Pennsylvania Updates Birth Certificate Gender Change Policy

Great news for transgender people born in Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania just became the 12th state in the U.S. to modernize their birth certificate policy! Under Pennsylvania’s new policy, individuals no longer need to provide proof of surgery to update the gender marker on their birth certificate. That removes a significant hurdle for many transgender people. Under Pennsylvania’s

EVS volunteer Veronika supported LGBT* organization in Slovakia “Saplinq”

Our EVS volunteers are not volunteering just for equality of LGBT* people in Lithuania, but they stay in contact with their homeland LGBT* organizations and support them from abroad. Our current EVS volunteer Veronika from Slovakia is a good example of this practice. One of her learning goals on her EVS is to improve her

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić has appointed an openly gay politician to his cabinet, in a historic first in the conservative country. Mr Vučić, who leads the right-wing Serbian Progressive Party, has been Prime Minister since 2014 and recently won re-election. This month he has been outlining his new government and re-appointing his Cabinet. As part of the

Gay couples in Queensland to get adoption rights

Same-sex couples are to be allowed to adopt children in the state of Queensland, if proposed amendments to its Adoption Act are passed. The amendments, which will be introduced in August, would allow same-sex couples to adopt as well as single people and those undergoing IVF treatment. Unveiled by Communities Minister Shannon Fentiman, the amendments

Chilean Senate commission approves trans rights measure

A Chilean Senate commission last Wednesday approved a proposal that would allow transgender adults to legally change their name and gender without going before a judge. The Senate’s Human Rights Commission voted 4-1 in favor of the proposal. The proposal would allow unmarried trans Chileans over the age of 18 and those who have permanent

Thousands call for end to Northern Irish gay marriage ban at Belfast Pride

Thousands who took to the streets of Belfast last Saturday for the city’s annual Pride parade have called for same-sex marriage to be legalised in Northern Ireland. Revellers at Belfast Pride chanted “What do we want? Equal marriage. When do we want it? Now!” Referring to the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Arene

European Commision launched a social campaign “We All Share the Same Dreams”

Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity has no place in our society, but for many people in Europe, it is a daily reality. The European Commission is standing against discrimination, against prejudice and against hate. We’re showing Europe that no matter who we love or who we are, we all share

“Share Your Colors ” visits SapfoFest 2016

The pearl of the summer SapfoFest is celebrating the fifth anniversary this year, and „Share Your Colors“ crew came with presents! SapfoFest is an independent queer festival which is exceptional for its openness – each is welcome to propose a contribution to the program: facilitate workshops, lectures, discussions, bring exhibitions and performances. To make the

Indonesia considers law banning gay sex

Indonesia’s Constitutional Court will consider a law to make gay sex a crime. Family Love Alliance, a group of far-right wing Islamic activists, wants the courts to introduce a ban on consensual sex between adults. Prison sentences are suggested to go up to 15 years. Rita Hendrawaty, chairwoman of the group, said on Wednesday it

Pride Uganda raided by police as LGBT activists arrested

A Pride event in Uganda has been broken up by police as at least two LGBT+ activists are arrested. Pride Uganda tweeted that the small gathering in Kampala had been raided by police, as prominent LGBT+ activist Frank Mugisha also tweeted that he had been arrested. The tweet from Pride read: “We have been raided

Hundreds expected to attend Jamaica Pride events

A series of LGBT Pride events that are scheduled to take place this week in Jamaica are expected to draw hundreds of people. PRiDE JA 2016 began on Monday with a day-long sports day at the University of the West Indies in the Jamaican capital of Kingston. An organizer told that the university provided referees

Canada PM Justin Trudeau marches at Vancouver Pride Parade

The world’s dreamiest prime minister Justin Trudeau joined thousands at the 38th annual Vancouver Pride Parade on Sunday. The 44-year-old politician also brought his wife, Sophie, and their three children along for the celebration. ‘It’s a time where the whole city, families, communities come out, we celebrate the great diversity that is such a strength