As Cuba drops same-sex marriage, five LGBT+ advances and setbacks in 2018
At the end of 2018, 25 countries recognised same-sex marriage, up from 24 a year ago, but gay sex remains illegal in 70 countries
London — This week, Cuba dropped same-sex marriage from its new draft constitution in the latest setback in 2018 for LGBT+ rights as more gay couples hope to wed around the world. But with LGBT+ rights increasingly in the spotlight around the globe, the year also saw some progress. At the end of 2018, 25 countries recognised same-sex marriage, by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) data, up from 24 a year ago. Meanwhile, gay sex remains illegal in 70 countries, down from 72 a year earlier, according to ILGA. Here are five of the advances and the setbacks for LGBT+ rights in the past year. Advances 1. Gay sex was decriminalised in the world’s second-most populous country, India, when the supreme court struck down a colonial-era ban dating back 157 years on “unnatural offences” in September. The decision sparked celebrations across India, although activists cautioned there was still a long way to go to change socially conservative attitudes....
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