Japanese higher court rules in favor of marriage equality
The ruling adds pressure on the Japanese parliament to legalize same-sex marriages. Japan remains the only country in the G7 that has not legalized marriage equality.
LGBTQ+ rights & well-being
Mexico adds nonbinary option to passports
Nonbinary Mexicans now have the option to select “X” as their gender marker, rather than male or female. Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard called the move “a great leap for the freedom and dignity of people.”
Illinois set to become first U.S. state to end book bans
Governor Pritzker is expected to sign a bill that would block essential state funding for public libraries and public schools in Illinois that ban books.
Latvia elects the first openly gay head of state in Europe
The country’s parliament has elected Edgars Rinkēvičs to be its next president. Rinkēvičs publicly came out as gay in November 2014.
U.S. FDA to end ban on gay & bi men donating blood
The FDA finalized recommendations for determining donor eligibility by using the same questions for everyone who wants to donate, similar to how the U.K., Canada, and France currently determine risk.
Kansas City declares itself a “sanctuary city” for transgender people
The move comes in response to the state’s Republican-led legislature passing two bills aimed at limiting the rights of transgender Missourians.
Namibia’s highest court recognizes same-sex marriages performed in other countries
In a historic ruling, the Supreme Court of Namibia has ruled that the government is required to recognize same-sex marriages performed legally in other nations between citizens and foreign nationals.
Vermont governor signs 1st-in-nation shield bills that explicitly include medicated abortion
The bills protect providers from discipline for providing legally protected reproductive and gender affirming health care services.
Taiwan amends law to allow same-sex couples to adopt
Four years after Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage, the legislature has passed an amendment that makes the process of adoption for same-sex partners the same as for any other couple under Taiwan’s existing laws.
Eight Florida mayors sign pledge to support LGBTQ+ youth
The mayors of Orlando, Miami Beach, Tampa, Tallahassee, and four other Florida cities have released proclamations declaring that their communities are safe and affirming places for LGBTQ+ Floridians in defiance of new state policies.