Qatar UN ambassador calls on God to ‘curse’ gay people in resurfaced tweet
Qatar’s ambassador to the United Nations (UN) has deleted her Twitter account after it was revealed she had published numerous homophobic and antisemitic comments online. Hend Al-Muftah deleted her account (@halmuftah) days after losing her bid to become chair of the United Nations (UN) Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. Instead, […]
Situation in UAE increasingly worrying for international LGBTQ community
A kiss, a hug or holding hands — acts of fondness by same sex couples in public have always been out of the question in the United Arab Emirates. Behind closed doors, it has been a different affair for members of the international LGBTQ community. “Much of the Dubaian gay nightlife takes place in venues […]
Cardinals Cupich, Dolan blast HHS plan to require transgender procedures over religious objections
Two of America’s most prominent Roman Catholic leaders — Chicago’s Cardinal Blase Cupich and New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan — said Tuesday that a Biden administration proposal to require Catholic hospitals to perform “gender transition” procedures would pose a challenge to those institutions, where the clerics say 1 in 7 Americans receive hospital care. In […]
Nigeria’s Queer Population is Facing an Impossible Decision
Two years ago, during the Endsars peaceful protests in Nigeria, the younger generation did something that shocked the whole country and Nigerians everywhere. They walked and worked in unity and in peace, demanding an end to police brutality and bad governance. Even the youths involved were surprised to see that they were achieving the impossible. […]
Transgender rights’ bill referred to Senate standing committee
Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani on Monday referred the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) (Amendment) Bill, 2022, to the relevant standing committee for debate in order to reach a consensual decision on the matter. The amendment bill was presented by PTI Senator Fauzia Arshad. The National Assembly had enacted the Transgender Persons (Protection of Right) Act […]
“Love Is Love” — Meet The Trailblazer Who Broke The Mould For LGBTQ+ Rights In Malaysia
What does it truly mean to live a life worth living? Is it the clothes you wear or the food you eat? Or is it standing for something that could change the world around you, as you see it?
Cancellation of Taiwan Pride event shows China’s influence extends far beyond its borders
WorldPride 2025 would have been the first time a global lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) event was held in Asia. Originally scheduled to be held in Taiwan, the event was abruptly cancelled in August due to disagreement over the naming of the event. Despite winning the bid to host the pride event under […]
Italy’s ‘next PM’ Giorgia Meloni is a far-right leader who rallied against ‘LGBT lobbies’
Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni, who has rallied against “LBGT lobbies” and so-called “gender ideology”, is set to become Italy’s first female prime minister. Projections based on the near-final count of votes showed a victory for a right-wing coalition, led by Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia (Brothers of Italy) party, should have a solid majority in both houses […]
Cubans approve gay marriage by large margin in referendum
Cubans approved gay marriage and adoption overwhelmingly in a Sunday referendum backed by the government that also boosted rights for women, the national election commission said on Monday. More than 3.9 million voters voted to ratify the code (66.9%), while 1.95 million opposed ratification (33%), Alina Balseiro Gutierrez, president of the commission, said on state-run […]
Cuba holds unusual vote on law allowing same-sex marriage
HAVANA (AP) — Cuba held a rare referendum Sunday on an unusually contentious law — a government-backed “family law” code that would allow same-sex couples to marry and adopt, as well as outlining the rights of children and grandparents. Cuba holds parliamentary elections every two years, though no party other than the Communist is allowed, but […]
New Netflix documentary follows life of Australian trans teen who challenged laws to affirm gender
When she was 10, Georgie Stone became the youngest person in Australia to receive hormone blockers. Stone is transgender and had to go to court to fight for that right. As a teenager, she was back in Australian courts pushing to receive hormone therapy treatment to affirm her gender. And then she kept up the fight, to help […]
Serbia’s Conservatives Seek Textbook Ban Over ‘LGBT Ideology’
BELGRADE — Staunch religious and political conservatives have teamed up to challenge Serbia’s recently revamped school curriculum over descriptions of gender and sexual identity, sparking a formal review that could result in a textbook ban. From biology to history and sociology, the Serbian Orthodox Church and a fringe right-wing party have demanded the replacement of textbooks […]
Serbia’s Conservatives Seek Textbook Ban Over ‘LGBT Ideology’
Staunch religious and political conservatives have teamed up to challenge Serbia’s recently revamped school curriculum over descriptions of gender and sexual identity, sparking a formal review that could result in a textbook ban. From biology to history and sociology, the Serbian Orthodox Church and a fringe right-wing party have demanded the replacement of textbooks they […]
LGBT+ Conservatives urged to pull branded condoms ‘as a favour’ to Liz Truss
Internal emails from LGBT+ Conservatives suggest the group was told to pull its branded condoms from conference by the prime minister. The party’s LGBTQ+ group announced on Thursday (22 September) that it would no longer be distributing its sloganed condoms at the party’s conference, which came with phrases such as “Never kissed a Tory but […]
The Most Dominant Toxic Election Narratives Online
Ballot mules. Poll watch parties. Groomers. These topics are now among the most dominant divisive and misleading narratives online about November’s midterm elections, according to researchers and data analytics companies. On Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, Truth Social and other social media sites, some of these narratives have surged in recent months, often accompanied by angry and […]
Same-sex parenting not normal, says aide to Italy’s Meloni
Same-sex parenting is not normal, a senior member of the far-right party expected to win Italy’s election on Sunday has suggested, casting a fresh spotlight on its socially conservative agenda. The remarks from Federico Mollicone, culture spokesman for Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy (FdI), triggered outrage from political opponents and on social media as Meloni […]
Pakistan: Transgender rights in focus amid religious complaints
A religious party in Pakistan has filed a petition against a law that protects the rights of transgender people. Opponents say the legislation could act as a gateway to enable same-sex marriage. A law that provides legal recognition to transgender persons and prohibits discrimination and harassment, has stirred a new debate in the conservative South […]
Turkey’s Anti-LGBTQ Display Reflects Nation’s Political Shift
The 25-year-old translator by day and trans drag performer by night felt overwhelming panic and anxiety when several thousand demonstrators gathered and marched Sunday in Turkey to demand a ban on what they consider gay propaganda and to outlaw LGBTQ organizations. The Big Family Gathering march in the conservative heart of Istanbul attracted parents with […]
Cuba uses media blitz to promote ‘yes’ vote on new LGBT-friendly laws
Cubans will cast ballots this Sunday on whether to approve a new ‘family code’ that would legalize gay marriage and boost women’s rights, with the government urging citizens to vote “yes” despite anger over the worst economic crisis in decades. The Communist-run government – long the vanguard of Latin America’s left – has in the […]
In a political first, two gay candidates face off in congressional election
A historic number of LGBTQ candidates will appear on ballots across the country in November. At least 1,095 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people have run or are still running for office at all levels this year, up from 1,006 in 2020, according to data from the LGBTQ Victory Fund. In New York, two […]
Italian politics has been in trouble for decades. Now it’s heading for a new low
Earlier this month, Alessio Di Giulio, a Florentine councillor with rightwing populist party the League, posted a 17-second video that, to my mind, marks the nadir of what has been one of the most grotesque Italian election campaigns in recent memory. In the clip, Di Giulio strolls through the historic centre of the Tuscan capital […]
In divisive election, Brazil’s trans candidates face threats, intimidation
At her campaign headquarters, Brazilian congressional hopeful Duda Salabert gently lays out the newspaper clippings sent to her in August. Her photo is on many of the pages, and Nazi swastikas and profanities have been scribbled over them. “You are a danger to society,” reads one. “You need to be isolated as soon as possible, […]
Prove World Cup will be safe, England LGBTQ+ supporters’ group tells Qatar
The England national team’s largest LGBTQ+ supporters’ group has urged Qatar’s authorities to provide clear reassurances that it will be safe for gay fans to visit for the World Cup – and says it does not know of a single England LGBTQ+ fan who plans to attend the finals, because they feel “unsafe or uncertain”. […]
iQiyi Says Deletion of LGBTQ Series in Singapore Is Temporary
Chinese-owned video streamer iQiyi has confirmed that it has blocked access in Singapore to ten gay-themed TV series. But it says that the move is temporary. “The content was temporarily removed in compliance with the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s guidance towards R21 content,” a company spokesman told Variety by email. R21 restricts viewing to people […]
Michigan Senate passes resolution condemning state’s controversial LGBTQ teacher training videos
In the first Senate session day since July, a resolution voted along party lines condemning controversial Michigan Department of Education (MDE) teacher training videos was adopted in the Michigan Senate Monday, Sept. 20. Senate Resolution 166 calls these video clips— part of training for the 2021-2022 school year from MDE’s LGBTQ+ students project— “offensive” and […]
Bishops in Belgium authorize prayer for committed gay couples
The Flemish-speaking bishops of Belgium have appointed a contact person for ministry to and with gay Catholics and have authorized prayer for committed gay couples on the condition it is clear that it is not equivalent to a wedding blessing. The document, “Being pastorally close to homosexual persons: For a welcoming church that excludes no […]
‘People should be who they are’: Kenyans embrace genderless fashion
A growing number of Kenyan labels are embracing genderless fashion, as a younger, more vocal generation calls for greater inclusivity and creativity in clothing designs. In July, fashion brand Vivo and Bold Network Africa released a vibrant gender-inclusive collection called Zoya X Bold. It is one of a new crop of collaborations showcasing androgynous fashion. […]
Qatar’s Ambassador to Germany Faces LGBT-Rights Appeal Before World Cup
Qatar’s ambassador to Germany was urged Monday to abolish his country’s death penalty for homosexuality at a human rights congress hosted by the German soccer federation two months before the Middle East country stages the World Cup. Fan representative Dario Minden switched to English to directly address the Qatari ambassador, Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud […]
Thousands march in anti-LGBT demonstration in Istanbul
Several thousand people have taken part in an anti-LGBT demonstration in Istanbul. They called for LGBT associations to be closed down and displayed signs that read: “protect your family and your generation”, “Say no to society without gender”, and “Father + mother + baby = family”. A speaker for the event, Kursat Mican, also claimed […]
Montana to let transgender people change their birth record
After months of defiance, Montana’s health department said Monday it will follow a judge’s ruling and temporarily allow transgender people to change the gender on their birth certificates. The judge issued a scathing order Monday morning saying health officials made “calculated violations” of his order, which had told them to temporarily stop enforcing a law […]