LGBTQ rights

Supporters of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community attend a sit-in to protest the ongoing criminalization of homosexuality and arbitrary arrests in front of Hobeich police station, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, May 15, 2016. (AP/Hussein Malla)

September 1, 2023, 11:45 am

Lebanese politicians ramp up fight against LGBTQ community

Once seen as relatively tolerant for a Middle Eastern country, Lebanon’s political leaders have become unified in efforts to scapegoat the LGBTQ community

By BASSEM MROUE and Kareem Chehayeb

File: LGBTQ supporters hold a rally outside the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters as they stand against the Leave Our Kids Alone, a group opposing LGBTQ education, at a demonstration in Los Angeles, August 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

August 30, 2023, 3:21 pm

Canada warns LGBTQ citizens of possible travel risk in parts of US

Advisory usually reserved for countries like Russia, Egypt, and Uganda comes as some states impose bans on drag shows, restrict transgender participation in sports

By AFP

A screenshot of Daniel Bloom's Instagram post in which he told of his experiences as a gay soldier in the IDF. (Instagram screenshot used in accordance with article 27a of the Copyright Law)

August 6, 2023, 10:46 am

Soldier from IDF special forces unit says he was harassed over his sexual orientation

Daniel Bloom says was he locked outside in rain, subjected to homophobic slander without support from squadron, commanders; IDF: Officers spoke with soldiers involved, opened probe

By ToI Staff

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Ryan Gosling, left, and Margot Robbie in a scene from 'Barbie' (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP, File)

August 5, 2023, 8:24 am

After 3 week delay, ‘Barbie’ movie set to be released in United Arab Emirates

No explanation given for holdup, but movie’s inclusion of a transgender actress in one of the Barbie roles and other messaging on LGBTQ+ issues could have been issue

By AP

A family at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, before the start of a hearing on the Child Adoption Law, on August 2, 2023 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

August 2, 2023, 5:43 pm

High Court hears petition on adoption by LGBTQ couples: ‘Decision cannot be avoided’

Justice Uzi Vogelman says ruling on matter will be necessary as there is ‘no prospect that this will come to legislation’

By ToI Staff

An Iranian morality policewoman walks between morality police vehicles, preparing to start a crackdown to enforce Islamic dress code in Tehran, July 23, 2007. (Behrouz Mehri/AFP)

July 30, 2023, 11:52 am

Iranian official promoting Islamic values suspended over alleged gay sex tape

Unverified video said to show Gilan province’s head of culture and Islamic guidance, Reza Tsaghati, engaged in sexual relations with another man

By ToI Staff

Welfare Minister Ya'akov Margi at a Federation of Local Authorities conference in Tel Aviv, December 8, 2022. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

July 27, 2023, 4:59 pm

Shas’s welfare minister to court: Same-sex adoption against child’s best interests

AG favors legislation that would broaden the interpretation of the current adoption law to includes same-sex couples

By ToI Staff

Participants march during the 28th Budapest Pride parade in Budapest, Hungary, July 15, 2023. (Tamas Kovacs/MTI via AP)

July 16, 2023, 5:32 pm

Israel refuses to sign joint statement slating Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ laws – report

Foreign Ministry official quoted saying Jerusalem seeking to avoid ‘attack’ on allied government; Lapid says coalition ‘taken hostage by extremist minority of fanatics’

By ToI Staff and AP

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi speaks at a joint press conference after meeting with Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni at State House in Entebbe, Uganda July 12, 2023. (Hajarah Nalwadda/AP)

July 13, 2023, 3:42 pm

In Uganda, Iran president attacks Western LGBTQ rights as ending humanity

Ebrahim Raisi offers support for Kampala, which recently passed law making ‘aggravated homosexuality’ a capital offense, with up to life in prison for consensual same-sex relations

By AFP

Illustrative: a man takes a photo of a multicoloured cake in a window display of a cake shop. (AP Photo/Paul White)

July 8, 2023, 5:06 pm

NJ Jews reel after kosher baker rejects synagogue’s order for rainbow Pride treats

When the West Orange Bake Shop wouldn’t supply cupcakes supporting the LGBTQ community, a firestorm ensued – which the Orthodox owner says is fueling more divisiveness

By Andrew Lapin

Members and allies of Eshel, an advocacy group for LGBTQ Orthodox Jews and their families, march in Highland Park, New Jersey, as Pride flags are restored to a public street after they had been removed at the request of Orthodox rabbis, June 26, 2023. (Courtesy of Eshel via JTA)

July 2, 2023, 4:02 am

After taking down Pride flags at request of 2 synagogues, NJ town puts them back up

The confrontation reflects a decades-long struggle with accepting LGBTQ people by some in the Orthodox world, but has also seen allies of the gay community rally in support

By Andrew Lapin

A student debt relief activists adjusts their sign after the US Supreme Court stuck down President Biden's student debt relief program on June 30, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images via AFP)

July 1, 2023, 2:53 am

US Supreme Court steers society sharply to the right

Conservative-majority court shows determination to scrap long-established progressive policies, with rulings against affirmative action, LGBTQ rights, abortion rights

By Paul Handley

Left to right: Sharon Herzog, US Assistant Secretary of Health Rachel Levine, Netta Barzilai, and Ambassador Michael Herzog pose at a Pride Event at the Israel embassy in Washington, June 29 2023. (Shmulik Almany, Embassy of Israel via JTA)

July 1, 2023, 2:05 am

In notable stand, Israel’s ambassador to US says ‘trans rights are human rights’

At Pride event hosted by embassy, Michael Herzog calls to stand up against those who spread ‘intolerance and bigotry’ targeting LGBTQ community in the US and Israel

By Ron Kampeas

Gender rights activist demonstrate outside the US Supreme Court on June 30, 2023, in Washington, DC. (OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP)

July 1, 2023, 1:28 am

US Supreme Court says web designer can refuse service to gay couples

In defeat for gay rights, court’s conservative majority rules Christian graphic artist who wants to design wedding sites can refuse work for same-sex couples for religious reasons

By Jessica Gresko

Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim Synagogue in Charleston, South Carolina, October 18, 2019. (Warren LeMay via Creative Commons via JTA)

June 24, 2023, 1:00 pm

Charleston rabbi resigns, leaving South Carolina over anti-LGBTQ legislation

Greg Kanter, one of three rabbis at historic Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim congregation, tells community his family will move ‘to a place that will not target us and our human rights’

By Andrew Lapin