In some Member States, doctors still view homosexuality as a disease and transsexuality as a mental disorder, according to findings from a new report by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). Such negative views of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people in society, among professional groups and policy makers hampers efforts to counter
Author Archive: Eglė
Faroe Islands, a self-governing archipelago part of Denmark, has rejected same-sex marriage. Comprising of 18 rocky, volcanic islands between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic Ocean, it remains the only Nordic country to not have adopted same-sex unions in any form. A majority of 26 out of total 33 members in the Faroe Islands
Botswana’s highest court has said the organization Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana (LEGABIBO) can be allowed to register. A five-judge bench at the Court of Appeals said the refusal had been unconstitutional. Activists launched their legal battle after the Home Affairs Ministry rejected an application to register the gay rights lobby group. But judges
Indonesian lawmakers are considering a bill that would block websites promoting so-called LGBT propaganda. The Jakarta Post reported that a commission in the Indonesian House of Representatives on March 3 urged the country’s Ministry of Communications and Information to consider the measure. Spokesperson Ismail Cowidu told the Jakarta Post that his ministry has created a
In February, the Russian Ministry of Health published a new draft order that proposes amendments to the “Procedure for the provision of medical care in cases of mental and behavioral disorders.” Practically, it proposes establishment of offices of sexologists and outlines their activities, equipment, and staff. The changes are presented by the Ministry as aimed at improving health
Gov. Dennis Daugaard vetoed a measure that would have forced trans students to use the wrong restrooms and locker rooms for their gender identity. South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard today vetoed a bill that would have restricted transgender students’ use of restrooms, locker rooms, and other gender-specific facilities in public schools. The bill “does not
On behalf of the National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL, we would like to cordially invite international journalists to participate in the Baltic Pride 2016, which will take place in Vilnius on June 13th – 19th, 2016. Baltic Pride is a joint project by the Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian LGBT* organizations, seeking to promote openness and
The Dutch city of Utrecht is to follow a number of other European cities and install ‘gay’ traffic lights. The city council installed the lights, which feature two men and two women holding hands, at two pedestrian crossings in the city. The city claimed the move was made to show how it would accept all
In a key report voted yesterday on Gender mainstreaming in the work of the European Parliament, the European Parliament made a strong call to include “the rights, perspectives and well-being of LGBTIQ people” in all gender mainstreaming* activities. An attempt by a group of right-wing MEPs to replace the whole resolution by an alternative resolution
Ministers from 27 EU Member States have issued a clear call to the European Commission to step up its work on LGBTI equality measures. That message emanated clearly from this afternoon’s (Monday, 7 March 2016) Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council meeting. The adoption of conclusions on gender equality and LGBTI equality was