Stories about LGBTQ+
A deep dive into Taiwan's drag scene ahead of Pride 2023
As Taiwan is holding East Asia's largest LGBTQ+ Pride event in late October, local drag shows are experiencing something of a come-back in the island's art scene.
Landmark decision: Supreme Court of India rejects same-sex marriage
On October 17, 2023, a five judge bench of the Supreme Court of India has ruled against legalizing same-sex marriage in a unanimous verdict. This judgment has sparked concerns among LGBTQ+ activists.
Undertones: Transwomen in Pakistan reclaim their ancestral heritage
While Western far-right narratives take root in Pakistan, the queer community endeavors to remind citizens that they have always been there
Brazil: Communicators and activists from marginalized communities discuss online harassment and how they protect themselves
More than half of the journalists, communicators and influencers surveyed said they had received threats or been intimidated online, while 46 percent reported that they had already suffered hacking attempts on social media profiles
Snapshots of an LGBTQ+ immigrant and refugee community in Brazil
For five years now, an organization serves as network and a platform for empowering women and transgender individuals who face challenges related to migration, gender, and sexuality in São Paulo, the largest city of Brazil
Pakistan's transgender community faces increased challenges ahead of elections
In May 2023, the Federal Shariat Court in Pakistan cancelled three sections of the the Transgender Persons Act, prompting the halting of gender-based registration of transgender people and limiting their voting rights.
A queer artist’s quest for sexual liberation in Thailand
Patthakarn Sadubtham "tries to use art as a medium to alleviate the hardships that many gay individuals, some still compelled to remain in the closet, have had to endure."
#VoicesOfChange: Lorena Duarte fights for the rights of trans women in Colombia
"Today, more and more trans women are finishing their studies and becoming professionals," explains activist Lorena Duarte.
In Azerbaijan, one young queer activist is defying boundaries
Existing legislation in Azerbaijan does not address hate crimes based on gender identity or sexual orientation. There is also no law on bullying despite advocacy efforts of activists.
Hong Kong top court says city must implement legal framework for same-sex relationships
HK’s top court: the government has not fulfilled its constitutional duty to provide any legal framework for same-sex relationships to be recognised.
The story of a transgender person in an occupied city in Ukraine
Knowing the homophobic Russian state policy, members of the LGBTQ+ community tried to avoid the Russian occupiers, fearing they might face increased persecution because of their gender or sexuality.
Gay couple fled from Russia to Moldova due to war and homophobia
After fleeing Russia due to the war and mounting homophobia, the couple is adjusting to being together without worrying that they could be arrested for being gay
Is the exiled Iranian queer community finally getting acceptance in the Iranian diaspora?
Punishable by death in Iran, homosexuality is also condemned by many member sof the Iranian diaspora. Yet thanks to a few exiled activists, things could be changing outside the country.
Unraveling the crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in several African countries
It is crucial to foster a nuanced understanding of LGBTQ+ rights advocacy that respects cultural diversity while upholding the principles of human rights and equality.
Disinformation fuels church protest against gender equality in North Macedonia
The iconography of June 29 protest, organized by Macedonian Orthodox Church and right-wing political parties, included religious and nationalist symbols, Russian flags and participation by pro-Kremlin politicians and associations.
In Turkey, even university graduations are political
Interventions into the education landscape began subtly at first, but over the years, they were replaced with efforts to reform the curriculum along more religious lines and deeper control mechanisms.
A ‘diplomatic tiff’ over same-sex marriage is downplayed, but differences on LGBTQ+ issues remain in the Jamaica-U.S. relationship
"While several Caribbean nations took positive steps towards recognition of the LGBTQ+ community in 2022, Jamaica was not among them.
In Turkey, conservatives go after a queer volleyball star
Divisions between between Turkey's conservatives and secularists are worsening. The latest showdown occurred after conservatives attacked a queer volleyball player after her team brought home a gold medal.
‘Please hate the terrorist state’: Trans people and allies speak up against a transphobic law in Russia
A group of anonymous activists who call themselves The Ural Queer Republic, from the Russian city of Ekaterinburg, announced an action and launched Twitter and Telegram channels before the approval of the law.
Confronted with violence, Tbilisi PRIDE organizers cancel the festival
By the time the mob approached the festival venue, the festival organizers and all of the guests of the event were evacuated to avoid confrontation.
Funding for LGBTQ+ movements in South Asia
The LGBTQI+ movements in South Asia have to work with little to no funding support. As a consequence, the rights and issues of LGBTQ+ people are severely under-resourced.