There have been many legal achievements that have happened in 2024 for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community across the world. Despite this some countries have begun the process and made a lot of progress quest for equal &integration. Starting from the marriage equality up to the transgender issues the following is a compendium of the legal triumphs for the gay community in 2024.
Marriage Equality Expands Globally
Another major achievement in terms of the LGBTQ+ people’s rights in 2017 has been the progress in marriage rights. compared to the previous years, the number of countries that have given the right of marriage for same-sex couples has increased and in 2024 also it was accepting the right for same-sex couples.
- India: Selective legalisation of same-sex marriages is evident and has come out clearly as the Supreme Court of India legalised the marriages in one of the most populous nations of the world. These changes occurred after many campaigns as well as cases in legal courts that significantly influenced the rights of the LGBTQ+ people in South Asia.
- Chile: Chile one of the most conservative countries in Latin America joined the movement for equal rights for gay couples and same-sex marriage allowing adoption for the families created by the couples belonging to this category. This development comes in the wake of similar having been made in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay which have passed laws permitting same sex marriage.
- Japan: Since marriage equality remains out of reach, one of the local courts went ahead to declare the ban by the Japanese government on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional. This has dragged the debate on marital issues across the country and stepped pressure to the legal authorities to change the laws on marriage.
These victories indeed seem to suggest legal changes and social-cultural alterations of attitude towards homosexuality and gay marriages especially in the resistance nations.
Transgender Rights: In the matter at hand the rights that deserve recognition and protection are as follows:
2024 has also been a year of victory for Transgender people since legal systems of the world have started to respond for this issue.
- Argentina: This South American power was one of the first countries in the world that approved the Gender Identity Law; in 2024 it enlarges the legal regulation. This year the country enacted further legislation to protect the rights of the trans people which means, they will not be forced to jump through hoops to get the health care they need. It should be noted that this law has provoked other countries of Latin America to do the same.
- Spain: Spain is one of them which has legalised the change of gender by minors without seeking their parents permission to do so. This legislation can be viewed as positive when the rights of Trans youth in Spain since they go through a lot of prejudice and limitations when seeking legal transition. The law also specifies policies for gender-affirming health care and hate against people in schools.
- U. S. Court Rulings: In the year 2024, a set of precedents that were made in the United States have reaffirmed the basic liberties of the transsexed. For instance, a case in which a worker was dismissed on the grounds of gender identity which is unlawful, against the law the court ruled in favour of the employee. Furthermore, some states passed legislation that provides rights of students of transgender sex facilities of the choice of students in the state against a wave of anti-trans legislation in the previous year
LGBTQ+ Persons’ Protection at Workplace
This year was also a year of legal advancement in the protection of the rights of employees with LGBTQ+ status. Issues of discrimination on the base of sexual orientation and gender identity at the workplace are still common worldwide, however, some countries improved their legislation.
- South Africa: The Constitutional Court of the Republic of South Africa in the year 2024 reinforced a law which prohibited discrimination of an employee due to his/her sexual orientation or Transgender status. This was after a certain case of the queer person at the workplace was harassed. This ruling also safeguards the workers while at the same time sending a message to employers in the country.
- Germany: A new piece of legislation has been enacted in Germany wherein the working LGBTQ+ people will now find it easier to report cases of discrimination. Another provision of this law entails even severe punishment for companies which engage in discrimination against the LGBTQ+ employees; thus, the latter can freely work in a non-discriminated environment.
- Australia: Australia has also strengthened its anti-Discrimination Laws, offering more direct discrimination for the LGBTQ+ people. These new regulations also prohibit employers from discriminating applicants for employment or employees for promotion on grounds of sexual orientation or Gender Identity which helps LGBTQ+ employees to have more job security.
Anti-Conversion Therapy Laws Strengthened
In 2024, more nations have become part of the bandwagon of the different nations that have banned the mentioned destructive practice of conversation therapy which seeks to alter the sexual orientation or gender of any individual.
- Brazil: Backed by the LGBTQ+ activists for years, Brazil finally approved a national law against conversion therapy across the country. This law has prohibited this practice and also here in the same law, laid down very serious penalties on the individuals who try to exercise it. Brazil’s law is considered as a positive change towards safeguarding the LGBTQ+ youth especially from this destructive pseudoscientific practice.
- United Kingdom: The effort to enact a law was finally realized in the UK when in 2024 an all-encompassing ban on conversion therapy was passed. The law does not only entails banning based on the sexual orientation but also has a specific provision regarding the protection of the transgenders making it one of most progressive bans in Europe.
- Mexico: For example, in Mexico the country’s Senate passed legislation on conversion therapy, making it unlawful in the whole country; more and more countries in Latin America are following legislation that seek to protect the LGBTQ+ community from conversion therapy.
The Road Ahead
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Although 2024 has been filled with many of the LGBTQ+ rights wins, there are still difficulties. It is evident that in many countries especially in the developing countries, progress has been very slow and the discrimination and violation of rights of the persons belonging to LGTBQ+ is still rampаnt. But the legal successes that have been witnessed this year represent the general positive shift in approach towards equality and acknowledgment of LGBTQ+ people’s rights across the world.
As there were still cases of activism, legal proceedings, and changes in society’s perception in 2024, more steps for progression have been set for the future. The drive achieved this year will persist as energy for advocacy across the world more nations are required to affirm the rights of the gays and lesbians.
