Georgia's president refused to sign a bill that restricted LGBTQ rights, dating apps protect users from harm by adopting a code in Australia, and a church in Africa rejects blessings for same-sex couples.
Georgia’s President Refuses To Sign Anti-LGBTQ Rights Bill
Georgia’s President, Salome Zourabichvili, refused to sign a bill that severely restricts LGBTQ rights.
The controversial law, which mirrors Russia’s policies, bans same-sex marriages, adoptions by same-sex couples, and restricts gender-affirming treatments. It also seeks to outlaw Pride events and censor LGBTQ representation in the media.
According to The Guardian, the bill is still expected to be signed into law by the parliament’s speaker. Rights groups warn that this will escalate violence against the LGBTQ community.
This legislation has fueled tensions in the country where elections are to be held at the end of the month. The Social Justice Center said, “There is a direct correlation between the use of hate speech in politics and hate crimes.”
Dating Apps Adopt Code To Protect Users From Harm
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Dating apps in Australia, including Grindr, Bumble, and Tinder, have adopted a new code of conduct aimed at protecting users from harm and abuse.
According to Pink News, the voluntary code requires apps to detect online harm, remove offenders, and escalate serious cases to police. This comes after the Australian Institute of Criminology research found that three in four dating app or website users experienced some form of sexual violence through the platforms.
The apps, making up 75% of the market, have until April 2025 to fully implement these changes.
Grindr said via a statement it is “honored to participate in the development of the code and shares the Australian government’s commitment to online safety.”
Church Rejects Blessings For Same-Sex Couples
anglicanchurcha.org.
The Anglican Church of Southern Africa (ACSA) rejected a proposal to bless same-sex unions, upholding its traditional stance that marriage is between one man and one woman for life.
The proposal, brought forward by Bishop Raphael Hess of Saldanha Bay and Bishop Stephen Diseko of Matlosane, sought to allow bishops to bless couples in same-sex relationships, following a similar move by the Church of England in 2023.
According to The Washington Blade, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba urged the Provincial Synod to reconsider its position, stating, “Since Provincial Synod 1989, we have been trying to reconcile our understanding of the nature of God with how we minister to LGBTQI+ members in our pews.”
Despite the push for inclusivity, the Synod declined, leading to disappointment from LGBTQ rights group Inclusive and Affirming Ministries. The group criticized the decision as a "missed opportunity" to embrace a more compassionate expression of faith, adding that withholding blessings and pastoral prayers would further marginalize LGBTQ individuals.
“Religious-instigated hostility is the root cause of violence, hate speech, and hate crimes,” they stated.
South Africa and St. Helena are the only ACSA jurisdictions that fully recognize LGBTQ rights, with South Africa allowing same-sex marriage.
