LGBT

Putin’s Russia: first arrests under new anti-LGBT laws mark new era of repression

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Propaganda, Letter, Cheek, LGBT, Homosexuality, Queer, Social media, Woman, Supreme court, Arrest, LGBTQ, Homophobia, Movement, Legislation, Fear, Person, Nightclub

The arrests are a clear indication of how Russia has come full circle on its persecution of sexual minorities under Vladimir Putin.

Key Points: 
  • The arrests are a clear indication of how Russia has come full circle on its persecution of sexual minorities under Vladimir Putin.
  • On March 21, the district court of Orenburg city in south-western Russia ordered the arrest of nightclub owner Vyacheslav Khasanov.
  • At the end of November 2023, the Russian Supreme Court ruled that the “international LGBT movement” is an “extremist organisation”.
  • Read more:
    30 years of LGBTQ+ history in Russia: from decriminalisation in 1993 to 'extremist' status in 2023

Russia’s ‘gay propaganda law’

  • In 2013 Russia enacted the so-called “gay propaganda law”.
  • In one case, people were fined for holding a banner with the words: “Children have the right to know.
  • Homosexuality is natural and normal.” Sharing LGBT-related information on social media or posting photos of people of same-sex kissing were also deemed to be LGBT propaganda and subject to legal sanction.

Homophobia unleashed

  • One of the first victims of the newly amended “gay propaganda law” were seven migrant trans women from Central Asia.
  • The seven sex workers were fined and then deported in March 2023 under the propaganda laws after they published their profiles on a dating website.
  • At around the same time, six different online streaming platforms were penalised for airing movies with LGBTQ-related scenes.
  • The supreme court’s decision to label the international LGBT movement as extremist has effectively re-criminalised homosexuality.

What can be done?

  • One way would be to support LGBTQ organisations that are still operating in the country.
  • These groups need resources to keep providing legal advice and support to those facing arrest and prosecution.
  • Another is to write letters of support to people facing imprisonment for their “extremism” as members of the LGBT community.


Sergey Katsuba does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

OUTbio San Diego Celebrates First Anniversary: A Year of Empowerment and Inclusion for LGBTQ+ Life Science Professionals in San Diego

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, Generation, Growth, SAN, Commercial, LGBT, Organization, Empowerment, Therapy

SAN DIEGO, April 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- OUTbio San Diego , today marked a significant milestone by celebrating its first anniversary.

Key Points: 
  • SAN DIEGO, April 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- OUTbio San Diego , today marked a significant milestone by celebrating its first anniversary.
  • "In the last year, OUTbio San Diego focused on nurturing the vibrant LGBTQ+ life science community in our region, providing a welcoming space for professionals to come together, connect, and thrive," said Tyler Brown , Chair of OUTbio San Diego's Board of Directors.
  • OUTbio San Diego's first event in May 2023 drew over 200 life science professionals and local leaders, including San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria.
  • Formation of the organization in San Diego was initiated by industry leaders Carin Canale-Theakston and Eric Dube .

High Tide Opens New Canna Cabana Location in Toronto, Ontario

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 14, 2024
Radius, Yonge Street, AB, Foot, Cannabis, LGBT, High Tide, Pride Toronto

This opening will mark High Tide's 165th Canna Cabana branded retail cannabis location in Canada, the 55th in the province of Ontario and the 11th in Toronto.

Key Points: 
  • This opening will mark High Tide's 165th Canna Cabana branded retail cannabis location in Canada, the 55th in the province of Ontario and the 11th in Toronto.
  • With a population density of over 200,000 residents within a 3-kilometre radius, this brand-new Canna Cabana will welcome the surrounding foot traffic from the working professionals and tourists who frequent this vibrant neighbourhood.
  • "Toronto is the fourth most populous city in North America and is widely regarded as Canada's financial capital.
  • "This new Yonge and Wellesley location builds on the success of our Canna Cabana store at the corner of Yonge and College, which opened shortly after legalization in 2018.

SDG&E'S SUPPLY CHAIN BOOSTS ECONOMY BY $2.6 BILLION IN 2023

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
SDG&E, LGBT, Mentorship, SDG, Minority business enterprise, Public utilities commission, Wildfire, Research, Undergrounding, Hundred, Woman, Plant, Disability, CPUC, Person, Tourism

SAN DIEGO, March 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- San Diego Gas & Electric's (SDG&E) procurement program generated $2.59 billion in direct economic impact in 2023, contracting with more than 2,000 businesses for goods and services to deliver on the company's mission to serve the 3.7 million people in its service area with increasingly clean, safe and reliable energy infrastructure.

Key Points: 
  • Nearly 600, or a third of the suppliers who did business with SDG&E in 2023, were diverse businesses.
  • In 2023, SDG&E's spending with diverse businesses reached $450.6 million in San Diego County and $950.7 million in California.
  • For the 19th consecutive year, SDG&E has not only met but surpassed the CPUC's supplier diversity goal.
  • Since launching its supplier diversity program in the 1980s, SDG&E has helped many small businesses grow into primes.

National LGBT Cancer Network calls out major media outlets for misinformation on transgender cancer

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 11, 2024
Diagnosis, LGBT, Risk, Telegraphy, Education, News, Scout, Cancer, Oncology, The Telegraph, Report, Breast cancer, Recurrence, Birth control

Media coverage on a purported connection between gender-affirming hormone therapy and cancer is misleading.

Key Points: 
  • Media coverage on a purported connection between gender-affirming hormone therapy and cancer is misleading.
  • "The articles artificially elevate rare case reports as scientific 'evidence' of a connection between these therapies and cancer," says Scout, executive director of the network.
  • "Simply repeating a provider's hypothesis that a treatment might relate to cancer does not constitute scientific evidence.
  • "The National LGBTQI+ Cancer Network looks forward to the day media outlets raise alarms about real issues related to trans cancer, instead of attempting to feed false right wing narratives designed to increase our communities' risk."

MediaCorp. names Hyundai Canada a 2024 Top Employer for Diversity

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 11, 2024
Health, First Nations, Centennial College, Organization, LGBT, Woman, Caregiver, Bias, Education, Georgian College, Diversity, Female, Policy, Organizational culture, Student, HAC, Indigenous peoples, Onyx, Disability, Mediacorp, Workplace, Family, All, Person, Nursing

Canada's Best Diversity Employers competition examines successful diversity initiatives for employees from five groups: women, members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and LGBT peoples.

Key Points: 
  • Canada's Best Diversity Employers competition examines successful diversity initiatives for employees from five groups: women, members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, and LGBT peoples.
  • Hyundai Canada has been stepping up its efforts to ensure proper team member representation from all levels in its corporate policies and business dealings.
  • Hyundai Canada has also seen a jump in self-identifying Black hires; up by 5 per cent from 2021 (seven per cent self-identify as Black).
  • Hyundai Canada also offer flexible Fridays and business hours to accommodate caregiver's needs, not to mention maternity and paternity leave top-up programs.

Tryst Hotels Usher in A New Era of Luxury and Inclusion

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Social media, LGBT, Tech, Uber, El circo, Gay bar, ABC, Walking, Patient, Heart, Season, Travel, Hotel

With an unprecedented commitment to excellence, sophistication, and inclusion, Tryst Hotels emerges as the first of its kind: a luxury brand catering to the discerning tastes of gay travelers.

Key Points: 
  • With an unprecedented commitment to excellence, sophistication, and inclusion, Tryst Hotels emerges as the first of its kind: a luxury brand catering to the discerning tastes of gay travelers.
  • The flagship, The Tryst Puerto Vallarta is set in the heart of Zona Romántica and exemplifies the brand's ethos.
  • Tristan Schukraft, the driving force behind Tryst Hotels, emphasizes the brand's mission: "Tryst Hotels are not merely luxury destinations; they are a celebration of gay culture, where every guest is embraced.
  • The Tryst Hotels are part of Tristan’s vision for a global portfolio of gay businesses that champion diversity, luxury, and adventure.

RevHub Kicks Off Fifth Cohort in Social Enterprise Incubator Focused on Climate Action and Health Equity

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 26, 2024
EVS, Architecture, Woman, Small business, AEC, LGBT, EMC, Growth, Life, UCI, Software as a service, Ecosystem, Health equity, CABI, Software, Partnership

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RevHub , Orange County’s first incubator and catalytic capital fund for social entreprprises, unveiled the newest cohort for its Social Enterprise Incubator, emphasizing climate action and health equity.

Key Points: 
  • IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RevHub , Orange County’s first incubator and catalytic capital fund for social entreprprises, unveiled the newest cohort for its Social Enterprise Incubator, emphasizing climate action and health equity.
  • RevHub was founded with the purpose of scaling and supporting social enterprise: for-profit businesses that prioritize social impact and revenue.
  • In December 2023, RevHub, in partnership with Sustain SoCal, officially launched Orange County’s first specialized Climate Action Business Incubator (CABI) with support from UCI, the Samueli Foundation, and the Orange County Hunger Alliance.
  • “After four years of incubation programming, we invested heavily in this latest iteration to offer an industry-leading Social Enterprise Incubator.

Scotiabank named one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Bias, Disability, Mental health, Workplace, Person, Indigenous peoples, DEI, Bank, LGBT, Culture, Scotiabank, Mediacorp, Health, Human, Allyship, Equity, Employment, Nursing

TORONTO, March 6, 2024 /CNW/ - Scotiabank is pleased to be named as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers 2024 by Mediacorp Canada Inc. for the third consecutive year.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, March 6, 2024 /CNW/ - Scotiabank is pleased to be named as one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers 2024 by Mediacorp Canada Inc. for the third consecutive year.
  • As Scotiabank progresses towards its multi-year Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strategy , Allyship is the Bank's platform to inspire employees and advance DEI in the workplace.
  • Now in its 17th year, Canada's Best Diversity Employers recognizes employers across Canada with exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs.
  • Mediacorp also operates Eluta.ca, one of Canada's largest job search engines, used by millions of job-seekers annually to find new job postings and discover what the nation's best employers are offering.

SoCalGas Exceeds California's Supplier Diversity Procurement Goal for 31st Consecutive Year, Purchasing Over 44% of all Goods and Services from Diverse Businesses in 2023

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Enterprise software, Woman, Business network, LOS, Workplace, Education, Government, Entrepreneurship, LGBT, Management, Public utilities commission, Safety, Management development, CPUC, Primary energy, Corporation, Minority business enterprise, Renewable energy

LOS ANGELES, March 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, SoCalGas announced the company exceeded the 2023 California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) diverse spending goal* for a 31st consecutive year, purchasing over 44% of all goods and services from 618 diverse suppliers – enterprises owned by minorities, women, LGBT individuals, and disabled veterans, according to the company's annual Supplier Diversity Report submitted recently to the CPUC. This achievement was reached through the company's continuing efforts to help increase the pool of diverse suppliers through broad outreach and education.

Key Points: 
  • This achievement was reached through the company's continuing efforts to help increase the pool of diverse suppliers through broad outreach and education.
  • "With so many diverse business enterprises in California, we are committed to expanding opportunity as we advance cleaner energy innovations.
  • "With a record of surpassing the state's supplier diversity goals for 31 consecutive years, SoCalGas has demonstrated a strong commitment to championing diverse businesses.
  • SoCalGas' ASPIRE 2045 sustainability strategy includes a goal of achieving 45% spending with diverse business enterprises by 2025.