A gang was sentenced up to 17 years after attacking men on Grindr in England, the Supreme Court rejected marriage equality appeals in India, and Uganda joined BRICS amid sanctions over LGBTQ law.
Gang Jailed for Targeting LGBTQ Men on Grindr in England
Five men who used Grindr to rob and assault men were jailed for up to 17 years at Birmingham Crown Court in England. The group stole £100,000 ($121,633.50) over 10 months, targeting victims in Birmingham and Derby.
According to the BBC, Judge Sarah Buckingham called the attacks “calculated and cruel,” adding, “The long-lasting consequences on victims are clear.”
The gang lured victims, assaulted them, and stole belongings. Some were held captive and threatened with weapons.
Detective Inspector Tom Lyons commended victims for their bravery, saying their testimony “brought the offenders to justice.” Georgina Davies from CPS confirmed the crimes were prosecuted as hate crimes to reflect their severity.
Authorities urge anyone experiencing similar crimes to report them.
Supreme Court Rejects Marriage Equality Appeals
Photo by Subhashish Panigrahi, Wikimedia Commons.
India’s Supreme Court dismissed petitions challenging its 2023 ruling against marriage equality. “We do not find any error apparent on the face of the record,” the judges stated on Jan. 9, rejecting claims of legal inconsistencies.
According to the Washington Blade, LGBTQ activist Harish Iyer called the setback “a comma, not a full stop for equality.” He emphasized the need for grassroots efforts to advance marriage equality.
Souvik Saha, founder of Jamshedpur Queer Circle, noted the ruling denies LGBTQ people equal protection under India’s constitution, adding, “Marriage equality is inevitable in a progressive society.”
Activists pledge to continue the fight for legal recognition, advocating for legislative reform and societal change.
Uganda Joins BRICS Amid Sanctions Over LGBTQ Law
Photo by Jbmc74, Wikimedia Commons.
Uganda officially joined BRICS on Jan. 1, citing U.S. and EU sanctions over its Anti-Homosexuality Act and human rights violations as key reasons. Foreign Affairs Minister Henry Oryem highlighted the Western powers’ unilateral sanctions as a violation of international norms, pushing Uganda to seek economic and political alignment with BRICS nations like China, Russia, and India.
“The United States and European Union … expect all those other countries to abide by those sanctions, and if you don’t, you face penalties,” Oryem told Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee.
He argued Uganda could no longer “stand by” as global dynamics shift and emphasized that President Yoweri Museveni’s Cabinet approved the move to join BRICS.
According to The Washington Blade, the U.S. condemned Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act, enacting visa restrictions and reviewing aid programs like PEPFAR. The EU criticized the law but stopped short of imposing sanctions.
Mariam Wangadya, chair of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, noted security forces have targeted marginalized communities under the law, calling it a breach of constitutional protections.
“Uganda’s constitution … prohibits discrimination based on gender,” she said.
Oryem framed BRICS membership as a strategic response to safeguard Uganda’s sovereignty and economic interests in an era of escalating global tensions.