"Democracies are imperfect institutions that need to be constantly defended, because they can be torn down from within."

🇦🇿 Anti-LGBTQ+ crackdown in Baku ⚖️ Fight for gay marriage in Botswana 🚫 Russia-style ban on LGBTQ+ “propaganda” in Kazakhstan Subscribe (for free!) to my weekly newsletter on LGBTQ+ rights worldwide – news, context and key updates:

After years of hearing about anti-LGBTQ+ moves in Poland, we might soon see the country give same-sex couples limited legal protection. I wrote about that and other queer rights developments in Azerbaijan, Botswana and Kazakhstan for my global LGBTQ+ newsletter:

I wrote about some of the elections that will reshape queer rights globally this year 🚨 Spoiler: a Trump-loving presidential candidate (and early front-runner) in Peru claims sex education is a form of “cultural Marxism” that promotes homosexuality.

🏳️‍🌈 Poland's government has approved a bill introducing "cohabitation contracts" for couples living together, a measure of limited legal recognition for same-sex couples in one of the worst countries in the European Union for LGBTQ+ rights.

2025 was an intense year. Now get ready for 2026, where the rights of queer people will – again – be at the center of politics. And I don’t necessarily mean that in a good way. I wrote about four elections that could reshape LGBTQ+ rights globally 👇

My 2026 resolution: to turn my newsletter into a consistent, reliable source of global queer news for those who care about LGBTQ+ rights across the world, and a direct channel for sharing my LGBTQ+ journalism.

I’m starting a new project ✨ Today I’m launching an English-language newsletter to help people understand global LGBTQ+ issues: enriqueanartelazo.substack.com It’s called “The Rainbow Compass.” Here’s why I’m doing it 🧵

Kazakhstan’s president has just signed a Russian-style law banning LGBTQ+ “propaganda” in the media, telecommunication networks, and online platforms.

The US, Russia, Burkina Faso, Slovakia, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Argentina... To face the ongoing global anti-LGBTQ+ backlash, we need to stay informed about what’s happening with queer rights across the world. That’s why I write my weekly newsletter: 👉 enriqueanartelazo.substack.com

"It's a crisis like we've never seen before." I wrote about this year's global LGBTQ+ rights funding crisis, how it has impacted queer individuals and communities on the ground, and who's doing something about it:

🇺🇸🏳️‍🌈 "We should make sure that no one gets away with bullying kids."

👩‍💻 Spain boosted LGBTQ+ workers’ rights 💍 Gay marriage became legal in Thailand 🏳️‍⚧️ Cuba made it easier to change one’s legal gender I’ve written about some of the countries that advanced queer rights in 2025 👇

It’s been a tough year for many LGBTQ+ people out there. But many countries have also advanced queer rights. I’ve written about some of these key LGBTQ+ rights wins because sometimes I feel like we don’t make enough space for stories of hope, progress and joy. And now we need them more than ever:

Rosa von Praunheim made LGBTQ+ history here in Germany with his movies as well as his queer rights and HIV/AIDS campaigning. He died yesterday in Berlin at age 83. May the earth be light upon you, Rosa.

It's been a tough year for many LGBTQ+ people. But against a backdrop of worrying developments, it's easy to forget that many countries have, in fact, advanced queer rights. I wrote about some of them in my global LGBTQ+ rights newsletter:

"It's a crisis like we've never seen before." For Context I wrote about this year's global LGBTQ+ rights funding crisis, how it has impacted queer individuals and communities on the ground, and who's doing something about it. Read my article here:

From the U.S. to Ghana and the EU's top court, November was a big month for LGBTQ+ news. I wrote about it in my global queer rights newsletter:

November was a big month for queer news. But not all of it was bad. Read the latest issue of my global LGBTQ+ rights newsletter here:

🏳️‍🌈 Thailand may have legalised same-sex marriage, but LGBTQ+ activists say hate crimes against queer people are often overlooked. Read more on Context: @contextnewsroom.bsky.social

The lower house of Kazakhstan's parliament has passed a bill banning "LGBT propaganda". It still needs to be passed by the country's Senate and signed into law by the Kazakh president to become law.

The U.S. Supreme Court has turned down Kim Davis’ request that it consider overturning its landmark decision to legalize same-sex marriage a decade ago.

New research shows that only six countries in the world have passed comprehensive anti-bullying legislation to protect LGBTQ+ students from school bullying. I wrote about it for my global queer rights newsletter:

Health advocates worry Ghana's anti-LGBTQ+ bill "will make HIV rampant" and put not only queer people, but also all of society, at higher risk of HIV. Read the full interview on Context: @contextnewsroom.bsky.social

"Queer rights and human rights should always be one of their top priorities. I don't understand what other wake-up call the European countries need. We (Turkey) are one step away from becoming the current Russia." @contextnewsroom.bsky.social

Radio Free Asia is shutting down. Critics of Trump’s efforts to shutter federally funded news groups have warned that ceasing their news broadcasts would cede ground to Russian and Chinese propaganda networks that have moved aggressively to fill the vacuum.

Are AI-generated avatars the future of grief? This is a terrifying and fascinating video by my colleague Albert Han. Watch it on Context’s YouTube channel: @contextnewsroom.bsky.social

🪩 In the latest issue of my global LGBTQ+ newsletter I wrote about the closure of Germany's oldest and largest LGBTQ+ club, how Trump's aid cuts are hitting queer asylum seekers in Kenya, and more:

"The food crisis in the Kakuma camp has complicated the situation of already vulnerable queer refugees." Kenya's safe houses for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers are struggling to cope with the impact of Donald Trump's foreign aid cuts.

Germany's largest LGBTQ+ club SchwuZ announced yesterday the venerable Berlin institution's lights will turn off for good on November 1, making it the latest casualty of the German capital's nightlife recession.

🏳️‍🌈 A new era of corporate engagement for LGBTQ+ rights has begun. The new normal won’t be Pride logos on social media and public statements in support of same-sex marriage or trans rights, but private conversations with decision makers who understand that LGBTQ+ inclusion is good for the economy.

Thrilled to see my story for Context/the Thomson Reuters Foundation on the fight to ban conversion therapy in Colombia republished by NBC News. Read it here:

"Fear has to change sides. We used to be ashamed of having gone through this. But they should be the ones who are ashamed of having done this." I wrote about the fight to ban LGBTQ+ conversion therapy in Colombia.

🇨🇴 One in five LGBTQ+ Colombians have undergone some form of conversion therapy. Now, a bill seeks to ban these practices, which are often described as a form of torture. @contextnewsroom.bsky.social My latest story from Bogotá 👇

My global LGBTQ+ rights newsletter has just reached 600 subscribers 🌈 Thanks to everyone who’s supporting my work and has shared it with their loved ones. If you don’t know it yet, you can read it and subscribe (for free!) here: 👉 enriqueanartelazo.substack.com

Did you know I write a weekly newsletter to help people understand global LGBTQ+ issues? This week I cover the latest details on Burkina Faso’s new anti-LGBTQ+ law, the launch of an “LGB International” that will campaign against trans rights across borders, and more. Read and subscribe here:

🇨🇿 Populist billionaire Andrej Babiš has entered into coalition discussions with anti-LGBTQ+ parties after his ANO party triumphed in the Czech Republic election at the weekend, leaving queer activists concerned for the future of marriage equality. @contextnewsroom.bsky.social

Did you know I write a weekly newsletter to help people understand global LGBTQ+ issues? This week I cover Russia’s crackdown on queer content online, European elections, Vietnam’s worrying change of course, and more. Read and subscribe here:

The October edition of Context’s "Policy, honestly" newsletter is now out - and it's by me! I looked into trans self-determination laws in Germany and Europe, and what we can learn from the countries that have had self-ID for more than a decade. Read it here:

Yesterday I posted a TikTok on Slovakia’s anti-LGBTQ+ constitutional amendments, adding context regarding the Slovak PM’s controversial stance on Russia. In 24 hours it has gained more than 100K views, 8K likes and 800 shares, mostly by under 35s.

I’m writing next month’s issue of Context’s “Policy, honestly” newsletter 🚨 The piece will focus on trans self-ID laws across Europe and Latin America 🏳️‍⚧️ Subscribe at this link now to get it in your inbox on Wednesday: 👉 www.context.news/newsletters

🇪🇺 The pro-EU Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) has secured a majority in a pivotal Moldovan election that is set to keep the country on track to joining the EU.

I wrote about the far-right’s obsession with anti-trans conspiracy theories targeting First Ladies and other powerful women 👇

🇸🇰 Slovakia has amended its constitution to restrict the rights for trans people and same-sex couples. 🏳️‍🌈 Slovak LGBTQ+ rights organization Inakost said: "This amendment directly threatens our membership in the EU, bringing us even closer to authoritarian Russia."

I’m writing next month’s issue of Context’s “Policy, honestly” newsletter 🚨 The piece will focus on trans self-ID laws across Europe and Latin America 🏳️‍⚧️ Subscribe here to get it in your inbox on Oct 1: 👉 www.context.news/newsletters

🏳️‍🌈 Ahead of Moldova's pivotal parliamentary election on Sunday, waves of online disinformation have swept through the Eastern European country, with the lives of LGBTQ+ people at the centre of the digital storm. Read more on Context: @contextnewsroom.bsky.social

Yesterday, two Indian manufacturers announced they would sell generic versions of the twice-yearly injection that prevents new HIV infections for roughly $40 a year in low- and lower-middle-income countries starting in 2027, although they did not specify where.

"What the government is trying to do is to erase LGBTQ+ Russians from society." For Context I wrote about the new law targeting online searches in Russia - the latest step in the Kremlin's crackdown on queer rights in the digital space. @contextnewsroom.bsky.social Read the article here 👇

Excited to be moderating a session at this year’s Trust Conference in London on a topic I’m passionate about 🌈

🏳️‍🌈 A pivotal parliamentary election in Moldova this month could tilt the tiny East European country towards Russia, threatening a drive to join the European Union and sparking fears among LGBTQ+ people that their rights could also be on the line. @contextnewsroom.bsky.social