International human rights organizations have said they are strengthening enforcement of Article 120 of Uzbekistan's Criminal Code (“sodomy”), which criminalizes consensual sexual relations between men and is used to persecute transgender women. The statement was signed by ECOM, EHRA, ILGA-Europe, MPACT Global Action for Gay Men's Health and Rights and TGEU. According to the organizations, in recent years the number of criminal cases under Article 120 has increased sharply.

Pro-Putin propagandists call European politicians they don't like gay. Both Macron and Scholz are joining the ranks of homosexuals, and a female politician automatically turns into a lesbian. If there is imagination, transgender people also appear - such diversity is not even in fan fiction. Naturally, these words serve as insults. Paradoxically, people who want to insult Putin or pro-Putin stars use the same methods (though they use more restrained language).

Russian journalist Sveta Bronnikova, who has repeatedly written materials about queer heroes (including about our readers), is presenting her first book: “There’s a Storm Again on the Shubkinsky Swamp.” There's a queer line to it! Bronnikova's book is a collection of stories about women who at different times live in the same Siberian village. The German Russian-language publishing house ISIA Media Verlag has published a book in the “Free Debut” series.

A new criminal code has come into effect in the Niger Republic, which for the first time directly criminalizes same-sex relationships. He was accepted by the military junta led by General Abdurahaman Tiani. The new code provides for 5 to 10 years in prison for so-called “LGBTQIA+ practices.” This formulation may include same-sex relationships, as well as people who do not fit into heteronormative ideas. Separately, the code spells out penalties for same-sex marriages and LGBTQ organizations.

The European Union included judge of the Supreme Court of Russia Oleg Nefyodov on the sanctions list. For LGBTQ people, he is primarily known for the decision of November 30, 2023 - it was Nefyodov who satisfied the claim of the Ministry of Justice, recognized the non-existent “International LGBT Social Movement” as “extremist” and banned its activities in Russia. In total, the EU Council added 34 individuals and 47 legal entities to the sanctions lists.