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Lufthansa says staff has discretion over mask policy

Lufthansa says staff has discretion over mask policy

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 28, 2021

In response to a gay passenger's complaint he was ordered to take off a rainbow-colored mask on a Lufthansa flight, the German-based airline is clarifying that its staff have discretion over enforcement of its face covering policy.

Rainbow mask doesn't fly for gay Lufthansa passenger

Rainbow mask doesn't fly for gay Lufthansa passenger

  • by Matthew S. Bajko
  • Jul 26, 2021

A gay West Hollywood man was told he could not wear a rainbow-colored surgical mask on his flight home from Greece.

Out in the World: EU and IACHR bodies make groundbreaking LGBTQ decisions

Out in the World: EU and IACHR bodies make groundbreaking LGBTQ decisions

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Jul 21, 2021

Two regional bodies in Europe and the Americas issued groundbreaking rulings this summer.

Out in the World: China's WeChat shuts down LGBTQ accounts

Out in the World: China's WeChat shuts down LGBTQ accounts

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Jul 15, 2021

Digital supporters of LGBTQ and feminist communities in China were outraged and quickly silenced last week when WeChat permanently wiped out hundreds of profiles overnight without a trace, leading to concerns of a crackdown by the communist government.

Out in the World: East Africa's conversion therapy problem exposed

Out in the World: East Africa's conversion therapy problem exposed

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Jul 7, 2021

International and African LGBTQ organizations have called for a redirection of aid after an in-depth investigative report alleged government and private foreign investments unknowingly fund conversion therapy practices in East Africa.

Out in the World: EU leaders lash out at Hungary, launch legal action

Out in the World: EU leaders lash out at Hungary, launch legal action

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Jun 30, 2021

A General Affairs Council meeting of European leaders in Luxembourg last week erupted in heated debate, with some members having harsh words for Hungary following the passage of a discriminatory anti-LGBTQ law there.

Out in the World: Blinken discusses LGBTQ rights

Out in the World: Blinken discusses LGBTQ rights

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Jun 30, 2021

During Pride Month, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken sat down with gay journalist Jonathan Capehart to discuss LGBTQ rights.

Out in the World: 'Sheer Qorma's' Muslim Indian love story breaks barriers

Out in the World: 'Sheer Qorma's' Muslim Indian love story breaks barriers

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Jun 24, 2021

Award-winning nonbinary Parsi Indian filmmaker Faraz Arif Ansari is breaking barriers once again with their new film, "Sheer Qorma."

Queer Reading: Novel tells gay man's traumatic journey to freedom

Queer Reading: Novel tells gay man's traumatic journey to freedom

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Jun 23, 2021

Sitting in the Denver home that he shares with his husband, gay first-time novelist Luai Qubain is free, living his dream, and heading into his future. His freedom was not without a price, however, and it was painfully hard won.

Out in the World: Hungary's parliament OKs anti-LGBTQ propaganda law

Out in the World: Hungary's parliament OKs anti-LGBTQ propaganda law

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Jun 16, 2021

Hungary's parliament voted 157-1 in favor of the anti-LGBTQ propaganda law June 15.

Out in the World: Judge denies bail for 21 Ghanaian LGBTQ activists

Out in the World: Judge denies bail for 21 Ghanaian LGBTQ activists

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Jun 9, 2021

A judge in Ghana denied bail for 21 LGBTQ activists who were arrested during a police raid of a human rights conference in the West African country.

Out in the World: Key elections include record number of LGBTQ candidates

Out in the World: Key elections include record number of LGBTQ candidates

  • by Heather Cassell
  • Jun 2, 2021

Several key elections with LGBTQ candidates on the ballots are playing out in Chile, Mexico, and Vietnam just in time for Pride Month.

Out in the World: Philippine human rights commission outraged by trans man's killing

Out in the World: Philippine human rights commission outraged by trans man's killing

  • by Heather Cassell
  • May 26, 2021

The Philippine Commission on Human Rights and the national police vow justice for the killing earlier this month of online personality Ebeng Mayor, a transgender man.

Out in the World: Lithuanians protest ahead of civil partnership bill

Out in the World: Lithuanians protest ahead of civil partnership bill

  • by Heather Cassell
  • May 19, 2021

Thousands of protesters turned out to demonstrate against a proposed same-sex civil partnerships bill that members of Lithuania's Parliament are anticipated to debate next month.