Europe
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 »
Police In Russia Detain 25 LGBT Activists
Police in St. Petersburg, Russia on Saturday detained 25 LGBT activists. According to the BBC, the unsanctioned demonstration attracted 60 protesters, who gathered at the city’s main square holding banners and rainbow flags. In 2012, St. Petersburg approved a law that outlaws “gay propaganda” in the city. The following year, a nationwide ban was imposed.… Read more »
Istanbul police disperse gay pride march
Riot police have used tear gas to disperse hundreds of people at a gay pride march in Istanbul. The city’s LGBTI community and their friends had said they were determined to march. Police used tear gas, dogs and batons to push back crowds celebrating Istanbul’s 16th gay pride march on Sunday. People carrying rainbow flags… Read more »
Life as a trans woman in Russia: Meet Ksenya
“Transgender people are not very welcome and, most of the time, are forced to hide,” Ksenya tells PinkNews. Russian native Ksenya, who considers herself lucky for never having run into any kind of physical aggression and for having a supportive family, was forced to move to St. Petersburg, which she says is the most tolerant… Read more »
All you need to know about Pride Amsterdam’s suggestive Canal Parade
Rainbow barges floating down the canal? We’re on board! This year’s Pride Amsterdam week-long festival will kick off on 28 July, culminating in the annual Canal Parade on 4 August. More than 80 contingents will float down the canal, one of the most suggestive Pride locations in Europe. A pride on water in Amsterdam The… Read more »
Bulgaria recognises rights of married lesbian couple in historic first
A Bulgarian court has backed the right of a same-sex married couple to reside in the country for the first time in a landmark ruling. The Sofia City Administrative Court ruled that the French-Australian couple should be allowed to live in Bulgaria together, reports Australian TV network SBS. Cristina Palma, from Australia, married her partner… Read more »
Assessment of strategic information on men who have sex with men and trans people in Estonia
Introduction The first HIV case in Estonia was diagnosed in 1988, and since then a total of 9,711 (as of December 31, 2017). The rate of newly diagnosed cases of HIV has decreased over the last decade (from 46.0 cases per 100,000 in 2005 to 16.6 cases in 2017), but it has been quite stable… Read more »
Istanbul Pride goes ahead despite ban, police violence
Despite being banned by the authorities and threats to arrest anyone “looking gay,” Istanbul Pride went ahead with a party of love and celebration before being broken up by police. “We are here this year, as we are every year.” Istanbul’s Pride parade has been banned four four consecutive years, despite homosexuality not being illegal… Read more »
Tens of thousands attend Paris Gay Pride march
Tens of thousands of mainly young people flooded the streets of central Paris for the annual Gay Pride parade on Saturday, with plenty of exuberance but also calls to “carry on the struggle” against discrimination. The marchers wound their way through the French capital under the traditional rainbow colours of the LGBT community. Among the… Read more »
Gay men in Northern Ireland offered access to pardons
Men convicted of abolished gay sex offences in Northern Ireland can now seek a pardon and have their record cleared. The new law, which was approved by the assembly in 2016, comes into force on Thursday. It brings Northern Ireland into line with England and Wales. Convictions that are disregarded will be considered as never… Read more »
Czech Government Backs Same-Sex Marriage Bill
The Czech government on Friday announced that it will back legislation that seeks to extend marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples. The move likely means that the Czech Republic will become the first formerly communist country in Europe with marriage equality. According to Reuters, Prime Minister Andrej Babis announced that his government would back… Read more »
The Economic Cost of Homophobia
Foreword It is my pleasure to present the Peter Tatchell Foundation’s report into an often ignored consequence of anti-LGBT+ criminalisation – The Economic Cost of Homophobia. This report does not consider the important human rights arguments against criminalising homosexuality. Instead, it argues that in addition to the moral considerations, nations have a monetary and economic… Read more »
Thousands Attend LGBT Pride March In Ukrainian Capital Of Kiev
An estimated 5,000 people attended an LGBT Pride march on Sunday in Ukraine’s capital of Kiev. According to the AP, the march only lasted 20 minutes and was repeatedly interrupted by opponents. Russia’s Interfax news agency reported that far-right radical groups tried to block the march seven times. Reuters reported that police in riot gear… Read more »
Far-Right Protesters Arrested at Kiev Gay Pride March
Kiev, Ukraine — More than 50 Ukrainian far-right activists were detained in Kiev on Sunday after they tried to disrupt a gay pride march, the police said. As around 5,000 people gathered for the march amid a huge security presence, about 150 members of a far-right group tried to block the route. Several threw gas… Read more »
Gay Pride parades split Catholics across Europe
Rome – While clergy in the United States debate different approaches that Catholics should take on gay pride parades that will hit the streets in June, faithful in largely Catholic European countries are also split. For some Catholics, the festive parades were “a demonstration of sin” and “blasphemous, iniquitous and detestable offences,” while others called… Read more »
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