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What passed in Geneva means that violence perpetrated against us in our homes and communities will not be
tolerated, said Garcia. It means that our police serve to protect us and our families in the same way they protect
every other Filipino citizen. Philippine businesses need to know that they can no longer discriminate against trans
Pinoys who want to access services or gain employment. And our health providers and insurers can no longer
deny health from LGBT communities. Weve got a long way to go, and we needed a win like this to reenergise
the community.
Chile, Colombia, Uruguay and Brazil introduced the resolution earlier this month.
The Movement for Homosexual Liberation and Integration, a Chilean LGBT advocacy group, in a statement it
released immediately after the vote applauded President Michelle Bachelets administration for advancing the
resolution. The organization nevertheless pointed out anti-LGBT discrimination and a lack of marriage rights for
same-sex couples remain an issue for advocates in the South American country.
The leadership shown (at the U.N. Human Rights Council) is also a challenge and commitment of the authorities
to end all forms of discrimination in our country, which includes the approval of marriage equality, said the
Movement for Homosexual Integration and Liberation. Anything to the contrary would contradict this leadership
shown today.
The U.N. Human Rights Council in 2011 narrowly approved an LGBT rights resolution that South Africa
introduced.
The same body in June adopted a resolution on Protection of the Family that Egypt spearheaded. Russia,
Uganda and other countries co-sponsored it.
LGBT advocates earlier this week expressed concern that South Africa would not support the latest resolution,
but in the end the country backed it.
Ambassador Abdul Samad Minty, who is South Africas permanent U.N. representative in Geneva, said after the
vote that the resolution is in sync with our national values shaped on our own history and experience of
discrimination.
This history and the struggle against all forms of discrimination has therefore made us, as a people and a
country, committed to the principle that no person should be subjected to discrimination or violence based on
race, class, sex, religion, gender and as is the case with this resolution, on the basis of sexual orientation or
gender identity, said Minty. It is the same value base that guides our stance on fighting for equality between
countries and why we shall always make our voices heard about exploitation and oppression of people in any
form.
- See more at: http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/09/26/breaking-u-n-human-rights-council-adopts-lgbtresolution/#sthash.ZFJ9Hidz.dpuf
"Recalling that recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and
inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of
freedom, justice and peace in the world,"
"Reaffirming that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms the principle
of the inadmissibility of discrimination and proclaims that all human beings are
born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the
rights and freedoms set forth therein without distinction of any kind,
"1. Expresses deep concern at the occurrence of violations of human rights in the
world against persons on the grounds of their sexual orientation;"
"2. Stresses that human rights and fundamental freedoms are the birthright of all
human beings, that the universal nature of these rights and freedoms is beyond
question and that the enjoyment of such rights and freedoms should not be
hindered in any way on the grounds of sexual orientation;"
"3. Calls upon all States to promote and protect the human rights of all persons
regardless of their sexual orientation;"
"4. Notes the attention given to human rights violations on the grounds of sexual
orientation by the special procedures in their reports to the Commission on
Human Rights, as well as by the treaty monitoring bodies, and encourages all
special procedures of the Commission, within their mandates, to give due
attention to the subject;"
"5. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to pay due
attention to the violation of human rights on the grounds of sexual orientation;"
"6. Decides to continue consideration of the matter at its sixtieth session under
the same agenda item."
Recent headlines in Europe and the US could lead you to believe that the
momentum is building in favour of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans
(LGBT) people. A deeper look at the data, however, reveals a more complicated
story unfolding around the world.
In 77 countries it's a crime to be gay; in 10, it can cost you your life. And this
number is growing. In the past few months, India has shocked the world by
reinstating a colonial rule that criminalises sex between men. This month, Brunei
has started to implement a strict new penal code that will allow death by stoning
as a punishment for homosexuality and adultery.
And there's more. A recent court ruling in France blocked two married lesbians
from adopting each other's child, against the interests of these two children. A
Romanian MEP candidate is campaigning on an anti-gay ticket, claiming that the
European parliament is failing to maintain traditions and family values. The first
two Ugandans to be charged under the "kill the gays" law are facing life
imprisonment. Waves of arrests of gay people intended to "exorcise" or "cure"
them are being reported in Nigeria.
family foundation
Members of the Family Foundation and supporters of traditional marriage pray
outside court in Richmond, Virginia, this week in advance a ruling on gay
marriage in the state. Photograph: Steve Helber/AP
But there are powerful signs of hope to challenge these difficult truths. We have
witnessed a sea change in marriage equality and victories in anti-discrimination
laws. The United States is debating national laws to prohibit discrimination based
on sexual orientation in the workplace. Peru and other countries in Latin America
are debating a civil unions bill. India's supreme court has just given citizens the
right to self-identify their gender and has granted legal status to a third gender
category. The efforts of grassroots and human rights organisations are paying
significant dividends.
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And perhaps most importantly, millions of people around the world are showing
that they care enough for equality to stand for love. In just three years, All Out
has inspired close to two million people, in every country in the world, to join the
equality movement through online campaigns, massive street demonstrations
and viral media. More than a third of them are straight and many have never
engaged in advocacy before. Yet, they are standing side by side with their
friends, family members, neighbours and colleagues demanding equality and
making sure that their community, church and corporate leaders, and
policymakers help build the world they want.
This is what All Out is all about. Bringing the power of people beyond language
and geographical barriers to express their solidarity and be a positive force on
the side of LGBT people, pushing uphill and making sure lesbian, gay, bi and
trans people and their allies are not silenced and pushed into the shadows.
Our movement is growing and has already won real victories around the world.
We're pushing global companies in Uganda to follow the lead of Orange and
speak out in support of the LGBT community. We're building on the global outcry
we inspired against Russia's anti-gay crackdown and bringing scale and
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By joining forces to stand for love against those who would take our dignity,
family and freedom because of who we are, our growing movement could realise
sweeping change in our lifetime. From 77 countries where it's a crime to be gay
to zero. For every anti-gay law that passes, there are now for the first time in
history thousands of people speaking out against it. That's the kind of
momentum that should inspire: hope first, and then change.
Some anti-LGBT Members of Congress just cant accept that the country has embraced
marriage equality.
Last week, Representative Steve King (R-IA) who was included in HRCs Hall of Shame
of the most anti-equality Members of Congress introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of
Representatives expressing displeasure at the historic Supreme Court decision in Obergefell
v. Hodges, which finally provided nationwide marriage equality.
The resolution would express the sense of the House of Representatives that
the traditional definition of marriage is a union between one man and one woman;
the majority opinion in Obergefell unconstitutionally and indefensibly distorts the
definition of marriage;
the States are not required to license same-sex marriage or recognize same-sex
marriages performed in other States; and
Thankfully, a majority of Americans dont agree with Rep. Kings assessment. Recent
polling shows that only 33 percent of Americans now oppose marriage equality an all-time
low. In contrast, 61 percent of Americans support marriage equality, and 70 percent of young
Americans agree. About LGBT Human Rights
We all have a sexual orientation and a gender identity, and this shared fact means that
discrimination against members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community,
based on sexual orientation and/ or gender identity, is an issue that transcends that community
and affects all of us.
Sexual orientation covers sexual desires, feelings, practices and identification. Sexual
orientation can be towards people of the same or different sexes (same-sex, heterosexual or
bisexual orientation). Gender identity refers to the complex relationship between sex and
gender, referring to a person's experience of self expression in relation to social categories of
masculinity or femininity (gender). A person's subjectively felt gender identity may be at
variance with their sex or physiological characteristics.
Amnesty International believes that all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender
identity, should be able to enjoy their human rights. Although the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights does not explicitly mention sexual orientation or gender identity, evolving
conceptions of international human rights law include a broad interpretation to include the
rights and the protection of the rights of LGBT people around the world.
The Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in Relation
to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, developed in 2006 by a group of LGBT experts in
Yogyarkarta, Indonesia
The Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in Relation
to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, developed in 2006 by a group of LGBT experts in
Issues
Decriminalization
People detained or imprisoned solely because of their homosexuality - including those
individuals prosecuted for having sex in circumstances which would not be criminal for
heterosexuals, or for their gender identity - are considered to be prisoners of conscience and
Amnesty International calls for their immediate and unconditional release.
Amnesty International calls for the decriminalization of homosexuality where such legislation
remains, including a review of all legislation which could result in the discrimination,
prosecution and punishment of people solely for their sexual orientation or gender identity.
All such laws should be repealed or amended.
READ MORE
Marriage Equality
The right of adults to enter into consensual marriage is enshrined in international human
rights standards.
Article 16, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have
the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage,
during marriage and at its dissolution.
Civil marriage between individuals of the same-sex is therefore an issue in which
fundamental human rights are at stake. Amnesty International believes that the denial of equal
civil recognition of same-sex relationships prevents many people from accessing a range of
other rights, such as rights to housing and social security, and stigmatizes those relationships
in ways that can fuel discrimination and other human rights abuses against people based on
their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Amnesty International opposes discrimination in civil marriage laws on the basis of sexual
orientation or gender identity and calls on states to recognize families of choice, across
borders where necessary. States should not discriminate against minority groups based on
identity.
READ MORE
In addition, AIUSA calls on states to:
Ensure that all allegations and reports of human rights violations based on sexual orientation
or gender identity are promptly and impartially investigated and perpetrators held
accountable and brought to justice;
Take all necessary legislative, administrative and other measures to prohibit and eliminate
prejudicial treatment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity at every stage of the
administration of justice;
Ensure adequate protection of human rights defenders at risk because of their work on human
rights and sexual orientation and gender identity.
Marchers filed through the French capital on Sunday to protest against President Francois
Hollande's plan to legalize gay marriage and adoption.
1791 - Following the French Revolution, the penal code is amended to decriminalize
homosexual acts. But social disapproval in the traditionally Catholic country remains strong
until recent years.
1995 - Saint Nazaire becomes the first city to allow homosexuals to register as concubines, a
legal concept allowing limited shared rights for unmarried couples living together.
1999 - The National Assembly approves "civil solidarity pacts" (PACS) after heated debates
but few protests. Open to all, they provide many tax breaks granted to married couples in
joint tax returns. The PACS is a contract certified by a court clerk, without a civil wedding
ceremony, and can be terminated in writing to the court. Partners retain their assets separately
and there is no duty to provide for a former partner.
2001 - Bertrand Delanoe, a Socialist who was one of the first French politicians to publicly
declare his homosexuality, is elected mayor of Paris. Since then, an openly gay man and an
openly bisexual man serve as culture ministers in conservative national governments.
2004 - Two men are married by the mayor of Begles near Bordeaux in France's first same-sex
marriage. A court later declares their union null and void because the civil code indicates that
marriage involves a man and a woman.
2010 - Originally seen as a kind of gay union, the PACS gradually morphs into "marriage
lite" for heterosexuals. In 2010, there are 251,654 heterosexual marriages and 205,558 civil
unions, 94 percent of them between heterosexuals. The term "pacs" enters into current usage
to describe someone in this status between single and married.
2012 - Francois Hollande includes gay marriage as one of 60 campaign promises but it does
not figure highly in debates for the presidential election in May. In November, the cabinet
approves a draft law allowing same-sex marriage with adoption rights that will be presented
to parliament on January 29