Repeat offender stabs six at Jerusalem Pride
Six people were stabbed during Jerusalem’s Pride parade by an ultra-Orthodox man who committed a similar crime in 2005. The attacker had just been released from 10 years in prison, and had written religious screeds against gay people. Two parade-goers were taken to hospital in serious condition.
Read more at the Jerusalem Post.
Russia investigates gay emojis
The Russian government is concerned that gay emojis may be corrupting their youth. After a complaint by a Russian senator, the official communications watchdog is investigating whether emojis of boys kissing boys and girls kissing girls violates the country’s laws against gay propaganda. Just wait until they find out about these actual lesbian emojis.
Jamaica to hold first Pride
Despite widely anti-gay opinion and laws criminalizing gay sex, a Jamaican LGBT group plans to hold its first Pride celebration in August. The event will not include a parade, but will include a party, art exhibition and open mic.
Colombian high court asks if marriage equality is a global norm
The Colombian Constitutional Court held a hearing July 30 on an unprecedented question: Is it now the global human rights norm to allow marriage equality? Colombia’s highest court may consider international precedent when making rulings, and invited experts from around the world to speak about same-sex marriage rights. Gay couples in Colombia currently hang in a legal limbo in which some courts recognize marriage and some do not.
Second Tokyo ward recognizes same-sex couples
A second Tokyo ward government has announced it will recognize same-sex couples at a municipal level. Setagaya ward follows Shibuya ward, which started issuing certificates in March. The certificates do not confer legal partnership, but allow same-sex couples to share certain privileges in housing and health care.
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