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Please give an overview of LGBT issues around the world by country. We're not looking for every country to be covered, but would like to see a diversity of issues across different regions.
Hello! It is my pleasure to respond to your query about LGBT issues around the world. It seemed most logical to group them into issues (rather than countries), since LGBT persons in many countries are experiencing the same problems. For each major issue, I have included a variety of countries around the world so that you can see the diversity of issues across different regions.
INSIGHT #1 LGBT persons around the world experience familial and social rejection, harassment, violence, and sometimes harsh prison sentences or even the death sentence because of their sexual orientation.
INSIGHT #2 There are laws in many parts of the world against homosexual sex and same-sex marriage, however, same-sex relationships and/or marriage are recognized/legal in 21 countries.
WORLD-WIDE
According to the Guardian, there is a “system of backlash” happening all over the world. They quote Alistair Stewart (Assistant Director of Kaleidoscope Trust), who says this: “If you look at the history of advanced of LBGT rights in the UK, every advance is accompanied by a backlash. To a certain extent that’s happening on a global scale now – the advances that are being made in some parts of the world encourage a backlash in other parts of the world.” Unfortunately, it seems that some American-based religious groups, having lost the fight against LGBT rights in the US, are now supporting anti-LGBT forces in those countries still seeing a lot of violence against LGBT persons. Next, we’ll look at three specific issues experienced by LGBT persons around the world – and some of the countries where these individuals are being targeted.
ISSUE: REJECTION BY FAMILY / FRIENDS / SOCIETY & HARASSMENT
World shows that nearly four in 10 LGBT persons in the US have been rejected by a family member or friend, and that 58% of LGBT Americans have been the target of slurs or jokes.
Also according to Infographic World, in the United Kingdom, 44% of LGBT individuals have been harassed about their sexuality in just the past year alone. Additionally, two-thirds of UK-based LGBT individuals have experienced a hate crime or incident – and did not report it to the proper authorities.
The Guardian reports that, “In Russia, gay teenagers are being tortured and forcibly outed on the internet against a backdrop of laws that look completely out of step with the rest of Europe.” It appears that Neo-Nazi groups in Russia are luring gay teens to “support meetings”, then forcing them to reveal their sexual orientations publicly on social media. Additionally, the country has failed to comply with the 2010 European Court of Human Rights judgment that requires all countries to allow gay pride events. Although the stats on homophobic hate crimes are low, this is most likely due to the failure to report them for fear of legal reprisals. A report from the Russian LGBT Network showed that more than 15% of LGBT persons were victims of physical violence (due to their sexual orientation) between November 2011 and August 2012.
The Guardian also reports that, in Iran, the country’s officials recently described homosexuality as “an illness that should be cured”.
ISSUE: WORKPLACE HARASSMENT OR ISSUES
According to Catalyst, only 61 countries prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, while the majority of countries and US states do not provide any type of legal protections for LGBT employees.
Across Europe, 47% of LGBT persons have felt discriminated against or have been harassed due to their sexual orientation, while 20% have experienced discrimination at work (or while hunting for a job). Catalyst also reports that the transgender population experiences double the unemployment rates of non-TG persons, and that a whopping 90% have experiences workplace harassment or mistreatment due to their gender identity.
In France, 41% of LGBT persons have experienced workplace harassment due to their orientation, while 20% have experienced discrimination while at work (or while hunting for a job).
In Germany, 46% of LGBT persons have experienced workplace harassment due to their orientation, while 21% have experienced discrimination while at work (or while hunting for a job).
According to Infographic World, in China, nearly 50% of LGBT people of working age have not shared their sexual orientation (typically out of fear of reprisals), while just over 6% are “completely out of the workforce”.
Infographic World also reports that a higher percentage of the population in the following countries believe that a company should be allowed to fire an LGBT person in their employ: Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Uganda, UAE, Indonesia, Mali, Malawi, Thailand, and Zimbabwe.
ISSUE: PRISON SENTENCE OR DEATH SENTENCE
There are seven countries where LGBT individuals can be put to death: Mauritania, Nigeria, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Yemen, and Somalia. In the many countries where homosexuality is still illegal, homosexuals can be imprisoned for minor offenses, where they will suffer severe abuse and mistreatment. For example, there are 38 countries in Africa alone where homosexuality is against the law.
According to the Guardian, “In Many African countries where homosexuality is already illegal, more draconian anti-gay laws are being passed and violence against LGBT people is increasing.” In Nigeria, where there are very strict laws against homosexual sex and same-sex marriage, there is also a ban on the formation of LGBT rights groups, as well as provisions in their laws (soon to be voted on) that if you know someone who is gay and don’t report them, you can be charged with aiding and abetting that person’s crime.
In Cameroon, homosexuals can be imprisoned for being gay, and violence against people of the LGBT community is common and rarely investigated. These individuals can be arrested on the basis of suspicion only, and many are tortured into confessing. Additionally, people who show support of this community are also being harassed and arrested, and workshops to educate young people about the issues faced by LGBT persons have been shut down.
Legislators in Uganda are also trying to pass a bill (similar to the one being voted on soon in Cameroon) seeking to punish those “found guilty of being gay” with life imprisonment and/or the death penalty. Additionally, those individuals who know someone who is gay and do not report them for it – will also be punished similarly.
Zimbabwe’s President Mugabe recently stated that his country would never accept homosexuality because homosexuals are “worse than pigs, goats, and birds”, according to the Guardian. In the Huffington Post, he was quoted as calling homosexuality “inhuman”. According to the many anti-gay statements he has made, he believes that all homosexuals should “rot in jail”. His stance extends to all those who show support for the LGBT community, including rights groups, advocacy groups, and workshops.
According to the Guardian, Russia’s President Putin has put many anti-gay laws into place that punish people / groups who distribute information of “non-traditional sexual relations”. Additionally, the country now seeks to arrest and detain foreign citizens (i.e., visitors to the country) who authorities believe to be gay or “pro-gay”.
ON THE POSITIVE SIDE
There are many countries where same-sex relationships are recognized and/or same-sex marriage is legal. Between 2005 and 2015, 21 countries have legalized same-sex marriage: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, England/Wales, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, United States, and Uruguay. Infographic World shows that 92% of LGBT Americans believe that “society will become more accepting (of LGBT persons) over the next decade”.
Logo, considered the “leading queer network”, in conjunction with the Global Ally Platform (multi-platform campaign which connects LGBT individuals with like-minded individuals world-wide), recently released the results of a first-of-its-kind study of attitudes toward LGBT people in 65 countries. The survey was conducted in conjunction with the International LGBTI Association and global research firm RIWI. Results show that all but seven countries have higher population percentages that have “more favorable” attitudes toward people of this community. The seven countries whose populations are NOT more favorable toward LGBT individuals are: Congo, Fiji, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, and Uganda.
Lastly, one book that may help you find more information is the
. Please note, though, that the last edition was printed in 2009, so it doesn’t have the last 7 years’ worth of information.
Thank you again for your question, and I hope this response gives you exactly what you need! Please Ask Wonder again for any other questions you may have!