Refugees in Idaho, Christian victims of the Nepalese earthquake, LGBT anti-discrimination gains in Kenya, and more in today’s Rounds…
Race, Ethnicity & Nationality
- U.S. court declares family of Sergio Adrian Hernandez Guereca, Mexican teen shot by U.S. Border Patrol guard, can’t sue in U.S. because child was standing on the Mexico side of the border. (US News)
- British Film Institute’s new “Three Ticks” initiative makes concerted effort to increase diversity in U.K. film industry. (Indiewire)
- An examination of the ethnic considerations impacting the imminent formation of the Bangsamoro autonomous political region in the Philippines. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)
- Group of experts submit report to UN calling for investigation of Germany‘s recent anti-racism record and neo-Nazi group’s potentially race-motivated murders. (Andalou Agency)
- Funeral held for Freddie Gray, killed in Maryland (U.S.) while in police custody; isolated violence distracts attention from ongoing demonstrations.
Immigrants, Refugees & Displaced Peoples
- Several young people share their stories about “owning their narrative” and coming out as undocumented in the U.S.. (Upworthy)
- Migrants navigating war-torn Libya face chaotic conditions, significant financial hurdles, and uncertain futures. (NYT)
- Global Talent Idaho offers support to the many well-educated refugees in Idaho facing professional obstacles in their new home in the U.S.. (Idaho Statesman)
- South African Army forces joins police for stop-and-search raids on immigrants in Johannesburg neighborhoods, leading to around 50 arrests. (Al Jazeera)
Religion & Belief
- The Canadian Supreme Court rules against institutionalized prayer at a local city council meeting, leading some municipalities to alter practices and others to dig in. (The Globe and Mail)
- At the beginning of the month, Madison, Wisconsin, became first U.S. city to explicitly declare discrimination against atheists illegal. (ThinkProgress)
- Nepalese quake struck at time of Christian worship services, leading to concerns about significant deaths, burial abilities, and setbacks to the establishment of religious freedoms. (Christianity Today)
Gender
- Vaidehi Mujumdar outlines legal, political, and scientific practices in the U.S. that disproportionately limit minority women’s reproductive rights. (The Guardian)
- Jewish women worship with full-sized Torahs at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, Israel in defiance of de facto ban against women doing so. (ThinkProgress)
- Israel among the world’s least religious countries, according to WIN-Gallup poll. (Globes)
- A look at the data behind the creation of the W20, the G20’s new women’s engagement group promoting gender-inclusive economic growth globally. (Chatham House)
- Divorced Palestinian women in Gaza face bleak prospects for retaining custody of their children, face social and economic marginalization. (Al Monitor)
Gender & Sexual Minorities
- Kenyan High Court expands discrimination protection for LGBT groups, potentially clearing way for more comprehensive LGBT rights in the future. (BuzzFeed)
- Bolivia returns to the question of same-sex unions, with the familiar debate over terms signaling growing support. (La Razón, in Spanish)
- U.S.-based Dr. Alison Feit draws attention to the need for psychological support of young Orthodox Jews grappling with sexual and gender identity-related issues. (Forward)
- Alumnus gives $1mn to the University of Missouri for the education of future journalists in the U.S. on LGBT-related issues. (Columbia Daily Tribune)
- U.S. delegation is heading to Cuba to discuss LGBT rights with activists and religious leaders in the Caribbean nation. (Washington Blade)
- Israeli gay youth group reaches out to include Arab minority, providing a safe space and education across religious lines. (Haaretz)