Latest news with #Bisexual
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Toronto officials raise Progress Pride flag at city hall to kick off month of festivities
Toronto officials raised the Progress Pride flag at city hall on Monday to kick off a month of festivities celebrating the city's 2SLGBTQ+ community. Mayor Olivia Chow said it's more important than ever to support Toronto's 2SLGBTQ+ community. Chow was joined by Coun. Chris Moise, chair of the Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Advisory Committee, and city staff. "It's not a choice. It is who we are. It's in the city's DNA that we will always support the LGBTQ community," Chow said in an interview after the flag-raising. "We know that when we come together, we're stronger. We will not be divided and we'll stand shoulder to shoulder with the community and supporting it every way. I invite all Torontonians to enjoy Pride Month." Those involved, including drag performer Sanjina DaBish Queen, said Pride started as a protest and it's important to support the transgender community. "The light just needs to be on trans people right now. It does. We're very important to the community. We're important to this world. And we just want to live. We just want to breathe." Pride Toronto recently reported two of its largest sponsors, Home Depot and Google, have said they no longer want to sponsor the festival, but executive director Kojo Modeste said the withdrawal of support won't affect this year's festivities. "We already have contracts that we are obligated to. Where we might feel it, it's next year. But I do believe that all three levels of government will come on board. We're going to have more sponsors." City representatives said they'll continue to support Pride in Toronto in whatever ways they can. "At the end of the day, it's their loss," Chow said. "And if American companies want to pull out from supporting Pride, we will step in, Canadian companies will step in, the government will step in." Throughout the month of June, Pride events will be held across Toronto. Pride culminates with the festival weekend that runs June 27 to 29. That includes Toronto's Pride Parade, which is the second largest in the world.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
These are the top 10 European countries for LGBTQ+ rights and travel
Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock Revelers unfurl a giant Pride flag during a Pride parade in Brussels, Belgium, in 2024 ILGA-Europe has released its annual Rainbow Map for 2025, providing an analysis of LGBTQ+ rights and the climate for family in 49 European states. The group was created out of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World), the international advocacy group for the LGBTQ+ community. ILGA-Europe researchers examined 49 countries using 76 criteria, which were then broken down into seven thematic categories: Equality and non-discrimination Family Hate crime and hate speech; Legal gender recognition; Intersex bodily integrity; Civil society space; and Asylum. Each country was then given a percentage score and ranked. The results were compiled in the interactive Rainbow Map, with links to a breakdown of every country's performance plus a more comprehensive report providing detailed analyses and examples of the good and the bad for that nation's LGBTQ+ community. While there were some positive signs in many countries, others ranked among the very worst climates for the LGBTQ+ community. 'The Rainbow Map 2025 offers a stark snapshot of where Europe stands on LGBTI human rights, and highlights the pressing need to defend and advance these rights in the context of acute democratic erosion,' ILGA-Europe concluded. "If left unchallenged, these tactics risk spreading further across Europe, undermining a human rights framework that has taken decades to build. The time to push back is now, before the targeted attacks we're seeing in countries like Hungary, the U.K., and Georgia become the norm rather than the exception. Political leaders must lead by example and turn their words into action. It's time for people to stand up, make their voices heard, and hold our governments to account before it's too late.' Keep scrolling to see ILGA-Europe's top 10 countries for LGBTQ+ rights, cultural climate, and travel. You can view the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map at You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at Kateryna Mostova/Shutterstock Luxembourg Pride Equality March 2023 Overall score 2024: 68.41 percent (10th) Overall score 2023: 70.04 (8th) Strengths: Perfect score for Civil Society Space Weaknesses: Intersex Bodily Integrity Quote of note: 'The Ministry of Family, Integration, and the Greater Region, in cooperation with the Centre LGBTIQ+ Cigale, the Centre for Equal Treatment, the Rosa Lëtzebuerg association, developed a guide to help bridge the gap between trans people and their employers. This guide equips employers with key information to better understand trans identities and implement inclusive policies, while also offering trans people support in communicating their needs within the workplace.' RELATED: The world's top 10 queer and trans-friendly cities You can learn more about Luxembourg's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at Mateusz Boinski/Shutterstock Norway 2018 Tromsø Arctic Pride festival Overall score: 68.6 percent (9th) Overall score 2023: 69.53 (9th) Strengths: Perfect score for Civil Society Space Weaknesses: Intersex Bodily Integrity Quote of note: 'Zaniar Matapour was found guilty of aggravated terrorism by the Oslo District Court for his role in the mass shooting during Oslo Pride on June 25, 2022. Matapour was sentenced to 30 years in prison, the strictest penalty under Norwegian law. State prosecutor Aud Kinsarvik Gravås expressed satisfaction with the court's decision in the case.' RELATED: Seeking escape, this lesbian sailed to the Arctic Circle You can learn more about Norway's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at ewelina thepphaboot/Shutterstock 2019 Christopher Street Parade in Frankfurt, Germany Overall score 2024: 69.1 percent (8th) Overall score 2023: 66.13 (11th) Strengths: Perfect score for Civil Society Space Weaknesses: Intersex Bodily Integrity Quote of note: 'In October, Germany's Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann of the Free Democrats (FDP) announced new plans to reform adoption and family law. The proposed reforms aim to allow adults in unmarried partnerships to adopt a child together and permit just one adult in a marriage to legally adopt a child, addressing gaps in current laws. Currently, both married and unmarried heterosexual and same-sex couples can adopt, but married couples must both legally adopt the child, while only one adult in an unmarried partnership can do so.' RELATED: Germany makes it easier to change gender and name on legal documents You can learn more about Germany's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at Giannis Papanikos/Shutterstock A giant Rainbow Flag at tje `annual Gay Pride celebrations in Thessaloniki, Greece, in 2018 Overall score 2024: 69.18 percent (7th) Overall score 2023: 70.78 percent (7th) Strengths: High scores for Equality & Non-Discrimination and Civil Society Space Weaknesses: Asylum Quote of note: 'In February, Greece became the first Orthodox-majority country to legalise same-sex marriage. The bill passed with the support of 176 out of 300 MPs, also allowing same-sex couples to adopt children and granting equal parental rights to both partners. However, the bill does not include provisions for surrogacy for same-sex couples. Furthermore, while it abolishes the requirement of being unmarried to access legal gender recognition, it does not include any provision to modify a parent's name and gender on the birth certificate of their children after legal gender recognition. RELATED: Meet the gay man elected to lead Greece's leftist party in historic first You can learn more about Greece's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at Finn stock via Shutterstock Finland's Helsinki Pride 2019 celebration Overall score 2024: 69.85 percent (6th) Overall score 2023: 70.78 percent (6th) Strengths: Perfect score for Civil Society Space Weaknesses: Intersex Bodily Integrity Quote of note: 'In June, the Helsinki Pride march attracted an estimated 100,000 participants. This year's event was notable for the first-time involvement of the Rainbow Police of Finland, an LGBTI police association established in 2020 by current and former police officers and civilian staff.' RELATED: Google down these 25 mouthwatering artworks from Tom of Finland Fest You can learn more about Finland's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at OSCAR GONZALEZ FUENTES/Shutterstock Spain Gran Via in Madrid 2025 protest to support transgender community Overall score 2024: 77.97 percent (5th) Overall score 2023: 76.41 percent (4th) Strengths: Civil Society Space and Asylum Weaknesses: Hate Crime & Hate Speech Quote of note: 'In May, several cases of bias-motivated violence were recorded across Spain. These include the violent beating of a 14-year-old trans girl by a peer, a homophobic attack against openly gay singer Miguel Garena, and an episode of harassment faced by a health worker who received a threatening letter accompanied by a photograph of him and his partner in the crosshairs of a gun.' RELATED: Emira D'Spain makes history as Bravo's first trans cast member You can learn more about Spain's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at oleschwander/Shutterstock Denmark Copenhagen 2018 annual Pride Parade Overall score 2024: 80.10 percent (4th) Overall score 2023: 76.35 percent (5th) Strengths: Perfect score for Civil Society Space Weaknesses: Intersex Bodily Integrity Quote of note: 'In February, the Danish government, along with most opposition parties, reached an agreement regarding surrogacy that aims to simplify the recognition of parenthood for Danish parents utilising surrogacy, whether domestically or abroad. A corresponding bill was presented in a public hearing. Under the new framework, the requirement for second-parent adoption will be eliminated, with the primary focus being the child's benefit from the recognition.' RELATED: Former Denmark ambassador responds to VP Vance's 'not a good ally' comments You can learn more about Denmark's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at LIVEK/Shutterstock Iceland Reykjavik Pride parade 2024 Overall score 2024: 84.06 percent (3rd) Overall score 2023: 83.02 percent (2nd) Strengths: Perfect scores for Legal Gender Recognition and Civil Society Space Weaknesses: Intersex Bodily Integrity and Asylum Quote of note: 'On January 1st, a law banning conversion therapy for sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression took effect. The law was passed on June 9, 2023, with 53 out of parliamentarians voting in agreement.' RELATED: The land of fire and ice – Your gay guide to Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula You can learn more about Iceland's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at Alexandros Michailidis/Shutterstock Belgium Brussels 2023 pride parade Overall score 2024: 85.31 percent (2nd) Overall score 2023: 78.47 (3rd) Strengths: Perfect scores for Hate Crime & Hate Speech and Civil Society Space Weaknesses: Intersex Bodily Integrity Quote of note: 'In February, Belgium introduced a new Criminal Code that removes the distinction between discrimination based on 'racial' criteria and other grounds, including sexual orientation, in employment and goods and services. This means that discrimination against individuals based on sexual orientation is now treated with the same legal seriousness as discrimination based on race, ensuring equal protection under the law.' RELATED: 15 destinations from Lonely Planet's new LGBTQ+ travel guide You can learn more about Belgium's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at chmaraa/Shutterstock Malta Pride Week 2022 Overall score 2024: 88.83 percent (1st) Overall score 2023: 87.84 percent (1st) Strengths: Perfect scores for Hate Crime & Hate Speech, Legal Gender Recognition, and Civil Society Space Weaknesses: Intersex Bodily Integrity Quote of note: 'A survey conducted by the EU Agency for Human Rights revealed that 62 percent of LGBTI people in Malta feel comfortable disclosing their sexual orientation, surpassing the EU average of 51 percent.' RELATED: Malta unveiled – Your ultimate LGBTQ+ guide to the Mediterranean paradise You can learn more about Malta's performance at the ILGA Europe Rainbow Map. You can reach the entire ILGA Europe Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex People in Europe and Central Asia at
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
January Littlejohn story about ‘secret' gender transition needs context
In President Donald Trump's Tuesday night address to Congress, he referenced the story of one of his invited guests to illustrate the "toxic ideologies" he was trying to erase from schools. "A few years ago, January Littlejohn and her husband discovered that their daughter's school had secretly socially transitioned their 13-year-old little girl," Trump said. "Teachers and administrators conspired to deceive January and her husband while encouraging her daughter to use a new name and pronouns, they/them pronouns actually, all without telling January." In 2021, Littlejohn sued Florida's Leon County school district in federal court claiming school officials had directed the school staff to deceive parents and conceal information from parents regarding students' gender identities. But emails between Littlejohn and her child's teacher obtained by CNN reveal a more complex Aug. 27, 2020, CNN reported, Littlejohn emailed a teacher that she and her husband were aware their child was "currently identifying as non-binary" and "would like to go by the new name (redacted) and prefers the pronouns they/them." According to CNN, Littlejohn told the teacher that although they had not changed what they call the child at home, "If she wants to go by the name (redacted) with her teachers, I won't stop her."When the teacher asked if they could share the info with other teachers, Littlejohn replied, "Whatever you think is best or (redacted) can handle it herself," and "I'm going to let her take the lead on this."These email exchanges are referenced in the lawsuit filed by Littlejohn, which focuses on what happened after the email exchange. Littlejohn alleges that the school administrators then met with her child in September 2020 and created a support plan without notifying her or her husband. Littlejohn said she was initially denied details of those meetings when she requested information about them, but the school district provided a copy of the support plan in November 2020. Littlejohn's lawsuit also targeted the school district's policy regarding transgender students, saying it violated parents' "fundamental rights." An FAQ portion of Leon County Schools' Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Gender Nonconforming and Questioning Support Guide said that if "a student has exhibited behavior in school leading administrators or teachers to believe the student is LGBTQ+," parents should not be notified. "Outing a student, especially to parents, can be very dangerous to the students health and well-being," it read. In 2022, Florida enacted the Parental Rights in Education Act, which critics call the "Don't Say Gay" law. The law does not explicitly mandate schools notify parents of a change in gender identity, it but says school districts must "adopt procedures for notifying a student's parent if there is a change in the student's services or monitoring related to the student's mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being." Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis frequently referenced Littlejohn's story as an example of why the law was needed. A federal judge dismissed Littlejohn's lawsuit in December 2022 for "failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted." The judge said a state court might be a more appropriate venue to handle the claim. The Littlejohns, represented by lawyers from the public interest law firm Child & Parental Rights Campaign, have appealed. Littlejohn now works as a parent advocate for Do No Harm, a nonprofit that advocates against diversity, equity and inclusion programs and opposes gender-affirming medical care for minors. CNN, Fact check: Emails show one of DeSantis' stories backing the rationale for so-called 'Don't Say Gay' law didn't happen as the governor says, April 6, 2022 PolitiFact, "Can you 'say gay' in Florida schools? Explaining new settlement over LGBTQ+ 'instruction'," March 14, 2024 United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, "Verified Complaint," Oct. 18, 2021 Politico, "LCS Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Gender Nonconforming and Questioning Support Guide," accessed March 4, 2025 Case Text, "Littlejohn v. Sch. Bd. of Leon Cnty. Fla.," Dec. 22, 2022 CourtListener, "January Littlejohn v. School Board of Leon County Florida, 23-10385," accessed March 5, 2025 CourtListener, "January Littlejohn v. School Board of Leon County Florida, 4:21-cv-00415," accessed March 5, 2025 DoNoHarm, "January Littlejohn," accessed March 5, 2025 DoNoHarm, "About," accessed March 5, 2025 DoNoHarm, "Do No Harm Files Amicus Briefs in Support of President Trump's Gender Executive Order," Feb. 25, 2025 Tallahassee Democrat, "Lawsuit against Leon Schools says district excluded parents from gender discussions," Nov. 16, 2021 Politico, "How a lawsuit over a teen spurred Florida Republicans to pass the 'Don't Say Gay' law," March 29, 2022 This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: January Littlejohn story about 'secret' gender transition needs context
The Independent
18-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Openly gay Muslim imam killed in suspected hate crime
A prominent LGBTQ+ Muslim leader, Muhsin Hendricks, has been shot dead in South Africa. The killing has raised fears of a politically motivated assassination. Hendricks, widely regarded as the first openly gay Muslim imam, was ambushed on Saturday in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth). Security footage shows a masked assailant jumping from a pickup truck and firing multiple shots through the car window where Hendricks was sitting. A driver accompanying Hendricks survived the attack. While official motives are still under investigation, political parties and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups suspect Hendricks was targeted for his progressive religious views. He founded an inclusive mosque in Cape Town specifically welcoming LGBTQ+ Muslims, challenging traditional Islamic teachings on homosexuality. South Africa's Justice Ministry has confirmed it is investigating the possibility of an assassination. Hendricks was known internationally and spoke at the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association's (ILGA) conference in South Africa in 2024. The ILGA family 'is in deep shock at the news of the murder of Muhsin Hendricks and calls on authorities to thoroughly investigate what we fear may be a hate crime', said Julia Ehrt, executive director of the association. 'He supported and mentored so many people in South Africa and around the world in their journey to reconcile with their faith.' The ILGA said Hendricks had spoken of how some people were calling for the closure of his mosque and had branded it the 'gay temple'. The Democratic Alliance, South Africa's second biggest political party, said 'the nature of the killing strongly suggests a professional hit'. Hendricks said in an interview with a South African newspaper in 2022 that he felt he was the target of a series of fatwas – rulings in Islamic law – issued by South Africa's Muslim Judicial Council that year. They reminded the country's Muslims that same-sex relationships were prohibited, although the council said gay Muslims who abstain from 'same-sex actions' should be welcomed at mosques. Hendricks was the subject of a documentary film released the same year called The Radical, in which he said that there had been threats against him but 'it just didn't bother me. The need to be authentic was greater than the fear to die'. The film also focused on young gay Muslims who said Hendricks provided somewhere they could pray and practise Islam while still being themselves. The Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa said in a statement Sunday that while it had consistently stated that Hendricks' position was incompatible with Islamic teachings, 'we unequivocally condemn his murder and any acts of violence targeting members of the LGBTQ community or any other community'. Hendricks grew up in a conservative Muslim family and married a woman. He ended the marriage and came out publicly as a gay imam in the mid-1990s and started a support network and later a mosque for gay Muslims. He advocated for their inclusion through his Al-Ghurbaah Foundation and referred to himself as 'the world's first openly queer imam'. 'When I was looking at the way queer Muslims were negotiating this dilemma between Islam and their sexual orientation and identity, I felt compelled to do something about it,' he said, explaining his beliefs. 'And I thought, for me to help would probably be for me to be authentic with myself and come out. I think it's possible to be queer and Muslim or queer and Christian.' In a message on its official Facebook page, the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation said Hendricks was 'a great father and a guardian of many. Continue resting with angels'.
CBC
18-02-2025
- CBC
A gay imam was killed in South Africa. His friend says his death 'will not be in vain'
Muhsin Hendricks showed the world that 'it's possible to be both queer and a devout Muslim,' his longtime friend and colleague, Rev. Jide Macaulay, told As It Happens guest host Helen Mann. Muhsin Hendricks showed the world that "it's possible to be both queer and a devout Muslim," says his longtime friend and colleague. Hendricks — a South African imam who dedicated his life to helping 2SLGBTQ+ Muslims reconcile their identities with their faith — was shot and killed on Saturday in the city of Gqeberha. He was 57 years old. "Muhsin put himself out there. He made himself visible," Rev. Jide Macaulay, a gay Anglican minister and Hendricks's longtime friend, told As It Happens guest host Helen Mann. "It's a great loss not just to the LGBT community and not just to the faith community, but indeed to the world we live in today." Motive for killing not known Hendricks, who described himself as the world's first openly gay imam, was shot after being ambushed by two men in a pickup truck whose faces were covered, according to police. A security video of the shooting shows one of them jumping out of their vehicle, running up to the car Hendricks was in and firing a pistol multiple times through a side window. Police have not established a motive for the killing, but political parties and advocacy organizations say they believe Hendricks, who had long faced death threats, may have been targeted because of his work. The Democratic Alliance, South Africa's second-largest political party, said that "the nature of the killing strongly suggests a professional hit." Julia Ehrt, executive director of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, called on authorities to "thoroughly investigate what we fear may be a hate crime." The Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa said that while it had consistently stated that Hendricks's position was incompatible with Islamic teachings, "We unequivocally condemn his murder and any acts of violence targeting members of the LGBTQ community or any other community." South Africa's Justice Department said it was investigating claims that he was the target of an assassination. Hendricks was a world-renowned imam and activist who argued there was nothing in the Qur'an that forbade same-sex relations. He advocated for inclusion through his Al-Ghurbaah Foundation and ran a mosque in Cape Town specifically for 2SLGBTQ+ people. In the 2022 documentary The Radical, Hendricks spoke about the risks of being a gay cleric but said that his need to be his authentic self was greater than his fear of dying. It's a feeling Macaulay said he's all too familiar with. "Our authentic self is likely to put us in harm's way. Our authentic self has been criminalized. Our authentic self has been demonized," said Macaulay, founder of the faith-based 2SLGBTQ+ organization House of Rainbow. "He went as far as to become a cleric, you know, in the very same religion that condemns him, that demonizes him. And that is why it is very painful to see the violence against him." 'Gay Pastor Meets Gay Imam' When Macaulay first met Hendricks 16 years ago, he said, they cracked jokes that the headline would be "Gay Pastor Meets Gay Imam." "As radical as it is, then it was unheard of," Macaulay said. "We were clearly, you know, counterparts." The parallels between them, he said, ran deep. Both grew up in Africa, Hendricks in South Africa and Macaulay in Nigeria. Both married women when they were young men, then came out as gay in their late 20s. Both went on spiritual journeys to reconcile faith with their sexual orientations. And both shared a mission: to create safe spaces for other queer people of faith. "I think the fact that we were both previously married before we came out as gay men is actually evident in the fact that we were quite focused on the African tradition of, you know, very normative, you know, patriarchal system," Macaulay said. "Breaking out of that takes a lot of guts and it takes a lot of fierceness. And I think that the unfortunate ending of his life is brutal. It takes away something precious from our world." Macaulay said that as a friend, Hendricks was "gentle," "jovial" and "playful," but also hard-working and deeply dedicated to his mission and his faith. "He loved to dance. He loved to have lots of fun," he said. "But at the same time, he's also very, very intellectual, very creative." Macaulay said that Hendricks was also a loving and dedicated father to his three children. "They have taken him away from his children. And that is heartbreaking because, at the same time, we do have communities that look up to him as a father figure as well," he said. In a message on its official Facebook page, the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation called Hendricks "a great father and a guardian of many. Continue resting with angels." Macaulay said Hendricks's impact on others gives him hope that even though his friend is dead, his mission will continue. "His legacy is so strong that I'm praying and hoping that it will continue," he said. "We need to let the world know that, you know, his death will not be in vain."
