International Safe Zone

Learning more about intersectionality and complexity of international LGBTQ+ in the United States and providing a safe place to learn and explore about their sexual and affectional identity.

By Kyoung Mi Choi

South London
UK's first LGBT rainbow road crossing unveiled in south London
standard.co.uk - Sophia Sleigh
The UK’s first permanent rainbow road crossing has been unveiled in south London following in the footsteps of Vancouver, Sydney and Paris. The …
Mecca
Raising Awareness & Inclusive Spaces for LGBTQ Muslims
hrc.org - Human Rights Campaign
As one of only five openly gay imams in the world, Imam Daayiee Abdullah is using his visibility to raise awareness and build a culture of acceptance …
Non-binary
Trans Teens, Trailed by Homelessness
CityLab - Sarah Holder
In California and other states, transgender and non-binary people are more likely to be unsheltered than any other unhoused population. The decision to leave home wasn’t easy for Greyson. After his mother
Transgender
Transgender hate crimes are on the rise even in Canada
theconversation.com - Abigail Curlew
Canada has a good reputation for LGBTQ rights. Federal political leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and federal NDP Leader Jagmeet …
Homophobia
Homophobia seen rising in European countries without gay marriage
Reuters - Megan Davies
LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Homophobia has risen in European countries that do not legally recognize same-sex relationships, while acceptance of gay and lesbian people has jumped in states where
Discrimination
LGBTQ+ members in showbiz urged to stand vs. discrimination
cnnphilippines.com
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 21) — A rights advocate on Wednesday urged members of the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, …
Same-sex Marriage
Q&A: Same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland
BBC News
Northern Ireland's ban on same-sex marriage could be lifted within months, depending on the outcome of the talks to save devolution at Stormont. Same-sex marriage has been one of the main sticking points
LGBTQI
Berlin memorial to gay Nazi victims vandalized
washingtonblade.com - Michael K. Lavers
Police in the German capital say vandals have damaged a memorial to gay victims of the Nazis. The Associated Press on Monday said security guards at …
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Could Join 19 States in Protecting Access to Trans Health
out.com - Matt Baume
A judge has ruled the Affordable Care Act protects trans patients from discrimination. A federal judge has ruled that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) …
LGBTQI
London vigil demands justice for murdered Russian LGBT+ activist Yelena Grigoryeva
gcn.ie - Haritha Olaganathan
Yelena Grigoryeva, a Russian LGBT+ activist who was brutally murdered near her home in late July, was honoured by a London vigil on Saturday. After …
English Premier League
Australia’s only openly gay male professional footballer says coming out has been ‘amazing’
pinknews.co.uk
Andy Brennan, the first openly gay male professional footballer in Australia’s A-League, has opened up about the reaction he’s had since coming out …
LGBTQI
Cuban officials 'humiliate' LGBT activist and block him from travelling to US
pinknews.co.uk
The Cuban government has blocked a LGBT+ activist from leaving the country and travelling to the US, despite travel restrictions being lifted in 2013. …
Gender
These college students are far more prone to serious mental-health issues
MarketWatch - By Meera Jagannathan
College students with marginalized gender identities are far more likely to experience mental-health issues than their cisgender counterparts, a new …
Ottawa, ON
Mayor of Canada's Capital Comes Out as Gay in Emotional Op-Ed
advocate.com - Neal Broverman
Mayor Jim Watson, 58, says he regrets not coming out sooner. The mayor of Ottawa, Canada's capital, came out in an op-ed in the Ottawa Citizen this …
Ottawa, ON
Mayor Jim Watson: After 40 years, I'm opening the closet door
ottawacitizen.com - Christina Spencer, Ottawa Citizen
I’m gay. Read More
Medicaid
Wisconsin judge rules Medicaid must cover transgender healthcare
pinknews.co.uk
Wisconsin Medicaid can no longer refuse to pay for hormone treatments and gender-reassignment surgery for transgender people, a judge has ruled. The …
Berlin
Berlin memorial to gay victims of Nazis vandalized
NBC News - Associated Press
Nazi Germany declared homosexuality an aberration that threatened the German race and sent thousands of gays to concentration camps. BERLIN — Berlin police say a central memorial to the gay victims of
Transgender
Trump administration argues it’s completely legal to fire someone for being transgender
gaytimes.co.uk - Matt Moore
The administration is claiming that being trans isn’t protected under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Court filings from the Tr*mp …
Karan Johar
Karan Johar is targeted for his sexuality yet again, filmmaker responds with sarcasm: ‘You absolutely...
hindustantimes.com - HT Correspondent
Filmmaker Karan Johar slammed a troll on Sunday afternoon. The troll tried to make fun of Karan’s sexuality and tweeted, “Karan johar k life pe ek …
Poland
Poland's Kaczynski condemns gay pride marches as election nears
Reuters - by Alicja Ptak
STALOWA WOLA, Poland (Reuters) - Poland must resist the "traveling theater" of gay pride marches, the leader of its conservative ruling party said on Sunday, as the staunchly Roman Catholic country gears
Nigeria
New survey finds a decrease in homophobic attitudes in Nigeria - Gay Times
gaytimes.co.uk - Matt Moore
However, Nigeria still remains a dangerous place to be LGBTQ. A survey from The Initiative for Equality Rights has found that homophobic attitudes in …
Glastonbury
Songs of Praise broadcasts show's first gay wedding
The Telegraph - By Hayley Dixon
Songs of Praise has screened the show's first ever gay wedding as part of a drive to modernise the programme. Presenters of the BBC One show have vowed that they are “not afraid of controversy” as they
LGBTQI
A Gay Couple with Two Kids Fled Russia Due to 'Gay Propaganda Law'
out.com - Serena Sonoma
Authorities threatened to take away the two husband's children after they told them they were married. A gay Russian couple with two kids, were forced …
Gender
Finding Identity Without Gender: A Queer Photographer's Journey
NPR - Olivia Falcigno
The Boston-based queer and gender nonbinary photographer created a portrait series exploring queer and nonbinary identities — people living without limits and refusing to identify with traditional male
Conversion Therapy
Two conversion therapy survivors want protections for LGBTQ youth
CBC News - jg
For Thomas Argue, growing up in Victoria County in the 1990s was idyllic in some ways, humiliating and painful in others. Argue, who is gay, was …
Palestinian Authority
PA police ban Palestinian LGBT group from holding activities in West Bank
timesofisrael.com - By Adam Rasgon
The Palestinian Authority police have banned a Palestinian LGBT rights group, from organizing any activities in the West Bank and threatened to …
Cannabis
Victoria police say sorry to LGBTIQ+ community for causing 'unacceptable harm'
Australia News - Australian Associated Press
Victoria Police have apologised for causing “unnecessary and unacceptable harm” to the LGBTIQ+ community. The chief commissioner, Graham Ashton, formally apologised to the community, as well as to gay
Journalism
Trump’s Latest Proposal Would Let Businesses Discriminate Based On LGBTQ Status, Race, Religion, And More
buzzfeednews.com - Dominic Holden
The rule, which applies to many federal contractors, is Trump’s latest move to let religious people sidestep civil rights policies. The Trump …
LGBTQI
Royal Marine's son comes out as gay and his reaction will warm your heart
pinknews.co.uk
A former Royal Marine’s recently came out as gay to him, and his reaction on social media had users gushing about his parenting skills. Jack – known …