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.
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.
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.
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 criminalizes same-sex relationships with section 377 of the federal penal code, and things are not about to get any better for LGBTQ people.
An important decision has been made in Bolivia that could impact the entire LGBTQ community in the country.
The final vote on marriage equality in Sinaloa may be delayed because of electoral times scheduled for 2021.
India is taking an important step for the transgender community by lightening the gender change procedure on official documents.
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 (JAL) now uses gender-neutral greetings.
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.
In the Mexican state of Baja California, it is difficult to get married when you are in a same-sex relationship.
A bill to allow civil unions for same-sex couples has been introduced in Thailand, but the bill is far from perfect.