It’s still illegal to be LGBT+ in 70 countries, and you could be given the death penalty in 12, as the world marks 30 years since “homosexuality” was declassified as a disease.
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), May 17 marks the day the World Health Organisation (WHO) declassified “homosexuality” as a mental disorder.
As the world reaches 30 years since being gay was no longer an internationally designated disease, a map by an international LGBT organization shows it remains illegal to be gay in 70 countries.
The map by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association shows that only 65% of those living in UN countries around the world can now be, legally, in consensual same-sex relationships.
The data presented in this map is based on State-Sponsored Homophobia, an ILGA World report by Lucas … [+]
But 70 countries in the world still criminalise LGBT+ sexual acts between adults.
Additionally, being LGBT is illegal in Gaza (Palestine), the Cook Islands and some provinces in Indonesia. While in several other countries, are still seeing cases of de facto criminalization.
LGBT+ people are being killed in 12 countries who have the death penalty for consensual same-sex sexual acts between adults.
In Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan this death penalty is regularly imposed across the county. You can also be punished by death in some provinces of Somalia and Nigeria.
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A further six, have legal or religious provisions that also allow for the death penalty for consensual same-sex sexual acts between adults. In Afghanistan, Brunei, Mauritania, Pakistan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, the law exists, but there is little evidence LGBT+ are facing the death penalty.
Police escort people marching through Katowice city centre during the Equality March 2019. On … [+]
These are the rights LGBT+ people have around the world
The map is part of a report about the legal status of being LGBT+ around the globe. The ILGA State-Sponsored Homophobia Report, released in December 2019 and updated for IDAHOBIT 2020.
The report shows that despite the rhetoric that “it’s getting easier to be LGBT+”–staggering parts of the world remain without fundamental rights in employment, marriage, adoption and the prevention of crimes.
Despite widespread condemnation and scientific evidence that gay conversion therapy does not work, the cruel torture is only illegal in four countries across the world. Germany was the most recent country to ban the practice along with Brazil, Ecuador and Malta.
Only 11 countries mention sexual orientation in their constitution’s non-discrimination clauses–just 6% of the world.
The report also finds that within UN States:
- Only one in five (34, 18%) have legal provisions that restrict the right to freedom of expression on LGBT+ issues.
- Only one in five (41, 22%) have legal provisions that prohibit the registration or operation of organizations that work on sexual orientation issues.
- Only three in ten (57, 30%) have laws offering broad protection from discrimination based on sexual orientation (in goods and services, education, health, employment).
- Only two in five (77, 40%) have laws protecting from workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation.
- Only one in four (46, 24%) impose enhanced criminal penalties for offences motivated by hate–known to many as hate crimes–towards the victim’s sexual orientation.
- Only three in twenty allow LGBT+ people to have same-sex marriages, (27, 14%) and Taiwan recognise marriage equality. Costa Rica joins them the end of May 2020. With only a few more (32, 16%) provide some partnership recognition.
- Only three in twenty (14%) allow for same-sex joint adoption, and 31 (16%) plus Taiwan allow for same-sex second-parent adoption.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – DECEMBER 07, 2019: Members of LGBTQ community protest outside Downing … [+]
LGBT rights were decreasing across the world even before the Coronavirus pandemic
LGBT+ rights in the EU and across the globe are in a recession.
A new EU FRA report out this week finds that six in ten are scared to hold hands in public due to the threat of harassment and attack.
The survey, released this week alongside the annual ILGA-Europe Rainbow map that shows half of Europe has made no progress on LGBT+ rights since last year.
And for the second year in a row, it shows that countries are moving backwards on the Rainbow Index, as existing protections are disappearing.
“This is a critical time for LGBTI equality in Europe, says Executive Director of ILGA-Europe, Evelyne Paradis.
“With each year passing, more and more countries, including champions of LGBTI equality, continue to fall behind in their commitments – while more governments take active measures to target LGBTI communities.
“History shows that those who are vulnerable before a crisis only becomes more vulnerable after a crisis. We have every reason to worry that political complacency, increased repression and socio-economic hardship will create a perfect storm for many LGBTI people in Europe in the next few years.”
Free rainbow face masks are distributed during coronavirus pandemic by members of Krakow Equality … [+]
The European Commission’s Helena Dalli is also worried about the high levels of discrimination LGBT+ people are facing.
“More worryingly, we have recently witnessed within the EU anti-LGBTI incidents such as attacks on prides, the adoption of ‘LGBTI ideology-free zone’ declarations, fines for LGBTI-friendly advertisements and others. Everybody in the European Union should feel safe and free to be themselves,” Dalli says.
Which as the COVID-19 crisis continues, may only continue to get worse.
Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has recognised the “increase in homophobic and transphobic rhetoric” during the pandemic.
Bachelet is now calling on all member states, like the U.K., Hungary and Poland who are actively making moves to erode rights, not to use the coronavirus crisis as an excuse to undermine LGBT+ rights.
