Shock and grief over murder of Tongan LGBT activist
The LGBT community in Tonga is shocked and grieving following the violent murder of Plikalepo Kefu in Tongatapu this week. Police confirmed that a 27-year-old-man has been charged with murder. Kefu was president of the transgender advocacy group the Tongan Leitis Association. He was also known for his work with the Tongan Red Cross.
Canadian Catholic schools show solidarity with Pride
All nine high schools in the Canadian Halton Catholic School Board district tweeted messages of acceptance, tolerance, and diversity after the school board trustees decided against flying the pride flag at schools this coming June. Some of the schools changed their logos to include rainbow colours to show support for LGBTQ students and to show displeasure a the board’s ruling. A spokesperson for the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association said they intend to try and overturn the decision.
Caitlyn Jenner puts foot in mouth
Just days after announcing she intends to run for Governor of California, Former Olympian and reality TV star Caitlyn Jenner has stated she thinks it is unfair for transgender girls to compete with cis-gender girls in school sports. She says she believes it’s an issue of fairness and that girl’s sports need protecting. Understandably many trans people pointed out the hypocrisy of Jenner’s stance given she is transgender. Others shared their hurt and surprise at the former Olympian’s stance.
Polish town starting to regret its homophobia
The mayor of Krasnik in Poland is having second thoughts about the resolution his council passed in 2019 declaring the town “free of LGBT.” The resolution has backfired with millions of dollars worth of development from international sources being pulled from the town. Norway which was due to pump nearly $10 million USD into the area to finance development projects has canceled the deals saying it would not give grants to any Polish town that had anti-LGBT resolutions. A French town also severed a partnership with Krasnik last year because of the vote. Dozens of towns and authorities in Poland have enacted similar resolutions in the past few years, but in Krasnik, the mayor is now lobbying to overturn theirs because of all the bad publicity and the loss of money.
