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International Updates
Inter-American Court of Human Rights recognises right to legal gender recognition and same-sex couples’ right to marriage
In response to a request by Costa Rica regarding the obligations of States to recognise the economic consequences of a same-sex union and recognition of a person’s gender identity, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has published an advisory opinion stating that gender identity and non-discrimination based on sexual orientation are protected by the American Convention […]
Bermuda’s marriage law challenged
A gay Bermudian citizen has launched a legal challenge against the Attorney-General for revoking his right to marry in his country and subjecting him to “inhuman or degrading treatment”. Lawyers representing the party filed a lawsuit yesterday afternoon with the Supreme Court, claiming that the new Domestic Partnership Act was unconstitutional. The Act, which replaced […]
Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a violation of civil rights, rules US Appeals Court
The US Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit has ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bans discrimination on the basis of sex, also bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. In this case, a gay worker had alleged that he had been dismissed from service after revealing […]
Japan province to recognise same-sex partnerships
The Fukuoka province of Japan is set to introduce a new system to officially recognise same sex couples as partners. While this will not accord to them the status of a married couple, the new framework will enable same-sex couples to receive a “receipt,” which may be used when couples rent city-run housing or undergo […]
Israel relaxes restrictions on blood donation by gay men
Israel has relaxed its restrictions of sexual abstinence on gay men who wish to donate blood, as a result of a new procedure that will only used blood plasma component. As a key population at risk of HIV, gay men face sexual abstinence conditions for blood donation across the world. While Israel did not permit […]
Plea seeking legality of marrying Rohingya girl rejected by Bangladesh High Court
A Bangladesh High Court rejected a writ petition which sought protection from harassment for his son, who had married a Rohingya girl, and was at risk of being arrested. Additionally, the Court imposed exemplary costs upon him for wasting judicial time and resources. According to a governmental notification issued in 2014, marriages between Bangladeshis and […]
Malaysian Federal Court rules that consent of both parents required for children’s religious conversion
Malaysia’s highest court has held that the consent of both parents is needed to change a child’s religion, voiding the unilateral conversion of Hindu mother M. Indira Gandhi’s children by her Muslim ex-husband. Article 12(4) of the Constitution states that the religion of a person under the age of 18 years shall be decided by […]
Court permission no longer required for gender transition hormone therapy in Australia
An Australian Family Court has held that teenagers no longer require the authorisation of the court to undergo stage 2 of hormone therapy, which is irreversible in nature, for gender dysphoria. In earlier cases, Australian courts had held that since the treatment was irreversible, it was necessary for the Court to assess the ability of […]
German courts mandates introduction of third gender category in public documents
The Federal Constitutional Court of Germany has held that the civil status law, which does not provide a third gender category for registration, is violative of the right to privacy, and thus incompatible with the constitution. The Court has directed the legislature to within a year, create a new regulation to provide for registration of […]
UK Court of Appeal quashes order denying parental rights to transwoman
The Court of Appeal reversed a High Court judgement which prevented a transgender father, belonging to an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, from having direct contact with her five children. The tight-knit Haredi community in Manchester had threatened to ostracise her family if they had any contact with her once it was found she was living as […]