Mexicans protest anti-trans violence
A US state moves to finally scrap sodomy laws
Argentina: LGBTI+ organizations are calling on politicians to block President Milei’s proposal to shut down the National Institute Against Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Racism, the national human rights body.
Czechia: The foreign minister has responded to a report that the Czech National Building in New York is renting space to the anti-LGBTQ group Moms for Liberty, saying the event does not correspond with Czechia’s foreign policy or values, but that the rental springs from a private, third-party business that manages rentals of the location.
South Africa: Former President Jacob Zuma is campaigning ahead of national elections expected this spring, appealing to voters to put enough members of his new party in power to repeal pro-LGBT laws, including same-sex marriage. At this point, it’s unclear if the scandal-tainted Zuma will pose a big obstacle to the ANC, which has governed since independence.
Liechtenstein: The acting archbishop over the principality has resumed a traditional mass for the opening session of parliament. The tradition was suspended last year by the previous bishop in protest of Parliament’s 25-2 vote calling for introduction of same-sex marriage. The acting archbishop is seen as more progressive, and the same-sex marriage bill is expected to be debated in the spring.
Greece: The president, whose role is mostly ceremonial, has expressed support for the government’s proposed same-sex marriage and adoption bill.
Guatemala: New president Bernardo Arevalo has taken office, and he confirms he will not legalize same-sex marriage or expand abortion access, but says he is against discrimination.
Mexico: Activists demonstrated in Mexico City yesterday to protest against surging violence against trans people and call on the government to do more to protect the community. A federal hate crime bill has been proposed.
Coming and Going Out
Ireland: Cabinet Minister Jack Chambers has come out of the closet.
Croatia: A minor political scandal has erupted after the socialist President apparently outed a cabinet minister from the opposing party. While the minister in question has not commented, the government has condemned the President for violating his privacy, while the president condemns the government’s apparent hypocrisy for assuming that homosexuality is an insult.
Congratulations in order
At last night’s Emmy Awards, Elton John won in the best variety special (live) for “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium,” which was the final award he needed to achieve EGOT status – the incredibly rare honor of winning the four major competitive performing arts awards: Emmy, Grammy, Tony, Oscar. (He’s not the first gay EGOT winner – That’s John Gielgud)
This year’s ceremony also saw RuPaul win his 13th and 14th Emmy Awards for RuPaul’s Drag Race, making him the most-awards person of color in Emmy History.
Meanwhile, in the States…
Donald Trump won the Republican Iowa caucuses last night, beginning the coronation process to his nomination.
Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court has declined to review a lower court ruling that held that a policy banning trans students from using the bathroom corresponding to their gender identity violated Title IX, blocking it in the seventh circuit (Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin). There’s a circuit split on this issue that will likely have to be resolved by the Supreme Court eventually. Law Dork has a good explainer.
Massachusetts: In a rare spot of good news, the bill to repeal the state’s sodomy and “walking while trans” laws has finally advanced out of the committee process and is scheduled to receive a hearing in the state Senate on Thursday.
But now from Republican-controlled states…
New Hampshire: A federal court will hear a challenge to the state’s classroom censorship “don’t say gay” law tomorrow. Also, the Los Angeles Blade has a small update on the story I filed last fall about the town that wants to ban public art in an effort to prevent the gays from summoning the demon Ishtar to destroy Christians: the town manager has resigned over homophobic attacks.
Iowa: And the state Attorney-General is filing an appeal on a ruling against the state’s “don’t say gay” law.
West Virginia: State Republicans have proposed a bill to ban trans health care through age 21 and mandating that social workers try to “cure” trans people in the state.
Ohio: The state senate will likely vote on overriding the governor’s veto of a bill that bans trans youth health care and bans trans student athletes from playing sports corresponding to their gender.
Connecticut: The Republican-controlled town council of Enfield voted to ban Pride flags on civic properties.