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Sunday, February 22, 2026
TopicLGBT rights

Topic: LGBT rights

Thailand becomes first Southeast Asian country to pass marriage equality law

With the support of nearly all lawmakers in the upper house, the law next needs royal approval. It will come into force 120 days after it is published in the royal gazette.

‘Benedict XVI backed me up in favour of civil partnerships for LGBT couples,’ says Pope Francis

Francis has confirmed the Catholic Church's opposition to LGBT marriages, but has repeatedly said same-sex couples have a right to be protected by civil union laws.

Belarus prepares draft law criminalising ‘promotion of non-traditional’ LGBTQ relationships

Homosexuality was decriminalised in Belarus in 1994, but the country does not recognise same-sex marriages and authorities have cracked down on LGBT pride parades.

Activists hail as Nepal’s top court temporarily clears way for same-sex marriage

The country's Supreme Court issued an interim order Wednesday allowing same-sex couples to register their marriages pending a final verdict.

Japan passes much-contested LGBT bill to promote understanding of community amid criticism

Initial draft stipulated that discrimination on basis of sexual orientation, gender identity should ‘not be tolerated’ but was changed to ‘there should be no unfair discrimination.’

Same-sex marriages don’t threaten the family unit; they strengthen it 

Recognition of such marriages will encourage other marginalised communities to seek judicial recognition and protection.

‘Marriage not an absolute right, even between heterosexual couples,’ Centre tells SC 

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also said the subject of extending legal recognition to same-sex marriages should 'better be left to the choice of the Parliament'. 

NHRC appoints retired IAS, IPS as ‘rapporteurs’ in all states, to serve as its ‘eyes & ears’

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), it is learnt, has appointed retired IAS and IPS officers as ‘special rapporteurs’ across all states/Union...

Tokyo 2020 broke an Olympic record for LGBTI representation. Here’s why it matters

Increased representation has a positive impact on the well-being and mental health of LGBTI youth, especially when they are being globally targeted.

Grindr, PlanetRomeo, Gayglers — corporate queerness reached India. But many still in closet

In ‘The Pink Line’, Mark Gevisser explores how the conversation around gender & sexuality has shaped communities across the world in the twenty-first century.

On Camera

Youth Congress, your foolish protest helped the Modi govt climb out of the AI summit hole

In tactical terms, the shirtless protest was worse than a self-goal. Suddenly, the fiascos of the AI Summit were forgotten, and the Youth Congress’s disruption became the issue.

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

MoD, IAF agree on some exemptions to HAL for Tejas Mk1A, but no compromise on ‘must-have’ capabilities

IAF is fine with accepting the aircraft with 'must-haves', even if some other steps remain pending, which may take at least another year, it is learnt.

No country is ever fully sovereign. Cold War era taught India its real meaning

India’s fraught neighbourhood places multiple constraints on its strategic choices. It leaves no time to take a deep breath, lean back and reset.