New Brunswick dumps anti-trans premier
Russia's crackdown on LGBT people intensifies; 50 arrested in gay bar raids
First, some updates…
Yesterday, I reported that Moldova appeared to have narrowly rejected a constitutional amendment that committed the government to pursuing EU accession. In fact, when all the votes were counted, the amendment was approved by 50.39% to 49.61%. The vote cements Moldova’s western orientation and approach to human rights and democracy.
And in Canada, I reported that Elections British Columbia could take a week to finalize results of Saturday’s provincial election. In fact, the preliminary count is now done, and the BC NDP won 46 seats to the BC Conservatives’ 45, and the BC Greens’ 2. The most likely scenario is that the BC NDP continue in office with the support of the Greens. Automatic recounts will occur in two ridings this weekend, but they are unlikely to change the result.
And there’s more good news. New Brunswick booted the Progressive Conservative government from office in provincial elections yesterday. Even Premier Blaine Higgs lost his own seat. New Premier Susan Holt of the NB Liberals has pledged to repeal Higgs’ controversial policy requiring parental notification and consent if a trans student asks to use different name or pronoun, something that should actually be pretty straightforward, not requiring legislation. Holt is also the province’s first female premier, and New Brunswick elected a record number of female MLAs.
These two elections are the second and third time Canadian voters have rejected conservative parties that introduced or pledged to introduce anti-trans schools policies in provincial elections, after Manitoba in June. Next Monday, Saskatchewan could be number four.
Andorra: The European Commission on Racism and Intolerance recommends the microstate establish a national program to combat LGBTI-phobia.
Italy: The ECRI recommends that Italy set up a fully independent equality body, noting that anti-LGBT hate speech is rampant (including by public figures), legal gender recognition remains difficult, authorities lack capacity to deal with hate-motivated violence, and anti-LGBT discrimination is common.
Kenya: A petition has been launched calling on the government to stop discriminating against LGBTQI asylum seekers.
Russia: Police raided multiple gay bars in Moscow and Yekaterinburg, arresting at least 50 people as part of an ongoing crackdown on LGBT people.
Meanwhile, in the States
Iowa: The ACLU is reviving a case seeking to have the state law banning LGBT depictions in library books or discussion of LGBT topics in classrooms declared unconstitutional.
New Hampshire: Earlier this year, I reported on the religious nut and state senator who sought to ban all art in a small town in protest of a set of rainbow-themed murals and a performance of La Cage Aux Folles. Good news! Carrie Gaudreau is not seeking reelection to either the state senate or the town council.
Still, an anti-LGBT Republican is trying to unseat a gay congressional Democrat in NH, so watch out on election night.
Regular reminder that same-sex marriage rights are on the ballot in Hawaii, California, and Colorado, and equal rights are on the ballot in New York.