LGBTQ Rights

List of LGBTQ Rights articles

A gay student poses facing away from the camera with a rainbow flag draped around them on a sidewalk in Beijing. Thy are framed by trees, flower boxes and a river.
A gay student poses facing away from the camera with a rainbow flag draped around them on a sidewalk in Beijing. Thy are framed by trees, flower boxes and a river.

‘Rainbow Hunters’ Target LGBTQ Chinese Students

Crackdowns against gender and sexual minorities are terrifying activists.

A participant wearing a rainbow-colored wig holds up a sign reading, in English, “Queer rights are human rights” during a pride parade in Cyprus. Other participants mill about in the background against a sunny sky.
A participant wearing a rainbow-colored wig holds up a sign reading, in English, “Queer rights are human rights” during a pride parade in Cyprus. Other participants mill about in the background against a sunny sky.
Volunteers carry a huge rainbow flag during a parade as part of the Seoul Queer Culture Festival in Seoul, South Korea.
Volunteers carry a huge rainbow flag during a parade as part of the Seoul Queer Culture Festival in Seoul, South Korea.

In Seoul, Pride Strikes Back

South Korean LGBTQ+ groups fight for their rights as far-right politicians and religious groups attempt to block Pride parades.

Four people wearing colorful outfits and face paint sit together beneath a large rainbow flag. The people are smiling and have their hands raised to keep the flag billowing above their head.
Four people wearing colorful outfits and face paint sit together beneath a large rainbow flag. The people are smiling and have their hands raised to keep the flag billowing above their head.

Is Nepal Ready for Marriage Equality?

Same-sex marriage has been on the cards for years, but progress has been slow.

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.

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