The Swedish government tabled in January two law proposals on legal gender recognition and gender reassignment treatment. The aim of the proposal on legal gender recognition is to make the process more simple and more transparent. If adopted, all Swedish residents older than 15 years old could apply to have their legal gender changed. Applicants
News / LGBT Guide LT / From the World
Greece’s new government has announced it will grant legal recognition to same-sex couples. Greece lags behind most of Western Europe on gay rights, banning same-sex adoption and refusing to recognise same-sex relationships. However, the radical left-wing Syriza party – which swept to power earlier this month – has confirmed it will seek recognition for same-sex couples. Justice Minister Nikolaos
Early Monday morning, the Supreme Court refused to stay a federal judge’s order invalidating Alabama’s ban on same-sex marriage. In doing so, the justices immediately set up a constitutional crisis between the state’s lawless chief justice and the federal judiciary. They also effectively admitted what court-watchers have suspected for months: The court is preparing to rule in
Unity Party and ruling coalition MP Veiko Spolitis is pushing for Latvia to recognize the relationship rights of unwed couples both gay and straight for the first time. Latvia may become the next Eastern European state to formally recognize the relationships of unmarried couples in a proposal that would see gay and lesbian couples recognized
Slovakia’s referendum result provides a strong platform for future constructive discussion on same-sex partnerships, according to equality organisation ILGA-Europe. It was announced on Sunday (8 February) that the referendum had not reached the required 50% voter threshold and was therefore invalid. Despite attempts by anti-equality campaigners and various organisations (from both inside and outside Slovakia)
Secretary of State John Kerry later this month will appoint a special envoy within the State Department who will promote global LGBT rights. A senior State Department official on Thursday confirmed to the Washington Blade the report that first appeared in the Boston Globe. The official told the Blade the State Department is in “the final vetting
A bakery unlawfully discriminated against a gay couple, and is liable to pay up to $150,000 in damages, it was announced on Monday. Now facing a fine of up to $150,000 (£93,000), the owners of Sweet Cakes By Melissa which refused to provide a cake for a lesbian wedding may go bankrupt. The Oregon Bureau of Labor
The Irish government has launched its first resource to help primary school teachers tackle homophobic bullying. The guide, titled Respect, will be officially launched by Education minister Jan O’Sullivan this evening. It was created by the Department of Education and Skills, alongside the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation and Ireland’s Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN). The
The Labour Party has today announced that it will make Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) compulsory in all state schools, and that it plans to crack down on homophobic bullying. The announcement was made by Shadow Education Secretary Tristram Hunt today at Little Ilford School in London. The plan, as well as making age-appropriate SRE
LGBT employees who feel unable to come out at work more likely to leave their jobs – and cost business millions. Report suggests that the UK economy could save £678m a year if businesses better implement ‘diversity and inclusion’ policies. Businesses are squandering millions replacing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees who quit after
In December 2014, the White House announced Gambia’s eligibility for trade benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) was suspended. This decision came about due to the Gambian leaders’ enactment of anti-gay policies. Though this strategic action was an important first step, more severe measures must be taken to counter attack the ongoing
As of January 1, 2015 adoption by couples in Denmark does no longer require marriage. This is a general revision of the Adoption Act. It is of particular interest to rainbow families who become pregnant by means of home insemination, i.e. not under the responsibility of a health person. In that case, if the same-sex