Gains have been made against HIV-related stigma and discrimination, but discriminatory attitudes remain extremely high in far too many countries.
Launch of the Global Equality Caucus to tackle LGBT+ discrimination
IACHR Publishes Report on Progress and Challenges toward Recognition of the Rights of LGBTI Persons in the Americas
In the Americas, violence, discrimination, prejudice and stereotypes prevent lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people from fully exercising their rights. However, significant progress has also been made towards protecting, recognizing and guaranteeing the rights of LGBTI people in a number of countries in the region.
Security Council Adopts Resolution Calling upon Belligerents Worldwide to Adopt Concrete Commitments on Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict
For Transgender People in the Caribbean, Stigma and Discrimination Can Be Lethal
Acceptance of LGBT people and rights has increased around the world
Inter-American Human Rights Court backs same-sex marriage
Inter-American Court of Human Rights orders 20 countries to recognize same-sex marriage
ILGA-RIWI Global Attitudes Survey
The ILGA-RIWI Global Attitudes Survey on Sexual, Gender and Sex Minorities, in partnership with Viacom, Logo and SAGE is a year-on-year survey to gather and assess credible data on public attitudes to particular issues related to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics.
Being queer in the jungle: The unique challenges of LGBTQ scientists working in the field
Dominican Republic: Gay Pride and Prejudice
Shortly after taking up his post as American ambassador to the Dominican Republic in November 2013, Wally Brewster got a bit of unsolicited advice from the Vatican’s envoy to the Caribbean nation.
“If you keep your private life behind the walls of your embassy, you’ll be O.K. here,” Nuncio Jude Thaddeus Okolo told Mr. Brewster. He meant that Mr. Brewster, to be an effective diplomat, would be wise to keep his husband, Bob Satawake, out of sight in a country where prejudice against gay people remains widespread.
The advice went unheeded. Mr. Brewster and Mr. Satawake, who have been together for nearly 28 years, have been out and proud in Santo Domingo, sparking a spirited debate that has galvanized the nation’s fledgling gay rights movement and outraged local leaders of the Catholic Church.
The attacks against Mr. Brewster, a Chicago businessman who raised money for President Obama’s re-election campaign, began just days after the White House nominated him for the post. Read more via New York Times
Dominican Republic: Cardinal uses anti-gay slurs against ambassador
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin on Tuesday sent a letter to Pope Francis in which he criticizes a Dominican cardinal for using homophobic slurs to describe a gay U.S. ambassador. The Illinois Democrat noted that Cardinal Nicolás de Jesús López Rodríguez of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo has repeatedly called ambassador James “Wally” Brewster derogatory words and spoken against the ambassador's husband.
“The church’s teachings on gay marriage are well known but the church also teaches us to show tolerance for those with different sexual orientations,” says Durbin in his letter. “The intolerant public statements of Cardinal Rodríguez are inconsistent with that clearly stated value.”
Durbin also notes that López and other Dominican religious leaders have organized so-called “Black Monday” protests against Brewster: “Despite these hateful words and personal attacks, Ambassador Brewster has worked to quiet the conflict between church leaders and himself,” writes Durbin. “His patience and professionalism in light of these mean-spirited attacks by the cardinal demonstrate his personal commitment to his responsibility of representing the United States of America.” Read more via Washington Blade