Japan: Kyoto Now Recognizes Same-Sex Couples
Marriage equality is not legal in Japan, but more and more cities are establishing same-sex partnerships.
The last Japanese municipality to take the plunge by enabling recognition of LGBTQ couples is Kyoto, in the west of the country.
Baja California Refuses To Guarantee Marriage Equality
In the Mexican state of Baja California, it is difficult to get married when you are in a same-sex relationship.
Thailand May Recognize Same-Sex Unions Soon
A bill to allow civil unions for same-sex couples has been introduced in Thailand, but the bill is far from perfect.
Okayama Now Recognizes Same-Sex Couples
In Japan, equal marriage and civil unions are not open to same-sex couples, as we saw in an article on the initiative launched to bring businesses together and put pressure on the government to legalize marriage equality. Here is another initiative I am sure you’re going to like.
Lesbian Couple Becomes First LGBTQ Married Couple In Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, Daritza Araya Arguedas, 24, a judicial technician, and Alexandra Quirós Castillo, 29, a university student, dreamed of getting married but couldn’t do so until now, not that they didn’t want to, but the equal marriage was illegal.
Japanese Companies Approve Same-Sex Partnership Certificate Campaign
A charity has launched a program called the Famiee Project to bring more LGBTQ rights in Japan.
Singapore Court Refuses To Overturn Law Criminalizing Same-Sex Relationships
I wish I had good news for LGBTQ rights, but I have a bad one, sadly.
Nepal To Include Third Gender In Its Next Census
Nepal is a country that is more advanced on LGBTQ rights than many US states or European countries.
In 2015, the constitution prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation after a landmark Supreme Court decision in 2008. The court also called for greater recognition of same-sex relationships.
South Korean Military Discharges First Soldier Because Of Her Trans Identity
Although South Koreans are gradually accepting the LGBTQ community thanks to growing representation in TV series and movies, the military has just sent a soldier home because of her transgender identity.
The Philippines Supreme Court Rejects Marriage Equality
Bad news... The LGBTQ+ community in the Philippines has suffered a bitter defeat in its attempt to legalize equal marriage.
Will Mauritius Decriminalize Homosexuality?
Mauritius is an island located near Africa in the Indian Ocean and is also one of the countries that still criminalizes same-sex relationships.
Canada: Edmonton Banned “Conversion Therapy”
So far, the city of Edmonton, Canada, had no “conversion therapy” ban. The goal was therefore to get a favorable vote to improve the protection of LGBTQ youth, especially since Vancouver passed a similar law in 2018. It was also an opportunity to advance rights for our community.
However, no complaints have ever been filed as a result of “conversion therapy” or attempts to “change” a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. So was Edmonton City Council still going to agree to look into the matter?
200,000 People Mobilize For The Legalization Of Marriage Equality In China
China is one of those countries where there is no law allowing same-sex couples to get married. But as China revises its civil laws, LGBTQ activists are pushing for the legalization of marriage equality.
The goal is simple: to show that this law would not only affect a dozen people but hundreds of thousands.
Hong Kong Judges Reject Same-Sex Marriage And Civil Unions
Homosexuality was decriminalized in 1991 in Hong Kong, an independent territory in southeast China. In June 2018, a new victory took place for our community as the Hong Kong High Court ruled in favor of a gay couple fighting for equal benefits. In July, the court ruled that foreign LGBTQ couples living in Hong Kong city who had legally married elsewhere were entitled to a spouse visa.
So we believed that victory was possible when MK, a lesbian woman, launched a challenge to get marriage equality.
The 2019 Taiwan Pride March Was Memorable!
Taiwan became Asia’s first country to legalize equal marriage on May 24, 2019. Last week’s Pride march was an opportunity to celebrate.