LGBULLETIN #91 – THE WEEK IN LGBTI NEWS (JUNE 16-22, 2017)
Summary
Friday, June 16
First Treaty Bodies decision on legal gender recognitionlaws, administrative procedures or processes by which a person can change their sex/gender marker and names on official identity documents. issued on a case involving an Australian citizen
First decision in the Treaty Bodies on legal gender recognitionlaws, administrative procedures or processes by which a person can change their sex/gender marker and names on official identity documents. released! More about the case: https://t.co/rrgfrB3nu5 pic.twitter.com/e2AY2QAc1O
— ILGA World (@ILGAWORLD) June 19, 2017
The United Nationsan international organisation comprising 193 member States. It has the mission of maintaining peace and security, protecting human rights, providing humanitarian aid and ensuring economic and social development across the globe. It is a network of many different bodies and agencies, each of which has a particular role and responsibility. Human Rights Committee issued a decision stating that Australian laws barring married transadjective/umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. people from changing the sexrefers to the classification of a person as male, female, or other - usually made at birth, written on a birth certificate, and usually based on the appearance of their external anatomy. A person’s sex, however, is actually a combination of bodily characteristics, including chromosomes, hormones, internal and external reproductive organs, and secondary sex characteristics. on their birth certificate are in violation of international human rights lawa legal system laying down obligations which States are bound to respect. By becoming parties to international treaties, States assume obligations and duties under international law to respect, protect and fulfil human rights – including by putting into place domestic measures and legislation. Where domestic legal proceedings fail to address human rights abuses, mechanisms and procedures for individual complaints or communications are available at the regional and international levels to help ensure that international human rights standards are respected..
The ruling comes about a case involving a transadjective/umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. woman from Australia, whose request to have her genderrefers to a social construct which places cultural and social expectations on individuals based on their assigned sex. marker amended on her birth certificate was rejected multiple times on the grounds that “a person must be unmarried at the time of their application to register a change of sexrefers to the classification of a person as male, female, or other - usually made at birth, written on a birth certificate, and usually based on the appearance of their external anatomy. A person’s sex, however, is actually a combination of bodily characteristics, including chromosomes, hormones, internal and external reproductive organs, and secondary sex characteristics..”
That precondition, the UN Human Rights Committee now ruled, “constitutes arbitrary or unlawful interference with her privacy and family.” In what is the first Treaty Bodies decision on legal gender recognitionlaws, administrative procedures or processes by which a person can change their sex/gender marker and names on official identity documents., it is also made clear that “the differential treatment between married and unmarried persons who have undergone a sexrefers to the classification of a person as male, female, or other - usually made at birth, written on a birth certificate, and usually based on the appearance of their external anatomy. A person’s sex, however, is actually a combination of bodily characteristics, including chromosomes, hormones, internal and external reproductive organs, and secondary sex characteristics. affirmation procedure and request to amend their sexrefers to the classification of a person as male, female, or other - usually made at birth, written on a birth certificate, and usually based on the appearance of their external anatomy. A person’s sex, however, is actually a combination of bodily characteristics, including chromosomes, hormones, internal and external reproductive organs, and secondary sex characteristics. on their birth certificate is not based on reasonable and objective criteria, and therefore constitutes discriminationunequal or unfair treatment which can be based on a range of grounds - such as age, ethnic background, disability, and diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions or sex characteristics, amongst others..”
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Friday, June 16
United States: Oregon becomes first State to allow third genderrefers to a social construct which places cultural and social expectations on individuals based on their assigned sex. marker on IDs
Here’s what the new #Oregon driver’s license will look with the third-gender non-binarya person who does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman. While many also identify as trans, not all non-binary people do. Non-binary can also be used as an umbrella term encompassing identities such as agender, bigender, genderqueer or gender-fluid. X option pic.twitter.com/6Wrzf9sTit
— Mary Emily O’Hara (@MaryEmilyOHara) June 16, 2017
Oregon has become the first U.S. state to allow residents to mark their genderrefers to a social construct which places cultural and social expectations on individuals based on their assigned sex. as “not specified” on applications for driver’s licenses, learner’s permits and identity cards.
Under the new rule approved by the Oregon Transportation Commission, taking effect at the beginning of July, residents who select the new option will have an “X” appear instead of “M” or “F” on those documents.
The change, NPR reports, follows a ruling last year by an Oregon judge that allowed Jamie Shupe, an Army veteran, to legally identify as non-binarya person who does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman. While many also identify as trans, not all non-binary people do. Non-binary can also be used as an umbrella term encompassing identities such as agender, bigender, genderqueer or gender-fluid., in a decision that was believed to be the first of its kind in the United States.
Since then, the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) convened an advisory group to inform a proposal for a third genderrefers to a social construct which places cultural and social expectations on individuals based on their assigned sex. marker. A recommendation was finalised in spring, and then two public hearings were hosted to receive feedback on an X genderrefers to a social construct which places cultural and social expectations on individuals based on their assigned sex. marker.
Oregon DMV officials were quoted by The Oregonian saying they received little opposition to the change, which they first announced plans to carry outbeing open about their diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or sex characteristics. last summer. Of 83 comments, both written and oral, only 12 people spoke against it.
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Friday, June 16
South Africa launches LGBTI-specific national plan for HIV response
So you heard about the new launched #LGBTIHIVSA plan by @SA_AIDSCOUNCIL but still no clue? Here’s something to read. pic.twitter.com/AaFc7kJvMh
— FeatherAwardsSA (@FeathersSA) June 20, 2017
A national HIV plan to address the specific needs of the LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. community has recently been launched during the 8th South African AIDS Conference in Durban.
According to Africa News Agency, the plan “has five objectives and targets in the areas of health, empowerment, psychosocial support, human rights and evaluation,” including “reducing HIV by 63 percent, TB by 30 percent and increasing the detection of STIs by 70 percent over five years.”
The plan also acknowledges that societal stigma and discriminationunequal or unfair treatment which can be based on a range of grounds - such as age, ethnic background, disability, and diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions or sex characteristics, amongst others. still affect LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. people heavily, as our communities “find barriers to accessing public services, including health, and avoid seeking services fearing discriminationunequal or unfair treatment which can be based on a range of grounds - such as age, ethnic background, disability, and diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions or sex characteristics, amongst others., judgment and a lack of confidentiality.” “There is an urgent need for services designed for their needs,” claimed the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) in its presentation.
As Chairperson of the SANAC Civil Society Forum Steve Letsike told Mambaonline, “we now have a document that we can hold the government accountable to” in their provision of services to LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. people.
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Tuesday, June 20
Russia’s “promotion” law breaches human rights, the European Court of Human Rights rules
In a landmark judgment by six votes to one, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that a Russian law banning the “propaganda of non‑traditional sexual relations aimed at minors” breached European treaty rules.
Three human rights defenders had filed complaints on the matter in 2009 and 2012, alleging that the law violated their right to freedom of expression and was discriminatory.
The Court has now ruled in their favour, clearly stating that legislation does “… not serve to advance the legitimate aim of the protection of morals, and that such measures are likely to be counterproductive.”
“Above all,” the ruling reads, “by adopting such laws the authorities reinforce stigma and prejudice and encourage homophobiafear, unreasonable anger, intolerance or/and hatred directed towards people attracted to others of the same gender., which is incompatible with the notions of equality, pluralism and tolerance inherent in a democratic society.”
“The message from Strasbourg is loud and clear. LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. people deserve equality, are not a threat, and cannot be forced to hide away,” ILGA-Europe Executive Director Evelyne Paradis commented. “This is a vital decision (…): it sends a key message to activists in other countries who are pushing back against similarly restrictive legislative proposals.”
The decision is binding for Russia, but the government has already pledged to appeal the ruling within three months.
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Tuesday, June 20
Commonwealth officially accredits LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. organisation for the first time
PRESS RELEASE: Big step forward for human rights as Commonwealth officially accredits first LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. organisation https://t.co/9zudWxcSnR pic.twitter.com/Gwy23UXVIq
— CommonwealthEquality (@CWEquality) June 20, 2017
The Commonwealth approved the accreditation of the Commonwealth Equality Network (TCEN), making it the first LGBTI-focused organisation to be officially accredited by the association of states. The decision was made earlier this month, during the Board of Governors Meeting at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.
As the organisation notes, being accredited means that “activists will benefit from increased access to, participation in and information about Commonwealth matters” and “it also sends a strong signal that the voices and needs of LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. people are legitimate and LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. activists have a vital role in civil society.”
“Considering the process it takes, it is a small wonder and a great victory for TCEN to have been given accreditation as a Commonwealth organisation,” commented Rosanna Flamer-Caldera, Chair of TCEN and Executive Director of Equal Ground – Sri Lanka. “I look forward to the day when all countries within the Commonwealth adhere to the principles of human rights and equality enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter, safeguarding LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. rights and upholding freedom and equality for all.”
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Wednesday, June 21
Restrictions on partnership registration for same-sex couples to be lifted in Taiwan
The Ministry of the Interior of Taiwan has urged local governments to lift restrictions based on residence for same-sex couples who want to register their partnership before marriage equalitywhere national marriage legislation also includes same-sex couples or gender-neutral reference to the spouses. References to “gay marriage” that are sometimes made by media outlets and decision-makers incorrectly are incorrect, as no country has created a marriage law specifically for same-sex couples. becomes law.
According to Focus Taiwan, a number of cities have started issuing partnership certificates to same-sex couples since 2015, but a few exceptions are still in place: the ministry has now asked cities and county governments to receive applications from other areas, in order to serve also couples living in cities where they can’t register their unions yet. The service will start as of July 3.
In May 2017, Taiwan’s Constitutional Court found that the current provision in the Civil Code stating that only a man and a woman can marry violated constitutional guarantees. The Council of Grand Justices said the legislature has two years to amend the existing civil code or create a new law allowing marriage equalitywhere national marriage legislation also includes same-sex couples or gender-neutral reference to the spouses. References to “gay marriage” that are sometimes made by media outlets and decision-makers incorrectly are incorrect, as no country has created a marriage law specifically for same-sex couples..
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Thursday, June 22
47th General Assemblythe main deliberative and policy-making organ of the United Nations which makes decisions on international issues such as development and peace and security. All 193 member States are represented, and each has one vote. of the Organization of American States comes to an end in Mexico
Comenzando una nueva jornada de discusión sin acuerdo en los países de las Américas, #Paraguay no quiere que la resolución salga x #intersex pic.twitter.com/kJqNPZOLHW
— CoalicionLGBTTI&TS (@CoalicionLGBTTI) June 21, 2017
During the 47th General Assemblythe main deliberative and policy-making organ of the United Nations which makes decisions on international issues such as development and peace and security. All 193 member States are represented, and each has one vote. of the Organization of American States, representatives of 34 member states approved a resolution on the protection of human rights, after what has been described as a heated debate around SOGIESCabbreviation standing for sexual orientation and gender identity & expression, and sex characteristics. issues.
The text of the resolution, Agencia Presentes reports, proposed “to condemn all forms of discriminationunequal or unfair treatment which can be based on a range of grounds - such as age, ethnic background, disability, and diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions or sex characteristics, amongst others. and acts of violence on the grounds of sexual orientationrefers to a person’s capacity for profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to - and intimate and sexual relations with - individuals of a different gender or the same gender or more than one gender., gender identityrefers to a person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth. or expression and intersexan umbrella term for the spectrum of variations of sex characteristics that naturally occur within the human species. Intersex people are born with variations of sex characteristics (such as genitals, reproductive organs, hormonal and chromosomal patterns) that are more diverse than stereotypical definitions of male or female bodies. Up to 1.7% of the global population are born with such traits; yet, because their bodies are seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatised and subject to harmful practices – including in medical settings - and discriminated against. characteristics” and called for the adoption of consequent public policies. A few delegations, however, opposed the wording of the document, especially on the part regarding intersex, and also suggested that the words “sexual orientationrefers to a person’s capacity for profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to - and intimate and sexual relations with - individuals of a different gender or the same gender or more than one gender., gender identityrefers to a person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth. and expression” be replaced with a general reference to “equality and non-discrimination”. In the end, Siete24 reports, an agreement was found to include the same wording of the resolution passed one year ago, which the Organisation of the American States finally approved.
“We do not criticize the rejection of a terminology considered by this assembly as unilateral or non-existent in international agreements,” intersex human rights defenders commented in a joint statement. “We criticize the lack of commitment of the assembly to dialogue, recognize, propose and assume not only a terminology, but a stronger stance for the protection of the rights of intersexan umbrella term for the spectrum of variations of sex characteristics that naturally occur within the human species. Intersex people are born with variations of sex characteristics (such as genitals, reproductive organs, hormonal and chromosomal patterns) that are more diverse than stereotypical definitions of male or female bodies. Up to 1.7% of the global population are born with such traits; yet, because their bodies are seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatised and subject to harmful practices – including in medical settings - and discriminated against. people.”
Is that all? More LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. news bites
Registration, scholarship applications and session proposals are now open for the 7th ILGA Asia Regional Conference, which will take place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 4-8 December 2017.
Posters advocating respect for LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. persons were posted on the walls of several streets in Baghdad, Iraq, reading “I am equal to you. Difference is the basis of life.”
The Samoa Fa’afafine Association has donated the proceeds of their recent variety show to an elderly care charity in Samoa.
According to reports, at least 40 persons were granted refugee status in New Zealand in the past five years on the grounds of their sexual orientationrefers to a person’s capacity for profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to - and intimate and sexual relations with - individuals of a different gender or the same gender or more than one gender. and gender identityrefers to a person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth..
An LGBTIacronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people. Although this is not the acronym available to describe people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics, it is the most commonly used in United Nations spaces and advocacy. human rights defender in Kenya reported being attacked in the home he had turned into a safe housing space by one of the persons he was hosting.
Q-zine has opened a call for contributions to its upcoming issue, focusing on new developments in African visual arts from a queerpreviously used as a derogatory term to refer to LGBT individuals in the English language – and still perceived as offensive by some - queer has been reclaimed by people who identify beyond traditional gender categories and heteronormative social norms. Although not universally accepted, it is often used as a catch-all to include many people within the larger community of people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics. perspective.
In the United States, a government agency has backtracked on the proposal to scrap a question pertaining to sexual orientationrefers to a person’s capacity for profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to - and intimate and sexual relations with - individuals of a different gender or the same gender or more than one gender. in the National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants.
The governor of Texas, United States signed into law a bill that ensures that child welfare agencies discriminating on the basis of sexual orientationrefers to a person’s capacity for profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to - and intimate and sexual relations with - individuals of a different gender or the same gender or more than one gender., gender identityrefers to a person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at birth., marital status, or religion beliefs will still receive government support.
In the past few months, two transadjective/umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. men in Lithuania have successfully defended their right to legal gender recognitionlaws, administrative procedures or processes by which a person can change their sex/gender marker and names on official identity documents., prompting more persons to seek assistance on similar cases.
An intersexan umbrella term for the spectrum of variations of sex characteristics that naturally occur within the human species. Intersex people are born with variations of sex characteristics (such as genitals, reproductive organs, hormonal and chromosomal patterns) that are more diverse than stereotypical definitions of male or female bodies. Up to 1.7% of the global population are born with such traits; yet, because their bodies are seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatised and subject to harmful practices – including in medical settings - and discriminated against. human rights organisation has organised a number of nonviolent protests on the occasion of an upcoming medical congress in Copenhagen, Denmark, to denounce harmful intersexan umbrella term for the spectrum of variations of sex characteristics that naturally occur within the human species. Intersex people are born with variations of sex characteristics (such as genitals, reproductive organs, hormonal and chromosomal patterns) that are more diverse than stereotypical definitions of male or female bodies. Up to 1.7% of the global population are born with such traits; yet, because their bodies are seen as different, intersex children and adults are often stigmatised and subject to harmful practices – including in medical settings - and discriminated against. genital mutilations.
New commissioners for the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights were elected during the assembly in Cancún, Mexico: together with other human rights organisations, ILGALAC had expressed concerns over the human rights record of one of the candidates, who ended up not being elected.
Almost three million people marched in the Pride parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, under the theme “Independent of our beliefs, no religion is law! All for a secular State.”