Advancing LGBTQI+ Rights: Where We Are And How To Move Forward

LGBTQI+ rights are a part of human rights. There are many countries who made changes in their law over the years to include the LGBTQI+ community, yet there are many countries where it is still illegal and punishable by death. The struggle for inclusiveness and justice is still on, but it is also important to celebrate the wins and focus on the positive side which breathes strength to this long standing war.

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Recently, World Economic Forum held a conference in Davos where they talked about the advancing the LGBTQI+ rights with a panel of speakers. The speakers in this discussion were Fahad Jamaluddin, Global Shaper from Lebanon, Sarah Kate Ellis from GLAD, Tarana Hassan from Human Rights Watch and Sharon Marcell from BCG, Boston Consulting Group.

Progression Around The World

In 2008, Human Rights Watch did a report looking at the colonial origins of sodomy laws around the world, where they had identified 80 countries that had very repressive laws. Currently there are still 67 countries where same sex activities are considered illegal, which is some level of progress. Recent examples being Singapore and Caribbean who have decriminalized and taken steps for decriminalization. We are in a time where LGBT rights, marriage equality laws, all of these issues are actually becoming signs of modernity. They are becoming signs of democracies and countries which respect rights for everyone. But this has also become a new battleground where the laws that are placed for the safety of a community can also be used to attack them. LGBTQI+ rights have emerged in the international law and can challenge countries on the constitutional basis. Therefore they challenge repressive laws that are on the books within constitutional courts or Supreme Court.

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Defending The Rights

It's not just about progressing, it is also about defending rights. Especially at a time where there are so many other things that people are worried about, suddenly LGBTQ rights are just a sidebar. A prominent LGBTQI+ activist from Egypt, Sarah Hijazi was jailed and tortured for raising pride flag at a concert in Egypt. She later committed suicide, which showed the flaws in steps taken for the security and empowerment of the LGBTQI+ community.

Force of Resistance and Quiet Diplomacy

There are so many things that you can do behind the scenes to advance safety for the LGBTQ community that can be done without being out in the media. There are many corporations that use quiet diplomacy to change the laws and bills passed by the states and courts. It is important for big corporations, companies with power and influence to take a stand because they can take the first step to change the narrative. It is especially important in countries where it is dangerous to speak up, so quiet diplomacy can be at play.

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Love Is A Universal Language

When people stop talking about it as right and start talking about the emotional side, people understand the struggle, pain and suffering behind it. It completely shifts the conversation and the public opinion on it. It acts as a coming together of everyone to get what needs to be done. Treating every person with human decency is the only thing that can cause such massive movements and activists around the world.