New Delhi just passed a milestone in the battle for equal rights when its highest court overturned a centuries-old ban on gay sex.

Leftover from colonial rule, the ban on gay sex in India has existed since 1861, and while the law had not been used to prosecute anyone in modern times, it was used to "harass, blackmail and jail people." Then AIDS awareness group the Naz Foundation sued, and on Thursday, Section 377 was overturned.

The new ruling is just one battle in a decade-long war organized by global gay rights advocates, authors, celebrities, lawyers and AIDS awareness groups. India has one of the highest populations of AIDS patients in the world and Section 377 was seen as an AIDS prevention education obstacle.

So far, the ruling stands only in the city of New Delhi, but the rest of the country is expected to follow suit.

Advocates, however, maintain that the bigger challenge of undoing homophobia in the country still remains.

Forward movement is good!

[Image via AP Images.]

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Chaz Bono returned to his LA home on Tuesday with a Paparazzi Action Figure Set!

Maybe he'll perform a paparazzi mutilation demonstration!

Former daughter of Sonny and Cher, Chaz has received intense media attention after deciding to undergo a sex change operation.

The only solution to avoid the photogs is to be boring!

Sorry Chaz, you're anything but!

[Image via Fame Pictures.]

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Peter David's X-Factor, 45 - a best-selling X-Men related title - goes where no D.C. or Marvel Comic has gone before: the issue features mainstream comics' first same-sex kiss between Rictor and Shatterstar.

Though their relationship has been hinted at throughout the series, the panel confirms their deeper feelings, and David is quick to reassure that "no, it’s not a fake out. A number of people seem to be concerned that Star is still under Cortex’s control. Or that Rictor is going to freak out the next panel and say, 'Dude, what the hell?' That would be cheap. I don’t do cheap. Okay, sometimes I do, but not this time. I’m not interested in having people say, 'Peter David introduced this and then chickened out.'"

Good for him!

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That remains to be seen, but President Barack Obama insists that he will not neglect the rights of the gay community any longer. The President invited leaders of the community to the White House today for a reception celebrating Gay Pride Month.

He spoke to the audience about the "support" the community will garner from himself and the First Lady and looks forward to changing minds as well as laws.

"I will not only be your friend, I will continue to be an ally and a champion and a president who fights with you and for you," he said.

You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?????

The President addressed the fact that many gay rights leaders have viewed his administration as being somewhat lax in the fight for equal rights. However, Obama assured his guests that the fight was just beginning and that the community should look forward for things to come: "I know many in this room don't believe that progress has come fast enough. And I understand that…I expect and hope to be judged not by words, not by promises I've made, but by promises that my administration keeps."

Some of the plans he intends to implement include an "employee nondiscrimination bill" and a "hate crimes bill" for the protection of gays and lesbians, a rescindication on a ban on entry into the US based on HIV status, and a repeal on the "don't ask, don't tell" military policy that allows homosexuals to serve as long as they don't disclose or act on their sexual orientation.

As for same-sex marriage, Obama still seems to be taking a backseat on that one, noting that he "has issued a presidential memorandum expanding some federal benefits to same-sex partners", but it doesn't include health benefits or pension guarantees.

Keep going, Mr. President. We know you can do much more. Let's see it happen!

Don't disappoint anymore!!!

[Image via WENN.]

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In Fort Worth, Texas, police conducted a raid this past weekend on a newly opened gay bar, utilizing excessive force to essentially harass and arrest patrons, all on the 40th anniversary of Stonewall, demonstrating that though we've come a long way, there is still much to be done.

The Rainbow Lounge had been open only a week when police entered the establishment to perform a routine ordinance check, but they utilized unnecessary aggression toward patrons, arresting seven people for public intoxication (In a bar?) and sending one man to the hospital with bleeding from the brain.

Not surprisingly, the cops have defended their actions, claiming to have been sexually harassed by patrons. Oh really?

The LGBTQ community isn't buying it and witnesses contend that the police encountered no such hostility.

On Sunday night protestors demonstrated in downtown Fort Worth and Fort Worth councilman Joel Burns has called for accountability.

[ Image via Unite the Fight. ]

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Is love blossoming?

Star Trek star Zachary Quinto and a male "pal" spent some quality time together in Mailbu on Saturday.

The pair had some lunch, went shopping and picked up some groceries together at Cross Creek.

He's cute.

Score!

[Image via WENN.]

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Isaiah Washington stands up for equality!

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The Los Angeles Times recently surveyed 1,500 registered California voters if they thought same-sex couples should have their marriages recognized by law.

The result is disheartening: Only 42.49% of voters voted "Yes". The other 57.51 % voted "No".

Very sad. We've come so far and yet still not far enough.

Though the survey does breakdown the Latino demographic, it does not include other POC groups, such as African Americans, who have reportedly been the highest opposition against gay marraige.

Plenty of work still needs to be done if we are to repeal Prop 8 in 2010.

Let's get to it!!!!!

[Image via WENN.]

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Actress Michelle Rodriguez stepped out with her gal pal to take their dog for a walk in the West Village of NYC on Thursday.

Just friends?

Or friends with benefits????

[Image via Ramey Pix.]

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