On June 21, 2024, the High Court of Namibia overturned colonial-era laws that criminalized same-sex acts between men, delivering a victory for the LGBTQ+ community and human rights advocates in the region.
Thailand’s Senate passed a bill on June 18, 2024, that legalizes same-sex marriage, making Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to grant marriage equality to LGBTQ+ couples.
The US State Department has issued a worldwide caution alert in response to concerns of potential terrorist threats targeting LGBTQ+ individuals and events during Pride Month in June.
Ohio’s state legislature has overridden Governor Mike DeWine’s veto to pass legislation banning transgender medical procedures for minors and placing restrictions on transgender athletes.
Pope Francis has approved the blessing of same-sex couples, aiming to inclusivity while upholding the Catholic Church’s strict stance against gay marriage. The decision, announced on Monday, with some applauding it as a step towards dismantling discrimination within the Church, while others caution that it may perpetuate the notion of inferiority for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Russia’s authorities have taken their crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights to a new level. The Ministry of Justice has filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court with the intent of outlawing the “international public movement” for LGBTQ+ rights in the country.
On November 4, 2023, history was made in the city of Hong Kong as it proudly hosted the first-ever Gay Games in Asia. With nearly 2,400 participants from 45 countries, this event is a step forward for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity in the region.
Japan’s Supreme Court has declared the legal requirement for transgender individuals to undergo sterilization surgery in order to change their legal gender as unconstitutional.
On Saturday, a Pride festival in Tbilisi, Georgia, was fiercely upset by an estimated 2,000 anti-LGBTQ+ protestors. The protestors conflicted with the police, destroyed props, including rainbow flags and notices, and made a chaotic environment.
Target, the renowned retail corporation, has recently faced intense backlash and threats from customers regarding its LGBTQ+ merchandise ahead of Pride month.
