Wrong and outdated views towards LGBT people endanger their fundamental rights

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

Faroe Islands rejects same-sex marriage

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 government loses battle to ban gay group

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 considering LGBT propaganda bill

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

Russian Ministry of Health proposes sexologist offices in mental hospitals

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

South Dakota Gov. Vetoes Anti-Trans ‘Bathroom Bill’

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

Dutch city to get gay traffic lights

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

Parliament demands inclusion LGBTI people in gender mainstreaming activities

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

Member State support for progressive EU LGBTI equality work is undeniable

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

Icelandic airline launches giant pink plane called ‘GAY’

An Icelandic airline has unveiled a giant pink plane called ‘GAY’, because of course it has. After London’s rainbow taxi, rainbow bus and rainbow train, things are getting a bit out of hand in the race for the gayest method of transport. Iceland’s WOW Airline is the latest entrant into the gay vehicular contest – and

Italian Senate approves civil unions for gay and heterosexual couples

Politicians in Rome have approved a bill recognizing civil unions for same sex and heterosexual couples. However, Prime Minister Matteo Renzi had to water down the legislation a great deal for the Upper House’s approval. Prime Minister Renzi would have had to resign had he lost Thursday’s vote, but 173 members voted for the bill

Strasbourg Court: family reunification rights also count for same-sex couples

Yesterday, the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled that refusing same-sex couples residence permits with the purpose of family reunification on the basis of their sexual orientation is discriminatory. The case was brought to the European Court after Ms Pajić, a woman from Bosnia-Herzegovina, was refused a Croatian residence permit that she requested