From the UN: The UN celebrated the International Day of the Girl with a series of activities including a youth-driven town hall “Be Bold. Building Equality for Girls”. The discussion highlighted the importance of race, sexuality, and equality to all girls and featured the experiences of those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, or asexual (LGBTQIA) as well as girls of colour. Youth activists from around the world also spoke on issues of economic justice, gender based violence, and menstrual equity—access to and affordability of menstrual products, health education, reproductive care, and stigma. Watch the discussion now!
UNESCO launched a new “chatbot” named Eli to answer questions in Russian about growing up, relationships, sexual health, and mental health. Communication with Eli is anonymous and encrypted to protect users. The project is part of UNESCO’s global strategy to empower girls and boys with health literacy while using innovative technologies to spread HIV education.
For the first time, 34 countries and 8 NGOs submitted a joint statement to the Human Rights Council calling on the Council to address human rights abuse violations against intersex people. They urged governments to protect the autonomy of intersex adults and children and to protect them from violent and harmful practices by investigating abuses and reversing discriminatory laws. As people around the world celebrate Intersex Awareness Day (26 October) check out these new resources to learn how to better support the community.
The Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity, Victor Madrigal-Borloz, presented to the UN General Assembly his findings on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on LGBT+ persons’ human rights. The report was drawn from discussion with people from over 100 countries and identifies how the response to the pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on LGBT+ people, exacerbating violence and social exclusion. Using specific examples of governments that have made progress to combat these negative impacts, the report recommends specific steps that should be included in a human rights-based response to the pandemic. Check out this short explainer on the report!
UNAIDS released a new reference guide that uses experience gained from addressing HIV-related stigma and discrimination to inform countries on the intersection of stigma related to HIV and COVID-19. Specific evidence-based recommendations are sorted by those for community and family settings, workplace settings, education settings, healthcare access, justice settings, and emergency or humanitarian settings.
Check out other stories happening around the UN
HIV, Health, and Wellness: At the HIV2020 online conference (July - October), the Dutch non-profit Aidsfonds launched a new report on funding for HIV programs for key populations in low and middle income countries. The report finds that although gay and bisexual men, trans people, sex workers, and people who inject drugs account for over half all new infections, there is a “staggering gap” in funding as programs for these groups received only 2% of all HIV funds.
A new study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases found that self-sampling for chlamydia and gonorrhoea infections was just as accurate as a test performed by a healthcare worker. Although the study evaluated self-testing in a clinical setting, the results suggest that screening for these STIs could be done at home to reduce cost and avoid stigma attached to testing. Over the last few years, rates of syphilis and gonorrhea have spiked around the world causing the WHO to call for a more “honest discussion” on STIs.
In the UK, a private clinic that provides health and wellbeing services to the trans community was forced to stop filling patient prescriptions after it was targeted by negative media coverage. PinkNews rounded up the anti-transgender articles that focused on the clinic, GenderGP, as well as the youth charity group Mermaids, and pharmacy Clear Chemist. These groups have helped trans people find treatment outside of the National Health System (NHS) through which patients can face 3-4 year waiting lists to obtain gender identity service appointments. The AFP reported that with COVID the waiting list is growing “exponentially” every month with “inhumane” waiting times.
Writing to the journal Evidence-based mental health, experts argued that telemedicine could be an important option for increasing access to healthcare for trans persons especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their research found that 1 in 4 trans people in Italy experienced moderate to severe disruption in their healthcare. Individuals who were able to access their gender-affirming hormonal treatment through telemedicine had better mental health scores than their peers despite the effects of the pandemic.
The International Journal of Transgender Health published a survey on trans people in South Korea which found that internalized transphobia was significantly related to depressive symptoms and likelihood of attempting suicide. The Cureus Journal of Medical Science published the first case study of a transgender Pakistani man. The authors noted it is “imperative” that medical students learn more about the unique needs of trans patients.
The Journal of Emergency Nursing published a new article describing important health considerations healthcare professionals should be aware of when treating trans people in emergency settings. The authors emphasized that emergency nurses are often critical in linking patients to care—especially racial and ethnic minority trans people.
From the US, researchers published in PlosOne the first national study of intersex adults. Over 50% of participants reported fair/poor mental health, 61% reported they had been diagnosed with depression at some point, and over 30% reported they had attempted suicide. Co-author Dr Jason Flatt noted:
"We're not saying we know what causes these, and we can't answer that, but the goal here is to show this community is experiencing a major health disparity. Why can't we do more for them and engage them in research?"
More HIV, Health, and Wellness stories
From the World of Politics: The Parliament of the Council of Europe adopted a new report “Upholding human rights in times of crisis and pandemics: gender, equality and non-discrimination”. It notes that the socio-economic impact of COVID will likely have long-term effects especially to LGBTI people and other groups who often rely on an informal economy. Although it applauds governments for some of their efforts to protect public health, it condemns a “one-size-fits-all approach” that does not consider the specific needs of different groups in the rainbow umbrella.
The Council of Europe also announced it will carry out a "remote fact-finding mission" on the situation of LGBTI+ people in Poland following concerning reports of attacks and discrimination. A delegation will meet with Polish authorities and representatives of several NGOs. Municipalities covering about a third of the country have declared themselves "LGBT-Free zones".
During the 35th intergovernmental meeting on human rights between South American Countries (Reunião de Altas Autoridades sobre Direitos Humanos do MERCOSUL), Folhapress reported that Brazil vetoed a human rights action plan because it proposed creating a “register of hate crimes and discrimination on grounds of gender identity and sexual orientation”. The plan was supported by Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Experts noted that this goes against Brazil’s own Supreme Court ruling last year that homophobia and transphobia should be outlawed. Several Brazilian LGBT groups released a joint statement calling the veto “appalling”.
China's National People's Congress amended the Law on the Protection of Minors to include, for the first time, that all schools and kindergartens shall provide "age appropriate sex education for minors, and improve their self-protection awareness and ability of preventing sexual assault and harassment", as reported by Reuters. Schools will be expected to deliver the new curriculum by 2021.
Russia’s Commission on Legislative Activity has rejected a package of draft amendments to the Family Code introduced by conservative senators to ‘strengthen the family’. The package included amendments to prohibit trans people from marrying, adopting children, or changing gender. Tass reported that most objections to the amendments were to changes made to social services which many felt could endanger children.
France’s Minister for Gender Equality, Élisabeth Moreno, announced a new national action plan for equal rights and against anti-LGBT+ discrimination. The plan has 42 concrete measures that will be implemented or continued across health, education, family, sports, and the workplace. Some caution that action plans were previously launched in 2016, yet France continues to fall in rankings of LGBT-friendly countries.
Denmark’s leading political party, the Social Democrats, proposed plans to expand laws to better protect trans people from hate speech by adding concepts of gender identity, gender expression, and gender characteristics. However, the director of the Department of Human Rights, Lousie Holck, and some others fear the change would violate the right to freedom of expression.
In Italy this summer, the Justice Commission finally approved a draft of the Zan Law–a bill to prevent homophobia, transphobia, and misogyny—after an agreement was reached with feminist organizations to further discuss the phrase “gender identity”. Since the draft was approved, people have demonstrated for and against it with the opposition parties arguing that it would be an attack on free speech. Opposition leaders have attempted to delay a full vote on the bill—saying that COVID prevents them from coming into Parliament and refusing to vote remotely. Alessandro Zan, author of the bill, condemned the delay:
“The law is under attack. For me it is unacceptable to use the COVID emergency, which is real, to postpone a law that Italy has been waiting for for 25 years, a law of civilization that protects people and protects them from a climate of hatred that is growing in this country.”
In the Philippines, the Mayor of the city of Zamboanga signed the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Ordinance after two years of debate. The ordinance offers protections for people based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race, ethnicity, religion, health status, and other categories. Councilwoman Lilibeth Nuño reflected on the effort to get consensus on the ordinance:
“We persevered and endured criticism. Yes we retaliated. But we retaliated with education. We made them understand our purpose, and what it means to be in the shoes of those oppressed.”
Around the world LGBT+ issues and openly LGBT+ candidates are making headway in elections. In Belgium, Petra De Sutter became one of seven deputy prime ministers—making her the highest ranking openly trans politician in Europe, as reported by Reuters. Following New Zealand’s election, the Australian reported that it will have the highest percentage of openly LGBT+ members of parliament anywhere in the world.
Writing for LRT, Simonas Bartulis examined how Lithuanian political parties campaigned for and against LGBT issues. In the first round of voting, six parties gained Parliament seats. The National LGBT organization sees the split as an opportunity to negotiate for improved rights. Among the candidates who won a seat during the first round of voting is Tomas Vytautas Raskevičius, an openly gay man and member of the Freedom Party, who promised to focus on legalizing same-sex couples, gender recognition, and ending censorship laws against LGBT issues.
From Romania, Il Grande Colibri spoke to Antonella Lerca, the first openly trans woman to run for public office in the country. Although Lerca was unable to gain enough signatures to move forward in this election, she explained why it is important to build a network to support the most marginalized groups in the country.
In Myanmar, where same-sex sexual activity is criminalized, Myo Min Tun is the first gay man to run for a seat in the regional assembly. He spoke to Myanmar Times about what has driven him to become a public figure and one of the youngest (at 39) candidates:
“As I am an ordinary person, I see ordinary people suffer every day.”
Keep reading more from the World of Politics
The Politics of Union: South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Civil Union Amendment Bill into law which prevents marriage officers from refusing to carry out same-sex marriages. It also requires that every Department of Home Affairs office must have an officer available to solemnise a civil union. Same-sex marriages and civil unions have been recognized in South Africa since 2006; however, marriage officers could refuse to perform them for any reason.
In the US, two Supreme Court justices objected to the landmark 2015 marriage equality ruling saying that it threatens religious liberty, as reported by NPR, the AP, and others. The four-page statement by Justices Thomas and Alito was released as part of written comments on a case regarding a former Kentucky county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Many have expressed dismay over the statements which they fear could roll back marriage equality. Yale Law professor and author William Eskridge noted:
“It is alarming that there are justices on the Supreme Court who want to overrule Obergefell, which is a precedent the court has reaffirmed, and which hundreds of thousands of couples have relied to seal their unions in matrimony.”
Chile is still discussing a marriage equality bill brought forward by then president Michelle Bachelet in 2017 (Bachelet is the current UN High Commissioner for Human Rights). Although little progress has been made since it was first introduced, the Senate’s Constitutional Commission recently approved half of the bills' articles after a contentious debate. Meanwhile, La Tercera reported that President Sebastián Piñera has asked his political committee ministers to review again the government’s position.
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) called on Panama to adapt legislation to recognize marriage equality thereby bringing the country in line with the IACHR 2017 opinion that all rights applicable to heterosexual couples should extend to same-sex couples. Panama’s Supreme Court has heard several cases regarding the constitutionality of the family code which restricts marriage; however, it has not issued any ruling. Protesters for and against marriage equality have held demonstrations at the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the Episcopal Conference of Panama (the country’s union of Catholic bishops) issued a statement reiterating its support for marriage only between men and women.
Peru’s Constitutional Court will hold a private debate on a marriage equality case that started over two years ago following an open letter signed by over 50 lawyers, activists, and teachers seeking a decision. The current case was brought forward by Óscar Ugarteche seeking to have his marriage, carried out in Mexico, certified in Peru. La República documented the over 20 year effort by some legislators to introduce either civil unions or marriage equality for LGBTIQ+ couples.
More stories about the Politics of Union
Let the Courts Decide: The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that police in the country of Georgia deliberately humiliated LGBT+ activists when they forced activists to take off their clothes. In 2009, police raided the offices of the LGBT+ group “Inclusive Foundation” without a warrant and became aggressive with members. The unanimous ruling concluded that the police behavior was “wholly inappropriate” and was “motivated by homophobic and/or transphobic” hatred.
In Indonesia, the Semarang Military Court has sentenced to prison and dishonorably dismissed an officer accused of having sex with a same-sex subordinate. The ruling came after Chief of the Military Chamber of the Supreme Court (MA) Major General Burhan Dahlan announced that LGBTIQ soldiers must be removed from the National Army (TNI). The Surya Tribune News reported that the military will employ 3 steps to remove soldiers: prohibit “deviant” sexual behavior, emphasize the Armed Forces pledge of loyalty, and deploy a cyber team to monitor soldiers’ behavior. Same-sex sexual activity is not illegal nationally, although some provinces criminalize it under local Islamic-based laws. While not outrightly criminalized, LGBT people are often targeted using laws regarding pornography and sex trafficking.
Human Rights Watch reported that an Algerian court has convicted 44 people, mostly university students, on charges of same-sex relations, public indecency, and “subjecting others to harm by breaking Covid-19-related quarantine measures”. The young people were arrested during a police raid of a private residence over the summer. Police accused the group of engaging in a “gay wedding”.
In Eswatini, the High Court is expected to rule on whether it is unlawful to advocate for the rights of the LGBTI community and if discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is covered by the constitution, as reported by Eswatini Observer. The Court heard arguments in the case of Eswatini Sexual and Gender Minorities (ESGM) versus the government who refused to register ESGM as an organization. The government argued that ESGM must not be recognized because same-sex sexual relations are against the law. ESGM argues that the Registrar is violating members’ rights to associate and express themselves freely. Further, it says there is a distinction between advocacy for the community and same-sex sexual activity.
In Nigeria, a court dismissed a case against 47 men charged with breaking the country's law against same-sex sexual conduct. The men had been arrested during a raid of a private birthday party in 2018. Reuters reported that the prosecutors failed multiple times to present witnesses. Judge Rilwan Aikawa announced there was a "lack of diligent prosecution" and struck down the case.
Regarding Religion: In the new documentary “Francesco” Pope Francis speaks about pastoral care for LGBT people. In the footage the Pope reiterated support for LGBT people as children of God who “have a right to a family” and says:
“What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered.”
Reuters spoke to Catholic LGBT+ activists who expressed mixed feelings to the Pope’s sentiments. Some feared it would set back the campaign for marriage equality, creating an unequal separate alternative for couples. Many praised the Pope’s evolution as a “historic moment” that could be an “international game-changer”. The co-secretaries of ILGA World, Tuisina Ymania Brown and Luz Elena Aranda, pointed to the ongoing push by conservative and religious leaders to “scapegoat” LGBT+ people for political gain around the world and noted that the Pope’s word must be followed by actions:
“Respect cannot be a pick-and-choose matter. It needs to be about all aspects of our lives, and not just our right to our families and our personal relationships, but also about everyone in our communities. For far too long, the Church has been at best silent when our communities are attacked, or has actively contributed to those attacks itself.”
The Academy of Catholic Leaders held a live-streamed discussion with leaders from Mexico, Spain, Peru, and Italy in which they reaffirmed that same-sex unions are not approved of by the Church. The panelists agreed that the Pope urges people not to marginalize others due to their sexuality, however they suggested his words could be misinterpreted. (Watch their discussion in Spanish.)
From Germany, Bishop Heinrich Timmervers of Dresden-Meißen spoke about using the Pope’s 2016 document “Amoris Laetitia” (The Joy of Love) to guide expanding pastoral care for gay and trans Christians. Bishop Timmervers also urged the Catholic Church to find a way to bless same-sex couples.
Writing for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Josefin Dolsten looked at how queer Jews are incorporating Orthodox practices on family purity into their marriages even though most Orthodox communities reject same-sex relationships. Dolsten notes that for some LGBTQ practicing Jewish people there is a power in finding ways to participate in practices that have defined Jewish home life for thousands of years. As Leana Tapnack described:
“I did have to mourn a considerable number of dreams when I came to terms with my gay identity. As I’ve become more confident in my ability to manage both being gay, being queer, and being religious on my own terms, it feels like—why should I mourn things that I don’t need to mourn, things that I can reclaim, things that I can own?”
Fear and Loathing: ILGA World released its third edition of the Trans Legal Mapping Report that details the legislation that impacts trans people around the world. Thirteen countries still criminalize trans people, several others target trans people randomly using a range of laws, and rights have stagnated or regressed in others. However the report notes there has been “firm progress”. Co-author Zhan Chiam explained the importance of examining the nuance of these laws:
“The lived realities of trans persons in every region of the world cannot be learnt by looking just at the laws and cases, but by gaining trust, making contact and finding out how those laws are applied to the communities.”
In Nigeria, protests against the police unit “SARS” (the Special Anti-Robbery Squad) have ramped up and gained international attention as many object to widespread police brutality. The Initiative for Equal Rights led a discussion with Olúmidé F Mákànjúọlá about how police target "suspicious LGBT" for violence and extortion. And writing for Out, non-binary Nigerian activist Matthew Blaise explained why the fight against police brutality is so important for queer people who are arbitrarily targeted, harassed, and assaulted for their perceived sexuality and gender.
A new report from openDemocracy found that US-based Christian groups have spent over $280 million funding campaigns against LGBT+ rights and reproductive rights around the world since 2007. Neil Datta, head of the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights, remarked:
“This is a form of interference in our political and judicial system which is as harmful to human rights as Russian meddling in democratic elections.”
Winds of Change: The Global Equality Caucus is kicking off their new digital event series with conversations on "Lawmakers for LGBT+ Equality". Six regional meetings will be held bringing together elected officials and other leaders from the Oceania, Central & South America, Europe, Asia, North America & the Caribbean, and Africa. Sign up to participate or watch the live stream!
Polish artist Daniel Rycharski discussed his social project "Family Care" in which he arranged for gay people to live with and work for rural farmers at the start of the COVID pandemic. The project, sponsored by Poland’s Museum of Modern Art, aimed to help people find common ground and dispel the “myth that the countryside is intolerant”. Rycharski explained that it “sews Polish society together”:
“This project creates a new family for a while, in which farmers adopt LGBT people. We show that the divisions we have in mind created by the media and politicians about Polish society are untrue.”
From India, Anjana Shekar spoke to members of the country’s first integrated residential and livelihood centre, a dairy farm run by trans women. The Transgenders' Milk Producers' Cooperative Society was created through the collaboration of local official Sandeep Nanduri and trans activist Grace Banu. The two-acre land supports 85 trans people and has been producing 250-280 litres of milk every day since July. Check out this video about the farm!
From the US, lawyer and author Shana Knizhnik explained why she’s “coming out” publicly as intersex. In her op-ed she shares her struggles growing up and coming to terms with both her sexual and gender identities. Knizhnik explores how activists from across racial, gender, and sexuality movements have enabled her to live her full truth and notes:
“Despite the seemingly traumatic nature of my personal history, acknowledging that history throughout my journey of self-discovery and affirmation has allowed me to see beyond the limiting binaries of prescriptive social norms and has given me a more intimate perspective on how such socially constructed concepts as race, class, as well as gender and sexuality, perpetuate systems of disenfranchisement that have yet to be dismantled.”
More stories on the change and progress
Sports and Culture: Pride House Tokyo Legacy, Human Rights Watch, and Japan Alliance for LGBT Legislation have launched a new petition calling on the country to pass an LGBT equality law that would go into effect by the Tokyo 2021 Olympic games.
Meanwhile, members of the European Parliament's LGBTI Intergroup are speaking out against the decision to hold the 2023 European Games, an event run by the European Olympic Committees, in Poland. Games will take place in Krakow and the surrounding Malopolska region. Liz Barker, of the UK Parliament, summed up the objections:
"Since the Malopolska region of Poland has declared itself an 'LGBT-Free zone' it is no longer fit to host this event."
ILGA-Europe wrapped up its Gathering Online 2020, a week of discussions on the larger issues impacting communities across Europe and Central Asia. Check out this moving video from activists around the world reflecting on the future of the LGBTI movements. As Nán Russell explained, the path forward needs all of us together:
"The world causes us a lot of harm, but we cause ourselves a lot of harm too, and we're not great at fixing the problems within our community. And that starts with saying I'm sorry, and what can I do to make things better?"
Top photo by Harishan Kobalasingam