Aaron Lucero and Jeff Cannon wanted a country wedding. They say they still do, even after what they thought was their dream venue turned them away. “It’s still the idea,” Lucero, 29, told McClatchy. “Planning your wedding is supposed to be this joyous, happy moment in your lives, and this was so jarring because it […]
This week, the Municipal Affairs Bureau in China’s southern city of Guangzhous shut down two local LGBTQ rights groups: the Guangzhou University Rainbow Group and the Guangzhou Gender and Sexuality Education Center. The Rainbow group taught students about LGBTQ issues and the Education Center helped raise awareness about sexual assault and harassment. Nevertheless, the Bureau listed […]
The highest court in Lithuania has ruled that foreign spouses of gay citizens must be given residency permits. In a momentous ruling on Friday (January 11), the court denounced the practice of denying residency permits to gay spouses as discriminatory and against human dignity, according to AFP. “The refusal to issue permits cannot be based […]
In a showing of support for trans folks, Netflix has announced it will not do business in North Carolina as long as a key portion of the state’s House Bill 2 remains in effect. The streaming giant had considered shooting a new series, OBX, in North Carolina seeing as it takes place in North Carolina. But the […]
The Cuban government on Tuesday announced the draft of the country’s new constitution will not contain an amendment that would have extended marriage rights to same-sex couples. Hatzel Vela, a Havana-based reporter for WPLG, a South Florida television station, reported the Cuban National Assembly cited Council of State Secretary Homero Acosta Álvarez in a series of tweets […]
Former Supreme Court justice Anthony Kennedy said his decision to rule in favor of marriage equality even surprised himself. So what prompted his decision? Children. In an interview with Bloomberg, Kennedy said he struggled with the issue before deciding to rule in favor of allowing same-sex couples to legally wed nationwide. In the end, Kennedy […]
Barilla gave attendees of a contest in Italy boxes of spaghetti with a drawing of lesbians on the box. At the World Pasta Championship – an event sponsored by Barilla – in Milan last month, hundreds of limited edition boxes of spaghetti no. 5 were given out. The boxes feature a design by illustrator Olimpia […]
A survey of Democratic and Republican candidates on LGBTQ acceptance showed a stark difference between the two parties. The poll, conducted by GLAAD, was sent to 1165 candidates for the Senate, the House, Governor, and Lt. Governor this past July. The candidates were asked if they were comfortable with LGBTQ people in various situations, like […]
Transgender activists rallied in New York City last night after it was revealed that the Trump Administration is trying to redefine “gender.” A New York Times article on Saturday described a leaked Department of Health and Human Services memo that described an effort to redefine sex in federal law as “a person’s status as male […]
Thailand could become the first country in Asia to recognize same-sex partnerships. A new bill called the Civil Partnership Act has been announced, and it could make civil unions for same-sex couples a reality by the end of this year. Thailand currently only recognizes heterosexual marriages, but the Civil Partnership Act would open up many […]
Here’s our latest Queer Rights Update worldwide: STUDY Straight People Are Less Attracted to Trans People, No Matter How Good Looking A study by researchers at Indiana University found that straight people are less attracted to trans people — regardless of how good looking that person is. 319 cisgender and heterosexual college students participated in […]
Here’s our latest Queer Rights Update worldwide: POP CULTURE Dr. Pepper is Queer In a bold new ad, Dr. Pepper joins the ranks of companies capitalizing off the LGBTQ community, but in such a cheeky way that it’s impossible to give them stink eye. The strange soft drink from Texas has come out as queer. […]
Here are recent updates on Queer Rights worldwide: ONLINE Trans People and the Lobster Emoji Trans activist and author Charlie Craggs is demanding to know why the trans community does not have an emoji – and she’s using lobsters to make her point. The Marie Claire Future Shaper award winner is fronting a campaign to […]
Here are recent updates on Queer Rights worldwide: BRAZIL Trans Woman Who Works as Scavenger Gets Dream Wedding Thousands of people turned out to watch the wedding of a trans woman and her long time boyfriend in Brazil. Erica, 54, and Jorge, 49, are a beloved, well-known couple in the small city of Franco da […]
In light of the stunning retirement of Justice Kennedy from the US Supreme Court and all that may mean for queer rights in the US over the next two decades, I thought it was important to share a few good news stories: Philippines Supreme Court Justice Says Same-Sex Civil Union is Constitutional In the second […]
The world continues to turn, and not everything is getting worse for the queer community: Trinidad and Tobago Okays Gay Sex Trinidad and Tobago has struck down a colonial-era law that criminalised gay sex in the islands. A high court judge ruled on Thursday that the historic laws banning “buggery” are unconstitutional and will be […]