This report was written and published by GayMiddleEast.com and shared with SDGLN.

MANAMA, Bahrain - On Feb. 3 there was a mass arrest of close to 200 people at a suspected gay party in Muharraq, Bahrain.

The arrest followed complaints by residents about noise levels. When the police arrived to the club they apparently reported they saw men dressed up and dancing as women.

LOS ANGELES – Look for a fresh new look at the 83rd Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 27, at the Kodak Theatre.

The Oscars will be televised live on ABC at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT, and broadcast in more than 200 countries worldwide.

The new look starts with the co-hosts, James Franco and Anne Hathaway, who represent Hollywood's youth movement.

Editor's note: This was originally published at Gaymiddleeast.com.

MANAMA, Bahrain -- Amidst the on-going turmoil in Bahrain, Al Wasat News reported today that court proceedings commenced against 52 men who were arrested on the third of February.

Forty-nine of the 52 defendants attended the court proceeding, while two are fugitives, and one, who was released on bail, failed to appear before the fifth branch of lower criminal court of Bahrain.

GABORONE, Botswana -- Members of the gay community are taking the government to court to challenge the constitutionality of its anti-sodomy laws.

BONELA Director Uyapo Ndadi confirmed in an interview with The Gazette that they would challenge Section 164 of the Penal Code that criminalizes same sex relationships. It is understood that gays want the provision to be declared unconstitutional.