Chemical leaching, pepper spray and the Chinese Will and Grace

Your Daily Package of newsy and naughty bits from around the world


Kiev couple kicked and pepper-sprayed while recreating Moscow stunt

After two male Russian bloggers decided to see what would happen if they held hands walking down the street, a Ukranian gay couple decided to repeat the experiment. At first, the Ukranians were met with curiosity and even a little support, but then were surrounded, pepper-sprayed and beaten by a gang of far-right thugs.

Born this way, or not?

In The Guardian, sexuality journalist Simon Copland writes that, while gay advocates often claim that they are “born this way,” sexual orientation may be formed more by social construction and not genes. Neuroscientist Qazi Rahman strikes back in the same publication, however, arguing that twin studies and genetic research have shown conclusively that sexual orientation has little to do with socialization.

China’s first gay sitcom makes waves

Chinese Will and Grace look-alike Rainbow Family is pulling in millions of views on the internet. The show’s producer, gay social app creator Ling Jueding, says he hopes the show will be on TV some day, but Chinese government sponsors are still wary of gay content.

Read more at Fusion.

UK politician apologizes for “hacked” tweet

UK Liberal Democratic leader Tim Farron has apologized for a tweet that he said was the work of a hacker, saying that homosexuality is caused by “chemical leaching” in the same way as “fish and frogs.” Farron has been criticized before for his lukewarm support of gay rights, but says that this tweet had nothing to do with his own views.

Read more at the Independent.

Growing up gay in Saudia Arabia

What would it be like growing up lesbian in a country where women are not allowed to drive, and homosexuality is punishable by death? At PRI, a Saudi woman tells her story of coming to terms with her sexuality, and leaving her home country for good.

 

Niko Bell

Niko Bell is a writer, editor and translator from Vancouver. He writes about sexual health, science, food and language.

Read More About:
Power, Blog, News, The Daily Package

Keep Reading

The new generation of gay Conservative sellouts

OPINION: Melissa Lantsman’s and Eric Duncan’s refusals to call out their party’s transphobia is a betrayal of the LGBTQ2S+ community

Over 300 anti-LGBTQ2S+ bills have been introduced this year. This doesn’t mean we should panic

OPINION: While it’s important to watch out for threats, not all threats are created equally. Some of these bills will die a natural death

Xtra’s top LGBTQ2S+ stories of the year

The best and brightest—even most bewildering—stories from a back catalogue brimming with insight

Elon Musk and Texas attorney general Ken Paxton are suing Media Matters. Here’s why queer and trans people should care

OPINION: When politicians and the rich leverage the power of the state to quell dissent, we all lose