Canada: Conversion therapy banned?
On Tuesday, Dec. 7, the Canadian Senate passed a bill to ban all conversion practices in the country. The Canadian government agreed to fast-track the bill with little debate, reports The New York Post. In a tweet, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said of the decision, "It's official: Our government's legislation banning the despicable and degrading practice of conversion therapy has received Royal Assent — meaning it is now law. LGBTQ2 Canadians, we'll always stand up for you and your rights." Canada joins several other countries, including — but not limited to — Brazil, Ecuador, Samoa, Germany, and Taiwan in banning the debunked practice. Meanwhile, here in the US, conversion therapy is only banned in 20 of 50 states.

Saudi Arabia: Racers wear rainbows at Grand Prix
LGBTQ Nation reported December 3 on the three Formula One drivers at the Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia who have decried the country's persecution of LGBTQ people and women. Lewis Hamilton, Mike Schumacher, and Sebastian Vettel wore varying degrees of rainbow-striped gear, from wristbands to helmets, in protest. Hamilton, a star racer and seven-time world champion, said in a press conference, "Do I feel comfortable here? I would not say I do. But it's not my choice to be here. The sport has taken the choice to be here. And whether it's right or wrong, I feel like it's important that we try to raise awareness."

Hungary: LGBT referendum before big election
Reuters reported on November 30 that Hungary's parliament has passed a resolution that could lead to a national referendum on LGBT issues. Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's anti-LGBT campaign continues, pushing for policies he says safeguard Christian values, such as banning LGBT subjects from schools. The referendum will ask Hungarians whether they support schools holding of sexual orientation workshops without parents' consent, whether they believe gender reassignment procedures should be promoted among children, and whether media content that could affect sexual orientation should be shown to children without restrictions.