JK Rowling Gives Blessing to Powerful Harry Potter Comic Tribute for Orlando Victims

A powerful artwork featuring Harry Potter characters will appear in a comic book to raise funds for Orlando Pulse victims, after JK Rowling gave her blessing. The artwork was created by celebrated comic book artist Jim Lee – and the Potter author gave her blessing for it to appear in the ‘Love is Love’ anthology

Final ‘Hate No More’ Conference took place in Warsaw

From December 12-13th, 2016, representatives of the National LGBT* rights organization LGL and international project partners and experts took part in the final “Hate No More” conference in Warsaw. During the conference, activities implemented by the project were reviewed and a study was presented on the needs of people affected by homophobic and transphobic violence

Bill to legalise same-sex marriage in Taiwan ‘will be passed’ soon

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Caucus Whip has said that a bill to legalise same-sex marriage in Taiwan “will be passed” in 2017. The country is one of the most progressive in Asia on LGBT rights, providing some LGBT rights protections and allowing some limited recognition of same-sex relationships. Ker Chien-ming said that he holds no “loating

Jerusalem LGBT group sees ‘incremental’ progress

JERUSALEM — A small rainbow flag that hangs from the second floor of a nondescript building on HaSoreg Street near Jerusalem’s Zion Square is the only visible sign that the offices of Jerusalem Open House for Pride and Tolerance are inside. Tom Canning, director of development of the local LGBT advocacy group, on Nov. 13

Malta bans conversion therapy

Malta last week became the first country in Europe to ban so-called conversion therapy. The Associated Press reported the Maltese Parliament on Monday unanimously approved a bill that would prohibit the widely discredited practice in the small archipelago that is located in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and the North African coast. Those who violate

Cherokee Nation to legalize gay marriage

The Cherokee Nation‘s attorney general has said the tribe must lift the ban on same-sex marriage. According to a report, the current law violates a tribal requirement for all of its citizens to be treated equally. The Cherokee Nation’s Attorney General has issued an opinion declaring bans on same-sex marriage to be in violation of

New Report Takes Stock of Fundamental Rights in the EU, Including LGBTI Rights

On December 13, 2016, the European Parliament adopted a new comprehensive report on fundamental rights in the EU.  The report assesses how fundamental rights are implemented in the EU, and what must still be done to reach standards laid down in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The document includes an extensive snapshot of the situation

On November 2nd, 2016 the Government of the Republic of Lithuania took part in the 26th session of the United Nations Universal Periodic Review, at which time it presented its report on the human rights situation in the country and responded to other member states’ questions and recommendations. In the 26th session, Lithuania received as

Hundreds attend global LGBT rights conference in Bangkok

LGBT rights advocates and allies from all over the world have gathered in Bangkok this week for the 28th ILGA World Conference. The gathering began in the Thai capital on Monday. Activists are be meeting and networking, discussing recent achievements and planning next steps all week. “This conference … provides a space for the LGBTI

History made as trans woman becomes top female finisher in large road cycling race

History was made as a trans woman became the top female finisher in a large road bicycling race. Jillian Bearden, 36, rode for the Southern Arizona Gender Alliance in the El Tour De Tucson in Arizona. She won the women’s 106-mile race in 4:36:07. ‘It’s absolutely huge,’ Bearden said of her achievement. ‘We’re at a

Gay rights activists march in New Delhi amid continuing LGBT discrimination

Gay rights activists have marched in an annual parade in India’s capital, New Delhi. The event drew attention to the still prevalent discrimination against homosexuals in the country. Hundreds of people marched in the Indian capital, New Delhi, on Sunday in an annual gay rights parade in a country that still has a law criminalizing

UN votes to keep first expert on LGBT rights

The United Nations has voted to keep an independent expert on sexual orientation and gender identity. The vote which took place on Monday, November 21, saw a number of African countries challenge the validity of the role and attempted to have it removed. However, an amendment put forward by a number of Latin American countries