Canada warns anti-LGBT groups pose "extreme violence" threat
Zimbabwe Parliament speaker says LGBT people don't exist
The big news yesterday was that Greece became the 37th country to legalize same-sex marriage. I have an article with all the details coming up today at the Los Angeles Blade.
Also at the Blade, I have a story up about how CSIS, Canada’s version of the CIA, has warned that the ‘anti-gender movement’ poses a threat of extreme violence.
Nepal: There appears to be some controversy among Wikipedia editors whether or not Nepal has legal same-sex marriage, which affects whether or not Greece is the 36th or 37th country with equal marriage. Last year, a single Supreme Court judge ordered the government to recognize same-sex marriage. After much wrangling, several same-sex and transgender couples have been able to get married, but there are many officials who continue to deny marriage licenses. I think this is similar in a sense to how we counted Canada, Mexico, the US, and the UK before they had same-sex marriage nationwide, so Nepal should be counted.
In any event, the full Supreme Court is due to rehear the same-sex marriage case March 14. I honestly can’t imagine the Court ruling against equality here, as they’ve been calling for same-sex marriage since 2008.
Muscogee Nation: The committee examining the same-sex marriage bill voted it down 1-3 yesterday. It will continue disallowing same-sex marriage for the foreseeable.
Japan: A new appeal of the same-sex marriage case in Fukuoka will be heard on Monday.
So here’s a rough calendar of equal marriage dates to look out for:
Feb 27/Early March: Czech House to hold final vote on equal marriage/enhanced partnership bill, before it heads to the Senate. Jsme Fer has put together a good explainer on the various options that Parliament will consider ranging from full equality to cosmetic changes to civil unions.
Mar 6-8: Liechtenstein Parliament sitting, expected to pass equal marriage bill as one of its last items.
Mar 14: Nepal Supreme Court hears same-sex marriage case again
Mar 14: Two Japan courts issue same-sex marriage rulings.
May 31: Ruling expected in Cassation Court for Aruba and Curacao (with possible implications for Sint Maarten, too)
June: Thailand same-sex marriage bill expected to pass.
Nov 5: California votes to repeal constitutional ban on same-sex marriage; potentially other states will as well.
A bill for same-sex marriage are also pending in the Navajo Nation in the US.
Lithuania: The PM says there are still not enough votes to pass the civil union bill, and it appears she’s already begun campaigning on it ahead of parliamentary elections expected in the fall. Meanwhile, her government is going to the Constitutional Court to have a law that censors LGBT content “for the protection of minors” struck down after Parliament narrowly failed to repeal it last fall. The Equal Opportunities Commissioner rapped the mayor of Panevėžys for threatening a community center that wanted to use rainbow colors in a display and banner.
Have you had enough Lithuania yet? Because there’s more! Parliament’s ethics watchdog is mounting what seems to be a homophobia-motivated investigation against the only openly gay MP after he criticized another MP who has been known to disrupt LGBTQ events.
Canada: The city of Langford, British Columbia had its brand new Pride crosswalk defaced one day after it was installed.
Ghana: Parliament gave final approval to its Anti-LGBT law, which stiffens penalties for gay sex and criminalizes advocacy for LGBT rights. Party leaders have vowed to overrule a potential presidential veto.
Zimbabwe: Amid a debate on gender-based violence, a Member of Parliament moved to acknowledge that gender-based violence affects members of the LGBT minority, and was immediately shut down by the Speaker who made her withdraw the statement because, according to him, the constitution says LGBT people do not exist. (The constitution does not say that.)
Meanwhile, the Vice President is railing against the national LGBT advocacy group GALZ for offering scholarships to LGBTI university students, claiming that they are trying to lure the less fortunate into being gay. But wait, I thought LGBT people don’t exist?
Meanwhile, in the States…
The US Census Bureau is considering how it will ask questions about sexual orientation and gender identity on the next census.
Pennsylvania: Lehigh County (centered on Allentown) passed a comprehensive anti-discrimination ordinance that protects LGBT people. A statewide law is being blocked by state senate Republicans.
Minnesota: The queer caucus of state legislators has announced plans to introduce an LGBT-inclusive equal rights amendment to the state constitution, with hopes it goes on the ballot in 2026. Legislators are opting not to put it on the ballot this year in fear there isn’t enough time and resources to mount a Yes campaign.