ICC is pursuing Taliban leaders for their persecution of LGBTQ people, the United Kingdom is planning to honor LGBTQ veterans with a national memorial, and LGBTQ groups challenge Canada's anti-trans law.
ICC Seeks Arrest of Taliban Leaders Over LGBTQ Persecution
The International Criminal Court is pursuing warrants for Taliban leaders Hibatullah Akhundzada and Abdul Hakim Haqqani for crimes against humanity.
According to Pink News, Chief prosecutor Karim Khan KC described the “unprecedented, unconscionable, and ongoing persecution” of LGBTQ people and women in Afghanistan.
“This persecution entails severe deprivations of fundamental rights,” Khan stated, including rights to physical integrity, autonomy, and free expression. LGBTQ rights group ILGA World called the warrant groundbreaking, as it explicitly recognizes LGBTQ victims for the first time.
ILGA Asia’s Henry Koh emphasized, “LGBTIQ+ Afghans face relentless persecution, including death threats, harassment, and killings. The global community must prioritize protections for these vulnerable groups.”
This marks a pivotal moment in holding the Taliban accountable for gender-based atrocities.
UK to Honor LGBTQ Veterans with National Memorial
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The U.K. government announced plans for an LGBTQ veterans memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. Funded by a £350,000 ($436,572.28) grant, the bronze 9-foot sculpture will feature crumpled-letter designs with words from testimonies of veterans impacted by the pre-2000 military LGBTQ ban.
“This is extremely personal for some of our members,” said Nina Bilbey, lead artist at the Abraxis Academy, which designed the memorial.
According to The Washington Blade, the ban, lifted in 2000, led to thousands of dismissals. Veterans Minister Alistair Carns remarked, “We turn a page on that shameful chapter in our national story.”
The memorial is part of broader efforts, including financial redress and rank restorations, to honor and restore dignity to LGBTQ veterans.
LGBTQ Groups Challenge Canada Province's Trans Law
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Advocacy groups and families in Alberta have launched a legal challenge against Bill 26, legislation passed by Alberta’s right-wing government restricting transgender healthcare for minors. The law bans sex reassignment surgery for minors and prohibits puberty blockers and hormone therapies for individuals aged 15 and under, with some exemptions.
According to France 24, Egale Canada and Skipping Stones called the law “unprecedented” in Canada. “No government in Canada has ever enacted legislation prohibiting essential and life-saving gender-affirming health care,” they said.
The groups accused the government of disregarding expert evidence and targeting vulnerable communities with fear-based policies.
Premier Danielle Smith defended the legislation as a way to support youth during “difficult and confusing” times, claiming it ensures minors make informed decisions as adults. Alberta's justice ministry stated the law strikes “an appropriate balance” but declined further comment due to ongoing litigation.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has strongly opposed Smith’s platform, calling it “anti-LGBT.” Critics have also noted Smith’s alliances with figures like Tucker Carlson and Jordan Peterson, known for controversial views on transgender rights.
The legal challenge will test whether the law aligns with Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, potentially setting a national precedent for transgender healthcare rights.
