Global Queer News

February 5-12, 2021

State of the World…

We made great advances towards freedom this week!

Angola decriminalized homosexuality (!), the Australian state of Victoria banned conversion therapy, queer people joined the front lines of protests in Myanmar, the Dutch parliament voted to constitutionally ban discrimination based on sexual orientation, and President Biden in the United States issued a directive on international LGBTQI rights. 

However, progress and protest were met with resistance as a famous tennis player sought provisions after Biden’s executive order on transgender people in sports, two LGBT activists were kidnapped in Russia by Chechen security forces, China’s LGBT communities feared that new internet rules will silence voices, Honduras banned marriage equality through its constitution, and Turkey’s President Erdogan stated that there is no such thing as LGBT.

Queer movements are like moving one step forward and two steps back. We’re sending strength to those activists and communities facing resistance week after week, and wish you all health and happiness in our continued fight for freedom!

Global Queer News is an initiative of The Global Center’s Media Unit. Each week, we gather the top seven queer stories from around the world and synthesize them for your knowledge and action.