Tag Archives: LGBT rights

TAIWAN: Voters Reject Same-Sex Marriage

The Taipei News reports: Results from the three same-sex marriage referendums held on Nov. 24 suggest that the Civil Code will remain unchanged, and legalization of same-sex unions is likely to take place through the passing of new legislation. The people of Taiwan voted to maintain the concept of marriage as defined in the Civil Code to be between a …

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BERMUDA: Same-Sex Marriage Legal Again (For Now)

Bermuda’s Royal Gazette reports: Same-sex marriage campaigners were victorious in court today after the Bermuda Government lost a legal battle. The Court of Appeal dismissed the government’s claim that former Chief Justice Ian Kawaley erred in a ruling that reopened the door for same-sex marriage. An application by the Government to stay the decision was also refused today, meaning same-sex …

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TODAY: The Transgender Day Of Remembrance

NBC News reports: Cities across the world will glitter with candlelight on Tuesday in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance. From New York to Sydney, vigils will pay tribute to the many transgender people who have lost their lives to violence. Violence against the trans community has risen steadily in recent years, according to a grim report released Monday by …

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TAIWAN: 100,000 Rally Ahead Of Marriage Referendum

The Taipei Times reports: More than 100,000 people, including musicians, filmmakers and politicians, yesterday rallied on Ketagalan Boulevard in Taipei to show support for same-sex marriage ahead of Saturday’s referendums on the issue. “In this last week leading up to the referendums, we hope to encourage more people to vote yes on referendums No. 14 and 15, and to vote …

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45 Republican House Reps Write Trump To Object To LGBT Rights Provision In NAFTA Replacement Deal

The right wing Washington Examiner reports: A group of 45 House Republican lawmakers wrote President Trump Friday stating that they were “deeply concerned” by the inclusion of “sexual orientation and and gender identity language” in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada-Agreement on trade. The representatives said the inclusion was “inappropriate and insulting to our national sovereignty” and urged Trump to remove the language. The …

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Human Rights Campaign Head Chad Griffin Steps Down

The Associated Press reports: Chad Griffin, the influential gay rights activist who helped turn the Human Rights Campaign into a powerful political force, announced Thursday that he is stepping down as the organization’s president. Griffin informed staff at HRC of his decision to step down Thursday. Griffin hasn’t said what he plans to do next. He is expected to stay …

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Denmark Suspends $10 Million In Aid To Tanzania After “Unacceptable Homophobic Comments” By Politician

The BBC reports: Denmark is withholding 65m krone (£7.5m; $9.8m) in aid to Tanzania after “unacceptable homophobic comments” from a senior politician, a minister says. Development minister Ulla Tornaes did not name the official but said she was “very concerned” by the comments. Last month, Paul Makonda, commissioner for the commercial capital Dar es Salaam, called on the public to …

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NEW YORK CITY: Activists Confront Hate Group With “No Gays Allowed” Times Square Billboard [VIDEO]

NBC News reports: Surrounded by the skyscrapers that tower over Times Square, a new billboard went up this week that in large black letters reads: “NO GAYS ALLOWED.” Just below, a smaller message states: “STOP Alliance Defending Freedom. Learn more at NoGays.org.” The billboard is part of a new campaign that aims to draw attention to the conservative Christian legal …

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US Condemns “Escalating Attacks” Against LGBTs By Tanzania Government After Arrests Of Ten Gay Men

Via press release from the State Department: The United States government is deeply concerned over escalating attacks and legislative actions by the Government of Tanzania that violate civil liberties and human rights, creating an atmosphere of violence, intimidation, and discrimination. We are troubled by the continued arrests and harassment of marginalized persons, including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and …

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MICHIGAN: Lesbian Lawyer Elected Attorney General

Just called. Click On Detroit reports: Democrat Dana Nessel beat Republican Tom Leonard in the race for Michigan Attorney General. Leonard conceded the race to Nessel on Wednesday morning. Dana Nessel is best known for successfully fighting to overturn Michigan’s ban on gay marriage. Nessel, 49, has been a Detroit-area prosecutor and defense attorney but made headlines as co-counsel in …

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MASSACHUSETTS: Voters Reject Anti-Trans Measure

Via press release from the ACLU: “By winning the first statewide popular vote on transgender rights, Massachusetts voters reaffirmed our Commonwealth as a place that fiercely defends our basic values of dignity and respect for everyone. When Massachusetts leads on equality, the nation watches – and often, it follows. Tonight, we sent a message not just to transgender people and …

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Massachusetts Ad Urges Against Repealing Transgender Rights: “Be A Masshole Not An Asshole, Vote Yes On 3”

The Boston Globe reports: If the word Masshole is good enough for the dictionary, it’s surely good enough for a political ad. But this still appears to be a first. A local group is using the colloquialism in an attempt to persuade Massachusetts residents to vote yes on Question 3, the referendum on the state’s transgender anti-discrimination law. “We’re Massholes, …

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State Department Issues Warning For LGBT Americans Living In Tanzania: Review Your Social Media Profiles

The Hill reports: The State Department is warning U.S. citizens in Tanzania of a crackdown against gay people in the East African country. The State Department said in a notice on its website that citizens should “employ sound security practices” and review their “internet footprint and social media profiles.” “Remove or protect images and language that may run afoul of …

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TANZANIA: Fearful LGBTs Go Into Hiding As Governor’s Call To Turn Them In Yields Thousands Of Messages

The Guardian reports: A Tanzanian official said he has received thousands of messages after ordering the public to report the name of any person suspected of being gay. Paul Makonda, regional commissioner for Dar es Salaam, made the request on Monday, pledging that a special team would “get their hands on them” next week. By Tuesday, he said he had …

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56 Major Companies Denounce Trump On Trans Rights: Apple, Amazon, Coca-Cola, Google, Microsoft, More

From the site Business For Trans Equality: We, the undersigned businesses, stand with the millions of people in America who identify as transgender, gender non-binary, or intersex, and call for all such people to be treated with the respect and dignity everyone deserves. We oppose any administrative and legislative efforts to erase transgender protections through reinterpretation of existing laws and …

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State Department May Ban Terms Like “Sexual Health”

Politico reports: U.S. diplomats may soon be prohibited from using the phrases “sexual and reproductive health” and “comprehensive sexuality education” under a proposal being floated to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, four people familiar with the issue said. The proposal is being pushed by a handful of conservative political appointees at the State Department and other agencies, including Mari Stull, …

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Tanzania Governor Launches “Hunt” For LGBT People: “Give Me Their Names And My Team Will Get Them”

Agence France-Presse reports: The governor of Tanzania’s economic capital Dar es Salaam on Monday launched an anti-gay crackdown, threatening to arrest people suspected of being homosexuals. “I have information about the presence of many homosexuals in our province,” Paul Makonda told reporters on Monday, calling on citizens to begin reporting homosexuals for round-ups to begin next week. “Give me their …

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Anti-LGBT Hate Groups Prep To Battle The Equality Act

From Pat Robertson’s CBN News: With midterm elections quickly approaching, House Democrats are making promises to the LGBTQ community. Officials say they will prioritize anti-discrimination legislation that would establish widespread equal rights protections for LGBTQ individuals. Minority leader Nancy Pelosi said she would introduce the “Equality Act” as one of her first orders of business. Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill told …

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Czech Parliament To Debate Marriage Bill Tomorrow

Expats.cz reports: The lower house of the Czech Parliament is set to debate the legalization of same-sex marriage. On Wednesday, October 31, marriage equality is for the first time in history guaranteed to be on the agenda of the 20th meeting of the Chamber of Deputies. The opening of this debate item will take place as part of the Chamber …

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RUSSIA: Notorious Christian MP Forces Shutdown Of LGBT Film Festival By Claiming “Hostage Crisis” [VIDEO]

The Moscow Times reports: State Duma deputy and notorious anti-gay crusader Vitaly Milonov reportedly attempted to shut down Russia’s only LGBT film festival on its opening night. The St. Petersburg-based Fontanka news website reported that the deputy, accompanied by six men, physically blocked the entrance to the “Side by Side” film festival. In footage posted online, the lawmaker is heard …

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