From the UN: UNAIDS released a statement warning that the “vilification” of LGBT people in Uganda could lead to violence and increased stigma which will keep people away from HIV testing, treatment, prevention, and care services. Ahead of this month’s election, Reuters reported that Uganda had become increasingly dangerous with “brutal crackdowns” on opposition rallies that have left over 50 dead. President Museveni, who won reelection, blamed the protests on LGBT+ rights groups and called homosexuality a ‘deviation’. UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima stated that “using offensive language that describes LGBT people as “deviant” is simply wrong,” and added:
“It’s clear that to end the AIDS epidemic in Uganda there is a need to build a more inclusive society where everyone enjoys the right to health. UNAIDS stands ready to work with all partners to end stigma and discrimination against the LGBT community and to achieve the full respect of their universal human rights.”
The Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and association, Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, has issued a call for inputs for his next report to be presented to the Human Rights Council. The report will focus on accountability, access to justice, and the role that lawyers can play to facilitate the right to peaceably assemble. The Rapporteur notes that some groups, including women, persons with disabilities, indigenous groups, and LGBT people, face even greater risks due to intersecting forms of discrimination. He asks for more information on the specific situations and needs these groups have to ensure they have access to justice. See how to submit here.
HIV, Health, and Wellness: UNAIDS released new modeling measuring the negative impact of favourable and nonfavourable environments that includes issues related to stigma and discrimination and the criminalization of sex work, drug use, and same-sex sexual relationships have on HIV treatment and prevention. Modelling has shown that if the targets promoting favourable societal environments are met, 440,000 AIDS-related deaths would be averted and 2.6 million additional new HIV infections would be prevented.
In Jamaica, UNAIDS and the UNFPA have partnered with TransWave Jamaica to launch the “Trans and Gender Non-Conforming National Health Strategy”. The five-year plan is the first of its kind in English speaking Caribbean and provides a rights-based approach to advancing the health and well-being of trans people. It includes recommendations for the healthcare system and addresses the structural and societal changes needed to improve trans persons’ access to services. UNFPA HIV and AIDS Officer, Denise Chevannes-Vogel, emphasized:
“The needs go beyond HIV and health care. Other factors affect people’s ability to be safe, to be adherent or to remain HIV-negative. We should take into account the whole person, not just a part.”
A new study in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes examined reported interruptions to HIV prevention and treatment services caused by COVID that impact gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Utilizing survey responses from over 10,000 men across 20 countries, researchers found that the biggest impact across all countries was on the ability to get PrEP and access to HIV testing. Among HIV-positive men, 20% across all countries were unable to access their HIV healthcare provider and nearly 50% were unable to refill their medication remotely. Authors urged for new innovative strategies to minimize service interruptions during this and future pandemics.
The Journal of Homosexuality published a special issue on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on LGBTQ+ health and well-being. The issue examines empirical data collected from the US, Australia, Peru, Portugal, UK, Italy, Brazil, Chile, Sweden, Belarus, Belgium, Egypt, France, Germany, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Taiwan, Turkey, and Ukraine. It provides new evidence on the disparities LGBTQ+ populations around the world experienced in mental health, unemployment, housing, and more. Although some of the studies examine subsets of sexual minority women and trans and non-binary people, experts note that more research is needed to explicitly consider race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and other subgroups within the "LGBTQ+ umbrella".
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From the World of Politics: Chile’s Congress began debate on decriminalizing abortion within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy. Chile currently allows termination of pregnancy in cases of rape, risk of death to the mother, or fetal non-viability. However, activists say there are many problems including that health workers are able to invoke conscientious objection to refuse to provide abortions. Deputy Maite Orsini, head of the Commission for Women and Gender Equality, remarked:
“Abortions exist and will continue to exist. It is in our hands to stop persecuting adolescents and women who do not have the resources to do so in clinics.”
Following Argentina’s recent landmark vote to decriminalize abortion, journalists Daniel Politit and Ernesto Londoño examine how local activists galvanized the public to support legislation. The text of the final law has been praised for its inclusive language that legalizes voluntary termination of pregnancy for "women and people with other gender identities capable of gestation".
Meanwhile, the National Congress of Honduras moved the opposite direction voting to amend the constitution to prohibit marriage equality and abortion. Both are already illegal; however, the new amendment will make it more difficult for any changes to be made. Indyra Mendoza, coordinator of the Cattrachas Lesbian Network remarked:
"Today is an extremely sad day for human rights in Honduras. It is shocking to be in the hands of perverse policies and politicians."
Malawi’s Ministry of Health issued new standards and guidelines for comprehensive abortion care to address the country’s high maternal mortality rate. Under the Penal Code abortions are only permitted for the “preservation of the mother’s life”—the new guidelines incorporate the latest evidence and clinical standards to expand providers’ understanding of when terminating a pregnancy is permissible. Although a step in the right direction, activists have urged Parliament to move forward with the “Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Bill” which would expand the law to include legalization in the case of incest, rape, and sexual manipulation. The bill, expected to be debated in February, has support of some Chiefs, Muslim leaders, and other traditional leaders.
The European Parliament launched the fourth edition of the “Contraception Policy Atlas”. Created through the Parliamentary Forum for Sexual & Reproductive Rights, the interactive Atlas tracks government policies on access to contraceptive supplies, family planning, and online information. Speaking at the launch, MEP Theresa Reintke explained why this information is more crucial than ever:
“The pandemic has illuminated existing gaps and shortcomings in healthcare services, with some governments shifting resources away from basic sexual and reproductive services, others deliberately manipulating the situation to pass through laws further restricting these fundamental rights. All countries must ensure and facilitate access to contraception also during challenging crisis situations.”
Also in Europe, the European Parliament and the European Council have agreed to a provision which will require any project funded by the EU to comply with the Charter of Fundamental Rights. This follows a decision by the EU last year to refuse to give grants to six Polish cities that enacted so-called “LGBT Free Zones. European Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, promised that “rigorous monitoring” would ensure all projects comply with the Charter so that funds benefit all EU citizens equally.
In India, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has set aside ₹500 crore (77 million USD) for a five-year plan to support the welfare of trans people. The plan includes scholarships, education support, housing, and health initiatives. To access services trans people will need to apply for an identity card through an online portal launched last year.
Also in India, the Department of Science and Technology released a new draft policy that proposes 30% of jobs in this sector should be reserved for women and proposes that spousal benefits be provided LGBTQ+ employees.
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs released a new draft policy to improve recognition of non-binary, intersex, and trans individuals in the official registry. The policy is intended to be “as inclusive as possible”; however, journalist Roberto Igual notes that the policy often confuses sexual orientation with gender identity and erroneously interchanges the terms “transgender”, “non-binary”, and “intersex”. The government is accepting public comments on the policy through February.
In the US, President Joe Biden took office and immediately signed 17 executive orders and proclamations to dismantle previous policies that have caused the “greatest damage”, as reported by the New York Times and others. Among them are two orders directly impacting LGBTQ+ people. One calls for “advancing equity for all” across all federal government agencies and specifically references LGBTQ+ people. The other the Human Rights Campaign describes as the “most substantive, wide-ranging executive order concerning sexual orientation and gender identity ever issued by a United States president”. It calls for specific protections in education, school sports, bathrooms, workplaces, healthcare, and housing regardless of a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
President Biden has also issued an order reversing the ban on transgender people serving in the military. The order allows trans people to join the military and requires a review of all service members who were discharged or denied reenlistment due to their gender identity. Saying it's "the right thing to do", it states:
“America is stronger, at home and around the world, when it is inclusive. The military is no exception.”
The US White House Chief of Staff sent a memo to the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to immediately freeze all agency rules and guidances issued under the previous administration so that they can be reviewed, as reported by Inside Health Policy. This includes a pause on the newly finalized HHS rule allowing social service agencies including adoption and other welfare organizations to refuse LGBTQ people under religious objections.
Hours after these federal orders were issued, legislators in the US state of Montana moved forward with legislation to ban trans students from participating in school sports. Although these laws would run counter to President Biden's order, the AP reported that similar legislation is being considered in Connecticut, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Dakota, and New Hampshire. Montana is also considering legislation to prevent trans youth from receiving gender transition health care. Bans on medical treatment for trans youth are also being considered in Alabama, Indiana, Missouri, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas.
In Greece, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis appointed the first openly gay person to serve in his cabinet. The new deputy minister of culture, Nicholas Yatromanolakis reflected that many people had discouraged him from seeking office due to his sexuality and yet he persevered because:
“All LGBT people have at some point in their lives had to work in environments that were not entirely supportive or understanding of who they are… You can’t let that bother you, because it’s your life... and you have to do what you believe is the right thing.”
More from the World of Politics
The Politics of Union: In Estonia, the resignation of Prime Minister Juri Ratas has resulted in parliament abandoning a controversial plan to hold a marriage referendum this spring. As reported in the ERR, the resignation (which came following a scandal over pandemic relief funds) ended the current coalition government and allowed Members of Parliament to vote against the referendum. MPs against the referendum had submitted over 9,000 proposed amendments in an attempt to delay its passage. However, without the coalition to support it, the referendum was easily rejected.
In India, the Delhi High Court postponed the hearing on same-sex marriage to allow the government more time to respond to petitioners arguments that these marriages should be recognized under the Hindu Marriage Act and Special Marriage Act. The hearing will resume in late February.
In the Czech Republic, the Constitutional Court ruled that the law should not be amended to recognize adoptions that take place abroad. The case involved a Czech man and his partner who live permanently in the US with two adopted children. The fathers were seeking to be recognized legally as a family when visiting relatives in the Czech Republic. However, the Court stated recognizing the family would “circumvent” Czech law which bans same-sex marriage and adoption by unmarried couples.
In Germany, the Higher Regional Court of Celle heard arguments from two married women seeking to be recognized as mothers of their daughter. Although same-sex marriage has been legal since 2017, gay couples must adopt their own children as “step children” in order to gain recognition as a second parent. Heterosexual couples are automatically granted parentage even if a child is conceived through assisted reproductive technology. The Federal Ministry of Justice has said a comprehensive reform of parenting laws is in progress. Over 70,000 same-sex couples have married since marriage equality was legalized.
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Let the Courts Decide: In Venezuela, the Fourth Control Court of Zulia sentenced to jail five members of "Azul Positivo", a humanitarian organization providing aid to HIV-positive people and other vulnerable groups, on charges of fraudulent use of money and association to commit a crime. They have filed an appeal that argues “humanitarian work is not a crime”. Over 100 Venezuelan civil society groups released a joint statement calling for their release and asking the international community “condemn the continuous attacks against humanitarian organizations”. The UN Office for Human Rights expressed “deep concern” and noted:
“We urge the authorities to stop targeting people for performing legitimate work, be it in the humanitarian or human rights sector or in the media. A free, diverse and active civil society is crucial for any democracy and it must be protected, not stigmatized or persecuted.”
The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights published an advisory opinion stating that national laws that criminalize vagrancy are overly broad, allow for abuse, and violate African human rights charters. The Court noted that these laws “punish the poor and underprivileged including but not limited to the homeless, the disabled, the gender-nonconforming, sex workers, hawkers, street vendors, and individuals who otherwise use public spaces to earn a living”.
The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Croatia failed to take appropriate action following a violent attack on a lesbian in 2010. The Court found that by only considering the attack a “minor-offence”, Croatia “had demonstrated that the State was not committed under the [European Convention on Human Rights] to ensuring that homophobic violence was in no way tolerated; indeed, such a response had fostered a sense of impunity for acts of violent hate crime”.
The European Court of Human Rights also ruled on a case brought by two transgender men against Romania for not having a clear legal framework to obtain gender recognition. Without this framework, officials had refused to legally recognize these men unless they underwent genital surgery. The Court noted the men were in an “impossible dilemma: either they had to undergo the surgery against their better judgment – and forego full exercise of their right to respect for their physical integrity – or they had to forego recognition of their gender identity”. It concluded that Romanian officials had violated their right to respect for private life.
In Poland, the District Court in Rzeszów ruled that activist Bart Staszewski is not breaking the law by posting signs that warn people they are entering an “LGBT Free Zone”. Staszewski has posted signs around the country to mark municipalities that have adopted discriminatory resolutions declaring an area to be “free of LGBT ideology”. The village of Niebylec sought to ban the signs saying they damaged the village’s reputation and tourism. However, the Court ruled that officials had failed to prove that the sign misrepresented the facts. Further, if the village gains a negative reputation it is a “consequence of adopting the resolution” adding:
“In the court's view, municipalities cannot ‘after the fact’ be ashamed of resolutions they adopted in the past and only then weigh the overall profitability of adopting them.”
Regarding Religion: The Pope amended Catholic law to allow women to serve as acolytes and lectors (they remain banned from becoming priests or deacons). Experts note this is “nothing new” and that it formally recognizes roles many women have had for decades. However, this change prevents conservative Bishops from prohibiting the participation of women in their churches. Writing for New Ways Ministry, Robert Shine argues that this demonstrates how formal changes only come after changes in practice and that LGBTQ Catholics and advocates must continue to push for acceptance.
The head of the German Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Georg Bätzing, told media that the Church should change its teachings to recognize that homosexual sex should not be considered a sin and that church blessings should be given to same-sex couples and formally divorced couples. He added:
“I would describe myself as conservative because I love this church and enjoy devoting my life and my strength to it. But I want it to change.”
The Methodist Church of Norway issued a formal apology to LGBT+ people for the “the condemning attitudes and actions that have inflicted insults, harm, and suffering”. It reflected:
“This is contrary to the gospel of God's unconditional grace and love. Every human being is created in the image of God and loved by God.”
Writing for DW, Maricel Drazer profiled “Iglesia de la Comunidad Metropolitana”—a Cuban church from the international fellowship of the Metropolitan Community Churches that is open “above all to those who have been excluded from or even hurt by other churches”. As leader Yivi Cruz explained:
“We are a radically inclusive church. We don't exclude anyone — not because of their gender, not because of their skin color, and not because of their religion, either.”
From India, Rafiul Alom Rahman talked about the “Queer Muslim Project”, an online and offline community he created where queer Muslims can exchange ideas within the space of faith. Their latest workshop series created “Queer Muslim Futures”–a book that compiles the poems and stories that imagine “an alternative reality, parallel worlds, and the kind of future we want to inhabit”.
Fear and Loathing: The African Queer Youth Initiative released a new report on the impact of COVID on queer youth living on the continent. The report, based on survey responses from youth across 12 countries, found that homelessness, lack of access to education, and loss of income were some of the top challenges. Only 9% were able to access limited support from the government during lockdowns. NGOs, churches, and individuals did step up to fill the gap for some—30% of respondents received support from these groups.
The NGO Sexual Minorities Uganda released a new study that analyzed the violence and discrimination faced by LGBTIQ+ people in the country before, during, and after the emergence of COVID-19. Their research found that the “social environment”—including homelife, family, support networks, and friends—was the biggest factor that determined an individual’s safety and security during this period. Other factors included criminalization of sexuality, the economic environment, and political rhetoric.
In Thailand, trans people gathered to discuss how the pandemic has impacted them and how the government has fallen short in providing them access to resources. Local agencies including the Sisters Foundation, Empower Foundation, SWING Thailand, the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand, and others have worked to support livelihoods and basic needs such as food, water, and hormone treatment. Nachale Boonyapisomparn, the co-founder of Thai Transgender Alliance, explained that biased attitudes towards the LGBTI community prevent people from receiving the support needed to survive:
"While poor behaviour from people who should know better is nothing new in our society, I feel that COVID-19 has made the situation worse as everyone feels justified in displacing their pent-up frustration during the pandemic on the ones that are easy targets."
Writing for Postimees, teen journalists Daria Boger and Artem Belkov wrote about the challenges LGBTQ teens face in Estonia and Russia where they must hide their identities.
From Japan, a new survey of nearly 11,000 LGBT people found that 38% had been victims of sexual harassment or assault. Over 50% of trans women, lesbians, and trans men reported assault or harassment. Survey author Professor Yasuharu Hidaka added that LGBT victims are often not given proper support by police or counseling centers.
Winds of Change: The Global Philanthropy Project released a new report “Where are the Global COVID-19 Resources for LGBTI Communities?” examining how government and non-governmental organizations worldwide have distributed funds. The report notes that over 80% of organizations shifted focus from existing programs to projects to provide shelter, livelihood, and other emergency support. The report found that LGBTI groups have been largely excluded from COVID humanitarian resources despite LGBTI people being identified by the UN as an “at-risk” population. From their analysis, none of the UN’s Global Humanitarian Response Plan resource mechanisms explicitly described funding to support LGBTI communities.
From Mexico, trans women at the “Casa de las Muñecas Tiresias” shelter spent several months preparing free meals for neighbors and homeless people hurt by the COVID lockdowns. They shared their stories and hopes for the future with UN Mexico.
Writing for Xtra, journalist Chaya Milchtein spoke to LGBTQ2S people who are leading organizations around the US and using their resources to help feed community members facing food insecurity. Leaders Desiree Joy Frias, Hali Diecidu, and Jessica L’Whor shared their advice on how you can start a local pantry or provide for those in need of food without provoking shame among the vulnerable.
In Senegal, advocates from “The Free Collective” shelter for victims of homophobia visited gay inmates at Sebikhotane prison to provide guidance and care packages. Noting that many of these inmates have been ostracized by family, the Collective is seeking financial and technical assistance to care for them including funds to help them find housing after they are released from prison. For more information and to support the group email senegalcollectiffree@gmail.com.
From Belgium, activist and social worker Ellis Aukema talked to Zizo about the discrimination European LGBTQ employees face at work and the steps allies can take to make a more inclusive environment.
Writing for the Wall Street Journal, Francesca Fontana explored how the push to virtual and remote employment has benefited some transgender employees. For those lucky to have jobs with remote options, trans employees say they have been able to transition privately and come out as their chosen identity without having colleagues judge them. As Graphic designer Kiri Stewart explained:
“Working from home lets you remove yourself from the constant struggle of trying to meet those standards and focus on who you are.”
Business and Technology: Writing for Slate, Afsaneh Rigot exposed a "worrying" new strategy Egyptian authorities are using to target LGBTQ people. Prosecutors have increasingly gathered digital evidence from dating apps and individual’s devices over the years. Rigot reports that now they are bringing those cases to trial in Egypt’s Economic Courts (El Mahkmat El Eqtsadyah). As he explains, the Economic Courts have special jurisdiction over “online moral crimes” and can result in longer sentences and bigger fines for those convicted.
Ma Baoli, founder of Blued—the largest dating app for gay men in Asia—talked about how he has balanced growing the service in China even as officials have tightened restrictions on LGBTQ content.
Defending its decision to stop hosting social media app “Parler” on their servers, Amazon Inc submitted to a US district court nearly 70 pages of examples of vile homophobic and racist hate speech and posts inciting rape, torture, and the assassination of public officials and private citizens. The conservative-friendly app was used by many thousands of people to document their attack on the US Capitol on 6 January.
Sports and Culture: International NGO “Freemuse”, a group that advocates for expression and cultural diversity, published a new report on LGBTI people’s freedom of expression. The report analyzed how identity-based discrimination against LGBTI artists and LGBTI-theme artworks manifests around the world through 149 acts of “artistic violations”. The report also interviewed artists and human rights activists to explore how the varying legislative and political contexts impact local art.
In the US, a new campaign and art exhibition has opened in New York called “Not Another Second”. Celebrating LGBTQ seniors from a wide variety of backgrounds, it uses augmented reality technology to share the “emotionally-driven stories” and experiences of living when being an LGBTQ person was a crime.
Check out the trailer for “It’s a Sin” the new series by acclaimed creator Russell T Davies that explores the lives of young gay men during the 1980s as the AIDS crisis hits London. The critically-acclaimed series has struck a chord with many who lived through that period. Reviewer Lucy Mangan describes the parallels with the current COVID pandemic:
"We can empathise that bit more with the fear, uncertainty and responses rational and irrational to the emergence of a new disease... We can also identify with endless, mindless joys coming to a painful halt, the jostling within oneself of reason and unreason – and perhaps in episodes to come, the wrestling with woefully inadequate and incompetent government responses to a proliferating crisis."
Pakistani film-maker Iqran Rasheed has released his award winning short film on gay life in South Asia. “Aadit” (Habit) tells the “personal toll of repressing your innermost desires as well as the potentially devastating consequences for those who express them”. Watch the full film now!
Finally, wide-spread love for same-sex penguins reigns as Australia’s Sea Life Aquarium launches a competition to name the second chick hatched by its same-sex penguin couple, Sphen and Magic! The winners will get to visit the penguin habitat or participate in a “special private Zoom call with the famous family”.
Banner Photo by Janine Robinson