Emma Powys Maurice

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Malaysia pushes for Sharia law to be tougher on LGBT+ Muslims

Malaysia is pushing for Sharia law to be tougher against LGBT+ Muslims even as it makes a bid for a spot on the UN Human Rights Council. On Tuesday (6 April) the Malaysian government announced plans to move forward with an amendment to the Sharia Courts Act that would allow heavier punishments to be imposed on the LGBT+ community. The country’s strict Islamic laws already penalise any form of anal or oral sex with up to 20 years in prison and mandatory caning – but ministers want to push it further still. Religious affairs minister Datuk Zulkifli Mohamad has strongly endorsed the […]

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Country of Georgia gives trans woman legal recognition for the first time

The deeply conservative country of Georgia has legally recognised a trans woman’s gender identity for the first time ever. On 25 March the Ministry of Justice of Georgia granted a trans woman’s request to change her legal gender status to female. Her birth certificate was also reissued by the authorities, setting a huge precedent for the country. The historic milestone was first reported by Open Democracy and the Georgian women’s rights group WISG, which said the woman had submitted a medical certificate confirming she had undergone gender-affirming surgery. WISG noted that, despite this groundbreaking case, Georgia still lacks adequate legislation for transgender people. Trans […]

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Laverne Cox, Gabrielle Union rally for trans rights with hundreds of feminists in powerful letter

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Laverne Cox, Gabrielle Union and Halle Berry have joined hundreds of prominent feminists in taking a stand for trans women and girls. More than 465 feminist leaders in business, entertainment, media, politics and social justice signed an open letter released by GLAAD in honour of the Transgender Day of Visibility on Wednesday (31 March). The letter calls for an end to the ongoing discriminatory rhetoric and attacks against trans people, and serves as a proud statement of solidarity between cis and transgender women. Signatories include A-list celebrities such as Regina King, Selena Gomez and Megan Rapinoe, as well as activists and women’s rights groups like […]

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Half of Generation Z and Millennials think the gender binary is outdated, study reveals

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Half of Generation Z thinks that traditional gender roles and labels related to the gender binary are outdated, according to a refreshing new study. As issues of gender equality continue to challenge societal norms and influence public opinion, US-based ad agency Bigeye sought to understand consumers’ perception of gendered products and advertising.ADVERTISING For the 2021 Gender Study the agency polled 2,000 adults from a range of ages, incomes, locations, and gender identities. Questions included the kinds of clothing they wear to their opinion on gender-neutral children’s toys and education. They found that 50 per cent of Generation Z-ers are pushing back against the gender […]

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How the world’s first gay rugby club saved lives, smashed stereotypes and changed the sport forever

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When Israel Folau’s homophobia sent ripples through the world of rugby, he had no way of knowing his bigotry would inspire a bigger story. Folau’s claims that “hell awaits” gay people saw him sacked by Rugby Australia in disgrace. Undeterred by the backlash, he simply doubled down on his beliefs by claiming the devil is to blame for trans kids and bushfires are “God’s judgment” for same-sex marriage.×ADVERTISING Halfway around the world, the journalist and amateur player Eammon Ashton-Atkinson was listening to Folau’s words – and he knew LGBT+ childrenwould be listening too.SPONSORED CONTENTPandemic or Not, Don’t Skip These 3 Health ChecksBy Sutter Health “My first thought was, […]

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Mississippi officially bans trans athletes from competing as their correct gender

Mississippi’s Republican governor has signed a discriminatory bill to ban transgender athletes from competing on sports teams that match their gender. “I will sign our bill to protect young girls from being forced to compete with biological males for athletic opportunities,” he tweeted last week. “It’s crazy we have to address it, but the Biden EO [executive order] forced the issue. Adults? That’s on them. But the push for kids to adopt transgenderism is just wrong.” Despite Reeves’ claims, legislators pushing the bill gave no evidence of any transgender athletes competing in Mississippi schools or universities. Legal advocates have previously noted that […]

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Republicans launch Equality Act rival that would ‘undermine’ LGBT+ rights in the name of religious freedom

Republicans are launching a rival to the Equality Act which will allow them to discriminate against LGBT+ people on the basis of religious freedom. The “Fairness for All” Act was reintroduced by Utah Congressman Chris Stewart on Sunday (28 February), days after the Equality Act was passed by the House of Representatives, as a way to “harmonise religious freedom and LGBT+ rights”. Like the Equality Act it would outlaw LGBT+ discrimination in employment, housing, jury selection, credit and federally assisted programs – except, of course, when that discrimination is based on religious beliefs. “It is hard to really love our neighbours when […]

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Biden administration withdraws White House support for trans school sports ban case

The Biden administration has withdrawn government support for a federal lawsuit seeking to ban transgender athletes from participating in girls’ high school sports. The lawsuit in Connecticut was filed by several cis runners who argue they’ve been deprived of wins, state titles and athletic opportunities by being forced to compete against two trans sprinters. The Trump administration inserted itself into the case last year when then-Attorney General William Barr signed a statement of interest, arguing the state’s policy runs against Title IX, the federal law that allows girls equal educational opportunities. But Biden’s government has now retracted this statement and pulled all support […]

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Equality Act Passes House In 224-206 Vote

The US House of Representatives has voted to pass the Equality Act, a landmark civil rights bill prohibiting discrimination against LGBT+ people in all 50 states. The House voted 224-206 on Thursday (25 February) to pass the sweeping legislation, which substantially expands the existing 1964 Civil Rights Act to include specific protections for sexual orientation and gender identity.ADVERTISING Its passage represents an enormous step forward for LGBT+ rights in America as it finally addresses the “patchwork” state coverage that leaves countless queer people vulnerable to discrimination. Representative Ritchie Torres, the first LGBT+ Black and Afro Latino member of congress, said he felt […]

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800 footballers make heartfelt vow to support and ‘fight for’ LGBT+ players still in closet

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Over 800 German footballers have pledged their support to any teammates who may be struggling with their sexuality and afraid to come out while playing. To date no male footballer has ever come out while actively playing in any of the German professional leagues, a troubling reflection of the homophobia engrained in the sport.×ADVERTISING This week, hundreds of players decided that needs to change. “No one should be forced into coming out. That is a personal decision for each individual to make,” the players write in the German football magazine 11Freunde. “However, we want anyone who decides to come out to know they have our […]

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