"We cannot remain neutral, nor will awareness substitute for action...
We understand what it means to rise up and push back against a culture that tells us we are less than, that our lives don't matter. Today, we join together again to say #BlackLivesMatter and commit ourselves to the action those words require."
~ Human Rights Campaign joined by over 600 LGBTQ human rights groups
From the UN: The UN Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity, Victor Madrigal-Borloz, joined over 45 other UN Experts, Special Rapporteurs, and Working Groups to release a joint statement to condemn state-sponsored racial violence and the killings of Black people at the hands of police in the US. They called on the US government to address systematic racism and racial bias in the country’s criminal justice system. The experts urged international leaders to use this moment to address structural forms of racial and ethnic injustice in their own nations. They noted:
“Expressions of solidarity—nationally and internationally—are important but they are not enough.”
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima released a video saluting the "courage of everyone around the world who has stood up to insist that Black Lives Matter". She noted that racism isn't just about police brutality, but also "policy violence"—policies that discriminate against and dehumanize Black people.
The Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights has translated into 32 languages a practical and useful tool to help governments in the fight against that incitement to discrimination, hatred, and violence while also protecting freedom of expression. The tool sets out a 6-part threshold test to determine if a statement amounts to a criminal offense. It is part of the “Rabat Plan of Action on incitement to hatred” that makes several recommendations to officials, media, civil society, and faith leaders on how to navigate these issues. Senior Human Rights Officer Scott Campbell called the threshold test “more timely than ever”.
Madrigal-Borloz published his report on “conversion therapy” to be presented to the 44th Session of the Human Rights Council this month. The report draws from an extensive literature review and contributions from over 30 countries including civil society, faith-based groups, health experts, academics, and governments—check out the submissions. Among the recommendations, the report calls for a global ban on practices of “conversion therapy”, prohibiting advertisements and public funds for these practices, and establishing punishments for non-compliance.
Several UN experts including Madrigal-Borloz are preparing reports to the General Assembly on the impact of COVID-19 on human rights. To guide their reports, they have issued a call for contributions from all stakeholders including civil society organizations, governments, and equality bodies. Check out this questionnaire in English, Spanish, and French to contribute.
UNAIDS released results of a new survey measuring the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of young people living in Asia and the Pacific. The survey focused on gay men and other men who have sex with men, drug users, trans people, sex workers, migrants, and people living with HIV between 19-29 years old. As seen elsewhere in the world, a majority of these young people have experienced anxiety due to Covid, have lost their incomes, and are struggling with the mental burden of isolation. UNAIDS offered recommendations to help young people in the region stay connected with peers and local counsellors.
UNAIDS celebrated the life of AIDS activist and playwright Larry Kramer who passed away at the age of 84 from pneumonia. In the 1980s, Kramer co-founded ACT-UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), an organization known for disruptive protests against public officials, religious leaders, and scientists to call attention to people dying of HIV/AIDS. Check out this video of his powerful “troublemaking” actions. Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, called him a “passionate and committed disrupter”:
“He wasn’t afraid to provoke and shock leaders and officials to react, which is what was needed, and often still is needed to bring the reality of what was happening on the ground to the centre of media attention and political action.”
HIV, Health, and Wellness: In India, the Bihar state government has begun distributing condoms, contraceptives, and pregnancy kits to migrants after they are released from a mandatory 14-day quarantine to prevent COVID-19.
From Australia, PLoS One published results from a new nation-wide study of gay and bisexual men who never or rarely use HIV risk reduction strategies (such as using condoms, PrEP, or restricting partners due to HIV status). The data shows that nearly one in ten men rarely use an HIV risk reduction strategy. Data analysis suggests that HIV prevention strategies should be focused on younger, less socially engaged, and less educated gay and bisexual men to reduce the spread of HIV.
A new study by Kaiser Permanente of gay and bisexual men in the US reported that men in the study who took PrEP before and after sex (the 2-1-1 regimen) reported good adherence and none were diagnosed with HIV. Study authors suggest this could be an appealing alternative for some men who infrequently have sex.
APCOM has launched two surveys to explore if trans people and gay men and other men who have sex with men in the Asia Pacific region are open to the U=U message—the message that people living with HIV who achieve and maintain an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV through sex. APCOM is asking community members and service providers from the region to respond.
From Ghana, a new study published in BMC Research Notes examined self-harm among LGBT adolescents. Of the children studied, 47% of LGBT youth reported they had engaged in self harm while only 23% of heterosexual youth reported self-harm. This is one of the first studies to provide evidence on self-harm among LGBT young people in sub-Saharan Africa.
From China, JAMA Network Open published the first comprehensive national study on mental health and rates of abuse, neglect, and bullying among transgender and non-binary adolescents. It found that 92% of adolescents experienced abuse or neglect in the home and 76% experienced harassment or bullying at school. Over 50% of those surveyed reported suicide ideation and 15.8% had attempted suicide at least once.
More HIV, Health, and Wellness
From the World of Politics: The Council of Europe issued recommendations to Ukraine and Albania on LGBT issues. It urged Ukraine to reform laws to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. And although it praised Albania for some developments towards LGBT people, it pressed Albanian leaders to recognize same-sex partnerships, to create a mechanism for legal gender recognition, and to condemn hate speech from political and public figures.
Meanwhile, the European Commission issued a letter to the leaders of five provinces in Poland that have adopted anti-LGBT resolutions and “LGBT-free zones”. The letter mentions that the Commission has received several complaints regarding anti-LGBT rhetoric and policies. Noting that EU law forbids discrimination, it requested that officials ensure that EU Cohesion Policy Funds—funds to improve economic well-being of regions in the EU—are not being used in ways that would discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. Anna Błaszczak-Banasiak, of the Commissioner for Human Rights’ Office, noted:
“[W]e cannot be full members of the community if we fail to apply the principle of equal treatment and exclude some of our citizens from social life.”
In China, the National People's Congress voted to adopt a new Civil Code that includes new regulations for personal rights, property rights, and marriage and family rights. For the first time, the Civil Code clearly defines and bans sexual harassment. Although there was strong public interest in adding provisions for marriage equality, this was not among the 79 provisions on marriage and family added to the code. However, same-sex couples see hope in new rights in property ownership. The law will allow them to designate a beneficiary which will help prevent a person from losing their home after their partner dies.
The UK updated the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations 2020 bill with an amendment that bans indoor gatherings of two or more people “to engage in any form of social interaction”. Many mocked the government for essentially banning sex indoors between people who don’t live together, as reported by the Independent and others. When questioned if the rule extends to outdoor sex, Secretary of State for Housing Simon Clark quipped that “the risk of coronavirus transmission is much lower in the open air than in the indoor space, but obviously we do not encourage people to do this kind of thing out right now, or any other time”.
Officials in the Netherlands offered guidance for single people seeking intimacy during the pandemic and recommended they have a designated “sex buddy”. And in Switzerland, officials have allowed sex work and “erotic salons” including around 30 gay sex clubs and saunas to reopen. Customers will be required to leave contact details so that establishments can discreetly reach them if it emerges that someone with Covid was at the establishment at the same time.
Also in Switzerland, the government has moved forward with a proposal to allow people over the age of 18 to change their name and gender in the civil registry without legal or medical requirements. The amendment will next be reviewed by the Conseil des États (Council of States). A separate proposal is also being considered to add a third gender option to the registry.
In Zambia, President Edgar Lungu pardoned nearly 3,000 inmates on Africa Freedom Day—the day that celebrates the creation of the African Union. Among those released were Japhet Chataba and Steven Sambo, a couple who had been sentenced to 15 years in prison under laws that criminalize gay sex. Their conviction caused a diplomatic rift between the US and Zambia this past December after the US ambassador criticised the sentence.
In the UK, Mayor of Lambeth, Philip Normal spoke to Reuters about being the first openly HIV-positive person to be elected as mayor in the country. And in France, Marie Cau, the first transgender person elected to be mayor in the country, reflected:
"The villagers didn't vote for or against me because I'm transgender. They voted for a programme and values."
As Russians prepare to go to the polls to vote for constitutional amendments that could potentially keep President Putin in office for another decade or more, a campaign ad was run by his supporters urging a return to “traditional values”. The ad depicts a gay man pretending to be a woman in order to adopt a child.
Researcher Rasha Younes explored how authorities across the Middle East and North Africa have used anti-LGBT rhetoric and laws that criminalize LGBT people to advance their political agendas. In many countries, she noted, officials show themselves to be “protectors for morals and religious traditions” by targeting LGBT people.
More from the World of Politics
The Politics of Union: Couples in Costa Rica were finally able to get married after the 2018 Constitutional Court marriage equality ruling came into effect. Costa Rica is the first country in Central America and the sixth in Latin America to recognize same-sex marriages. Even as people celebrated, Secretary-General of the New Republic Party, Fabricio Alvarado introduced a new conscientious objection bill to allow individuals and businesses the right to refuse to serve LGBT couples and the right to express their objection to same-sex unions.
The Japanese city Okayama announced it will offer certificates to same-sex couples. Although nearly 50 local governments in the country offer similar certificates, they come with very limited benefits and are usually only recognized in the cities they were issued. The Famiee Project has launched a private “partnership certificate” that will be accepted by at least 17 companies to certify same-sex spousal benefits across the country.
Also in Japan, the Nagoya District Court ruled that a man is not eligible to receive compensation as a surviving family member after his partner of 20 years was murdered. The judge noted that he could not grant victim compensation because he couldn’t recognize same-sex unions as “de facto marriages”. Yasuhide Uchiyama, whose partner was murdered by a colleague, remarked:
"It is extremely disappointing that my request was rejected on the basis that same-sex couples are not sufficiently accepted in society."
Out of the US, a new study from the Williams Institute found that marriage equality has contributed an estimated $3.8 billion to the economy and generated $244.1 million in state and local sales tax. The report is based on data that shows there have been an estimated 293,000 same-sex weddings and that each couple spent an average of $11,000 on their events.
More from the Politics of Union
Let the Courts Decide: For the first time, Malaysia’s Federal Court will allow a man to challenge the Islamic law that criminalizes sex “against the order of nature”. The man was arrested along with 10 others in a raid on a private residence—he denies the charges. His challenge is based on the unique structure of Malaysia’s dual-track legal system of national law and state Islamic law which only applies to Muslims. Both systems criminalize same-sex sexual activity however the constitution of Malaysia says that a state cannot enact a law that already exists on a national level, as reported by AFP and others. If the man wins his challenge, same-sex sexual activity will remain criminalized under national law. Despite this, a coalition of Malaysian LGBTIQ+ networks noted that by hearing the case:
“the Federal Court opens up space to scrutinize the law and its wide-ranging adverse impact on LGBTIQ persons.”
In Chile, the Second Family Court of Santiago ruled that two lesbians must both be recognized as mothers of their son. The women, who have a civil union, used assisted reproduction to conceive. However, the Civil Registry only acknowledged the birth mother in the child’s records. The court ruled that “all forms of family that exist” must be granted protection and integrated into national life with appropriate legal identification documents.
North Macedonia’s Constitutional Court repealed the “Law on Prevention and Protection Against Discrimination” which was adopted by the National Assembly last year in a narrow vote. ILGA Europe and the Academy of European Law released a joint statement condemning the repeal which rolls back the first ever explicit prohibition of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
In Hungary, the Transvanilla Transgender Association filed a complaint to the Constitutional Court against Article 33 of the Civil Registry Act which outlaws legal gender recognition. Meanwhile, over 10,000 people have signed a petition to Ombudsman Ákos Kozma, Hungary’s Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, to take action against the Article.
From the US, NBC reported that the Department of Justice submitted a brief to the Supreme Court arguing that taxpayer organizations should be able to refuse to work with same-sex couples and others that they consider to be in violation of the organizations' religious beliefs. The Supreme Court is preparing to hear the case of Catholic Social Services (CSS) against the City of Philadelphia. Because the CSS refuses to consider same-sex couples as foster parents, Philadelphia will not renew their taxpayer-funded contract for foster care services. Leslie Cooper, of the ACLU, warned that if the Court sides with the government and CSS:
“[N]ot only will this hurt children in foster care by reducing the number of families to care for them, but anyone who depends on a wide range of government services will be at risk of discrimination based on their sexual orientation, religion, or any other characteristic that fails a provider’s religious litmus test.”
Fear and Loathing: UK organization Stonewall released a new report from its research project “Out of the Margins” based on data from 21 countries on the experiences of lesbian, bisexual women, and trans people. The report examines discrimination, exclusion, and violence through the lens of economic well-being, personal security and violence, health, education, and civic engagement. The authors state that the results paint a “deeply troubling picture”, an urgent need for more data, and highlight the need to affirm intersectional, feminist, and queer perspectives.
From Cameroon came reports that last month police raided an information session about HIV and COVID-19 and arrested 53 LGBT people. They were accused of promotion of homosexuality and violating Covid regulations. The African Human Rights Media Network reported that some of those detained were forced to undergo forced anal exams—a medically worthless practice considered by the UN as torture. The charges have since been dropped.
Indonesian YouTuber Ferdian Paleka posted videos “pranking” trans people by handing out fake COVID-19 aid packages of rotting trash. Despite backlash, Paleka expressed no remorse until angry neighbors protested outside his home. He was later arrested. Beka Ulung Hapsara, the Education and Counseling Commissioner of the National Commission on Human Rights, said the incident reflects the “gargantuan struggle” that LGBT people face. Although these neighbors spoke out against Paleka, the commissioner noted that in recent years national broadcasting has become more negative against the LGBT community and now fuels public misconceptions.
In the Caribbean, after multiple new videos were posted online showing different attacks on gay men and gender non-conforming woman by both police and the public, activists are sounding an alarm that more work needs to be done to end violence. Alexus D’Marco, Executive Director of the Bahamas Organization of LGBTI Affairs, called for a broad dialogue to address social attitudes:
“What does it say about us as a people that so many consider this a source of humour and entertainment?”
In Kuwait, Maha Al-Mutairi, a trans woman, posted a series of videos on social media revealing that she has been raped and beaten by police while held in detention. Al-Mutairi has been imprisoned multiple times on charges of "impersonating a woman". Her video has sparked international solidarity with many calling for "#justiceformaha". In her passionate video Maha Al-Mutairi declares:
"I am the first transgender person in Kuwait to publicly announce she is a woman. And I am not afraid of anyone."
Writing for the Washington Post, Max Bearak exposed how COVID-19 has exacerbated the dangerous situation LGBT refugees are facing in Kenya. Kenya criminalizes same-sex sexual activity and LGBT refugees are awaiting resettlement elsewhere. However, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has suspended the resettlement process due to the pandemic. Many refugees, facing extortion by police and intimidation and violence from neighbors, say they are losing hope in the process.
The SOGICA (Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Claims of Asylum) spoke with Il Grande Colibrì about their research project on LGBTQIA refugees living in Italy, Germany, and the UK. Begun in 2017, the asylum process has changed significantly across countries. Along with their research, SOGICA gathers video and audio recordings capturing the experiences of those navigating the system in their own words. Check out some of the videos.
Winds of Change: The Eurocentralasian Lesbian+ Community (EL*C) has launched the EL*C Urgent Response Fund to financially support people in Europe and Central Asia who identify as lesbian, feminist, bi, trans, and queer during the COVID-19 pandemic. EL*C noted that, due to the pandemic, these groups are being trapped in potentially dangerous situations—often exacerbated by their gender and sexuality. They are accepting applications for small grants from lesbian led and lesbian* groups who can support their communities.
ILGA-Europe launched the “No One Left Behind” Fund to support LGBTI organizations who are supporting their communities during the COVID-19 crisis. The Fund aims to help groups develop capacity to respond to the social and economic inequalities LGBTI people face especially in times of crisis.
The Organization of American States (OAS) and Synergía - Initiatives for Human Rights released a joint report on the process of gender recognition across the 15 countries in the region. The report compares how different countries regulate gender identity, the judicial processes, and medical requirements. The information and best practices in the report can be used to strengthen current systems while also laying out a pathway for El Salvador, Granada, Nicaragua, and Paraguay which currently have no standard mechanisms for gender recognition.
The International Sex Workers Day was commemorated on 2 June. Many used the day this year to highlight the specific challenges sex workers have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. UNAIDS featured the work of Twinkle Paule, a Guyanese trans activist and outreach worker living in the US. When faced with the Covid crisis Paule collaborated with activists at GLITS Inc to raise funds for transgender sex workers in Guyana and Suriname.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Service Workers in Groups (SWING), described the severe socioeconomic impact the outbreak has had on local sex workers. Director Surang Janyam emphasized that community-led groups must swiftly transform and provide integrated packages that provide basic needs and prevention for both COVID-19 and HIV:
“As a sex worker-led organization, we cannot provide only HIV services while sex workers are hungry and lack the basic needs to survive.”
The Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies (CSBR) and the Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN) published reflections on how to empower LGBTI human rights defenders though well-being initiatives. Recognizing that advocacy often has intense mental and physical health effects on LGBTIQ+ defenders, the research is based on interventions implemented across 29 countries in Asia and the Pacific.
On the March: In the wake of COVID-19, many Pride celebrations have been cancelled, postponed, or moved to virtual formats. To take advantage of this unusual time, Prides from around the world are joining together for the first ever “Global Pride” on 27 June—a 24-hour online celebration headlined by world leaders, celebrities, and drag queens with performances and speeches that “reflect and celebrate the beautiful diversity of LGBTI+ people everywhere”.
In China, the LGBT community is planning for Pride as they recover from the early experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ying Xin, director of Beijing LGBT Center, reflected that since people were forced to stay home, the Center has experienced a growth in participation in online events. Only 3-5% of Chinese are open about their sexual orientation and gender identity and virtual Pride events could be a good option to encourage participation. Pai Yang, deputy chief editor of Love Matters China, noted that although virtual Pride events are a good alternative—visible, public events are important to encourage greater acceptance of LGBT people.
From celebrations to activism—the murder of George Floyd at the hands of the police in the US sparked protest across all 50 states and around the world. In the first several days several LGBTQ human rights groups spoke out and now over 600 have co-signed a joint letter calling for the end of racism, racial violence, and police brutality.
As protests continue, disturbing videos have emerged of brutality against peaceful protestors, as reported by TIME and others. In North Carolina, video shows a queer bar handing out water and providing medical help to protestors was attacked by police with flash bangs. And in Iowa, surveillance footage showed that armed police raided the queer bar “The Blazing Saddle” as staff provided medical assistance to protestors who had been shot with tear gas and flash bangs.
The previously cancelled New York's "Reclaim Pride" march announced they will now go ahead as "Queer Liberation March for Black Lives and Against Police Brutality". In Los Angeles, a new advisory board of Black LGBTQ+ leaders has been formed to organize and "All Black Lives Matter" solidarity march. Some activists are calling this a moment to return to Pride roots—recalling that the original Prides began as riots against police brutality and were often led by Black trans women such as Marsha P. Johnson. Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, noted:
“We can’t have a moral or effective trans or LGBT movement if it’s not an anti-racist movement.”
The group EL*C hosted a conversation "Dykes Resistance Tactics Against Police Violence" to discuss how lesbians have resisted police around the world. On the panel: Bledarte — a women of color collective from Brussels, Nyiragasigswa Hens— of the organization "BeHuman", Flavia Rando — art historian and activist, Zhanar Sekerbayeva — Kazakhstan Feminist Initiative. Watch the discussion!
Sports and Culture: The Trevor Project, a US suicide prevention non-profit, published a statement from actor Daniel Radcliffe in wake of transphobic tweets from Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. Rowling’s tweets sparked a viral debate about trans women. Radcliffe, star of the Harry Potter films, said he felt “compelled” to speak out and unequivocally supported trans women and reject statements that “erase” the identity and dignity of transgender people:
“To all the people who now feel that their experience of the books has been tarnished or diminished, I am deeply sorry for the pain these comments have caused you.”
University lecturers Aretha Phiri and Rocío Cobo-Piñero discussed the growth of African literature that tackle queer themes, sexualities, and genders. Their conversation explores how emerging literature relates back to pre-colonial cultures across Africa. Check out their conversation.
Artist and author Bishakh Som debut graphic novel “Aspara Engine” is earning rave reviews for genre bending stories and “ethereal” drawings. Som, who is trans, reflected that developing the novel helped her to find herself:
“The creative work was a way of processing what was happening in my cloudy vision. It was a way to imagine myself as one of those characters and say, this is what I might be like or what I could’ve been like in another life. Writing these characters was saying there’s no difference between the possibilities and realities of gender.”
Tunisian based NGO, Mawjoudin—We Exist, published the first in a series of graphic novels called “Queer Squad” following the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex, trans, and queer people. Check it out in Arabic and English!
top photo by Koshu Kunii