General News UK census undergoes LGBTQ+ inclusive reforms Next year’s UK census will be the first to include questions about sexual orientation and gender identity after government reforms to national survey. By Rachel Badham • 1 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 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
General News Reflecting on Spirit Day 2020 Thursday 15 October saw thousands of social media users and numerous famous figures promote and demonstrate their support for Spirit Day 2020. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
General News Matthew Shepard commemorated 22 years after his death Tributes poured in for Matthew Shepard on Monday 12 October which marked 22 years since he was murdered in Wyoming in 1998. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
General News Four arrested after decorating Russian government buildings with rainbow flags Four members of Russian feminist collective and punk rock art group, Pussy Riot, have arrested after decorating government buildings with LGBTQ+ flags on Vladimir Putin’s birthday. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
General News 31st trans person killed in the US Felycya Harris, a 33-year-old black trans woman, is the 31st member of the trans community to have been killed so far in 2020. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
General News Polish leader blames LGBTQ+ activist for international backlash Polish prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki has blamed LGBTQ+ activist Bart Staszewski, who organised a protest against the country’s LGBTQ+ free zones, for the global backlash the Polish government has received regarding their treatment of the queer community. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
General News Diplomats sign open letter in solidarity with LGBTQ+ Poles Political figureheads from over 50 countries have signed an open letter urging the Polish government to end their unjust treatment of the LGBTQ+ community in country. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
General News Egyptian police using dating apps to persecute LGBTQ+ people Human Rights Watch (HRW) have reported authorities in Egypt creating fake profiles on dating apps to identify and arrest LGBTQ+ people. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
General News Canada to criminalise LGBTQ+ conversion therapy Canada has reintroduced a previously unsuccessful bill to criminalise the practise of LGBTQ+ conversion therapy after past efforts were interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
General News Top LGBTQ+ employers announced LGBTQ+ organisation Stonewall has announced the top global employers for LGBTQ+ people based on its Global Workplace Equality Index (GWEI). By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
