Europe
Poland and Hungary veto inclusion of LGBTI rights in EU statement
In response, 19 other European Union members states sign pledge calling on the European Commission to enshrine protection of LGBTI rights Poland and Hungary have infuriated LGBTI rights supporters across Europe. Officials from the two countries insisted on the removal of ‘LGBTIQ’ from a common European Statement. It is not the first time the two… Read more »
Russian judge says the country should legalize same-sex unions
The judge said Russia should ‘create family relations different from the usual understanding of the union between a man and a woman’ A judge from Russia said his country should legalize same-sex unions. Dmitry Dedov sits on the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). He shared his official ‘dissenting opinion’ in a written statement. Dedov… Read more »
Gay man refused justice after torture in Chechnya concentration camp
He says he remembers hearing the screams of other gay men in his blood-soaked cell A gay man is speaking out after suffering torture in a Chechnya concentration camp. Maxim Lapunov was one of the first victims of the ‘gay purge‘ in March 2017. Unknown thugs grabbed and dragged him into a car one night.… Read more »
Russia cannot continue to ban LGBTI events, top European court rules
Russian media describe the Court’s ruling as ‘the single biggest case to date’ A top European court ruled today (27 November) Russia can no longer ban LGBTI events. The ruling comes about after a group of seven Russian activists filed 51 applications with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). They allege discrimination and a… Read more »
Kyiv March For Transgender Rights Canceled After Violence By Far-Right Radicals
Kyiv — Activists for transgender rights were forced to disband a demonstration in Kyiv after counterdemonstrators assaulted several protesters and attacked a Canadian journalist trying to cover the event. The organizers of the event criticized Ukrainian police for failing to protect about 40 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights activists who had planned to… Read more »
Scotland to include mandatory teaching on LGBT inclusion within its school curriculum
In what is likely a ‘world-first’, Scotland is set to become the first nation globally to include teaching of LGBT rights and inclusion within the mandated state school curriculum, without exceptions. This appears to be very good news indeed! This important development comes after Scottish Government ministers decided to follow the recommendations of a working… Read more »
Lithuania bans music video because it includes same-sex couples kissing
Pop singer, originally born in Ireland, slams the broadcaster for the decision Lithuania has banned a music video because it includes same-sex couples kissing. Skamp, a multiple award-winning band with a career spanning two decades, released their new song today (6 November). Love Me Like There’s No Tomorrow is a beautiful song, sung in English,… Read more »
Finland Police is getting a LGBTI network to help fight homophobia
Police officers took it upon themselves to start the group Police in Finland are getting their own LGBTI service, even though many of its officers still remain in the closet. The LGBTQ group comes a year after the Finnish police marched in Helsinki Pride for the first time. Senior police officer, Linnea West, told Yle… Read more »
Court finds 16-year-old charged with ‘gay propaganda’ in Russia innocent
The teenager was charged for uploading photos of men without tops to a social media website The teenager arrested for spreading ‘gay propaganda’ in Russia has won his appeal. In July, 16-year-old, Maxim Neverov, was charged with ‘promoting non-traditional sexual relations’ for publishing several photos on the page on the social media network VKontakte. In… Read more »
‘Kill the Gays’ Uganda MP receives award at Britain’s Parliament
Despite her notorious homophobic views, Rebecca Kadaga received the award for being one of only a few female leaders in Africa A British thinktank has defended giving an award to the politician from Uganda behind the infamous ‘Kill the Gays’ bill. Rebecca Kadaga is the House Speaker in the Ugandan parliament and was recently award… Read more »
Crimea attack: Gun attack at Kerch college kills 19
At least 19 people have been killed and dozens more wounded in a shooting at a college in Russian-annexed Crimea. An 18-year-old student ran through the Kerch technical college firing at fellow pupils before killing himself, Russian investigators say. Witnesses have also spoken of at least one blast caused by an unidentified explosive. The motive… Read more »
Welsh nationalist party Plaid Cymru elects its first openly gay leader
Adam Price is the first ever out gay politician to serve as party leader in Wales Welsh nationalist party Plaid Cymru has elected its first openly gay leader. Adam Price won the leadership challenge from the party’s incumbent leader Leanne Wood. He received 2,863 votes, while Wood got 1,286. Price served as MP from 2001… Read more »
Queer legend Oscar Wilde honored with portrait on wing of Boeing aircraft
A tribute Wilde would both love and mock Irish poet, playwright, and queer icon Oscar Wilde is being honored with a portrait on two Boeing aircraft. Norwegian airlines have launched two aircraft – a Boeing 737 MAX and a Boeing 787 Dreamliner – ahead of the legendary poet’s birthday on 16 October. The airliner often… Read more »
Austria sees in its first same-sex marriage in lead-up to full legalization
Two of the women who successfully challenged Austria’s top court to legalize same-sex marriage tied the know in Vienna this week Two Austrian women are celebrating being the first couple to tie the knot in Austria. The happy couple married in a private ceremony on Friday (12 October). This comes about 10 months since from… Read more »
This is how we have made 2018 the biggest ever year for Pride in the UK
3.5 million people attended at least one parade in the United Kingdom in 2018 Pride in the UK in 2018 is officially the biggest it’s ever been. We’ve shimmied, marched, partied, advocated, demonstrated, laughed, campaigned, loved, sung, and spread the message, and this year we’ve done it in bigger numbers than ever before. As the… Read more »
This is how we have made 2018 the biggest ever year for Pride in the UK
3.5 million people attended at least one parade in the United Kingdom in 2018 Pride in the UK in 2018 is officially the biggest it’s ever been. We’ve shimmied, marched, partied, advocated, demonstrated, laughed, campaigned, loved, sung, and spread the message, and this year we’ve done it in bigger numbers than ever before. As the… Read more »
11 inspiring pictures of Kosovo celebrating its second-ever Pride
The official Pride parade went ahead despite anti-LGBTI threats Kosovo hosted a heavily-guarded Pride event today (10 October). Despite threats by anti-LGBTI groups, the capital Pristina turned rainbow for the second-ever LGBTI march in the disputed territory. The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community gathered in the city center. Allies and political authorities were also… Read more »
Romania’s anti-gay marriage vote voided over low turnout
Just 20% of registered voters cast their ballot in referendum to define marriage as explicitly between a man and woman Low turnout has voided a referendum in Romania on restricting the definition of marriage to exclude same-sex unions, election officials have said. Just 20% of registered voters had cast their ballot by the time polls… Read more »
Gran Canaria: Explore the island’s quirky side and stay in style
The Spanish island is one of the most LGBTI-friendly places on the planet… If you haven’t already visited Gran Canaria, you’ve heard of it by reputation. The Spanish island is one of the most LGBTI-friendly places on the planet and its gay scene is unmissable. The third biggest of Spain’s Canary Islands is also one… Read more »
Romania marriage referendum: ‘Is silence the best defence against homophobia?’
Was silence really the best tactic going into the Romania referendum this weekend? Romania votes on same-sex marriage this weekend. The demand for this referendum did not come from the LGBTI-movement, but from a few religious groups. They want to underline in the Romanian constitution that a marriage is between a man and a woman.… Read more »
Parents locked up Lesbian daughter
17-year-old freed after calling gay helpline says LGBT Center Rome’s Gay Center facility said Tuesday that, with the support of State and Carabinieri police, last week it managed to free a 17-year-old girl who was being locked up at home by her parents because she is a lesbian. “The girl said she had a very… Read more »
Fleeing Anti-Gay Persecution in Chechnya, Three Young Women Are Now Stuck in Place
It begins as the most ordinary of stories and ends with three women who are trapped in a small apartment in a country I can’t name. If they are found here, they will be in danger, but they have nowhere else to go. They are queer refugees from a Muslim country, which means that the… Read more »
Switzerland has made homophobia and transphobia illegal, comparing them to racism
People in violation of the new law will face up to three years in jail. Switzerland has changed its penal code meaning that people who are homophobic or transphobic toward someone else face the same punishment as if they were racist toward them. Switzerland’s National Council voted by 118-60 votes to update the penal code,… Read more »
Romania’s top court rules in favor of LGBTI rights before referendum
People will vote on 6 October about how to define a family Ahead of the referendum taking place next weekend, the top court of Romania ruled in favor of equality for LGBTI couples. The Constitutional Court determined same-sex couples should have the same rights, both in private and to a family, as any heterosexual couple.… Read more »
Gay activist reportedly lynched in Greece, dies at 33
People are divided about the circumstances The LGBTI community in Greece — and beyond — are demanding justice for the death of gay activist Zak Kostopoulos. Video evidence allegedly shows a group of men attacking and kicking Kostopoulos on Saturday (22 September). According to a report by PinkNews, authorities are still investigating the circumstances of… Read more »
Dundee welcomes first ever Pride
The first ever Dundee Pride is due to get underway for a day-long celebration of Scotland’s LGBTI community The East Coast of Scotland will be breaking out the rainbow flags this weekend as celebrations start for the first ever Dundee Pride. Officiated over by local drag star Buschie Fandango, the event will kick off on… Read more »
Northern Ireland DUP councilor backs motion to light up town hall in rainbow colors for Pride
He went against his own party’s anti-LGBT line A Northern Ireland town hall is set to be lit up in rainbow colors to mark all future Prides. And it’s all thanks to a single Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) councilor. A motion on the issue, which relates to Ards Town Hall, was recommended for approval at… Read more »
Romania’s top court says referendum can go ahead to block marriage equality
Conservatives and religious groups in the country want a referendum to ensure the country’s constitution only recognizes opposite-sex families Romania’s top court says a referendum can go ahead to effectively block marriage equality coming to the country. Conservatives and religious groups want the country’s constitution changed. They want it to state Romania only recognizes marriage… Read more »
Serbia Pride: Gay PM Brnabic ‘not wanted’ at parade
It’s the only Balkan country to have an openly gay prime minister – so why are some of Serbia’s LGBT activists determined to keep PM Ana Brnabic away from Gay Pride? When Ms Brnabic was appointed last year, hopes were high in the LGBT community: not only was she the first woman to head the… Read more »
Serbia Pride: Gay PM Brnabic ‘not wanted’ at parade
It’s the only Balkan country to have an openly gay prime minister – so why are some of Serbia’s LGBT activists determined to keep PM Ana Brnabic away from Gay Pride? When Ms Brnabic was appointed last year, hopes were high in the LGBT community: not only was she the first woman to head the… Read more »
Teleport to sunny Valletta with these 13 pictures of Malta Pride
We wish we were there Malta Pride festivities culminated in the annual parade taking to the streets today (15 September). Tourists and locals alike have invaded the capital Valletta for a march of celebration and protest. Although being celebrated every year, this 2018 parade holds a special significance. It takes place despite a demonstration organized… Read more »
Romanian rights groups challenge ‘homophobic’ marriage referendum
LGBTI rights groups in Romania make a legal case to block a referendum which could make it harder to allow for same-sex marriage Rights groups in Romania have made a legal move to block an upcoming referendum on the definition of marriage. The referendum is due to take place in October. The groups have said… Read more »
In over 40 countries, laws against homosexuality are a lasting legacy of British rule
After scrapping a regressive 19th century law that criminalised homosexuality, India has joined the ranks of the few former colonies to abandon a lasting legacy of British rule. Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was introduced by the British in 1861, inspired by the 1553 Buggery Act that outlawed homosexuality in England. It… Read more »
Vigil held for trans woman killed outside her front door in Istanbul
Vigil held for trans woman killed outside her front door in Istanbul Dozens of trans activists and supporters protested the alleged murder of a trans woman in Istanbul, Turkey. Esra Ates, a sex worker, was attacked on Saturday morning outside the apartment where she lived in the central neighbourhood of Beyoglu following an argument with… Read more »
Most Russians believe in a secret group which is destroying their values with ‘gay propaganda’
A large majority of Russians think an unnamed group is using ‘gay propaganda’ to eradicate their spiritual values, according to state-funded research. The study by the government-run Russian Public Opinion Research Centre shows that more than three in five – 63 percent – believe in the existence of such a shadowy organisation. The news comes… Read more »
‘Biggest ever’ Pride parade lights up Copenhagen
This year’s Copenhagen Pride parade was the largest in the city’s history. An estimated 40,000 people, including Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, joined the 3.3-kilometre-long march as it made its way through the Danish capital. Saturday’s (August 18) parade came just weeks after cabinet minister Tommy Ahlers – who has been the Minister of Science,… Read more »
‘The king and his husband’: The gay history of British royals
Ordinarily, the wedding of a junior member of the British royal family wouldn’t attract much global attention. But Lord Ivar Mountbatten’s has. That’s because Mountbatten, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, is expected to wed James Coyle this summer in what has been heralded as the “first-ever” same-sex marriage in Britain’s royal family. Perhaps what… Read more »
Paris Gay Games a respite for oppressed athletes
Paris — The Gay Games which are under way in Paris are not just a chance to celebrate sport and diversity: they offer crucial respite to gay athletes forced to hide their sexuality in their home countries. Silenced In China Unable to share the truth about being gay with his family, 21-year-old Zhang Nan flew… Read more »
Teenager becomes first minor prosecuted under Russia’s anti-gay ‘propaganda’ laws
Maxim Neverov reportedly fined by authorities over images posted on social network VKontakte A schoolboy has become the first minor to be prosecuted under Russia’s strict “gay propaganda” laws. Maxim Neverov, a 16-year-old from the city of Biysk, was reportedly fined £50,000 rubles (£580) by a court, according to campaign group the Russian LGBT… Read more »
Arsonists target Lithuania’s only LGBT rights group in ‘vicious homophobic attack’
The office of the Lithuanian Gay League (LGL) – the country’s only non-governmental organisation representing LGBT+ people – has reportedly been targeted in an arson attack. The incident allegedly took place in Pylimo in the Old Town of Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, at about 4am on Friday morning. The front door and door blinds of the… Read more »
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