General News Liz Truss announces equality policy overhaul On Thursday December 17, Liz Truss, the women and equalities minister, announced the government is adopting a “new approach to equality” in the UK. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
General News UK places sanctions on Chechnya leaders The UK government has placed strict sanctions on three top officials from Chechnya, Russia, who were charged with torturing LGBTQ+ people. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
Community Brighton & Hove remains in Tier 2; Hastings and Rye placed into Tier 3 Today’s national tier review has confirmed that Brighton & Hove will remain in Tier 2 – High Alert. While this news may reassure Brighton & Hove businesses over Christmas, along the south east coast the constituency of Hastings and Rye has been placed in Tier 3. By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Community Council urges gov to give schools staff & funding needed Brighton & Hove’s lead councillor for schools has urged the government to confirm funding arrangements for the Covid-19 testing programme in secondary schools due to start in January. By Graham Robson • 1 min read
Business News Anti-LGBTQ+ groups given millions in Covid relief funds A handful of American anti-LGBTQ+ hate groups and schools, which have been known to expel queer teachers, were given over $2.5 million in Covid-19 relief funding. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
A Pride parade in Michigan General News LGB customers can be refused in Michigan Last week, a court ruling in Michigan found it is legal for businesses to refuse customers on the basis of their sexual orientation. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
General News US elects 334 LGBTQ+ candidates In a new report from the LGBTQ Victory Fund, published on Tuesday December 8, it was confirmed that 334 LGBTQ+ candidates were successful in the 2020 US elections. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
General News Bolivia recognises same-sex civil union Bolivia, South America, has recognised a same-sex civil union for the first time after David Aruquipa, 48, and Guido Montaño, 45, campaigned for two years to have their relationship be legally acknowledged. By Rachel Badham • 1 min read
Community News Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust to receive £6 million to upgrade and refurbish local hospitals The Trust will receive £6 million to carry out the work, which could include building new or refurbishing buildings to deliver key services, upgrading electrical infrastructure, improving ventilation systems and fire safety, and replacing hospital lifts. By Graham Robson • 1 min read
General News European council calls on Slovakia to protect LGBTQ+ community In a report published on December 8, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), of the Council of Europe, has urged the Slovak Republic to improve education access for the country’s Roma population and to develop policies which protect the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination and By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
General News French minister comes out as gay Clément Beaune, the French minister for European affairs, has come out as gay and vowed to fight anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in Poland. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
General News Switzerland moves on marriage equality laws Switzerland is set to become the next European country to legalise same-sex marriage after the Council of States, the country’s upper house of legislature, voted in favour of marriage ‘for all’. By Rachel Badham • 2 min read
