The top international LGBT stories of 2011
As 2011 draws to a close, PinkNews.co.uk takes a look back at the most important stories of the last twelve months.
This year saw real change around the world when it came to LGBT rights. Many political milestones were reached, but as some countries progressed, other states faced international criticism for attempts to restrict their citizens’ rights.
10 – 66 boys in Malaysia sent to “gay cure” camp
A Terengganu state official said in April that 66 boys aged between 13 and 17 were identified by teachers as having “effeminate mannerisms”. They were sent on a “self-development course” in the hope of dissuading them from being gay.
9 – Anton Hysen became the world’s only openly gay professional footballer
8 – Lesbian couple save 40 teenagers in Norway
7 – Australia’s Labor Party changes its platform to support equal marriage
6 – Belgium gets Europe’s first gay male leader
5 – Poland’s first gay and trans MPs are sworn in
4 – Ghana’s minister orders the arrest of all gays
In a further example rights abuses sanctioned at state level, this summer, a Ghanaian minister ordered the arrest of all gays and lesbians in the country’s Western Region. Paul Evans Aidoo directed the Bureau of National Investigations and other agencies to find gay people and bring them before the courts, and called on private citizens to turn gay people in.
3 – 250,000 people condemn St Petersburg’s “gay propaganda” law
A quarter of a million people signed a petition calling on world leaders to hold Russia to account for a draft law in St Petersburg, which threatens to silence its gay community. The draft law would fine the promotion of homosexuality alongside the promotion of paedophilia.
2 – UK says it will direct aid away from governments who fail to recognise gay rights
The move was described as “satanic” by Robert Mugabe, and Ghana said it would “never support” the legalisation of homosexuality amid fiery reactions to the news and concerns that gays would be blamed for cuts in aid.
1 – The UN passes its first-ever resolution on gay rights
If you enjoyed this article on the top stories of 2011, take a look at our lists for the most important events in the USA and the UK, as well as the strangest stories of the year.