Throughout the Middle East, the LGBT community faces intolerance and violence in a society steeped in traditional values and rigorous religious customs. However, with each new generation, progress is being made towards equality and acceptance. A new website, Ahwaa.org, launched by Bahraini activist Esra'a Al Shafei, is such an evolution. Ahwaa means "passions" in Arabic and the site provides a social networking platform where LGBT people can find their voice and support from others.

LOS ANGELES -- The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California ruled late Monday that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional, granting a legally married gay couple a joint Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

The case involves a bankruptcy filing by Gene Douglas Balas and Carlos A. Morales of Los Angeles, who were married on Aug. 20, 2008. Balas and Morales were among about 18,000 same-gender couples who legally wed until the passage of Proposition 8 in November 2008 took away marriage equality in California.

The court concluded:

WASHINGTON — AARP today launched a new online Web portal dedicated to serving older LGBT Americans.

The organization’s first online home base for the LGBT community reinforces the fact that pride comes in all ages for LGBT members, friends and loved ones. The site features articles on news, personal finance, relationships, travel and other topics of concern to older gay Americans, and their family and friends, as well as a community forum.

Moscow Pride is going ahead on Saturday, May 28, despite its non-approval by the City government in defiance of a European Court of Human Rights decision. Far-right and Orthodox Church forces are planning a counter demonstration - approved by authorities - and already held one at the site last Saturday, delayed by rain, which one of the demonstrators blamed on the [Moscow Mayor] “Sobyanin lesbians.”