Fridae

Although homosexuality is not illegal in Indonesia, the LGBT community has been facing increasing hostility in the country.

The Indonesian Ulema Council said its fatwa was required due to an increase in reports of deviant behavior and because homosexuality is a serious disease.

Petition says products such as anal lubes and massagers that are shaped like the phallus violates the anti-gay Section 377 law.

The Home Ministry on Thursday distanced itself from its court representative’s statement that homosexuality is “immoral” and clarified that it has decided not to challenge the Delhi High Court's 2009 decision to decriminalise homosexuality.

A group of 19 parents of LGBTs led by Mrs Minna Saran, mother of a young gay filmmaker who died in a road accident, is among the six parties who have filed petitions in support of the 2009 Delhi High Court ruling that decriminalised gay sex.

India's government is expected to accept the Delhi High Court’s landmark decision to decriminalise homosexuality despite eight parties having separately filed petitions with the Supreme Court against the ruling.

When asked to clarify, Malaysia’s Health Ministry Director General refused to comment on the accuracy of the news report carried by the government's official news agency Bernama News which reported that while heterosexual sex acts are safe, masturbation and homosexual activities could make one susceptible to the H1N1 virus.