Brazilian man becomes first ever person to be “cured” of HIV with medication alone
Source: https://www.gaytimes.co.uk/community/138299...dication-alone/



A 36-year-old Brazilian man has been cleared of HIV following an intensive experimental drug therapy.

The man, who wanted to be referred to as the ‘São Paulo Patient’ to protect his privacy, is the first person in history to maintain long-term HIV remission after being given a year-long course of antiretroviral (ARV) medication.

He received the treatment alongside four other anonymous patients, but is the only one to have been “cured” by the experiment. The researchers, who shared their findings at the virtual International Aids Society conference earlier this week,said further analysis needs to be made before it can officially be classed as a “cure”.

The patient is only the third person to have been “cured” of HIV after Timothy Brown and Adam Castillejo (previously referred to as the ‘London Patient’), who were both cleared of the virus after receiving bone marrow transplants as part of treatment for cancer.

Two months after the São Paulo Patient’s diagnosis, he was put on standard ARV treatment and was enrolled in a clinical trial where he received standard ARTs and HIV drugs dolutegravir and marivoc, as well as nicotinamide, a form of vitamin B.

Nicotinamide has been proven to fight part of the virus that infects cells and causes them to self destruct, as well as activating the immune system. The patient had this therapy for a year and went off treatment in March 2019. He has since been tested every three weeks. One year later, he still has no traces of viral load or any antibodies.

Professor Sharon Lewin, an expert in HIV and infectious diseases at the University of Melbourne who was not involved in the study, said the patient having no antibodies was a significant breakthrough in the fight against HIV.

“When someone is infected with a virus they make antibodies. And antibodies don’t budge, even when you’re on treatment and there’s no detectable viral load. But this showed he had no antibodies which is supportive of him being cured,” she said.

However, Lewin said it is important to remember that this is just one person and the same result did not apply to the three other patients, hence why the findings are being published as a case report rather than an academic paper.

Dr Ricardo Diaz, who led the study at the University of Sao Paolo in Brazil, said he was “trying to wake up the virus” and boost the immune system’s ability to eliminate the cells once they’ve come out into the open.

“We can’t search the entire body, but by the best evidence, we do not have infected cells,” he said. “I think it’s very promising. This patient might be cured.” However, Diaz reiterated that it will take more time to know.

“It’s hard to work out whether this person had the virus under control because we don’t know when he acquired HIV or whether the addition of extra ARVs and nicotinamide made a difference,” added Lewin. “Everyone wants to find a way to allow someone to stop treatment safely. If even three out of 20 patients had the same response to this treatment it would be exciting.”

There are currently 37 million people in the world living with HIV. According to World Health Organisation, 25.6 million of these people reside in Africa, with 3.5 million in East Asia, 3.3 million in the Americas, 2.4 million in Europe, 1.5 million in the Western Pacific and 360,000 in Eastern Mediterranean.

Thai cabinet backs bill allowing same-sex unions
Source: https://mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUS...impression=true



BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's cabinet approved a civil partnership bill on Wednesday that would recognise same-sex unions with almost the same legal rights as married couples, in one of the most liberal moves yet for a largely conservative nation known for its tolerance.

If passed by parliament, the legislation would make Thailand only the second place in Asia to allow registration of same-sex unions, with couples able to adopt a child and afforded rights to inheritance and joint property ownership.

"The Civil Partnership Bill is an important step for Thai society in promoting equal rights and supporting the rights of same-sex couples to build families and live as partners," Ratchada Thanadirek, a deputy government spokeswoman, wrote on Facebook.

The bill, however, stipulates that one party in a same-sex union must be Thai.

A largely conservative Buddhist society, Thailand has a reputation for openness and free-wheeling attitudes.

It has long been a draw for same-sex couples, with a vibrant lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender social scene for locals and expatriates, and targeted campaigns to attract LGBT travellers.

The bill was introduced in 2018 but the previous legislature was unable to pass it before last year's election.

Taiwan last year became the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. Vietnam has decriminalised same-sex weddings but does not recognise unions of the same sex.

Kittinan Daramadhaj, president of Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand, said the bill essentially allows same-sex couples to marry but stops short of calling it a "marriage", which is legally defined as being between a man and woman.

"What's in a name? It's the content that matters," he told Reuters.

"'Civil partnership' shouldn't distract from the fact that it's about the legal registration of unions."

Kittinan said the bill, if passed, would "sufficiently alleviate pains and support the human rights of LGBT people".

A Thai lawmaker representing LGBT groups is pushing separately for marriage to be redefined as being between "two persons".

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Thailand has seen 12 coup-de-tats and still manage to uphold human rights while Malaysia hasn't even done any Parliament sitting since the pandemic began.

This post has been edited by internaldisputes: Jul 9 2020, 12:37 AM

Fearless Malaysian defies hate with fabulous images of the LGBT community
Source: https://coconuts.co/kl/features/out-and-pro...lgbt-community/



To his family, 24-year-old Daniel Adams is just “someone with a camera.” To those who know his work, he is an artist who creates awareness on issues affecting the local LGBT community.

Drawing people in with stunning visual elements, cleverly planned concepts, and heartwarming stories, his pictures are more than just images – they speak to your soul.

“A lot of what people think of the LGBT community is from a lack of education on gender and identity, and it’s important to be able to put out information that is not only beautiful, but also educational in order to teach and educate people about this community and allow them to understand who these people actually are,” he told Coconuts KL in a recent interview.

“I find it ridiculous that you can judge someone’s sexual preferences just because they’re different from yours when it doesn’t affect you at all.”

The KL-born photographer draws inspiration from various sources for his work, including Instagram, music videos, movies, music, and discussions with creative individuals, which helps him stimulate his thoughts.

While he may not be the only photographer addressing controversial topics through photography, Adams appears to be among the rare few in Malaysia zooming in on stories revolving the queer community.

When asked why he chose to work with Malaysia’s LGBT community, Adams explained that he was always surrounded by them, including his time at the United Kingdom’s Falmouth University, where he studied alongside a diverse group of people who had different sexual orientations and were all full of love.

“How can people so loving, so kind, and so beautiful be discriminated against for their sexual preferences?” he asked.

Growing alongside them, Adams became inspired to fight against the stigma they faced, turning that into the motivation for his passion project. Today, he still believes that the community deserves to be respected for who they are.

Keeping the discourse on LGBT alive

Adams also questioned the morals practiced in Malaysia, given that pedophilia and child marriage are rampant and easily overlooked while an individual’s sexual preference is such a big deal.

Questioning those ideas, Adams decided to take it upon himself to educate people. He said that documentaries, while educational, are also usually draggy and dull. Using photography as a medium, he aims to create aesthetically pleasing bodies of work that would not only draw viewers but also educate them about the marginalized community.

Adams said he hopes to get the ball rolling so that discussions can happen. Even when the attention and comments received can be negative, he believes that it was still important to allow people to respond and keep the conversations going so we can all learn why people think and speak the way they do.

“I understand that everyone has their own opinion. But having their opinions being put out there and having it being argued against or agreed with, you can see where different people are coming from and how their backgrounds have shaped the way that they think and that’s just a discussion,” Adams said.

“If the discussion wasn’t happening, there wouldn’t be this level of awareness.”

Negative feedback used to deter Adams from speaking up, but he has since learned to grow a thick skin and use the negative comments as motivation to tell even more stories. Being told not to do something simply makes him want to do it more, he said. Support from his own friends also goes a long way.

“If I didn’t have support, it would be very hard for me to push it forward,” he said.

He later added: “I would probably follow a different route – instead of social media I’d probably go to another platform or contact another artist to collaborate with to create a platform. But then again, I can’t completely say how much different it would be.”

It is incredibly common for netizens to express hatred to those who show support towards marginalized communities, Adams said. Fortunately, his Instagram followers share similar moral values and beliefs. Negative reactions usually take place on Twitter, where his work reaches users who are more conservative.

LGBT hate in Malaysia

Malaysia’s Department of Islamic Development estimated 310,000 citizens in the LGBT community. That’s a fragment of the country’s population of more than 30 million.

While discrimination might not seem prevalent in Malaysia, it’s a different story on social media, where hate speech targeting Malaysia’s queers are rampant. Despite the onslaught of negativity, the LGBT community continues to react with love and positivity, Adams said.

“The more you put out there, the more you speak about it, the more discussions you have, the more people you get telling you their opinions and the more you understand how skewed people’s opinions of the LGBT community are and that just makes it more eye-opening,” he shared.

It’s not easy for a queer person to open up, Adams said. There needs to be a level of trust between him and his subjects, who are mostly his friends. Beyond images, Adams said that he is also capturing their vulnerability, and he understands when some people are simply not ready to come forward.

“They are not scared, they are just not ready to tell so many people their story, which is completely understandable,” Adams said.

“But a lot of the people I surround myself with are extroverts and very willing to advocate for these things so there wasn’t much persuading needed,” he added.

For his most recent project on transgender men, for example, Adams conceptualized it only after he was contacted by a former schoolmate, who had reached out to him with the idea while he was in mid-transition. The opportunity allowed Adams to connect with the local transgender community.

Adams believes that he will never stop creating content for the LGBT community, a topic he said is close to his heart.

“There is always something new to talk and educate people about,” he said, the passion in his eyes shining through.

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LGBT allies are amazing!

Didik transgender ditangkap JAWI
Source: https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2020/07/...-ditangkap-jawi



GOLONGAN transgender yang ditangkap oleh Jabatan Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (JAWI) perlu diberi pendidikan atau tarbiah supaya mereka kembali ke pangkal jalan.

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Hal Ehwal Agama), Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri berkata, Islam adalah agama yang mendidik dan pihaknya tidak mahu golongan transgender ini ditangkap semata-mata tanpa memberikan kesedaran kepada mereka.

"Saya beri lesen penuh kepada semua penguatkuasa JAWI untuk laksanakan fungsi Bahagian Penguatkuasaan JAWI dengan sebaiknya di Wilayah Persekutuan.

"Dengan syarat, patuhi Prosedur Operasi Standard yang ditetapkan. ⁣Kita tidak hanya mahu tangkap semata-mata tetapi yang paling utama adalah tarbiah (pendidikan) dengan cara yang paling berhikmah supaya mereka semua (transgender) kembali ke pangkal jalan.

"Islam adalah agama yang mendidik. Ini perlukan usaha yang bersepadu dari semua agensi di bawah JPM (Hal Ehwal Agama)," katanya dalam Facebook.

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The religious ministry is going to start making the lives of our trans brothers and sisters a lot harder.

This post has been edited by internaldisputes: Jul 10 2020, 04:51 PM

Minister’s nod for authorities to go after trans persons will lead to spike in discrimination, violence, says rights group
Source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/202...o-spike/1883702



KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 — Transgender rights group Justice for Sisters (JFS) lambasted minister Datuk Seri Zulkifli Mohamad for giving Islamic authorities a “full licence” to arrest and “educate” the already persecuted gender minority.

In a statement, JFS said it is already observing concerns from the community over their personal security, safety and well-being, and the remark will have hampered the religious affairs minister’s previous efforts in engaging with trans persons when he was a mufti.

“His statement will increase discrimination, violence and mistreatment of transgender women with impunity by enforcement officers of the Islamic Departments as well as members of the public.

“We are already observing questions and concerns over personal security, safety and well-being by transgender persons across the country since the release of the statement,” JFS said.

It pointed to the Study on Discrimination against Transgender Persons in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor by the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), which revealed that 57 per cent of trans women interviewed had experienced arbitrary arrest based on their gender identity.

JFS said that the study also documented the impact of hostile encounters with the enforcement agencies, which include anxiety, trauma, depression amongst others, with four persons confessing that they have had suicidal thoughts, and one attempting suicide as a result of such encounters.

“The notion that gender identity and transgender persons can be rehabilitated, changed or ‘returned to the right path’ through counselling is completely false and unscientific. It subjects transgender persons, non-binary and gender non-conforming persons to so much harm and human rights violations,” it said.

“In fact, these corrective or conversion therapies, including those that use spiritual and religious methods have been rejected by medical and human rights bodies globally due to its harmful impact, including depression, suicidal ideation and attempts and self harm, among others.

“We reiterate that these practices are forms of torture given the magnitude of harm it has on the individual and their loved ones,” JFS added.

It said although Putrajaya may claim that it has witnessed many transgender who were said to “return to the right path”‘, it must also analyse the factors and circumstances which contributed to the said changes.

JFS said such moves are often made to secure access to opportunities, services, and to be simply accepted by society.

“Given the discrimination, violence and marginalisation that they faced throughout their lives, some transgender people cannot imagine they could be accepted without condition and therefore subject themselves to society’s conditions just to get by.

“We believe that trans people know their own needs and do not need uninvited interventions from others to correct them. We should listen to them tell us what they want,” it said, urging the minister to withdraw his remark.

Zulkifli’s remark appeared to be in response to risqué photos on social media by cosmetics entrepreneur Nur Sajat, which prompted the ire of some Muslim hardliners.

In 2018, when he was then Federal Territories mufti, Zulkifli had called on religious authorities to revisit a fatwa, or Islamic edict declaring transgenderism as un-Islamic, adding that the phenomenon is not inherently wrong.

Conversion therapy, which consists of psychological treatment or spiritual counseling to change a person’s sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual, is widely seen by the medical and scientific community as potentially harmful and a form of pseudoscience.

The practice is opposed and has been legally challenged, or even banned, in countries such as Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Ecuador, Israel, Lebanon, Malta, South Africa, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.

In 2014, several medical and gender experts questioned the “success” of Islamic authorities’ spiritual rehabilitation camp for transgenders, insisting they need medical care to transition them into their affirmed gender identities rather than rehabilitation to return them to what some may consider “normal”.

What trans people need is the license to be respected as human — Justice for Sisters

JULY 12 — Justice for Sisters is deeply concerned with and disappointed by Dr Zulkifli Mohamad’s irresponsible and degrading statement about trans people in the media yesterday.

In the statement, he gives full license to the Federal Territory Islamic Department (JAWI) to arrest and counsel or educate transgender people so that they ‘return to the right path’. His statement will increase discrimination, violence and mistreatment of transgender women with impunity by enforcement officers of the Islamic Departments as well as members of the public.

We are already observing questions and concerns over personal security, safety and well-being by transgender persons across the country since the release of the statement.

These concerns are not unfounded. There are many documented evidence and reports of mistreatment and human rights violations by the Islamic Departments against transgender people.

Read more @ https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-thi...ice-for/1883690

#Showbiz: Safiey to read law Down Under, fight cyber-bullying
Source: https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/202...-cyber-bullying



KUALA LUMPUR: Transgender cosmetics millionaire Safiey Illias plans to pursue a law degree in Australia soon.

Safiey or Mohd Saifuddin Illias, 26, said that he had planned to further his studies at an Australian university this year.

However, he had to postpone it as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic which restricted overseas travel.

"I want to read law because it is about defending human rights. I am passionate about fighting for the rights of cyber-bullying victims and body-shaming victims, for I have been both.

"Many people have suffered, and I am sympathetic towards them," he said on his YouTube channel yesterday.

Safiey also warned Netizens to stop posting slanderous remarks about him, or risk legal action.

"Beware, cyber-bullies! This Queen of the Jungle will soon be Queen of the Law.

"And I mean it, so stop this nonsense please!"

Safiey admitted that cyber-bullying and body-shaming had brought him depression over the last few years.

But he has now "risen up" with a new resolve to become more successful in life.

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Rooting for Safiey! (The misgendering and deadname in the article are regretable, btw)

Is it Possible to be both LGBTQ and Christian? Yes!



Not a few LGBTQ Malaysian Christians have been forcibly brought by their families to their churches for a ‘cure’. Here, these ‘sinners’ find themselves coerced into undergoing subtle strategies of praying the gay (and trans) away such as counselling, repentance, imposed celibacy and conversion therapies that sometimes involve elaborate rituals of exorcising gay (and trans) demons in the name of the Lord.

Church Injustices

I’ve been researching and writing on the lives of gay, bisexual, and transgender men and women for many years, and I pay special attention to the ways in which their religious beliefs impact their genders and sexualities, and vice versa. The discrimination, rejection, fear and violence as experienced by LGBTQ Christians are heart-wrenching, especially at the hands of their pastors, priests and lay leaders. Among the experiences of Christian gay and transgender men which I feature here are those of ‘Buck’, a 56-year-old gay man who works in the entertainment industry. He decries the sermons and homilies directed at church-going LGBTQ Christians which tell them on a weekly basis from the pulpit that:

“they are an abomination. These young people have been driven to suicide. And that’s exactly against what Jesus taught. You know, instead of saving people, accepting people, and loving people, you drive people to suicide. Jesus never told you to do that. So these churches should be ashamed of themselves.”

‘Rainbowboy’ is a 22-year-old gay man who works in an NGO. He speaks of his friends:

“who used to be Christian, the moment they discover they’re gay, like me they have that internal conflict, then they actually stop going to church completely. Then their life start to fall apart and everything, ‘cause they still get that feeling that whatever they’re doing, the reason they’re being alive is wrong. They’re very insistent, they feel like they’re a whole big mistake.”

Read more @ https://www.queerlapis.com/is-it-possible-t...-christian-yes/

Instagram is banning all content promoting LGBT conversion therapy
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/instagram-b...-therapy-2020-7



Instagram has taken the decision to ban any content promoting so-called "conversion therapy" on its platform.

Conversion therapy is the name given to any practice which purports that people can be "cured" of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

"It is based on an assumption that being lesbian, gay, bi or trans is a mental illness that can be 'cured'. These therapies are both unethical and harmful," according to LGBTQ charity Stonewall.

Earlier in 2020, Instagram said it would ban any ads promoting conversion therapy. On Friday it went a step further, broadening this ban to any content promoting the practice.

"We don't allow attacks against people based on sexual orientation or gender identity and are updating our policies to ban the promotion of conversion therapy services," Instagram's EMEA public policy director Tara Hopkins told the BBC on Friday.

An Instagram spokesperson confirmed this to Business Insider.

Instagram told the BBC that while the ban would come into effect on Friday, it will take time to update its policies and so some content flagged by users may not be immediately removed.

In a statement to Business Insider, Hopkins said Instagram had already removed content from a British Christian organization.

Instagram's decision followed a recent campaign by activists in the UK to get the government to adhere to a promise it made in 2018 to ban the practice.

In June, independent expert on sexual orientation and gender identity Victor Madrigal-Borloz called for a global ban on conversion therapy in a report submitted to the UN.

"Pathologization, demonization and criminalization of LGBT persons play a definitive role in perpetuating violence and discrimination," Madrigal-Borloz said.

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Conversion therapy is going to be a thing of the past soon, just like mullets.

Why Many LGBT People Have Started Using A New Pride Flag



It’s been a tumultuous pride season, not least because of a global pandemic and over 500 cancelled pride events worldwide.

But there has been international focus on Black Lives Matters protests, vitriol in the UK press about trans lives—J.K. Rowling.

All sat alongside a debate in the U.K. about the rainbow, a universal symbol of hope being used for to show solidarity with NHS workers, while blurring with a universal symbol of LGBT people—the six stripe LGBT Pride flag.

For the last 42 years, in the particular form of a flag with six distinct colours, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet, Gilbert Baker’s six stripe flag has been the internationally recognised symbol of the LGBT community.

But this year, Prides, brands and activists around the world have simultaneously and without any co-ordination, been adopting ‘The Progress Flag’ as their symbol for the community instead.

Designed by Daniel Quasar in 2018, it features black and brown stripes to represent people of colour, and baby blue, pink and white to include the trans flag in its design.

From the London Mayor’s office, to Boston Pride and even cultural institutions like the U.K.’s Southbank Centre–the symbol being used represent LGBT people is changing.

And it’s all part of a drive to be more inclusive of the expansive breath of identity within the community.

What has driven the change to include new stripes?

A number of factors have driven the community to arrive at a new flag, with little discussion or debate.

Ultimately the pandemic has been at the centre of them, which is inspiring a seismic change in the way we all think.

But so has Black Lives Matters, vitriol about trans people and the NHS rainbow debate.

“The intention was never to replace or erase what the Pride flag was and we need to remember that. But since it's high time we recognised the value of all parts of the community, perhaps this is a good reminder to move to the Progress flag from now on.”

Read more @ https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiewareham/2...s/#68a5b4ee125a

Think the question should be reworded as, Can you be religious and be LGBTQ? Since it covers all religions..

Yes, I agree.

Sorry to ask but is this thread acceptable? LGBT is a sensitive topic among malay muslims and deemed as totally haram.

It's acceptable, otherwise this thread would have been removed a long time ago. This is nota sensitive topic anymore nowadays. People are now a lot more mature and open-minded. In social media, LGBT is being talked about constantly.

LGBT is only haram to conservative Muslims. Those who have liberal-leaning perspective would argue otherwise.

As i observe based in facebook nearly all malay muslims are against LGBT. That is why i am wondering here.

But as you mention this is ok, so i wont question anymore.

Nice to meet you guys!

I notice the same. In terms of social media, I think Twitter is the most LGBT-friendly since whatever homophobic tweets being posted there will be dealt with right away once they are being reported. Facebook—in the name of freedom of speech— tends to let people say whatever they want hence how the community there is becoming more toxic.

But of course, I won't deny there is a lot to be done for full acceptance. For example, this thread had been hijacked a few times in the past by people quoting religious arguments against LGBT.

Nice to meet you too!

It's not just the malay muslims. There are also the others that are the same but they choose to stay away from it.

This thread might not be acceptable to everyone but it exist simply to give the community a voice/channel to educate rather than silencing them.

These day and age we have bigger things to worry about rather than one's sexuality and yet some choose to worry about what other's prefer rather than fighting for a cause that truly matters.

Nice having you here. Feel free to ask or share anything as long as it's within boundaries and does not discriminate.

I mean no harm. Dont worry.

It is just that TS is a malay guy and as i know, malay LGBT community is heavily silenced in real life and scorned in social media, especially in facebook. But these questions were addressed by TS.

I am surprised to see an active community here and of course there are other races here too, not just malay muslims.

Btw im straight and do not have issues with LGBT because that is the way you are. Not gonna judge yall.

Have a nice day.

Haha. No worries. Don't mean to headbutt into the convo but just laying it out here.

We're not judging you either. Feel free to join the convo anytime.

You have a nice day too.

International photography and culture publication, Elksa, which focuses on gay community, is featuring a Malaysian trans man on its latest cover.



"Gems A, who describes how rare and beautiful it is when a trans man can find a partner who isn't fixated only on ‘the equipment’ underneath the clothes. It's a story that I hope reminds us that trans visibility is too often accompanied by a fetishisation that renders the person within still invisible;"

Source: https://www.elskamagazine.com/printmag/kualalumpur