Boy Scouts of America Says It Will Welcome Transgender Children

One of the largest US youth organizations is making a major change to its identity. The Boy Scouts have made strides recently in welcoming members of the LGBT community into the fold. One of the largest youth organizations in the US said on Monday it was allowing transgender children who identify as boys to join

Church of Norway Approves Same-Sex-Inclusive Liturgy

The Church of Norway has approved a new liturgy inclusive of same-sex weddings taking place in churches there. The measure was approved by 89 of the members of the general synod at the Evangelical-Lutheran church in Trondheim on Monday. Delegate Gard Sandaker-Nilsen said of the vote: “This is the day when a prayer and a

Lebanon is Getting Closer to Decriminalising Homosexuality

A judge in Lebanon has conceded that homosexuality should not be illegal in a landmark case that may change the future of LGBT people living in the country. Judge Rabih Maalouf declared that “homosexuality is a personal choice, and not a punishable offence” in the ruling which referenced Article 183. The article states that “An

Lush Features a Gay Couple in Their Valentine’s Ad

The handmade cosmetics brand has some Valentine’s Day goodies that everyone can use. Lush released a Valentine’s Day advertising campaign featuring gay couples and people are loving it. The handmade cosmetics brand posted a photo of a gay couple sharing a bath together. The Lush website banner also includes a lesbian couple playing with bubbles in

Australia Says No to Civil Celebrants Allowed to Reject Same Sex Marriages

92.6% of LGBTI survey respondents are against civil celebrants being exempt from performing same-sex marriages due to religious convictions. A survey of LGBTI Australians reveals concerns about legal discrimination in refusing to perform same-sex marriages. Funded by PFLAG, the survey showed huge opposition among LGBTI Australians to exemptions targeted exclusively at same-sex couples. When asked

European Parliament Condemns Homophobia in Indonesia

Last Thursday, January 19, 2017 the European Parliament adopted a resolution in which it condemns the growing intolerance towards LGBTI people in Indonesia. In the resolution, the European Parliament “strongly condemns all acts of violence, harassment and intimidation against minorities” and “calls on the government and lawmakers to refrain from further restricting the rights of

Sri Lanka Just Took a Decision on Whether to Legalise Homosexuality

Sri Lanka’s top politicians have taken a decision on legalising homosexuality. The cabinet met yesterday to discuss proposals to decriminalise same-sex acts. Currently same-sex acts, by a person of any gender, are illegal under Sri Lankan law. Households headed by same-sex couples are not eligible for any the protection given to married couples. Some private

Trans Artist Anohni Nominated for Best British Female Brit Award

Transgender artist Anohni has been nominated for a Best British Female at the BRIT Awards for the album ‘Hopelessness’. The nomination comes 11 years after the artist was nominated for the 2006 Best British Male for her work prior transitioning as Antony Hegarty in Antony and the Johnsons. The 45-year-old said that she had recognised

First American Has ‘Intersex’ Printed on Birth Certificate

‘There’s a power in knowing who you really are.’ Sara Kelly Keenan is the first person in the United States to have an ‘intersex’ birth certificate. The 55-year-old who was born genetically male with female genitalia and a mixed reproductive anatomy only found out about the truth about herself in 2009, at age 48. In

Outgoing President Barack Obama has delivered a passionate call for equality in his farewell speech. The Democrat, elected President in 2008 and re-elected in 2012, has been a proud supporter of LGBT rights, leading a quiet revolution on equality in the US and around the world. He is set to leave power on January 20,

IBM Launches New Rainbow Brand Logo in Support of LGBT Community

‘We strongly oppose discrimination of any kind toward anyone’. IBM, a longtime supporter and ally of the LGBT community, is affirming its commitment to diversity, acceptance and inclusion with a new rainbow color brand logo. Chief Diversity Officer, Lindsay-Rae McIntyre, says that the new symbol represents IBM’s ongoing push for equal opportunity for all their employees and

California Bans State Funded Travel to Anti-gay US States

Any anti-gay laws enacted in US states after 29 June 2015 will be subject to a complete ban. From the start of this year, California has banned state-sanctioned travel to US states that have enacted anti-gay laws since 29 June 2015. Assembly Bill 1887, sponsored by Equality California and the National Center for Lesbian Rights,