U.N. urges nations to protect LGBT+ people amid coronavirus

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U.N. urges nations to protect LGBT+ people amid coronavirus

NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – The United Nations on Friday urged countries to protect LGBT+ people against discrimination when seeking health care during the pandemic, saying they may be hesitant to seek medical services and be especially vulnerable to the coronavirus.

Members of the LGBT+ community with HIV or AIDS may have compromised immune systems or a higher chance of being homeless than the wider population, making social distancing and safe hygiene difficult, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said in a statement.

“LGBTI people are among the most vulnerable and marginalized in many societies, and among those most at risk from COVID-19,” Bachelet said.

“We know that efforts to tackle the pandemic will only work if everyone’s rights to life and health are protected.”…

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-lgbt-trfn/u-n-urges-nations-to-protect-lgbt-people-amid-coronavirus-idUSKBN21Z3AK

USA: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Idaho sues state over transgender athlete law

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USA: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Idaho sues state over transgender athlete law

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Idaho filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging a newly-passed Idaho law that bans women who are transgender or intersex from participating on women’s and girl’s school sports teams.

The Idaho law provides that a student’s sex, if disputed, will have to be proven by a physical exam in which the healthcare provider may verify the student’s sex through examining “the student’s reproductive anatomy, genetic makeup, or normal endogenously produced testosterone levels.” In its complaint, the ACLU of Idaho asserts that the Idaho law both “discriminates on the basis of sex” and “invades fundamental privacy rights.”

The ACLU of Idaho is requesting that the US District Court for the District of Idaho find that the law is unconstitutional and therefore void.

The post ACLU of Idaho sues state over transgender athlete law appeared first on JURIST – News – Legal News & Commentary.

Full-time internship opportunity at ILGA World (Geneva)

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Full-time internship opportunity at ILGA World (Geneva)

ILGA World is looking for an intern to provide assistance to the organisation’s communications efforts. This is an excellent opportunity if you have a demonstrated interest in using your communications skills to raise awareness of human rights issues, and want to gain experience working for an international human rights organisation that represents LGBTI networks, communities and movements on a global stage. The internship is for a period of six months and virtual. The intern can be based anywhere with good internet connection and will receive a financial compensation of CHF (Swiss Francs) 750 per month.
Read more and apply by 19 April.

United Nations Special Rapporteur: ‘States should not use religious beliefs to justify women and LGBT+ rights violations’

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United Nations Special Rapporteur: ‘States should not use religious beliefs to justify women and LGBT+ rights violations’

The United Nations Special Rapporteur, Ahmed Shaheed presented his report on freedom of religion or belief to the Human Rights Council on 2 March. “I firmly reject any claim that religious beliefs can be invoked as a legitimate ‘justification’ for violence or discrimination against women, girls or LGBT+ people. The right to freedom of religion protects individuals and not religions as such,” he said in the report. (Image: UN Photo/Amanda Voisard)
Read more about the report.