US Supreme Court tosses Alabama marriage challenge
Despite being short one justice, the US Supreme Court has overruled an attempt by religious groups in Alabama to avoid issuing marriages to same-sex couples. Alabama’s chief justice has been on a crusade against equal marriage in the state, but has been repeatedly shut down by federal judges.
Australian leaders show up to gay Mardi Gras
Both Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and opposition leader Bill Shorten showed up to Sydney’s gay and lesbian Mardi Gras, the first time an Australian leader has attended. Turnbull has agreed to a controversial plebiscite on marriage equality later this year.
Italians protest weakened civil unions
Thousands of gay rights protesters gathered in Rome Saturday to protest a watered-down civil unions bill now being examined in Italy’s lower house. To pass through the Italian Senate, the bill had to be stripped of provisions that would allow gay people to adopt a partner’s biological children.
Read more from Agence France-Presse.
Queer chaos
In the aftermath of marriage equality in the United States, the LGBT movement is scattered and directionless, writes Kerry Eleveld at The Advocate. That’s no reason to despair, however, he says. It may be the start of a new era of queer rights that takes on a more diverse range of issues.
Indonesia targets gay websites
In Indonesia’s continued crackdown on LGBT rights, the government now says it is considering a ban on gay material on the internet. A government official said gay websites must be stopped because they “can damage national security, identity, culture and the faith of Indonesians.”
Read more at the Jakarta Post.
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