Latest news with #InternationalDayAgainstHomophobia
HKFP
31-07-2025
- Politics
- HKFP
Pink Dot – Hong Kong's largest LGBTQ event – cancelled after organiser denied West Kowloon venue
Hong Kong's largest LGBTQ event, Pink Dot, has been cancelled, with the organiser citing its failure to secure the usual venue at the West Kowloon Cultural District. In a statement on Thursday, the organiser said that it 'began to engage [with] West Kowloon Cultural District' early this year to rent Art Park – an outdoor venue – on October 12. 'However, while we were busy with planning and preparations, we were notified… that the venue could not be rented to us, without any explanation provided,' the statement read. The organiser added that there were few outdoor venues suitable for Pink Dot, and given the difficulty in finding a location on such short notice, it had made the decision to cancel this year's event. The October event would have been the 11th year that Pink Dot had been held in Hong Kong. Pink Dot's yearly carnival aims to promote diversity and raise awareness of the LGBTQ community by featuring activities such as talks and performances by activists. In response the HKFP, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) said it 'reviews venue hire applications in accordance with established procedures.' It does not comment on individual cases, the authority added. Space for advocacy In recent years, Hong Kong has seen fewer large-scale LGBTQ events. The last time a pride parade was held in the city was in 2018, with organisers now holding indoor bazaars in place of the street march. LGBTQ activists have lamented the fewer opportunities to publicly promote their cause. The space for advocacy in Hong Kong has narrowed since Beijing imposed a national security law, prompting dozens of civil society groups to shut down under pressure. While LGBTQ groups have not been specifically targeted, activists say it has become harder to host large-scale events. In May, to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), LGBTQ groups held talks and activities to engage passersby on a street in Causeway Bay. Activists said they cherished the rare opportunity to engage the public on LGBTQ issues. Pink Dot's cancellation comes as the government is attempting to pass a bill introducing a framework that recognises same-sex partnerships for couples who have married overseas. The bill has been widely opposed by the 'patriots-only' Legislative Council, with lawmakers saying it is a threat to heterosexual marriage. Activists, meanwhile, say it falls short of truly protecting same-sex couples but have urged lawmakers to vote in favour of the bill. The framework only gives limited rights to same-sex couples. For example, one can visit their same-sex partner in hospital and make medical decisions for their mentally incapacitated partner. If their partner dies, they will be entitled to rights including identifying the body at a mortuary, making funeral arrangements and arranging cremation. The proposal is a response to a Court of Final Appeal judgment in September 2023, which ruled that the government must establish a framework for registering same-sex partnerships, stopping short of recognising same-sex marriage.
LeMonde
26-07-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
In Germany, the LGBTQ+ flag is at the heart of a new culture war
The rainbow flag will not fly above the Bundestag on Saturday, July 26, during Berlin's Christopher Street Day (CSD), the annual parade in support of LGBTQ+ rights. This decision, which ends a practice that began in 2022, has sparked heated debate in Germany at a time when the far right is gaining ground and attacks against sexual minorities are increasing. The turning point came in mid-May. Just days after the new government took office, Bundestag President Julia Klöckner, of the Christian Democrat (CDU) party, announced that she would ban the raising of the rainbow flag atop the Bundestag for CSD in the name of neutrality for public buildings and administration, considering it a "political demonstration." She explained that this symbol of diversity and the fight against discrimination would now only be displayed atop of the building one day a year: on May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia. Klöckner also banned the "Parliament's Queer Network," a group of LGBTQ+ staff, from participating in the CSD parade as a political group. Its members may attend only in a private capacity. In doing so, the Bundestag president broke with the approach of her predecessor, Social Democrat Bärbel Bas, who had herself participated in CSD in 2023 and 2024 and had the flag flown atop the building.
Euronews
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Merz faces Pride flag fallout after saying Bundestag 'not a circus'
German Chancellor and CDU party leader Friedrich Merz is facing significant backlash from his political opponents after rejecting calls to fly a Pride flag at the Bundestag, which he said was "not a circus tent where any flag could be hoisted". In an appearance on public broadcaster ARD on Tuesday, Merz defended his party's lawmakers and Bundestag President Julia Klöckner — who previously declined to display the rainbow flag for Christopher Street Day on 26 July — saying the banner should only be flown on 17 May, the International Day Against Homophobia. "On all other days, the German flag and the European flag are flown at the German Bundestag and no other. And this decision is the right one," he said. In Germany, Christopher Street Day is observed in memory of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York — the first major LGBTQ+ community uprising against persecution — and is typically marked by Pride events across the country. In previous years, the rainbow flag was displayed at the Bundestag building during Pride events, and prior chancellors have participated in Christopher Street Day celebrations. Merz's words have sparked considerable criticism from the opposition. Sophie Koch, the government's queer commissioner and centre-left SPD lawmaker questioned whether the statement implied LGBTQ+ community were "circus animals". Green Party leader in the Bundestag, Katharina Dröge, stated that the rainbow flag represents "a group that is increasingly affected by hostility, violence and hatred" and thus has its place in parliament. Green-led lawmakers also staged a protest in the Bundestag chamber, wearing clothes that collectively formed the rainbow flag.
Japan Today
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Britain appoints first female head of MI6 spy agency
FILE PHOTO: The MI6 Vauxhall Cross building raises the Rainbow Flag to mark its support for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia in London, Britain, May 17, 2016. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/File Photo By Suzanne Plunkett Britain on Sunday named Blaise Metreweli, a career intelligence officer, as the first female head of the Secret Intelligence Service, the foreign spy service known as MI6. Metreweli, 47, who is currently MI6's head of technology, known as "Q", joined the Secret Intelligence Service in 1999, and has spent most of her career in operational roles in the Middle East and Europe, the government said in a statement. Richard Moore, the current chief of MI6, will step down in the autumn after a five-year tenure. "I am proud and honored to be asked to lead my service," said Metreweli, who takes on one of the most powerful jobs in Western intelligence and will be known by the code name "C". MI6, founded in 1909, joins the other main British spy agencies, the domestic spy service MI5, and the intelligence communications agency GCHQ, in having appointed a female head. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is currently in Canada for the G7 summit, said Metreweli's appointment comes when Britain is "facing threats on an unprecedented scale". "I know Blaise will continue to provide the excellent leadership needed to defend our country," he said. Metreweli's biggest challenges are likely to be dealing with Russia, China and Iran. Britain's spy agencies have accused Russia of waging a campaign of sabotage across Europe to scare other countries off from backing Ukraine in its fight against a Russian invasion. Moore in 2021 said China was the single greatest priority for his spy agency, while MI5 said last year that Iran had been behind 20 plots to kill, kidnap or target dissidents or political opponents in Britain since 2022. MI6, depicted by novelists as the employer of some of the most memorable fictional spies, from John le Carré's George Smiley to Ian Fleming's James Bond, operates overseas and is tasked with defending Britain and its interests. Metreweli previously held a director-level role in MI5, and studied anthropology at the University of Cambridge, the government said. MI5 has had two female bosses, starting with Stella Rimington in 1992. Eliza Manningham-Buller ran MI5 between 2002 and 2007. In 2023, Britain named its first female director of GCHQ. Metreweli's appointment comes three decades after the actress Judi Dench first played a female boss of MI6 in the James Bond film "GoldenEye". © (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025.
Daily Mirror
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ex-Man Utd star Nemanja Matic handed ban after covering anti-homophobia sign
Nemanja Matic covered up an anti-homophobia logo during Lyon's final game of the season, with Ligue 1 chiefs coming down hard on the former Manchester United star Former Manchester United star Nemanja Matic has been handed a four-match ban for covering up an anti-homophobia logo on his Lyon shirt. The midfielder joined the French side 18 months ago from Ligue 1 rivals Rennes. Matic has been a key player for Lyon, even captaining them on occasions. He was brought on as a late substitute in their final day triumph over Angers, which helped them secure qualification for the Europa League. The final day was Ligue 1's dedicated period to show support for the LGBT+ community. The games coincided with International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on 17 May. Clubs put a rainbow patch on their shirt sleeves, as well as a symbol which had the word 'homophobia' in French crossed out with a red line and 'football' underneath. Matic appeared on the pitch with a piece of white material covering the rainbow logo. The 36-year-old was blasted for the move by France's sports minister Marie Barsacq, who said: ' Football has a massive platform, and the (French Football) Federation is determined to put this issue on the clubs' and supporters' agenda. 'Homophobic insults and behaviour are no longer acceptable. Society has evolved, and the language in football must change with it. There's a full range of sanctions available, and they must be applied.' He was subsequently charged by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), which governs French football. Their disciplinary committee have now confirmed the punishment, with Matic handing a two-match ban, with a further two matches suspended. He has also agreed to participate in an awareness-raising campaign on the fight against homophobia within six months. An LFP statement read: 'After hearing the player, the Commission sanctioned him with a two-match suspension and a two-match suspended sentence. 'Furthermore, the Commission offered the player—who immediately agreed during the hearing—to participate, within six months, in an awareness-raising campaign on the fight against homophobia in football, in collaboration with an expert association working alongside the LFP throughout the season with clubs and supporters.' Le Havre's Ahmed Hassan has been handed the same punishment after also covering up the rainbow logo on his shirt. Homophobia remains a huge problem in football, with Josh Cavallo, the first-ever top-flight star to come out, urging players to stand with LGBT+ people. 'The thing I would say to them is this could be your brother, it could be your mum or dad or sister who is experiencing this or going through this. To see them taking it away is bascially saying they're not included or accepted,' he told Mirror Football in an exclusive interview last year. 'So it is quite hurtful. They don't realise how impactful that could be to the LGBT+ community. It breaks my heart every time I see something like that. It's not on. If you're a football player, you have certain responsibilities. 'There's certain things you can or can't say on the pitch because you'll get sent off. There's things you can and can't do in the public right as a professional athlete. So doing that for me, is disgusting. 'It's just saying you don't like associating yourself with a certain group or people, which for me is my life. So, I find it quite disgusting. Everyone wants to be your friend, everyone wants to be an ally, but when it comes to the times we to speak up together, or need support, that's when we count on our allies.'
