The ex-cop behind China’s largest gay dating app
Browsing the internet as a young policeman in China, Ma Baoli recalls the sheer volume of web pages telling him he was a pervert, diseased and in need of treatment — simply because he was gay. “I felt extremely lonely after I became aware of my sexual orientation,” says Ma, at the time a newly […]
In Four Years, Trump Has Ushered In Federal Judicial Climate Unprecedented In Its Hostility
In just four years, President Trump has ushered in a judicial landscape that is significantly more hostile toward LGBTQ+ people, with nearly 40% of Trump’s confirmed federal appellate judges having demonstrated anti-LGBTQ+ bias according to a new report released today by Lambda Legal. The new report — the culmination of a painstaking, four-year effort by […]
Court extends Centre last chance to reply to pleas seeking recognition for same-sex marriage
The Delhi High Court Friday granted a last opportunity to the Centre and the Delhi government to respond to three separate pleas, including by two couples, seeking that same-sex marriage be recognised by law. A Bench of Justices Rajiv Sahai Endlaw and Sanjeev Narula which had earlier issued notice and directed the Centre and Delhi […]
No need to feel inferior’: China dating app helps raise awareness of LGBT issues
Browsing the internet as a young policeman in China, Ma Baoli recalls the sheer volume of web pages telling him he was a pervert, diseased and in need of treatment — simply because he is gay. “I felt extremely lonely after I became aware of my sexual orientation,” says Ma, at the time a newly […]
Our rules don’t permit it — NCC chief on enrolment of transgenders in the corps
Observing that the current rules did not permit enrollment of transgenders, National Cadet Corps (NCC) head Lt Gen Tarun Kumar Aich on Friday said NCC would need “numbers” of the third gender and other “dynamics” to have them in the uniformed youth organisation. Interestingly, while the DG NCC was addressing the annual press conference, the […]
First-ever Jamaica transgender strategy looks beyond health
Imagine using a health-care system that has no concept of you as a person, or of your unique needs. Nurses might not ask important questions. Doctors might overlook the solutions you really require. You might feel unwelcome. That has always been the reality for transgender people in Jamaica. A new strategy seeks to change this. […]
There’s no shame in being intersex – and that’s beautiful’
For years, parents of intersex babies – babies born with a combination of female and male biological characteristics – were encouraged to get “gender normalising” surgery. But intersex advocates are increasingly speaking out against what they say can be a damaging – and irreversible – practice. Ori Turner, who uses the pronouns they/them, is intersex. […]
No Safe Haven for LGBT People in El Salvador
Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele agreed on December 15 to implement an Asylum Cooperative Agreement with the US government. It allows US immigration authorities to transfer non-Salvadoran asylum seekers to El Salvador, instead of allowing them to seek asylum in the US. US President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to terminate the deeply flawed agreement, a deeply […]
‘LGBT for Trump’ Wave Flags as Domestic Terrorists Invade Capitol
Millions across the globe are still in shock from yesterday’s events in Washington D.C., which saw a mob of Trump supporters storming the Capitol and interrupting Congress as legislators were confirming the Electoral College votes from the 2020 presidential election. The scene quickly turned violent, leaving four dead and injuring many others. However, their attempts […]
LGBT Persecution in Senegal
In Senegal, a young man was arrested for his suspected sexual orientation, the African Human Rights Media Network reported. Though persecution in the West African country is unfortunately common, the young man represents the 37th arrest since just September. The arrest occurred on Dec. 28, the AHRMN reported. A spokesperson for the Free Collective, an […]
LGBT Groups Back Trump Removal From Office, Condemn Capitol Riot
LGBT groups have condemned Wednesday’s siege of the Capitol by Trump supporters. President Donald Trump for weeks has been calling on supporters to descend on the city on January 6, the day a joint session of Congress was scheduled to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s November win. Trump appeared at a “Save America Rally” near the […]
Poland: Church cancels lease of liberal Catholic magazine
WARSAW, Poland — A liberal Roman Catholic magazine in Poland that recently criticized some high-ranking church officials says local church authorities in Krakow have terminated the publication’s office lease after almost 76 years. The Tygodnik Powszechny (General Weekly) said on Facebook and on its website that a letter from the Krakow Curia delivered Monday gave […]
For LGBTQ+ People Around the World, Here’s What Biden Can Do to Build Back Better
In every country, LGBTQ+ people face discrimination, from economic inequality and housing discrimination to, in the most severe cases, state-sanctioned violence up to murder. The incoming Biden administration has an opportunity for the United States to help—at home and abroad. Already, President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to revamp the offices at the State Department and […]
Budapest Black Lives Matter artwork sparks rightwing backlash
It will be only one metre high, and will be on display for just two weeks. Nevertheless, a planned art installation dedicated to the theme of Black Lives Matter is causing uproar in Budapest, where the rightwing, nationalist government of Viktor Orbán has taken aim at the movement and all it represents. The installation won […]
Non-binary person granted asylum in first-of-its-kind ruling
A non-binary person from El Salvador has been granted asylum in the UK in a first-of-its-kind ruling. Arthur Britney Joestar, 29, identified as a gay man when they arrived in the UK in October 2017 but came to identify as non-binary – i.e. neither a man nor a woman – after settling in Liverpool. The […]
Pacific leaders applauded in NZ’s New Year’s Honours list
NZ’s New Year’s Honours list has recognised the immense achievements of Pacific leaders after a challenging year. Thirteen Pacific leaders working across a diverse range of industries were honoured in this year’s list. It comes as the country was applauded for its diversity and representation among the newly elected Labour government. Minister for Pacific Peoples […]
Breaking the silence on gender identity in Asia Pacific
For many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people, coming out and being accepted is still a long winding road to go. Rights activist Rukhshana Kapali has been fighting for a registration number at Tribhuvan University, the oldest and largest in Nepal. The first transwoman in Nepal to apply for legal documentation as […]
One of the most anti-gay countries is about to host a conference on LGBTQ rights
Homosexuality is illegal in the United Arab Emirates and even cross-dressing is forbidden, but Dubai will host the International Conference on Gender Identity and LGBT Rights in May. The country has recently started to modernize its legal system to make it less reliant on Islamic law and more in step with other countries. The UAE […]
Uganda: Media bias leads to harassment of trans women
Ms Melanie Anyu, a human rights activist based in Mbale City in eastern Uganda, made the point in a recent interview: Too many media houses in Uganda “sow seeds of stigma and incitement towards LGBTQI+ people”, she said. In doing so, they violate the ethical standards of journalism as well as common decency. The country’s […]
Head of German Bishops calls for church reform on LGBTQ+ teachings
The head of the German bishops’ conference, George Bätzing, has called on the catholic church to alter its teachings on LGBTQ+ people. In an interview with the magazine, Herder Korrespondenz, Bishop Bätzing says he wants church blessings for couples who cannot marry in the Catholic Church to be introduced. This refers to people who have […]
Italy’s coronavirus vaccine rollout will forcibly out transgender and non-binary people
Italy’s segregated rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine by gender will forcibly out transgender people, campaigners have warned. As part of the EU’s mass vaccination programme, which will make the COVID-19 vaccine available to all adult EU citizens by the end of 2021, the first Italian person was vaccinated on 27 December. Days later, pictures of […]
Greece Just Appointed Its First Out Gay Cabinet Minister
The center-right government of Greece announced the country’s first out minister on Monday. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis appointed Nicholas Yatromanolakis as the new deputy minister of culture. The 44-year-old native of Athens had previously served as the culture ministry’s general secretary. Greece is currently dealing with high unemployment and an economic slowdown as a result […]
Cuba: Church opens its doors to LGBTQI+ people
While most churches in Germany, the US and other Western countries now welcome gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersexual people, that is an exception in Cuba. And that exception is called Iglesia de la Comunidad Metropolitana, a Protestant free church. “Once I went to a Reformed Church in which they kept talking about homosexuality as […]
‘Queering Cancer’ website creates community for LGBTQ+ cancer patients
Cancer doesn’t discriminate, but the health care system does. That’s the key message behind a new initiative co-developed by a University of the Fraser Valley professor aimed at creating a supportive online community for LGBTQ+ cancer patients. “The focus is on patient support,” said Evan Taylor, an assistant professor in the UFV School of Social […]
Report: Denial of freedom of LGBTQ+ artistic expression in Sudan
At least three LGBTQ+ organisations in Sudan are forced to operate underground, forcing artists to work with virtually no financial support, according to a report published on December 10 by Freemuse. In an interview with Radio Dabanga, Ola Diab, a Sudanese journalist based in Qatar, said that there is “still significant resistance in Sudan – […]
The K-pop inspired band that challenged gender norms in Kazakhstan
They made their debut as a boy band, expecting to create music and amass fans along the way. Instead they were met with anger, protests and even threats. They perform choreographed dance routines, sing addictive tunes and have shockingly slick music videos – and no, we’re not talking about a K-pop group. This is Q-pop, […]
People changing registered gender rising at record pace in Japan
A total of 948 people altered their officially registered gender in Japan in 2019, the highest number since a law was enforced more than a decade ago as part of efforts to protect the rights of transgenders, a judicial survey showed Sunday. The trend reflects widespread public awareness of those with gender identity disorder and […]
The 2020 Top Ten LGBT Stories from Latin America and the Caribbean
Pandemic, lockdowns, and unemployment dominated life almost everywhere in 2020. The LGBT community in Latin America and the Caribbean has been impacted by these crises disproportionately. And yet, LGBT advocates were able to achieve victories, even in countries with a poor track-record of openness to LGBT rights. 10. Wedding anniversary In March, Mexico City celebrated […]
Pro Rugby Player Devin Ibanez Says He’s Received ‘Overwhelming Support’ After Coming Out Gay
Professional rugby player Devin Ibañez has said that he’s received overwhelming support after coming out gay. Ibañez, who played with the New England Free Jacks in 2019, came out on Facebook and Instagram on Tuesday. “Everyone has been overwhelmingly supportive and amazing,” Ibañez told LGBT sports blog Outsports. “I’ve even gotten some messages from players […]
‘Puberty blockers’ were lifesaving for my daughter – all young people deserve a shot at happiness
For most of us, the Bell v Tavistock ruling was just another news story. You may not even know what it was. But for a small group of British families, it meant everything. Bell v Tavistock was with the High Court between October 2019 and December 2020. After 14 long months, judges ruled it was […]