Singapore - This city state remains tightly in the embrace of homophobic old men as the country’s Attorney-General Walter Woon accuses human rights activists of being “fanatics”.

He made a veiled threat against activists saying that the concept of human rights must not be allowed to become a religion for fanatics to achieve political goals such as gay marriage.

Last year the Singapore government upheld a law that bans sex between men, saying the idea of advocating a homosexual lifestyle was unacceptable to large parts of its conservative society. Singapore has a large gay scene, but live under a constant ban on non-sexual gay events such as discussions, even in private places. As a result of such bans, the annual “Nation” parties were moved to nearby Thailand.

Singapore’s constitution guarantees free speech, but speaking in public requires a police permit as do public gatherings of more than four people - a practice that has been criticized by human right groups.

Pattaya - Pattaya Players is proud to announce auditions on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at 6PM for its second dramatic production, A Murder Mystery Dinner Theater! This unique and
improvisation-driven production will be held at the Indian By Nature Restaurant in Jomtien on September 6, 2008. The open auditions will take place in the Lake Mabprachan area.

The play titles and rehearsal schedules will be announced at the audition call. Backstage help,
costuming and production support is also needed. For directions to the audition and more information, please e-mail pattayaplayers@gmail.com. Prospective actors should be comfortable
with traditional script reading as well as impromptu improvisational techniques.

The Pattaya Players still continue to seek corporate and private sponsors to help offset their current set-up costs. Please consider joining 2008 current sponsors: AA Insurance Brokers, Bangkok Pattaya Hospital, Chevrolet, Indian By Nature, Rabbit Resort, Horseshoe Point,
Casa Pascal, The Sleep Factory, St. Andrews International School, Steps & Rhythm Dance Academy, The Pattaya City Expats Club, Spice Magazine and Pattaya Mail in helping the Pattaya Players to become the premier creative arts organization in Pattaya! In addition, personal memberships are also be available to any interested party. The cost of a single membership is 500 Baht for adults and 250 Baht for students. Included in the membership will be a monthly e-newsletter,

Future opportunities for “professional amateur training courses and seminars” and invitations to Pattaya Player’s exclusive “Social Nights” — one of which is coming up on June 27, 2008. More
information can be found at www.pattayaplayers.org

Quezon City - Two bosses of a gay pay for sex house that presented live shows have been arrested by agents of the Philippines National Bureau of Investigation.

Sixto Comia, chief of the NBI Intelligence Special Operations Division, said the raid followed information that a house in Cubao had been turned into a sex den where male dancers performed before a crowd of gay customers.

Arrests was made as soon as the “live show” started.

Apart from the two suspects, four young male dancers were also taken into custody by the NBI. The male dancers claimed they were recruited by the suspects and were paid 500-800 pesos a night excluding commissions.

Charges of violating Republic Act 9208 (Anti-human Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003) were filed against the two suspects.

Penang - Anti-vice police launched a raid on a gay sauna on Saturday evening, following a surveillance operation.

Police detained 14 men. George Town OCPD Asst Comm Azam Abd Hamid said six men, all naked, were caught in three toilets. The other men were detained for being on the premises.

He said the detainees, aged between 20 and 30, had been remanded to assist in investigations into immoral activities at the centre.

He said police raided the premises after keeping it under surveillance for a while.

“This was the third time the centre was raided since last November.”

Officers also claimed to have found 1800 condoms.

On Nov 5 last year, police raided the centre and discovered it was used to host a sex party. They rounded up 34 men, aged between 22 and 55. Among those arrested was a Briton.

ACP Azam said the raid was part of an on-going operation codenamed Operation Rose aimed at curbing immoral activities and “cleaning” up places like Leith Street, Penang Road and the Esplanade frequented by transvestites.

In a country where homophobia is common, raids such as this are not unusual.