This Manipur Youth Fought Drug Addiction, Built India’s First Transgender Football Team
Stigma, discrimination and a lack of social support and safe spaces for interactions have left queer youth across the world unable to come out or seek help. The situation is no different in the state of Manipur. A conflicted border state, it has other issues that it prioritizes like the citizenship crisis, insurgency, militarization, substance […]
LGBTQ+ youth violently attacked in Jerusalem on way to trans conference
A group of LGBTQ+ youth were violently attacked near the Central Bus Station in Jerusalem on Friday, while they were on their way to a conference on transgender issues being held in Tel Aviv. In a post on Facebook, Tsion Eliash stated that they were walking with their friend towards the bus stations in front of International […]
Josh Cavallo: the world’s only openly gay top-tier men’s footballer
When Adelaide United’s Josh Cavallo sat down to film his announcement to the world that he was coming out as gay, he didn’t know what to expect. He’d told his teammates and coaches and had a positive and supportive reaction, but the result of posting the video on social media was far less predictable. There […]
Virginia’s governor-elect appoints several anti-LGBTQ leaders to transition team
After narrowly winning the Virginia gubernatorial race over a week ago, governor-elect Glenn Youngkin (R) has begun naming officials to his transition team as he prepares to take the oath of office on January 15. Youngkin, who has already declared that he opposes marriage equality, has already chosen numerous anti-LGBTQ conservatives to ceremonial and official […]
Call for asylum for Afghans facing Taliban LGBT kill lists
Just.Equal Australia has urged the Australian Government to provide refuge for LGBTIQA+ Afghans facing persecution under the Taliban regime. The call follows reports from Rainbow Railroad of Taliban LGBT kill lists circulating in Afghanistan. The Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 until overthrown by an American invasion following the September 11 attacks. The religious fundamentalists then […]
Zamboanga govenment grants financial aid to LGBT community
THE City Government of Zamboanga rolled out Saturday, November 13, the Local Social Amelioration Program (LSAP) for the members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) amid the health pandemic. Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar said the grant of LSAP forms part of the City Government’s program to provide financial assistance to help cushion the […]
Thousands march in Chilean capital’s pride parade
Police in Santiago told Reuters the parade was “massive,” but did not give participation figures. The LGBT community wants Chile to approve equal marriage or the adoption of children by same-sex couples. The South American country established in 2015 the Civil Union Agreement to legally regulate homosexual and heterosexual couples who are not married. This […]
It was the deadliest year on record for transgender and non-binary people
This year proved to be the deadliest on record for transgender and nonbinary people, with at least 45 recorded deaths in 2021. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) said at least 45 transgender and gender-nonconforming people have been killed this year, but used the term “at least” as many of these types of incidents go unreported […]
Namibia | Transgender woman wins police abuse case
A transgender woman in Namibia has emerged victorious in her fight for justice after being beaten, kicked and verbally abused by the police. On Friday, the High Court awarded Mercedez von Cloete – who had sued the Minister of Safety and Security in early 2018 – N$50,000 (approximately R50,000) in damages. In the early hours […]
In Hong Kong, a gay dating show aims to break down LGBT+ barriers
Part LGBT+ dating show, part documentary, a reality television series soon to air in Hong Kong will give a rare portrayal of the complexities of being gay in Chinese society, its producer said. Actor Vinci Wong, 51, will also be presenting the “Boyscation” show, which he said would follow 10 men aged in their 20s […]
Out in the World: Rainbow Railroad says resettlement has started for some LGBTQ Afghans
Rainbow Railrod announced that the first group of LGBTQ Afghan refugees arrived in the United Kingdom just before Halloween. They are safe, but hundreds more remain unsafe in Afghanistan and safe houses in neighboring countries, the organization said. But security breaches threaten the operation. The first group of 29 LGBTQ Afghans arrived in the United […]
Stats NZ survey finds 4.2 percent of population is LGBT+ with 0.8 percent transgender
For the first time, we have a decent idea of the size of New Zealand’s Rainbow community. One in 20 adults in New Zealand identify as LGBT+, which is 4.2 percent of our adult population, according to Stats NZ’s annual Household Economic Survey. The research found that 0.8 percent of New Zealanders identify as transgender […]
Gay Navy veteran’s widower fights for benefits in historic appeal
Navy veteran Rhett Chalk was rendered quadriplegic on Thanksgiving Day in 2003 after his knee — which he severely impaired while serving in Vietnam — gave out, causing him to suffer a life-changing spinal injury. At the time, Chalk had been with his partner, Lawrence Vilord, for roughly 26 years. However, Vilord was barred from […]
Supporters and opponents face off over Ghana’s anti-LGBT law
ACCRA, Nov 11 (Reuters) – Supporters and opponents of Ghana’s new anti-LGBT bill faced off in parliament on Wednesday in the first public hearings into the proposed legislation that would make it a crime to be gay, bisexual or transgender. Akoto Ampaw, a lawyer representing a coalition against the law, was met with occasional jeers […]
Years after legalizing gay marriage, Ireland finally removes homophobic and misogynistic teaching material
Irish education officials have removed teaching material that asked teenage students to discuss inflammatory, false statements such as “all gays molest children,” “girls who don’t wear make-up are lesbian” and “all gays are HIV positive.” The online teaching resources, developed after relationships and sexuality education became a compulsory part of the school curriculum in the […]
How ABCQueer hopes to help young LGBTQIA+ people feel less alone
Mon Schafter: As a proud queer person and the Content Lead of ABCQueer, this week’s news that the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and WorldPride will be broadcast on the ABC from 2022-2024 is one of the most exciting moments of my career. You don’t have to be queer to appreciate Mardi Gras or […]
A Discriminatory System Killed a Transgender Man in Egypt
August 26 should have been a day of celebration for Ezz Eldin, a 26-year-old transgender man, but it ended in tragedy. He bled to death after he was prematurely discharged following a gender-affirmation surgery in an underground clinic, transgender activists told Human Rights Watch. Ezz Eldin, who also went by Ahmed Fares, need not have died, and what […]
Poland: Trio back in court over posters showing Virgin Mary with LGBT halo
Three activists cleared in Poland earlier this year over posters depicting the Virgin Mary with an LGBT halo are back in court today. They were acquitted of “offending religious beliefs” in March, but prosecutors have appealed that verdict. Article 196 of Poland’s penal code states that offending people’s religious feelings by publicly outraging an object […]
BBC quits Stonewall diversity scheme over impartiality concerns
The BBC has quit a diversity programme run by the LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall, saying it believes coverage of transgender issues should be considered an impartiality topic that requires the inclusion of critical voices. The national broadcaster said it would no longer be a member of the Diversity Champions programme, under which the corporation paid Stonewall […]
LGBTQ+ organizations launch plan to combat sexual abuse
After a series of sexual assault and misconduct allegations against gay TV personality Gal Uchovsky and activist Etai Pinkas-Arad, the Agudah-The Association for LGBTQ+ Equality in Israel and additional organizations in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community have launched a plan to combat sexual abuse in that community. The plan, which will continue for […]
LGBTQ American Indians report high levels of depression and abuse, study finds
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) adults have higher levels of mental health issues, physical abuse and economic instability than their non-LGBTQ peers, according to a new report. The study, released last month by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law in advance of Native American Heritage Month […]
‘I love them but won’t support them’; Pacquiao tweaks anti-LGBTQIA tune as he runs for presidency
Boxer-turned-senator Manny Pacquiao affirmed his opposition against marriage equality, even if he is now tweaking his message as a president-wannabe by saying he loves members of the LGBTQIA community for being “smart, hardworking and resourceful.” “Love ko po sila, hindi ko sila kinukundena. Yung faith ko sa Panginoon ay nandiyan; kung ano man ang paniniwala […]
As anti-LGBTQ+ crackdowns persist across Africa, these activists continue to fight
Across Africa, queer people face oppression, discrimination and violence for their identities. A 2020 report by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) reveals that the continent accounts for almost half of the 69 countries where homosexuality is criminalized. State actors like the police have used anti-gay laws as pretext to continue […]
Sudan LGBT organizations condemn military coup
Sudan has been undergoing a democratic transition since the overthrow of dictator Omar al-Bashir in April 2019. Last year, the Transitional Legislative Council passed a series of bills amending the Criminal Code to protect fundamental rights, including eliminating the death penalty and flogging as punishment for consensual same-sex intercourse, giving LGBT activists hope that full […]
Russia Labels Main LGBT Group ‘Foreign Agent’
Russia on Monday declared the main group defending LGBTQ rights a “foreign agent” on Monday, as part of a continuing crackdown on media outlets and rights groups. The ministry also declared several lawyers close to the Russian opposition “foreign agents.” The Russian LGBT Network, which was set up in 2006 and operates in several regions, […]
Failed by the healthcare system, transgender people find help elsewhere
For many transgender people, accessing gender-affirming care is a labyrinth of insurance coverage trap doors, referral letter hoops, and discriminatory falling axes. Social media and online communities are often the guiding threads out of the waiting room. Gender-affirming care is lifesaving. It has been shown to reduce the risk of suicide and increase the mental health and overall wellbeing […]
Married lesbian couple launch discrimination action against NHS
A married lesbian couple are launching a landmark legal test case against a branch of the NHS fertility sector in England, claiming it discriminates against LGBT+ families. Influencers Megan Bacon-Evans, 34, and her wife Whitney, 33, from Windsor in Berkshire, have accused their clinical commissioning group (CCG), Frimley, of penalising them financially because of their sexuality. The couple, […]
Iran: Gay couple sentenced to death for adultery after family demanded execution
After his father-in-law sought their execution, a married Iranian man and his male lover were given the death penalty for adultery. The couple, who are 27 and 33 years old, are expected to be hung, even though the man’s wife pleaded with the authorities to spare their lives. In Iranian law, persons convicted of a […]
China opens first clinic for transgender children
China has opened its first dedicated clinic for adolescents and children who wish to change their gender. The clinic, at the Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, will offer evaluations, diagnosis and interventions to help young people understand sexuality and improve family relations, according to state media. It will integrate clinical departments and “serve as a […]
Spain extends free IVF treatment to single women and LGBT+ community
Spain has extended the availability of free IVF treatment to single women and the LGBT+ community. Health minister Carolina Darias signed an order on Friday granting more women access to medically assisted reproduction in Spain’s public health system. The measure had long been demanded by LGBT+ rights groups that represent lesbian, bisexual, and trans people. […]