News » International
'For the Very First Time I Really Enjoyed Sex!' How Lesbian Escort Agencies Became a Form of Self-care in Japan
Rezu fūzoku, which roughly translates to "lesbian sexual entertainment," refers to agencies where female sex workers provide sex to female clients. And in Japan, it's entirely legal.
Russian Police Raid Moscow Nightclubs in LGBTQ+ Crackdown
Russian police raided several bars and nightclubs across Moscow on Saturday as part of the government's crackdown on "LGBTQ+ propaganda," state media reported.
Diversity Makes Berlin's Christmas Markets Gay
Berlin's LGBTQ+ community is one of the biggest in the country, so it comes as no surprise that its Christmas markets include a LGBTQ+ one offering rainbow pierogi and entertainment by drag queens.
The World Gets Its First Glimpse Inside Notre Dame Cathedral after 5 Years Under Wraps
The transformation is nothing short of breathtaking: Light dances across brilliant stone, gilded accents gleam anew, and the iconic monument's majesty is reborn.
Notre Dame Primps for Its Grand Post-Blaze Return. But Why Does the Cathedral Look Unfinished?
The bells of Notre Dame are chiming again, but scaffolding still clinging to the cathedral's exterior is puzzling some Parisians, who question whether its grand post-blaze reopening is more symbolic than substantive.
'AI Jesus' Avatar Tests Man's Faith in Machines and the Divine
Would you trust an "AI Jesus" with your innermost thoughts and troubles?
Hong Kong's Top Court Rules in Favor of Equal Inheritance and Housing Benefits for Same-Sex Couples
Hong Kong's top court upheld earlier rulings that favored subsidized housing benefits and equal inheritance rights for same-sex married couples, in a landmark victory for the city's LGBTQ+ community.
Moscow Bans Adoption of Russian Children to Countries that Allow Gender Transition
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed into law a bill banning adoption of Russian children by citizens of countries where gender transitioning is legal.
Rainbow-Laden Revelers Hit Copacabana Beach for Rio de Janeiro's Pride Parade
Thousands of revelers gathered alongside Copacabana beach for Rio de Janeiro's annual pride parade on Sunday, many scantily dressed and covered in glitter.
Russian Lawmakers Endorse Bill to Ban Adoptions by Gender-Transition Countries
Russia's upper house of parliament on Wednesday endorsed a bill banning adoption of Russian children by citizens of countries where gender transitioning is legal.
Streaming Service Mubi Cancels Entire Film Festival after Turkey Bans Gay Drama 'Queer' at Last Moment
The arthouse streaming company Mubi said it has canceled an entire film festival it was planning in Turkey after the country's authorities banned a screening of the upcoming gay drama "Queer."
Recent Violence on the Rise Against LGBTQ+ Individuals in the Once Accepting Ivory Coast
Young people who identified in the LGBTQ+ community had generally felt safe going on same-sex dates in Abidjan. Recently, this seems to have changed with a slew of intolerant social media posts arising, fueling acts of violence in the street.
Argentine Prosecutors Charge 3 People Linked to the Death of Former One Direction Star Liam Payne
Three people have been charged in connection with the death of Liam Payne, a former member of musical group One Direction who died after falling from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires last month, Argentine prosecutors said Thursday.
As Mexicans Celebrate Day of the Dead, They Grapple With What It Means to Hold on to Tradition
It's midnight on the fringes of Mexico City, and the San Gregorio Pantheon is not just alive, it's booming.
A Second High Court Rules that Japan's Ban on Same-Sex Marriage is Unconstitutional
A second Japanese high court ruled Wednesday that the government's policy against same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, the latest in a series of decisions upholding plaintiffs' demands for marriage equality.
Thousands Gather for Colorful Celebration at Taiwan Pride Parade
Thousands gathered on the streets of Taipei on Saturday for the Taiwan Pride parade, one of Asia's largest annual celebrations of inclusivity.
7 Charged in Cyberbullying Campaign Targeting Paris Olympics' Artistic Director
French authorities said Friday they have charged seven individuals in connection with a cyberbullying campaign targeting Thomas Jolly, the artistic director behind the Paris Olympics' opening and closing ceremonies.
Pakistan Police Arrest 3 Men who Stabbed and Killed 2 Transgender Women at their Home
Pakistan's police arrested three men on suspicion of killing two transgender women with daggers at their home in the country's conservative northwest, police said on Wednesday.
2 Transgender Women Stabbed to Death at Home in Northwest Pakistan
Two men armed with daggers killed two transgender women at their home in conservative northwest Pakistan overnight before fleeing the scene, police said, a sign of increasing violence against trans people in the country.
Italy Expands its Ban on Surrogacy to Overseas as Critics Say it Targets Same-Sex Couples
Italy on Wednesday criminalized citizens who go abroad to have children through surrogacy, a measure slammed by opponents as "medieval" and discriminatory to same-sex couples.