Co-Chair
Remy Choo
Co-Chair
Ryan Coyle
LGBTQI+ Law Committee
The LGBTQI+ Law Committee tracks advancements and setbacks in various areas, including discrimination, criminalisation, family rights, recognition and status, identity, among others, and considers the legal implications of cultural and socio-economic issues related to LGBTQI+ interests.
The Committee aims to promote diversity and inclusiveness in the legal profession and society at large by presenting LGBTQI+ ideals and calling attention to legal matters and developments through its sessions, publications, projects and collaborations with other IBA committees, and external parties. The Committee welcomes LGBTQI+ individuals, and all allies and encourages all persons interested in our projects to join the Committee.
Forthcoming conferences and webinars View All Conferences
IBA Annual Conference Toronto 2025
02 Nov - 07 Nov 2025
Toronto , Canada
IBA Annual Conference Copenhagen 2026
04 Oct - 09 Oct 2026
Copenhagen , Denmark
Publications
Legal fragmentation and family rights: intra-EU mobility challenges for LGBTQI+ families under the EU Blue Card scheme
This article examines the enhanced rights provided by the EU Blue Card Directive for highly skilled non-EU nationals and their families, focusing on intra-EU mobility and family reunification. It highlights how, in practice, LGBTQI+ families face structural disadvantages due to fragmented national recognition of same-sex partnerships, resulting in legal uncertainty and barriers to mobility that undermine the Directive’s intended benefits.
Released on Aug 27, 2025
Taiwan now permits registration of cross-strait same-sex marriages
Taiwan continues to make strides toward advancing marriage equality for same-sex couples by announcing that Taiwan–China same-sex couples married in a third country can now register their marriage in Taiwan. This step brings Taiwan closer to full marriage equality and reaffirms its position as a leader in LGBTQI+ rights in Asia.
Released on Aug 21, 2025
More countries to ban intersex genital mutilations in Europe
This article examines the growing European Union movement to ban intersex genital mutilation (IGM) – ‘gender normalising’ surgeries on minors with variations in sex characteristics. Affecting 1.7 per cent of the population, intersex individuals face widespread discrimination, with 21 per cent experiencing healthcare discrimination. The article emphasises that surgical interventions for social or aesthetic purposes without medical necessity constitute serious human rights violations, noting 49 per cent of affected Polish individuals did not consent to childhood procedures. Five EU countries have implemented legislative bans: Spain (2023), Greece (2022), Malta (2015), Germany (2021), and Portugal (2018), with Belgium developing similar legislation
Released on Aug 21, 2025
Marriage equality in Hong Kong: hitting a rainbow ceiling?
Hong Kong’s proposed Same-sex Partnership Bill offers limited legal rights to overseas same-sex couples, two years after a landmark judgment for LGBTQI+ rights. Unlike Thailand’s full legalisation, Hong Kong’s Same-sex Partnership Bill excludes many key rights, leaving local same-sex couples with minimal recognition and highlighting ongoing regional disparities in LGBTQI+ rights.
Released on Aug 21, 2025
Subcommittees and other groups
The LGBTQI+ Law Committee also coordinates the activities of the following subcommittees/working groups.
- LGBTQI+ Law Committee Advisory Board
Join us on LinkedIn
If you are a member of the LGBTQI+ Law Committee, for additional networking opportunities, programs, interviews with fellow members and tips all exclusive to members, join our LinkedIn page at: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/9388311/.