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Iran: Being lesbian and trans in Iran

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OutRight Action International, the global LGBTIQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer) human rights organization, has released a groundbreaking report: Transgender in Iran: A Human Rights Report, which sheds light on the complicated status of trans rights and how they intersect with religion and social attitudes in the country.

South Africa: A gay mosque in Cape Town sounds the call to prayer for everyone

The call to prayer should welcome all Muslims, including gay Muslims, according to an openly gay imam in Cape Town. To many, the values of Islam and the rights of the LGBTQI community are incompatible, but Muhsin Hendricks has created a safe space for prayer, reflection and embracing all gender identities.

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Belarus leads group of about 17 nations to block LGBT rights in U.N. cities plan

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A group of up to 17 countries led by Belarus has blocked a plan to include the rights of gay, lesbian and transgender communities in a new urban strategy drawn up by the United Nations, according to sources close to negotiations.

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US: Multi-trillion dollar investors tell North Carolina: Ditch ‘hate-filled’ HB2

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A collection of asset management companies, who collectively manage investments totaling $2.1trillion, have written an open letter demanding that North Carolina repeal anti-LGBT HB2.

UN appoints first expert to protect LGBT people from discrimination

The UN Human Rights Council appointed its first independent investigator to help protect homosexual and transgender people worldwide from violence and discrimination. The United Nations expert Vitit Muntarbhorn will have a three-year mandate to investigate abuses against LGBTI people.

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The fear of trans bodies.

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Chase Strangio is an American lawyer and transgender rights activist. He is a staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union