IDAHOT: 'Best of times' but progress is not universal

To mark International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia on Sunday, May 17, Jessica Stern, executive director, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, made the following comments:

(Read Online)

"While in many respects it seems to be 'the best of times' for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community in an increasing number of countries, progress is not universal. There is abundant evidence that large parts of the world still hold to anachronistic views of same-sex relationships and gender non-conformity as unnatural, a sin and a threat to 'traditional' families.

We celebrate the repeal of discriminatory laws and the addition of protections against bias based on sexual orientation and gender identity in countries across the globe; at the same time, we can't ignore the fact that same-sex relations are illegal and sometimes severely punished in more than 76 countries. Repugnant laws like these threaten our basic human rights—access to housing, school, medical care, and livelihood. And even where discriminatory laws are lifted, attitudes can take longer to evolve.

Yet I am an optimist about our cause, because every day I witness the positive energy that activism can bring, even in places where government authorities and religious leaders strongly resist recognizing basic human rights for LGBTI people. I am not saying that progress in the near-term is necessarily visible or even possible everywhere. What I am saying is that even in the most dangerous countries, in many cases, LGBTI movements are alive and growing. In virtually every country, there are courageous individuals who are standing up and saying 'I have rights.' Where this kind of powerful movement exists – no matter how small – it can move forward and empower people to join the struggle to overcome intimidation, prejudice and hate."