From the UN: UNAIDS announced that the global HIV targets set for 2020 will not be reached and that the COVID-19 pandemic could set the response to AIDS back by 10 years or more. The findings are part of a new report “Seizing the moment” that says countries should “double down and act with greater urgency” or we will lose the progress that has been made. The report emphasizes that there has been unequal progress with 62% of new infections occurring among key populations and their sex partners. UNAIDS estimates that a six-month disruption in HIV treatment due to COVID-19 could cause over 500,000 additional deaths in sub-Saharan Africa alone.
The UN Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity, Victor Madrigal-Borloz, presented his report on “conversion therapy” to the 44th Session of the Human Rights Council. Speaking to the Council, Madrigal-Borloz called for a global ban on so-called conversion therapies and noted they have been repeatedly linked to long-term mental and physical harm:
“Such practices constitute an egregious violation of rights to bodily autonomy, health, and free expression of one’s sexual orientation and gender identity. Ultimately, when conducted forcibly, they also represent a breach to the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment.”
The UN began its high level meeting to review progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The groups OutRight, COC Nederland, and RFSL released a primer on the SDGs to assist those working on issues impacting people due to their sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. The primer also guides activist organizations on how to participate effectively at the high level meeting.
The UNESCO office for Maghreb (North West Africa), UNFPA of Morocco, and UNAIDS held a public webinar to discuss the role of media in raising awareness about the importance of comprehensive sex education programs. The forum included UN experts, civil society representatives, members of the Forum of Young Journalists of Morocco, and leaders from the Higher Institute of Information of Communication. Watch the discussion in French!
HIV, Health, and Wellness: The 23rd annual International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2020: Virtual), themed “Resilience” was held virtually with sessions 24 hours a day so that global participants could share the latest scientific findings, achievements in advocacy, and national and community level efforts to achieve an AIDS free generation.
One powerful study presented by Carrie Lyons of Johns Hopkins University showed that criminalization of same-sex sexual activity is associated with increased likelihood of HIV among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Looking at 10 sub-Sahara African countries, the data shows that more severe punishments were associated with higher likelihood of HIV infection. In countries that penalize activity with less than 8 years in prison gay and bisexual men were 2.21 times more likely to have HIV than in countries with no criminalization—penalties of more than 10 years in prison increased this to 4.65 times as likely to have HIV. Researchers concluded that:
“Decriminalization of consensual same-sex sexual practices is necessary to optimize HIV prevention efforts and ultimately address the HIV epidemic.”
Another study presented at AIDS2020 by Kumbirai Chatora looked at gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Zimbabwe where several laws exist to criminalize people due to their perceived sexuality. Using a series of interviews, Chatora examined how men describe their own sexuality and how this changes their ability to access HIV services.
Several studies presented at AIDS2020 examined scaling up the use of PrEP drugs to prevent HIV infection. Among them, one UK study showed that uptake varied among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men depending on age, employment status, and stable housing. A study of Kenya, Tanzania, and Lesotho found that many people cycle on and off daily PrEP use. A study from France of on-demand PrEP use (also known as event-based PrEP or PrEP 2-1-1—taking two tablets 2 to 24 hours before engaging in sex, taking a single tablet 24 hours after the first two, and another tablet 24 hours after that) found that people are often confused about how to take PrEP in this fashion. They recommended clarifying education materials.
A US study found that advertisements that spread misinformation about the PrEP drug Truvada (and urged viewers to join a lawsuit against the manufacturer) have discouraged at risk young people from taking PrEP. Among participants, 49% had seen anti-PrEP ads on Facebook or Instagram. Of those, 32% changed their opinions about PrEP and 19% stopped taking it.
Researchers presented further data on a study conducted in Argentina, Brazil, Peru, South Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam among gay and bisexual men and transgender women which found that an injection of PrEP taken every two months was 66% more effective than the pill form of Truvada. A random sample of those taking the oral medication showed that 25% did not take the pill consistently which could explain why the injection was so much more effective in preventing HIV.
Activist and co-founder of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), Zackie Achmat, was honored at AIDS2020 for his leadership in the response to HIV/AIDS. He pointed out that much of the response to Covid-19 globally was a consequence of the work done in response to HIV over the past few decades.
More HIV, Health, and Wellness
From the World of Politics: Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba signed into law the decriminalization of same-sex sexual activity after a majority of the National Assembly and Senate voted in favor of it. Although the law criminalizing same-sex sexual activity was only added to the penal code in 2019, many are objecting to its repeal. Leader of the opposition party Guy Nzouba-Ndama has launched a national petition to oppose decriminalization.
Gabon’s progress has sent a backlash through other nearby countries. The government of Mali denounced reports that it would decriminalize same-sex sexual activity as reported by France24. Cameroon’s leader of the RDMC (opposition party) released a statement vigorously condemning any acceptance of homosexuality.
From Sudan, the Bedayaa Organization reported that the country's Sovereign Council has passed a package of amendments including updates to Article 148 of the Penal Code (known as the Sodomy Law). Although the law remains active, the amendment removes flogging and the death penalty from the punishments. Those convicted under Article 148 could face up to seven years in prison.
Poland’s President Andrzej Duda signed a bill to prevent people in same-sex unions from adopting children. The bill is now being reviewed by the Sejm (lower house). The Polish people voted last weekend in a presidential runoff election between President Duda and Rafał Trzaskowski after a campaign that saw LGBT rights and homophobic rhetoric become a central issue. President Duda narrowly won with only 51.21% of the vote. Activists say rhetoric by leaders has led to a rise in anti-LGBT violence that is “visible in the streets”. Marek Szolc, member of the Warsaw city council, noted:
“We live in a state where power has given us total consent to violence. None of us can feel safe anymore.”
In the Netherlands, the House of Representatives voted to expand Article 1 of the constitution to include protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation and disability. Currently, the constitution bans discrimination on the grounds of religion, belief, political affiliation, race, and gender. LGBTI organization COC Nederland confirmed with Deputy Prime Minister Kajsa Ollongren that the constitutional protection of “gender” already protects against discrimination on grounds of gender characteristics, gender identity, and gender expression. The proposal will now be reviewed by the Senate.
Also in the Netherlands, the Minister of Education, Culture, and Science, Ingrid van Engelshoven, announced that identity cards will stop listing a person's gender. The change is expected to go into effect in 2024 or 2025 when other changes to the cards are made. Germany, Italy, and Serbia also use identity cards without gender markers. Argentina, Australia, Canada, India, Nepal, New Zealand and some US states allow people to select a third gender category on their identity documents and passports.
Italy’s Parliament is considering new legislation to ban discrimination and hate crimes against gay and trans people. The current law bans hate crimes based on racial, ethnic, religious, or national grounds. Some Bishops have opposed the law, calling it “unnecessary” and suggesting that it will put freedom of expression at risk.
In the US, the New York Times and others reported that the Department of Housing and Urban Development has proposed a rule change to allow shelters to deny transgender people from accessing single-sex facilities funded by the government. Reflecting on the broad language of the bill, Dylan Waguespack, director of public policy at True Colors United, said:
“There’s some risk of not only transgender people being swept up by this, but also cisgender individuals who may not conform to whatever social norms are set by a particular shelter.”
Indonesia’s House of Representatives’ Legislative Committee has dropped from consideration a sexual violence eradication bill due to “difficulties” arranging discussion within Parliament of the bill. The Prosperous Justice Party (PTK) has opposed the bill because they argue that it promotes “legalization of adultery and LGBT sexual orientations”, as reported by the Jakarta Post. The bill may be reconsidered in 2021.
India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has asked divisions of the Central Armed Police Forces if they are willing to add a third gender category of “transgender” to recruitment exams. Citizens are currently required to pass a series of exams before being eligible for civil service jobs including the armed forces. Four of the five divisions said they are open to the change, as reported by Times of India. This is the first major change towards inclusion since the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act was passed earlier this year. A CAPF commander reflected:
“[Transgender people] will add to the rich profile of these forces. Also, if uniformed forces do not lead by example, how can we expect other sections of the society to shed old inhibitions.”
More from the World of Politics
The Politics of Union: Russia completed a seven-day nation-wide vote to approve changes to the constitution. With a majority voting “yes”, the most significant change allows President Vladimir Putin to remain in power until at least 2036. The vote packaged 206 amendments together to “cement Russians’ values” including an amendment to define marriage as exclusively between one man and one woman. Speaking to the New York Times, sociologist at the Moscow School of Social and Economic Sciences, Greg Yudin, said that from a judicial point of view “this whole exercise is insane” however:
“It is theatre, but very important and well-played theatre.”
The Parliament of Montenegro voted to adopt a law to recognize registered partnerships of same-sex couples. Calling it a “big step in the right direction”, Prime Minister Dusko Markovic welcomed the change and noted:
“There is no place and there should be no place for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in European Montenegro.”
South Africa’s National Council of Provinces (NCOP) passed an amendment to the Civil Union Act to prevent marriage officers and magistrates from refusing to carry out same-sex marriages.
Thailand’s Cabinet approved a draft bill to recognize same-sex unions, give couples the right to own property, pass on inheritances, and adopt children. The bill will next be discussed by the House of Representatives and the Senate. Pauline Ngarmpring, a trans person who ran for prime minister, noted that the “draft isn’t based on equality, but it’s better than nothing”.
Nepal’s National Human Rights Commission released a new report recommending that same-sex marriage be legalized. It noted that it has been five years since an expert committee recommended marriage equality and 13 years since the Supreme Court ruled that sexual and gender minorities should have equal rights.
From Japan, some of the 13 couples who filed lawsuits last year against the government for the right to marry spoke to the Japan Times about the danger COVID-19 has brought to LGBT couples. Without legal recognition of their relationships, health emergencies can be particularly dangerous.
More from the Politics of Union
Let the Courts Decide: The US Supreme Court ruled that federal employment discrimination laws do not protect teachers who work at schools run by religious organizations as reported by the Washington Post and others. The case involved two elementary teachers whose contracts were not renewed—one, alleged she was discriminated against because she received a breast cancer diagnosis; the other alleged age discrimination. In the majority decision Justice Alito wrote that courts are bound to stay out of employment disputes involving those "holding certain important positions with churches and other religious institutions”.
The Wall Street Journal and others reported that the US Supreme Court ruled that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may exempt employers and universities from the Affordable Care Act requirement to cover birth control in their employer-provided health-insurance plans. Previously, only religious organizations could apply for exemption. In 2017 the President issued an executive order to expand that exemption to include any employer with religious or moral objections to birth control. Several groups sued to protect contraceptive coverage which led to the current Supreme Court ruling.
The European Court on Human Rights ruled that Bulgaria violated the European Convention on Human Rights by refusing to allow a trans individual to legally change his gender and name in the civil registry.
From China came reports that a Beijing court ruled that an employer was wrong to fire an employee who took two months of leave to undergo gender assignment surgery. The court ruled that the employee must be reinstated and has the right to use the women’s toilet. News of the ruling sparked debate across Chinese social media with many offering words of support. Only a few workplace discrimination cases involving trans people have been heard in China’s courts. In the ruling the court noted:
“Modern society is becoming more and more diverse. We are always finding novelties around us, and we learn to gradually accept them unless they threaten others’, the collective’s, national or social common interest.”
The International Commission of Jurists—an NGO comprised of senior judges, attorneys, and academics—hosted a series of virtual interviews with 13 human rights defenders from Botswana, South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Colombia, Pakistan, Myanmar, India, and Malawi. Among the topics discussed, they examined discrimination in local legal systems, the impact of criminalization on public discourse, and the impact of COVID-19 on their communities. Check out the videos!
Regarding Religion: The Arcus Foundation published a new report that examines the work by faith-based groups to support the advancement of sexual orientation and gender identity rights in the Caribbean. Researchers spoke with faith leaders, experts, and LGBTQI activists, among others, in Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.
Writing for the National Catholic Reporter, Friar Daniel Horan, of the Catholic Theological Union, discussed the origins of the phrase "gender ideology" in Catholic contexts. He breaks down how it has been used to discredit LGBTQ rights causing "grave harm to people already made vulnerable in an unjust society".
Fear and Loathing: As the coronavirus continues to ravage many countries, LGBT people and sex workers are still among some of the most vulnerable communities. From Brazil, a new survey found that over 20% of LGBT+ people have lost their jobs due to COVID-19. Over half of trans people and 40% of other LGBT+ people say they will not survive without income support. From Jamaica, Kate Chappell reported on the LGBT+ people who have “fallen through the cracks” during the Covid pandemic.
From Fiji, the Survival Advocacy Network Fiji—a network that supports sex workers—described the difficulties local sex workers have had meeting their most basic needs. The group, with support from UNAIDS, is developing income generating entrepreneurships to help these workers who are often excluded from community safety nets.
From Bangladesh, Kazi Nafia Rahman reported on how people under the “transgender umbrella” (hijras, trans-men, trans-women, koti or cross-dressers, and gender non-conforming or non-binary people) who are not recognized by the government as “third gender” are excluded from support programs. Queer rights activist “Little Boxes” remarked:
“They are the minorities among the minority communities, who remain on the fringes of society.”
Iraqi LGBT organization IraQueer released a new report on the relationship between anti-LGBT+ rhetoric and the media. Using a framework established by scholarly research and human rights organizations, it analyzed 8 years of media coverage on LGBT+ stories across 60 local media outlets. It found there has been “clear biased coverage” that “systematically promotes hate speech and violence”. The report offers five steps journalists can take to improve reporting. Meanwhile, twenty-two Middle Eastern and North African organizations and international human rights groups recently published an open letter calling for more to be done to combat homophobic and transphobic hate speech in social media.
Zimbabwean intersex and trans rights organization Trans Smart Trust in collaboration with Swedish-based rights group RFSL published a new report on the discrimination and criminalization of trans people in the country. Using surveys and interviews they found that over 72% had been stigmatized against and over 62% had experienced a hate crime by community members due to their gender. Despite negative experiences at work, school, healthcare settings, and at home, some people remain hopeful for change.
Winds of Change: The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) published a new report on the developments and shortfalls of human rights protection across the EU. It examines how the EU’s Fundamental Rights Charter has been used to make progress in different countries and offers proposals for action. It reviews changes made to advance LGBTI equality, noting progress especially in Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. However, it recognized that there has been backlash that has stalled progress in Cyprus, Poland, Latvia, and Romania.
ILGA-World launched a new Toolbox to combat so-called "conversion therapies" that summarizes the legislation and public policy actions taken by different countries to curb these "therapies". The toolbox also identifies how national human rights institutions, the media, and professional associations have acted as allies to end these practices.
From the UK, a new survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of PinkNews found that 50% of people in the country agree that trans people should be able to self-identify their gender while only 27% opposed (23% did not know). Although these numbers show a drop compared to last year (when 56% agreed), Vic Parsons, of PinkNews, was encouraged by the results:
“It's somewhat of a relief, given the horrifying levels of anti-trans rhetoric in the media, to see that a clear majority of the public back us continuing to self-identify as who we are.”
The UK-based The Sunday Times recently reported that the government is abandoning plans to make gender recognition easier despite a two-year consultation on the process. Many have expressed dismay over the report and now 15 media corporations including Disney, Warner Media, Sky, and NBC published an open letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging the government to “honour” the commitment to implement the consultation findings and to support the trans community.
The global polling firm PSB Research published the “African Youth Survey 2020” based on the responses from 4,200 people aged 18-24 from across Congo-Brazzaville, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, Malawi, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The survey found that a large majority (83%) think that their country should do more to protect ethnic minorities and should help refugees (72%). It also found that 75% agreed with the statement “My country belongs to all who live in it”. However, only 28% across all countries believed that their government should do more to protect the rights of LGBTQ people. South African and Ghanese youth differed significantly to others surveyed, with 64% of South Africans and 56% of Ghanese wanting more to be done for LGBTQ rights.
South African advocacy group Access Chapter 2 launched a new campaign to share stories of people who have experienced conversion therapy, corrective rape, and all “out-dated beliefs and cultural practices” that harm LGBTQIA+ people. The campaign “Inxeba Lam” (“My Wound”) will also host conferences and workshops and will lobby stakeholders to make a change.
In Turkey, over 750 lawyers responded to an increase in hate speech targeting the LGBTI+ community with a joint letter declaring that “LGBTIQ+ rights are human rights”:
“None of us are free until we are all equal. All kinds of discrimination are forbidden wherever they come from, whether it originates from science, religion, neighbors—inside the house, the street, school, state, institutions, or society.”
From Australia, Shibu Thomas reported on the Roberta Perkins Law Project—an organization dedicated to provide legal services for trans and gender diverse people. The project, named after trans and sex worker rights activist Roberta Perkins, is led by transgender lawyers who are sensitive to the needs of trans and non-binary people.
Check out this panel hosted by tech news group Cointelegraph with Erik Lamontage, Senior Economist at UNAIDS, and seven other experts discussing how emerging technologies can have an impact on the LGBTQ+ community. Panelists were excited about the opportunities technologies such as crypto and blockchain bring to the community, although they acknowledged how technologies can bring risks. Watch now!
Sports and Culture: HBO released the documentary “Welcome to Chechnya” by Oscar-nominated filmmaker David France. The film, which premiered at Sundance early this year, devastated audiences with its haunting look at Chechnya’s anti-gay purges and the efforts made by the Russian LGBT Network and the Moscow Community Center for LGBTI+ Initiatives to save people. Canadian organization Rainbow Railroad will host a free online viewing and discussion with the filmmaker today—sign up for it here.
Check out this list and see the work of queer Black and Indigenous artists from Australia who are living out and proud, embracing who they are through poetry, literature, music, comedy, film, and activism.
Writing for Vogue, transgender activist, writer, and filmmaker “Tourmaline”—check out some of their work— talked about the concept of “freedom dreaming”, developed by Professor Robin D.G, Kelly as a way to encourage people to envision what you are fighting for instead of focusing on what you are fighting against:
“Freedom dreams are born when we face harsh conditions not with despair, but with the deep knowledge that these conditions will change— that a world filled with softness and beauty and care is not only possible, but inevitable.”
Check out this video from BBC Reel, “What sex can teach us about the past” as historians Kate Lister and Fern Riddel discuss with presenter Matthew Sweet about how historical perceptions of sex can help us to better understand gay, queer, and trans issues. As Riddel explains:
“One of the things that absolutely pushed me is the understanding that it is modern bigotry that is the problem. Because these are histories that have existed for centuries. We may have a modern word for them, but they have been part of our sexual culture and people have lived those lives since human sexuality began.”
