Australia

Australia: Review of the Expungement of Historical Offences Act 2017

Section 32 of the Expungement of Historical Offences Act 2017 (the Act) requires the Minister to cause an independent review of the operation of the Act to be completed within 6 months after the second anniversary of the Act’s commencement. The Act commenced on 9 April 2018.

Poland: Writers, actors and directors call for end to homophobia in Poland in open letter

More than 70 signatories including Poland’s Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk, Margaret Atwood and Mike Leigh accuse president Duda’s government of using LGBTQ+ people as ‘a scapegoat’

COVID-19 has “devastating” effect on women and girls

Natalia Kanem, executive director of the UN Population Fund, is among experts warning about disrupted health services and a surge in gender-based violence. Sophie Cousins reports.

Australia: Why does South Australia still have a ‘gay panic’ defence?

Despite boasting a progressive history on gay rights, South Australia is holding on to a legal defence described as discriminatory towards LGBTQI+ people. Draft legislation set to be introduced to Parliament soon might change that.

Australia: Calls for PM to drop Religious Discrimination Bill after US ruling

Australian LGBTIQ+ advocates are calling on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to ditch the Religious Discrimination Bill, following the US Supreme Court ruling to protect against workplace discrimination based on sexuality and gender identity.

ILGA-World launches toolbox to combat 'conversion therapies'

Today ILGA World launched its Toolbox to combat so-called ‘conversion therapies’: this publication offers a clear summary of legal tools, public policy tools and key allies available to ban or restrict these harmful practices that cause so much damage, pain and loss across the world.