Outlawed Love: Inside the 61 Countries Where Being Gay is a CrimeAs of the date of this report, 61 countries worldwide maintain laws criminalising consensual same-sex conduct — nearly twice the number of countries that have legalised same-sex marriage. This report catalogues each country's applicable statute and associated penalties by region.
61 Countries Continue to Criminalise Same-Sex Relations, Nearly Double the Number That Have Legalised Marriage EqualitySixty-one countries worldwide maintain laws criminalising consensual same-sex sexual relations, nearly twice the number of countries that have legalised same-sex marriage. The majority are concentrated in Africa, with penalties ranging from fines and imprisonment to death in several jurisdictions.
Paris, France Unveils Public Memorial to LGBTQ+ Victims of Nazi Persecution and Historic Oppression on International Day Against HomophobiaOn the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo unveiled a new public memorial sculpture near the Bastille dedicated to LGBTQ+ victims of Nazi persecution and historical oppression in France, marking a formal act of civic remembrance for a long-marginalised chapter of history.
United Kingdom, Milton Keynes: Historic LGBTQ+ Venue Completely Destroyed in Suspected Arson AttackMilton Keynes, UK, destroyed the Pink Punters club. A 51-year-old suspect was arrested for arson. The owner confirmed all are safe and vowed that the iconic community venue will be rebuilt and return.
Britain Suspect in LGBT+ Nightclub Fire Released on Conditional Bail as Police Investigate Possible Link to Nearby Church FireThe 51-year-old man arrested in connection with the fire that destroyed Pink Punters LGBT+ nightclub in Milton Keynes has been released on conditional bail, as Thames Valley Police confirmed they are jointly investigating the incident alongside a separate fire at a nearby church that occurred the previous day.
United Kingdom Man Arrested on Suspicion of Arson After Fire Destroys Iconic LGBT+ Nightclub of 36 Years, Hundreds Evacuated SafelyA 51-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a fire gutted Pink Punters, a well-known LGBT+ nightclub in Milton Keynes, in the early hours of Sunday. Hundreds of revellers were evacuated without injury, though the building was completely destroyed.
Councillor Suspended for Three Months After Standards Watchdog Rules Comments Linking LGBTQ Community with Hamas Breached Code of ConductNorthern Ireland's local government standards commissioner has imposed a three-month suspension on DUP councillor Colin Kennedy after ruling that his 2023 remarks drawing a connection between the LGBTQ community and support for Hamas exceeded the bounds of acceptable political speech and breached the councillors' code of conduct.
Teenagers Hurl Eggs at Patrons Inside LGBTQ+ Venue in Suspected Homophobic Hate Crime, Police Seek Public AssistanceGloucestershire Constabulary is investigating a suspected homophobic hate crime after three teenagers entered an LGBTQ+ venue in Gloucester on 4 February and threw eggs at several patrons; police have released images of those they wish to identify.
Manchester Village Pride Signs Landmark Union Agreement Guaranteeing Pay and Workplace Protections for PerformersManchester Village Pride has entered into a formal union agreement with Equity guaranteeing minimum deposits, 30-day payment terms, and protection from bullying and harassment for drag and burlesque performers, marking the first such deal in the UK Pride sector following last year's collapse of the previous organiser.
EU's Highest Court Strikes Down Hungary's Anti-LGBTQ Laws as Violation of Founding European Values, Setting Historic PrecedentThe European Court of Justice has ruled Hungary's 2021 anti-LGBTQ legislation unlawful under EU rules and, in an unprecedented finding, declared it incompatible with the foundational values enshrined in Article 2 of the EU Treaty, including equality, pluralism, and the rule of law.
Man Formally Charged with Sexual Assault Following Investigation at Birmingham LGBTQ+ Inclusive ChurchA 50-year-old man from Tipton has been formally charged with two counts of sexual assault following an investigation into alleged incidents at an LGBTQ+-affirming church in Birmingham between 2021 and 2023.
IOC Adopts New Female Eligibility Policy, Barring Transgender Women from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic GamesThe International Olympic Committee has formally adopted a female eligibility policy requiring biological female status — verified by SRY gene screening — for all women's events beginning at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, effectively excluding transgender women athletes.
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