In a first for India, transgender couple become biological parents
A transgender couple are the first in India to become parents biologically, after one of the partners gave birth on Wednesday in Kerala state. The birth of the baby is a milestone for the South Asian nation, where transgender people continue to face discrimination and stigma despite being officially recognised as a “third gender” since […]
Leaked report shows intent to criminalise gay activities
The government should “comprehensively criminalise” activities that promote homosexuality in the country and lay down stringent requirements for registration of civil society organisations, a leaked report reveals. The report by the National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organisations or NGO Bureau shows the government’s intention to clamp stronger shackles on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and […]
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to run Disney district after ‘Don’t Say Gay’ feud
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will soon take control of Walt Disney World’s self-governing district after Senate Republicans approved a bill Friday punishing the company over its opposition to the law critics call “Don’t Say Gay.” The legislation, which now awaits the governor’s signature, would require DeSantis to appoint a five-member board to oversee the government […]
Anglicans angry at same-sex blessings question Justin Welby’s ‘fitness to lead’
Conservative Anglican churches in developing countries will meet next week to consider radical action over the Church of England’s decision to bless same-sex couples in civil marriages, saying they question the archbishop of Canterbury’s “fitness to lead” the global church. The Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA), which represents churches in 24 countries and […]
Anthony Albanese vows to be first Australian PM to march in Sydney Mardi Gras parade
Anthony Albanese will be the first sitting Australian prime minister to march in Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras when he joins the parade for the WorldPridefestival. The prime minister says he will be joined by Foreign Minister Penny Wong, the first openly gay woman in parliament, when he takes part in the event later […]
Center for Religion and Public Life petitions Parliament to reject Anti-LGBTQ Bill
The Center for Religion and Public Life (CRPL-Ghana) has petitioned the Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee of Parliament not to pass the bill against Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQI+) groups. This was contained in a statement signed by the Executive Director of CRPL-Ghana, Rev. Canon Dr. Confidence W. Bansah, and directed to […]
Bill that would restrict drag shows passes Tennessee Senate
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Legislation designed to restrict where certain drag shows can take place passed the Tennessee Senate on Thursday, the latest bill state Republican leaders have advanced targeting LGBTQ people. Senate lawmakers voted 26-6 in favor of the bill, with only Democrats opposing. The bill is slightly different than a version moving through the House […]
Kerala transgender couple’s ‘tears of joy’ as baby born early
A transgender couple from the southern Indian state of Kerala, whose pregnancy photos made global news, have welcomed their baby with “tears of joy”. Ziya Paval said her partner Zahad had given birth to the baby on Wednesday morning. Ms Paval shared the news on Instagram, posting a photo of the baby who was born […]
Organization hopes to eradicate LGBT-phobia from Martinique within 10 years
Last year, the LGBT organization KAP Caraïbe celebrated 10 years of existence in Martinique, a French territory in the Caribbean. The organization, whose name stands for “Konsey, Aide, Prevansyion” — or “Advicel Aid, and Prevention” in English — provides services to and advocates for the LGBT population of the island. In this article, 76crimes speaks […]
When homosexuality was considered an illness, this late psychologist fought back
Dr. Charles Silverstein accomplished a lot in his life. As a psychologist, he used his clinical practice to help LGBTQ patients embrace their identities at a time when conversion therapy was the norm. He authored several books, including For The Ferryman, his 2022 memoir published by ReQueered Tales, and The Joy of Gay Sex, an explicit and illustrated guide to sex, which he […]
Delhi’s new LGBTQ community centre promises a safe space for the queer
If you are a queer in India, you have definitely heard of the Naz Foundation. An NGO that works on HIV/AIDS and sexual health, this is also the organisation behind the petition to amend Section 377 of the IPC at the Supreme Court. They are all set to start a 1,200 sq. ft. centre for the […]
IN SHADOW OF ATTACK, SITUATION OF SLOVAKIA’S TRANS COMMUNITY REMAINS PRECARIOUS
The October 2022 terrorist attack against the LGBT community in Bratislava marked a new era for transgender people in the country, but not one many expect to be more positive. Even though existing requirements to undergo transition were already challenging and included surgical sterilisation before a transgender person could change their documentation, the aftermath of the […]
Mozambique: LGBT Rights Activists Demand Equal Access To Health Services
Both activists say LGBT people in Mozambique, as in many African countries, face more barriers than the rest of the population when accessing health services due to stigma and discrimination. “Instead of the nurse worrying about diagnosing the illness that brought me to the hospital, he asked questions about my sexual orientation”, Campos recalled of a […]
Missouri lawmakers weigh proposal coined ‘most extreme Don’t Say Gay bill’ in the U.S.
Missouri school employees would be banned from talking about gender and sexual orientation under a proposal heard by a Senate committee Tuesday morning. Senate Bill 134, put forward by Sen. Mike Moon of Ash Grove, would ban all discussions in K-12 schools relating to gender identity and sexual orientation, making exceptions only for licensed mental […]
Japanese LGBTQ groups demand the country adopt equal rights law by G-7 summit
Japanese LGBTQ people and rights groups condemned a recent discriminatory remark by a senior aide of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, demanding his government enact laws to ban discrimination against sexual minorities, legalize same-sex marriage and guarantee equal rights before Japan hosts a Group of Seven summit in May. Their comments at a news conference Tuesday […]
Rishi Sunak reshuffle: Where does prime minister’s new cabinet stand on LGBTQ+ rights?
Rishi Sunak has announced a reshuffle of his cabinet, with equalities minister Kemi Badenoch being handed an even meatier role in government amid the on-going discussion around trans rights in the UK. The prime minister confirmed five new appointments had been approved by the King on Tuesday (7 February).
LGBT Brazilians compete in country’s first drag king contest
At a downtown Sao Paulo tattoo studio, drag performer Hinacio King has a six-pack contoured onto their abdomen and their breasts tightly tapped down to transform into their alter ego. King is taking part in Brazil’s King of Kings competition, the first of its kind where 15 drag kings from around the country compete to […]
Transgender rights: top Hong Kong court says in landmark ruling government breached rights of 2 trans men by preventing them from changing ID cards
Hong Kong’s top court handed down a landmark ruling on Monday finding that authorities’ refusal to allow two transgender people to use their preferred gender on their identity cards without undergoing full reassignment surgery had breached their rights. The ruling, the result of a years-long legal battle, meant the government could no longer impose such […]
Intersex children should be allowed informed consent on surgeries, ABA House says
A resolution asking medical professionals to obtain consent from minors with intersex traits before doing medical or surgical intervention was approved Monday by the ABA House of Delegates at the association’s midyear meeting. Resolution 511 was brought by four ABA entities—the Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice, the Center for Human Rights, the Coalition […]
Special Commission To Examine Seven Gay Hate Crime Deaths In NSW
John Hughes was an out gay man, known to his friends as ‘Skinny John’ and lived in Kings Cross-Potts Point area. In May 1989, 45-year-old Hughes was found dead in his apartment, with his hands and feet bound with an electrical cord and a pillow slip covering his head. He had suffered a blow to […]
Japan Ruling Party Flips on LGBTQ Bill After Gaffe by PM Aide
Japan’s ruling party will prepare to submit a bill encouraging understanding of issues concerning the LGBTQ community, seeking to repair the damage from discriminatory comments made by a former aide to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. “The Liberal Democratic Party wants to work to create an inclusive society that respects diversity,” party Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi told […]
Finland takes “major step” towards protecting trans rights
The passing of legislation in Finland that abolishes the requirements for trans people to endure invasive medical and psychiatric procedures before they can have their gender recognised is a major victory for equality, says Amnesty International. The new law – passed on 1 February by Finland’s Parliament with 113 votes in favour and 69 against […]
Same-sex marriage row looms over Church of England synod
The repeal of a century-old act of parliament that allows the Church of England to govern itself is among options being considered by MPs frustrated at the church’s continued refusal to offer marriage equality to same-sex couples. Conservative and Labour MPs are weighing up several options aimed at bringing the C of E into line with […]
‘Nervous’ couple makes history as India’s first-ever trans parents to be: ‘We’re about to realise my dream’
A trans couple in India has made history by announcing they are expecting their first child. Trans woman and dancer Ziya Paval announced on Instagram that her partner, trans man Zahhad, is eight months pregnant and would likely welcome their child sometime in the coming month. In the post, she wrote: “We are about to […]
Remembering LGBTQ+ Rights Pioneer Charles Silverstein
Charles Silverstein, who helped remove homosexuality from the American Psychiatric Association’s list of mental illnesses and coauthored The Joy of Gay Sex, has died at age 87. Silverstein’s death was announced on Twitter by Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. He died Monday, the organization said. He was a native and longtime resident of New York City. […]
How antisemitic tropes are being used to target the LGBTQ community
Over the past year, a new front for hate has opened up across Canada and the United States, with drag performances and gender-affirming care providers becoming targets of harassment and threats. But the vitriol has an all-too-familiar tone — one that a well-known anti-hate organization says is a cause for concern. The U.S.-based Anti-Defamation League […]
Jasvir Singh: ‘I’m a devout Sikh – and married to a man’
Jasvir Singh is one of the most prominent Sikh voices in British public life. He is also gay – a fact that he has kept mostly private until now. It’s put him at odds with some members of his own community, but he says he now wants to speak up about his sexuality. Jasvir Singh […]
Turkey LGBT sex workers struggle to pay high rents
Sex worker Nina relies on an apartment in the Turkish city of Istanbul as a relatively safe space to meet clients, but the 29-year-old is worried about making enough to cover the rent after the landlord doubled the price. As a surge in inflation fuels a housing crisis in Turkey, LGBTQ+ sex workers like Nina […]
Simon Nkoli’s fight for queer rights in South Africa is finally being celebrated – 24 years after he died
Born in 1957, Simon Tseko Nkoli had just turned 41 when he died, in 1998, of an AIDS-related illness. In his short life, the South African activist fought against different forms of oppression. He fought for those downtrodden because of their “race”. He stood up for those ostracised because of their HIV status. His greatest […]
Recognizing LGBT+ Rights in Ukraine – Lessons from Iceland
In 2015, the Ukrainian parliament approved an anti-discrimination in employment law concerning sexual orientation and gender identity, and in 2016 Ukrainian authorities simplified the transgender transition process for transgender people and began allowing gay and bisexual men to donate blood. Nevertheless, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT+) persons in Ukraine still face legal challenges not […]