Alarming increase in laws against LGBTQ+ people around the world

 

The Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) expresses its deep concern at the growing trend towards the criminalisation of same-sex relationships around the world. Since 2023, some countries have enacted or passed laws criminalising homosexuality, whilst in others, draft legislation aimed towards criminalisation is currently being considered.

The tightening of criminal penalties based on sexual orientation or gender identity contravenes international human rights obligations freely undertaken by States. Criminalisation violates the principle of equality and non-discrimination enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in addition to prosecuting the promotion, support, and financing of LGBTQ+ people, exacerbating the risks of persecution, violence and social exclusion against LGBTQ+ people and, in the end, it promotes fear, fuels polarization, and stigmatizes differences thus posing a threat to rights, freedom and well-being of every individual.

These provisions may not only constitute a direct violation of human rights, but also restrict access to essential services such as healthcare and justice, and perpetuate structural cycles of violence and discrimination.

Read the statement here.

Almost 40% of all book challenges in 2025 were LGBTQ+ books

 

The American Library Association (ALA) released data documenting attempts to censor books and materials in public, school, and academic libraries during 2025

ALA tracked 4,235 unique titles challenged in 2025, the second highest ever documented after 2024. Of the unique titles challenged in 2025, 1,671 (39%) represent the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people and people of color.

In 2025, 92% of all book challenges were initiated by pressure groups, government officials and decision makers, up from 72% in 2024. Less than 3% of challenges originated from individual parents.

Because many book challenges are not reported to the ALA or covered by the press, the data compiled by ALA represents only a snapshot of book censorship throughout the year.

ALA is on a mission to protect access to LGBTQ+ books in the U.S. “Libraries exist to make space for every story and every lived experience,” said ALA President Sam Helmick. “We reaffirm that libraries are places for knowledge, for access, and for all,” he added.

Hungary violated EU law and discriminated LGBTQ+ people, top European Court rules

 

The Court of Justice of European Union (CJUE) rules that Hungary's 2021 Child Protection Law unlawfully discriminates against LGBTQ+ community; the first time a member state has been found in violation of EU fundamental values charter.

The European Court has ruled that Hungary’s amended Child Protection Law violates EU law and discriminates against gay and transgender people.

The court said the legislation “stigmatises and marginalises non-cisgender people, including transgender people,” and noted that the law’s title links them with people convicted of paedophilia. According to the court, this association increases stigma and may encourage hostile behaviour.

It is the first time the court has found that an EU member state breached the fundamental values set out in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. The law was pushed by Viktor Orbán in a referendum coinciding with a general election vote.

The ruling comes nine days after Hungary’s parliamentary elections, in which the opposition Tisza Party defeated Orbán’s Fidesz party.

Read the CJEU press release here.

A Russian local media fined over Heated Rivalry review

 

A Russian court has fined a local news outlet 500,000 rubles (about $6,600) after it published a review of the gay-themed hockey drama series Heated Rivalry, treating the cultural write-up as illegal in a ruling under the "gay propaganda law".

Heated Rivalry centres on closeted gay Russian hockey player Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), who is in a secret affair with Canadian player Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams). Some scenes are set in Russia, and Rozanov’s tense relationship with his family is a big plot point and something he struggles with throughout season one.

Despite legal risks around LGBTQ content, the series has found a big Russian fanbase via pirate sites or VPNs.  The fine was linked to a review headlined: “Why Did ‘Heated Rivalry’ Become Popular?” People are watching it in part because it is forbidden, a guilty pleasure that the government would likely view as dangerous propaganda.

With Putin, Russia is a very homophobic and transphobic place, especially given the 2013 law that bans so-called gay propaganda, in fact, any positive mention of LGBTQ identity. 

Trump forced to restore Pride flag at Stonewall National Monument in NYC

 

The rainbow Pride flag will return permanently to the Stonewall National Monument after federal government agreed to reinstall it as part of a legal settlement ending a high-profile lawsuit over its removal.

The removal was in line with updated Trump's guidance, limiting the types of flags permitted on government-managed flagpoles.

The agreement, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, settles a case brought by the Gilbert Baker Foundation, Village Preservation, Equality New York, and others, following the National Park Service’s removal of the Pride flag in February. 

The agreement requires the National Park Service to reinstall the display within seven days, with the American flag at the top of the pole and the rainbow Pride flag and the agency’s flag flown beneath it.

The removal, at the site of the 1969 uprising that ignited the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, sparked swift backlash from advocates, historians, and elected officials who saw it as an erasure of both symbol and story.

This resolution ensures the flag will continue to fly at the monument, affirming its rightful place at the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Bravo!!

Activists already returned Pride flag defying Trump's policy

Time to end Orbán's Hungary government

 

For almost 16 years, Hungary has been governed under the self-styled “illiberal democracy” of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a right-wing populist, and his national-conservative party, Hungarian Civic Alliance (Fidesz). 

This regime has been much criticized for eroding democratic norms, with a media that is heavily biased towards the government, and accusations of widespread corruption and gerrymandering. 

Orbán has further drawn criticism internationally for interfering with the courts and judiciary, strict anti-migrant laws, and repression of the LGBTQ+ community; as seen last year with the banning of Pride events, following previous bans on same-sex marriage and adoption.

Going into the election, the political and media landscape in Hungary still appears highly stacked in Fidesz’s favour. The country’s public broadcaster has repeatedly aired Fidesz campaign videos, whilst newspapers and other independent media have been shut down or taken over by oligarchs sympathetic to Fidesz, which controls around 80% of the traditional Hungarian media.

Despite this, opponents of Orbán have been cautiously optimistic this time around about the chances of the main opposition party, Respect and Freedom Party (Tisza), a liberal-conservative and pro-European party.  Under the leadership of Peter Magyar, it has been leading in the polls over recent months.

If Tisza wins with the constitutional majority, complete regime change is the most likely scenario. That will mean a completely new chapter in Hungary’s political life. In terms of EU relations, we can expect rapid improvement, and that some EU funds will be unfrozen.

It is time to end Orban's government!

Euphoria season 3 release

Euphoria, one of the most-watched series in all of HBO’s history that earned 25 Emmy nominations and 9 wins, is back with more heart-pounding drama.

The series follows a group of young adults navigating sex and drug addiction, love, friendship and trauma. Season three will feature a time jump that follows the cast into their adult lives after graduating high school. 

Zendaya will return to reprise her role of Rue Bennett, as will Hunter Schafer in her role as Jules Vaughn. The rest of show's principal stars Jacob Elordi, Eric Dane, Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie, Maude Apatow, Colman Domingo, Martha Kelly and Chloe Cherry are set to return.

There will be new faces, of course, including Sharon Stone, Grammy winner Rosalia, football player Marshawn Lynch, Emmy nominee Natasha Lyonne and even Trisha Paytas.

After a five-year time jump, the characters are navigating life after graduating college. Rue is south of the border in Mexico and in debt to a drug dealer while Cassie and Nate get married and live in the suburbs. Jules is in art school and Maddie is working for a Hollywood talent agency. Lexi is an assistant to a showrunner played by Sharon Stone.

Though HBO has not officially confirmed whether season three is Euphoria’s last, many fans have assumed it would be the end after there was a four-year hiatus between season two and three.

Watch the trailer below:

Most Americans broadly support trans equality, a recent survey finds

 

A recent survey commissioned by Human Rights Campaign Foundation found a clear majority of US citizens support equality and legal protections for trans people, with increasing levels of personal connection.

Large majorities of Americans support equal rights and protections for transgender Americans (85%), as well as equal access to healthcare (89%), workplace protections (79%), and protections for transgender students (83%).

The survey also pointed to the impact of everyday relationships. Of those surveyed, 41% of US adults said they know someone who is transgender, and 27% reported speaking with a transgender person regularly. It is a fact, people with direct contact were consistently more supportive of trans equality.

The findings also suggest public feelings may be more positive than what some politicians would have you believe, with majority support recorded across political affiliation, race, ethnicity and gender, including among Republicans.

After one year into Trump Administration, it is marked by relentless anti-trans attacks and weaponizing government against LGBTQ+ people’s health and safety. We hope next midterm elections 2026 people vote accordingly.