Raising Awareness Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
by Judy Bokao
May 17th is when the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia is observed. The day is set aside in hopes to coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBTQ rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBTQ rights worldwide. The day is commemerated in over 132 countries across the world and it is more of a worldwide celebration of sexual and gender diversities. Over the years there have been a notable rise in homophobic,transphobic and biphobic acts of violence across the world.
In April 2020, the bodies of two transgender women from New York were found in a charred car in Puerto Rico where they had travelled. According to gay right activist in Puerto Rico, there have been four other transgender individuals who had been killed there in the last two months. By April 2020, eight transgender or gender non-conforming individuals had been killed in America. In other parts of the world such as Brazil, more than 141 LGBTQ people were killed in 2019. The LGBTQ community in Brazil is always living in fear of constant attacks and lack of real protection. Efforts to make homophobia a crime has been derailed with The Catholic Church and the evangelical group who are extremely critical of gay rights and the election of the new president who has been publicly homophobic. He was heavily criticized when in one of his interviews he said he would rather have a dead son than a homosexual son.
In Russia, matters have taken a dark turn as websites encouraging violence against LGBTQ individuals have surfaced. In July 2019, a Russian LGBTQ activist was fatally stabbed to death in St.Petersburg after her name was listed on a website that encourages people to “hunt” queer individuals. The site has been online since 2018 and though it has been shut down several times it kept popping up again. The website would post the personal data of “presumably LGBTQ” activists including their names, photos and addresses and went on to offer prizes to those who managed to complete the attacks. These is a very terrifying reality for the Russian LGBTQ community who were stunned on discovering the “assassination list” and the lackluster investigation into the website founders.
In African countries such as Uganda, it is actually illegal to be queer and one may end up facing a death penalty if found guilty. LGBTQ activists are always being arrested and police either deny reports for LGBTQ violence or claim that those cases of violence have not been reported. If the police or members of the community find anyone suspicious of being queer, then an LGBTQ individual in Uganda risks being beaten to a bloody pulp by the public or being arrested and undergoing different forms of torture by the police. According to many human rights groups, Uganda is one of the most difficult countries in Africa to live in as a queer person. The LGBTQ community not only faces harsh physical violence but they undergo prejudice in getting jobs, housing or seeking medical care.
The efforts of the May 17th movement have had some good effects as a few countries have passed legislation at the federal levels that includes full-fledged legal recognition for LGBTQ couples such as inheritance, marriage, adoption and insurance rights. There is still a long way to go as some countries continue to criminalize homosexuality and persecute LGBTQ people. It is important to support the May 17th events because they push for all queer people across the world to be treated with human dignity and given their freedom to live their lives. Being gay is not a crime and once more people are educated and understand that the LGBTQ community is not a threat then perhaps the world would be kind to them . The theme this year is “Breaking the silence” which is all about claiming our voices, our stories and seeking out hope and solidarity.
About the Author:
Judy Bokao is 20 years old and was born in Ethiopia but relocated to Nairobi two years ago. She is passionate about everyone having equal rights and is also big on conservation and speaking up for our planet. Judy loves reading and photography and is just a free-spirited young lady trying to grow into a woman her mom can be proud of.
