Georgia: The anti-LGBT “propaganda” bill passed its first reading in parliament yesterday, on a 78-0 vote. Most of the opposition parties have been boycotting parliament since the government passed the “foreign agents” law, another Russia-inspired bill meant to quell opposition voices. But, the opposition parties are also making it clear they oppose “LGBT propaganda,” so… The government hopes to pass the bill in the fall ahead of October elections.
Armenia: Meanwhile, next door, a film festival in Yerevan has invited Kevin Spacey as its guest of honor, in case you were wondering what he’s been up to since dodging sexual misconduct charges.
Dominican Republic: I’ve been contacted by activists letting me know that the legislature is rushing through a new penal code – updating one from the 1800s – that may be highly problematic. While much of the coverage so far has focused on the fact that the new code doesn’t remove the total prohibition on abortion, I’m also told it repeals certain protections for LGBT people (though I’m not aware of any such protections in law currently) and creates an exception allowing “marital rape” by spouses. Alas, I haven’t found any independent reporting on this, or seen the bill itself. This version has already passed first reading in the senate, and only has a month to pass before the term expires. Though the government has already been reelected with an even bigger majority, so I’m not sure why there’s a time crunch.
A competing reform has been filed by a legislator which would decriminalize abortion in “three causes” (a popular focus of the movement in Latin America): the health of the mother, fetal abnormalities, or rape/incest. It also addresses some other women’s issues. The Senate President has said he would rather abortion be discussed in a separate law, so the penal code can be expedited. This seems quite obviously a tactic to kick the abortion issue off the agenda entirely.
Activists have launched a petition and are calling on the diaspora to speak out against the bill and to decriminalize abortion.
India: The Kerala High Court has once again reaffirmed the right of LGBT people to live their own lives, denying an application by two people to have their 23-year-old daughter committed to a mental institution because she’s living with a transgender person. The court reminds the applicants that their daughter is an adult, that sexual orientation is an innate part of her life, and she is free to live as she chooses.
Nigeria: The government’s film censorship board has issued a warning to all filmmakers that videos promoting same-sex marriage or containing pornography are illegal. Ominously, the warning also reminds filmmakers that the censor’s purview extends to music videos and skits, includes social media and other platforms, and also catches content creators who aren’t professional filmmakers. Expect a crackdown on LGBT expression imminently – and bear in mind that this sweep could include all sorts of expression that the government just doesn’t like.
Paraguay: An LGBT activist tried to speak to the president at the Organization of American States summit and… nothing much happened, tbh. He says he’s open to discussion.
Malaysia: A review of prisoners on death row has removed hundreds from the death penalty, but left 19 facing executions so far. Last year, Malaysia ended the mandatory death penalty, and allowed everyone sentenced under it to apply for review. The death penalty remains an option for judges to impose.
Meanwhile, in the States
Michigan: In the shopping list of LGBT priorities that haven’t been passed this term that I posted yesterday, I neglected to mention a bill that would make it easier (and cheaper) for trans people to update their name/gender on state documents. HB 5300 hasn’t gotten far this session but could still pass. If not, it should be a high priority for next term if Democrats maintain the majority.
Connecticut: Legislators are planning to introduce a bill to prohibit the export of drugs or chemicals used in carrying out the death penalty, in a bid to stymie efforts at executing prisoners in other states. They hope the effort catches on and chokes off supply. This comes as Indiana pushes to resume the death penalty, which has been on hold since 2009, because it suddenly got a new supply of drugs.
Have a great Pride weekend, everyone! Thanks for subscribing! I’ll be back on Monday with a look back at the progress we’ve made in the first six months of the year, and what we have to look forward to in the rest of 2024.