A report in Australia called for the removal of LGBTQ exemptions in schools, the Scottish Parliament staff are banned from wearing rainbow lanyards, and workers were arrested in an "extremism" case in Russia.
Report Calls For Removal Of LGBTQ Exemptions
The Law Reform Commission in Australia says schools aren’t allowed to discriminate against staff and students on the basis of sexuality, gender identity, or relationship status in a landmark report.
According to The Guardian, the report calls for the repeal of blanket exemptions that allow religious schools to discriminate.
However, the report said the institutions should be allowed to preference staff in line with their beliefs as long as it is “reasonably necessary” to maintain a community of faith and does not breach existing discrimination laws.
“Just as commonwealth law already prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexuality, disability and age, no one should be discriminated against because of their faith,” Attorney General Mark Dreyfus told The Guardian.
Scottish Parliament Staff Banned From Wearing Rainbow Lanyard
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Scottish Parliament staff can no longer wear rainbow lanyards, or any other accessories, that show support for social movements at Holyrood.
According to the BBC, a parliament spokesperson said, "This decision will help minimize the risk of perceived bias. It will also help avoid any potential misperception over the absolute impartiality of all Scottish parliamentary staff."
The announcement came via email.
The changes only apply to staff and officials who work directly for the Scottish Parliament. MSPs and staff will not be affected.
Staff members can still wear pronoun badges and Poppies can still be worn for Poppy Scotland, the sole charity recognized by the Parliament.
The staff is now required to wear a generic purple lanyard.
Workers Arrested In LGBTQ ‘Extremism’ Case
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Two bar workers have been arrested during a raid in Russia, marking the first arrests under the country’s LGBTQ “extremism” law.
According to Al Jazeera, the suspects will remain in custody until mid-May and face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty.
The suspects, a bar administrator and an art director, are accused of organizing an “extremist organization” and “promoting non-traditional sexual relations among the visitors of the bar” under the new legislation passed in November 2023 that bans the “international LGBT movement.”
“The accused, people of non-traditional sexual orientation, acted in premeditation with a group of people … who also support the views and activities of the international public association LGBT,” the court said on Telegram.
This is the first time the law, which activists believe is intentionally vague so it can be used to prosecute anyone protecting LGBTQ rights or who identifies with the community, has been used in a criminal case.
“What LGBTQ persons and human rights activists have feared since the end of last year has finally come to pass,” Amnesty International said in an interview with Al Jazeera.
