LGBTQ Rights

List of LGBTQ Rights articles

A man wears a mask depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing makeup, during the 19th edition of the 'Belgian Pride' event, a gathering of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, on May 17, 2014 in Brussels.
A man wears a mask depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin wearing makeup, during the 19th edition of the 'Belgian Pride' event, a gathering of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, on May 17, 2014 in Brussels.

Homophobia Is Part of Putin’s War Plan

Why anti-gay propaganda has been part of Russia’s strategy against Ukraine from the start.

An activist is seen through a rainbow flag during a Pride parade in Kyiv.
An activist is seen through a rainbow flag during a Pride parade in Kyiv.

Putin’s Homophobia Is Advancing LGBTQ Rights in Ukraine

Many have begun to associate anti-gay bigotry with imperial aggression.

Members of the transgender and LGBTQ community light candles as they  pay tribute to victims of hate crimes in Uganda and all over the world, in Kampala, Uganda, on Nov. 23, 2019.
Members of the transgender and LGBTQ community light candles as they pay tribute to victims of hate crimes in Uganda and all over the world, in Kampala, Uganda, on Nov. 23, 2019.

How U.S. Evangelicals Helped Homophobia Flourish in Africa

Anti-gay sentiment had previously existed on the continent, but white American religious groups have given it a boost.

Spectators hold portraits of former German national team soccer player Mesut Ozil during a World Cup match between Spain and Germany at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, on Nov. 27.
Spectators hold portraits of former German national team soccer player Mesut Ozil during a World Cup match between Spain and Germany at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, on Nov. 27.

Mesut Ozil’s Ghost Still Haunts Germany

Proposed citizenship reform offers a chance at redemption.

A man takes away a rainbow flag in Moscow.
A man takes away a rainbow flag in Moscow.

LGBTQ Russians Were Putin’s First Target in His War on the West

In Russian President Vladimir Putin’s mind, the war in Ukraine and his decadelong assault on LGBTQ rights are two sides of the same coin.

Set in front of a light green backdrop, a multicolored and multi-patterned moth designed with the symbols for male and female sex on each wing rests atop the face of a human figure with layered, chin-length hair.
Set in front of a light green backdrop, a multicolored and multi-patterned moth designed with the symbols for male and female sex on each wing rests atop the face of a human figure with layered, chin-length hair.

How ‘Bakla’ Explains the Struggle for Queer Identity in the Philippines

The Tagalog word eludes Western concepts of gender and sexuality—and offers a window into LGBTQ+ Filipinos’ quest for acceptance.

A woman sitting inside a bus kisses a man who is standing outside the bus and leaning in the door to kiss her.
A woman sitting inside a bus kisses a man who is standing outside the bus and leaning in the door to kiss her.

Civilian Men Are Trapped in Ukraine

Human rights and humanitarian NGOs should pay attention to Kyiv’s sex-selective martial law.

Abortion rights protesters gather at the U.S. Supreme Court to denounce the court's decision to end federal abortion rights protections in Washington on June 26.
Abortion rights protesters gather at the U.S. Supreme Court to denounce the court's decision to end federal abortion rights protections in Washington on June 26.

Is Pinkwashing the Future of Post-Roe America?

Global anti-abortion activists have waved off criticism by pointing to their support for LGBTQ rights. But U.S. conservatives may be too extreme for that tactic.

Pete Buttigieg stands with his arm around his husband Chasten behind a podium with a U.S. flag in the background.
Pete Buttigieg stands with his arm around his husband Chasten behind a podium with a U.S. flag in the background.

‘Will I See a Gay President in My Lifetime? Absolutely.’

James Kirchick chronicles how the persecution of gay men in Washington tragically altered 20th-century foreign policy.

Tanay and the unnamed paying guest in the film "Cobalt Blue."
Tanay and the unnamed paying guest in the film "Cobalt Blue."

Netflix India’s ‘Cobalt Blue’ Shows Queer Love—in Primary Colors

The recent LGBTQ film tries to give life to the complications of queer desire. It falters.

Gay rights activists march during a rally against Russia’s then-proposed “gay propaganda” law in St. Petersburg, Russia, on May 1, 2013.
Gay rights activists march during a rally against Russia’s then-proposed “gay propaganda” law in St. Petersburg, Russia, on May 1, 2013.
A close-up photo shows Kirill's face and a lit red candle he is holding.
A close-up photo shows Kirill's face and a lit red candle he is holding.
Yahya, an Afghan who identifies as gay and a non-conforming person, poses during an interview at an undisclosed location on September 28, 2021.
Yahya, an Afghan who identifies as gay and a non-conforming person, poses during an interview at an undisclosed location on September 28, 2021.

What the Taliban Mean for Queer Afghans

In the absence of Western support, their lives are in danger as they struggle to flee. 

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton defends the rights of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender people from around the world in a speech during International Human Rights Day at the United Nations in Geneva on Dec. 6, 2011.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton defends the rights of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender people from around the world in a speech during International Human Rights Day at the United Nations in Geneva on Dec. 6, 2011.

What Biden Can Learn From Hillary Clinton’s Landmark LGBT Speech

When tackling big, global problems, expect pushback—but keep going.

Retired Sgt. Tom Swann wears a "lift the ban" armband to protest the "don't ask, don't tell" policy against gays in the military in Washington.
Retired Sgt. Tom Swann wears a "lift the ban" armband to protest the "don't ask, don't tell" policy against gays in the military in Washington.

Fighting ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Paved the Way for Gay Rights

A new book chronicles the arduous struggle for LGBTQ equality in the U.S. military.

Jennifer Klein speaks at the White House.
Jennifer Klein speaks at the White House.

Jennifer Klein on the U.S.’s ‘First Ever’ National Gender Strategy

“We want it to be aspirational,” said co-chair of U.S. President Joe Biden’s policy council.

Some of the 21 people arrested under suspicion of being members of the LGBT community in Ghana leave after appearing in the Circuit Court in Ho, Ghana, on June 4.
Some of the 21 people arrested under suspicion of being members of the LGBT community in Ghana leave after appearing in the Circuit Court in Ho, Ghana, on June 4.

Ghana Doubles Down on Homophobic Laws

A country long regarded as a beacon of democracy in Africa is poised to pass draconian legislation criminalizing the country’s LGBT community.

Activists protest LGBTQ discrimination in the Commonwealth.
Activists protest LGBTQ discrimination in the Commonwealth.
People wear rainbow masks at a rally in Tbilisi, Georgia.
People wear rainbow masks at a rally in Tbilisi, Georgia.

The Geopolitical Fault Line Behind the Attack on Tbilisi Pride

LGBT rights are at the center of the struggle over Georgia’s Western leanings.

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