International

/ /

Overwhelming number of UK young queer people have no contact with homophobic relatives

,

Almost half of LGBTQ+ young adults the UK are estranged from at least one relative, with many feeling their family won’t accept them if they come out, a study has revealed.  The survey of 3,695 adults, aged between 18 and 25, found that 46 per cent of them are estranged from at least one family member, while 31 per cent said they weren’t confident their parent or guardian will accept them as they are.  Further findings, according to research conducted by LGBT+ young people’s charity, Just Like Us, revealed that 14 per cent of young LGBT+ adults said they weren’t […]

/ /

As Ukraine’s LGBTQ soldiers fight on the front line, acceptance grows in the conservative country

,

On a riotous Instagram profile featuring pole-dancing, cross-dressing and fierce makeup, a picture of Ivan Honzyk in high heels and stockings next to an image of him in military uniform has gotten the most likes by far. The junior sergeant’s posts are a bold statement in socially conservative Ukraine, where pride parades were often attacked before the war and swaths of the country are occupied by forces loyal to Russia, one of the world’s most conspicuously homophobic states. But as more members of the LGTBQ community fight on the front lines, the greater visibility of gay and lesbian military personnel appears to be […]

/ /

Politician becomes first ever female minister in France to come out as gay

,

A politician in France has become the first female minister to come out as gay in the country after revealing her sexuality in an interview. Democratic Movement politician and youngest serving minister Sarah El Haïry revealed that she is queer and is currently dating someone. The 33-year-old state secretary for youth at the Ministry of National Education casually mentioned her partner while discussing whether she uses Twitter. In the interview with Forbes, she responded to the question by saying that she only ever reads Twitter when it affects her family or her girlfriend. The casual mention of her partner cemented El […]

/ /

Germany and France join EU proceedings against Hungary over anti-LGBTQ law

Germany and France are joining the EU Commission’s infringement proceedings against Hungary over its anti-LGBTQ law, a German government spokesperson said Thursday. The European Commission referred Hungary to the Court of Justice of the EU in mid-2022 over the law banning the use of materials seen as promoting homosexuality and transgender identities in schools. The commission has said the law violates the EU’s internal market rules, the fundamental rights of individuals and EU values. Touted as protecting children by the government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who presents himself as a defender of traditional family Catholic values, the law […]

/ /

Vietnam to introduce landmark new bill making it easier for trans people to change gender

,

In what would be a massive victory for trans rights, a gender identity law could be included in Vietnam’s parliamentary agenda next year.  On Monday (10 April), lawmaker Nguyễn Anh Trí put forward a proposal to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly to create the new law.  Trí said the law would show that Vietnam values protecting vulnerable communities and “leaving no one behind in its policies”, Việt Nam News reported.  Currently, there are no legal documents regulating gender identity in the southeast Asian country, and although there are no laws prohibiting same-sex relationships or same-sex sexual acts, being queer remains […]

/ /

G7 Letter Highlights Japan’s LGBT Rights Gaps

,

As the International Group of Seven (G7) prepares for its May summit in Japan, peer nations are encouraging Tokyo to enact non-discrimination protections for sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. Ambassadors from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union issued an official letter to Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio calling on him to take action. “Japan can match its international advocacy for human rights with a domestic agenda that includes steps to protect its own LGBTQI+ communities, including enacting legal protections for its LGBTQI+ citizens,” the letter read. In February, Fumio dismissed one of his aides for making disparaging remarks about same-sex relationships. The prime […]

/ /

New initiative seeks to improve LGBTQ news coverage in India

In journalism, words matter. They can heal, hurt or excite. Journalists report stories with facts and context that carries emotions and truth about an event.  The world is changing, and inclusion matters in the changing world. But what if, in the changing world, the journalists who report stories that shape our perspective about LGBTQ people do not use the appropriate terminology. Three India-based news outlets, the News Minute, and partner organizations Queer Chennai Chronicles and queerbeat have started a new initiative to help Indian news media become more inclusive while covering LGBTQ stories.  The project will publish a guide, glossaries, workshops and fellowships for Indian […]

/ /

Vice president Kamala Harris backs Africa’s LGBTQ+ community in Ghana: ‘It’s a human rights issue’

,

US Vice President Kamala Harris has spoken out in support of LGBTQ+ people in Africa, following the introduction of a devastating new law in Uganda that bans queer identities entirely. The 49th vice president of the US made her stance clear on Monday (27 March) during a press conference in Ghana.  Standing alongside Ghana’s president, Nana Akufo-Addo, Harris said she felt “very strongly” about supporting the development of LGBTQ+ rights in Africa. “I will also say that this is an issue that we consider and I consider to be a human rights issue and that will not change,” she continued. […]

/ /

Queer Ukrainian soldier calls for same-sex marriage to be legalised: ‘We can die any day’

,

A queer Ukrainian solider has called for same-sex marriage to be legalised in the country as LGBTQ+ soldiers “could die tomorrow” and their partners would have no legal rights in an “unfair” system.  Anna “Kajhan” Zyablikova, who is serving in the 47th Brigade of Ukraine’s armed forces, said same-sex marriage should be legalised to allow LGBTQ+ couples the same legal rights heterosexual couples are afforded.  This would include the right to make the decision of whether to keep their partner on life support.  The 30-year-old told the i paper: “We have no legal rights to do that and in the case […]

/ /

Uganda passes a law making it a crime to identify as LGBTQ

Uganda’s parliament passed a law on Tuesday making it a crime to identify as LGBTQ, handing authorities broad powers to target gay Ugandans who already face legal discrimination and mob violence. More than 30 African countries, including Uganda, already ban same-sex relations. The new law appears to be the first to outlaw merely identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ), according to rights group Human Rights Watch. In addition to same-sex intercourse, the law bans promoting and abetting homosexuality as well as conspiracy to engage in homosexuality. Violations under the law draw severe penalties, including death for so-called aggravated homosexuality and […]

«‹ 39 40 41 42›»