By John Mack Freeman
This week, the government of Cyprus approved a civil unions bill that had been in the making for over two years. The legislation approved by the Cypriot Cabinet will now move to the legislature. It gives all the rights of marriage except the right to join adoption. Via Gay Star News:
ILGA-Europe said they expected that Cypriot parliamentarians would proceed with the bill without delay and support it.
‘We sincerely welcome today’s move by the Cypriot government. This bill was promised by politicians two years ago already and we call on to the parliament to support this important piece of legislation without delay,’ said Executive Director Evelyne Paradis.
In Costa Rica, the Supreme Court ruled that professional associations are not allowed to discriminate against individuals in same-sex relationships. The lawsuit was brought after a member of the Doctors and Surgeons Association was refused membership at a facility owned by the association for use by its members and their families. Via Gay Star News:
The association voluntarily updated its policy in February in response to the issues raised in the lawsuit so that the partners of its unmarried members, regardless of sexual orientation, can access its recreational facilities as long as they have been cohabiting for at least three years.
The Supreme Court’s ruling upheld a similar decision from 2014 against Costa Rica’s Attorneys Association which found that lawyer and gay rights activist Yashin Castrillo’s partner had been discriminated against in similar circumstances which was held up as a landmark decision for LGBTI rights in Costa Rica’s legal system.
In Russia, GLBT activists and allies marched in the St. Petersburg May Day Parade to celebrate International Workers’ Day. Around 600 people were in the LGBT column. Although the move was opposed by many (including Russian politicians who routinely discriminate against LGBT people), the police allowed the marchers to go forward.
