Greek same-sex marriage bill delayed by virus
Utah close to criminalizing trans people using bathrooms
Portugal: The conversion therapy ban passed by Parliament last year was officially signed into law by the President over the weekend.
Greece: The same-sex marriage bill may be delayed, as the Prime Minister has contracted H1N1, forcing a delay in the cabinet meeting to discuss it. Meanwhile, the Greek Orthodox Church has officially come out against the bill.
Italy: A court in Padua may soon rule on the government’s decision to revoke the birth certificates of children of same-sex couples to remove non-biological parents.
Spain: The government of Catalonia region is consulting on its own “Trans Law,” which aims to improve the lives of trans people by banning conversion therapy, providing social supports for those who have been kicked out of their homes, and recognizing a non-binary gender (which would be a first in Spain). In many other respects, this law will duplicate a national law that was passed last year, providing an additional level of protection.
Germany: Parliament gave approval to an immigration reform bill that allows the government to speed up deportations, and includes anti-LGBT hate crimes as an aggravating factor that may lead to deportation. Your level of skepticism about whether this is just a way of laundering a massive deportation scheme in progressivism should probably be elevated.
Turkey: Parliament is expected to finally vote on ratifying Sweden’s accession to NATO, part of the deepening trend of European integration.
Meanwhile, in the States…
Today is the Republican primary in New Hampshire, which may be Nikki Haley’s last chance to stop Trump from sealing his coronation as the nominee.
California: We are apparently already talking about the 2026 gubernatorial campaign, in which openly lesbian state senate speaker Toni Atkins has just announced her candidacy.
Massachusetts: The bill to repeal the sodomy and “walking while trans” laws has been given first reading in the state House and referred to the Ways and Means committee. In the past, this is where the bill has died, but it seems like Democrats have some urgency to pass it this year.
Delaware: A state legislator has introduced a bill to include “asexuality” and “pansexuality” in the definition of “sexual orientation” under state law, for example, in anti-discrimination law. Legislators are also looking at amending the state constitution to make it gender neutral — a process that won’t get to the ballot until 2026 at the earliest.
Utah: The State Senate is one vote away from passing a draconian anti-trans law, which would criminalize trans people who use public restrooms in government-owned buildings, unless they have had their birth certificate updated and completed sex reassignment surgeries.