Latest news with #TransandIntersexAssociation
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
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."
The Independent
17-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Assassination claims as first openly gay Muslim imam shot dead in South Africa
A prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ Muslim community has been fatally shot in South Africa, sparking outrage and fears of an assassination. Muhsin Hendricks, widely considered the first openly gay Muslim imam, was ambushed on Saturday while sitting in a car in Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth. Security footage captured the moment a masked assailant leaped from a pickup truck, firing multiple shots through the car window at Hendricks. A driver accompanying Hendricks survived the attack. While police investigations are ongoing and a motive has yet to be officially established, political parties and LGBTQ+ organisations believe Hendricks was targeted for his progressive religious teachings. He founded a mosque in Cape Town specifically welcoming LGBTQ+ Muslims and advocated for greater inclusion within Islam, despite homosexuality being traditionally forbidden in the religion. 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 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 ILGA. '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 closing 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 practice 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-Ghurbaab 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-Ghurbaab Foundation said Hendricks was 'a great father and a guardian of many. Continue resting with angels'.
Telegraph
17-02-2025
- Telegraph
World's first openly gay imam shot dead in South Africa
Muhsin Hendricks, thought to be the world's first openly gay imam, was killed in a drive-by shooting in South Africa. The cleric, who ran a mosque intended as a safe haven for gay and other marginalised Muslims, was travelling in a car when he was ambushed on Saturday near the southern city of Gqeberha. 'Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots…' the Eastern Cape force said in a statement. 'Thereafter they fled the scene, and the driver noticed that Hendricks, who was seated at the back of the vehicle was shot and killed.' Mr Hendricks was killed after he had reportedly officiated at a lesbian wedding, although this has not been officially confirmed. CCTV footage showed a car blocking the exit of the vehicle in which Mr Hendricks was a passenger. Two masked assailants then jumped out, and one fired multiple shots into the back seat of the other vehicle. Police confirmed the video showed the targeted killing in Bethelsdorp near Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth. 'The motive for the murder is unknown and forms part of the ongoing investigation,' police said, urging anybody with information to come forward. Mr Hendricks, involved in various LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, came out as gay in 1996. He ran the al-Ghurbaah mosque at Wynberg near his birthplace Cape Town. The mosque provides 'a safe space in which queer Muslims and marginalised women can practise Islam', its website states. Tributes News of his death has sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ community with an outpouring of tributes. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (Ilga) denounced the killing. Julia Ehrt, its executive director, said: 'The Ilga world 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.' The Global Interfaith Network described Hendricks as 'more than just a religious leader; he was a pioneer, a visionary, and a beacon of hope for countless marginalised Muslims worldwide'. Mr Hendricks was the subject of the 2022 documentary The Radical, in which he alluded to threats against him. 'The need to be authentic [is] greater than the fear to die,' he said. South Africa has one of the world's highest murder rates, with some 28,000 murders in the year to February 2024, according to police data. In 2006, it became the first country in Africa to legalise same-sex marriage.
