Chile senate passes LGBT-inclusive adoption reform law

Delaware senate passes same-sex marriage constitutional amendment

Chile: The senate passed a comprehensive reform of adoption law after removing and blocking proposals that would give preference to heterosexual couples when adopting. The bill now returns to the lower house for approval.

Mexico: A lawmaker in San Luis Potosi state has introduced a bill to ban conversion therapy in local law. A national ban already exists.

A legislator in Tamauplipas state has introduced a bill to allow legal gender change.

The city of Pachuca, Hidalgo is proposing replacing the term “sexual preference” in city laws, as it’s inaccurate and discriminatory. The story also notes that the city eliminated restrictions on people with HIV getting married last year.

Lithuania: The president called on lawmakers to pass a civil partnership bill in response to the constitutional court’s ruling recognizing the unions back in April. The parties are still far apart on the issue. The deputy speaker is aiming to pass one by the end of the year.

Poland: Prime Minister Tusk is introducing a confidence motion in Parliament today, in response to his coalition losing last week’s presidential election. The Left party is going to introduce a civil union bill and is calling for the government to clearly support it – even though the new president has threatened to veto it. The government has been required to bring in civil unions by the ECHR.

Canada: Prime Minister Carney raised the Pride flag on Parliament Hill, and announced more money to fund security at Pride marches, following a series of protests at LGBT events across the country in recent years.

Kosovo: Prime Minister Kurti officially opened Pride Week in Tirana. Kurti is eager to show Kosovo as part of mainstream European opinion on queer issues as part of his country’s bid for international recognition and EU integration.

Moldova: Chisinau Pride organizers are vowing to go ahead this weekend, despite a ban by city authorities. A counter-march is also being organized by homophobes.

Tanzania: The government has announced it is moving forward with toughening existing criminal laws banning same-sex intercourse to further ban same-sex relationships and marriages.

Meanwhile, in the States

Congressional Republicans have quietly slipped a ‘license to discriminate’ clause that prevents the federal government from taking action against people who discriminate against queer people because of their religious beliefs into the must-pass funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security. I expect this to be blocked in the senate.

Delaware: A bill to enshrine same-sex marriage rights in the state constitution passed the senate, with one Republican joining all Democrats to get it over the line. It has to pass the house next, then pass again after the 2026 election to be added to the constitution.

New Hampshire: The governor has signed a “parents bill of rights” into law, which critics say compromises the privacy of LGBT youth and blocks LGBT content in libraries.

Oregon: By contrast, a bill to ban homophobic book bans has passed the legislature and is headed to the governor.