This No Peace Without Justice (NPWJ) news digest rounds up some of the week’s top LGBTI rights stories for the week ending 7 March:
71% of LGBT voters would choose Remain in a second Brexit referendum
Gay Star News, 06 Mar 2019
LGBT voters could decide the outcome of a second Brexit referendum, a YouGov poll found. A January 2019 survey showed that, if there is a new public vote on whether the UK should remain in the European Union, gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans voters could make a difference. Polling experts at YouGov conducted the largest survey on Brexit since the 2016 referendum, questioning more than 25,000 electors. They also included 1,559 LGBT voters.
No homosexuals in Malaysia, tourism minister says
Gay Star News, 06 Mar 2019
Malaysia’s minister for tourism, arts, and culture this week claimed the country does not have any homosexuals, according to local media. I don’t think we have anything like that [homosexuals] in our country’ Mohammaddin Ketapi reportedly told a Deutsche Welle reporter at the ITB Berlin tourism fair. The reporter had asked him if Malaysia welcomed gay travelers. Malaysia is a partner of ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel and tourism event. But, it is also is in the middle of a worrying crackdown on the marginalized LGBTI community. Police have raided gay clubs and arrested individuals.
Queer black mob face struggles beyond marriage equality
The Guardian, 05 Mar 2019
Mardi Gras time in Australia is a mixed bag for me. The saturation of messaging highlighting the inclusivity of the LGBTQIA+ community is often in direct conflict with my own experiences as a queer Wiradjuri person. None more so than in the wake of the marriage equality plebiscite. The plebiscite inflicted upon LGBTQIA communities in 2017 took an awful toll on queer people. But in the time since, what has changed for queer Indigenous people and their communities? Was it really the victory that was imagined?
Surprise! Trump global plan to decriminalize homosexuality has fans at CPAC
Washington Blade, 05 Mar 2019
The Conservative Political Action Conference isn’t known for being a confab for supporters of LGBT rights, but this year brought surprise support for the Trump administration’s recently announced global initiative to decriminalize homosexuality. Attendees at last weekend’s 2019 Conservative Political Action Conference who spoke with the Washington Blade — many of whom were wearing business suits and “Make America Great Again” hats as they moved from event to event — were uniformly in favor of the plan.
Birmingham school stops LGBT lessons after parents protest
The Guardian, 04 Mar 2019
A primary school that taught pupils about homosexuality as part of a programme to challenge homophobia has stopped the lessons after hundreds of children were withdrawn by parents in protest. Parkfield community school in Saltley, Birmingham, has been the scene of weekly protests over the lessons, which parents claim are promoting gay and transgender lifestyles. In a letter to parents, the school said: “Up to the end of this term, we will not be delivering any No Outsiders lessons in our long-term year curriculum plan, as this half term has already been blocked for religious education (RE). Equality assemblies will continue as normal and our welcoming No Outsiders ethos will be there for all.”
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