"As of June 2023, 35 countries recognize same-sex marriage."
The fight for equality, dignity, and respect for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. It includes issues such as marriage equality, workplace discrimination, and access to healthcare.
LGBTQ+ Terminology: Understanding the meaning of common terms used to describe sexuality and gender orientation such as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and more.
History and Context: A brief overview of the history of LGBTQ+ rights movement, discriminatory laws and practices, and the social context of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Intersectionality: Understanding how multiple identities can intersect and create unique experiences for individuals based on their race, ethnicity, social class, age, religion and more.
Discrimination and Prejudice: Recognising and understanding different forms of discrimination, including hate crimes, bullying, and employment discrimination faced by members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Advocacy and Activism: The efforts made by LGBTQ+ activists, organisations, and allies towards advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
Legislation and Policies: Understanding the role of laws and policies at different levels of government in protecting or restricting the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
Health and Mental Health: The unique health and mental health challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and the importance of inclusive healthcare services.
Family and Relationships: Understanding the challenges around legal recognition of same-sex marriage, parenting and adoption, and how family dynamics can influence the experience of LGBTQ+ individuals.
The Future of LGBTQ+ rights: Examining current trends that suggest potential future developments in the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, the implications of ongoing policies affecting the communities and where advocacy must take the movement next.
International Standing: The differing attitudes and laws across the globe and the impact they have on the LGBTQ+ community.
Marriage Equality: Allowing same-sex couples to legally marry and receive the same rights and benefits as opposite-sex couples, including joint tax filing and inheritance rights.
Civil Rights and Anti-Discrimination Laws: Laws and policies that protect individuals from being discriminated against based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, including in employment, housing, education, and public accommodations.
Adoption and Parenting Rights: Allowing same-sex couples and LGBTQ+ individuals to adopt children and have equal parenting rights and benefits as heterosexual parents.
Employment Protections: Laws and policies that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in hiring, promotion, and working conditions.
Healthcare Equality: Access to healthcare services, including mental health services, that are free from discrimination and respectful of the unique health needs and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Transgender Rights: The right to live as one's authentic gender identity, without fear of discrimination, harassment, or violence.
Safe Schools: Policies and practices that ensure all students have a safe and supportive learning environment, free from bullying, harassment, or discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Intersex Rights: The right to bodily autonomy and medical self-determination, including the right to choose whether to undergo medically unnecessary, non-consensual surgeries or genital mutilation.
Access to Public Accommodations: Allowing LGBTQ+ individuals to access public spaces, such as restrooms, locker rooms, and other facilities, that correspond with their gender identity.
"Iran and Afghanistan are believed to impose the death penalty on consensual same-sex sexual acts."
"LGBT people face extrajudicial killings in the Russian region of Chechnya."
"Sudan rescinded its unenforced death penalty for anal sex (hetero- or homosexual) in 2020."
"Fifteen countries have stoning on the books as a penalty for adultery."
"This is enforced by the legal authorities in Iran and Nigeria (in the northern third of the country)."
"In 2011, the United Nations Human Rights Council passed its first resolution recognizing LGBT rights."
"The report documented violations of the rights of LGBT people, including hate crimes, criminalization of homosexual activity, and discrimination."
"The United Nations urged all countries which had not yet done so to enact laws protecting basic LGBT rights."
"A 2022 study found that LGBT rights were correlated with less HIV/AIDS incidence among gay and bisexual men independently of risky sexual behavior."
"The Nordics, Uruguay, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States are ranked among the best for LGBT rights."
"Yemen, Brunei, Afghanistan, Somalia, Mauritania, Palestine, and Iran are ranked among the worst."