# LGBT Rights
Last year
2022
Voices
Opinion: Reflecting on 2022, the LGBT+ community is hopeful of progress in the year ahead
Adam Long of the National LGBT Federation (NXF) takes stock of what 2022 meant for the LGBT+ community, and what the focus should be in 2023.
# Justice
Ireland needs new scheme to disregard historic convictions of gay and bisexual men, experts advise
A working group is examining how Ireland can go about disregarding convictions made against gay and bisexual men under legislation that was later repealed.
# Gay Rights
'Lives were ruined': State moves closer to exonerating men convicted of homosexual 'offences'
Ireland could follow the UK’s lead and exonerate gay men later this year.
Ireland could follow the UK's lead and exonerate gay men later this year, Órla Ryan reports
A working group is set to submit a progress report to the Justice Minister this month and its final report later this year
Hundreds of gay men were convicted under laws later repealed when homosexuality was decriminalised in 1993
All time
Police-recorded LGBT hate crimes in the UK rose sharply after lockdown eased
At least 14,670 sexual orientation hate crime offences were recorded from January to August 2021 in the UK.
# Equality
‘Weeping for this country’: Struggle continues in Hungary as Ireland joins Europe in stance against anti-LGBT+ bill
Ireland has joined 12 other EU member states to condemn a bill passed in Hungary last week.
# Human Rights
Explainer: How does Hungary's new law affect LGBT+ rights?
Hungary has passed a bill that bans sharing content that “promotes” being gay to children and teenagers.
Transgender and non-binary candidates elected in several US ‘firsts’
America’s first transgender state senator and first non-binary politician were victorious in the 3 November election.
# LGBT Rights
Mary McAleese condemns Catholic Church for 'intrinsically evil' teachings on homosexuality
The former Irish president warned of the damaging impact the church is having on Ireland younger LGBT community.
# Assault
Government looking at hate crime legislation as LGBT group says assaults are on the rise
The Department is putting out a public consultation in the coming weeks on the issue.
# LGBT Rights
Mormon church to allow baptism for children of LGBT parents
The church added it wanted to “reduce the hate and contention so common today”.
# LGBT Rights
Taoiseach says he wasn't nervous ahead of Pence speech: 'I wanted to express Ireland's values'
Varadkar said he and Pence have very different views on social issues, but says it’s better to engage with people rather than boycott them.
# LGBT Rights
Leo Varadkar's partner to attend breakfast meeting at house of US vice president Mike Pence
Last year, Mike Pence told the Taoiseach his partner, Matt Barrett, would be welcome in Pence’s home if he decides to attend this year.
# LGBT Rights
Homosexuality can still mean the death penalty in many countries
A look at LGBT rights across the world.
# Gay Rights
Up to 150 homosexuality convictions could be overturned under Government proposals
Last month, the Government apologised to men historically convicted of engaging in consensual same-sex activity.
# 25th anniversary
Here's a short history of the battle for LGBT rights in Ireland
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland.
# COYBIG
Ireland will wear rainbow-coloured shirt numbers tonight to show support for LGBT rights
‘Not just a number, this is a statement.’
# COYBIG
Ireland team display support for LGBT rights ahead of tonight's match against USA
‘Not just a number, this is a statement.’
# lgbtq rights
'A deceptive practice': Bill to ban LGBTQ conversion therapies passes second stage of Seanad
The Prohibition of Conversion Therapies Bill 2018 has passed through its second stage in the Seanad and has further stages to go through.
# Marriage equality
Northern Ireland same-sex marriage bill passes first stage in House of Lords
Northern Ireland remains the only part of the UK where same-sex marriage is still banned.
# white house visit
Leo: 'There are many of Donald Trump's policies with which I do not agree'
Varadkar said Ireland and the US have strong links that “will outlast any president or Taoiseach”.
# LGBT Rights
Gay man sues mental hospital in China over forced 'conversion therapy'
He was forced to take medicine and receive injections.
# LGBT Rights
'I am engaged to a Catholic Irishwoman from Wexford' - Scottish Tory leader ahead of DUP deal
Ruth Davidson has reaffirmed her commitment to LGBT rights.
# Historical injustice
New bill will 'exonerate and apologise to' people convicted of homosexual acts
Senator Ged Nash called the move “an important gesture”.
# best buds
Enda Kenny says VP-elect Mike Pence 'really knows Ireland' after the pair speak by phone
Arch-conservative Pence has been a consistent opponent of LGBT rights.
# sponsored by smirnoff
6 epic Pride events to check out this weekend in Dublin
Get your rainbow colours on and get out there.
# LGBT Rights
Guardian journalist walks off Sky News 'in disgust' over Orlando killing comments
Owen Jones insists the host was trying to ‘deflect’ attention from the fact that Orlando shooter Omar Mateen deliberately targeted gay people
# LGBT Rights
NYC mayor ends boycott of St Patrick’s Day parade after gay ban reversed
Bill de Blasio will take part in this year’s festivities after parade organisers decided to allow gay and lesbian groups to march under their own banners
# South Dakota
US state moves towards transgender student bathroom ban
A bill passed on Tuesday would ban transgender students from using bathrooms or locker rooms that match their gender identities.
# LGBT Rights
Thousands march for LGBT rights in Rome
Italy is the only major Western European country not to have enacted civil union legislation allowing same-sex couples to have their relationships acknowledged by law.
# USSRYou serious?
Russian politicians plan to outlaw coming out - but not for "more reasonable" lesbians
“We think women are…more able to manage their emotions. So far, we’re not touching women.”
# don't hang up
Vladimir Putin phoned Elton John, and this time it wasn't a joke
Suppose you could say they were Putin the world to rights…
# BIRTH RIGHTS
Transgender children are 'living in a nightmare'
Jillian van Turnhout wants them to be given recognition on an interim basis.
# you know yourself
The Irish state will now accept trans people's own declaration of their gender
Married trans people will also not be required to get a divorce, to have their gender recognised.
# beacon of light
Where in the world is it hardest to be gay? (And what can Ireland do to help?)
We have an awful lot of work to do…
Voices
"In that moment, looking 'gay' no longer felt like a negative thing. It no longer felt dangerous."
The swell of positivity towards the LGBT community is affecting all parts of my life, from how I feel walking down the street to the future I see for myself.
# California Love
California could* have to vote on making executing gay people legal
*But it’s unlikely to make it to the ballot.
'Prison sex proves being gay is a choice' - potential US presidential candidate
Ben Carson has since walked back his claims.
# LGBT Rights
Victims of homophobic and transphobic hate crimes asked to report abuse
A new site has been launched — allowing people to confidentially report incidents of abuse, like harassment, bullying and blackmail attempts.
# marriage referendum
'There's no ruling on marriage equality' - BAI denies censorship claims
The authority says that there is no automatic requirement to balance a discussion.
# privacy and dignity
LGBT asylum-seekers cannot produce 'sex tapes' as evidence
An EU court also ruled authorities can’t ask questions that violate privacy or dignity.
