Ukraine should reform its laws to combat homophobic hate crimes and Albania should give more rights to same-sex couples and trans people, a top European rights body said on Wednesday, amid a backlash against LGBT+ rights in Eastern Europe.
Poland: The European Commission intervenes on “LGBT-free” zones. This letter could be groundbreaking
UK: Coronavirus Sex Ban In Britain Has People Frolicking And The Government Mocked
The questions — half serious, half joking — about what has become known as the coronavirus “sex ban,” #sexban, range from “does the British government intend to prevent its citizens from getting laid?” and “is it banning casual sex?” to insinuations that new official instructions issued to the public this week “to continue to control the virus and save lives” could be promoting intercourse in outside places.
Hungary: More than 10,000 have already asked the Ombudsman to do his job
Malaysia’s top court to hear challenge to law which punishes gay sex with prison
Russia: 'Completely Crazy': Activists Slam Antigay Ad As Russia's Constitutional Vote Looms
Japan: Okayama to join other Japan cities issuing certificates for same-sex partnerships
The city of Okayama said Monday it will issue certificates recognizing same-sex partnership starting July 1 to couples living in or planning to move to the city.
It will join nearly 50 other local governments in the country issuing similar certificates to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender couples, and offering benefits such as allowing them to apply for public housing. Same-sex marriage is not legally recognized and the certificates are not legally valid.
Okayama has also agreed with Soja, another city in Okayama Prefecture, to mutually recognize their certificates and eliminate the need for new procedures when LGBT couples move between the two cities. Read more via Japan Times
Albania: ECRI welcomes Albania’s significant progress, but some issues give rise to concern
Ukraine: Council of Europe’s anti-racism commission publishes conclusions on implementation of its priority recommendations
Costa Rica: Fabricio Alvarado Proposes Conscientious Objection Law Against Equal Marriage
After the approval of equal marriage in Costa Rica, the former presidential candidate for National Restoration and now secretary general of the New Republic Party, Fabricio Alvarado, announced that he will promote a bill to validate the right of "conscientious objection" against unions of persons of the same sex.
US: Wake deputies defend force used against owner of Raleigh LGBTQ bar during protest
Council member Saige Martin was sent the video by multiple people, and said he knows the establishment well as a queer person. He was one of two openly LGBTQ people elected to the council in 2019 — a first for the city: “It is a safe space for so many people,” he said. “It is a home to queer folks.”
Australia: SA led the way for many reforms, so why is 'gay panic' still a defence?
South Australia has a reputation as a progressive state based on several milestones in its political history. It was the first to grant parliamentary voting rights to women, in 1894. It was also first to decriminalise homosexuality, and was at the forefront of the push for Aboriginal land rights during the 1970s. But a legal loophole allowing murder charges to be downgraded has remained