Europe
Montenegro: Parliament legalizes same-sex civil partnerships
Montenegro is the first European country outside of Western Europe and the EU to legally recognize same-sex couples. President Milo Djukanovic said it was a confirmation that Montenegrin society “is maturing.” The Balkan nation of Montenegro legalized same-sex partnerships on Wednesday. President Milo Djukanovic described the moment as “one step closer to joining the most… Read more »
Chechnya Is Trying to Exterminate Gay People. Our Silence Only Emboldens Vladimir Putin and Ramzan Kadyrov.
Torture. Rape. Murder. I cannot get the gruesome images of these brutal crimes out of my head. “Welcome to Chechnya: Inside the Russian Republic’s Deadly War on Gays,” which premiered at the Sundance Festival in January and airs on HBO next week, is one of the most harrowing films I have ever seen. “Imagine in… Read more »
New law forces Hungarian transgender people to choose exile
Responses in the field ‘sex at birth’ on new ID documents will be unchangeable Being a transgender person in Hungary is about to become even harder, after the government passed a law that will demand all citizens write their “sex at birth” on their national IDs. And the response in this field cannot be changed.… Read more »
‘Panic’ as Hungarian parliament bans trans people from changing gender on IDs
The ruling Fidesz party voted to prevent transgender and intersex people from changing the sex on their birth certificates London (Openly) – Hungary’s parliament voted Tuesday to ban transgender people from changing their gender on identity documents, in a move that LGBT+ advocates said was creating panic among trans people who feared an increase in… Read more »
Hungary lurches ‘back towards dark ages’ as parliament passes cruel and devastating law to legally erase trans people
Lawmakers in Hungary overwhelmingly voted to end legal gender recognition for trans people Tuesday afternoon (May 19), putting to law prime minister Victor Orbán’s cruel crusade against the country’s most marginalised and vulnerable. Around 133 National Assembly members voted in favour of stripping what little rights trans Hungarians once exercised. With just 57 opposed and… Read more »
Albania becomes third European country to ban gay ‘conversion therapy’
Albania’s psychologists have banned so-called “conversion therapy”, which tries to change the sexual orientation of young LGBT people, a move hailed on Saturday by the country’s rights groups. The decision by Albania’s order of psychologists on Friday is “significantly important for LGBTI adolescents”, the gay rights association Pink Embassy said in a statement. All registered… Read more »
Turkey orders schools to stop letting kids draw rainbows because it’s a “plot to turn children gay”
Children worldwide have been drawing rainbows and hanging them in windows to comfort others during the coronavirus pandemic. While governments around the world focus on finding a cure and preventing the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, Turkey’s government is warning about a different ridiculous danger. Children worldwide have been drawing rainbows and hanging them in… Read more »
Turkish president Erdoğan backs Muslim cleric who claims ‘evil’ homosexuals spread disease: ‘He’s absolutely right’
Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has waded into a row to back a senior cleric who called for Muslims to oppose the ‘evil’ of homosexuality. Ali Erbaş, who is the head of Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), used a sermon at the start of Ramadan on Friday to call on people to “work together”… Read more »
Netflix slammed as ‘Islam’s enemy’ by bigots over rumours of gay character in Turkish teen drama
Rumours of a gay character on a Turkish Netflix series have fuelled anti-LGBT bigotry in the country. New Turkish coming-of-age drama Love 101, which is set to begin on April 24, unleashed a torrent of fury over unconfirmed rumours that it will feature a gay character. It’s technically legal to be gay in Turkey, but… Read more »
Bosnia takes first small step towards recognising same-sex relationships
Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country with a poor record on LGBT+ rights, has taken its first small step towards recognising same-sex relationships. While in recent years Bosnia has been moving in the right direction — 2016 saw the country ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity — there is still no… Read more »
Factbox – Andorra set to become latest nation to legalise gay marriage
With the tiny European country set to legalise same-sex weddings, gay marriages are now legal in 27 United Nation member states London (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Andorra, one of Europe’s smallest countries, is set to legalise gay marriage, highlighting that eastern European countries with anti-LGBT laws are “on the wrong side of history”, leading human… Read more »
Same-sex marriage is coming to one of Europe’s smallest countries
Beautiful European mountain country of Andorra moves on marriage equality. The tiny mountain nation of Andorra is about to make same-sex marriage equal. Three parties form the governing coalition in the tiny state of 77,000 people. They are the Democrats, the Liberal Party and Committed Citizens. And they have jointly presented a draft bill to… Read more »
A British court ruling may change laws for LGBT+ people around the world
Through a quirk of history and law, a court in London could help end sodomy laws and bring in same-sex marriage in dozens of countries. Years of legal battles around same-sex marriage in Bermuda will come to a head 5,548kms away in London on 7 and 8 December this year. And the result may help… Read more »
Wrestler Curdin Orlik Is First Openly Gay Pro Athlete In Switzerland
A 27-year-old Swiss wrestler has come out gay, making him the first openly gay professional athlete in Switzerland. Curdin Orlik, a “swing” wrestling champion, came out in an interview with The Magazine. “I’d rather be free than fearful,” Orlik told the outlet, according to LGBT sports blog Outsports. “I am like that. I can’t help… Read more »
Belgian Pride has a genius solution for keeping out ‘pinkwashing’ corporate sponsors
Belgian Pride is introducing a screening process for its corporate sponsors to ensure that they actually have inclusive, LGBT-friendly policies. The Pride parade, in Brussels, is Belgium’s largest LGBT+ event and is due to take place on May 23. Any companies wishing to take part now have to undergo a “diversity scan” carried out by… Read more »
Town cheers as they burn effigy of same-sex couple and baby
The Prime Minister of Croatia has condemned the ‘arsonists’ in Imotski. Residents of a small Croatian town cheered yesterday as they set fire to the effigy of a same-sex couple and their adopted baby. The incident happened during the carnival in the town of Imotski, Croatia on Sunday (23 February). The carnival is a 150-year… Read more »
Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s Openly Gay Prime Minister, Steps Down
Ireland’s first openly gay prime minister, Leo Varadkar, resigned on Thursday. According to the BBC, Varadkar acted after his Fine Gael party lost 15 seats in the general election held earlier this month. After the Irish Parliament failed to name his replacement, Varadkar submitted his resignation, though he’ll remain in the post in a caretaker… Read more »
Swedish crown princess makes history with first-ever visit to an LGBT organisation
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband Prince Daniel have made a historic royal visit to an LGBT+ organisation, sending a clear message of support in the face of growing nationalist politics. The royals were given a tour of RFSL and RFSL Ungdom’s national office in Stockholm to gain an insight into the challenges… Read more »
Gay inmates tie the knot inside Cyprus prison
The two men, one a Cypriot and the other a Brazilian national, are only the second same-sex couple to marry in a prison within the European Union. Nicosia, Cyprus — Kevork Tontian met the man he wanted to spend the rest of his life with behind bars. And not even his freedom was enough to… Read more »
Gay Couples In Northern Ireland Begin Registering To Marry: First Weddings Set For Valentine’s Day
Gay and lesbian couples in Northern Ireland began registering to marry as a new marriage law took effect on Monday. Northern Ireland was the only part of the United Kingdom where same-sex couples could not wed. Last year, lawmakers in the UK overwhelmingly backed a plan to extend marriage equality to the region if the… Read more »
Same-sex marriage now legal in Northern Ireland
Same-sex marriage is now legally recognised in Northern Ireland. From Monday, same-sex couples will be able to register to marry, meaning the first ceremonies will take place in February. For couples who are already married, their marriage will now be legally recognised in Northern Ireland. However, those who are already in a civil partnership will… Read more »
Senate Confirms Openly Gay Ambassador To Lithuania
The U.S. Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Robert Gilchrist as the U.S. ambassador to Lithuania. Gilchrist is at least the fifth openly gay person to serve in an ambassadorial role under the Trump administration, the Washington Blade reported. Senators confirmed Gilchrist with a voice vote. President Donald Trump nominated Gilchrist, a career Foreign… Read more »
German Cabinet Approves Ban On Gay Conversion Therapy
Germany could become the latest country to ban gay conversion therapy after the Government Cabinet approved plans. The plans extends to banning the practice for all children under 18 as well as vulnerable people with “diminished decision-making capabilities” and non-consenting adults. However, it will allow for consenting adults to opt into the so-called “treatment.” The… Read more »
German bishops declare that homosexuality is completely and utterly ‘normal’
In a groundbreaking move, German bishops have revised teachings on sexual morality and said homosexuality is “normal”. As the Catholic Church prepares for its contended review, the Commission for Marriage and Family of the German Bishops’ Conference came to the consensus that being gay is a “normal form of sexual predisposition.” Moreover, church organisers committed… Read more »
Gay man in Russia forced into hiding over YouTube interview
(CNN) A gay Russian man is in hiding after Russian authorities opened a criminal case over a YouTube video in which he was interviewed by children, a case that has drawn attention from human-rights activists. Maxim Pankratov told CNN he was facing threats and a potentially lengthy prison sentence for appearing in the video discussing… Read more »
Gay man in Russia forced into hiding over YouTube interview
(CNN) – A gay Russian man is in hiding after Russian authorities opened a criminal case over a YouTube video in which he was interviewed by children, a case that has drawn attention from human-rights activists. Maxim Pankratov told CNN he was facing threats and a potentially lengthy prison sentence for appearing in the video… Read more »
Turkey puts lecturer, students on trial for taking part in LGBT pride march
Parade has been held annually since 2011, but university banned it this year; police used pepper spray, plastic bullets and tear gas to disperse it Ankara, Turkey — Eighteen Turkish students and a lecturer went on trial on Tuesday for taking part in a banned LGBTI Pride event at an Ankara university. The defendants face… Read more »
100 years ago, Germany’s ‘Einstein of Sex’ began the gay rights movement
Although he never became a household name like Freud, sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld fought to decriminalize homosexuality and improve LGBTQ healthcare During the years before Nazism destroyed Europe, a German Jew in Berlin pioneered what became the modern LGBTQ rights movement. Magnus Hirschfeld was the first clinician to prove that gays are at a higher risk… Read more »
Swedish government grants $175,000 to fund drag queen story hours for children
The Swedish government is investing SEK 1.7 million, the equivalent of $175,000, to fund drag queen story hour shows for children and those with disabilities. The investment will come from the Swedish Inheritance Fund, a state body that manages the inheritance money of Swedes who die without a written will and next of kin. The… Read more »
Regulations to allow same sex parents register both their names on their child’s birth cert to be signed today
Law will allow same sex parents register both their names on their child’s birth cert from May 5th 2020. Health Minister Simon Harris will today sign regulations which will allow same-sex parents register both their names on their child’s birth cert from May 5th 2020. Harris will meet with a number of LGBT families and… Read more »
New study finds that Russian schoolchildren are actually tolerant of the LGBTQ community
Although the schoolchildren were tolerant, they weren’t trusting of the LGBTQ community. Following anti-government protests against the Russian government during the Summer, in which several youth activists attended, authorities have moved to try and counter this. Among the methods are patriotic teachings in schools, and a ban on minors attending protests. In the wake of… Read more »
Northern Ireland abortion and same-sex marriage laws change
Abortion has been decriminalised and same-sex marriage is to be legalised in Northern Ireland. Legislation making the changes – which was passed by MPs at Westminster – came into force at midnight. The first same-sex weddings in Northern Ireland are set to take place in February 2020. The government has until the end of March… Read more »
Northern Ireland prepares for momentous gay marriage, abortion changes
Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom that does not allow same-sex marriage. That will likely change at the stroke of midnight Monday. Belfast — Campaigners who fought for decades to end Northern Ireland’s same sex-marriage ban and restrictions on abortion prepared on Monday for a momentous change to the laws on… Read more »
Bishop of Iceland issues overdue apology to gay people for church’s ignorance on same-sex marriage
The Bishop of Iceland has apologised to the gay and lesbian community for discrimination against same-sex marriage by the country’s National Church. Agnes Sigurðardóttir, who took office as the Bishop of Iceland in 2012, made the apology on the Icelandic talk show Kastljós on Tuesday, October 29, in response to questions about her predecessor Karl… Read more »
Bosnians march in first Gay Pride under tight police protection
Sarajevo (Reuters) – Several thousand people marched in Bosnia’s first Gay Pride on Sunday, protected by a major security operation including anti-sniper units after some conservative Muslim groups organized counter-rallies. The parade in the capital Sarajevo ended peacefully despite fears of violence prompted by aggressive hate speech online in a country where anti-gay sentiment can… Read more »
No single gene associated with being gay
A genetic analysis of almost half a million people has concluded there is no single “gay gene”. The study, published in Science, used data from the UK Biobank and 23andMe, and found some genetic variants associated with same-sex relationships. But genetic factors accounted for, at most, 25% of same-sex behaviour. Advocacy group GLAAD said the… Read more »
French league game halted after homophobic banners unfurled
Nice, France – The French league game between Nice and Marseille was halted for several minutes during the first half Wednesday after Nice fans unfurled two banners with homophobic messages. One banner referred to Tuesday’s takeover of Nice by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest man who is the owner of chemicals giant Ineos. The… Read more »
Svalbard had his first Pride this weekend – super cool pictures!
Svalbard has had its first Pride ever this weekend! Organizer Lene Jeanette Dyngeland was nervous but was pleased with how many people joined. Behind the Longyearbyen initiative in Svalbard is Lene Jeanette Dyngeland . She started the whole project without any idea how it would end and she was excited to change until Saturday, when… Read more »
LGBT in Russia: smashing stereotypes and creating a queer future
For Russia’s LGBT community, homophobia and violence are part of day-to-day reality. Some cases, like the murder of activist Yelena Grigoryeva last week or torture in Chechnya, have made international headlines and caused global outrage, while others go tragically unreported. But there is more to LGBT+ life in Russia than just oppression. In fact, a… Read more »
‘We need freedom’: Sehaq, the party space for Amsterdam’s queer refugees
As well as contending with racism, queer refugees face homophobia and transphobia – even from their fellow refugees. One Dutch group is trying to carve out a safe space At the dinner table, conversations bubble around people as they tuck into a three-course meal. A plethora of different nationalities and identities have pulled up a… Read more »
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