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International Lesbian Day 2021

Designed to celebrate the history and achievements of the lesbian community, October 8 is International Lesbian Day 2021. Thought to have originated in Australasia, some say that the day began in 1980 when a lesbian march was held in New Zealand. The first Australian event was held a decade later, with International Lesbian Day then becoming a global phenomenon for the community.

Although International Lesbian Day is predominately observed in Australia and New Zealand, it is recognised by LGBTQ+ communities across the world and is inclusive of all self-identifying lesbians and allies. LGBTQ+ activists and advocacy organisations have been celebrating on social media, with Stonewall tweeting: “Happy #InternationalLesbianDay to all the incredible lesbians around the world!” Gendered Intelligence also wished the LGBTQ+ community a happy International Lesbian Day, adding: “A day without lesbians is like a day without sunshine.”

Happy International Lesbian Day from Scene!

Sussex students demand removal of ‘transphobic’ Kathleen Stock

Students from the University of Sussex have launched a campaign to demand the removal of ‘gender critical’ philosophy professor, Kathleen Stock, who has caused controversy over her supposedly anti-trans views. Although Stock has previously denied that she is transphobic, the students argued: “Transphobes like Stock are anti-feminist, anti-queer and anti-intellectual, they are harmful and dangerous to trans people.”

They went on to criticise the university for employing Stock, adding: “The university is actively enabling and encouraging her transphobia by not firing her, which whilst not surprising, has continued for far too long.” Since the campaign was launched, #ShameOnSussexUni has been trending on Twitter. While many social media users penalised the uni for not firing Stock, others are shared messages of support for the professor, criticising the students for campaigning against her.

Kathleen Stock

In response to the situation, Sussex vice-chancellor, Adam Tickell said the activity is being “investigated”, describing it as an “attack” on “Professor Kathleen Stock for exercising her academic freedoms.” He continued: “We cannot and will not tolerate threats to cherished academic freedoms and will take any action necessary to protect the rights of our community.”

Trans activist, Katy Montgomerie, responded to Tickell on Twitter, saying: “She’s signed a declaration calling to ban trans people from public spaces and end their healthcare. That’s not academic freedom, it’s campaigning against people’s human rights.” The students leading the campaign have not publicly addressed Tickell’s statement, but concluded their mission statement saying: “Our demand is simple: fire Kathleen Stock. Until then, you’ll see us around.”

BBC to quit Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme

A report by VICE World News has revealed that the BBC is likely to be withdrawing from Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme, leaving LGBTQ+ staff “horrified”. According to the report, the BBC could be quitting the scheme – which strives to ensure that all “LGBTQ+ staff are accepted without exception in the workplace” – as soon as next week, causing concern among the LGBTQ+ community.

An anonymous person involved in the BBC discussions explained the decision, saying: “BBC bosses feel that they can’t allow the organisation to be connected to Stonewall in any way, because the BBC needs to be ‘impartial on LGBTQ+ lives’.” They said that they are “super scared” about the impact this will have on LGBTQ+ employees, with the BBC planning to “quietly withdraw from the scheme, by just not renewing their membership” in the coming weeks. The BBC declined to answer questions from VICE. 

Numerous LGBTQ+ activists and advocacy organisations have expressed outrage at the news, with Mermaids tweeting: “Solidarity with all LGBTQIA+ staff at the BBC. We stand with you and with all those who are working tirelessly in hostile, transphobic environments.” A handful of high-profile organisations have withdrawn from the Diversity Champion’s Programme, including Ofcom, which argued its “relationship with Stonewall poses a conflict or risk of perceived bias”.

Study: Majority of LGBTQ+ athletes accepted by teammates

A new study by Outsports has found that 95% of LGBTQ+ American athletes received a neutral or positive response after coming out to their teammates, with a total of 820 participants sharing their stories. The research was conducted by Outsports, the University of Winchester and the Sports Equality Foundation, and found that only 4.6% of athletes had a bad coming out experience.

On the other hand, 24.8% said the response from teammates after coming out was “perfect or near perfect.” LGBTQ+ college athletes reported having a better coming out experience compared to high school athletes, with 88.4% of college respondents saying they had a “good” response from teammates. Conversely, 71.3% of high school participants reported a “good” coming out experience.

Out of all the experiences discussed by participants, only 29 were by athletes who said they came out to their teammates as trans, with Outsports due to release a trans-specific report in the coming days. Researcher Dr Eric Anderson, from the University of Winchester, said the results are not surprising, adding: “This reflects years of research that I have conducted on smaller scales, all showing athletes are more comfortable with gay teammates than anyone thought possible.”

France moving to ban conversion therapy

France could become the next European country to outlaw LGBTQ+ conversion therapy after the country’s National Assembly voted unanimously to pass Bill 673 on Tuesday. If successful, the bill will prosecute medical professions found practicing or administering conversion therapy, meaning they could face a two-year prison sentence of a €30,000 fine.

Those who offer conversion therapy to minors will face even an even harsher sentence of up to three years imprisonment or a fine of €45,000. The bill was first introduced by lawmaker Laurence Vanceunebrock, who told Connexion France that although the country already has anti-discrimination laws in place, a specific set of regulations is needed to address the needs of conversion therapy survivors. 

If the bill is approved by the French Senate, it is expected to be enforced in February 2022. Meanwhile, conversion therapy continues to be legal in the UK, with March 28 2021 marking 1,000 days since the government first promised to ban the controversial practice. Nick Herbert, UK government’s first-ever envoy on LGBTQ+ rights, recently confirmed that leaders are planning to introduce a national ban on conversion therapy in Spring 2022, but did not provide any further details.

Carrie Johnson speaks out in support of LGBTQ+ rights

Environmental campaigner and wife of the prime minister, Carrie Johnson, shared a message of support for the LGBTQ+ community during a public appearance at a Conservative conference on Tuesday. According to The Guardian, Johnson insisted the government is committed to “equality and acceptance for everyone”, adding: “For all the progress we’ve made as a society we know there is still a long way to go.”

She noted that the LGBTQ+ community continues to face “stigma, harassment and discrimination” frequently, saying: “Around the world being LGBTQ+ is still a crime in 71 countries. In 11 countries it is punishable by death, just because of who you love. None of this is acceptable, obviously, and it is up to all of us to stand up and say so as loudly as we can.”

Her appearance at the conference was organised by Stonewall, despite equalities minister Liz Truss urging the government to pull out of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions programme earlier this year as conflict between the LGBTQ+ organisation and UK leaders over trans equality continues. Addressing the divide among the Tory party regarding trans rights, chair of LGBT+ Conservatives, Elena Bunbury, said at the recent conference: “Trans people are not dangerous, they’re not scary, and they’re certainly not a threat to women and children – although the other event titles [at the conference] might think they are.”

38th trans person killed in the US this year

21-year-old Kiér Laprí Kartier, a Black trans woman, is the 38th trans or gender non-conforming person to have been violently killed in the US this year, as well as being the 5th trans person to have been murdered in Texas in 2021. According to NBC News, police discovered Kartier last Thursday in a car parked outside an apartment building in Arlington. She was unresponsive due to suffering a gunshot wound and later died in hospital. 

Following Kartier’s death, Tori Cooper, director of community engagement for the Human Rights Campaign’s Transgender Justice Initiative, said: “With Kartier’s death, we’ve already recorded more incidents of fatal violence this year than at this time last year. These attacks on our community must stop, and we need to direct resources toward supporting and protecting transgender and non-binary people.”

In 2020, 44 trans and gender non-conforming people were violently killed in the US, making it the deadliest year on record for trans Americans. A total of 350 trans people were killed globally, the majority of whom were murdered in Brazil, Mexico and the US. Activists are fearful that if the current rate of violence continues, 2021 will have an even higher fatality rate than last year.

Liz Truss speaks out against self-identification for trans people

UK ex-equalities minister, Liz Truss, ( now Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development) has caused controversy after telling The Telegraph that “it wouldn’t be right to have self-identification with no checks and balances in the system” in relation to trans people. Although the Tory minister insisted she has “full respect for transgender people”, she went on to show support for MP Rosie Duffield, who was criticised after defending Piers Morgan for mocking trans-inclusive language.

Truss has been accused of neglecting the trans community on multiple occasions. Her role in dropping plans to allow trans people to self-identify caused outrage among the LGBTQ+ community, with Truss reiterating that the government wants to ensure “there are proper checks and balances in the system”. She continued to argue that ‘the Equality Act 2010 clearly protects transgender people from discrimination’, however many feel further reforms are needed.

Kemi Badenoch

Truss’s colleague and fellow equalities minister, Kemi Badenoch, has also come under fire in the past weeks after a  leaked 2018 video showed the MP making anti-LGBTQ+ comments, particularly in relation to the trans community. In the video, Badenoch was heard misgendering trans women, and saying: “Well we’ve got gay marriage, and civil partnerships, so what are transsexuals looking for?” Although a handful of MPs and LGBTQ+ activists suggested Badenoch resign, she still remains in her position.

Laurel Hubbard named sportswoman of the year

43-year-old weightlifter Laurel Hubbard, known for being the first out trans person to compete in the Olympic games, has been named ‘sportswoman of the year’ in the Blues awards by New Zealand’s University of Otago. According to the Otago Daily Times, the prestigious sporting awards have been running since 1908, but Hubbard is the first trans winner in history. 

Discussing the achievement, Hubbard said that she is “grateful for all of the support and kindness received from the teaching staff and students at Otago University”, adding: “It is not possible for athletes to compete at the Olympic level without the encouragement and aroha of friends, family and supporters…This award belongs to everyone who has been part of my Olympic journey.”

Laurel Hubbard

Despite widespread support for Hubbard in her home country, some contested her participation in the games, with Belgian weightlifter Anna Van Bellinghen describing trans inclusion in professional sports as a “bad joke” which is “unfair” to cis women such as herself. Despite the increasing hostility towards trans athletes, a 2021 study found there is no evidence to support banning trans women from sports, saying any advantages should be related to an athlete’s individual ability.

 

Government promises to ban conversion therapy in 2022

Nick Herbert, UK government’s first-ever envoy on LGBTQ+ rights, has confirmed that officials are planning to introduce a national ban on conversion therapy in Spring 2022. Responding to an advisory report on banning conversion therapy, Herbert tweeted: “I know the Government remains committed – as set out in the Queen’s speech – to bringing forward legislation next Spring to ensure that the abhorrent practice of conversion therapy will be banned.”

Earlier this year, the Queen confirmed that LGBTQ+ conversion therapy, which is known to cause trauma and depression in those who are subjected to it, will be banned in the UK, with those found practicing it illegally facing penalties. March 28 marked 1,000 days since the government first promised to ban LGBTQ+ conversion therapy, with Boris Johnson referring to the practice as “abhorrent”. A debate was held earlier this year but so far no official ban has been enacted.

The subject was first brought to debate after over 250,000 signed a petition calling for those who practice the controversial form of treatment to be penalised. Equalities secretary Kemi Badenoch insissted the government is taking plans to ban conversion therapy “very seriously”, and said research into the experiences of survivors has been comissioned.

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