Vietnam passes landmark law recognizing transgender people

Ban on gender reassignment surgery has also been lifted Vietnam has passed a landmark law legally recognizing transgender people and lifting a ban on gender reassignment surgery. More than 80% of lawmakers Tuesday (24 November) voted in favor of the law change, which will come into effect on 17 January 2017. Under the new legislation, those

British Columbia prisons implement reforms for transgender prisoners

The Canadian province of British Columbia will no longer confine transgender people in the prisons that are meant for the gender they were assigned at birth Prisons in British Columbia will no longer jail transgender women in men’s prisons and transgender men in women’s prisons after its Department of Corrections changed its policies. Previously only

Portuguese lawmakers approve same-sex adoption bill

Portuguese lawmakers on Nov. 20 approved a bill that would extend adoption rights to same-sex couples. All but one member of the Socialist Party and other center-left parties that have a majority in the Portuguese Parliament voted for the measure. Nineteen members of the center-right Social Democratic Party also backed the bill. Advocates began their

Flying High: Baltic Pride 2016 meeting with Estonian and Latvian Partners

In September, 2015 the representatives of the partner organizations met to discuss the upcoming Baltic Pride 2016 in Vilnius. The topics included Pride Voices, International Human Rights Conference, Pride March, Pride Park and Pride House. Security, fundraising, political and legal situation, official slogan and preliminary program – within only two days the whole Pride Week

Transgender Day of Remembrance

“Being Transgender is not a choice. Choosing to hurt someone is.” About the Transgender Day of Remembrance The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. Over the last decade, more than one person per month has died due to transgender-based hate or prejudice,

LGL‘s social videos feature experiences of Lithuanian transgender persons

In November, 2015 the national LGBT* rights organization LGL filmed 2 social videos for its social campaign „#TRANS_LT“, aiming to increase visibility of transgender persons in Lithuania. The social videos, filmed by a creative team of LGL and local movie director Romas Zabarauskas, feature the members of the local trans* community sharing the challenges they

Hong Kong authorities are refusing to count gay couples in its 2016 census

Hong Kong’s Census and Statistics Department claims it doesn’t want to embarrass gays and lesbians by asking them about their relationship status in front of their families Officials in Hong Kong have decided to leave same-sex couples off next year’s census – arguing that some will be too afraid to disclose their relationship in front

New EU rules for better protection for victims of crime in the EU

New EU rules on victims’ rights that apply as of today (16 November) will bring major changes in the way victims of crime are treated in Europe. The Victims’ Rights Directive lays down a set of binding rights for victims of crime, and clear obligations for EU Member States to ensure these rights in practice

Ireland will end exemptions to LGBT equality law for schools and hospitals

Fresh off of the country’s first same-sex weddings, Ireland’s government is pushing forward with more changes – amending LGBT equality law exemptions for schools and hospitals. The Republic of Ireland approved same-sex marriage in a landslide referendum earlier this year, by 62.07% to 37.93% – and overcoming bureaucratic hurdles, yesterday the green light has been

OSCE representatives and hate crime victims visited LGBT* centre

On November 7, 2015 the OSCE representatives together with the hate crime victims gathered in the LGBT* community center. During the meeting, members of the local LGBT* community shared their painful experiences and thus enabled the ESBO officers to comprehend real discriminatory cases in Lithuania. In the meantime, the OSCE will organize trainings for the

Uruguay joins global LGBT rights initiative

Uruguay is the latest country to join a U.S. initiative that seeks to promote LGBT rights around the world. The small South American nation that borders Brazil and Argentina will join Chile, France, Germany, Sweden and other countries that contribute to the Global Equality Fund, a public-private partnership the State Department manages with the U.S.

IGLYO condemns anti-gay propaganda bill in Lithuania

IGLYO is deeply concerned to hear the shocking and sudden advancement of oppressive anti-gay propaganda bill In Lithuania, which similarly to the laws in Russia will infringe the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. The suggested legislation outlaws ‘public denigration of constitutional family values’, which is specifically designed to prevent discussion of LGBTIQ issues in a positive