CONGRATS SLOVENIA

Uk Ban On Damaging Conversion Therapy Edges Closer

POPE’S GROUNDBREAKING DECLARATION

Pope Francis has made landmark statements on the topic of homosexuality that are being hailed as a significant milestone in LGBTIQ+ human rights. Speaking to the Associated Press, the Pope stated that laws criminalising homosexuality were “unjust” and that while homosexuality is a sin, it is not a crime. He also said that the Catholic Church should work to end these laws, saying, “It must do this”. Francis later clarified his comments, noting that he should have said, “It is a sin, as is any sexual act outside of marriage”, and added, “I would tell whoever wants to criminalise homosexuality that they are wrong”, sparking a tremendous response from queer activists globally. Consensual homosexual activity is still illegal in 67 countries worldwide, 11 of which routinely enforce the death penalty. Since becoming Pope in 2013, Francis has made consistent strides in LGBTIQ+ acceptance and emphasised a more merciful approach to applying Catholic doctrine.

The UK has announced plans to ban all forms of conversion therapy, including practices aimed at trans people. Previous plans had failed to include trans individuals, with the issue being allegedly too complex and requiring further investigation. Speaking on behalf of the British Psychological Society, Dr. Adam Jowett said, “Clinicians can still help people fully explore their gender identity… but it’s time for this unacceptable and harmful practice to end”. A report commissioned by the NHS found that some medical professionals were feeling pressured to ‘take a purely affirmative approach’ when treating young people wanting to transition. The proposal has come after Scotland committed to banning all forms of conversion therapy by the end of 2023.

Countries Conversion Therapy Is Still Legal

By Maxwell Elliff

ROUND UP DID YOU KNOW?

The recent US National Crime Victimisation Survey has revealed that LGBTIQ+ Americans are 9 times more likely to be victims of a hate crime than cisgender and straight people.

IS INDIA THE NEXT COUNTRY TO ADOPT SAME-SEX MARRIAGE?

The push for same-sex marriage in India has gained momentum after two same-sex couples filed petitions to the New Delhi Court. The petitions argue that prohibiting couples from marriage is a violation of constitutional rights. Currently, same-sex couples in India only have rights to ‘unregistered cohabitation’, meaning partners have no rights to assets or adoption and have limited hospital visitation rights. The Indian government will pose a major roadblock to any chance at equality after declaring in 2021 that couples “cannot claim a fundamental right to same-sex marriage”, due to not deserving the same rights as traditional heterosexual couples. Despite clear political opposition, the petition could positively impact public perception in a similar vein to 2018, which saw same-sex relationships decriminalised for the first time.

Scotland Gender Bill Faces Westminster Veto

The UK Government is planning to block a Scottish bill that would give transgender people an easier road to legally changing their gender. The bill, passed by the Scottish National Party-led government in December of 2022, allows people to self-identify their gender, instead of first needing a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria. It also lowers the age for changing one’s gender from 18 to 16 years old. However, Scottish secretary Alister Jack is predicted to utilise Section 35 of the Scotland Act — which grants Britain discretionary veto powers. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reacted by saying, “in my view there are no grounds to challenge this legislation. It will be using trans people… as a political weapon”.

Kansas Lawmakers Take Aim At Drag Shows

Republican legislators in Arkansas have drafted a bill that seeks to place serious restrictions on drag performances. The bill would see drag classified as “adult entertainment” on par with pornography or escort services — meaning it would be banned from all public spaces or anywhere accessible to a person under 18 years old. It would affect pride festivals and other queer events, and even impact actors performing in drag for theatre shows. A key sponsor of the bill, Senator Gary Stubblefield, stated that drag shows are “destroying these kids’ innocence”. Despite vocal pushback from LGBTIQ+ activists, the bill is expected to pass as both chambers of government in Arkansas have a Republican majority.

ROUND UP DID YOU KNOW?

According to the World Bank, anti-LGBTIQ+ policies could be costing the UK 53 billion Euros. In Italy it’s about 36 billion, and in Russia and Spain it’s bit lower due to their smaller GDPs.

King Charles Iii Coronation To Include Queer Choir

Buckingham Palace has announced the inclusion of LGBTIQ+ singers in the upcoming coronation for King Charles III this May. A Coronation Concert, held by the BBC at Windsor Castle, will feature the Coronation Choir consisting of diverse singing groups including queer, refugee and deaf performers. While Charles, like his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, has never publicly commented on queer rights, the monarchy has ushered in significant laws for the LGBTIQ+ community. Most notably being the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967 and the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act in 2014. Elton John has voiced his support of King Charles, believing that he and son Harry would use their influence to ensure homosexuality is decriminalised throughout all nations of the Commonwealth.

FRANCE REVOLUTIONISING HEALTHCARE TO TACKLE STD’S WITH FREE CONDOMS

Under the leadership of President Emmanuel Macron, the French government has introduced several sexual health reforms to counter the rising STD rates among young people. The changes have come after health authorities estimated that STD transmission rose 30% in 2020 and 2021. As of 1 January 2023, young people can access free condoms as well as free contraception for all women, including consultations with doctors and midwives as well as associated medical procedures. Macron stated, “It’s a small revolution in preventative healthcare. It’s essential so that our young people protect themselves during sexual intercourse”.

Amsterdam Trials Queer Nightlife Safe Space

A new project is being trialled in Amsterdam to provide a safe space for queer partygoers to get ready before a night out. Named ‘Dress and Dance’, the project has transformed a hair salon into a place where queer people can get hair and makeup styling from a team of professionals before jumping in a free taxi to their chosen nightclub. ‘Dress and Dance’ has been spearheaded by students from Inholland University and coordinated by Maud Gussenhoven, the manager of central Reguliersdwarsstraat Street. While most Dutch citizens are accepting of diversity, a 2018 report by the Dutch Government found that queer people still face discrimination, intimidation, harassment and violence in public spaces, with the government committed to “prevent and tackle them”.

BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE DIRECTOR PETER EVANS

By Maxwell Elliff

ROUND UP DID YOU KNOW?

A new study from Galop — UK’s leading anti-abuse charity for LGBTIQ+ people — has found that nearly one in five LGBTIQ+ people have experienced so-called ‘conversion’ practices in the UK.

All Mexicans Granted Marriage Equality

Mexico has officially granted marriage equality to all its citizens, regardless of where they live. Tamaulipas became the last state out of 32 to implement same-sex marriage after an amendment to the Civil Code passed by a vote of 23-12 (with 2 abstaining). The president of Mexico’s federal high court Arturo Zaldivar celebrated the news by tweeting, “The whole country shines with a huge rainbow. Long live the dignity and rights of all people. Love is love.” The nation’s supreme court ruled in 2015 that prohibiting same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, but some states took several years to act. The first Mexican locale to implement marriage equality was capital Mexico City in 2009.

Message Of Love Sparks Political Wrath

US pop group The Black Eyed Peas have angered Polish politicians after wearing rainbow armbands onstage. Frontman Will.i.am said during the performance, “LGBTIQ+ community, we love you. The song that we’re going to do… it’s dedicated to unity”. An estimated 8.3 million people watched the concert across Poland but it quickly drew backlash from Polish politicians. Deputy agriculture minister Janusz Kowalski called the performance “homopropaganda”. Marcin Warchol, of Poland’s anti-queer Law and Justice Party (PiS) called it a “New Years Eve of Deviance”. Since 2020, the PiS has declared regions across Poland as “LGBT-free zones”, leading to condemnation by the US and EU for violating human rights.

RUSSIA DOUBLES DOWN ON ANTI-LGBT RESTRICTIONS

Russian authorities have expanded existing restrictions on so-called “LGBTIQ+ propaganda”, making it virtually illegal to express any form of queerness. Heavy fines of up to almost AUD$10,000 for individuals and AUD$100,000 for companies apply for any promotion in public, in media or online of LGBTIQ+ lifestyles. Previous laws, which banned the promotion of homosexuality to minors, had been deployed to stop pride marches and detain queer activists. The new ones drive any form of queerness out of public life entirely — with the aim of safeguarding traditional Russian values from the perceived threat of Western ideology. Same-sex couples could face losing their children on the grounds that they are exposing them to homosexual deviancy.

Floggings Continue As Indonesia Bans Sex

In December last year, Indonesia’s government landed another major blow to its queer community with the passing of a new criminal code. The code includes the punishment of extramarital sex with up to a year imprisonment — and with same-sex marriage illegal, all homosexual intercourse is therefore technically punishable. There is also a ban on cohabitation outside of marriage, as well as punishment for expressing beliefs that defy state ideology or speaking ill of the president. The code applies to all Indonesians as well as foreigners — meaning Australians may have to think twice before booking that next holiday to Bali. Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority country. Arrests and floggings of LGBTIQ+ people still happen regularly.