Issue #13 Monday, 6 March 2023
Dear Subscriber,
Welcome to the 13th issue of the LGBT Great News Digest, a short briefing on the 5 LGBTQ+ news stories you need to know about right now. Firstly, here is a quick update for you:
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| 5 LGBTQ+ News Stories from Around the World |
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| 1. New report shows that LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs in the UK hide their identities in front of investors |
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A 2023 report by Proud Ventures, has found that 75% of LGBTQ+ founders and 79% of LGBTQ+ venture capitalists (VC) in the UK withhold their identity in some capacity from other investors. Only 1/3rd of VCs who were supporting ‘diverse’ founders, reported supporting LGBTQ+ founders as well. _____ Our view: This eye-opening report also found anonymous revelations of discrimination and homophobia are still commonplace across financial services.
On the bright side, many VCs wanted to actively support LGBTQ+ founders, but lacked the know-how to do so. The report reconfirms that, with the right toolkit and training, investors and VCs can drive positive change across the industry, supporting financial services to become (1) more attractive to future talent and (2) more inclusive to LGBTQ+ business owners.
To support your firm and teams to become even better versed in the nuances of LGBTQ+ DE&I, explore some of LGBT Great’s offerings today. |
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| 2. South Korea legally recognises same-sex couples for the first time |
| On 21 February 2023, the high court in Seoul ruled that same-sex couples are entitled to spousal coverage under the South Korean national health insurance service, overturning a previous ruling by a lower court. This marks the first time a South Korean legal body has recognised rights for a same-sex couple. _____ Our View: A 2019 report by the OECD, ‘Society at a Glance’, found South Korea to have the second lowest acceptance rate of homosexuality among OECD members. This landmark ruling on 21 February reflects a slow but positive shift toward LGBTQ+ equality in the South Korean legal arena.
LGBT Great hopes that this ruling will act as a catalyst for the East Asian nation to expand protections for LGBTQ+ couples and enshrine them into law in the near future.
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| 3. Mississippi bans gender-affirming healthcare for minors |
| On 28 February 2023, Mississippi GOP governor, Tate Reeves, signed a bill into law which bans the prescription and administration of puberty-blocking medication, hormone therapy and gender confirmation surgeries for patients under the age of 18. The law also makes it illegal for people to "knowingly engage in conduct that aids or abets the performance or inducement of gender transition procedures" to minors. _____ Our View: Gender-affirming healthcare has repeatedly proven to be crucial and life-saving for trans and non-binary folks, a group which already suffers from disproportionate levels mental health conditions, discrimination and violence.
Since the beginning of 2023, the US has already introduced 351 anti-LGBTQ+ bills with the majority attacking trans and non-binary identities. Such legislature erodes hard-won advances in trans and non-binary equality and protections and places the community in an increasingly vulnerable and threatened position.
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| 4. Kenya’s Supreme Court rules in favour of official recognition of LGBTQ+ rights group |
| On 24 February 2023, the Supreme Court of Kenya officially recognised the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) as a non-governmental organisation. The group had been fighting for its registration as an NGO since 2013. Njeri Gateru, the current executive director of NGLHRC said, "The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the lower courts’ rulings is a triumph for justice and human rights." _____ Our View: This ruling comes at a time of rising anti-LGBTQ+ harassment and rhetoric in Kenya, with George Peter Kaluma, an MP, officially communicating on the same day his intention to introduce a bill which would lead to life imprisonment for acts of homosexuality.
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| 5. Australian government announces $26 Million in investment for LGBTQ+ health research |
| On 28 February 2023, Anthony Albanese’s government in Australia announced its decision to invest $26 Million for LGBTQ+ health research, which will be poured into a 10-year Action Plan developed with the advice of an LGBTQ+ Health Advisory Group and will act as a blueprint to address the health inequities faced by LGBTQ+ Australians. ______
Albanese’s continual support for the LGBTQ+ community is inspiring and hopefully serves as an indicator of the progress in LGBTQ+ equality we can expect throughout his tenure.
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Disclaimer The information contained in this newsletter is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by LGBT Great and while we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the newsletter or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the newsletter for any purpose. All the quotations in the news are presented as originally published. LGBT Great does not necessarily share the views of the quoted authors and is not responsible for the accuracy of the information or quality of the analysis provided by them. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. |
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