Northern Ireland police investigate ‘no Irish, no gay’ graffiti as hate crime
Police in Northern Ireland are investigating graffiti found in Lurgan, Co. Armagh, reading “no Irish, no gay” as a hate crime. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they received a report of criminal damage on Friday (18 August), however, according to local residents, the graffiti was not new, and had been there for […]
Sydney suburbs provide ‘safe space’ for gay rugby players
They play serious rugby, train twice a week, heckle from the sidelines, and participate in ‘boat races’ – a post-match duel against the opposing team to determine who can scull cans of beer the fastest. From the outside, they are an unremarkable team. But peel back the club’s facade and you find something different: an […]
Iraq: Scrap Anti-LGBT Bill
The Iraqi government should immediately withdraw a proposed law currently before parliament that would impose the death penalty for same-sex conduct and imprisonment for transgender expression, Human Rights Watch said today. If adopted, the bill would violate fundamental human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression, association, privacy, equality, and nondiscrimination of lesbian, gay, […]
B.C. attracting researchers as home to world’s largest transgender archives
Every year, the University of Victoria’s Transgender Archives attract visitors from all over the world looking to study and learn from its history. The archives are the largest of their kind and one of the few trans-specific archives anywhere in the world. Housed in UVic’s McPherson Library, the archives consist of materials from 23 different […]
LGBTQ fears grow in Malaysia as Islamists shatter reform hopes
Artist Carmen Rose used to perform regularly in Malaysia, until a police raid last year put an end to the veteran drag queen’s act and fueled the fears of the LGBTQ community at a time when Islamists are rapidly gaining political clout. Since the raid, during which several party-goers were arrested, Rose has stopped doing […]
California Republicans Shift Stance on Abortion, Marriage-Equality
To the outrage of national Republicans, the California GOP is trying to broaden its appeal by removing language opposing abortion and critical of same-sex marriage from its platform. In the blue state, Republicans have indicated they intend to broaden their tent ahead of the party’s convention, where the 2024 candidates are expected to speak. By […]
A Californian was killed after an argument over a Pride flag hanging outside her clothing store, deputies say
CNN — A Southern California clothing store owner was shot and killed after an argument about a rainbow Pride flag hanging outside her business, police said, as the LGBTQ+ community continues to face violence and threats across America. Laura Ann “Lauri” Carleton, 66, died from a gunshot wound Friday evening at her store, Mag.Pi, in Cedar Glen, about 80 miles by […]
Putin’s adviser says U.S. is using brainwashing to make gay Ukrainian super-soldiers
An adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that Ukraine’s military will become “unified through gay sex” like the Greek Spartans. While the comment may seem bizarre, it’s just the latest example of Russian authorities using anti-LGBTQ+ nationalist sentiment to justify its unprovoked war against Ukraine. “Military theorists and historians know which army in Greece […]
LGBTQ Afghan Migrants In Limbo For Asylum
Even as night settles over Quetta, there are plenty of cars whizzing past us as we disappear into a two-story house along Sattar Road. We grope the walls on either side as we take every cautious step up a set of very narrow stairs, engulfed in darkness. We reach the top floor, but our path […]
A Look at Uganda’s Extreme anti-Gay Law
“Recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.” So begins the preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, establishing a visionary framework that promotes equality for all members of humanity. However, the Anti-Homosexuality […]
‘Intimidated and stalked’: Citizens living in fear over nation’s shocking new bill
Like every other queer community on the continent already living in fear, the LGBTQ+ community in Kenya might be the next to be hit with an additional extreme bill. Following the draconian anti-gay bill passed by the Ugandan parliament on March 21, Kenyan Opposition MP George Peter Kaluma submitted an anti-gay bill to the National […]
Police Looking Into Possible Hate Crime Against Gay Man From Central Israel
The police are looking into an incident in which a 31-year-old man from the central Israeli city of Rehovot was attacked due to his sexual orientation on Friday. Uri Lev, the victim, posted a video on his TikTok account showing him with bruises on his face. He had an encounter with a man who approached […]
UK Black Pride 2023: Revellers descend on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to mark event’s 18th year
Revellers descended on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Saturday to celebrate UK Black Pride. In what is the event’s 18th year, LGBTQI+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern heritage gathered in the sunshine to celebrate inclusivity and equality in east London. At the event, were performers including Miss Banks, DJ Biggy […]
How the Cook Islands fought off the shackles of colonialism and freed its LGBTQ+ community
When Nerida Williams visited the Cook Islands late last year, she was struck by just how many Pride flags were dotted about the place. The Cook Islands, known as a religious and somewhat conservative place, is a self-governing territory in the South Pacific Ocean that has a free association with New Zealand. It has a […]
Trans soldier’s attack highlights challenges faced by LGBT Ukrainians
A transgender soldier of the Ukrainian armed forces was attacked while on leave in Lviv, highlighting the struggles faced by the LGBT community. Hanna Mark was a soldier in the Ukrainian armed forces well before the Russian full-scale invasion launched last year. As a transgender woman, Hanna is one of the many Ukrainians of all […]
New Brunswick premier’s discriminatory policy gets deserved rebuke
Kelly Lamrock, New Brunswick’s Child and Youth Advocate, has completed his scathing review of Premier Blaine Higgs’ Progressive Conservative government’s changes to Policy 713, which is supposed to provide a safe space for LGBTQ2S+ students in the province’s schools. The report was released publicly on Tuesday and is titled On Balance, Choose Kindness (which makes […]
LGBTQ+ Ethiopians flee in the face of sudden crackdown
Few understand the dangers of belonging to a marginalized group in Ethiopia like Faris Cuchi Gezahegn. “The reality of being queer and being part of the LGBTQ+ community in Ethiopia and being Ethiopian is to the point of like, you know, we don’t exist,” they told DW. Gezahegn are far from alone in their anxiety. […]
Eight in 10 LGBTQ+ Americans fear for safety as bigotry sweeps nation, study finds
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), an LGBTQ+ nonprofit organisation, revealed in data analysis published on Wednesday (16 August) that almost 80 per cent of LGBTQ+ adults feel less safe amid the rise in right-wing laws across the US. For trans and non-binary adults, this number is significantly higher, with more than nine in 10 (94 […]
Saudi LGBTQ refugees live in fear of being kidnapped
In the wake of the tragic death of a Saudi trans woman who was coerced back to the country before taking her own life, LGTBQ Saudis are speaking out against threats they receive from their families and their fear of state authorities. Gay, trans, and queer Saudis living in the UK and US spoke to […]
Transgender women banned from women’s chess events
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) says it is temporarily banning transgender women from competing in its women’s events. The FIDE said individual cases would require “further analysis” and that a decision could take up to two years. The move has been criticised by some players and enthusiasts. Many sports governing bodies have been working on […]
Two Brewers stabbing leaves London queer community reeling: ‘Our second home was attacked’
In Clapham, there’s a sense of trepidation and sadness as the local LGBTQ+ community comes to terms with an attack at one of their safe spaces, iconic bar The Two Brewers. On Sunday evening (13 August), while a drag queen performed inside for locals, two men were stabbed in the smoking area. Their injuries weren’t […]
Black lesbian eco-feminists fight for victims of Caribbean pesticide poisoning
Over 90 percent of the population of Guadeloupe and Martinique is contaminated by a pesticide, chlordecone (Kepone), which was used on banana plantations from 1972 to 1993 with the acquiescence of French health authorities who were well aware of its toxicity for humans. Today, Guadeloupe and Martinique have the highest rates of prostate cancer in […]
Haifa abuzz as pamphlet blames LGBT people for the rise of Nazism
Residents on Berl Katznelson Street in the Neve Sha’anan neighborhood of Haifa were stunned to discover this week in their mailboxes a pamphlet with inciteful content against the LGBTQ+ community. R. and her partner L., who live on the street, said that “when we opened the pamphlet and started reading, we realized what it was […]
This is the gayest World Cup ever (and no one’s batting an eyelid)
There are about 100 openly LGBTQ+ players and coaches across the tournament’s expanded 32 teams, according to counts by LGBTQ+ publications. One of those, Autostraddle, noted that the tournament “just might be the most openly queer sporting event in history.” The impact for the queer community – not just here but around the world – can’t be […]
LGBT community members should be treated with love and affection like everyone else: Karnataka HC
Dismissing a petition challenging the filing of a criminal case for alleged abetment to suicide of a person of the LGBT community, the High Court of Karnataka said that everyone, including the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other sexual orientations and genders), should be treated with love and care so that lives are not […]
Estonian Methodists leave global group after LGBT conflict
During a church meeting, 97 per cent of the attending representatives indicated their support for leaving the United Methodist Church (UMC). The reason for their leave is the progressive course the UMC seems to be taking, Dagen writes. It is not the first time that the LGBT issue threatens the unity of the United Methodist Church. In […]
Pride event held in Maskwacis shows community support is building, organizers say
A Pride event held in Maskwacis last month shows support is building across the community, organizers say. Local advocate Chevi Rabbit noted the event was put on through a partnership between the Maskwacis Two Spirit Society in partnership with Samson Cree Nation. “It’s an informal committee through the four nations,” said Rabbit, adding the event […]
Uganda: New anti-homosexuality law could spark migration
Holding hands with the person you love and share a life with can get you thrown into jail in Uganda. Even penning this article would carry a penalty, as journalists also face imprisonment for publishing, broadcasting or distributing any content that might be deemed to advocate the rights of LGBTQ+ people. This is the nature […]
Amsterdam opens trailblazing skatepark: A safe haven for LGBTQ and women skaters
Despite its image as an alternative sport for baggy-pantsed rebels, in Amsterdam, a unique skatepark is one of the first in the world to offer a safe space for LGBTQ skateboarders. Nestled within a warehouse in the vibrant southern heart of Amsterdam, a compelling message echoes from the walls: “Skateboarding is for Everyone.” Embracing the […]
States that protect transgender health care now try to absorb demand
States that declared themselves refuges for transgender people have essentially issued an invitation: Get your gender-affirming health care here without fearing prosecution at home. Now that bans on such care for minors are taking effect around the country — Texas could be next, depending on the outcome of a court hearing this week — patients […]