South Korea recognizes same-sex couples in census for the first time

 

South Korea will recognize same-sex couples in its national census, marking a historic move by the government in recording household data.

The households headed by same-gender couples will now be able to select “spouse” and “cohabiting partner” on the Population and Housing Census, which takes place every five years.

This is the first step towards having LGBTQ citizens fully reflected in national data. In past surveys, couples of the same gender could not select ‘spouse’ even if they lived together as such, and the system would return an error.

Same-sex marriage is still not permitted under South Korean law. Despite gradual policy shifts, legal protections for LGBTQ people remain limited, and public opinion remains divided. 

This is a significant step toward legal equality and hopefully a potential precursor to marriage reform. 

It's time, South Korea!!

King Charles honors LGBTQ Armed Forces memorial

 

King Charles has been present at the UK’s first ever memorial dedicated to the LGBTQ Armed Forces community unveiled at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

The bronze sculpture, titled An Opened Letter, commemorates sailors, soldiers, and aviators affected by a historic gay ban, which made it illegal to be homosexual in the British Armed Forces from 1967 to 2000. 

He laid flowers at the sculpture, shaped like a personal letter, which represents correspondence used to incriminate service personnel, which in some cases resulted in prosecution or imprisonment. 

Homosexuality was decriminalized in England in 1967, but this policy led to thousands of dismissals, forced exits, and discrimination in the British army.

U.S. Supreme Court to decide if it will revisit landmark same-sex marriage ruling in November

 

The US Supreme Court has set a date to consider whether it will hear a case challenging same-sex marriage. 

Justices will reportedly convene during a private meeting on 7 November to discuss whether to take on a legal challenge brought by former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis.

In 2015, shortly after the Supreme Court recognized a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, Davis refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples on religious grounds.

After a decade of litigation over her refusal to issue marriage licenses to any queer couples, Davis called on the Supreme Court in July to hear her case challenging a Court of Appeal’s decision, which argued Davis’ actions as county clerk were unconstitutional.

If the Supreme Court decides to overturn its decision, states will then be allowed to discriminate against issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. I hope that won't happen.

Turkish government drafts new anti-LGBTQ+ laws

 

Türkiye's government has revealed the draft of its 11th Judicial Reform Package, which includes a series of updated laws negatively affecting the LGBTQ community.

The reform is the latest collection of proposed legal changes that the Turkish government is presenting to Parliament for consideration, threatening prison for trans people and same-sex couple.

Under the draft, anyone who publicly promotes behaviors or identities that are not deemed true to their sex given at birth could face one to three years in prison.

The proposed reforms also target the trans community, raising the minimum legal age for gender reassignment surgeries from 18 to 25.

Same-sex couples caught holding engagement or wedding ceremonies could also face prison sentences of one and a half to four years.

Government officials justify the reforms as necessary to their moto: “Protect families, promote healthy development, and preserve social order.”

The country has experienced a rise in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric since President Erdoğan took office in 2014, banning Pride marches just one year into his position.

Erdoğan can't ban love

Heated Rivalry: the gay romance book now on TV

 

Based on the beloved novels of the same name from author Rachel Reid, the television adaptation of Heated Rivalry is set the on-and-off court relationship between a pair of professional Major League Hockey players

Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storie) are two of the biggest stars in Major League Hockey, bound by ambition, rivalry and a magnetic pull neither of them fully understands.

What begins as a secret fling between two confused teenagers at 17 evolves into a years-long journey of love, denial, and self- discovery. Over the next eight years, as they chase glory on the ice, they struggle to navigate their feelings off of it. 

Torn between the sport they live for and the love they can't ignore, Shane and Ilya must decide if there's room in their fiercely competitive world for something as fragile (and powerful) as real love.

On the ice, the pair are sworn rivals, but off of it, they must navigate a forbidden love while grappling in a very different way.

Watch the trailer below:

A new LGBTQ network to support athletes around the world

 

Proud Champions is a European network of LGBTQ athletes and allies committed to a sport where everyone can be themselves. Proud Champions is supported by two associations: Fier-Play (France) and Compete Proud (Spain).

The network’s website features profiles of an initial 15 member athletes, all of whom have experience in elite sports. Some have now retired, while others are still competing.

They connect athletes from all walks of life, whether they are professional competitors or former athletes, and public figures around a common mission: to create visibility, inspire new generations, promote inclusion in sport, and make them proud of this diversity..

The launch of Proud Champions follows the successful staging of Pride House Paris at the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. The Pride House Paris venue and wider initiative were supported by the International Olympic Committee and helped to provide greater LGBTQ visibility compared to previous editions of the Games.

Proud Champions provides a space where pride becomes a strength, where support can be found, and where inspiration is provided through example. Discover the faces and stories behind Proud Champions here.

Same-sex couples legally recognized in "de facto" marriages in Japan

 

Japan’s government has decided to allow same-sex couples to be treated as being in de facto marriages under a total of nine more laws and ordinances,

The move follows a High Court ruling delivered in March 2024, which stated that denying marriage equality to same-sex couples in Japan is unconstitutional and called on the government to take action to address the lack of protections.

In March 2024, the Sapporo High Court ruled that not granting same-sex couples the right to marry and enjoy the same benefits as their heterosexual counterparts amounted to a violation of their fundamental right to equality and freedom of marriage.

Japan remains the only Group of Seven major industrialized country that has not legalized same-sex marriage or civil unions, despite growing pressure from the LGBTQ community and its supporters.

Although Japan does not recognize same-sex marriage, a majority of Japanese show their support, and a number of municipalities issue partnership certificates for LGBTQ couples.