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OPINION: The UK has a crucial role to play supporting LGBT+ people globally

by Crispin Blunt | UK Member of Parliament
Friday, 15 May 2020 15:42 GMT

* Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.

On International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Interphobia (IDAHOBIT) all governments should remember their role in limiting the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on LGBT+ people

Crispin Blunt is Conservative MP for Reigate and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global LGBT+ Rights, UK Parliament

This week, MPs from eight political parties expressed strong support for LGBT+ rights by signing a parliamentary motion I submitted to mark the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Interphobia (IDAHOBIT), a day that exists to highlight the violence and discrimination that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex communities and other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics continue to face around the world.

It is also a day to take stock of LGBT+ equality since last May 17.

Despite many signs of progress over the past year in different parts of the world – same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland and Taiwan, the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Botswana, and a ruling in Brazil criminalising homophobia and transphobia – there have been attempts to roll back the human rights of LGBT+ people in others, in particular now during the global coronavirus pandemic.

We know that crises and their aftermaths can increase the pressure on already marginalised communities so all COVID-19 responses must take into account the specific needs of LGBT+ people and other minorities, as the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and a joint statement from UN human rights experts has pointed out.

LGBT+ people are being scapegoated for COVID-19, such as in Guyana and Ghana, and several states have used emergency measures to target these specific communities and their rights, such as in Uganda and Hungary. Gendered quarantine restrictions have disproportionately targeted trans people in Colombia, Panama and Peru.

Those in lockdown with hostile family members or neighbours are more at risk of domestic abuse, hate crime, and becoming homeless. The pandemic has also put civil society groups, often already working in extreme circumstances, under additional pressure, and many have ceased their usual advocacy efforts and are instead providing essential services like food and shelter.

Increased government surveillance in some jurisdictions is putting the LGBT+ community at increased risk of being “outed” and exposed to violence and discrimination, including while trying to access vital health services.

Ahead of IDAHOBIT, I was pleased to see Rita French, the UK International Ambassador for Human Rights, join six other states’ human rights ambassadors to draw attention to the particular issues LGBT+ people face due to COVID-19 and promote an inclusive response.

The UK government in its role as co-chair of the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC), an intergovernmental organisation advocating for the rights of lesbian, gay, bi, trans and intersex people, has also released a joint statement calling on all governments to limit the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on people identified based on real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or sex characteristics. 

Holding this important role as co-chair of the ERC, as well as that of Commonwealth chair-in-office, the UK has a crucial role to play in supporting LGBT+ rights, people and civil society organisations globally.

So too, does the APPG on Global LGBT+ rights as we continue to connect MPs and peers in the UK with their counterparts across the world as part of our APPG LGBT+ Ambassadors project.

The UK remains a world leader in promoting LGBT+ rights but it is imperative that our important work in this area is not slowed by the COVID-19 crisis.

The pandemic has served to further widen already existing gaps in our societies. We must work together across borders, across identities and across political parties to ensure human rights for all. 

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