Queerguru takes a quick look around the world right now to see how LGBTQ+rights are faring in this exceptionally peculiar political climate. Some days it seems like the gains we have made over the years in our struggle for equality will be taken away from us again. On the other hand, our community is now making well-deserved progress in places around the globe that we thought would never see any change in our lifetime.
Here’s Queerguru’s ‘barometer’ on the week’s activity on what we are celebrating and what we are commiserating over.
The Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba that has jurisdiction over three constituent
countries (Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten) and three special municipalities (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba) within the Netherlands issued the ruling in two marriage equality cases that Fundacion Orguyo Aruba and Human Rights Caribbean in Curaçao filed on behalf of two women who want marriage rights in Aruba and Curaçao.
The court has come to the conclusion that excluding same-sex marriage is in violation of the prohibition of discrimination and incompatible with state regulations,” reads the ruling.
A new law that expands Russia’s “gay propaganda” law signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in June 2013 passed the lower House of the State Duma on Nov. 24.
The legislation, which still needs the approval of the upper house of the Duma and Putin, introduces an expanded “all ages” ban on “propaganda of non-traditional relations,” 
pedophilia, as well as a ban on the dissemination of information about LGBTQ people in the media, the Internet, advertising, literature and cinema.
The language of the bill, according to the official Russian state news agency TASS, also introduces a ban on issuing a rental certificate to a film if it contains materials that promote non-traditional sexual relations and preferences is established. The document also provides for the introduction of a mechanism that restricts children’s access to listening to or viewing LGBTQ information on paid services.
A comprehensive conversion therapy ban is on the horizon in Scotland, as the government has published an incredible report from its expert advisory group. Members of the Expert Advisory Group on Ending Conversion Practices, including LGBTQ+ organisations, faith communities, mental health professionals, legal professionals, human rights advocates, academics and people with personal lived experience of conversion practices, spent around six months developing their report.
Its vision for eradicating conversion therapy in Scotland was inspired by anti-conversion therapy legislation in the Australian state of Victoria, the group said, which tackles conversion therapy through the criminal justice system as well as the state’s equality and human rights commission.
Mexico’s senate has voted to ban all conversion therapy that aims to alter sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression – putting the UK to shame. 69 lawmakers voted for the bill, 
with two against and 16 abstentions. It will now head to Mexico’s chamber of deputies for a final vote.
The vote has been years in the making, with the bill first introduced by senators from the parties Citizen Movement, Morena and the Green Party in October 2018. LGBTQ+ human rights organisation Yaaj Mexico said in a press release: “The eyes of the world are today on this historic advance in human rights, hoping that it will become an international benchmark.”
Japan’s lack Of Protections For LGBTQ Couples Is Unconstitutional, Tokyo Court Rules Japan’s lack of law to protect the rights of same-sex couples to marry and become families violates
the constitution, the Tokyo District Court ruled Wednesday in a closely watched case in a country still largely bound by traditional gender roles and family values. The court, however, said the government’s lack of legislative action is not illegal and threw out plaintiffs’ compensation demands of 1 million yen ($7,215) each. Still, the ruling was a partial victory for LGBTQ couples.
Ending HIV transmission by 2030 in the UK is in doubt due to ‘stark’ Tory government failures: ‘It’s really dire’. In 2019, then-health secretary Matt Hancock committed to ending new HIV transmissions by 2030. It was a seismic moment, but three years on, doubts are starting to creep in. HIV charities and activists are concerned that the goal is getting further out of reach with each passing year.
That’s due to a range of obstacles, from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to the monkeypox outbreak – but it’s also down to a lack of resources and a general reluctance on the part of the government to take the radical action that’s needed. Richard Angell, campaigns director at the Terrence Higgins Trust, says that it’s now “possible but not probable” that the UK will end new HIV transmission by 2030.
AND FINALLY….. these very scary photographs were taken last Saturday in broad daylight when armed thugs picketed LGBTQ+ events around the US from Columbus OHIO outside a Drag Queens Kids Story Hour ….. to Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale
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