ILGA publishes State-Sponsored Homophobia Report

ILGA (International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association) published the 9th edition of State Sponsored Homophobia. A World survey of Laws: Criminalisation, Protection and Recognition of Same-Sex Love. The research, conducted by Jingshu Zhu and Lucas Paoli Itaborahy, provides a detailed account of the legal situation of LGBT people all around the world. In the paragraph

Rainbow Days: Roma Boys screening

On May 22 the last event of the Rainbow Days 2014 in Vilnius took place. LGL volunteers, friends and supporters gathered in our office for the screening of Roma Boys, a movie by Czech director Rozálie Kohoutová on the diffuculties faced by Roma homosexuals in Czech Republic. After the movie, participants debated on the topic of

Uganda: Trial begins of two men charged under anti-gay law

This is the first trial since the law harshening penalties for those found guilty of homosexuality was enacted earlier this year. They appeared at a magistrate’s court on Wednesday in Kampala in order to apply for bail following the announcement that prosecutors believed to have enough evidedence, will proceed with a case against them. They

On April 14, the Pride March planned for April 22-23 was banned by the authorities of Sebastol. This is the first time in which the anti-proaganda law, signed by Vladimir Putin last June, has been imposed on the Crimean LGBT* community. Following the application of the law, Sebastopol authorities viewed the Pride March as an

Human Rights Watch: Gay men hunted, raped and killed by Syrian Army

A report published today from Human Rights Watch has revealed the danger that many gay individuals face in Syria from not only the Syrian Army and Islamist organisations, but from their family members too. In February, Human Rights Watch carried out interviews with 19 gay Syrian men seeking refuge in Lebanon. The extent of their suffering was

Brunei delays introducing law allowing gays to be stoned to death

The introduction of Brunei’s new penal code that calls for death by stoning for same-sex sexual activity has been delayed. It was due to come into force today, although the delay has been described by officials as temporary. They say the new penal code will be introduced once Hassanal Bolkiah, the Sultan of Brunei, returns from his

Historic EU-Africa Summit overshadowed by anti-LGBT laws

The fourth EU-Africa Summit is taking place in Brussels since yesterday, and although not officially on the agenda, extremely harsh new anti-LGBT laws are on leaders’ minds. The summit brings together the heads of state and government from the European Union and the African continent, as well as EU and African Union leaders. They will

MEPs condemn homophobic statements by the Archbishop of Cyprus

At the Council of the Heads of the Christian Orthodox Church held in Istanbul last week, Cyprus’ Archbishop Chrysostomos urged all Orthodox Churches to “condemn homosexuality.” The Archbishop stated that governments demonstrated “weakening moral integrity” by ensuring equal rights, for example through civil partnerships or equal marriage. Cyprus’ government plans to submit a civil partnership

Lithuanian lawmakers will vote on ‘homosexual propaganda’ bill today

Lithuanian lawmakers will vote today on a bill that would outlaw gay pride parades, public speeches in support of LGBTI rights, gay rights campaign materials and audio-visual materials in support of the rights of LGBTI people. The bill would make such actions an administrative offense with fines of between $US400 to $US1200, and $US1200 to

Chair of the Lithuanian Parliament Loreta Graužinienė and Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius presented the tasks for the spring session of the Parliament on Monday, March 10th. Four homophobic bills and amendments to the existing laws are scheduled for the session. At the spring session the parliamentarians will consider the amendment to the Code of Administrative