Lithuania civil union bill not going away without a fight
More fallout from the Vatican's same-sex blessings announcement
Lithuania: A writer thinks Poland’s new left-leaning coalition government could inspire Lithuanian politicians to finally pass the stalled civil union law. The other Baltic states have also passed civil union or same-sex marriage laws that ought to come into effect in the new year, too.
Meanwhile, the left-leaning party in the Lithuanian coalition government is throwing bombs at its partners, in apparent revenge for not supporting the civil union bill. Good show.
Panama: The government ombudsman released a report calling for the government to finally recognize same-sex marriage, or at least a civil union. Last year, the Panama Supreme Court rejected an appeal for same-sex marriage, in a frankly nonsense ruling that ignored Panama’s obligations under the Interamerican Convention on Human Rights, which the Interamerican Court has found includes equal marriage. Some believe the recent decision by the Pope to allow the Church to bless same-sex couples may help improve acceptance.
Thailand: Cabinet has approved the same-sex marriage bill, which will go to Parliament Thursday. Equal Marriage supporters are already demonstrating in Bangkok to urge Parliament to pass the bill.
Argentina: A family court has recognized two men as the parents of a girl born via surrogacy in Colombia, citing the rights of the child to filiation to the spouse of the man of who contributed the sperm.
Mexico: The federal Chamber of Deputies has ended its session, which means that the earliest it can give a final vote to the conversion therapy ban bill will be in February.
Ghana: The President has refused assent to a trio of bills that eliminate the death penalty, citing the financial burden of keeping prisoners alive, which makes a private member’s bill unconstitutional. The Speaker of Parliament disagrees with the President’s decision, and has said he will issue a speech on the matter in a week.
One might think the President’s argument could easily apply to the anti-homosexuality bill being debated in Parliament right now, too…
Meanwhile, in god…
The Vatican’s recent announcement okaying blessings for same-sex couples is reverberating around the world. In Malawi, local bishops are defying the Pope, saying that blessings for same-sex couples are not permitted in their jurisdiction. In Singapore, the local Catholic Church wants to clarify that it is not blessing same-sex unions, so much as it is blessing the people in those unions. In Ukraine, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (which is not affiliated with the Catholic Church) is scoffing at the whole idea.
Meanwhile, in the States
Florida: A Republican state legislator has filed a bill that would ban Pride Flags being flown by cities, colleges, and schools. It would also ban any other flags that express solidarity based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or race.