General News Indonesian military vows to remove LGBTQ+ soldiers from ranks Major general Burhan Dahlan has started a campaign to have LGBTQ+ people removed from Indonesia’s military. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
General News Pope Francis supports same-sex civil unions Pope Francis has openly backed same-sex civil unions for the first time after interview in a documentary film, Francesco, premiered at the Rome film festival on Wednesday 21 October. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
General News Update: Tokyo politician apologises for LGBTQ+ remarks 78-year-old Masateru Shiraishi, an 11th term politician in Tokyo’s Adachi Ward, has publicly apologised for saying the LGBTQ+ community were responsible for falling birth rates. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
New Zealand Pride General News New Zealand now has most LGBTQ+ inclusive parliament in the world Following the New Zealand elections on Saturday 17 October, the country now has a greater proportion of LGBTQ+ parliament members than any other country in the world. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
Mitt Romney has endorsed Barrett Election Special ‘Anti-LGBTQ+’ Amy Coney Barrett endorsed by Mitt Romney US senator Mitt Romney has confirmed on Twitter he intends to vote in favour of Amy Coney Barrett who is in the running to become the newest associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
Shaji posted videos online explaining her experience General News Indian woman attempts suicide after transphobic harassment Sajana Shaji, a trans woman living in Kochi, Kerala, attempted suicide after claiming to have been harassed and verbally assaulted while working as a food salesperson. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
General News Piers Morgan argues trans women should not play rugby TV presenter Piers Morgan, known for his controversial views, has publicly agreed with World Rugby’s decision to prevent trans women from playing in professional leagues, arguing it was a safety risk to other players. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
Election Special Biden vows to protect trans youth US presidential candidate Joe Biden has vowed to protect young trans and gender non-conforming people in America after mother of a transgender girl, Mieke Haeck, asked how he would protect her daughter. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
General News Indian government urged to ban conversion therapy On Monday 12 October, an LGBTQ+ rights group in the Indian province of Kerala – named Queerala – sent a petition to the area’s high court urging local authorities to ban conversion therapy. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
General News Australia to outlaw ‘gay panic’ defence South Australia, the only province where ‘gay panic’ defence is still legitimate, is moving to outlaw the excuse used to defend violence against the LGBTQ+ community after a bill was proposed to the area’s local parliament on Thursday 15 October. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
General News New law allows Texas social workers to refuse LGBTQ+ or disabled clients The Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners voted unanimously to eradicate protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
Arts FEATURE: SPOTLIGHT ON: Denholm Spurr – whose art mirrors his life. In the first of a new series looking at young LGBTQ+ actors Brian Butler meets Denholm Spurr By Brian Butler • 3 min read
