Two transgender woman killed in North Carolina
Two suspects have been arrested for the murders of two transgender women in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jaida Peterson (pictured) and Remy Fennell were found dead in separate hotels over the past two weeks. Police say the suspects committed the crimes together and added that they are still investigating the motives behind the murders. LGBTQ advocacy group Human Rights Campaign has put out a statement saying at least 14 transgender or gender non-conforming people have been violently killed so far in 2021.
Namibian court denies entry to gay couple’s daughters
A Namibian court has refused to issue emergency travel documents to a gay man who was trying to bring his twin daughters home from South Africa. The girls were born by a surrogate, and Phillip Lühl and his Mexican husband Guillermo Delgado were trying to bring the girls to their home in Namibia. Authorities in Namibia say Mr. Lühl must show genetic proof he is the father of the children. The couple has another case currently before the courts where they are seeking citizenship for their two-year-old son, also born to the same surrogate in South Africa.
Ugandan mum who was ashamed of her gay son
A mother in Uganda who initially thought her son’s homosexuality was an ‘abomination,’ has come to accept him. Known as Rita, she came to terms with it by seeking help from a group called PFLAG in Uganda that models itself on the US group. PFLAG stands for Parents and Families of Lesbians and Gays. It was set up by an openly lesbian activist who was outed in the local tabloids some years ago. You can read more about this story here.
New Zealand Census to be more inclusive
Statistics New Zealand has changed its guidelines on how it will collect data on gender, sex, and variations of sex characteristics. This change will standardise definitions and well as the measures of data and make them consistent. Stats NZ will also provide guidance to data collectors on when and how to ask about sex and gender information and when cisgender and transgender identities need to be identified or when intersex population data is needed.
