Methodist Church Allows Same-Sex Marriage In ‘Momentous’ Vote
The Methodist Church has finally voted in favor of same-sex marriages. This is a huge step forward for the LGBTQ+ community and an important victory for marriage equality.
Hungary’s Parliament Prohibits Discussion of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
The Hungarian Parliament voted on a bill that prohibits the discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation.
Lithuanian Parliament Rejects Civil Union Bill For LGBTQ Couples
Lithuania is a country where neither equal marriage nor civil unions are open to same-sex couples. As a result, a bill called the “Partnership Law” was introduced in parliament to open civil unions to same-sex couples.
Legalization of Marriage Equality Looks Difficult in the Czech Republic
Since 2006, only civil unions have been open to same-sex couples in the Czech Republic. Thus, a bill was recently introduced in the House to legalize marriage equality in the country.
Krasnik Suffers Consequences Of The “Free Of LGBTQ” Resolution
I’ve been telling you a lot lately about what’s happening in Poland, about the anti-LGBTQ stances, about the so-called “free of LGBTQ” zones, about the sanctions taken by the European Union, and about the so-called “LGBTQ Freedom Zone”, but today I’d like to show you the concrete consequences of the resolution of the so-called “LGBTQ-free zones” because you’d think that nothing would happen to those municipalities who signed this resolution.
Well, think again, it hits home, and it hurts, as the mayor of Krasnik, Wojciech Wilk, found out.
Towards A Referendum On Equal Marriage In Switzerland
Switzerland legalized marriage equality last December, becoming the 29th country in the world to open marriage to same-sex couples. But in Switzerland, a law can be overturned by referendum, even legislators have just approved the law.
European Parliament Declares EU An “LGBTIQ Freedom Zone”
What's going on in Europe?
France: Senate Rejects Opening Insemination To All Women
French senators had to consider the revision of the bioethics law and its amendment opening insemination to all women, whether they are single and straight or LGBTQ.
Queer MP Makes Motion To Ban “Conversion Therapies” In The Netherlands
Vera Bergkamp, the former president of the Dutch LGBTQ rights organization, COC Netherland, who became a member of the Democrats 66 (D66) elected in the House of Representatives in 2012, introduced a motion to ban “conversion therapies” in the country.
Romania's Supreme Court Overturns The Ban On Gender Identity Studies
The Constitutional Court of Romania canceled the ban on gender identity studies, to everyone’s surprise, considering it unconstitutional.
Switzerland Became The 29th Country To Legalize Marriage Equality
Before the holidays, we had seen that the law to legalize marriage equality in Switzerland seemed unstoppable and this has been confirmed.
France May Soon Prohibit “Conversion Therapies”
A breakthrough in LGBTQ protections could take place in France.
The Fight Against Transphobia Spreads In Scotland
An open letter from over 700 people, political leaders and personalities (actors, journalists), explicitly calls for actions to be taken to fight transphobia within political parties.
Hungary Is Getting Ready To Prohibit Adoption By LGBTQ People
Hungary could toughen its laws against the LGBTQ community.
Nondiscrimination Bill Passes Important First Step In Italy
The LGBTQ anti-discrimination bill has successfully passed its first stage in Italy.
The European Commission Presents Its Plan For LGBTQ Rights
We now know a little more about the plan in favor of LGBTQ rights that the European Commission wants to put in place.
82% Of Swiss Support Legalization Of Marriage Equality
A new poll shows an overwhelming majority of voters supports the legalization of marriage equality in Switzerland.
Fermoy Breaks Its Twinning With The Polish Anti-LGBTQ City Nowa Deba
Fermoy in Ireland has finally made its decision regarding the future of its twinning with a Polish town that had taken a stand against LGBTQ people.
Paris Doubles Subsidies For LGBTQ Associations
Good news for LGBTQ associations in Paris, France, as Mayor Anne Hidalgo will double their annual grants.
EU Commission To Put Forward A Strategy To Strengthen LGBTQ Rights
Last year, the fashion in Poland was for “LGBTQ-free zones”.
Each of the 100 Polish municipalities that joined this hate movement passed an anti-LGBTQ resolution and carefully placed an “LGBTQ-Free Zone” sign at the entrance of their cities.
Since then, the European Union (EU) has been hitting in their wallet.
Six of these municipalities have been sanctioned for their anti-LGBTQ stance thanks to the work of Helena Dalli, the European Commissioner for Equality, who has been instrumental in the EU’s decision-making.
Dalli had affirmed that “EU values and fundamental rights must be respected by member states and public authorities.”
When I covered these unprecedented EU sanctions, I wondered whether they would continue and whether other sanctions would emerge.
Well, today, here’s the beginning of an answer.
Is Germany Moving Towards Better Recognition Of Lesbian Moms?
What is happening in Germany? A few months ago, the government introduced a bill to ban “conversion therapies” and now I hear that the rights of LGBTQ moms may be moving forward in the country.
Will Italy Ban Discrimination And Hate Crimes Against LGBTQ People?
In Italy, despite the opening of civil unions to same-sex couples in 2016, the LGBTQ community is far from being accepted, so a bill against discrimination and hate crimes was introduced in Parliament this summer.
French Assembly Adopts The Opening Of IVF To LGBTQ Women
It may seem incredible to you, but French couples of women and single women do not have access to in vitro fertilization (IVF). Only women married to a man can conceive a child through medically assisted procreation. This is the law, and fortunately, it may change over the year.
European Union Sanctions Six Polish Cities For Their Anti-LGBTQ Stance
The European Union will sanction a few towns in Poland following their anti-LGBTQ views.
LGBTQ Rights In Hungary: What You Need To Know
Hungary is a place that may not be on your radar as the best destination for LGBTQ rights. The LGBTQ community in Hungary is facing a lot of issues right now. Laws are changing, and there's no clear path for what the future holds.
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Being LGBTQ In Poland: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
Poland is not a country with a reputation for being LGBTQ-friendly. In fact, it's one of the worst countries in Europe when it comes to LGBTQ rights. So how do LGBTQ women live there? How LGBTQ rights are evolving? Here's the answer.
The Future Of LGBTQ Rights In Switzerland
A recent bill in Switzerland has given all LGBTQ people the right to legally marry. This is an incredible victory for us queer folk! That being said, there are still many hurdles that we have in the country and in the rest of Europe.
Russia Closes The Door To Marriage Equality For The Next 16 Years
Well, in Russia, it’s no fun for the LGBTQ community!
Candidates To Polish Presidential Election Clash Over LGBTQ Rights
The Polish presidential election sees two candidates with opposing views on LGBTQ rights.
The Most And Least LGBTQ-Friendly Countries In Europe
For the 11th year, ILGA-Europe releases its report on the progress and decline of LGBTQ rights in European countries with a rainbow map ranking them from most to least LGBTQ-friendly.
In which countries have the rights of our community continued to advance and where have they regressed? ILGA’s study is an opportunity to find out.