UK Supreme Court says trans women aren't women

Hungary deepens crackdown on LGBT people with constitutional amendment banning Pride, nonbinary people

UK: The Supreme Court ruled today that trans women do not count as women under the Equality Act, and thus may not sit in council seats reserved for women. The ruling may have wide impact on trans women’s access to women-only spaces, including gyms, shelters, and even bathrooms. However, trans women are still protected from discrimination by the Equality Act’s prohibition on discrimination based on “gender reassignment.” So, to my lay eyes, it seems this ruling leaves a heck of a lot still in the air.

Meanwhile, a lesbian couple from Albania were granted asylum in the UK after reporting they feared for their lives after suffering homophobic abuse and violence in their home country.

Hungary: The government amended the constitution on Monday to ban Pride marches and ban recognition of any gender other than male or female. Hungary’s march to fascism continues.

Ireland: The high court ruled in favor of two same-sex couples who were denied Irish citizenship for their children born abroad. The court said the gap in legislation allowing recognition of these children as Irish citizens was unconstitutional, and ordered the children be issued passports. Going forward, Ireland cannot deny citizenship to children of a same-sex couple involving an Irish citizen.

Georgia: A man who murdered a transgender model last year has been sentence to life in prison. The murder, which came the day after parliament passed a draconian anti-LGBT law, shocked the nation at the time.

Philippines: The Commission on Human Rights has thrown its support behind two bills that would establish same-sex civil partnerships, with some additional recommendations that would improve quality with opposite-sex couples. They recommend adding full adoption rights, hospital/prison visitation, and clarifying community property rules. It’s not clear at this time that either bill stands a chance of passing, although mid-term elections next month might change that.

Turks and Caicos: An editorial draws attention to a pending court of appeal case on whether the territory must recognize same-sex couples married overseas. Colours Caribbean is also calling on the UK territories and the UK government to respond to their call to achieve substantive equality for LGBTQ people in the UK territories – particularly those that do not recognize same-sex marriage.

The Guardian has a profile on some activists who are pushing for an end to buggery laws and greater LGBTQ rights across the Caribbean.

India: A legal scholar reviews the failed same-sex marriage court case from 2023 and concludes that activists ought to take an incremental strategy toward securing legal rights through the courts, as legal activists did in Canada, the United States, and South Africa.

Meanwhile, in the States

SCOTUS is considering a case that could impose a “don’t say gay” rule on all schools nationwide.

Delaware: State lawmakers have proposed a “right to marry” amendment to the state constitution. No action has been taken on it yet.

Ohio: State Republicans are attempting to sneak a host of anti-LGBT, anti-trans, and anti-abortion riders into the state’s must-pass budget bill.

Meanwhile, a lesbian couple that broke up in 2015 before same-sex marriage became legal with have a case heard at the state supreme court next week to determine whether they have equal parenting rights over their children.