EDGE Washington

Czech President Milos Zeman is being criticized for refusing to grant a university professorship - the nation’s top academic title - to a critic of his, allegedly because the man is also a gay rights activist.

Police in central China have detained the 18-year-old organizer of a gay pride march in a sign of the government’s nervousness over a growing civil society movement and demands for stronger individual rights.

French President Francois Hollande has signed a law authorizing gay marriage and adoption by same-sex couples, after months of nationwide protests and wrenching debate.

A week of drag shows, colorful marches and social and cultural events in Havana culminates Friday with celebrations of the Intl Day Against Homophobia. Hundreds of activists have taken part in the activities headed by first daughter Mariela Castro.

Silvio Berlusconi’s private disco featured not only aspiring show girls performing striptease acts as sexy nuns and nurses, but also dressed as President Barack Obama and a prominent Milan prosecutor.

France’s constitutional council has rejected a challenge by conservative lawmakers to the country’s new gay marriage law, saying the law was constitutional.

Portugal’s Parliament has passed a law allowing same-sex married couples to adopt their partners’ children, but lawmakers rejected legislation granting gay couples the same adoption rights as heterosexuals.

Thousands of anti-gay protesters, including Orthodox priests, occupied a central street in Georgia’s capital Friday, with some threatening to lash with stinging nettles any participant in a gay pride parade which was to take place there.

The European Union is calling for action to counter discrimination and violence against homosexuals after a major survey revealed many gays are living in fear across the 27-nation bloc.

On May 17, LGBT supporters and activists around the globe will raise awareness on LGBT discrimination for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.