"As of June 2023, 35 countries recognize same-sex marriage."
Examining the history of the LGBTQ+ community and the struggle for equal rights, including legal recognition of same-sex marriage, anti-discrimination laws, and LGBTQ+ activism.
Gender Identity: Understanding the difference between biological sex and gender expression, and the challenges faced by people who do not identify with the gender assigned at birth.
Sexual Orientation: Understanding the difference between attraction to people of the same gender, attraction to people of a different gender, attraction to people of multiple genders, and a lack of attraction to anyone.
Coming Out: A person's decision to reveal their LGBTQ+ identity to others and the impact that can have on their lives.
Discrimination: Understanding the different forms of discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, including but not limited to, employment, housing, education, and healthcare.
Homophobia/Transphobia: Understanding the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that contribute to discrimination, oppression, and violence against LGBTQ+ persons.
LGBTQ+ culture: Understanding the history, traditions, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQ+ rights: Understanding the legal and political battles to recognize and protect the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Anti-bullying efforts: Understanding the various anti-bullying programs and initiatives aimed at reducing harassment and bullying of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Marriage equality: Understanding the legal and social movement for same-sex couples to have the right to marry and have their relationships recognized by law.
Intersectionality: Understanding how issues related to race, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, class, and other forms of systemic oppression intersect to create unique experiences for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Marriage Equality: The legal right of same-sex couples to marry, including access to all the legal rights and benefits bestowed upon married couples, such as adoption rights, inheritance, and medical decision-making.
Anti-Discrimination: The right to not face discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression in areas such as housing, employment, education, and public accommodations.
Safe Schools: The right to receive an education free from bullying, harassment, and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Transgender Rights: The right for transgender individuals to access healthcare, legally change their gender markers on documents, and use the restroom and locker room facilities that correspond with their gender identity.
Immigration Equality: The right for LGBTQ+ individuals seeking asylum or migration to have equal access to the same legal channels as non-LGBTQ+ individuals.
Health Equality: The right for LGBTQ+ individuals to have equal access to healthcare, including mental health resources.
Parental Rights: The right for LGBTQ+ parents to have legal recognition of their rights as parents, including custody and adoption rights.
Intersectionality: The recognition that LGBTQ+ individuals face discrimination and marginalization not just based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, but also in connection with other parts of their identity, such as race, ethnicity, and disability.
Religious Freedom: The right for individuals to practice their religion without being discriminated against based on their sexual orientation or 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."