Steps to greater LGBT equality



Protesters call for justice for Jennifer Laude, a transgender woman who was murdered in the Philippines. Photograph: Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images


LGBT activists have reached significant milestones over the past few years. These ideas can help to achieve more.

1. Encourage LGBTQ activism.


We began fostering leadership skills among the LGBT community years ago. Five LGBT-led organizations and one sex workers' organization have now joined forces to discuss ways to further rights defense and protection issues. There was only UniBAM when we first began. Caleb Orozco, an advocate for LGBT human rights and a member of the United Belizean Advocacy Movement (UniBam), lives in Belize City.


2. More Leadership from the UN

The UN needs to take more initiative. One of the best tools for defending the rights of women is Cedaw. One of the best things for GLBT rights is when there are robust UN procedures with several options for enforcement. Human rights and legal officer Sujan Panta works for the Blue Diamond Society in Kathmandu, Nepal. @sujanktm


3. Unleash parent power

The visibility of LGBTQ individuals is what ultimately makes the change possible, however in certain places it can result in a person losing their job, losing family support, or even receiving death threats. One can easily understand why so many people are hesitant to come out. Including parents of LGBTI individuals in public efforts is a successful tactic for thwarting attempts to dehumanize LGBTI individuals. International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex Association executive director Renato Sabbadini, Geneva, Switzerland @RenatoSabbadini
 

4. Address the legacy of the commonwealth

The UK government has a challenge in advancing human rights in a way that doesn’t replicate the political impositions of the empire. It should be offering technical support to those countries that do want to make policy changes [to decriminalise homosexuality] and encouraging governments to do so through dialogue not lecturing. We will be publishing a toolkit for Commonwealth countries on how to advance LGBT rights. Lewis Brooks, policy and research manager, the Royal Commonwealth Society, London, UK, @lewibrooks


5. Address the legacy of the commonwealth

The UK government has a challenge in advancing human rights in a way that doesn’t replicate the political impositions of the empire. It should be offering technical support to those countries that do want to make policy changes [to decriminalise homosexuality] and encouraging governments to do so through dialogue not lecturing. We will be publishing a toolkit for Commonwealth countries on how to advance LGBT rights. Lewis Brooks, policy and research manager, the Royal Commonwealth Society, London, UK, @lewibrooks


6. Stop the violence everywhere

Anti-LGBT violence is our top concern this year. Although it is tragic that 26-year-old transgender woman Jennifer Laude had to pass away, her passing marked a turning point in LGBT movement in the Philippines. Her case revealed the ghastly reality of Philippine culture, which is essentially violent, macho, patriarchal, and misogynistic. We must work together with other social justice movements to end violence because, in the end, what we want to change is the culture in my nation. That is a huge undertaking. As a result, we must first make sure that the LGBT community in the Philippines is where anti-violence effort begins. If we recreate the same within the LGBT movement, we cannot advocate against violence. Gender and Development Advocates (Ganda) Filipinas Executive Director Naomi Fontanos, Quezon


7. Use TV's and films to change mind and heart

Throughout my time with Glaad, it was clear that media advocacy has been a scalable and effective tool to reach mass audiences and grow acceptance. The media helped exponentially grow the “coming out experience” through which other Americas learned what LGBT meant and who we really are. More than just facts, figures, statistics and moral or ethical debates, we are brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, neighbours and co-workers. With Hollywood being America’s largest cultural export, this content will help change hearts and minds globally as well. Omar Sharif Jr, actor/ambassador, Human Rights Foundation, New York, US, @omarsharifjr


8. Take discrimination cases to the courts

If LGBTI people reside in a nation where equal rights are guaranteed by the constitution, they should use the legal system to fight discriminatory laws and policies. Winning each case makes the next one simpler and provides the public and media the chance to discuss it. Additionally, it serves as motivation for those who are reluctant to declare their gender or sexual orientation. Human rights attorney Michael Vidler of Vidler & Co Lawyers in Hong Kong


9. Fight the crackdown on civil society

The tendency of suppressing civil society is alarming. LGBT rights organizations are particularly impacted by this closure of the democratic realm. Take a look at what's going on in Russia, Central Asia, Uganda, and Nigeria. This is very unsettling. Jeremy Cooper


10. Increase acceptance with creative ideas

There are numerous strategies that can be employed to alter society. media initiatives, dialogue, and more. As a favorite illustration, Taiwanese Hiker Chiu started the worldwide "Free Hugs With Intersex" campaign to reduce stigma. Alturi's research and communications supervisor, Leah Entenmann, can be reached at @AlturiOrg.


 
https://www.theguardian.com/.../2016/feb/16/13-steps-to-greater-lgbt-equality
for more details about steps to greater LGBTQ EQUALITY



Comments

  1. Let us stop the violence and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community

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