ILGA World is seeking an Executive Director (Geneva)

ILGA World – the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association is seeking an authentic, respected and mission-driven individual to join as Executive Director. LGBTI D/deaf and disabled people; lesbian and bisexual women; intersex persons; trans, gender-diverse, and non-binary persons; and persons from the Global South are especially encouraged to apply, to increase the representation of people among LGBTI communities in ILGA World’s work.

Read more and apply by 9 August.

First same-sex partnership concluded in Montenegro

On 25 July, the first ever same-sex partnership was concluded in Montenegro, in the town of Budva. The same-sex partnership law was voted by Parliament on 1 July 2020, making Montenegro a leader in the region as the first Western Balkans country outside the EU to adopt such legislation. We now hope to see all relevant bylaws amended so that the law can be implemented in its entirety and all couples under this law can conclude registered partnerships.

Read more (in Montenegrin).

New Zealand government introduces bill prohibiting LGBTQ conversion therapy

The New Zealand government introduced a bill in the country’s parliament Friday that criminalizes conversion practices targeted at LGBTQ+ people to deter the performance of such practices.

The bill defines conversion practice as any action taken against a person because of that person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, with the intention of changing or suppressing that person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Further, the bill excludes from the scope of conversion practices health services provided by health practitioners, along with people offering legitimate counseling, support, and advice. The bill also exempts the general expression of religious beliefs on sexuality and gender from the definition.

Introducing the bill, Minister of Justice Kris Faafoi said, “conversion practices have no place in modern New Zealand. They are based on the false belief that any person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression is broken and in need of fixing.” He further added, “delivering on our 2020 election manifesto to prohibit conversion practices,” the bill will offer an avenue to redress the harm caused by conversion practices and safeguard all New Zealander’s human rights to live free of discrimination.

The bill makes it illegal for anybody to undertake conversion practice on a person under the age of 18 or on any person who lacks the mental ability to grasp the nature and implications of decisions affecting their health. Any contravention of this provision entails a penalty of imprisonment not exceeding 3 years. Furthermore, the bill stipulates that any conversion practice that causes “serious harm” to a person would be punishable by up to 5 years of imprisonment. In any case, consent of the person undergoing such practices is not a defense.

Moreover, the bill also creates a civil avenue of remedy for survivors of conversion practices by authorizing the Human Rights Commission to receive complaints.

This move comes just months after the New Zealand government announced in February 2021 that it will pass a law prohibiting conversion practices. In June, Canada’s House of Commons also approved a bill criminalizing LGBTQ+ conversion practices.

The post New Zealand government introduces bill prohibiting LGBTQ conversion therapy appeared first on JURIST – News – Legal News & Commentary.

USA: Meet the inspiring same-sex couple who exploited a legal loophole to marry way back in 1971

Read: https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/06/03/jack-michael-mcconnell-america-first-gay-wedding-marriage

LGBT arrest in Ghana: How 21 LGBT activist for Ghana win bail afta arrest

Read: https://www.bbc.com/pidgin/tori-57446432

New article: Purge – Until There Is No One Left- Why the Treatment of LGBTQI+ Persons in Chechnya Amounts to Crimes Against Humanity

Transgender women allowed to play women’s rugby in France

The French rugby federation (FFR) has voted unanimously in favor of allowing transgender women to play women’s rugby as of next season.

Read: https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/18/sport/transgender-women-rugby-france-spt-intl/index.html

TGEU launched a new interactive version of its Trans Rights Map

On occasion of this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, TGEU launched a new interactive version of its Trans Rights Map. It features thematic maps in the categories legal gender recognition, asylum, hate speech/crime, non-discrimination, health, and family.

Which countries prohibit gay or bisexual men from donating blood? (2021)

See: https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/06/14/which-countries-prohibit-gay-or-bisexual-men-from-donating-blood

USA: New York Assembly approves bill creating gender-neutral option on driver’s licenses

The New York State Assembly approved the Gender Recognition Act Thursday, which, if approved by the governor, will provide for the “sex designation of M, F, or X as certified by the applicant [for a driver’s license], with no additional documentation required.”

In addition to creating a gender-neutral designation for applicants’ sex, the bill provides that an individual “may amend the sex designation of their identification card upon request.” An individual may petition the court in their county to recognize their gender identity by submitting an affidavit confirming their gender identity or giving a reason for the change in their designation. The court may not require any additional medical evidence before granting the request.

Minors may also petition through a parent or guardian for a change in gender or sex designation. An individual who states that they wish to change their designation to conform to their gender identity and not “for any fraudulent purpose” is entitled to a new birth certificate, which “if accompanied by a court order for a change of name,” may also include a new chosen name. Parents may also choose to be designated on birth certificates as “mother,” “father,” or “parent.”

The legislation is a step towards recognizing individuals who identify outside of the gender binary and individuals who are transgender but may not have started treatment. If approved by Governor Andrew Cuomo, it will be effective 180 days after becoming a law.

The post New York Assembly approves bill creating gender-neutral option on driver’s licenses appeared first on JURIST – News – Legal News & Commentary.