Japan: Court Said Lack Of Equal Marriage Is Unconstitutional
Last year, I told you about the situation in Japan, which is slowly evolving in favor of LGBTQ rights. Well, a historic victory has taken place there.
Awaiting Yucatan Court Decision On Marriage Equality
Marriage equality is still not legal throughout Mexico, with only a few states and the country’s capital territory having approved marriage for same-sex couples in recent years.
For the rest, LGBTQ couples must apply to a judge for approval to marry, a process that is not always accepted and still prevents them from accessing a range of rights and social benefits.
South Korea To Recognize Non-Traditional Families, Except LGBTQ
The demographic situation is deteriorating in South Korea, where for the first time there are more deaths than births. By 2025, the country could have over 20% of its population aged 65 or older. Young South Koreans are, in fact, not too interested in parenthood.
To reverse the trend, the government is extending benefits to married couples and plans to expand the legal definition of family, but same-sex couples are not part of the plan.
Honduras Could Ban Marriage Equality In Its Constitution
Honduras is one of the few countries in Latin America and the world that has not legalized marriage equality yet.
116 Groups Urge Japanese Prime Minister To Pass LGBTQ Equality Act
In 2011 and 2014, which will forever remain historic moments, Japan has signed UN Human Rights Council resolutions calling for an end to violence against LGBTQ people and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Malaysia Could Toughen Their Already-Inhumane-Anti-LGBTQ Laws
Malaysia criminalizes same-sex relationships with section 377 of the federal penal code, and things are not about to get any better for LGBTQ people.
High Court Pushes Bolivia To Take A First Step Towards Equal Marriage
An important decision has been made in Bolivia that could impact the entire LGBTQ community in the country.
The Legalization Of Equal Marriage Could Be Quite Simply Braked In Sinaloa
The final vote on marriage equality in Sinaloa may be delayed because of electoral times scheduled for 2021.
India Improves Living Conditions For Transgender People
India is taking an important step for the transgender community by lightening the gender change procedure on official documents.
Australia: Victoria Introduces Bill To Ban “Conversion Therapies”
It is in February 2019 that everything switches in the state of Victoria in southeastern Australia.
Japan: LGBTQ Groups Launch Petition To Get An Equality Act
Normally, the Summer Olympics will be held next year in Tokyo.
LGBTQ activists are trying to bring pressure on the Japanese government to enact an LGBT equality law through this event, which will be the center of international attention.
Japan Airlines Now Uses Gender-Inclusive Language
Japan Airlines (JAL) now uses gender-neutral greetings.
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.
More...
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.