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THE GLOBAL FIGHT
FOR LGBT HUMAN
RIGHTS
By: Doug Waterman
The Gay Rights Movement by Definition
 The Gay Rights Movement is considered to be one of the more recent Human Rights Movements.
 According to the American Psychological Association, “Whether persecuted or accepted, historians
believe that same-sex relationships existed in every culture (Morris).
 There is no centralized organization established to promote the LGBT rights cause, though numerous
organizations exist on a worldwide scale.
 Based on sexual orientation such as Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender.
 Over the years, the definition has expanded to include the terms “Queer”, “Questioning”, “Intergender”
and “Asexual”.
 “Homosexuals have been called a “People without Rights, “Deviants”, “Worse than dogs and pigs” and
“invisible” in numerous different countries. They have been vilified as pedophiles, home wreckers, and
social outcasts. Homosexuals have been around since antiquity.” (Dicklitch 449)

A Look at the Facts
 “Human rights abuses based on sexual orientation or gender
can include violation of the rights of the child; the infliction
of torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment
(Article 5); arbitrary detention on grounds of identity or
beliefs (Article 9); the restriction of freedom of association
(Article 20) and the denial of the basic rights of due
process” All contained within the Universal Declaration on
Human Rights (Amnesty International)
 In its 2011 report, the UN Human Rights Council have
reported “bias driven murders” of members of the LGBT
Community across the globe. “Honor Killings” are also
listed as part of the discriminatory practices against the
LGBT community. (Annual Report 2011)
 Reports of Rape, Beatings, Torture and other “no-lethal”
acts have been reported in regions throughout the world
 In 76 countries it is illegal to engage homosexual conduct
and is punishable by death penalty in five countries – Iran,
Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen
Photo Provided Via BuzzFeed
History and Development
 Although it is classified as a “newer” human rights movement, the LGBT movement has deeply seeded
historical aspects
 As far back as the centuries B.C.E, homosexuality is seen “favorably”, with numerous historic accounts of
homosexual activities between officials
 In 1533, King Henry passed “The Buggery Act” making sodomy illegal throughout England and
punishable by death
 Homosexual behavior was not considered “acceptable” by societal standards during the 18th and 19th
century.
 The 1600’s saw the expansion of anti-sodomy laws in the Connecticut Colony, and the First hanging for
the charge of Sodomy in the Virginia Colony
 The Dutch Republic experienced a “panic” regarding sodomy and thus leading to severe prosecution from
1730-1798
History and Development
 According to an article in 18th Century Life, the earliest account of defense for LGBT rights came in the
writings of Thomas Cannon, where he claimed "Unnatural Desire is a Contradiction in Terms; downright
Nonsense. Desire is an amatory Impulse of the inmost human Parts: Are not they, however constructed,
and consequently impelling, Nature?“ (Gladfelder)
 Around the same time, Jeremy Bentham argues for the first time, to see an abolishment of Anti-Sodomy
Laws in England. As per our October class lecture, Jeremy Bentham is considered to be the father of the
Utilitarianism philosophy, and believed in the greater good fro the greatest number. (Essay on
“Paederasty)
 The 19th & 20th century saw a large rise in Anti-LGBT sentiment not only in Europe, but also in The
United States
 Human rights activists argue that historical violation have not only violated the U.N Charter and the
UDHR, but some can argue that deeper aspects exist on the human rights scale.
 According to the DeLaet reading The Global Struggle for Human Rights, the treatment of Homosexuals
are in direct violation of their (a) First Generation Rights, which are considered the right to life, liberty
and security of person (b) Second Generation Rights, which cover the right to housing, medical care, etc.,
and also Third Generation Rights which are often referred to as “collective or “group” rights. (DeLaet, 20)
A Global Snapshot
 A large divide exists on whether homosexuality should be
accepted or rejected in society
 According to Pew Research, while views towards the
acceptance of homosexuality have been relatively consistent
over the years, South Korea, Canada and The United States
report a rise of 10% in acceptance of homosexuality since
2007 (Pew Research)
 Religion and Development are considered to be major factors
in countries vision of homosexual acceptance (Pew Research)
A Global Snapshot
• While there is widespread discrimination throughout Africa, The
Middle East, parts of Asia, South America, Europe, Canada and
Australia offer recognition in some form.
• The United States, China, few South American Countries have
established no formal legislation regarding the rights of Gays and
Lesbians
• Russia, although they have not enacted specific legislation, has
enacted legislation banning “gay propaganda” and “gay adoption”
• 11 countries currently allow same-sex couples to marry, including
the United States (in some states), the Netherlands, South Africa,
Canada, Belgium, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, and
Argentina. (DoSomething.Org)
• Human Rights violations consist of Violations of a person right to a
sustainable life, security, development, fair trial and numerous
others
WARNING: THE
FOLLOWING 7 SLIDES MAY
CONTAIN GRAPHIC
IMAGERY/VIDEO THAT
SOME MAY FIND
UNSUITABLE TO VIEW.
PLEASE USE DISCRETION
The United States
 While many consider the LGBT Rights movement to be
a success in the U.S, the maps to the right tell a different
story.
 26 out of 50 states have no state or local Anti-Gay
Discrimination Bans
 Homosexual men face a lifetime ban on blood
donations, though the FDA is considering allowing
donations as long as gay men are celibate for 12 months
or more ()
 Gay Marriage is considered fully legal in 32 out of 50
states (Human Rights Campaign)
 11 states still maintain Gay Marriage Bans, and 4 are
awaiting decision. (Human Rights Campaign)
 The only two federal laws that protect LGBT individuals
are the Matthew Sheppard and James Byrd Jr. Hate
Crimes Act, and the Repeal of The Don’t Ask, Don’t
Tell Policy of the U.S Military (Human Rights
Campaign)
 As of 2011 FBI Statistics report, Anti-Gay hate crimes
totaled 1,206 (Tzatzev)
The Middle East
 LGBT Rights are considered to be a very large human rights
violation in this region
 Most countries in the Middle East have not legalized
Homosexuality, with the exception of Israel, Egypt, West Bank
and Jordan ("LGBT Rights In Israel & The Middle East.“)
 Iran is the only Middle Eastern country that still puts
homosexuals to death
Above: Iran hangs 3
homosexual men
 Anti-Discrimination Laws exist nowhere in the Middle East,
but in Israel
Below: Israeli’s celebrate Gay
Pride
 Israel is the only country in the Middle East where “honor
killings” are outlawed ("LGBT Rights In Israel & The Middle
East.“)
 In many Middle Eastern countries, families hire outside
individuals to torture and kill gay family members
Uganda
 In 2014, Uganda introduced the “Anti-Homosexuality Act. In the
same year, a local newspaper posted pictures of “Uganda’s 100 Top
Homos” (BBC)
 This act stated ” The offence of homosexuality"--which includes the
act of "touching another person with the intention of committing the
act of homosexuality"--was made punishable by "imprisonment for
life,“ (Daugirdas)
 U.S President has condemned law stating “The Anti-Homosexuality
Bill in Uganda, once law, will be more than an affront and a danger to
the gay community in Uganda. It will also be a step backward for all
Ugandans and reflect poorly on Uganda's commitment to protecting
the human rights of its people. It also will mark a serious setback for
all those around the world who share a commitment to freedom,
justice and equal rights (Daugirdas)
 No De Jure protections exist for homosexuals in Uganda
 Head of state is know to actively campaign against LGBT community
(Dicklitch)
 On November 10th 2014, Uganda announced that they will pas a law
against “unnatural acts” that will “withstand any legal challenges.
(BBC)
 In December of 2014, Uganda introduced The Prohibition of
Promotion of Unnatural Sexual Practices Bill of 2014‘, making it a
crime to support homosexuality (Huffington Post)
Russia
 In July 2013, President Putin signed a law
allowing authorities to arrest any tourist of
foreigner that they deemed to be homosexual
(Fierstein, New York Times)
 In February 2014, Russia enacted legislation
that would ban adoption by single individuals
living in countries where LGBT rights are
recognized.
 Russia has claimed “traditional values” in order
to justify their Anti- Gay Propaganda law, which
would make it illegal for gay right advocates to
vocally protest their support. (Wilkinson)
Police use riot gear and tear
gas to disperse protestors
Former Russian military
escort homosexual man from
protest
Below: Depiction of the
murder of American Matthew
Sheppard
Stoning of a gay teenager in
Somalia
Above: Russian Authorities
attempt to arrest couple for
“homosexual acts”.
Openly gay Iranian Teenagers
executed by hanging.
Right: Russian men kidnap and
torture homosexual youth
Russia anti-gay torture of 2014
 Occupy Pedofilyay’s quickly growing sister
movement, “Occupy Gerontilyaj” (Occupy
Gerontophilia), aims to catch and torture
young teenage boys typically ranging in age
between 15-17 who are looking to meet older
men. (Gailygrind)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bgx6CWXbcTM
The Cause?
 In large part, the LGBT Human rights violations are largely based in countries with strong
religious convictions
 Societal norms in different parts of the world dictate acceptance/rejection of Homosexuals
 Though it is denied, many still have a fear that homosexuality is contagious, unnatural, demonic
or a “phase”
 Many perceive Homosexuals as pedophiles. Very little research has been conducted in this area as
all that has shows no linkage between homosexuality and pedophilia
 Familial upbringing
 Cultural practices and beliefs
 Many argue that due to a lack of any “specialized human rights treaties”, violations will likely
continue.
Evolution: Who started it
 Though the names Harvey Milk, Morris Night, and Craig Rodwell are though of as pioneers of the Gay
Rights Movement, the history goes back much longer.
 German-English Writer George Cecil Ives established the first homosexual right group entitled The Order
of Chaeronea in England in 1897 (University of Texas Library)
 Emma Goldman was the first woman and American to speak publicly in favor of gay rights in 1910
 Harry Hay formed the Mattchine Society in 1950, as a self described “homophile”(Barrman)
Evolution and Current status of LGBT Rights Movement
IGOs
 UN HRC (limited)
NGOs
 Not many IGO’s or Governments are directly
involved in the advocating for gay rights. (Arc
International)
 Amnesty International
 Human Rights Campaign
 ARC International
 Numerous regional LGBT Organizations
throughout the world. See link below for full list.
 Some countries, like Uganda have banned NGO
support of LGBT members and from “meddling in
African affairs. (Newsweek)
http://internationalspectrum.umich.edu/global/world
wideorgs
Successes
Failures
 NGOs have made a multitude of progress
 United Nations still has yet to unilaterally act
worldwide on the issues of discrimination and
in defense of LGBT rights
equal rights
 Many governments (especially in Middle East
 In the United States and Across the Globe,
and Africa) still turn a blind eye to abuse of
Gay Marriage is a growing movement
LGBT individuals
 More openly LGBT individuals are serving in  Employment discrimination is still a global
government
problem for LGBT community
 More awareness for Trans-gender
Community
Strategies
 Promote policies that advance economic fairness and safety
including access to economic benefits; relationship recognition;
employment non-discrimination and safety from violence, harassment
and mistreatment
 Expand the base of support for LGBT rights by joining forces with
other movements that increase engagement with other allied
movements
 Build effective leaders and organizations that are coordinated,
connected and collaborating across regions and constituencies
 Increase public support for LGBT rights by promoting awareness
through communications, media and technology
Ford Foundation: Advancing LGBT Rights :
http://www.fordfoundation.org/issues/sexuality-and-reproductivehealth-and-rights/advancing-lgbt-rights
My Inspiration: Harvey Milk
• Harvey Milk formed the nations first ever
LGBT business association in San
Francisco
• Milk was the first openly gay elected
politician in the United States when he was
elected to the San Francisco board of
Supervisors
• Milk worked tirelessly for the rights of
LGBT citizens in San Francisco and was
dubbed “The Mayor of Castro Street”.
• Harvey Milk was assassinated on
November 27, 1978, leaving behind a
legacy of advocacy that will not soon be
forgotten
Work Cited
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"Advancing LGBT Rights." The Ford Foundation. Web. 04 Dec. 2014. <http://www.fordfoundation.org/issues/sexuality-andreproductive-health-and-rights/advancing-lgbt-rights>.
"Annual Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights." Discriminatory Laws and Practices and Acts of Violence
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<http://sfist.com/2014/06/27/the_gay_rights_fight_started_in_cal.php>.
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