Swiss anti-gay discrimination vote sends ‘strong signal’

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The Swiss press have largely welcomed voters’ broad support to closing a loophole in lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) rights by extending anti-racism laws to cover sexual orientation.

Sunday February 9 was “a bad day for intolerant people”, wrote the Blick tabloid on Monday. Yesterday, 63.1% of voters came out in favour of extending current anti-racism legislation to make it illegal to discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation. Blick said the vote meant “more freedom for hundreds of thousands of citizens” and was not about censorship or muzzling. The Tages-Anzeiger paper said the result should be seen as a further step towards equality for homosexuals rather than any kind of special protection. “[Homosexuals] are threatened and marginalised. Society is now clearly saying that it will not tolerate this,” it said. The Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) also largely welcomed the “symbolic” decision. “Voices standing against diversity in life found no support,” …

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/press-review_swiss-anti-gay-discrimination-vote-sends–strong-signal-/45548606?linkType=guid&utm_source=multiple&utm_campaign=swi-rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=o

USA: Virginia lawmakers pass anti-discrimination legislation protecting LGBTQ individuals

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USA: Virginia lawmakers pass anti-discrimination legislation protecting LGBTQ individuals

Virginia lawmakers passed the Virginia Values Act, anti-discrimination legislation that protects LGBTQ individuals, on Thursday.

This act, currently encapsulated by HB 1049 and SB 868, These two bills both will prohibit discrimination in employment, public accommodation, public contracting, apprenticeship programs, housing, banking, and insurance based on sexual orientation or gender identity. 

SB 868 was passed by the Virginia Senate by thirty to nine on Thursday, and HB 1049 was passed by the House of the Delegates on Wednesday by fifty-nine to thirty-nine. Both bills still have to advance through the other chamber, but they are expected to pass through and be signed into law by Governor Ralph Northam. Virginia is anticipated to be one of the first southern states to pass such protections.

The post Virginia lawmakers pass anti-discrimination legislation protecting LGBTQ individuals appeared first on JURIST – News – Legal News & Commentary.

Switzerland: Homophobia to be included in Swiss anti-racism law: 63.1% vote in favour

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Swiss voters had the final say on Sunday on a proposed law to make homophobia a criminal offence in the country. Opponents who forced the ballot look set to lose their challenge. Opinion polls published last week found that a two-thirds majority of respondents were in favour of the legal amendment, which will improve protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation. The reform, which will expand existing anti-racism regulations to include homophobia, was approved by parliament in 2018. But a small ultra-conservative religious group, the Federal Democratic Union, supported by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, then collected enough signatures to force a nationwide ballot. Opponents argue that the law undermines the right to free speech, and that the LGBT community doesn’t need special legal protection. Current legislation is enough to prevent insults, slander and other forms of violence or ill-treatment, they say. ‘Political signal’ However, supporters – a …

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/vote-february-9–2020_homophobia-to-be-included-in-swiss-anti-racism-law/45524804?linkType=guid&utm_source=multiple&utm_campaign=swi-rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=o

Nepal to count third gender in population census expanding social benefits to LGBTQ+community

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Nepalese officials announced Thursday that there will be a third gender option in the next population census, marking the first time the LGBTQ+ community has been included in the population statistics as a minority group.

The Central Bureau of Statistics will publish the survey in 2021, which campaigners believe will grant better access to healthcare and education for the 29 million people who are LGBTQ+ in Nepal, which the data previously omitted them from these programs.

Despite previous controversy, the third option is a step towards more acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community in Nepal, following the landmark 2008 Supreme Court decision granting equal rights for all citizens regardless of sexual orientation.

However, there are no additional options to identify which sexual orientation the person identifies with; a decision which will be decided in March. The Head of the Mitini Nepal charity, Ms Sarita K.C. said: “There are plans for a more specific, detailed survey exclusively for LGBTI [people] … hopefully by 2022. It will give more accurate data.”

The post Nepal to count third gender in population census expanding social benefits to LGBTQ+community appeared first on JURIST – News – Legal News & Commentary.

How to be a Great Intersex Ally

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How to be a Great Intersex Ally

Even within the LGBTI community, intersex people continue to be overlooked, and that’s something we urgently need to change. Here are our top tips for getting on the right page and supporting the human rights of intersex people!

In a world where the overwhelming majority of people and governments only know and accept two sexes (‘male’ and ‘female’) the existence of intersex people and their bodies is barely recognised. Instead, healthy intersex bodies are considered to be a medical problem that needs to be fixed by surgical, hormonal, other medical and sometimes psychological means. Intersex people face human rights violations, including having their bodily integrity compromised as infants, when doctors decide to ‘fix’ them.

“I have to say that I exist, I have to say that I’m intersex and I have to do things in order for other intersex people and future generations not to have to go through what I’ve been through,” Audrey Agerter of InterAction Suisse told us in an inspiring Voices of ILGA-Europe interview.

Today, thanks to the brave and dedicated work of intersex activists like Audrey across Europe, the silence and lack of awareness that previously surrounded intersex issues have been replaced by increased interest from NGO allies and policy-makers, more media coverage and strong political statements.

When LGBTI activists find out about the life experiences of the intersex people in our community, often their first reaction is to ask: How can I become an intersex ally? What can I do?

There are some easy things that you can do that really help:

1. Talk about it!

Lack of knowledge is one of the key reasons for the human rights violations and the discrimination intersex people face. By spreading the word about the existence of intersex people and the human rights violations and discrimination they face, you work towards making society a safer and more welcoming space for intersex people. This includes making intersex people’s existence visible by mainstreaming intersex issues in all areas of life and politics. So, read up on the experience of intersex people and start some conversations!

2. Create a safe space for intersex people

It is very likely that you already have intersex people in your organisation, at your work place or even amongst your friends and family; therefore creating a safe space for them to come out is crucial. Those individuals might not feel safe enough to come out yet, but if they know they are in a space of acceptance, they just might share their identity with you. Let them know it’s okay by sharing your recognition of the issues intersex people face.

3. Integrate the ‘I’ into your work

Inform your colleagues and the members of your networks on intersex human rights issues. As a first step, you might consider asking intersex activists if they can provide training or advice for you. This will help you better understand intersex issues, the challenges intersex organisations face and how you can effectively work for the improvement of intersex people’s situation in your country.

4. Support intersex activists and NGOs

Being visibly intersex is still a very difficult task. Despite this fact, the number of intersex activists and organisations is growing but they all work with almost none or very limited funding. Becoming an intersex activist most often means having to forfeit the chance of having a regular income. Due to the lack of funding, you are expected to provide professional and highly specialised expertise for free. Helping intersex activists and NGOs financially to perform their task is key to ensuring they can share the unique expertise they have.

5. Help create new alliances

Work with intersex NGOs and help them to create new alliances. Intersex human rights organisations are the best contact point for getting up-to-date information on the human rights violations faced by intersex people. They have long-term experience in advocating for intersex human rights.

6. Be a promoter

Use your social media to promote the statements of international human rights bodies on intersex. For instance, encouraging all relevant stakeholders to implement the recommendations of the Council of Europe’s Human Rights Commissioner will be very beneficial.

Learn more in the toolkit “Standing up for the human rights of intersex people — how can you help?” by Dan Christian Ghattas, executive director at OII Europe.

https://ilga-europe.org/blog/how-be-great-intersex-ally

Photo: Leo Sonnenwiese, intersex activist at the ILGA-Europe 2019 conference in Prague. Credit: Catherine Shiflett. See the full gallery, here. Tags: intersexactivism

USA: California governor announces new pardon initiative for those prosecuted for being gay

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USA: California governor announces new pardon initiative for those prosecuted for being gay

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday announced that his office would be launching a new initiative to pardon people who have prosecuted in California for being gay.

Inspired by a call to posthumously pardon Bayard Rustin, a humanitarian and civil rights leader who was convicted of a misdemeanor vagrancy offense for consensual adult homosexual activity, Newsom launched a new clemency initiative.

Under the new initiative, the governor’s office will work to identify eligible candidates for pardon and process their applications in an expedited manner.

California repealed a law criminalizing consensual sex between same-sex adults in 1975 and established a process for individuals to be removed from the California Sex Offender Registry in 1997, but that did not change the convictions or constitute a pardon.

The post California governor announces new pardon initiative for those prosecuted for being gay appeared first on JURIST – News – Legal News & Commentary.