HAPPY 2023!!!

Gay couples ask Indian Supreme Court to legalise same-sex marriage

India’s Supreme Court has accepted legal petitions from four gay couples who’ve gone to the court demanding the country legalise same-sex marriage. The four gay couples are arguing that denying them same-sex marriages is unconstitutional.

In 2018, India's Supreme Court ruled gay sex was no longer a crime, and they struck down a colonial-era law criminalizing consensual gay sex, overturning more than 150 years of anti-LGBT legislation.

The petitioners said that while the 2018 ruling was an historic moment for the country, discrimination and legal hurdles remain for same-sex couples. They’ve told the court that without legal recognition of marriage, they are denied rights such as those linked to medical consent, insurance, pensions or adoption.

In India, same-sex marriages have no legal sanction, though petitions for legalisation are under consideration in various courts across the country. The legal recognition of a status, or fact, is a  formal acknowledgement of that status or fact as being true, valid, legal, or worthy of consideration.

In Asia, Taiwan is the only country to have legalised same-sex marriages.

In 2018, gay sex was decriminalized in India

An openly gay man is elected speaker of Israeli parliament for first time

 

The Israeli Parliament or Knesset has elected Likud MK Amir Ohana as its speaker, shortly before the confidence vote to inaugurate Israel’s 37th government. A former minister in past governments, Ohana is the Knesset’s first openly gay person to hold the role.

Occupying one of the Knesset’s most strategic positions, the speaker wields considerable influence over legislative agenda and pace, as well as running legislative sessions and maintaining decorum in the plenum.

Ohana has previously served as justice minister and public security minister, with his elevation to the former post in 2019 making him Israel’s first openly gay minister.

After being elected speaker, Ohana thanked Netanyahu for his courage and trust in advancing his candidacy, and said he and the Likud leader have “traveled a long way together” and “will, with God’s help, carry on further.”

He also thanked his parents for accepting him “for who I am.” And he thanked his partner, Alon Haddad, “the second half of my life for almost 18 years,” who was there with the couple’s children, Ella and David.

Outside the Parliament, hundreds in Tel Aviv rallied in support of LGBTQ rights after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in as the head of what is being called Israel's most right-wing government. Many protesters were speaking out against Netanyahu's allies' proposal to scrap anti-discrimination legislation, effectively allowing businesses and medical providers to deny services to LGBTQ people on the basis of religious beliefs.

The Ohana's family

Polish president vetoes anti-LGBTQ education bill

A controversial bill that would further limit access to comprehensive sexual education and anti-LGBTQ discrimination preventative classes in schools in Poland was vetoed by President Andrzej Duda.

The measure would have implemented restrictions on curriculum and school activities, giving the country’s central government more control over the regional school systems and administrative staff.

The legislation was put forward by the majority ruling conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party in Poland’s Parliament, known as the Sejm and Senate. Przemysław Czarnek, the ultra-conservative education minister who backed both bills, has publicly claimed that reforms are needed to “protect children from moral corruption.”

Both measures would give school administrators and superintendents the power to remove books, lessons, and ban student participation in events or clubs that are LGBTQ affirming.

“I refuse to sign this bill. I understand that some people will be disappointed, but a large part of our society will be calmed by this decision,” the Polish president said. 

“Entities from all sides of the political scene find points in this act that they have very serious doubts about and against which they protest. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to achieve what I would call a social compromise… The bill has not received wide social acceptance,” he added.

A whiskey commercial about trans acceptance becomes viral

Spanish company J&B Scotch Whiskey released their holiday commercial and it's a surprisingly moving storyline about the acceptance of a transgender family member. 

The three-minute commercial opens with a grandfather stealing his wife's lipstick to secretly apply it on himself in the bathroom. He slowly begins experimenting with makeup, buying eye shadow at the grocery store and taking brow tips from bus billboards until he's happy with his own look. He continues to hide it from his family. 

When his extended family arrives on a holiday, we meet Álvaro, the man's visibly uncomfortable 26-year-old grandchild. The grandfather pulls them into the bathroom and applies all of the makeup tricks he's learned on Álvaro and they look absolutely beautiful as the two gaze into the mirror together. The grandfather then reintroduces their grandchild to the family as Ana. In the end, the family toasts over some whiskey. "Magic is not only at Christmas," the screen reads in Spanish. "It is also in us."

The commercial has over 2,5 million views on YouTube. The official description shares the hope from J&B Spain that the commercial can help "us reflect, so that on these dates there can always be room at the table for acceptance, respect and, above all, celebration."

Watch the commercial below:

Scotland and Spain pass laws promoting trans rights and a lower age for gender change

Scotland and Spain have both advanced legislation making it easier for transgender people to legally change their gender despite strong opposition movements in both countries.

Both bills require further steps before they become law. Scotland, as part of the United Kingdom, needs royal assent for its bill, while Spain’s legislation has been passed by one house of its Parliament but needs the approval of the other, something that is expected.

Scotland’s Parliament voted 86-39 to ease the process of obtaining what’s called a gender recognition certificate. It will lower the age for application from 18 to 16 and will require applicants “to have lived in their acquired gender for three months rather than two years”. Also, applicants will no longer need to have a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

Under Spain’s bill, anyone 16 or older will be able to change the gender on their legal identification documents by simply declaring their gender. Previously, they had to have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria by several doctors, and in some cases, they also needed proof they had been living for two years as the gender they identified with or even records showing they had taken hormones.

A new step for trans rights!

Smiley, the first Spanish LGBTQ rom-com in Netflix

Smiley is a Spanish rom-com series directed by David Martín Porras and Marta Pahissa. Starring Carlos Cuevas and Miki Esparbé, the Netflix' series spins around the life of two hopeless romantics, Alex and Bruno, who always get failed by their partners. 

Tired of getting dumped and disappointed by Grindr dates, Álex and Bruno are two very different men both looking for someone they can’t seem to find, until a misdialed phone call sends them head over heels into a love story neither one saw coming

Álex (Carlos Cuevas) is heartbroken. He was building fantasies with a boy that, a couple of weeks later, disappeared giving him a perfect ghosting. And he is really upset because of it.

He picks up the phone and asks out for an explanation in a voicemail that will have unexpected consequences… because he ends up sending it by mistake to Bruno (Miki Esparbé), who he doesn’t know at all. This innocent first misleading is the first one in a chain of events that will change Alex and Bruno’s life forever.

We all know the Japanese story about a red thread that connects two people, right? If not, look it up on the internet or watch the show. Bruno explains the “red thread” story to Alex, and Alex completely regards it as a myth. The concept of “the red thread” plays a huge significance throughout the series, and I got goosebumps when the end portrayed it so beautifully.

The series bags in significant supporting actors who are: Pepón Nieto, Meritxell Calvo, Giannina Fruttero, Eduardo Lloveras, Ruth Llopis, Ramon Pujol, Brian McGovern, Carlos Noriega and Yasmina Drissi.

Don't miss it!!!

Watch the trailer below:

Federal Court upholds Connecticut’s transgender athlete policy

 

A federal appeals court threw out a case brought by four cisgender high school girls in Connecticut who claimed the state’s trans-inclusive sports policy violated their civil rights and deprived them of a chance to be champions.

In a victory for transgender youth, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a student athletic policy in Connecticut allowing transgender students to play on the teams most consistent with their gender identity.

“Today’s ruling is a critical victory for fairness, equality, and inclusion,” said Joshua Block, senior staff attorney for the ACLU’s LGBTQ & HIV Project. “The court rejected the baseless zero-sum arguments presented by the opposition to this policy and ultimately found transgender girls have as much a right to play as cisgender girls under Title IX. This critical victory strikes at the heart of political attacks against transgender youth while helping ensure every young person has the right to play.”

“Trans student athletes belong on our sports teams and in our schools, and all trans youth should be celebrated and protected for who they are. Today, the courts have once again dismissed this lawsuit seeking to attack trans student athletes. The record shows that our clients played by the rules, and the court agreed,” he added.

Ireland has an openly gay PM again

Leo Varadkar takes over for the second time as Ireland's Prime Minister (PM) this weekend, in a handover of power between the two main political partners in the three-party governing coalition.

Varadkar, who is openly gay and is still one of Ireland's youngest ever leaders even in his second stint in the role, steps up from deputy premier.

The rotation between 43-year-old Varadkar's Fine Gael and current premier Micheal Martin's Fianna Fail parties is unprecedented in Irish history. They agreed to the rotating premiership as part of a coalition with Ireland's Greens following 2020 elections.

Varadkar was elected leader of the ruling Fine Gael party and confirmed as Taoiseach, or Prime Minister, for first time in 2017.

Leo Varadkar and his partner Matt Barrett

Netanyahu promises to respect the rights to Israeli LGBTQ citizens

Incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has spoken out amid domestic and international fears about whether the new government would protect the rights of minority Israelis.

Netanyahu promised that his new government would not deny rights to Israeli LGBTQ or Arab citizens in an interview he gave to the US-based National Public Radio, as he explains that as the country's leader he would be the one in charge.

"I will not let anyone do anything to LGBTQ or to deny our Arab citizens their rights or anything like that. It just won't happen, and the test of time will prove that," he said.

Israel is considered the most progressive country in the Mideast regarding LGBTQ rights, they recognize same-sex unions though they still don’t legally allow same-sex marriage. In any case, Israel stands in sharp contrast to the rest of the region and becomes an exception on acceptance of LGBTQ rights. 

Thanks President Biden!!

President Biden signs into law same-sex marriage bill

Shocked and sickened by Iranian footballer's execution for campaigning for women's rights in Iran

 

Iranian footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani is facing execution in his home country after campaigning for women's rights amid anti-government protests following death of Mahsa Amini. 

The 26-year-old had been accused of "rebellion, membership in illegal gangs, collusion to undermine security and therefore assisting in moharabeh" or "emnity against God", a capital crime in the Islamic Republic punished by the death penalty.

Speaking on the situation, players' union FIFPRO said: "We are shocked and sickened by reports that professional footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani faces execution in Iran after campaigning for women's rights and basic freedom in his country. We stand in solidarity with Amir and call for the immediate removal of his punishment."

Amnesty International has also spoken out against this verdict: “The organization has asked the international community to go to any lengths necessary to force the Iranian government to stop executions and the death penalty.”

#FreeIran #FreeAmir #StopExecutionsInIran

Same-sex marriage is the law of the land in the U.S.

President Joe Biden will shortly sign the Respect for Marriage Act, closing a chapter that began when Jack Baker and Michael McConnell applied, unsuccessfully, for a marriage licence in Minnesota in 1970. 

For many gay Americans, together with their friends and families, the new law comes as a relief. No longer is the right to marry contingent on the makeup of the Supreme Court at any given time. Even if the court strikes down Obergefell v Hodges, the 2015 case that legalised gay marriage in America, the effects of doing so would be much reduced.

When Jack Baker and Michael McConnell tried to marry half a century ago, they sought recognition that their relationship was as ordinary and as special as the 2m other marriages that happened in America that year. Now millions of gay Americans have that recognition, too. 

In states where gay marriage is legal, the federal government will recognise these unions. States that do not permit gay marriage will not be forced to adopt it. But they will be obliged to recognise marriages performed in other states. Thus the law strikes a balance between majority opinion, which favours gay marriage by a wide margin, and a minority who object on religious grounds.

President Biden signed the LGBTQ Equality Bill on the first day

Singapore lawmakers vote to repeal colonial-era sodomy law

Lawmakers in Singapore repealed a colonial-era law that criminalized consensual same-sex sexual relations. But, a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between a man and a woman was also approved.

93 MPs voted to repeal Section 377A of the country’s penal code after 10 hours of debate that spanned two days. A constitutional amendment that ensures marriage remains defined between a man and a woman also passed with 85 MPs voting in favor of it. 

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in August announced his country would decriminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations, adding that society was becoming more accepting of gay people.

Singapore is the smallest nation in Southeast Asia by size but has outsize influence as a major shipping and commercial center. Its population of 5.7 million is a mix of Chinese, Indians, and Malay Muslims, who are largely traditional in their values. Southeast Asia as a whole is a conservative region and has been slow to recognize LGBTQ rights; none of its 11 countries allow same-sex marriage.

Better late than never!

Congrats Singapore!!!

Record 120 cities in the U.S. get highest score on Municipal Equality Index

A record 120 cities in the U.S. have earned a perfect 100 score on this year’s Human Rights Campaign Municipal Equality Index, which rates cities on antidiscrimination laws, benefits for public employees, and other factors that contribute to a positive climate for LGBTQ people.

That number is up from 110 in the 2021 index and just 11 in its inaugural year, 2012, illustrating the striking advancements municipalities have made despite some being in states that have seen increased extremist-led anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and legislation. 

The index includes cities as small as Rehoboth Beach, Del., population 1,327, and as large as New York City, population 8 million. This year’s index rated 506 cities total, including the nation’s 200 largest cities, all state capitals, the five largest cities in each state, and the cities home to each state’s two largest public universities.

Among the success stories highlighted in the report is Dublin, Ohio, which scored a perfect 100, where its City Council enacted an inclusive municipal nondiscrimination law last year, and the city has added two LGBTQ liaison positions. 

The HRC Foundation released the index in partnership with the Equality Federation Institute. Find a list of cities rated here.

Read the full report here

Close, a great film about friendship and love

Close is a film about friendship and responsibility. Leo and Remi are two thirteen-year-old best friends, whose seemingly unbreakable bond is suddenly, tragically torn apart. Struggling to understand what has happened, Léo approaches Sophie, Rémi's mother.

Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, Lukas Dhont's second film is an emotionally transformative and unforgettable portrait of the intersection of friendship and love, identity and independence, and heartbreak and healing. Starred by Eden Dambrine and Gustav de Waele.

The two young lead actors are amazing. The emotions are right. The privileged relationship of his two friends, their games, their complicity, the questioning of others about their mutual affection, the transformation of their relationship, and then the drama, the different stages of grief (shock, denial, anger, depression, acceptance) unspeakable guilt, lack, memories. It’s all there and poignant.

Watch the trailer below:

A protester with a rainbow flag storms the pitch in Qatar World Cup

 

A protester carrying a rainbow flag stormed the pitch at a World Cup game in Qatar. Besides the symbolic LGBTQ pride flag, the man wore a Superman T-shirt that read "Save Ukraine" on the front and "Respect for Iranian Woman" on the back, during the match between Portugal and Uruguay.

Number of same-sex couple households exceed 1 million in U.S.

According to data gathered by the U.S. Census in 2021, more than 1 million American families are same-sex households. Around 710,000 of those are married, with the rest unmarried.

This is just the second time during the Census that same-sex households have been included since the question regarding households was adjusted to reflect better data. Couples simply living together are not factored into the data due to gathering methods. 

Remember that Supreme Court ruled in favor of the freedom to marry, across the U.S., ending marriage discrimination formally on June 26, 2015.

Recently, the Pew Research Center released its findings in a study that focused on American views about the legalization of same-sex marriage. Every 6 in 10 adults believe same-sex marriage legalization is positive, while 4 in every 10 believe these households negatively impact American society. 

Those individuals who consider themselves Democrats or Democrat-leaning in their politics are more likely to have a positive view of same-sex marriage in the U.S. However, around 55% of Republicans and Republican-leaning see it in a negative light. Without a doubt, partisanship impacts the discussion of its impact on American society. 

The Football Association protests against FIFA's ban in Qatar

The Football Association (FA) has showed their support for the LGBTQ community by lighting up the famous Wembley arch in rainbow colours during England's World Cup game against the United States of America.

The gesture was made after FIFA banned players from wearing the "OneLove" armband at the World Cup in Qatar.

"Attempting to eradicate discrimination of any kind, including homophobia, from football is something which everyone at The FA believes in strongly and have looked to support for a number of years," the FA said.

FIFA told to participating nations they can't show on their armbands the symbol of "OneLove" at World Cup in Qatar. 

Russia’s parliament approves bill to ban ‘LGBTQ propaganda’ to all ages

Russia’s lower house of parliament passed in the third reading amendments to a law on so-called “LGBTQ propaganda”, expanding liability to all ages.

The discriminatory law proposes to ban all Russians from promoting or “praising” homosexual relationships or publicly suggesting that they are “normal.”

The original version of the law adopted in 2013 banned “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” among minors. The new iteration would apply the law to adults as well.

Individuals who spread or attempt to distribute what the bill calls “LGBTQ propaganda” will be fined up to 400,000 rubles ($6,600). Legal entities can be fined up to 5 million rubles ($82,100). Foreigners can be arrested for up to 15 days or deported, according to the bill.

It will now be forwarded to the Federation Council, Russia’s upper house of Parliament, before being signed into law by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The European Court of Human Rights ruled in 2017 that Russia’s so-called “gay propaganda law” is discriminatory, promotes homophobia and violates the European Convention on Human Rights.

Shameful!!!

First top tier basketball player comes out

 

Australian basketball player Isaac Humphries has made history as the first active top tier league athlete in the sport to come out as gay.

The 24-year-old shared a video of himself speaking to his Melbourne United teammates about his decision to come out and his desire to use it as an opportunity to represent people who were struggling with their sexuality. 

“I know how that feels…You can live and you don’t have to hide,” he said. Humphries’ teammates rallied round him after his emotional message. 

He acknowledged that internalised homophobia led him to some “extremely dark times” and this had influenced his decision to be out on the court. 

LGBTQ representation in basketball was seen as “a negative point of difference”, but spending time in Los Angeles after an injury led him to see how “being openly gay can come with joy”, he said.

Humphries is the first active basketball player in a top tier league globally to come out, as well as the first Australian male player and first in the Australian National Basketball League to do so. 

He has attracted support from across the basketball world, with the American National Basketball League tweeting, “We are proud and grateful to Isaac for sharing his story. We know the real impact his honesty and courage will have on many others. Isaac has our unwavering respect and support.”

Thanks Germany!!

Thanks Germany!!

Thanks Neuer!!

 

FIFA bans players to wear rainbow armband at World Cup in Qatar

There was a meeting where FIFA told there participating nations which symbols they can show on their armbands at World Cup in Qatar. 

These include the 'OneLove' heart, which is the premise of the movement in favour of LGBTQ rights, but not the colours of the rainbow nor the motto itself, although they do allow '#SaveThePlanet', '#ProtectChildren', '#EducationForAll' and '#BeActive'.

Looks like FIFA does not want to annoy the host country, where just the mere fact of being gay can result from prison to dead penalty.

Several national soccer federations announced that their captains would wear a rainbow armband during the tournament as part of an anti-discrimination initiative over anti-LGBTQ laws in Qatar. 

Then, because FIFA decision, Harry Kane will not be able to wear the rainbow armband while playing as captain of England as he had announced, like the rest of captains which federations decided to do. 

If they do, they could face punishments of which details have not come out. It could mean they can starts the game with a yellow card, for example, or even other sporting or financial sanctions.

A new unacceptable decision in the World Cup of shame!

Fans can be jailed in Qatar just for waving rainbow flags

Strong condemnation of Colorado Springs LGBTQ bar shooting

Five people were killed and least 18 other people were injured in a mass shooting at an LGBTQ bar in Colorado Springs, just minutes before the clock struck midnight on Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Police officers responded to calls of an active shooter at Club Q Colorado Springs. Responding officers arrived on the scene and took the attacker, 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich, into custody. 

Aldrich started shooting immediately upon arriving at the club but was hindered by two individuals who stepped in to intervene. The gunman used a long rifle, and two guns were found at the scene.

The attack came just hours before a drag brunch and an evening drag show were scheduled to take place on Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Out gay Governor Jared Polis condemned the attack and also praised those who stopped it: "We are eternally grateful for the brave individuals who blocked the gunman, likely saving lives in the process, and for the first responders who responded swiftly to this horrific shooting."

We strongly condemn this senseless act and stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ community, today and always.

Colorado stands with out LGBTQ community, Gov. Polis said

Italian court rules in favor of same-sex parents

An Italian court ruled that same-sex parents have the right not to be labeled “mother” or “father” on the ID paperwork of their children. 

A judge in Rome ruled in favor of a lesbian couple who had launched a legal challenge against the regulations for IDs for minors,

Parents or legal guardians must be referenced in those documents and until 2019 they were identified as “parents.” However, when the new far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was the interior minister, the rule was changed to require a list for “father” and “mother.”

In the Rome case, one of the women had given birth to a girl who was adopted by the woman’s partner. They were legally recognized as the girl’s parents. The judge said that forcing one of them to be labeled “father” didn’t make sense.

The verdict is final because Italy’s previous government, led by technocrat Mario Draghi, passed on an opportunity to appeal it.

It’s a ruling that goes against Italy’s new right-wing government. Meloni’s office said in a statement that it would study the ruling “very carefully because it presents obvious implementation problems,” and “puts at risk” the workings of the national ID system.

Meloni opposes allowing same-sex couples to have children through adoption or surrogacy. Other members of her party have spoken out against LGBTQ rights as well.

Love always wins over hate!

USA men's team incorporate the rainbow flag at World Cup in Qatar

The United States' men's national team (USMNT) have made a huge statement at the World Cup in Qatar by redesigning their crest to incorporate the rainbow flag, in a bid to show solidarity with the LGBTQ community.

The USMNT has made an immediate stand on their arrival in Doha by changing the usual red stripes on their crest to a rainbow around their team base.

"As part of our approach for any match or event, we include rainbow branding to support and embrace the LGBTQ community, as well as to promote a spirit of inclusiveness and welcoming to all fans across the globe," Neil Buethe, the USMNT's Chief Communications Officer told.

Several teams will wear a rainbow armband, despite the fact it may be prohibited by FIFA, with organisers yet to grant permission for the anti-discrimination initiative amid anger over Qatar's anti-LGBTQ laws.

The armbands will be used to promote diversity, inclusion and anti-discrimination in Qatar, where same-sex relationships and the promotion of same-sex relationships are criminalised, and they can be punished with the death penalty under Sharia law.

The U.S. Senate could pass this week the same-sex marriage bill

The U.S. Senate is expected to vote this week on legislation to codify same-sex marriage and, more importantly, the bill has enough GOP support to pass.

A bipartisan group of senators has been trying for months to pass a marriage equality bill to protect same-sex and interracial relationships. The House passed its own legislation in July, but that proposal stalled in the Senate, where some Republicans raised concerns that it would stifle religious liberty.

And because the Senate plans to take the House bill and simply amend it, versus senators introducing an entirely new bill, the House only has to vote to accept the changes to their bill versus starting the process over again.

All 50 Democratic senators have said they’d support legislation to codify same-sex marriage. That means the Senate bill needs at least 10 Republicans to support it, too, in order to overcome a filibuster.

But a source close to negotiations confirmed that “We have the votes.” If this law finally passes, there will not be more interpretations neither sentences by Supreme Court on this issue. It will be a federal law.

President Biden signed the LGBT Equality Bill on the first day

'I don't feel welcome at World Cup,' says Qatari doctor who publicly came out

Nas Mohamed is a Qatari 35-year-old doctor who became the first man to come out as gay in the country, where homosexuality is still illegal.

Homosexuality in Qatar is illegal and punishable by fines, jail time and, in regions where the Sharia law is applied more severely, queer people could actually face a death sentence.

Moreover, growing up in a place where being queer is rejected so strongly has a profound impact on Qatari LGBTQ people, who have to face marginalisation, ostracisation from friends and family, and threats of violence. As Mohamed explained, growing up in Qatar means growing up in a country where “male, macho, righteous and misogynistic culture” is the norm.

Mohamed added there is “clear lack of transparency and visibility to the true extent” of anti-LGBTQ persecution in Qatar.

Now, Mohamed has found a new home in Los Angeles and is seeking asylum in the US. He is aware that coming out as a Qatari gay man might mean being completely estranged from his family and never reconnecting with them.

Nassar Al-Khater, president of the organizing committee for the 2022 world cup in Qatar, confirmed that homosexuality is not allowed in the emirate, and warned that rainbow flags will be taken from fans.

Surprisely, the "gay icon" David Beckham signed a deal worth £150 million to become the “face of Qatar” ahead of next year’s World Cup. This decision contrasts with the announcement made by Tom Daley, who decided to try and ensure that countries which criminalise homosexuality and the LGBTQ community can’t compete in and host big sporting events in the future.

Love is not a crime!!!

A record number of LGBTQ candidates claim victory in the midterm U.S. elections

 

A record number of LGBTQ candidates won their midterm races in the U.S., creating what some advocates are calling yet another “rainbow wave.”

Many races are still too close or too early to call but at least 400 out LGBTQ candidates had won their elections, which supports queer people running for office. That number surpasses 2020’s record of 336 and 2018’s record of 244.

At least 1,065 LGBTQ people ran for office this year, with 678 of them making it to the general election. With at least 400 wins so far, queer candidates will have a midterm success rate of at least 58%.

Of the over 1,000 queer candidates who ran for office this year, 90% are Democrats. This reflects LGBTQ voters more broadly: 85% supported Democrats, while 15% supported Republicans.

Queer candidates celebrated a number of notable victories and firsts across the country. Among the most notable is Maura Healey’s win in the Massachusetts gubernatorial race. Healey, a Democrat, is the first lesbian elected governor of a U.S. state. She follows two other openly LGBTQ Democrats elected to lead their states: Democrat Tina Kotek is projected to win the Oregon governor’s race, and Colorado's Democrat Jared Polis is first out gay man reelected Governor.

Congratulations to all of them!!!

Maura Healey is the first lesbian elected governor in Massachusetts

Some bishops back same-sex marriages in Church of England

Four Church of England bishops have said they support same-sex marriages, including for gay clergy. The Church of England’s stated position is that clergy cannot conduct or bless gay marriages. 

In an essay, Bishop of Oxford Dr. Steven Croft, said that the Church’s position on same-sex marriages had “caused genuine hurt, disagreement and pain”, and issued a personal apology for the church’s views being  “slow to change”.

Dr. Croft, is the senior most bishop in the Church to say that clergy should be able to conduct and bless same-sex marriages and gay clergymen should be allowed to marry their same-sex partners. 

Three others, the bishops of Worcester, Dudley and Reading, Dr. John Inge, Martin Gorick and Olivia Graham respectively, said they support Dr. Croft’s views. 

In the essay, Together in Love and Faith, said that he needs to “acknowledge the acute pain and distress of LGBTQ people in the life of the Church”. Dr. Croft said that the Church needs to address “what seems to me to be the most pressing question requiring resolution”.

The Bishop said that he had heard from LGBTQ members of the Church about the pain caused by its position on same-sex marriages. The Bishop proposed the way the institution can reconcile with opposing views on the issue within the Church of England. 

Anglican churches in the U.S., Scotland and Canada have already moved to start conducting same-sex weddings, while the church in Wales has started offering blessings to married gay couples.

The highest number ever of LGBTQ candidates run to protect LGBTQ rights in the U.S.

 

At least 678 openly LGBTQ candidates will appear on ballots across the United States during the upcoming midterm elections, a historic number which represents an increase of 18 percent from the 2020 elections.

Nearly 90 percent of all LGBTQ candidates in the midterm season ran as Democrats and about 4.5 percent of LGBTQ candidates ran as Republicans. 

Many LGBTQ candidates say they are running for office because they feel the urgency to run in order to protect LGBTQ rights. They have been motivated by a recent deluge of bills considered anti-LGBTQ, with transgender rights particularly exploited in recent years.

As of August, about 180 bills introduced in 2022 have targeted the transgender community. Those bills typically seek to restrict youth gender-affirming healthcare, or to ban transgender youth from playing on sports teams of the gender with which they identify.

Other legislation included Florida’s so-called “don’t say gay” law, which has banned teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom. 

Meanwhile, voters identifying as LGBTQ are expected to make up an even bigger proportion of the electorate in the upcoming elections and in years to come. Your vote matters!

LGBTQ people won't be erased in Florida, nor anywhere!

Boycott Qatar 2022?

 

Borussia Dortmund Stadium yesterday

Boycott Qatar 2022?