SUMMARY: On Thursday, Thailand enacted the Marriage Equality Act, allowing hundreds of LGBTQ+ couples to legally wed, making it the first Southeast Asian country to do so and the third in Asia after Taiwan and Nepal. Around 300 couples are expected to register their marriages in a celebratory event in Bangkok. The new law replaces terms like “men and women” with “individuals” and grants equal rights in areas such as assets, taxes, and inheritance. Advocates highlight that, while discrimination persists, recent progress reflects growing acceptance. Couples emphasize that legal recognition ensures fundamental human rights and alleviates future anxieties in their families.

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The post LGBTQ+ couples in Thailand register their marriages on the first day of law giving them equal status appeared first on www.news4jax.com

SUMMARY: Aaron De Groft, former executive director of the Orlando Museum of Art, has died at 59 after a brief illness. His tenure ended amid controversy following an FBI raid in 2022 related to an art fraud investigation involving forged Jean-Michel Basquiat paintings. De Groft had insisted on the legitimacy of these artworks, which were found in a storage unit years after Basquiat’s death. The museum has faced lawsuits alleging fraud and breach of contract linked to the exhibit. De Groft’s death is noted with condolences from the museum, highlighting his survival by his wife and two children.

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The post Former Florida art museum director involved in Basquiat forged painting probe has died appeared first on www.clickorlando.com

SUMMARY: A report by the Florida auditor general’s office revealed multiple issues in Mexico Beach, Florida, including turnover in key management positions, delayed financial reports, and procurement violations. From 2020 to 2024, the city saw multiple firings and resignations among its administrators, with the city administrator position unfilled for 78 days and the accountant role vacant for 495 days. The city’s financial reports were filed late, with the 2020-2021 report 173 days late and the 2021-2022 report 362 days late. Additionally, over $1 million in unbid purchases were found. The city also misclassified a part-time accountant, risking potential tax penalties.

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