Gay Primary Source

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Slovenia Legalises Same-Sex Marriage


"
''Slovenia has finally joined the countries in Europe and the world that have already made the status of heterosexual and same-sex couples equal'', said State Secretary Simon Maljevac after the National Assembly confirmed the amended Family Code following decisions made by Slovenia’s Constitutional Court.

In compliance with two decisions by the Constitutional Court, the confirmed amendments ensure there will be no more discrimination between heterosexual and same-sex couples in the definition of marriage. The same arrangement is being introduced for partners who are not married and live in extra-marital relationships. With the amended definition of marriage and the regulation of extra-marital relationships for heterosexual and same-sex partners, partners in these relationships are equal in all legal consequences determined by the Family Code, and in legal consequences in other legal domains. Legally recognised relationships in extra-marital and marital relationships and families are not only important for the exercise of rights and duties in the field of family law, but also affect numerous rights and duties of individuals in other legal fields, including laws governing succession, damages, penalties, work, taxes and social security. The regulation of this field is therefore crucial for ensuring the equal treatment of partners in heterosexual and same-sex relationships.

The adopted amendments to the Family Code in compliance with the decisions by the Constitutional Court are a consolation in the history of systematic violations of human rights, and we at the ministry are firmly convinced that the recognition of the rights of same-sex partners means a move in the direction of a more just and tolerant society. "

Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, October 5, 2022.

     Click here to see original statement 

 

 

Saturday, April 2, 2022

US Dept. of Justice Tells States: No Discrimination!

Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs, Thursday, March 31, 2022

Justice Department Reinforces Federal Nondiscrimination Obligations in Letter to State Officials Regarding Transgender Youth

The Justice Department announced today that it issued a letter to all state attorneys general reminding them of federal constitutional and statutory provisions that protect transgender youth against discrimination, including when those youth seek gender-affirming care.

“The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that all children are able to live free from discrimination, abuse and harassment,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Today’s letter reaffirms state and local officials’ obligation to ensure that their laws and policies do not undermine or harm the health and safety of children, regardless of a child’s gender identity.”   

The letter advises states that laws and policies that prevent individuals from receiving gender-affirming medical care may infringe on federal constitutional protections under the Equal Protection Clause and Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The letter also discusses federal statutes that impose nondiscrimination obligations, including Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

The letter was issued on the International Transgender Day of Visibility in recognition of the contributions and accomplishments of transgender and gender non-conforming people, as well as their continued struggle to live free from violence and discrimination.

A copy of today’s letter can be found here. Additional information about the Civil Rights Division’s work to uphold and protect the civil and constitutional rights of LGBTQI+ individuals is available online at https://www.justice.gov/crt/lgbtqi-working-group. Complaints about discriminatory practices may be reported to the Civil Rights Division through its internet reporting portal at https://civilrights.justice.gov.

     Click here to see original press release

     Click here to see original DOJ letter

 

 


Monday, March 28, 2022

Austin TX Schools Fight Back Against State-Sanctioned Hate

 

" Austin ISD Pride Week— March 21-26—is an annual celebration of our LGBTQIA+ students, staff and families. During the week, campuses are provided with activities that support the value of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde has released the following statement ahead of Austin ISD Pride Week.

Pride Month happens in June when we’re on summer break. Here at Austin ISD, we celebrate Pride during every school year so our LGBTQIA+ students know how much they are valued and loved. This year, it’s important to me personally that they know they are respected and safe, too, and lest anyone have any doubt, that absolutely goes for our trans kids. We are ALL Austin ISD. We embrace diversity.

La Semana del Orgullo del Austin ISD (del 21 al 26 de marzo) es una celebración anual de nuestros estudiantes, personal y familias LGBTQIA+.

Durante la semana, las escuelas tienen actividades que apoyan el valor de la comunidad LGBTQIA+. La superintendente Stephanie S. Elizalde ha publicado la siguiente declaración en vísperas de la Semana del Orgullo del Austin ISD.

El Mes del Orgullo ocurre en junio cuando estamos en las vacaciones de verano. Aquí en el Austin ISD, celebramos el Orgullo durante cada ciclo escolar para que nuestros estudiantes LGBTQIA+ sepan cuánto son valorados y amados. Este año, es importante para mí personalmente que sepan que son respetados y están seguros también, y para que no quede ninguna duda, esto definitivamente se aplica para nuestros niños transgénero. TODOS somos Austin ISD. Aceptamos la diversidad. "

Austin Independent School District Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde, March 24, 2022.

     Click here to see original

 

 

Sunday, November 21, 2021

Pres. Biden Marks Transgender Day of Remembrance


" This year, at least 46 transgender individuals in this country—and hundreds more around the world—were killed in horrifying acts of violence. Each of these lives was precious. Each of them deserved freedom, justice, and joy. Today, on Transgender Day of Remembrance, we mourn those we lost in the deadliest year on record for transgender Americans, as well as the countless other transgender people—disproportionately Black and brown transgender women and girls—who face brutal violence, discrimination, and harassment.

In spite of our progress strengthening civil rights for LGBTQI+ Americans, too many transgender people still live in fear and face systemic barriers to freedom and equality. To ensure that our government protects the civil rights of transgender Americans, I charged my team with coordinating across the federal government to address the epidemic of violence and advance equality for transgender people. I continue to call on state leaders and lawmakers to combat the disturbing proliferation of discriminatory state legislation targeting transgender people, especially transgender children. As I have said before, these bills are nothing more than bullying disguised as legislation, they are un-American, and they endanger the safety and well-being of our children. I also continue to urge the Senate to swiftly pass the Equality Act so that all people are able to live free from fear and discrimination.

Transgender people are some of the bravest Americans I know. But no person should have to be brave just to live in safety and dignity. Today, we remember. Tomorrow—and every day—we must continue to act. "

President Joe Biden, November 20, 2021.

    Click here for original statement

    Click here for plan for action


Sunday, June 6, 2021

Pres. Biden Marks 40th Anniversary of First Report of AIDS Patients


" Forty years ago today, five young men in Los Angeles were confirmed as the first known patients stricken with an illness that the world would later come to know as AIDS. In the decades since, more than 700,000 Americans and 32.7 million people worldwide have been lost to AIDS-related illnesses – a heartbreaking human toll that has disproportionately devastated LGBTQ+ communities, communities of color, and underserved and marginalized people around the world.

On the 40th year of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, we remember the lives that were cut short by this terrible disease – including so many whose pain went unacknowledged for far too long. We also celebrate the resilience and dignity of the over 38 million people worldwide, including approximately 1.2 million Americans, living with HIV.

Thanks to the tireless dedication of activists, scientific researchers, and medical professionals, we have made tremendous progress to advance HIV research, prevention, treatment, and care. And after years of neglect, discrimination, fear-mongering, and limited action by government officials and the public, America has grown to become a leading force in the fight to end the HIV crisis. Through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief – and as the largest donor to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria – the U.S. has invested more than $85 billion since 2002 to support HIV programs around the world, including $250 million provided in my American Rescue Plan to address the impacts of COVID-19 on our progress in the fight against HIV. All told, these efforts are estimated to have saved more than 20 million lives globally. To help accelerate and strengthen our efforts to end the HIV epidemic in the United States, I have requested $670 million from Congress, an increase of $267 million over previous levels, to aggressively reduce new HIV cases by increasing access to treatment, expanding the use of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and ensuring equitable access to services free from stigma and discrimination.

Despite the progress we’ve made, our work is not yet finished. In honor of all those we have lost and all those living with the virus – and the selfless caregivers, advocates, and loved ones who have helped carry the burden of this crisis – we must rededicate ourselves to reducing HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths. We must continue empowering researchers, scientists, and health care providers to ensure equitable access to prevention, care, and treatment in every community – particularly for communities of color and the LGBTQ+ community. And we must provide moral leadership to eradicate the stigma and discrimination still faced by those living with HIV, rededicating ourselves to continuing the vital work of ending this epidemic once and for all. "

President Joe Biden, June 5, 2021

     Click here to see original   

 

 

Saturday, May 22, 2021

Ambassadors Support Polish LGBTI Community

" Open letter of the Ambassadors of Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, The Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Venezuela, as well as the General Representative of the Government of Flanders, the CEO of Wallonie-Bruxelles International, the Head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Poland, the Representatives in Poland of the European Commission and of the UNHCR, the Director of The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration and the Secretary General of the Community of Democracies, and, as members of the troika of coordinating embassies: Belgium, Denmark and the United States. 

This year, the letter has been coordinated by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Denmark in Poland. 

On the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), we express our support for the efforts to raise public awareness of issues affecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community and other communities in Poland facing similar challenges.  

To this end, we acknowledge the efforts of the organisers of the equality parade and marchesin Białystok, Bydgoszcz, Częstochowa, Gdynia, Gniezno, Gorzów Wielkopolski, Kalisz, Katowice, Kielce, Konin, Koszalin, Kraków, Lublin, Łódź, Olsztyn, Opole, Piła, Płock, Poznań, Radomsko, Rzeszów, Szczecin, Toruń, Trójmiasto, Warsaw, Włocławek, Wrocław and Zielona Góra. 

We affirm the inherent dignity of each individual asexpressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Respect for these fundamental rights, which are also enshrined in OSCE commitments and the obligations and standards of the Council of Europe and the European Union as communities of rights and values, obliges governments to protect all citizens from violence and discrimination and to ensure they enjoy equal opportunities.   

To this end, and in particular to shield communities in need of protection from verbal and physical abuse and hate speech, we need to jointly work on an environment of non-discrimination, tolerance and mutual acceptance. 

This includes in particular sectors such as education, health, social affairs, citizenship, public service and public documents.

We pay tribute to the hard work of LGBTI and other communities in Poland and around the world, as well as the work of all those who seek to ensure human rights for LGBTI and other persons belonging to communities facing similar challenges, and to end discrimination in particular on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.  

Human rights are universal and everyone, including LGBTI persons -are entitled to their full enjoyment.  

This is something that everyone should support. "

Letter marking International Day Against Homophobia, May 17, 2021.

      Click here to see the original

 

 




 


Monday, May 10, 2021

HHS Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity


HHS Office for Civil Rights to Enforce Prohibitions on Sex Discrimination in Line with Supreme Court Decision

Washington D.C. – Today, the Department of Health and Human Services announced that the Office for Civil Rights will interpret and enforce Section 1557 and Title IX’s prohibitions on discrimination based on sex to include: (1) discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation; and (2) discrimination on the basis of gender identity.  Section 1557 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in covered health programs or activities.  The update was made in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County and subsequent court decisions.

“The Supreme Court has made clear that people have a right not to be discriminated against on the basis of sex and receive equal treatment under the law, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation. That’s why today HHS announced it will act on related reports of discrimination,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.  “Fear of discrimination can lead individuals to forgo care, which can have serious negative health consequences. It is the position of the Department of Health and Human Services that everyone – including LGBTQ people - should be able to access health care, free from discrimination or interference, period.”

Discrimination in health care impacts health outcomes. Research shows that one quarter of LGBTQ people who faced discrimination postponed or avoided receiving needed medical care for fear of further discrimination.

“The mission of our Department is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation. All people need access to healthcare services to fix a broken bone, protect their heart health, and screen for cancer risk,” said Dr. Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health.  “No one should be discriminated against when seeking medical services because of who they are.”  

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (the Department) is responsible for enforcing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (Section 1557) and regulations issued under Section 1557, protecting the civil rights of individuals who access or seek to access covered health programs or activities. Covered entities are prohibited from discriminating against consumers on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

“OCR’s mission is to protect people from all forms of discrimination,” said Robinsue Frohboese, Acting OCR Director.  “OCR will follow Supreme Court precedent and federal law, and ensure that the law’s protections extend to those individuals who are discriminated against based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”

On June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court held that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII)’s prohibition on employment discrimination based on sex encompasses discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Bostock v. Clayton County, GA, 140 S. Ct. 1731 (2020). The Bostock majority concluded that the plain meaning of “because of sex” in Title VII necessarily included discrimination because of sexual orientation and gender identity. Id. at 1753-54. Consistent with the Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock and Title IX, beginning today OCR will interpret Section 1557’s prohibition on discrimination on the basis of sex to include: (1) discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation; and (2) discrimination on the basis of gender identity.  This interpretation will guide OCR in processing complaints and conducting investigations, but does not itself determine the outcome in any particular case or set of facts... "

HHS Announces Prohibition on Sex Discrimination Includes Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, May 10, 2021.

       click here to see original