LGBTQ+ rights & well-being

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs bill banning “gay or trans panic” defense

| By | -, Change Milestones

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed a slate of 39 bills into law, including H.B. 4718. The legislation, sponsored by bisexual state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D), states that in criminal trials, “evidence of the discovery of, knowledge about, or potential disclosure of an individual’s actual or perceived sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation is not admissible” for the purposes of demonstrating “reasonable provocation.”

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs bill banning “gay or trans panic” defense Read more

Lgbt pride rainbow flag during parade in the city .

South Korea’s top court upholds the rights of people in same-sex relationships in historic ruling

| By | -, Change Milestones

The landmark ruling states that benefits from South Korea’s National Health Insurance Service can be claimed by people in same-sex partnerships and that treating same-sex couples differently than heterosexual ones is “an act of discrimination that… violates human dignity and the right to pursue happiness.” South Korea does not recognize same-sex marriage under the law, so the ruling is major progress in extending the protections and rights to same-sex couples.

South Korea’s top court upholds the rights of people in same-sex relationships in historic ruling Read more

Lgbt pride rainbow flag during parade in the city .

California passes first-in-the-nation law banning forced outings of queer students in state public schools

| By | -, Change Milestones

The SAFETY Act prohibits “parental notification” policies in school districts that require educators to notify parents if their child requests to use pronouns and facilities different from the gender they were assigned at birth. The law, which goes into effect immediately, also protects teachers and administrators from retaliation if they choose not to to follow district directives to out queer kids to their parents.

California passes first-in-the-nation law banning forced outings of queer students in state public schools Read more

Lgbt pride rainbow flag during parade in the city .

Joe Biden to pardon thousands of American veterans convicted of having gay sex

| By | -, Change Milestones

Biden said he was “righting a historic wrong by using my clemency authority to pardon many former service members who were convicted simply for being themselves,” calling the law “a great injustice.” This act of clemency means that thousands of military personnel who were convicted over six decades for engaging in consensual sexual intercourse with someone of the same sex would be able to apply for a certificate of pardon that would help them gain access to benefits that were previously withheld.

Joe Biden to pardon thousands of American veterans convicted of having gay sex Read more

Lgbt pride rainbow flag during parade in the city .

Namibia’s High Court decriminalizes homosexuality

| By | -, Change Milestones

The court’s ruling occurred in a case involving Friedel Dausab, a gay Namibian man, who argued that anti-gay sections of the country’s Immigration Control and Defense Acts constituted unfair discrimination and infringed on citizens’ fundamental rights. The court’s judges found that the laws unfairly discriminate between straight men, women, and gay men and were “based on prejudice and unfounded societal biases.”

Namibia’s High Court decriminalizes homosexuality Read more

Thai flag

Thailand’s Senate overwhelmingly approves bill legalizing marriage equality

| By | -, Change Milestones

The bill will also allow LGBTQ+ couples to adopt children together. Though it still must be formally approved by King Maha Vajiralongkorn to become law, he is expected to support its passing. Once passed, it will make Thailand the third country in Asia and the first in Southeastern Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.

Thailand’s Senate overwhelmingly approves bill legalizing marriage equality Read more

San Francisco and Golden Gate Bridge at sunset

San Francisco votes unanimously to become a sanctuary city for trans & nonbinary people

| By | -

San Francisco, California has become the largest city in the United States to declare itself a sanctuary city for transgender, gender nonconforming, nonbinary, and Two Spirit people to safely receive gender-affirming healthcare. The city’s Board of Supervisors has voted unanimously to bar city officials from assisting any out-of-state investigations into individuals who obtain, provide, or help others access gender-affirming care.

San Francisco votes unanimously to become a sanctuary city for trans & nonbinary people Read more

Karla Sofia Gascon

Karla Sofía Gascón becomes the first trans woman to win award for Best Actress at Cannes

| By | -, Change Milestones

For the first time in its 77-year history, the Cannes Film Festival’s jury bestowed the award for Best Actress on an out transgender woman. Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón received the award at Saturday night’s gala awards ceremony alongside Adriana Paz, Zoe Saldaña, and Selena Gomez, her co-stars in French film-maker Jacques Audiard’s Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez.

Karla Sofía Gascón becomes the first trans woman to win award for Best Actress at Cannes Read more

Minneapolis skyline at sunset

Minnesota bans the LGBTQ+ panic defense

| By | -, Change Milestones

Minnesota passed H.F. 5216, a bill that bans the infamous LGBTQ+ panic defense, the LA Blade reports. The LGBTQ+ panic defense is when a defendant argues that they “panicked” when they learned that their victim was LGBTQ+ as an excuse for anti-LGBTQ+ violence. Signed by Gov. Tim Walz (D) after making its way through the state’s House of Representatives and Senate. It will go into effect on August 1, 2024.

Minnesota bans the LGBTQ+ panic defense Read more

Start typing and press enter to search