LGBTQ+

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Georgia Passes Anti-LGBTQ+ Law: A Reflection of Russian Legislation and Influence

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Georgia Passes Anti-LGBTQ+ Law: A Reflection of Russian Legislation and Influence

In late September 2024, Georgia's Parliament passed a law on "family values and protection of minors," cloaked as a defence of tradition but, in reality, a severe rollback of LGBTQ+ rights. This legislation, which prohibits same-sex marriages, LGBTQ+ adoptions, and positive media representation of queer individuals, aligns with Russia's influence and the Orthodox Church’s anti-LGBTQ+ stance. As Georgia nears the October elections, populist, anti-Western rhetoric intensifies, weaponising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. Pro-Russian parties leverage these sentiments to sway voters. The Georgian Dream Party, led by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, stands poised to capitalise on this, hoping to cement Georgia’s ties with Moscow and looking forward to criminalising even more LGBTQ+ communities.

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The Condition of Transgender Migrants in Argentina: Between Progressive Law and Intersectional Discrimination

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The Condition of Transgender Migrants in Argentina: Between Progressive Law and Intersectional Discrimination

This article explores the complex dynamics of transgender migration to Argentina, highlighting its historical reliance on immigration and its progressive legislation on transgender rights. Despite Argentina's reputation as a haven for transgender migrants fleeing persecution, they face significant challenges upon arrival, including intersectional discrimination that stems from both their migratory status and gender identity. The article examines the socio-political factors driving south-to-south migrations, the harsh realities of integration, and the systemic inequalities that hinder transgender migrants' access to rights, healthcare, and protection despite Argentina's advanced legal framework.

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Thailand's New Marriage Equality Bill: Examining the Conditions and Implication for SOGI Minorities in Southeast Asia

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Thailand's New Marriage Equality Bill: Examining the Conditions and Implication for SOGI Minorities in Southeast Asia

On June 18, 2024, Thailand's Senate approved a landmark marriage equality bill, making Thailand the first ASEAN country to legalise same-sex marriage. This progressive move marks a significant advancement in LGBTQ+ rights in the region. Despite Thailand's leadership, Southeast Asia remains largely hostile towards SOGI minorities, with many countries enforcing laws that criminalise non-hetero-cis identities. The article highlights the historical and political context influence of these laws that shows the role that colonial legacies and contemporary Western influences have in the life of queer people in the region. It also underscores the urgent need for broader regional reforms and the potential for Thailand to inspire similar advancements in neighbouring countries.

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Anti-LGBTQ+ Propaganda: How Russia Persecutes SOGI Minorities as Part of Its Anti-Western Rhetoric

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Anti-LGBTQ+ Propaganda: How Russia Persecutes SOGI Minorities as Part of Its Anti-Western Rhetoric

In recent years, the Kremlin has intensified its campaign against Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) minorities, identifying them as Western propaganda. However, this rhetoric has an old origin that started with the criminalisation of “sodomy” done by Iosif Stalin. Recently, tactics of attacking the LGBTQ+ community have evolved into designating it as Western propaganda. This has led to an increasing criminalisation of the community, which has become a systematic technique that involves all the elites and powers of the Russian state from Putin to Kirill and running through the judicial system. Moreover, this propaganda has spread outside the country's borders, with anti-LGBTQ+ disinformation being spread in the former Soviet space and globally, reproducing similar anti-Western rhetoric. In this environment, the condition of SOGI minorities in Russia is worrying, and the situation will likely become worse in the future.