EXPERT VIEWS - What does the Pope's support for gay civil unions mean for LGBT+ rights?

Activists, academics and religious leaders explain how the pope's support for same-sex civil unions could affect the lives of LGBT+ Catholics

Demos planned as Italy mulls LGBT+ hate crime law for the sixth time

Italy ranks as one of the worst countries in Western Europe to be gay, bisexual or trans

'It got scary': Gloria Estefan's daughter on coming out as a lesbian

Singer Emily Estefan faced pressure coming out to her family and as the daughter of a global celebrity

Myanmar's first openly gay candidate kindles hopes for LGBT+ rights

In a country where gay sex is punishable by up to 10 years in jail, Myo Min Htun wants to be 'a voice for LGBT+ people'

'I feel I belong': India's first trans-run dairy farm brings jobs and respect

A unique dairy and housing project has given jobs to 30 trans women in southern India

'I see myself' - Stars of 'Equal' Samira Wiley, Billy Porter on LGBT history

Documentary series, "Equal," mixes archival footage and dramatic reenactments to depict some of the lesser-known moments in LGBT+ history

Irish town cuts ties with 'LGBT-free' Polish twin in growing culture war

Fermoy cut its ties with Polish counterpart Nowa Deba over its motion condemning 'LGBT ideology'

Global HIV response found to neglect gay and bisexual men, trans women

Gay and bisexual men account for about one in five new HIV infections, but they were only allocated 1% of the $57 billion spent to fight the virus between 2016 and 2018

FACTBOX - State of same-sex marriages globally as Pope Francis backs civil unions

Here are some key facts on the rights of same-sex couples around the world

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Pope says same-sex couples should be covered by civil union laws

Pope Francis said gays and lesbians have the right to have a family

Row in Hungary around children's book fuels fears of rising homophobia

The children's book 'Wonderland is For Everyone' includes LGBT+ heroes and was labelled 'homosexual propaganda' by Hungary's government

New Zealand's next parliament is set to be the most diverse ever

Under Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand's parliament will be the most inclusive ever, with several people of colour, LGBT+ members and a high number of women

Perception of 'cute white girls' helps U.S. women's soccer, says gay WNBA player Bird

Seattle Storm’s Sue Bird the public were less willing to accept and embrace tall, Black, LGBT+ basketball players

Gay former Goldman executive Chavez reflects on diversity on Wall Street

Marty Chavez said he hesitated when offered a job at Goldman Sachs in 1993 as he feared they may see a gay man as a liability

'The Inheritance' gets 11 Tony nominations as Broadway remains dark

The Alanis Morisette musical 'Jagged Little Pill' led nominations for the annual Tony Awards, with 15 nods

OPINION: Pope’s ‘yes’ to same-sex civil unions will lead to a more open and equal Catholic Church

Pope's comments in a new documentary released on Wednesday signal a significant policy shift

OPINION: Remembering football star Justin Fashanu, 30 years after he came out

British footballer Justin Fashanu came out as gay on 22 October 1990, but no top professional male players have followed his lead since

OPINION: Pope Francis’s meaningful words must be followed by action

The pope's support for same-sex civil unions needs to be more than just backing LGBT+ people's basic human rights

* Feel free to republish the stories above as long as credit is given to Openly.