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Canada expels Uganda’s homophobic envoy

Canada has expelled Uganda’s High Commissioner Joy Ruth Acheng, accusing her of breaching the diplomatic code of conduct. Acheng has served as Uganda’s High Commissioner to Canada since September 2017. Commonwealth countries appoint high commissioners to each other rather than ambassadors, but the title confers the same rank. The envoy was declared “persona non grata” […]

LGBTQ ally Democrat announces run for Texas House Speaker

Texas state Rep. Ana-María Rodríguez Ramos, a Democrat from Richardson, announced Sunday night, Sept. 15, that she is running for Speaker of the House. “When it comes time to elect a speaker, we will need a candidate who will fight to protect our public schools, restore the protections of Roe v. Wade and pass common […]

NSW’s first openly transgender woman elected into office in Newy

History has been made again in Newcastle, with the election of the first openly transgender councillor Paige Johnson into office. The Labor candidate was voted top of the list in Ward 2 for City of Newcastle (CN) on Saturday 14 September. Taking over from former councillor Carol Duncan, Ms Johnson will now oversee the area, which includes […]

How this Phoenix festival inspires Latino pride for LGBTQ business owners

When Jimmie Muñoz started his business Passport Destilados, he aimed to distribute craft spirits from Mexican beverage makers in the United States, focusing on showcasing businesses owned by people in minority groups or those who would face challenges growing their businesses. Passport Destilados was among the local business exhibitors at the Latino Pride Festival in downtown […]

New Malta LGBTIQ+ Sports Association Hosts International Tennis Tournament

A new LGBTIQ+ friendly NGO has hit the streets. Meet The Malta LGBTIQ+ Sports Association! “Our mission is to create a diverse, supportive sporting community that welcomes all gender identities and sexual orientations,” the organisation told Lovin Malta. MLSA’s intentions are to “emphasise well-being, advocate for positive change and raise awareness” about the stigma and […]

Ghana: As anti-LGBTQ+ bill remains stalled, man marches against it in Accra

Ghanaian Texas Kadir Moro concluded a series of solo demonstrations for LGBTQ+ rights in Accra on Thursday (Sep. 12). “Justice begins where inequality ends” or “judging others on their sins is simply an act of arrogance and pride”, were some of the messages on his large placard. He began marching after an anti-LGBTQ+ bill was […]

Uruguay’s LGBTQ+ community pushes for greater political representation ahead of October elections

Uruguay’s LGBTQ+ community finds itself in a moment of strategic reflection and coordinated action in this crucial election year. With presidential elections on the horizon, diverse voices inside and outside the Uruguayan political arena are advocating for representation. They are also working to confront the challenges facing the country’s queer population in obtaining positions in […]

Meet the straight ally who is protesting Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ bill

Texas Kadiri Moro stood in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Accra on Thursday, dressed in short pink Speedos and a pink polo shirt. Accompanied by trumpet players, carrying a banner with slogans including, “Why should a society of evildoers judge others?” and “Justice begins where inequality ends!” he marched across the Ghanaian […]

LGBTQ Group Endorses Straight Democrat Over Gay Republican

Garden State Equality Action Fund, the political arm of the LGBTQ advocacy group Garden State Equality, has endorsed a straight Democrat for New Jersey’s U.S. Senate race over an openly gay Republican. The organization is endorsing Democrats for every federal office this year, including the presidential race, the U.S. Senate race, and all 12 congressional […]

Same-sex marriage was on a roll in Asia. Not anymore

Rainbow flags rippled in the wind as gay and lesbian couples walked hand in hand down a makeshift aisle in Bangkok’s busy Siam shopping district. Thailand’s Senate had just passed a marriage equality bill, and the local LGBTQ+ community was in the mood to celebrate. While the ceremonies were symbolic enactments of same-sex weddings, the […]

Telangana announces transgender traffic troops under new recruitment program

The Telangana government has announced India’s first-ever transgender-specific government recruitment and social welfare program, under which transgender persons will be trained and recruited for traffic management. As per the program, announced by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, once transgender individuals are identified and recruited, they will undergo specialised training to assist the Hyderabad traffic police. […]

Zimbabwe: Two Men Face Jail on Sodomy Charges After Approaching Police

Two men in Zimbabwe have been arrested on sodomy charges after seeking police assistance to resolve a domestic dispute. According to the country’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Tavimbanashe Chawatama, 28, and Leonard Nyakudya, 25, had been in a relationship for about a year. In late August, the alleged couple had an argument over infidelity, prompting Nyakudya to […]

Russian Streaming Website Kinopoisk Fined $110K for ‘LGBT Propaganda’

A Moscow court fined the popular Russian movie streaming website Kinopoisk 10 million rubles ($110,000) on Tuesday for charges related to “propaganda” of LGBTQ+ lifestyles and pedophilia. The Tagansky District Court imposed a 3 million ruble ($33,000) fine on Kinopoisk for “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and preferences, as well as sex changes.” The same court imposed a separate […]

Kiwi athletes voice concerns about transgender guidelines for sports in open letter

Over 50 high-profile sporting identities and former Olympians have signed an open letter urging the Government to rethink the guiding principles for transgender athletes participating in sports. The letter claims Sport New Zealand’s guidelines disregard the rights of female athletes and go against scientific evidence. Former Olympian Dave Gerrard says allowing athletes to compete under […]

In Thailand, Locals Are Expanding on the Country’s Queer Legacy

Daytime Bangkok is an industrial opera—flashing tuks-tuks, hectic motorbikes, and dogged taxis whizz by the end of a side street, creating a soundtrack of car horns and engines, which then layer onto an Adele playlist blasting out of one of the many gay bars along Silom Soi 4 road. But hidden at the very end, […]

Yan Daudu: Traditional femme man confronts Nigeria’s modern homophobia

After years of openly presenting as a woman, 32-year-old Adamu finds himself at a pivotal moment as he prepares to marry a woman. “I believe it is the right thing to do as a man,” he says about his forthcoming wedding. Adamu first started presenting as a woman during his teenage years. His early life […]

Transgender Student Proudly Wears Male Uniform in Havana School

Yumisleidi Rodríguez, a transgender student in  Cuba, proudly shared on social media their ability to choose and wear the male school uniform at their educational center in Havana, feeling more comfortable and identified with it. Rodríguez originally shared their joy in the Facebook group “Madres cubanas por un mundo mejor,” but the post was removed due […]