic in the southwestern city of Chongqing administered an electric shock to his finger as he was told to think about a time he had had sex with a … [Read more...] about CBS News Logo Rights group urges China to stop LGBT “conversion” therapy
CBS News Logo Winter Olympics 2018: Gus Kenworthy embracing LGBT flag-bearer role
PYEONGCHANG, South Korea -- At the Sochi Games, he was the medal-winning athlete who overshadowed that achievement by rescuing five stray dogs. In Pyeongchang, he's vacuuming up attention with his "We're here. We're queer. Get used to it" posts and photos of him kissing skater Adam Rippon, and taking swipes at U.S. Vice President Mike Pence. Eventually, Gus Kenworthy hopes, he'll be talked about more for his skiing, the insane tricks and risks he and other slopestylers take negotiating the big jumps and zany rails of the Olympic course. By vigorously embracing an unofficial role as Olympic flag-bearer for the LGBT community, Kenworthy is edging sport closer to the point where being a gay athlete is no longer even an issue. That, at least, is his plan. But sports' aren't there yet. Proof? Well, for starters: The people who have confided to him at these games that they are gay but haven't yet taken the step he took in 2015 to say so publicly. "That's been insane to me, and I think it … [Read more...] about CBS News Logo Winter Olympics 2018: Gus Kenworthy embracing LGBT flag-bearer role
LGBT students at BYU speak out about lack of inclusion
PROVO, Utah (AP) — At a rare, school-sanctioned event, four LGBT students at Mormon-owned Brigham Young University spoke to about 600 students about what it’s like to reconcile their religious beliefs with sexual identities that don’t fit within the religion’s belief system. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Addison Jenkins, who spoke at the first LGBT campus forum last year, said the school took a step forward Thursday by hosting the panel. Ben Schilaty, a master’s student, said the university and church need to readjust language and teachings to be inclusive and understanding of the challenges members face. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches same-sex attraction is not a sin, but acting on it is. The school’s stringent Honor Code forbids “all forms of physical intimacy that give expression to homosexual feelings.” Image from Brigham Young University Twitter … [Read more...] about LGBT students at BYU speak out about lack of inclusion