The journey towards LGBTQIA+ equality has been marked by significant progress over the years. The introduction of LGBTQIA+ legal protections and the legalisation of same-sex marriage have certainly been steps in the right direction. But, there are still many challenges that the community faces today, and we must not be complacent in our fight for true equality.
In order to truly support the LGBTQIA+ community, it's crucial that allies understand the current equality landscape. From ongoing discrimination to legal battles for equal rights, this article explore how we can collectively push for a future where every individual is embraced and respected, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Persistence of Discrimination
Despite advancements in LGBTQIA+ rights, discrimination persists in various aspects of life. Employment discrimination, housing inequality, and disparities in healthcare are just a few examples of the hurdles faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals. We delve into these challenges and emphasise the importance of raising awareness, advocating for comprehensive anti-discrimination laws, and promoting inclusivity in all spheres of society.
So, what does this looks like? According to Stonewall's most recent LGBT in Britain report:
Almost one in five LGBTQIA+ staff - 18% - have been the target of negative comments or conduct from work colleagues because of their sexuality or gender identity.
More than a third of trans people - 36% - have had to fight against potential rental properly rejection due to their gender identity.
One in eight LGBTQIA+ people - 13% - have experienced some form of unequal treatment from public and private healthcare staff because of their sexuality or gender identity.
This means that right now, in 2023 in the UK, LGBTQIA+ people are being attacked or disregarded within their workplace, denied housing, and denied effective healthcare.
I personally have experienced in jobs being restricted to working with other members of the LGBTQIA+ community instead of my cisgender heterosexual colleagues and friends, I've experienced taking those extra steps to make sure that the estate agents and landlords I'm renting from don't have any history of discrimination while also ensuring that the area I'm looking to move to has low LGBTQIA+ related crime, and I've experienced blatant disregard for my pronouns and gender identity within our national health service.
Something has to change.
Legal Battles for Equal Rights
LGBTQIA+ rights have been shaped by landmark legal battles, but the fight for equality is far from over. Legal developments, including the push for comprehensive nondiscrimination protections, marriage equality, and transgender rights are only the result of the community putting their foot down.
Without the brave activists that fought for these changes, society would likely never have made those changes. When our pride protests are questioned because 'things are better now' we must emphasise the need for continued activism and support for organisations dedicated to advancing LGBTQIA+ rights because, and I cannot stress this enough, better does not mean equal!!
Global Perspectives
While progress has been made in many countries, there are regions where LGBTQIA+ individuals face severe discrimination and persecution. The struggles faced by LGBTQIA+ communities worldwide, including the criminalisation of homosexuality, systemic violence, and societal prejudice are worsening in 2023. In fact in 2023, there are more countries where it is illegal to be LGBTQIA+ than in 2022.
According to the Human Dignity Trust, 67 countries in 2023 criminalise same-sex sexual activity. 42 of those countries criminalise consensual sexual activity between women, while 11 impose the death penalty for queer people. Trans people also face criminalisation under laws that ban “crossdressing”, “impersonation” and “disguise” and many gender diverse people are targeted under laws that ban same-sex sexual activity based on their assigned at birth gender. Here's everything you need to know:
Afghanistan: LGBTQIA+ people can be sentenced to death. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal, and the Taliban takeover has resulted in queer people facing greater persecution.
Bangladesh: Same-sex sexual relations between men are illegal under this colonial-era law, with the maximum penalty life in prison. The law is rarely enforced but its existence, alongside other laws, can be used to harass LGBTQIA+ people.
Brunei: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both men and women in Brunei under a colonial-era law. Men can face the death penalty while women can be caned or imprisoned, and trans people are also criminalised. A moratorium on the death penalty has been in place since 2019. There is no evidence of anti-gay laws being enforced in recent years.
Indonesia: Same-sex sexual activity is criminalised and an anti-pornography law is used to persecute LGBTQIA+ people. A law passed in December 2022 outlaws all sex outside of marriage, which activists have warned will likely result in greater persecution for LGBTQIA+ people as same-sex marriage is not legal.
Iran: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal and is punishable by imprisonment or death.
Iraq: While same-sex sexual activity is not explicitly illegal in Iraq, offences such as “immodest acts” and “prostitution” – as well as Sharia law – mean that LGBTQIA+ people still face persecution under the law.
Kuwait: Same-sex sexual activity between men is illegal under a colonial-era law and those convicted can be imprisoned for up to seven years.
Lebanon: Same-sex sexual activity between men is illegal under the Penal Code of 1943 which criminalises “sexual intercourse against nature”. Those found guilty can face up to one year in prison. Trans people also face persecution.
Malaysia: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both men and women under a colonial-era law, while trans people also face criminalisation. Maximum penalty is 20 years in prison and whipping.
Maldives: Same-sex sexual acuity is illegal, with the maximum sentence set at eight years in prison and 100 lashes.
Myanmar: Sex between men is illegal and trans people also face criminalisation under a law inherited from Britain. The maximum penalty is 10 years in prison.
Oman: Sex between men and sex between women is illegal and trans people’s gender expression is criminalised. The maximum penalty is three years in prison.
Pakistan: The penal code criminalises “carnal knowledge against the order of nature”, which means men can be persecuted for same-sex sexual activity. The maximum penalty is life in prison. The law was first put in place under British rule.
Palestine: Same-sex sexual activity is technically illegal in Gaza. The provision was introduced by Britain during its mandate over Palestine, although there’s little evidence that the law is enforced today.
Qatar: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal with a maximum of seven years in prison for those convicted.
Saudi Arabia: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both men and women and trans people are also criminalised.
Sri Lanka: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both men and women and trans people also face criminalisation. The maximum punishment is 10 years in prison and a fine. The law was put in place under colonial rule.
Syria: Same-sex relations are criminalised for both men and women with those convicted facing up to three years in prison.
Turkmenistan: Same-sex sexual activity between men is illegal, with the maximum penalty being two years in prison.
United Arab Emirates: All same-sex sexual activity is illegal and trans people are also criminalised. The maximum penalty is 14 years in prison, but the death penalty can also be applied under Sharia law.
Uzbekistan: Same-sex sexual activity between men is illegal, with the maximum penalty being three years in prison.
Yemen: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal with the maximum penalty listed as death by stoning.
Algeria: “Acts of homosexuality and “public indecency” are illegal, with a maximum of three years in prison for both men and women convicted.
Burundi: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both men and women. The maximum punishment is two years in prison.
Cameroon: Both men and women can be sentenced to up to five years in prison if found to have engaged in same-sex sexual activity.
Chad: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both men and women. Those convicted face up to two years in prison and a fine.
Comoros: Up to five years in prison and a fine for both men and women convicted of engaging in “improper or unnatural acts”.
Egypt: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal under the penal code, which criminalises “indecency”, “scandalous acts” and “debauchery”. Those convicted face up to three years in prison and a fine.
Eritrea: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both men and women. The maximum penalty is seven years in prison.
Eswatini: Sodomy is illegal, although there is no evidence the colonial-era law is enforced.
Ethiopia: Same-sex sexual activity is criminalised for both men and women, with the maximum penalty being one year in prison. It is one of the few African countries that enacted its own anti-gay laws – most others inherited those laws from Britain.
Ghana: Sex between men is criminalised, with the maximum penalty set at three years in prison.
Guinea: Same-sex sexual activity for both men and women is illegal, with the penal code prohibiting “indecent acts or acts against nature”. The maximum punishment is up to three years in prison.
Kenya: Sex between men is criminalised, with the maximum penalty set at 14 years in prison. It is a colonial-era law imposed by the British. Reports suggest police are more likely to target gay men under “loitering” and “solicitation” laws.
Liberia: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both men and women, with the maximum penalty set at one year in prison.
Libya: Both men and women can face up to five years in prison for same-sex sexual activity.
Malawi: Same-sex sexual activity between men and women is criminalised, as is trans people’s gender expression.
Mauritania: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both men and women, with the maximum penalty set at death by stoning.
Mauritius: This British colonial-era law carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison for men.
Morocco: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both men and women, with the maximum penalty three years in prison.
Namibia: Same-sex sexual activity between men is criminalised.
Nigeria: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both men and women, and trans gender expression is also criminalised. The maximum penalty at a national level is 14 years in prison, but at a state level, Sharia law can be imposed, which sets the punishment as death by stoning. The laws have their roots in British colonisation, but Nigeria strengthened its anti-LGBTQIA+ laws further in 2013.
Senegal: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal between both men and women, with the maximum penalty being five yers in prison.
Sierra Leone: Sex between men is criminalised, with the maximum penalty set at life in prison.
Somalia: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both men and women, with the penalty set at three years in prison – however, Sharia law can also be applied, under which the death penalty is possible. The law was inherited through British colonialism.
South Sudan: Sex between men and the gender expression of trans people are criminalised, with a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison and a fine. The law was inherited from Britain.
Sudan: Same-sex sexual activity is criminalised for both men and women, with the maximum penalty set at life in prison. The law was inherited from Britain.
Tanzania: Same-sex sexual activity is criminalised for both men and women, with the maximum penalty being life in prison. The law was first put in place under British rule.
The Gambia: Both men and women are criminalised under the law, with the maximum penalty being life in prison. The law was inherited from Britain under colonial rule.
Togo: Same-sex sexual activity is criminalised between men and between women. The maximum penalty is three years in prison and a fine.
Tunisia: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both men and women, with the penalty set at three years in prison.
Uganda: Uganda has made the headlines in recent weeks with President Yoweri Museveni signing a bill which criminalised same sex conduct, including potentially the death penalty for those convicted of “aggravated homosexuality,” into law. The Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023 violates multiple fundamental rights guaranteed under Uganda’s constitution and breaks commitments made by the government as a signatory to a number of international human rights agreements.
Zambia: Both men and women can face up to 14 years in prison for engaging in same-sex sexual activity. The law was inherited from Britain.
Zimbabwe: Sex between men is criminalised, with the maximum penalty set at one year in prison and a fine. Like many other African nations, it inherited “sodomy” laws from Britain through colonisation.
Barbados: Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both men and women under laws inherited through British colonialism. The maximum penalty is life in prison.
Dominica: The British colonial-era law prohibits “gross indecency” and “buggery”, and same-sex sexual activity between both men and women is criminalised.
Grenada: Sex between men is criminalised, with the maximum penalty set at 10 years in prison. The law was inherited from Britain.
Guyana: Sex between men is criminalised, and the maximum penalty is life in prison. The law was inherited from Britain.
Jamaica: Same-sex sexual activity between men is criminalised, with the maximum sentence set at 10 years in prison with hard labour. The law was first put in place under British rule.
Saint Lucia: Same-sex sexual activity between both men and women is criminalised under a law inherited from British colonial rule. The maximum punishment is 10 years in prison.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: This colonial era law criminalises same-sex sexual activity for both men and women, with 10 years in prison set as the maximum penalty.
Cook Islands: Sex between men is criminalised, with the maximum penalty being seven years in prison. The self-governing authority has free association with New Zealand and it inherited its anti-gay laws from Britain.
Kiribati: This British colonial-era law prohibits same-sex sexual activity between men, with the maximum penalty set at 14 years in prison.
Papau New Guinea: Same-sex sexual activity between men is criminalised in a law that was inherited from Australia, which in turn came from Britain. The maximum penalty is 14 years in prison.
Samoa: Same-sex sexual relations between men are criminalised with the maximum sentence set at five years in prison. The law is inherited from New Zealand, which was based on British law.
Solomon Islands: The colonial-era law prohibits same-sex sexual activity for both men and women, with the maximum sentence set at 14 years in prison.
Tonga: This law was inherited from Britain while Tonga was a protectorate state. Same-sex sexual activity is criminalised for both men and women, with the maximum sentence set at 10 years in prison.
Tuvalu: Sex between men is criminalised, with up to 14 years in prison set as the maximum penalty. The law was inherited from Britain.
Oh top of these countries where it is illegal to be LGBTQIA+, the Human Rights Campaign has this week declared a state of emergency for LGBTQIA+ people within America because of the anti-LGBTQIA+ bills that are being passed across multiple states.
“LGBTQ+ Americans are living in a state of emergency. The multiplying threats facing millions in our community are not just perceived – they are real, tangible and dangerous,” the group’s president, Kelley Robinson, said. “In many cases they are resulting in violence against LGBTQ+ people, forcing families to uproot their lives and flee their homes in search of safer states, and triggering a tidal wave of increased homophobia and transphobia that puts the safety of each and every one of us at risk.”
Here in the UK, many of these issues may seem far away and even irrelevant. I personally believe that if one single person within our community is under threat, then we are all under threat, and it is the responsibility of us all to fight for rights not just within our own country, but for our community members all over the world.
Intersectionality and Inclusion
Recognising the intersectionality of identities is crucial in addressing the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. We've already discussed how LGBTQIA+ individuals are being discriminated against within the workplace, housing system, and healthcare system, but for those within the BAME LGBTQIA+ community, discrimination is compounded by racism, and in some cases, this come from within the LGBTQIA+ itself. According to Stonewall...
One in ten black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBTQIA+ employees - 10% - have been physically attacked by customers or colleagues in the last year.
Half of BAME LGBT people - 51% - face discrimination within the LGBTQIA+ community.
As a community, we must stand together regardless of race, after all, we are fighting to amplify the world diverse voices. Rather than fighting each other, let's work towards creating a future where all LGBTQIA+ individuals feel represented and supported.
As we envision a future where the LGBTQIA+ community is equal, it's essential to acknowledge the challenges that persist and remain committed to fighting for equality. By raising awareness, advocating for comprehensive anti-discrimination laws, supporting legal battles, and embracing intersectionality, we can create a more inclusive world where every individual is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Together, let's continue to push boundaries, challenge prejudices, and work towards a future of true equality for the LGBTQIA+ community.
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