Issue #21 Monday, 26 June 2023
Dear Subscriber,
Welcome to the latest issue of the LGBT Great News Digest, a short briefing on the 5 LGBTQ+ news stories you need to know about right now.
TOGETHER WITH PRIDE EVENT (1st July) The countdown is on for our second annual Together With Pride event, which is just days away! This event represents a unique opportunity for Members, friends, and families to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride together.
Click here to join the waiting list and keep an eye out this week for a sneak preview of what to expect on the day!
Best wishes,
The LGBT Great Team |
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| 1. Estonia becomes first Baltic nation to legalise same-sex marriage |
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On 20 June 2023, Estonian lawmakers approved the Marriage Equality Bill with a 55-34 margin, effectively extending marriage rights to same-sex couples in the country. This has made Estonia the first nation in the Baltic region to legalise same-sex marriage. _____ Our View: According to a survey carried out in 2023 by the Centre for Human Rights, more than half of the Estonian population, specifically 53%, expressed their support for same-sex marriage. It is worth noting that since 2014, civil unions have been permitted for same-sex couples in Estonia.
This progressive legislation further advances LGBTQ+ equality by granting same-sex couples the equal rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples in the country and enshrining the people's will into law. |
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| 2. Queensland passes law allowing self-identification |
| On 14 June 2023, the parliament of Queensland passed laws which will allow people aged 16 or over to self-identify legally on their birth certificates without sexual reassignment surgeries; 12–15-year-olds can do the same with parental permission or court approval; parents now also have the option of not listing any gender on the birth certificate of a newborn. _____ Our View: A 2021surveyin Australia showed that48.1% of transgender and gender-diverse people aged 14 to 25 reported that they hadattempted suicide in their lifetime. This statistic highlights the vulnerable position of trans & non-binary youth in Australia.
Hence, the state's decision to enshrine self-ID into its legal framework portrays the government's solidarity with the trans & non-binary community and sets out a clear agenda of inclusion and acknowledgement for trans, non-binary and gender-diverse young people.
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| 3. Federal judge strikes down Florida Medicaid trans healthcare ban |
| On 21 June 2023, a federal judge issued an order which permanently prohibits Florida from enforcing its ban on transgender residents using Medicaid for gender-affirming healthcare. _____ Our View: This court order follows a flurry of events wherein Florida’s governor, Ron De Santis, signed multiple anti-LGBTQ+ bills on 17 May, after which Robert Hinkle, a district judge, barred the state from further signing any anti-LGBTQ+ bills targeted at gender-affirming healthcare and trans youth on 06 June.
The decisive ruling by the federal judge brings a glimmer of hope, restoring access to life-saving healthcare services for transgender and gender-diverse young people.
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| 4. Anti-LGBTQ+ legislative drive set in motion in East African nations |
| Parliamentarians in Tanzania, South Sudan and Kenya are planning to push harsh anti-LGBTQ+ laws in their nations which mirror the recent Ugandan legislation, citing ‘African values’ and efforts to ‘control the ongoing moral decay’ caused by LGBTQ+ folks in the region. _____ Our View: After Uganda passed an egregious bill that punished ‘aggravated homosexuality’ in May, it is clear that this decision has had a wider influence across the region. If such laws are passed in these nations, LGBTQ+ folks in East Africa will face an unprecedented position of socioeconomic vulnerability.
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| 5. UK Prime Minister mocks trans women in leaked video |
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A video recorded on 5 June 2023, of the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, was leaked toPinkNewswhich showed him making fun of Ed Davey’s stance in support of trans women. In the video, Sunak says ‘Like me, you can probably see that he was trying to convince everybody that women clearly had penises. You’ll all know that I’m a big fan of everybody studying maths to 18, but it turns out that we need to focus on biology.’ _____ Our view: In a recent study conducted by Ipsos Mori, only 55% of respondents believed trans people should be able to use single-sex facilities (such as public restrooms) that correspond to the gender they identify with. In using trans women as a punchline in the course of a jibe about his political opponents the Prime Minister contributes to the distinctly transphobic and dehumanising rhetoric that we have been seeing across the UK in recent months. These comments also legitimise vitriol towards trans and non-binary folks in an already worryingly hostile environment. Anyone seeking to learn more about the depiction of trans people in the media should watch the acclaimed Netflix documentary " Disclosure."
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| Together With Pride 2023 | | Sponsored by the Diversity Project | 
| Jul 1, 2023
(10:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
(GMT+1) |
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| 100 Wardour St
England, United Kingdom |
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| A vibrant and joyous celebration of identity, where you can let your hair down, be yourself, and revel in the uplifting atmosphere. An incredible opportunity to forge new friendships, dance to the beats of infectious music, and immerse yourself in the spirit of Pride.
So, let loose, be proud, and join us in this extraordinary celebration of love, acceptance, and self-expression!
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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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