People ask "Why Pride?". There have been so many advances over the years since the Stonewall Riots in 1969, but there is still a way to go. Some of the advances have been overturned.
Places like Russia, India and Uganda have criminalised being gay or anything which publicises the LGBT lifestyle. The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (IGLA)currently has over 70 countries listed where there are anti-homosexuality laws. According to the IGLA, the death penalty applies in Sudan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Yemen and in parts of Nigeria and Somalia.
Russia now has powers to arrest and detain foreign citizens believe to be gay, or "pro-gay".
On the 22 June 2017 a panel of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals cleared the way for anti-LGBTQ H.B. 1523 to become law in Mississippi, making it the worst anti-LGBTQ state law in the U.S. The law enables almost any individual or organization to use religion as a justification to discriminate against LGBTQ Mississippians at work, at school and in their communities.
Istanbul has just banned the gay and transgender pride march (which was to take place Sunday 24th June) for the second year.
There are less than 30 countries around the world which recognise same sex marriage.
In America the Affordable Care Act (ACA) made health care coverage a reality for many LGBTQ individuals and their families for the first time. Now there are plans to completely dismantle this.
There are claims by human rights campaigners that gay men are being held in "camps" in the Chechen Republic where they are subjected to torture and beatings.
2016 has, so far, the highest number of transgender people murdered in one year.
Pride isn't about parties - it is about visibilty and solidarity. It is about community and belonging. It is about not giving in and not giving up.
The LGBTQ community has made progress in many areas with acceptance, same-sex marriage and transgender issues, but there is still a need to campaign and be visible as not everyone enjoys the same freedoms and rights.
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About Me
- Bailey Saxmundham
- Hi, my name is Bailey and I am an avatar in Second Life. Although my avatar is predominantly female in Second Life, I am a gay male in real life. I choose to be female most of the time and don't see it as a big deal in a virtual world where so many people are furries, werewolves and inanimate objects. It is all fantasy. This blog is about me, the places I go, the clothes I wear, the people I meet, etc.
Not again. Not ever. I for one refuse to sit back and allow society be dragged back to where it was when I was teenager in the 80's.
ReplyDeleteWell said. ♥
Amazing post sweetheart. nobody says it like you do! ♥
ReplyDelete