Chiang Khong, Thailand — The 15-year-old aspiring “ladyboy” delicately applied a puff of talcum powder to his nose – an act of rebellion at the Thai Buddhist temple where he is learning to “be a man”. “They have rules here that novice monks cannot use powder, make-up, or perfume, cannot run around and be girlish,” said…

A British schoolteacher caught with 4,500 pornographic images — some of children as young as two — was told by the presiding judge that she understood his being attracted to children, but that other teachers with such urges keep them under control. The 63-year old substitute teacher David Armstrong was arrested after a colleague noticed files on Armstrong’s laptop with names…

Lisa Shimel, who is not Jewish, used to celebrate Christmas with her Jewish husband until their first child was born; now they’ve added Chanukah, reports Deb Morandi works at Jewish Family Services, where she introduces intermarried families to Judaism, though she is not Jewish. Pat Luftman was a committee co-chair in her son’s Jewish preschool,…

After sunset each day during the Islamic month of Ramadan, faithful Muslims are allowed to break their day-long fast with festive meals to which family, friends and neighbors are often invited. If you’re not Muslim, don’t worry — the Koran does not require fasting of you. Of course, if you are a Christian, the Bible does. But to Muslim faithful, fasting…

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