NYU's New Anti-Gay Professor

New York University Law School has hired a new Human Rights professor. Dr. Li-ann Thio, a professor at the National University of Singapore, will be teaching two courses during the Fall 2009 semester as a Global Visiting Professor of Law at NYU.

This professor has been outspoken against gay rights in Singapore. She argued before the parliament to keep statute 377A which criminalizes homosexual sex. She made outrageous claims such as "diversity is not a license for perversity" and "anal sex is like shoving a straw up your nose to drink". Dr. Li-Ann Thio calls "homosexuality a gender identity disorder" and a "moral wrong that cannot be compared to a human right." She supported a 15,000 dollar fine against a television station that portrayed a gay family and a child.

Students, LGBT and human rights activists are outraged at NYU's decision to bring in this controversial and homophobic woman.

She is scheduled to teach two classes: Human Rights in Asia and Constitutionalism in Asia. The classes are in jeopardy of being canceled since many students refuse to sign up.

Please sign the petition in opposition to Dr. Thio Li-Ann teaching at NYU.

India Decriminalizes Homosexuality

In a long anticipated and major ruling the high court in India has determined that consensual homosexual sex should no longer be against the law. The ruling overturns the previous law known as section 377 which banned gay sex. This historic ruling marks a new chapter in gay rights in the country that is home to over 17% of the world's population.

“Discrimination is antithesis of equality,” the judges of the Delhi High Court wrote in a 105-page decision that is the first in India to directly guarantee rights for gay people. “It is the recognition of equality which will foster dignity of every individual,” the decision said.

The ruling applies only to India’s capital city, but it will force the national government to either appeal the decision to the Supreme Courtor repeal the law nationwide, lawyers said (NY Times).

This ruling brings the total number of countries that criminalize homosexuality down to 84. The punishment for homosexuality varies in countries from prison time, fines, public humiliation, and in many cases the death penalty.