Issue #42 Monday, 29 April 2024
Dear ,
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. Firstly, with the Pride season around the corner, here are our three updates for you: 1 - 2000 people set to attend the Sister Act Charity Gala With 95% of the tickets placed, our community will join together to support more LGBTQ+ representation in television, cinema, and gaming. Email to purchase your ticket 2 – Could you join us to kick off the Pride season? Join us in collaboration with L&G on 29 May for an insightful exploration of allyship featuring personal interviews, followed by a delightful drink reception! (F2F and Virtual) Register for Allyship Unmasked 3 – Inspire your colleagues through learning Thank you for reading. Look for our next Digest issue on Monday, May 13. Have a great week ahead!
Best wishes, LGBT Great Team ___ Enjoyed this Digest? Click HERE to provide your feedback. |
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| 1. Study finds 68% queer women and trans people report feeling safe at work |
| On 22 April 2024, a new report was released by Kantar in partnership with DIVA magazine, which surveyed 2,101 respondents across four countries. It found that 68% of queer women and trans people reported feeling safe at work. _____ Our View: While the report also showed that nearly 73% of respondents agreed they could be their authentic selves at work, a separate mygwork report from 2023 found that almost 70% of LGBTQ+ women and non-binary people experienced workplace discrimination.
Despite the apparent disparity, these findings could indicate impressive progress in workplace inclusion over the past year. However, methodological differences between the studies might also explain the apparent variance in results. We remain strong in our conviction that more needs to be done by organisations to create truly safe and inclusive workplaces for queer women and trans people.
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| 2. Dominica decriminalises same-sex relations |
| On 22 April 2024, Dominica’s high court decriminalised consensual same-sex relations by overturning sections 14 and 16 of the 1998 Sexual Offences Act, deeming the sections unconstitutional. _____ Our View: In 2019, the IACHR noted that LGBTQ+ rights organisations were afraid to carry out humanitarian work in Dominica because it exposed workers to “death threats, intimidation and violent attack”. In 2020, the US State Department also noted that “strong societal and employment discrimination” was “common” against LGBTQ+ people.
This landmark decision in Dominica strengthens legal protections for the community and could be a turning point in fostering societal acceptance for LGBTQ+ Dominicans.
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| 3. Germany eases rules around gender change |
| On 12 April 2024, the German parliament passed a "self-determination law" that makes it easier for trans and non-binary people aged 14 and older to legally change their first name and gender. The law was passed with a 374-251 vote and will come into force in November. _____ Our View: According to a Family Ministry report, the current process takes 5 to 20 months and costs nearly €1,900. Additionally, a 2023 Ipsos report revealed strong public support for transgender rights in Germany, with 68% of the respondents agreeing that transgender people should be granted protections in employment, housing, and access to businesses.
This legislative change streamlines a previously lengthy and expensive process and embraces public sentiment for robust trans protections. It solidifies Germany's position as a global leader in transgender equality, joining 15 other countries that offer similar protections for LGBTQ+ people.
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| 4. Study finds same-sex couples at higher risk of climate change impact |
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On 1 April 2024, a new report released by the Williams Institute found that LGBTQ+ couples are at greater risk of exposure to climate change impact. This was attributed to (1) higher same-sex couples residing in coastal/urban regions, (2) NASA composite scores being disproportionately high where same-sex couples reside and (3) same-sex couples living in areas with poorer infrastructure. _____ Our View: Another paper published in the Journal of Climate Change & Health noted that LGBTQ+ people face “more exposure to climate change-related disasters” with “higher susceptibility” and “fewer resources” to tackle such disasters, corroborating the findings from the Williams Institute report.
Furthermore, climate change disproportionately impacts LGBTQ+ communities in the global south, especially in Africa and South Asia. Adopting an intersectional lens to understand the impact of climate change on marginalised populations remains critical in order to create equitable outcomes for the global LGBTQ+ community.
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| 5. Argentinian government lays off transgender public sector employees |
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Presentes, an LGBTQ+ news agency, reports that nearly 85 trans employees were laid off from public sector Argentine roles in less than two weeks. These layoffs have resulted in LGBTQ+ people protesting on the streets to protest the discriminatory actions of the new administration. _____ Our View: Ricardo Bussi, one of the newly elected lawmakers under Milei’s government, has been known to criticise the 1% reservation quota for trans people in the national public sector, a quota which has been instrumental in creating opportunities for trans employees and supporting them out of poverty.
Despite being a leader in LGBTQ+ equality, Argentina faces a concerning erosion of LGBTQ+ rights and protections under the new administration, threatening years of legislative and socio-cultural progress. |
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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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