Excerpt
In his essay for the Carr Center's latest publication, Making a Movement: The History and Future of Human Rights, Diego Garcia Blum discusses the progress over the past two decades in the LGBTQI+ rights movement, and the challenges that we continue to face.
Diego Garcia Blum, Program Director, Global LGBTQI+ Human Rights, Carr Center
“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights predates the birth of the modern LGBTQ rights movement, and yet it is a statement that encapsulates the essence of its shared aspirations—for LGBTQ people to live with dignity, in freedom and security, and protected from discrimination.
“These ideals created a framework through which LGBTQ people could communicate their own struggle with themselves and with the world. The set of policies usually associated with LGBTQ rights—discrimination protections or same-sex marriage—are simply the legal means to assert the rights outlined in the declaration. This is why, as Secretary Clinton said, ‘gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights.’
“Over the past two decades, notable progress has been made in LGBTQ human rights in North America, Western Europe, and some parts of Latin America. However, even in these places, there are still gaps in discrimination protections, ongoing disparities in the well-being of LGBTQ youth, and active movements opposing these rights—especially for transgender people.
“Unfortunately, progress in these regions has also sparked a backlash in places where LGBTQ acceptance is scarce and often criminalized. Most alarming is a new set of laws that aim to outlaw LGBTQ advocacy. In May of 2023, Uganda passed a law that not only outlawed LGBTQ advocacy, but also identifying as LGBTQ. Similar laws have been introduced in legislatures all over the world. In some countries, existing laws that outlaw same-sex relationships are now being used to suppress advocacy as well.
“Even in the most challenging situations, advocacy becomes a beacon of hope. Progress in the Global North resulted from courageous individuals who shattered centuries of collective silence to share their truths.”
“These repressive measures are often rooted in myths, misconceptions, and misunderstandings about LGBTQ individuals, including beliefs that being LGBTQ is a choice, a condition that can be ‘fixed,’ a Western invention, or an immoral social influence. In many places, these misunderstandings go unchecked, spreading from leadership and amplified by the media. Identifying and dispelling these myths is necessary in safeguarding the rights of LGBTQ individuals. The concerted effort to challenge these myths involves not only highlighting the inherent falsehoods but also emphasizing the understanding that sexual orientation and gender identity are natural aspects of human diversity. This recognition underscores the urgency for education and awareness campaigns that foster a more inclusive and accurate understanding of LGBTQ lives.
“Even in the most challenging situations, advocacy becomes a beacon of hope. Progress in the Global North resulted from courageous individuals who shattered centuries of collective silence to share their truths. These activists risked everything to narrate their stories and champion their human rights. In countries where advocacy is entirely prohibited, acceptance of LGBTQ individuals remains critically low with minimal signs of improvement. It is crucial for the international community to safeguard the right of LGBTQ individuals to freely express and advocate for themselves everywhere and protect them from violence perpetrated by society and state.
“Academics, human rights advocates, diplomats, and leaders must fervently work to dispel the falsehoods that stigmatize LGBTQ individuals. By dismantling these misconceptions, we can pave the way for a society that respects and upholds the human rights of LGBTQ individuals, free from the shackles of unfounded biases and discriminatory ideologies.” ■