Millions of US LGBT workers gain workplace discrimination protection

An Executive Order on LGBT Workplace Discrimination will affect all those working for federal contractors and subcontractors.  President Obama’s Executive Order on LGBT Workplace Discrimination has now come into effect. The US President signed the bill last July and it came into effect yesterday (8 April). It is now forbidden for federal contractors and subcontractors

On April 3rd, 2015, volunteers of the national LGBT* rights organization LGL sent out the publication, “Homophobic Bullying in Lithuanian Schools: Survey Results and Recommendations” to schools and educational institutions throughout the country. 250 Lithuanian schools, all of the pedagogical psychological service providers working in Lithuania, higher learning institutions training educators and social workers, the

Obama calls for end to ‘gay conversion therapies’

US President Barack Obama has condemned psychiatric therapies designed to “repair” gay, lesbian and transgender youth. Mr Obama’s statement was in response to an online petition calling for a ban on conversion therapies. It gained over 120,000 signatures in three months. The petition was inspired by Leelah Alcorn, a 17-year-old transgender youth who committed suicide

France is sending a gay ambassador to Vatican City

The Holy See is to receive its first ever openly gay ambassador in the form of France’s Laurent Stefanini and not everybody’s sure they’re too thrilled about that. The smallest country in Europe and its only remaining absolute monarchy is about to get its first ever openly gay ambassador from another country. Vatican City, home

Russia to block support group for gay teens

Russia’s main support group for teenagers who identify as LGBT is to be blocked under the country’s ‘gay propaganda’ law. The founders of Children-404 – the name of which references the country’s censorship of gay culture with reference to the ‘404 – Page not found’ internet error – aimed to provide a safe space for

Irish senators approve same-sex adoption bill

Irish senators have approved plans for same-sex couples to adopt. The Seanad in the Republic of Ireland spent nearly a week discussing the Children and Family Relationship Bill – which was subject to over 120 amendments, and days of debate. It was approved late on Monday after nearly eight hours of debate, clearing the Seanad by a vote

Chilean court upholds constitutionality of civil unions bill

A Chilean court has upheld the constitutionality of the South American country’s civil unions bill that received final approval earlier this year. The Chilean Constitutional Court on Monday issued its 14-page ruling that upheld the measure. The judges reached their decision on April 2. A group of opposition lawmakers challenged the bill after it received

South Korean teachers banned from talking about LGBT issues

New sex education guidelines outlaw teaching about sexual minorities. The guidelines, issued to schools and teachers this week state that “sex education is not intended to be an opportunity for teachers to share their views on sexuality” and “teaching about homosexuality is not permitted.” It also orders teachers to remove any references to LGBT issues from

LGL Celebrates the Adoption of the Maltese Gender Identity Law

The National LGBT* Organization LGL welcomes the adoption of the landmark Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Act (GIGESC Bill) as a historic groundbreaking for the rights of transgender and intersex people in Malta and Europe. The Maltese Parliament adopted the Bill on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. The Bill introduces a quick, transparent and

EU leaders demand answers from Kyrgyz President over anti-LGBTI, anti-NGO bills

During an official visit by Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev last week, EU leaders  have sought reassurances over pending bills seeking to limit the rights of LGBTI people and civil society in general. Kyrgyzstan is considering an anti-LGBTI ‘propaganda’ bill, which would outlaw any public information ‘aimed at forming positive attitudes toward non-traditional sexual relations’. Anyone found guilty could