Poland government approves anti-LGBTQ hate crime bill

 

Poland’s government has approved plans to add sexual orientation, gender, age and disability to the categories covered by Poland’s hate crime laws. 

“The new regulations aim to more fully implement the constitutional prohibition of discrimination and to meet international recommendations on standards of protection against hate speech and hate crimes,” wrote the Polish justice ministry, which prepared the new legislation.

The justice ministry notes that, under the proposed legislation, cases of public insult motivated by bias against the protected groups or of incitement to hatred against those groups can be punishable by up to three years in prison. Cases of violence and unlawful threats can carry up to a five-year jail term.

Adding sexual orientation and gender to Poland’s hate crime laws was one of the elements of the coalition agreement that brought a new, more liberal government to power late last year, ending eight years of rule by the national-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party.

Last month, Poland’s government presented a bill to introduce legally recognised partnerships for same-sex couples. 

Warsaw Pride

1 in 4 LGBTQ+ people do not feel welcome in sport

 

A quarter of LGBTQ+ people do not feel welcome during live sporting events, according to research commissioned by Stonewall. 

The research from the LGBTQ+ charity found that LGBTQ+ people felt unwelcome or unsafe whilst playing or watching sports. Furthermore, Stonewall discovered that one in four LGBTQ+ people do not feel welcome in community sports groups or community team sports.

One in five people who attended a live sporting event in the past year felt discriminated against because they are LGBTQ+, whilst one in three Black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBTQ+ people who attended a live sporting event in the past year reported being subjected to discrimination.

The statistics come shortly after the launch of new annual Rainbow Laces campaign, which aims to make sport an inclusive, welcoming and space for all, kicks off. Find out how you can support the campaign here. 

A lot of work still to be done!!!

Rainbow Laces 10 campaign

Singer Khalid, "the world still continues to turn"

 

Singer Khalid has publicly identified as gay after being outed on social media. The 26 year old El Paso native, whose real name is Khalid Donnel Robinson, took to X to address his sexuality. 

He posted a brief tweet that read: "🌈!!!! there yall go. next topic please lol." When one user responded with "Wait hope Mr Khalid isn't GEHHH!", the singer reposted and replied: “I am! and that's okay."

The popular hitmaker continued to share his truth on the site, writing: "I got outted and the world still continues to turn. Let’s get this straight (lmao) I am not ashamed of my sexuality! In reality it ain’t nobodies business! But I am okay with me ❤ love yall." 

He remained active on the site, responding to another comment that read: "the closet was glass baby. but we accept you. its not about who you love its about your artistry! ♡". Khalid reposted and responded by saying: "I wasn’t hiding anything! It’s just not any of your business.”

Great Khalid!!!

Almost 14 million adults in the U.S. identify as LGBTQ+

The LGBTQ+ population is the largest it has ever been in recorded United States history, and the community is only growing.

Over 13.9 million adults in the U.S. identify as LGBTQ+, accounting for 5.5 percent of the country's total population, a study from the Williams Institute at the University of California found. That's up one whole percentage point, and over 2 million people, from their 2020 report.

The study also found that 18-24-year-olds are the group with the most queer people, with over 15 percent identifying as LGBTQ+. In other age groups, 9 percent of those 25 to 34 years old, 4 percent of those ages 35 to 49, and 5 percent of those ages 50 and older identify as LGBTQ+.

Check the study here.

Brazilian Football Confederation defends players’ right to self-expression

 

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) recently issued a statement affirming the right of  footballers to self-expression, following criticism that surfaced after one player was reportedly asked to tone down his appearance.

The controversy began when Yan Couto, a Brazilian national team player set to compete in the Copa America, revealed that he was advised against keeping his pink hair, a style he’d worn with his Spanish club, Girona. 

In an interview, Couto said, “For the national team, I’m going with black hair, I’m going to remove it. They told me that pink is a bit extravagant. I don’t think so, but I’ll respect it.” While Couto did not specify who “they” referred to, fans and media speculated that the CBF had requested the change.

As criticism of the CBF grew over these alleged restrictions on self-expression, the organisation responded via Instagram, clarifying its stance: “The CBF reaffirms its commitment to freedom, plurality, the right to self-expression, and free construction of the personality of each individual who works for the organisation or represents the Brazilian National Team.” 

The CBF’s message continued, stating that “each employee or athlete must have autonomy over their own appearance, beliefs, sexual orientation, and gender expression.”

Despite the CBF’s assurances of inclusivity, the Brazilian men’s national team has yet to have an openly gay or bisexual player. In fact, worldwide, only a few professional footballers are openly gay.

Marriage equality wins despite Trump's victory

Voters in California, Colorado, and Hawaii approved ballot measures amending their constitutions to remove language banning marriage equality by significant margins.

In California, Proposition 3, Constitutional Right to Marriage, amends the California Constitution to remove language stating that marriage exists only between men and women. Prop. 3 leads by 61.1 percent to 38.9 percent.

In Colorado, Measure J removes the language “Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state” from the Colorado Constitution. Measure J passed with over 63 percent of the vote.

In Hawaii, Question #1 asked voters, “Shall the state constitution be amended to repeal the legislature’s authority to reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples?” Over 52 percent voted yes to the question.

The three victories provided a ray of hope for the LGBTQ+ community on a night that saw Donald Trump retaking the Presidency and the Republicans regaining control of the Senate.

We are not going back!!

Sarah McBride becomes first trans person elected to U.S. Congress

 

Delaware State Sen. Sarah McBride will be the first openly transgender person to serve in the U.S. Congress.

McBride will succeed fellow Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester as the state’s at-large member of Congress. 

McBride has been a rising star in politics. She previously worked for former Delaware Gov. Jack Markell and the late Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. In 2012, she interned with the Obama administration. 

She won her state Senate seat in 2020 with more than 70% of the vote.

"Just as I have done in the Delaware State Senate, I will focus on bringing down costs facing workers, their families, and retirees by providing affordable healthcare, housing, and childcare to all of our neighbors," she said.

Congratulations!!!

Good Night and Good Luck!

 

It's time! Kamala Harris for president!

 

It's time! Kamala Harris for president!