International Context
The LGBTQIA+ rights movement has made incredible progress over the past few decades both within the United States and beyond. Pride events are celebrated in more than 105 countries and LGBTQIA+ people exist in every corner of the world.
The Global Acceptance Index (GAI) uses data from more than 2,750 surveys over 30 years to measure levels of acceptance toward LGBTI+ people and issues in 175 countries. The 2021 GAI report shows that globally, the average level of acceptance has increased since 1980. Yet at the same time, while the most accepting countries have experienced increased levels of acceptance, the least accepting countries have experienced decreased levels of acceptance. The total number of countries with laws protecting LGBTQIA+ people has increased with over 122 countries protecting consensual same-sex sexual acts, 28 countries supporting joint adoption, 24 legalizing same-sex marriage, 13 allowing gender marker changes on legal documents, and 8 recognizing a third gender.
At the same time, more than 70 countries have laws that allow discrimination or persecution of LGBTQIA+ people. This includes punishment of same-sex sexual acts and gender expression that deviates from one’s sex assigned at birth. Punishment can include stoning, prison sentences, fines, whipping, and flogging. Currently, seven countries penalize same-sex consensual acts with the death penalty.
Like in some states in the U.S., Hungary passed a law banning LGBTQ+ content in schools. Uganda’s parliament passed an Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2023 that expands penalties for consensual same-sex acts and imposes the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality” including same-sex acts involving the use of drugs of alcohol. Global researchers have tied Ugandan anti-LGBTQIA+ organizers to US-based evangelical groups who spent over 50 million dollars to spread anti-LGBTQIA+ information to influence laws, policies, and public opinion.
To build deep relationship with and support of LGBTQIA+ people, we need to continue to build a global perspective and understanding of LGBTQIA+ issues beyond our borders.
TODAY’S CHALLENGE
Read:
- Jaxx Artz, 6 Issues the Global LGBTQ+ Community Is Still Fighting. Global Citizen, (June 30, 2021). [7 minute read]
- Emma Sanderson, The Unholy Relationship Between Uganda’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Law and US Evangelicalism. The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, (June 8, 2023). [4 minute read]
- Antonio Zappulla, Forgotten Twice: The Untold Story of LGBT Refugees. World Economic Forum, (January 19, 2018). [5 minute read]
Watch:
A rainbow of home: Vancouver volunteers give new home to LGBTI refugees. UNHCR Canada, (May 17, 2019). [2 minute watch]
Engage:
Review information on the Our World in Data: LGBT+ Rights site. Discuss the following: What information is new to you? What did you already know?
Discuss:
- What have you been told about LGBTQIA+ rights in the US compared to the global context? If you haven’t heard much before, what stories have you assumed about LGBTQIA+ inclusion locally and abroad? Why might that be? How are your assumptions true or false?
- What more do you hope to learn about LGBTQIA+ rights globally? How can you support building awareness and education about this information?