Catholic Church oks same-sex blessings
Plus, conversion therapy bans in Mexico, civil unions in Poland and Japan
Hey hey everyone! Before we dive into today’s news — and there’s a lot of it — I just want to take a moment to give thanks to a reader who made a very generous contribution. I run this newsletter for free specifically so that people of all means around the world can have access to news about the fight for LGBT rights. If you’re able to make a contribution, any amount helps — either direct through Venmo/Paypal or via subscription right here on Substack!
Alright, let’s dive into the news.
But first, in god…
Vatican City: The big news this morning is that The Catholic Church has announced that it will allow priests to bless same-sex and unmarried couples, although these blessings must not be confused with or similar to marriage ceremonies. This is a huge step forward for the Church, and should go a long way toward helping normalize homosexuality in Catholic-majority or Catholic-plurality countries.
Meanwhile, the Anglican Church began blessing same-sex couples last week.
By contrast, Greece’s semi-autonomous Mount Athos Holy Community has put out a statement opposing the government’s proposed same-sex marriage and adoption bill.
Meanwhile, on the rest of the planet Earth…
Mexico: Last Friday, I told you that the Quintana Roo state congress passed a law banning conversion therapy. Later that day, so did the Morelos state congress. Both votes were unanimous. That brings the total to 18/32 states banning anti-LGBT conversion practices. Also, a state legislator in Nayarit is hopeful that the state congress will pass a ban in an extraordinary session before the end of the year.
A bill to ban it federally is pending a final vote in congress.
Scotland: The Scottish government aims to present its proposal for a conversion therapy ban on January 9.
Thailand: The Thai Enquirer reports that the government’s same-sex marriage bill will be introduced in Parliament on Thur Dec 21. It is expected to pass given wide support from the government and opposition, but the timeline is not yet clear.
Poland: The new ruling coalition that took office last week has outlined plans to introduce same-sex civil unions next year. The Equalities Minister says a bill should be ready for consultations by January/February. All three parties to the coalition have said they are on board, but there may be some drama when it comes to vote – one of the coalition partners is itself a coalition of two parties, the more conservative of which is divided on the issue. That partner has also ruled out same-sex marriage in Poland, for now.
Japan: Niigata and Yamagata Prefectures are the latest to announce they will introduce a partnership certificate for same-sex couples starting in 2024. Together with 6 other prefectures whose certificates will come into effect next year, that will bring the total to 27 out 47 prefectures that have recognize same-sex couples, alongside hundreds of municipalities.
Estonia: When same-sex marriage becomes legal on January 1, vital statistics offices will offer couples the choice of using forms that say husband and wife, or gender-neutral forms. Honestly, it’s odd that this is a headline, but there you go.
Pakistan: The Lahore High Court upheld a landmark Transgender Rights Law which ensures trans people have access to all rights of citizenship, including proper identification. The court directed the national civil registry to direct all regional offices to issue identification documents to all trans people, including with an X gender marker if so desired.
Chile: Voters rejected a draft new constitution that was written by conservative politicians and which many said imperiled abortion access and minority rights.
Uganda: The Constitutional Court has begun hearing a challenge to the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, which imposes strict penalties – up to capital punishment – for gay sex, forbids landlords from renting to gay people, and imposes a reporting requirement on anyone who knows of LGBT people.
Zimbabwe: A bill to abolish the death penalty has been introduced, which would make Zimbabwe the latest in a string of African countries that have abolished it in the last few years.
Meanwhile, members of the African Union is working on an Optional Protocol to its Charter that would bind members to abolish the death penalty and not reintroduce it.
And, in the States…
MSNBC has a report that says 75 anti-LGBTQ bills were passed at the state level this year, but that count is likely low, given that it doesn’t appear to include several anti-trans bills passed by the Ohio legislature this month, which are awaiting the governor’s signature.
For additional context, dozens of pro-LGBTQ bills and executive orders were passed in Democratic Party-run states, especially in bastions like California and new Democratic trifectas in Minnesota, Michigan, Maryland, and Massachusetts. I don’t have a count, but it points to an increasing polarization between red and blue states on queer rights.
Minnesota: A new poll shows strong support for a proposed state constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights and equality rights for LGBT people.