“No religion teaches how to hate,” reads the website for Kyoto-based Shunkoin Temple. “Religion teaches how to love and respect others." Established in 1590, Shunkoin has become the first historic temple to offer gay weddings in Japan, despite the fact they’re not legal there.

Former policeman Ma Baoli now plays cupid to millions of gay men in China. He is the founder and creator of successful, location-based, same-sex dating app Blued. The free app uses the GPS tool of its registered users’ smartphones to identify nearby members.

In December 2013, the law allowing gay marriage was overturned in Australia – spurring outrage, as two thirds of people support same-sex unions. At Sydney's Mardi Gras, ANZ turned its cashpoints into glitzy GAYTMs, sending a bold statement: accept our cash, accept our values.

Babies born in China in 2015 (the Year of the Sheep) are thought to be unlucky. So unlucky that thousands of mums rushed to have a baby in the more favourable Year of the Horse. Superstitions still hold fast in rapidly modernising China. How can international brands avoid making cultural mistakes?