Issue #57 - Monday, 25 November 2024
Welcome to issue 57 of the LGBT Great News Digest, a short briefing on the 5 LGBTQ+ news stories you need to know about right now. As always, here are 3 updates for you: 🎉1 – End of Year Event Celebration at BNY: The team is excited to confirm that the event has sold out! The event will launch our new research report ‘Redefining the Future’. To join us virtually, get in touch and we will send you the link - Email Us
💡2 - World Aids Day Webinar: Tune into our webinar on December 2nd marking World AIDS Day 2024 and exploring how allyship can make a difference - Register Here 🏳️🌈 3 – Become a Member in 2025: We have over 70 Members globally - together, we inspire, drive change and continue our #ProudWork all year round. Get involved as a Member -Contact Us Check out this issue’s five news stories below and watch out for our next Digest issue on Monday, December 9th. Should you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to reach out to us. Our team is dedicated to providing any assistance you may need. The LGBT Great Team
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| 1. LGBTQ+ businesses have a combined turnover of £106 billion in the UK alone |
| On 28 October 2024, an OPEN reportpublished in partnership with OutBritain revealed that there are over 250,000 LGBTQ+ businesses in the UK employing 750,000+ people, with a combined turnover of £106 billion. _____ Our View: This highlights the vital contributions of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and businesses to the economy. Supporting this, separate research found that companies led by LGBTQ+ CEOs outperformed the market by 0.69%-1.08%, reflecting their undervaluation by investors and market participants. These insights highlight the undeniable economic strength of LGBTQ+ inclusion.
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| 2. New data shows that 350 trans and gender-diverse people lost their lives to violence in the last year |
| On 13 November 2024, TGEU released the annual update from its global Trans Murder Monitoring Project, revealing that 350 TGD people were reported murdered since the 2023 update. This marks an annual increase from 321 to 350. _____ Our View: Transgender Day of Remembrance, first observed on 20 November 1999 in honour of Rita Hester, commemorates trans lives lost to anti-trans hate crimes.
25 years later, it is devastating that violence against transgender people persists, with hate crimes rising since 2023.
LGBT Great condemns these acts of violence and stands in solidarity with victims' families. We urgently call for stronger global protections for transgender people.
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| 3. New study highlights the importance of LGBTQ+ visibility and representation |
| On 13 November 2024, GLAAD revealed that 90% of 200 senior marketing executives surveyed see LGBTQ+ representation in advertising as very important, with an 80% increase since 2021 in leaders recognising the community's value to their business. _____ Our View: LGBT Great's proprietary research "Seeing is Believing" found that ~3 in 5 LGBTQ+ consumers were more inclined to purchase from/transact with brands that were visibly LGBTQ+-inclusive and represented the community. Furthermore, research by Hopelab has shown that positive representation of LGBTQ+ people in media can have a significant positive impact on the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth.
Mounting evidence suggests that inclusive marketing not only drives business success but also fosters a more accepting environment for LGBTQ+ people. By embracing authentic representation, organisations can demonstrate their commitment to LGBTQ+ equality and positively impact society.
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| 4. Trans women banned from using bathrooms that match their gender identity in US Capitol building |
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On 20 November 2024, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced a policy prohibiting transgender women from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity in the Capitol Hill building. The resolution, introduced by Representative Nancy Mace was aimed at Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender congresswoman elected in January. _____ Our View: This policy has raised significant concerns among advocacy groups who view it as a challenge to the rights of transgender people, including those accessing the Capitol building.
Furthermore, the administration has also announced its intentions for a federal ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth, despite substantial medicalevidence supporting the benefits of such care for mental health and well-being.
Intentions to remove third-gender options from legal documents have also sparked debate, with critics arguing that these changes undermine the recognition and rights of non-binary people. These developments have led to broader concerns about the direction of LGBTQ+ rights in the US, with some organisations warning of potential restrictions on the freedoms and protections of LGBTQ+ communities.
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| 5. Vanuatu bans same-sex marriage by amending Marriage Act |
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On 14 November 2024, the Vanuatu parliament amended the Marriage Act to define marriage as a union between a male and female. Previously, the Constitution did not explicitly address the legality of same-sex marriage. _____ Our View: This legislative change has been accompanied by statements from the President of Vanuatu's Council of Traditional Chiefs, who expressed concerns that the country's LGBTQ+ advocacy group, VPride, posed challenges to traditional values and beliefs. These remarks have coincided with actions such as the formation of a committee tasked with drafting a national policy to restrict LGBTQ+ advocacy.
These developments have drawn attention to the evolving social and legal landscape for LGBTQ+ individuals in Vanuatu, with critics highlighting the potential for increased marginalisation and challenges to advocacy efforts. |
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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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