Regional Network Against Homophobia Releases First Newsletter

The Regional Network Against Homophobia – which represents LGBTI activists in 17 countries throughout North Africa, the Middle-East, the Balkans and Caucasus – has released its first newsletter, three months after the Network released its First Memorandum, in dedication to the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia on May 17, 2013.

The Newsletter covers developments in LGBT rights in the regions since May 2013, and focuses on legal achievements, systematic attacks, limits on freedom of assembly and fights for freedom of expression. Subsequent editions will be published every three months
Highlights include Turkey’s First LGBT Pride March in İstanbul after Gezi Park demonstrations (pictured), on June 30, with 50,000 participating. The Network also gives an update on the potential export of ‘homosexual propaganda’ laws to Armenia and documents the passing of new anti-hate crime legislation to protect LGBT communities in Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Newsletter can be downloaded in full here, or read online here.
About the network: The Regional Network Against Homophobia established in 2011 with the participation of LGBT organizations from the Balkans, Caucasus, the Middle East and North Africa. The Network is against homophobia and transphobia as well as sexism, nationalism, militarism and religious conservatism. ‘We want to break mental and physical borders that separate us.’