World Archives - Page 3 of 3

LGBTQ Afghans Call on the World To Save Them From the Taliban

12Aug

By Ernesto FernandezNo Comments

World

LGBTQ Afghans Call on the World To Save Them From the Taliban

A group of LGBTQ Afghans have been protesting in the capital of Pakistan this week. They are urging the UK and other developed nations to give asylum to more than 1,000 LGBTQ Afghans trying to flee the Taliban-ruled country. Protesters shared stories of persecution, rape and torture when discussing the dangers LGBTQ+ people face in Afghanistan. A 24-year old protester revealed that her friend was kidnapped, raped and found dead hanging from a tree the following day. The Islamabad protest was initially supposed to take place outside of the British embassy but was moved after pressure from the Pakistani authorities. This Monday marks the one-year anniversary of the Taliban regaining control of Afghanistan after a 20-year American occupation. Protesters estim...

20Jul

By str8darNo Comments

US, World

Cuba to Vote on Same-Sex Marriage

In September, Cuba is set for a vote on a referendum that seeks to rewrite almost half of the nation's family code. This change would include allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children. While Cuba is a single-party country, the referendum has still met some local opposition. Pro-LGBTQ+ activists claim that this debate is rooted in machismo and catholic conservatism. In a 2010 interview with Mexican publication La Jornada, Fidel assumed responsibility for the great injustices the LGBTQ+ community has faced on the island. Mariela Castro, daughter of Raúl and niece of Fidel Castro has been deemed one of the strongest supporters of LGBTQ+ rights within the Cuban elite. Having led the Cuban National Center for Sexual Education which has championed legislation that suppo...

Shooting Outside of Gay Bar Leaves 2 Dead

25Jun

By str8darNo Comments

US, World

Shooting Outside of Gay Bar Leaves 2 Dead

Two killed and 21 injured in shooting targeting a gay bar in Oslo early Saturday. Norwegian authorities are investigating the shooting as a potential act of extreme Islamist terrorism. Oslo Pride which was scheduled for today has been canceled as a result of the shooting. The attack began at 1:15 a.m. local time according to officials. Witnesses have stated that a man pulled out a gun from his bag outside of the gay bar and started shooting. This led people to either flee or throw themselves on the ground. Out of the 21 injured, 10 have sustained serious injuries. Police arrived on the scene and arrested the attacker who was armed with two weapons. The suspect is a Norwegian national of Iranian descent. He was known to authorities as a potential radical Islamist since 2015 and has...

Transgender Soccer Players Now Able to Choose Men’s or Women’s Team in Germany

23Jun

By str8darNo Comments

Sports, World

Transgender Soccer Players Now Able to Choose Men’s or Women’s Team in Germany

In a groundbreaking decision, the German Football Federation has ruled that transgender, intersex and non-binary players now can decide whether they want to play for the women’s or men’s teams. Transgender soccer players in Germany will be able to start participating starting next season. The ruling will affect the youth, futsal and amateur leagues. The resolution was passed on Thursday and makes it clear that it is up to the players to decide when and if they decide to change teams. This ruling comes as politicians across the globe are passing legislation to restrict trans-athletes in sports. While FIFA currently is reviewing their regulations surrounding trans-athletes’ ability to participate. Other sports organizations have recently placed bans on their participation....

LGBTQ+ Palestinians to be Granted Work Visas in Israel

22Jun

By str8darNo Comments

US, World

LGBTQ+ Palestinians to be Granted Work Visas in Israel

Israeli authorities ruled this week that Palestinians experiencing LGBTQ+ discrimination now will be granted visas to work in Israel. The Committee for Foreign Workers discussed the need for LGBTQ+ Palestinians to be able to work in Israel this Monday. Previously, LGBTQ+ Palestinians with discrimination claims have been granted permits allowing them to live in Israel because of “welfare needs.” The decision seeks to create a path for LGBTQ+ Palestinians living in Israel to have financial independence. The committee’s meeting included testimonies from LGBTQ+ Palestinians who spoke on the discrimination they have faced in Palestinian territories. Palestinian citizens are confined to living and working in the Gaza strip and the West Bank. Consensual “same-sex activity” between males is cr...

Almost 4 in 10 Don’t Consider Their City a “Good Place” for Gay People

13Jun

By str8darNo Comments

US, World

Almost 4 in 10 Don’t Consider Their City a “Good Place” for Gay People

According to a recent poll, 50% of the world's population now consider the city or area that they live as a “good place” for gay & lesbian people to live. A percentage that has doubled in the past decade according to Gallup. When Gallup first began taking the poll in in 2005, only 21% considered their city or area as a “good place” for gay people to live. By 2014, about a third of respondents said that they’re city or area was a “good place” for gay people. The trend continued and in 2020 the figure reached 49%. This year's percentage is the highest ever recorded. The number is based on surveys conducted in 110 countries in 2021. Experts claim that the results confirm the notion that the world is moving towards becoming more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community. 12% of respo...

Kuwait: U.S. Embassy in Hot Water Over Pride Month Tweet

4Jun

By Ernesto FernandezNo Comments

World

Kuwait: U.S. Embassy in Hot Water Over Pride Month Tweet

Kuwait officials displeased with the U.S. embassy’s support of Pride month. On Thursday morning the American embassy in Kuwait shared a message on their official twitter celebrating pride month. The tweet calls Biden a champion for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Even including a quote where Biden expresses his support for people’s right to love whoever they want to love. In the hours that followed, Kuwait’s foreign ministry of defense released a statement denouncing the tweet. While also announcing that they'd summoned a top American embassy official to give him a memorandum rejecting the post. Kuwaiti authorities referenced international guidelines of diplomacy in the memorandum. Before asking U.S. embassy officials to respect their laws and customs by not producing similar ...

3Jun

By Ernesto FernandezNo Comments

World

LGBTQ+ Soldiers Defending Ukraine

Russia initiated their invasion of Ukraine in Feb. 2014. when they unlawfully annexed the Crimean peninsula. The conflict escalated to a full-scale war on Feb. 24, 2022. as Russia invaded the entire country, forcing more than 6.8 million people to flee the Ukraine. The majority of those who’ve made it out of the country are women & children. The Ukrainian government barred men aged 18-60 from leaving the country just one day after the conflict intensified. The possibility of Russia gaining control of Ukraine is even scarier for LGBTQ+ Ukrainians. Russia is infamous for it’s intolerance & discriminatory laws. Although Gay marriage isn’t legal in either country, Ukraine has a history of being more tolerant. Ukraine differs from Russia in allowing Pride celebrations, freedom of sp...

27May

By Ernesto FernandezNo Comments

LGBTQ History, World

Marriage Equality in The Americas

Although known for being countries with strong cultural ties to religious conservatism, as times have progressed so have the judicial rights for some of the LGBTQ communities that live in the Americas. Whilst a slow and difficult fight, marriage equality for same-sex couples has now been secured through different legislative efforts across several American countries. In celebration of pride month we’ve decided to list them below. Argentina The country that birthed tango and that is known for its strong European influence, legalized same-sex marriage on July 22, 2010. This means that Argentinian couples were granted marriage equality 3 years prior to their U.K. counterparts. Brazil The second country in Latin America to legalize Gay marriage was Brazil, which may not co...