For the first time, the UN Statistical Commission has raised the issue of how

. The conclusions made by the Commission will affect how visible LGBT people are throughout UN matters, including how explicitly LGBT issues are addressed in the UN's new development agenda.

The UN Human Rights Committee has recommended to Russia that it

when investigating crimes of possible homophobic or transphobic nature. Lawyer Kseniya Kirichenko said this is of

as the recommendation acknowledges LGBT people as a "social group" and will potentially enable more effective criminal proceedings in Russia.

And

discusses how the Bank is updating "safeguards" for human rights to include LGBT people, including the decision to block a $90 million loan to Uganda following its adoption of the Anti-Homosexuality Act.

Jamaica's first female prime minister, Portia Simpson-Miller, was interrupted during a speech in New York City by members of

who protested that the government has insufficiently responded to the recent flux of anti-LGBT violence. Elsewhere, Finland's first female president, Tarja Halonen, discussed her participation in Finland's LGBT movement and the

with the

Former

apologized for using the derogatory word "mariconcito" -- or "little faggot" -- at a campaign event while in the US. During an official visit by

last week, EU leaders sought reassurances over pending new bills seeking to limit the rights of LGBTI people and civil society in general.

Across the US, celebrities cancelled tours, businesses halted contracts, and

state's so-called "Religious Freedom" bill that enabled businesses to discriminate against LGBT people. In response, governor Mike Pence was forced to amend the bill. But the battle continues with

discrimination measures, despite a newly released Reuters poll finds that

in religious freedom disputes.

Out of Bhutan, a new report from UNDP highlights how stigma and discrimination continue to

for transgender people, gay men and other men who have sex with men. A new report from the Eurasian Coalition on Male Health finds that transgender people, gay men and other MSM in Eastern Europe and Central Asia are

in their countries' strategic discussions to end HIV. And the New Zealand Parliament is reviewing a petition urging the government to take action to address inadequate health services for

.

In Cuba, a report finds that lesbian and bisexual women receive unequal health service and are

of sexual health treatment campaigns.

In France, the National Ethics Committee has ruled to keep an

, stating that "giving blood is not a right." The president of the LGBT Federation called the ruling "absurd." And although Brazil lifted its blood ban in 2013, a politician now wants to see

from other donations, enabling patients the ability to refuse blood from a gay person.

The Brazilian Parliament is considering a new HIV criminal law that has received support after a

of "barebacking" among the gay community.

In Ireland, religious leaders attended the Faith in Marriage Equality conference and discussed theology behind supporting the same-sex marriage referendum, with Bishop Michael Burrows adding that gay rights is

African American pastors who support LGBTI rights are touring key African nations where the communities suffer extreme discrimination in an effort to provide an

within Christian worship.

The Anglican Communion, the international association of Anglican churches, has raised concerns over the appointment of Nigerian Bishop Dr Josiah Atkins Idowu-Fearon as Secretary General. The Bishop has

and called the criminalization of homosexuality "good."

In Australia, Anglican Archbishop Dr Phillip Aspinall and Catholic priest Paul Kelly are calling for Queensland common law to

which reduces charges if the victim "came on" to the murderer.

From Brazil, a report examines the shifting political climate as evangelical social conservatives try to reverse marriage equality and other gains for LGBT rights. With strong military and cattle-ranching ties, the conservative coalition -- known as the “BBB Bloc” for bibles, bullets, and bulls -- has

.

In the US, another teacher has been fired from his Catholic school post because

. Students at the school walked out of classes in protest. In Russia, where LGBT teachers continue to be targeted by the gay propaganda ban,

.

South Korean teachers were instructed to

from their school curriculums reflecting a compromise made with conservative groups as the government updates sex-ed standards. In the UK, the largest teacher's union is calling for

in a resolution to tackle homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia.

In China, where no national sex-ed program exists, activist Humphrey Wou's program "Youth Decoding" hopes to

to teens. And from Australia, Professor Paula Gerber explains why law schools need to teach

.

As both the first lesbian premier and the first woman premier,

spoke to students about how being open about her sexuality has brought extra responsibility:

There are people who come up to me often and say ‘you have made a difference in my son’s life or my daughter’s life — they’re gay — and they see your presence there as an important signal that our society is changing,’ and that we are a safer and more inclusive place.

The

(NCHR) has rejected all UN UPR recommendations on human rights that are considered "incompatible" with Muslim faith. The NCHR is also supporting an administrative court ruling that

. However, Mohammad Zare, a human rights lawyer and the President of the Arab Organization for Penal Reform, called the court's ruling unenforceable and said it will only tarnish Egypt's international image.

Russian ombudsman Alexander Shislov presented his report to St Petersburg's Legislative Assembly on violence perpetrated on LGBT Russians and expressed concern over

Meanwhile, a Russian court has authorized the closure of

for violating the gay propaganda ban.

From India, gay men reveal the

they have suffered since the Indian Supreme Court reinstated the ban on gay sex. And from Cameroon, a man describes

after his sexuality was discovered.

South Korea has come under fire for hosting

in government buildings. UK journalist Patrick Strudwick discloses

investigating gay conversion therapy and why he became an advocate against the practice. And in the US, President Obama has issued an official statement

for gay and transgender youth.

, a trans person was ganged raped and her two friends murdered.

, police are searching for information on the murder of a trans tourist.

, another bisexual woman was gang raped to "cure" her lifestyle.

, a gay university student was beaten while bystanders watched.

, trans teen Taylor Alesena, well known on Youtube for documenting her experiences with bullying, committed suicide during spring break.

Nigerian gay rights activist Aderonke Apata has lost her long struggle for asylum and faces deportation after a UK High Court judge ruled she

. Several hundred thousand people had signed a petition urging the court to grant her asylum.

Across Asia, some LGBT people are

of their family homes to migrate to countries that appear more progressive.

In Peru,

for LGBTI people, including recognition of civil unions and laws to explicitly protect sexual orientation and gender identity. TV star

showed his support for the rally by "coming out" via Facebook.

New Zealand's leading developer of nation-wide standards has published a

in employment. In the US, the

has gone into effect, setting new standards on anti-discrimination among all federal contractors and employees.

And Bob Witeck, LGBT consultant to US retail giant Walmart, discusses how he encouraged the

to stand for LGBT workers' rights.

During a speech to local college students, Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie said conservative nations must consider how to react to

, stating, "we must co-exist."

Malta has passed Europe's most progressive gender identity and expression law. It joins Denmark in allowing trans people to change legal identity without surgery or sterilization and becomes the first country in the world to

on intersex infants.

Sweden has added a

to its official dictionary, to be used when gender is unknown, a person is transgender, or when the

. And in India, Panjab University is

--adding it to everything from admissions to washrooms.

In Ireland, senators approved same-sex adoption with

. In Japan, following Shibuya Ward's headline grabbing recognition of same-sex partnerships,

are gaining wider acceptance. And in Chile,

signed into law a same-sex civil union bill, stating: “The civil union law is a vindication in the struggle for sexual diversity rights.”

And finally, representatives from 16 Asia-Pacific countries, along with civil society groups, have released a

across the region.

An in-depth report on culture attitudes in the US found that the millennial generation are less likely to apply black-and-white rules and

than any previous generation. From Peru, an ambitious photo project,

documents marginalized trans women to capture the country's emerging transgender pride movement.

discusses her inspiration to come out. And

comes out as intersex and "proud."

Meet

, the first Arab coalition dedicated to the health and human rights of gay men and other men who have sex with men in the region. In South Africa,

the

about coming to grips with your gender identity has been published.

India's Film Board has banned

a story of the entwined relationship between religion, violence, sexuality and intolerance. Featuring a lesbian couple, the controversial film will screen in North America. A new revival of the Broadway play

underlines the connections between feminism and gay men.

Australian Group Captain Catherine McGregor, the

in the world, delivered a moving address to the National Press Club on her experience coming out and the pain of gender dysphoria.

Finally, check out the photo of President Obama

, that has some joking he has magical powers for gays!

Harvard Political Review.Miscast,