Latvia passes civil union law
And, could this South Pacific island country be the next to decriminalize homosexuality?
Latvia: Parliament gave final approval to the new civil partnership bill this morning, codifying a 2020 Constitutional Court ruling. The new law gives couples tax, social security, and medical rights similar to married couples, but does not cover parenting/adoption or other family rights. Activists say they will continue to litigate over these issues. Meanwhile, the opposition is going to attempt to halt the law and force a referendum. They may have the votes to temporarily halt the law (only 34 required, while 35-40 objected to each vote on the law), but would need to collect signatures of 10% of the electorate within two months to force a referendum if they do. Otherwise the law takes effect July 1, 2024.
UK: Another chance at a conversion therapy ban! It turns out that the House of Lords will debate a private members’ bill to ban conversion therapy on Nov. 20, after the bill was drawn first in the lottery that determines which private members’ bills get debated. Private members’ bills and bills originating from the House of Lords rarely become law, but given the broad support for the issue, there’s a chance this pushes through.
Aruba and Curacao: These islands’ final appeal against a lower court decision requiring them to allow same-sex marriage will be heard in The Hague, Netherlands tomorrow.
Tuvalu: The UN Human Rights’ Committee’s universal periodic review of Tuvalu was today, and several countries (UK, Spain, Netherlands, USA, and Mexico) recommended that it decriminalize homosexuality. Other countries recommended it ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which would also require that it decriminalize homosexuality. Tuvalu told the committee that this year it adopted a new constitution that bans discrimination based on sex.
Uzbekistan: Also, several countries at the UN HRC urged Uzbekistan to decriminalize gay sex yesterday. Given that the country just passed a new criminal code that maintained the gay sex ban, this is unlikely to sway the government.
Duly Noted:
One of the two candidates in next weekend’s presidential election in Argentina compared homosexuality to having sex with an elephant.
Meanwhile, in the States
Michigan: One overlooked impact of yesterday’s Tuesday’s elections is that Michigan Democrats have actually lost majority control of the state house, after two of their members were elected as Mayors. Their vacancies bring the house to a 54-54 tie, at least until special elections can be held, which could gum up progressive legislation right as the session is starting to wrap up. Democrats are rushing to pass as much as they can before they lose their majority, and among LGBTQ priorities, today the house passed an update to the state’s surrogacy law, and the “institutional desecration” expansion of the state’s hate crime law.
Still to be taken up by the house is the sodomy law (partial) repeal bill. And of course, if the Senate amends any of these bills (or the general LGBTQ-inclusive hate crime bill it’s still studying), the house would have to revote on them.
But it looks like the legislature may only hold one more session before adjourning next Tuesday, not to meet again until after special elections can be held, which could be months away.
Meanwhile, at least 148 openly LGBTQ+ candidates were elected to office in local elections on Tuesday.
And the UN Human Rights Committee urged the United States to repeal anti-LGBT laws today, a development that will 100% be ignored by the Republicans in charge of states with these laws.