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These weeks marked some important victories for our community as well as fearful and worrisome steps back in rights protection, at a time when we witness day by day the impact of COVID-19 on LGBTI people.
Our communities worldwide rejoiced with Costa Rica, as it became the first country in Central America where marriage equality has become a reality. But as they celebrated love, Hungary took an awful step back in trans and intersex rights, as a bill making gender legal recognition impossible for them has been signed into law.
Meanwhile, a court in Malaysia gave the green light to a challenge to a Sharia law ban on sex “against the order of nature”, and in Zambia a couple who was sentenced to 15 years in prison for consensual same-sex acts was released amidst the celebration of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity.
Research has shown how rainbow communities are more likely to face family violence and rejection - especially during this COVID-19 pandemic: in Aotearoa New Zealand, activists have called on the government to consider targeted funding for social services and community groups.
Last but not least, we want to remember activist Larry Kramer, who passed away this week at 84 in the United States. As ACT UP New York tweeted, “his rage helped inspire a movement”. May he rest in power!
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