A British author is releasing a book that explores same-sex relationships, NGOs in Hong Kong that serve the LGBTQ community are facing cutbacks, and a lesbian group in Australia is planning on excluding bisexual and trans women.
British Author Releases Book Exploring Same-Sex Relationships
Jacqueline Wilson, a British author who in 2020 announced that she was in a long-term relationship with a woman, has tapped into a new audience.
The longtime children’s writer, with over 100 books, just published her first adult novel which explores same-sex relationships.
The book, titled “Think Again,” is a sequel to Wilson’ “Girls” series and follows the same characters as they turn 40.
Wilson told the BBC that the idea has been on her mind for years.
"In real time the girls would be hitting 40," said Wilson, "and that's a significant age where you have to make big decisions, and, for some people, life doesn't look like what you dreamt of as a teenager.”
NGOs Serving LGBTQ Community in Hong Kong Face Cutbacks
Photo via PrideLab, Facebook.
NGOs that work with the LGBTQ community in Hong Kong have faced cutbacks in funding from the government, jeopardizing services and events.
According to the Washington Blade, groups like Gay Harmony and PrideLab have had to cut back staff and resources. Now, the groups have had no choice but to cancel HIV awareness and outreach programs, and the annual Pride Market.
Activists told the Hong Kong Free Press that these changes reflect a shift in attitudes from the government.
Further, the Equal Opportunities Commission, a public body in Hong Kong that investigates discrimination complaints and promotes equality, announced that it no longer considers it “suitable” to engage in activities in support of possible legislation on banning anti-LGBTQ discrimination.
Lesbian Group Seeks To Exclude Bisexual, Trans Women
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The Lesbian Action Group (LAG) is seeking to overturn a 2023 ruling that prevents them from excluding bisexual and transgender women from their public events.
According to Pink News, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) denied LAG’s request for a five-year exemption from the country’s anti-discrimination laws back in 2023, stating that granting the exemption would lead to the further discrimination of trans people.
This exemption was established under the 2010 Equal Opportunity in the state of Victoria and allows temporary exemptions to anti-discrimination laws if it can be proven that the exclusion would “help the act’s goal of promoting equal opportunity” and the proposed action was “a reasonable limitation on the right to equality set out in the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.”
In an effort to get this decision overturned, the group said, “We are really concerned that young lesbians have no community or lesbian-only spaces in which to socialize and meet potential partners.”
They continued, “They have not had the benefit older lesbians have had pre-1990s and are finding it hard to find lesbian community when everything LGBTIQ+ is compulsory mixed sex. We know young lesbians who are finding it a major issue.”
