LGBTQ+ News Round Up - July 2019
Each month Rainbow & Co will be sharing some of the notable news stories for the past month. So, what happened in the LGBTQ+ community in July?
How the Media Reports on Trans People
LGBTQ+ news outlet ‘Pink News’ has released a retrospective exploring the ways that the media reported on trans people in 2018. This report highlights the worrying trend of negative press coverage of trans and non-binary identities.
Concerned? Write to newspapers to complain and to highlight the importance of fair and balanced reporting.
Read more from Pink News here.
The effects of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric are never more apparent than when the LGBTQ+ community is the target of hate and violence. Two devastating examples stand out this month:
Murdered Russian LGBT Activist is Suspected Victim of Gay-Hunting Website
Yelena Grigoryeva was murdered in Russia last month. Yelena’s death has been
linked to a vile website, which encourages and enables its users to hunt LGBTQ+ people.
For information on Yelena, head to Pink News here.
Extremists Pelt LGBT People with Rocks in Attack on Pride March in Poland
In Poland, Pride has been the target of violence. Anti-LGBTQ+ extremists targeted marchers; pelting them with objects including rocks, bottles, and firecrackers. This comes after several towns in Poland declared areas to be ‘gay-free-zones’ leading to hostility.
Find out more about what happened at Biaĺystok Pride, Poland, here.
New Rainbow Plaque Unveiled Commemorating Oscar Wilde
Anti-LGBTQ+ violence is gradually being recognised. This month, a plaque was released to mark the place in which Oscar Wilde was subjected to LGBTQ+ abuse in London. The plaque is part of the UK's national ‘Rainbow Plaque’ scheme, which is a vital step towards LGBTQ+ visibility.
Read the full story on Humboldt penguins Ronnie and Reggie over at Pink News here.
Same Sex Marriage Campaigner Becomes First Ever Openly Gay Man Elected to Japanese Parliament
Finally, in happier news, an equal marriage campaigner was the first openly LGBTQ+ person to be elected to Japanese parliament. Will Japan be the next Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage? We can’t be sure, but this is certainly a move in the right direction.
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As we mark and mourn the tragic consequences of hate, let’s remember that love is love and every human life is incredibly valuable. How can you make love visible in your community?
Peace, Alex.
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Alex Clare-Young is a transmasculine pastor, writer, and thinker. To find out more about Alex, visit transgenderchristianhuman.com.
