Sexual Orientation
Gay Rights: A World of Inequality
Gay people still live in fear in many countries around the world – prejudice, torture and execution are common. Can two new legal and diplomatic campaigns change attitudes?
Last Thursday, , sexual intercourse between two men. The case is considered extreme even by Iranian standards, because while the death penalty is in place for homosexuality, it is usually enforced only when there is a charge of assault or rape alongside it; the accusations in these three cases were of consensual sex.
India: Row after minister calls homosexuality a disease
India's health minister has sparked a furious row over comments in which he described homosexuality as a "disease". Ghulam Nabi Azad told a conference on HIV/Aids that gay sex was "unnatural". Later he said he had been misquoted. One leading Aids campaigner said the minister was "living on another planet".
Gay sex was decriminalised in the country in a landmark judgement in 2009 but anti-homosexual discrimination remains widespread.
Italy: LGBT Christians want Pope Benedict XVI to defend their human rights
Today the European Forum of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Christian Groups has sent a letter to Pope Benedict XVI asking for true respect of the human rights and the personal integrity of LGBT people. They appeal to the Pope for a clear statement against homophobic violence and any pressure by religious authorities to undergo „reparative therapy“, often causing harmful psychological damage. In this letter the Catholic Church is called on to grant LGBT people the same fundamental right to get involved in a relationship with a beloved other without being afraid of negative consequences from church hierarchies.
Institut Pelangi Perempuan
About
Institut Pelangi Perempuan (IPP) is an organization focusing on the empowerment of young Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (LBT) women in Indonesia and creating safe spaces for them. Since its foundation, IPP has adopted the strategy called Education, Fun and Entertainment (Edufuntainment) and promotion of cool politics. The use of youth friendly language as well as recreational spaces such as dance and sport (badminton and boxing) club are used as the tools for mobilizing youth LBT women in Indonesia.
Equal Despite Difference
About
The Equal Despite Difference campaign aims to create a new culture in Iranian society which respects sexual rights and sexual orientation, through awareness raising (amongst the general public, as well as gay and lesbian communities) and strengthening solidarity and support among lesbians.