The Cook Islands decriminalize homosexuality
With the Crimes Amendment Bill, the group of 15 islands located in the South Pacific has rescinded a 1969 law that said men who have sex with men could be jailed for up to five years.
LGBTQ+ rights & well-being
This archive tracks real progress on LGBTQ+ rights and well-being — from legal protections and policy wins to health access, community support, and cultural recognition. Each story focuses on what’s working and where momentum is building, offering a grounded, hopeful look at a topic that shapes millions of lives.
Germany & France join E.U. nations suing Hungary over anti-LGBTQ+ law
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the European Parliament have also applied to join the suit.
New Mexico updates anti-discrimination law to include LGBTQ+ protections
The new law establishes a broader slate of protections for LGBTQ+ people by defining gender and sex in state law and expanding existing definitions of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signs order protecting rights to gender-affirming healthcare
Walz’s executive order parallels legislation awaiting a floor vote in the state House to make Minnesota a “trans refuge state.”
South Korea court recognizes same-sex couple rights for first time
Same-sex health insurance benefits just won recognition in a South Korean court for the first time, in a case brought by So Seong-wook after the national insurer reversed his approved coverage as his partner’s dependent. The Seoul High Court ruled that denying spousal benefits to a same-sex couple was unlawful discrimination, with judges writing that being in the minority “cannot be wrong itself.” The decision doesn’t legalize same-sex marriage, but it reads existing law broadly enough to include same-sex partners in one of the most practical recognitions a state offers. In a country still without a legal framework for same-sex partnerships, that’s a meaningful crack in the wall — and a reminder that equality often arrives one plaintiff, one ruling at a time.
Utah to ban LGBTQ conversion therapy
The Utah State Legislature has unanimously approved a bill that enshrines into law a ban on LGBTQ conversion therapy. It now goes to Governor Spencer Cox, who has signaled support for it.
Finland passes law making it easier for trans people to change their legal gender
The new laws mean transgender people aged 18 and older can legally change their gender by a process of self-declaration, and no longer have to go through an onerous medical and psychiatric approval process first.
Dutch constitution will be amended to ban LGBTQ+ discrimination
Following the Dutch Senate’s vote passing the proposal in a 56–15 vote, it now only needs to be signed by King Willem-Alexander and the responsible minister before becoming law.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs extends protections to LGBTQ+ state employees and contractors
The executive order goes beyond existing laws banning employment discrimination to include factors such as sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, culture, creed, social origin, and political affiliation.
Ukraine passes bill banning LGBTQ+ hate speech in media
The bill bans hate speech and incitement based on sexual orientation and gender identity.