Iraq criminalises same-sex relationships with maximum 15 years in prison | LGBTQ News

Iraq criminalises same-sex relationships with maximum 15 years in prison | LGBTQ News

The law is backed mainly by Shia Muslim parties who form the largest coalition in Iraq’s parliament. Iraq’s parliament has passed a law criminalising same-sex relationships with a maximum 15-year prison sentence, in a move it said aimed to uphold religious values, but was condemned by rights advocates as the…

In Australia, a women-only app is latest front in the war over trans rights | LGBTQ News

In Australia, a women-only app is latest front in the war over trans rights | LGBTQ News

Sydney, Australia – Sall Grover says she did not think twice when she blocked Roxanne Tickle, a transgender woman, from her Australian-based women-only app Giggle for Girls. “It did not register, as we get men trying to enter all the time. Mr Tickle passed our AI facial recognition test, which…

‘No good evidence’ for gender care for youth, landmark UK review finds | LGBTQ News

‘No good evidence’ for gender care for youth, landmark UK review finds | LGBTQ News

Study commissioned by England’s health service says hormones should only be prescribed to teens with ‘extreme caution’. The evidence behind medical intervention for youth questioning their gender is “remarkably weak”, with some doctors abandoning “normal clinical approaches” to prescribe hormones to teens, a landmark review in the United Kingdom has…

Fears of discrimination in Thailand despite looming same sex marriage bill | LGBTQ News

Fears of discrimination in Thailand despite looming same sex marriage bill | LGBTQ News

Bangkok, Thailand – Thanadech Jandee is thrilled that Thailand’s marriage equality bill, allowing same-sex couples to marry, is moving closer to becoming law. Thanadech, who was born biologically female and had gender reassignment surgery to identify as male last year, lives with his girlfriend and her son from a previous…

Thai parliament passes same-sex marriage bill | LGBTQ News

Thai parliament passes same-sex marriage bill | LGBTQ News

Pending final approval, bill will cement Thai credentials among Asia’s most liberal societies on LGBTQ issues. Thailand is set to become the first Southeast Asian nation to recognise equal marriage after politicians passed a same-sex marriage bill. The lower house of parliament overwhelmingly voted in favour of the bill, with…

Two bar workers arrested in Russia’s first LGBTQ ‘extremism’ case | LGBTQ News

Two bar workers arrested in Russia’s first LGBTQ ‘extremism’ case | LGBTQ News

The suspects will remain in custody until May 18 and face as long as 10 years in prison if found guilty. A Russian court has ordered the arrest of a bar administrator and its art director, accusing them of organising an “extremist organisation” under new legislation criminalising the LGBTQ community….

Japan court rules ban on same-sex marriage is ‘unconstitutional’ | LGBTQ News

Japan court rules ban on same-sex marriage is ‘unconstitutional’ | LGBTQ News

Japan is only G7 nation that excludes same-sex unions with conservative government criticised as stonewalling diversity. A high court in Japan has ruled that the country’s ban on same-sex marriage is “unconstitutional” as pressure mounts for such unions to be legalised. On Thursday, the Sapporo High Court said not allowing…

Greece first Orthodox Christian country to legalise same-sex marriage | LGBTQ News

Greece first Orthodox Christian country to legalise same-sex marriage | LGBTQ News

Parliament voted 176-76 to pass the bill which also allows same-sex couples to legally adopt children. Greece has become the first Orthodox Christian country to legalise same-sex marriage despite opposition from the church and some politicians. The measure was passed by parliament late on Thursday with 176 lawmakers from across…

Vatican approves blessings for same-sex couples under certain conditions | LGBTQ News

Vatican approves blessings for same-sex couples under certain conditions | LGBTQ News

A landmark ruling approved by Pope Francis says priests can bless same-sex couples under some circumstances. The Vatican has approved a landmark ruling to allow Roman Catholic priests to administer blessings to same-sex couples as long as they are not part of regular Church rituals or liturgies, nor given in contexts related…