Articles Culture LGBTQ+ marriage Marriage Equality News

Former All Blacks pro-rugby star Campbell Johnstone marries partner Ben Thomson

Former professional rugby player Campbell Johnstone is officially off the market. On 15 January, the 45-year-old athlete – who made history as the first openly gay All Blacks player – and his partner Ben Thomson announced their marriage in a spread for the New Zealand-based publication Woman’s Day. The ceremony – which was held at The Flaxmill in Oxford, New Zealand –kicked off with the lovebirds arriving in a helicopter piloted by Johnstone’s rugby peer Richie McCaw. “Richie did this really steep loop around the property, and I lost my stomach a…

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Articles LGBTQ+ News Life Marriage Equality News Same-sex marriage Thailand

Thailand to become first Southeast Asia nation to legalise same-sex marriage

In a “monumental step forward for LGBTQ+ rights”, Thailand is set to make history as the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex marriage. On 18 June, 130 senators voted in favour (with only four opposing the bill) to enact marriage equality, which would make Thailand the third territory in Asia after Nepal and Taiwan to do so. Before it can be officially passed, Thailand’s king Maha Vajiralongkorn needs to endorse the bill. However, the process is considered a formality, and it is expected to be granted. Same-sex marriage…

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Articles Boston Life Marriage Equality News

Boston no longer requires gender identification on marriage licenses

In a trailblazing move, the city of Boston has updated its marriage licenses: going forward, they will no longer require gender identification. This means that couples applying to get married in the city won’t have to disclose information about their gender to employees of the city. For trans, non-binary and gender diverse people, the change could help alleviate gender dysphoria. READ MORE: The secret history of LGBTQ+ marriage Kimberly Rhoten, who is non-binary and serves as Boston’s director of policy and strategic initiatives for the city’s Office of Returning Citizens,…

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Articles Gay marriage japan LGBTQ+ News Life Marriage Marriage Equality News Same-sex marriage

‘Major step for equality’: Japan court rules that ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional

Japan’s government is facing renewed pressure to legalise same-sex marriage after a court ruled its ban is unconstitutional. Nagoya District Court’s decision marks the second time that a Japanese court has ruled against the country’s stance on same-sex marriage in the last two years. Two others declared that the ban is in line with the post-war constitution, which defines marriage as based on “the mutual consent of both sexes”. Japan is currently the only G7 nation with no legal protection for same-sex unions and the ruling is likely to add…

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Articles Europe France Gay marriage LGBTQ+ marriage LGBTQ+ News Life Marriage Marriage Equality News Same-sex marriage

French LGBTQ+ couples mark 10 years of same-sex marriage

When France legalised gay marriage exactly 10 years ago, Nicolas and his partner David couldn’t wait to tie the knot. A decade on, the couple still cherish the memories of their town hall wedding in a suburb of Paris. “It was something else. The beautiful town hall and the mayor dressed in the red, white and blue sash. She made a beautiful speech about how proud she was to officiate her first same-sex wedding, it was very, very moving,” Nicolas recalled. Beyond giving LGBTQ+ couples the chance to celebrate their…

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Articles Gay marriage LGBTQ+ marriage LGBTQ+ News Life Marriage Marriage Equality News Same-sex marriage

Ukrainian MP submits draft bill calling for legal recognition of same-sex couples

Inna Sovsun, a Ukrainian MP, has introduced a draft bill calling for same-sex couples to have legal recognition in the country. She announced that she had submitted the draft on 7 March and, in a series of tweets, referenced statistics which suggest that 56 per cent of people in Ukraine “support same-sex partnerships”. Sovsun added that she hopes the president, Volodymyr Zelensky, and his party will take the lead on making this legal recognition a reality. “Every day, Ukrainian LGBT military personnel are exposed to danger while protecting us,” she…

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Articles Gay marriage japan LGBTQ+ marriage LGBTQ+ News Life Marriage Marriage Equality News Same-sex marriage

Japan’s opposition party submits bill to legalise same-sex marriage

Japan’s leading opposition party has submitted a bill to legally recognise same-sex marriage in a bid to ignite debate on the issue in parliament. The Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP) is proposing that the country’s Civil Code be amended as its current wording is based on the notion that marriage is a union between partners of different sexes. The bill, which was submitted on 6 March, comes just two months ahead of Japan hosting the next G7 summit meeting in May. It is currently the only member of the intergovernmental political…

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Articles Church Church of England Gay marriage Jayne Ozanne LGBTQ+ News Life Marriage Marriage Equality News Peter Tatchell Religion Same-sex marriage

Church of England to bless same-sex unions – though ban on marriage remains

The Church of England will offer blessings to same-sex couples in civil partnerships and marriages, though they will still be unable to get married in church. The motion was passed in all three of the Synod’s – the Church’s equivalent of a parliament – ‘houses’ following a near-eight-hour debate across 8 and 9 February. The Archbishop of York, the Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, told the Synod that priests can still choose not to bless same-sex couples. “No-one has to offer these services and no one will be disadvantaged if they…

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Articles India LGBTQ+ marriage LGBTQ+ News Life Marriage Marriage Equality News Same-sex marriage

India’s Supreme Court to hear arguments on legalising same-sex marriage

The Supreme Court of India is set to hear arguments in favour of legalising same-sex marriage this week in what could be a historic moment for the LGBTQ+ community. On 6 January, the top court will listen to pleas from same-sex couples about why these marriages should be legally recognised. The lead petition, which was filed by gay couple Supriyo Chakraborty and Abhay Dange, stated that denying these couples this right prevents them from being equal. The second petition, filed by Parth Phiroze Mehrotra and Uday Raj, added that not…

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Articles Gay marriage LGBTQ+ News Life Marriage Marriage Equality Mexico News Same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriage is finally legal in all of Mexico’s states

Tamaulipas voted to legalise same-sex marriage on 26 October, becoming the final of Mexico’s 32 states to do so. The measure was passed with 23 votes in favour to 12 against and two abstenations, meaning the state’s Civil Code will be amended. “Today is a historic day for the LGBTQ community and for Mexico,” said LGBTQ+ activist Enrique Torre Molina. “Today we and our families are more visible, more equal, and we are a country with more justice.” Andrea Chávez, federal deputy of Ciudad Juárez in Chihuahua, added: “One more…

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